Hello hello :) i'm glad your reading my blog... this is my first blog ever. Im not really one who likes to have everyone know what i'm doing but in this case, with being somewhere away from most of my friends and family this seemed a good way to answer a lot of questions i keep getting! most of these questions seem to be Where are YOU? and Why are you in Vancouver? so hopefully i'll be able to put up some information and keep people posted about what is going on in east vancouver and the ministry opportunities i'm getting. the next bits of writing are from my prayer letter and will let you know what i am up to!
Many of you know that I am working as a summer missionary intern in Vancouver. I wanted to give you some more information on what I will be doing and the organization I will be working with. The organization is called Vancouver Urban Ministries. They have been working in East Vancouver since February 2006. Their main focus is underprivileged youth and families and refugees in East Vancouver.
VUM is a unique organization. They are keen on urban focused ministries and want to teach me how to intentionally live as a Christian in an urban community. VUM particularly focuses on work with marginalized and disadvantaged refugees, children, and families, many of whom also have a First Nations heritage. Macdonald Elementary is one school VUM is highly active in. At MacDonald elementary approximately 62% of students are first nations, 40% of its students are from single-parent homes, and 27% of families have an annual income of less than $20 000. These students do not get the same opportunities to participate in fun summer activities or after school programs. Each day these children and families face many obstacles such as drug and alcohol abuse, parental neglect, lack of caring and supportive environments, which very easily lead toward involvement in criminal activity in adolescence and adulthood.
VUM provides after school and weekend activities for elementary and highschool aged students, as well as music lessons that are free of charge. Through these programs VUM is able to build relationships and create a healthy, caring environment for youth in the community. A partnership with World Vision Canada is making it possible for more youth to be apart of after-school tutoring programs.
I am really excited about this opportunity. VUM is a great organization and the people are focused on sharing the love of Christ and loving the community they work in. VUM caught my attention because it combines many of the things I am passionate about, these being sharing Jesus Christ, music, camp ministry, and building community. Some of my responsibilities this summer will be teaching piano, supporting the tutoring program, organizing community meals, mentoring youth, organizing weekly youth events, soccer camps, and family camps. As well as hosting a two missions teams coming in from the states.
Please pray for me!! This summer is going to be a great learning experience, but it will come with its difficulties. God has led me to VUM and I am so excited to see how His love is infiltrating the many broken homes in East Vancouver. I have been blessed with amazing friends and family that have supported me through many years of camp and cross-cultural missions, and this is another really cool opportunity God has blessed me with.
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