There you are, God! For much of the last month, I had been asking, "Where are you God?" to which He has responded this month, "Uh, right here!"
Just only a few weeks ago, I felt so fatigued and in a lack of hope for our neighbourhood. The number of open houses attended, where I felt helpless in the face of seemingly inevitable development that would further displace the most marginalized, reports about the 914 overdose deaths in BC in the last year including one person who we knew at the Maple SRO, disappointing talks of race within community organizing groups, as well as the tangible reminder in Quebec that racism is alive and well in Canada, among many more discouraging stories.
I kept wondering, "How would I know when God speaks? Or how God is with us?" I wasn't all that sure, but I resolved that however he did it, it had to be obvious - that when it happens, it would be clear. ~.~.~ One week, we saw Grant and Erica on the street three days in a row. We checked in on how they were doing, and most times, they didn't know where they'd be sleeping that night. So we decided to offer our space for them to stay. Katelyn also suggested they come to our Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP) meeting on Friday, so they came. After sharing about their living situation, Jean Swanson (if you don't know who she is, you have to! Just read here) made it her task to find them housing. In the same meeting, Erica volunteered to speak at a press conference presenting CCAP's Community Economic Development (CED) report on low-income retail spaces for the Downtown Eastside.
That Sunday, our Servant Partners co-director and worship leader at our Strathcona Vineyard church, Krista-Dawn, invited Erica and Grant to singAmazing Grace in Cree during worship.
The next day, Jean informed us that she found housing for Erica and Grant! Hallejuah! Thank you for your support in prayer. Your prayers, as well as our community's, have been answered. They'll be able to feel secure from now on knowing there's a roof over their heads to go back to every night.
On Wednesday, Erica was in the spotlight, having received news coverage fromCBC, The Vancouver Sun, CKNW, and other outlets after speaking on behalf of CCAP on our CED report, highlighting the unaffordable and unwelcome "zones of exclusion" that have been coming into the neighbourhood at the expense of the low-income residents already living here. They're excluded not only because they cannot afford the things offered in these stores, but also are either seen in suspicion, not served, or often times kicked out, because of how they look.
I had been unsure what it meant for Servant Partners to help in "local leadership empowerment" until now. It was an incredibly joyful sight to see Erica and Grant sing in their native tongue in front of our whole church and to see them reclaim their voices after having silently suffered under various systems of oppression. I believe this is what it means to develop local leadership - to allow our neighbours to take the spotlight and lead the way, while we play the background. ~.~.~ In other news, Lama has been doing an amazing job hosting events for Black History Month, screening a film called Intore, journeying through the reconciliation process in Rwanda after the 1994 genocide. I was particularly struck by the interview with a perpetrator and victim in the same room. The perpetrator nearly killed the victim, and years later went back to ask for her forgiveness. She forgave him, and now they live near one another, as he helps her with tasks she cannot do anymore because he cut her arm off.
Lama also hosted an event for Hogan's Alley, Vancouver's first and last Black community, which was torn down in the 1970s as part of the urban renewal (or also known as Negro removal) trend sweeping through North America at the time, to make way for a viaduct and freeway. The freeway never happened because Chinese and Black residents in Strathcona literally stood by the bulldozers to prevent it from happening, but the viaducts couldn't be stopped. Two blocks of a neighbourhood was levelled for a road. The city has revealed plans to tear down the viaducts between 2018-20, so the community has come back together again to imagine what was, and what can be, as we press the government to give back what the Black community lost. ~.~.~ On a quieter note, I go upstairs every morning to see Bill listening to praise music. I asked him what compelled him to listen to it more, and he said he wanted to get to know all the songs that we sing during our daily morning prayer sessions. He also regularly prays aloud with us, and on our Sabbath morning, mentioned to me: "I wish there was prayer meeting today. I don't know why, but I do." He's also being encouraged to speak one Sunday at the kids program on Native culture and spirituality. ~.~.~ Don't you feel emboldened to prayer more and for bigger things when God answers prayers? If you could please continue to pray for:
1. Erica and Grant. Though this is a great victory, they are still struggling with various personal issues. Pray for God's healing hand and perseverance through their daily struggles, as well as for their children, who are battling health problems.
2. Lama. I've still found difficulty figuring out what is the best way to support Lama in what he does, other than to show up. Please pray for creative invitations that I can make for him.
3. Bill. Clearly, he's getting closer to Jesus and wants to engage more. Pray for a breakthrough and a decision to follow Jesus, and opportunities to work through intellectual barriers he has.
4. Lance. His health has been deteriorating severely and spends most of his time at doctor's appointments. He's too tired to do anything afterwards. Pray for healing and strength to sustain him in what he needs to do.
5. Andy and Jeanette & family. Andy and Jeanette have three children, and currently, Andy cannot live with his wife and kids due to complications. They've been looking for housing for their family with no success. Pray that they would be able to find housing, as Erica and Grant has!
You are all amazing. Thank you for your priceless partnership.
Grace be with you, Steve |