November 9, 2009
Ever had that feeling of “that’s exactly what I need to do”?
Wade is taking the LEED course because “it jives with [his] hippy sensibilities” amongst other reasons.
Courtney organized a Set-Setal event in her neighbourhood of Dakar. Courtney seems like the sort of person I would like to meet. On Africa’s west coast, she is striving to impact her community.
Students meet the needs of an inner-city neighbourhood through a program called SWITCH. A similar program with students, mentors and a host of volunteers is soon to start here. I don’t know what it will look like but you should stop by sometime.
On only two occasions have I been urged by the most overwhelming gut-feeling to pick up a hitchhiker. This is the story of the second. It was not the safest option, or maybe even the smartest. The female travelling alone decides to pick up the man along the side of the road. It could have ended much, much differently. Instead Wayne turned out to be one of those incredible individuals. I passed him initially, playing it safe. Of course, I was also running late for a meeting. But then I had so many thoughts come to mind. The Gideon at church who gave a Bible to the gas station attendant. My father himself picking up a hitchhiker; the man making his way to a sick family member. The call I have to intertwine good works with the Good News (and vice versa). After a lengthy internal battle, I turned around and invited a stranger in.
Wayne is of First Nations background. He was probably under-dressed for the weather. He didn’t have a bag. He told me of his friends, his travels and his children. He told me that his daughter, at 21, was trying to finish grade 11. He was so proud of her, having only a grade five education himself. He told me about the lady upstairs who helped him with things he needed to write.
And I sat there desperately wanting to hear all his thoughts on God but not knowing how to start that conversation. Of course, he started it instead. And I hear his simple story. “He lives here,” he said, fist to chest. Living in various foster homes as a child, he told me of the church couple who invested an outrageous amount of time in his life.
I’m not sure why I had to turn around and pick Wayne up. There were certainly plenty of other travellers that day: semi-drivers and men with trucks. Was it so that Wayne could get where he was going? Was it so I could learn something? Maybe hearing about Wayne’s relationship with God was enough. It was simple and basic and lacking all pretentiousness. Maybe inviting him in was enough. Maybe obedience to God’s voice was enough.
October 30, 2009
People deeply care about their communities. They are doing all sorts of things. You have no idea what they are up to. What they are passionate about. What they are already actively doing. There are a lot of small things. A few big things too.
They would like you to participate. Participate in their things or participate in other things. They probably wouldn’t even mind if you borrowed the idea of their thing. That’s just the sort of folks they are.
You will want to read about these people and their things. You can even add your own things, vote for things, comment on things. These things will inspire you.
These are a few of my favourite things.
Find your own important idea.
July 27, 2009
Saskatchewan’s aggressive recruitment of South African doctors is … having devastating consequences.
Some rural areas of South Africa are now left with just three doctors for every 100,000 people. In Saskatchewan, where officials frequently cite a physician shortage, there are roughly 136 for every 100,000 people.
read more:South Africa suffering as Saskatchewan takes its doctors, Regina LeaderPost, July 27, 2009
Truth is, it’s not just South Africa. It’s most of Africa, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, South America and other corners of the world.
Attrition of skilled workers and professionals is not an abstract concept. If you don’t incite emmigration, you won’t need nearly as many volunteers to “fill the gaps.” (And fill the gaps poorly since they don’t know the language or the culture.) And family units and the extended community won’t be fragmented when that person leaves home.
We are just plan greedy. We are quick to claim our rights. But just who do those rights belong to? Have we limited someone else’s right to improve our own?
July 11, 2009
Theory not put into practise is useless, but practise that is not informed by theory is dangerous
stated Marc Spooner, U of R professor [LeaderPost Online]. Spooner did some government research (which I wrote about in “Home(less)“) and, believing in the necessity of the practical application, also created a map of resources: shelters, food, clothing.
Maybe that’s how Spooner loves his neighbours. He has tried to do something about this issue. And I see a hidden gem for everyone else in the city. A common excuse is not knowing where to start. Spooner’s list is not only for those who need support, it is also for every other citizen with a hand to lend. These are the places already making a difference. These are the places (with you) that could make more of a difference.
July 2, 2009
The demand for shelter beds increased by more than a 16 per cent and the average number users per night rose by 28 per cent.
Those statistics do not reflect the number of people sleeping in parks and on the street, in vehicles, tents and trailers, and in garages and overcrowded basements.
read full story: Homeless population growing, Regina LeaderPost
This is a world where causes intersect continually. How do you improve primary education when children are hungry? How do you end hunger when one has to choose between shelter and food? How do you end poverty without meaningful employment?
How does one love their neighbour?
