Hi St. Tim’s! We went on a mission trip to Winnipeg this summer and we are so excited to share our reflection with you! You can read more on our reflections below. Please take a look at our e-Book version that includes many photos!

Thank you for all your support before, during and after the trip. We greatly appreciate it!

–  Lauren and April

Reflection

What are some moments that stand out to you, and why?

One of the biggest moments that stood out to me is being able to interview everyone. I had the privilege of interviewing Karen, one of the volunteers who helps out with the Learn and Play Program (LAPP). When interviewing Karen, I learned that LAPP has not only helped everyone that actively attends the program, but it has also helped Karen with her speech impediment. Karen struggled with pronouncing “th” sounds. However, through helping all the children and parents who attended LAPP, she was able to learn the “th” pronunciation. Another interview question was regarding the residential schools and what reconciliation means to her. The interview quickly turned emotional after I asked this. Karen explained that her parents attended a residential school. Since they had a terrible experience, they turned to alcohol and became alcoholics. During Karen’s childhood, she went through a lot of verbal and physical abuse due to this. This influenced the way that Karen raised her own children. She also believes that there is a long way to go with reconciliation, and that this is just the start. After talking to Karen, I learned a lot more about how people are still affected by residential schools to this day, and how present this issue is in Canada.

Another moment that stood out was when we toured another organization in Winnipeg called the Main Street Project (MSP). Winnipeg Inner City Missions (WICM) and Main Street Project have a lot of similarities and differences. They both offer housing for people, but WICM is focused on helping individuals get back on their feet. MSP is more focused on getting people off the street. They provide a lot of different programs and services, one being the food bank. I really enjoyed being able to see all the good things that they’re doing and what steps they’re taking.

I really enjoyed all the moments I’ve spent in Winnipeg. I have been able to learn a lot about the community and the people. 

– April Chia

There were two very distinct moments that stood out to me during our mission trip.

We had the opportunity to listen to Rev. Margaret and some of her stories and the reason behind her ministry. I think that it was something I resonated a lot with and something that really stuck with me throughout the trip. Rev. Margaret leads a ministry that is based upon unconditional love and acceptance. She said that Anishinabe Place of Hope Presbyterian Church strives to provide love for the “unloved” and “unlovable”. I found it so heartbreaking to hear of the things that some of these members of the community were going through. There were very high child suicide rates and because of the sheer amount of loss in some of these families, they turned to addiction to get away from it. It honestly broke my heart to hear stories like this. But, I think in a way, it was something that connected me to the people in Winnipeg. I feel like there is a lot of brokenness in their community and I can see glimpses of that in our church community too. I’ve been inspired by Rev. Margaret. I hope to become someone that can provide courage and hope, giving unconditional love and acceptance to anyone I can. 

Another moment that stood out to me was when we explored the North End of Winnipeg. The North End is a fairly large area of extreme poverty in the neighbourhood. It is home to low-income families who make around $30,000 a year. It’s also a very rough and dangerous area, especially at night. There is a lot of crime and violence in that area, with gangs, prostitution, and lots of substance abuse. Kids can not walk around the neighbourhood safely, especially in the evenings. Just seeing the living conditions doesn’t give me the entire picture of their lives at home, but I could sense how much they were lacking and suffering. I think God has opened up my eyes to the world beyond what I’m used to. I’m so blessed to come from a stable family, to have a roof over my head, and to have all my basic needs fulfilled. I get the chance to study what I want, buy things that I want; all privileges that many of those kids don’t have. I think I took a lot of things for granted, but seeing communities like this and being exposed to people who have so little has really made me appreciate my own. 

– Lauren Lee

How has your perspective about issues in our society changed as a result of your experience?

I personally never knew much about residential schools, I’m not sure if it’s because I didn’t pay attention during History class, or maybe I wasn’t exposed to it during my childhood. Before this internship started, I didn’t even know that the PCC was involved. Before going to Winnipeg, we studied about residential schools and the PCC’s apology. After listening to people’s stories in Winnipeg, my mind was opened to how the Aboriginal people are still struggling with the aftermath of residential schools and the 60’s scoop. Many of the people who I interviewed didn’t go through residential schooling themselves, however, their family members did. They would be physically and mentally abused. Sometimes even sexually abused. They turned to alcohol to ease their pain and bury those terrible memories. Their children would see them, and engage in similar behaviours. Alcoholism is something that was very common among all the people we talked to, either they themselves have gone through this or their families have. I was also able to hear their thoughts on reconciliation. Everyone believes in the need for reconciliation, but where Canada and the community is at with it is where the difference of opinions start. Some people believe that there has been a lot of reconciliation already, while others believe that it has just started. 

