Montreal 2016

This was a bit of a whirlwind trip - as in a lot was accomplished in a short period of time. This trip was quite a bit different than last years trip - just because we got the opportunities to talk to a ton of people. Last year we got to talk to very few. I'm going to try to give a recap of each day - and then a reflection at the end. :)

Monday, June 6 We left for the airport around 4am from Bethany Baptist -- and we arrived in Montreal around noon. This was really just a "get-there-and-settle-in" day.

Tuesday, June 7 - Thursday, June 9 This was our first day of ministry. We served the majority of our time at a local community service center. It reminds me of something like a homeless shelter - although housing was not provided here. Low cost meals (and coffee) and second hand clothes were available - as well as a food bank. The center was in a former church building. The sanctuary was turned into a main hall for music concerts (like a small orchestra) and other activities. This center is ran by the government - and we are asked not to make grand efforts to evangelize. We can answer any questions asked - but - the door to door evangelism type of practice could get our group and future groups working with Renaissance Church banned. The center is called "Share the Warmth".   This did not mean we couldn't share. We were often asked why we were in Montreal --- and we would simply say that we were visiting a friend in the area who is staring a church in Little Burgundy - if they seemed interested we would invite them to a meal or to coffee later for further discussion. There were various points of service. Our team was scattered between the food bank, clothes sorting, gardening (mainly pulling weeds), and cooking. I was in the kitchen 95% of the time. There were lots of volunteers and paid workers coming in and out & working on different things.  The first day I started out by pouring lemonade into cups -- and then making simple syrup for iced coffee. Eventually I moved on to making cookies and doing the dishes.  These are all things that leave room for conversation. One guy - I'll call him NW - was very open to spiritual conversations. His parents were Hindu, but he (now college age) had gone to Catholic, Islamic, and Christian schools growing up. He expressed that it didn't matter which one you choose (though he did not believe in any of the above) but the main idea was to do good things. I carefully told him that I was doing good things because  of what Jesus had done for me - and not the other way around. The topic didn't reach any deeper - as the topic was changed. I invited him to dinner along with the group - and even for coffee - as we did with several other people - who didn't show. So often I would speak to someone about why I was there - and the other person would become quickly uncomfortable.  It's important to know that many other church teams are coming (all summer) to the same place - to do the same thing - hopefully touching base with some of the same people. While it's important to use WORDS when sharing the Gospel -- sometimes the right timing doesn't quite come for that full on presentation. It seemed odd to people that we would come all the way from Louisville just to serve - and rightly so. Hopefully other groups & Renaissance Church members will get the opportunity to present the Gospel to these people - and we should pray that they do. Evangelism & Missions largely consists of living life with people -- and this was one of those times. I just sort of wish I could see it through - but God's got it - as He always does.

Friday, June 10 Today we just got up and headed to the airport. I'm on the plane now - and should be in Louisville in about an hour. No plane conversations. Sort of heavy hearted returning home - knowing I have to dive back into the "nitty-gritty" of things. Although I'm looking forward to visiting Niger in September. Further Reflections - I'm so very thankful for the community we had in our team - and at Bethany. It really is like family. I love that we can reflect on things back at home and on Scripture together.  I was very surprised at how a team - to the same place - can be so very different from the same trip the year before.  - I'm also always amazed at the things my teammates reflect on - that I don't often think about - or things that I wouldn't be surprised by but others are. - Sometimes ministry can be comfortable. I'm used to doing the more extreme end of things -- but a bed (or cot - in my case this time) with a room with A/C - doesn't kill the ministry. Ministry in Montreal - or even where we live - is just as important as it is in Niger or Brazil - or anywhere else. People are going to hell - to a Christ-less eternity every day. We're all in need of just as much grace - no matter where we are geographically located. (However - this is not to say that we shouldn't go to the extreme places - which I honestly tend to prefer. We should be willing to sacrifice everything for God's call on our lives.) - Even the most comfortable ministries come with sacrifices. We sacrificed our time, possibly part or all of a paycheck (for me at least) and some comfort. As with every mission trip I got a bit banged up physically as well - although it's all worth it in the end anyway. ;) And finally - again in reminded of how we - as Christians - should be doing some of the same things we do on mission trips in our own contexts. Montreal is really not that different than Louisville. It has a French flare - but it is very much a modern city. We should seek to speak the Gospel to & love on people in our own cities on a consistent basis. Remember the Great Commission isn't an elective... It's a command. ;) Please continue praying for Montreal - and more specifically Renaissance Church and the long term team there.  Nothing happens in Montreal without prayer -- large walls exist between most people & the church due to the history there. Pray for boldness for those who are to witness - and for God to speak to hearts who do not believe. Until next time, Emily