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Toronto
This month we’re heading on over to Toronto! Be sure to visit our opportunities page for more information about serving with us in his beautiful Canadian city.
News from the Toronto City Director
When I think of Toronto I think of diversity. The diversity of this city is so beautiful. Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world, so no matter where you go you will most likely run into someone from another culture. Not only that but you will also hear a plethora of different languages.
Being in Toronto gives me many opportunities to connect with different people from around the world. I also have the opportunity to be connected with our different ministry sites and they too are also diverse.
We have had many different groups from many different backgrounds come to serve with us in Toronto and each one walks away with a different experience. I find it absolutely fascinating to see God work through so many different people, in so many different way.
In these last few weeks, I have realized more and more how diversity is really what the body of Christ is all about. We are not all the same parts and do not all look the same but we are all very much needed to complete the body.
Come and experience the diverse body of Christ in Toronto, eh?
– Holly Fledderjohann, CSM Toronto Co-City Director
News from Toronto
CSM has had a busy spring this year, with lots of groups coming to all of our sites. It has been so busy, that the city directors have had to call on Noel, Greg and me to help host some of these groups. I just spent a great week in Toronto experiencing the world’s most diverse city. We experienced the cuisines of Somalia, India, Greece, Jamaica and Thailand, we plunged into one of five Chinatowns and worked at ministries supporting mentally and physically disabled people, homeless and immigrant children.
On one particular afternoon, my group of high schoolers from Michigan were picking up trash in one of Toronto’s subsidized housing projects. Most new immigrants find their first homes in such places. And now, with the costs of housing skyrocketing in the rest of the city, many are unable to leave. On behalf of the nearby Salvation Army, our groups will take gloves and trash bags and help pick up the debris in the common areas and around playgrounds. Toronto is generally such a clean city, that this simple task can generate a lot of comments and appreciation.
One young woman stopped and said “Thank you for cleaning up, and if you happen to find an envelope with $500 in it, which I lost this morning, you keep it, you deserve it!” When I expressed my sympathy to her about losing her money, she said, “Oh, that’s okay, it could be worse, I still have my health, it’s only money. God bless you.” Well, I didn’t find the money, but I certainly felt blessed. Again, as so often happens in the city, the tables are turned and instead of coming to bless someone, the blessing comes to me.
– Kyle Becchetti, CSM Vice President of Operations
Local News Links
- Off Street, Onto the Field April 9, 2007
- Teens Choose to Try Living on the Streets April 8, 2007
- Concerns Raised for Proposed Homeless Shelter March 29, 2007
CSM Urban Updates
CSM now has its own blog! Find out what’s happening in urban centers throughout North America, make comments and dialogue with others involved in urban missions.
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