There has to be more communication between people, we need to tell each other our stories so that we may understand one another. We all also have to be more educated about the history. If we don’t understand the history, we won’t be able to empathize with one another. We are still far from full reconciliation. People still hurt and feel the pain from the aftermath of the experiences. Many of their families will never be the same again. But, the least we can do is to educate ourselves and try to connect with them.

– April Chia

 

The Winnipeg mission trip has really opened my eyes to our own communities. There are so many issues within our own cities that need attention. I keep thinking back to how poverty seems like a never-ending loop. The aftermath of residential schools and the 60’s scoop on the Aboriginal people is still very prominent. So many children have parents who are deep in their addictions. Families were and continue to be broken and torn apart. This mission trip has raised my awareness on the social issues that many people living in the inner-city face. We always think of the issues happening far away from us, and it’s crazy to think about how there are many issues happening in “our own backyard!”

– Lauren Lee

 

How have your experiences shaped your view of faith and God?

This experience has made my thoughts on my faith more concrete. I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason, whether that means God’s plan or fate. I think that God blessed me and let me go on this mission to open my eyes to everything that is going on. Reading something online, or watching a video is one thing. But to be able to talk to people who have personally gone through the experiences they have, is another thing. God has a plan for everyone, and I can firmly say this now. When talking to everyone, they have been through so much, yet they’re all at a better place now. They are able to talk about their experiences with people like Lauren and I, and affect us in ways I can’t explain. I am excited to see what is next and what God has in store for me!

– April Chia

 

I think this mission trip has allowed me to really see God’s grace in this ungracious world that we live in. I’ve learned that He is such a compassionate God; a God who loves us and accepts us unconditionally, and provides so abundantly. He gave the people in the community so much, despite how little they have. Through this mission trip, I’ve also realized that God doesn’t put us through things that we can’t handle and he doesn’t make us do it alone. During our suffering, there are two paths we can take, one leading to despair and the other leading to hope. I think many people in that community have walked down the path to despair, but I trust that he will show them the light and the way. I think that my faith in God has strengthened over this summer. I trust that if I endure, God will lead me to hope.

– Lauren Lee

 

How has your understanding about yourself grown through this experience?

After going on this mission trip, I learned that I am still unaware about the issues in the community and in the world. There’s so much more to this world, and even the communities around us. This experience has definitely opened my eyes to not only the city of Winnipeg, but also my own community. There’s so much that I am still unaware of, but affecting so many people around the globe. This whole experience has helped me learn that I need to study more and educate myself more on everything going on around me. Maybe even go out to organization around my own community and learn about what they’re doing and volunteer. Before going on mission, whenever I read stories or watched videos of things happening around the world, I had the thought of “This will never happen to me” or “This won’t happen in my community”. Maybe this is arrogance from being privileged enough to live the life I do, or maybe it’s just me being unaware and naive. I am very grateful that I was able to learn and grow from this mission trip. It has made me more aware of everything that is going on, and how it also affects the community around me.

– April Chia

 

 

I think this mission trip has helped me to find my calling in life, or at least clarify it! I’ve been trying to figure out what brings meaning and joy to my life and what I want to do in the future. I’ve come to realize that my passion lies in helping others. I enjoying serving, seeing others grow and how they appreciate it. It really brings joy to my heart!

Talking to others about their passions, hopes, dreams, and experiences made me think about my own passion and gave me an idea for the direction that I want to take in my life! Maybe I’ll end up working for a non-profit organization, trying to create change in my own community. Maybe I’ll help build a sustainable city where people can live together in harmony.

My vision is simple; to help others and bring change to their lives, no matter how little. It may not be the flashy, glamorous life that many dream of having, but I think that it will definitely be fulfilling; truly a life worth living! I hope that what ever it is, that I can be a leader that empowers others and really inspires them!

– Lauren Lee

 

 

Read the e-Book here!