June Cause: Niagara Life Centre

Niagara Life Centre is an organization which is very well rounded, in my opinion. They address the needs of many people, in many circumstances. Quite the feat for an organization which began as a crisis pregnancy centre!  Here's a short excerpt from their history (which began in 1985!) to explain what they're all about in their own words:

"NLC began as a crisis pregnancy centre in response to the plight of young mothers with unplanned pregnancies. The clientele included young women with crisis pregnancies as well as mothers and fathers needing parenting help and emotional support. It was soon realized that those who came for our services had many more issues in their lives including: sexual abuse, addiction, relationship problems, anger, and depression. The Centre therefore, began to provide long-term counseling for the clients emotional, mental, physical and spiritual needs."

There are many different ways to support this great place, and you can check them out here and here.

Monetary donations, prayer, sponsorships, getting involved in fundraisers - all are means of reaching out to those who often cannot otherwise help themselves.

Two weekends ago, Niagara Life Centre had a booth at the Joyful Noise concert which I blogged about here. During a break between musicians, one lady who had been helped by the Centre came up to speak about what the centre had done for her. She struggled with many things:  coming from a broken family, an eating disorder, a birth-related disability, depression - all connected. And her praise for this Centre and her love for God and his influence on her life through the Centre was beautiful and moving.

So...how can you help? 

** this became one of my five "extra" causes to donate to this year!

Cause # 5: We Need A Law

Better super late than never...right?

Yikes...It's nearly the end of the month of May already, and I'm only just getting to this post. *Gulp*

I'm sorry?

But hey...here it is. The May Cause, fitting since May is also March for Life month in Canada. And all these things are part of a movement that I've watched grow and grow and GROW since my early teen years (not all that long ago.)

In Canada, we have NO abortion law. Nothing. And because there is no law governing abortion in Canada, even partial-birth abortions, as rare as they are, are not considered murder of a child.

So disgusting. Our country falls into a category with North Korea. And China. That is bizarre, in an extremely disturbing way.

And this has clearly disturbed the current generation of youth. The stereo-type of a pro-lifer is a gray haired old man standing in front of an abortion clinic holding a protest sign - and this is a stereotype pressed forward by the pro-'choice' movement. (It helps their side, can't you see?)

I hate to even call it the "pro-choice" movement, because it's a choice for only one person in the situation. The pregnant woman. Teens as young as twelve don't need parental permission for an abortion, the child's father doesn't have a choice, and certainly the child isn't given a choice.

So, visit the website for We Need A Law and learn about the issue. Learn how you can join a multitude of Canadians seeking a law that limits abortion.

I encourage you to begin reading on the myths page and go from there. And pass this information on!

Cause # 4: ARPA

Political Science. Something I never imagined I'd be interested in, let alone thought I'd major in.

Right up to my first semester of uni, when I HAD to take first-year poli sci, as it was the only course available in the time period I needed. I was dreading it. I'd hated civics in grade ten; politics was boring.

And then I started the course. By the end of the year, I declared my majors: History ( a subject I'd also hated at one point) and Political Science.

Now I teach grade ten civics - and I'm attempting to make it somewhat more interesting than it was when I took it. Quite the feat, as the textbook we are using is the one that was already not-quite-current when I used it in grade ten.....

I do love to use the website of the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA.)

Check them out! They are not asking for money, but for prayer. And, for you to GET INVOLVED! They make involvement easy, and: it's your God-given responsibility! Not mention a right of all Canadians.

Do it!

Oh, and politics isn't boring at all.

Cause # 3: Reece's Rainbow

Reece's Rainbow is an organization that I have been impressed with before and now have come across again.

Let me tell you. I have loved the idea of adoption since I was a little girl.

Back then, it was a romantic notion. You'd just pick up an unloved child and take them home, to live happily ever after.

I've since learned quite a bit about the cost - both materially and emotionally. And I'd feel blessed if I was ever able to adopt a child. I think if I adopted I wouldn't sign up to be on one of the crazy waiting lists for a 'normal' child (not that there's anything wrong with that.) But I'd rather give an opportunity for love & a family to a child who would have no opportunity otherwise. Such are the children on Reece's Rainbow.

I don't know if I would be a strong enough person to adopt one of these children listed on Reece's Rainbow. A decision like that would mean many hours in prayer. I certainly would also have to be financially stable first - these children come with medical and developmental needs that 'just' love can't address. It wouldn't be fair to adopt without those sorts of means too (and it probably wouldn't be allowed.)

What definitely saddens my heart: that there are SO MANY children who aren't accepted by their families because of their condition, whatever it might be. And then, when an adoptive family doesn't come along, they are placed into institutions where they are often not encouraged to improve. I've looked into those institutions. There are some good ones out there. But mostly, children with disabilities are sent there, and without love and care, their health fades and they die. It reminds me of the institutions that used to be in our country - for any child born with a mental or physical handicap.

We are blessed to live in a country where those with Down's syndrome are well supported. It's support that has been fought for by parents who refused to give up on their children, no matter their situation. It's support that's been won after seeing the conditions in many of the institutions that used to exist.

Of course, in Canada there are also many children aborted because of suspected conditions such as Down's. We can't forget that. It seems there are so many battles to fight, so that loving children can have a loving family.

Reece's Rainbow gives an opportunity to help. It creates awareness, but also helps to raise funds for families with the strength & courage to adopt one of these special kids. You can donate to the 'adoption fund" for a particular child and check out the other options they give for support.

Prayer is always key. It has a power beyond anything that money can do.

The hope that God gives, for us and these special little ones, is incredible. The struggles we face here are so brief compared to the eternity we'll spend in a place with no more sorrows and no more tears, where our bodies will be made perfect - as our Father always intended for them to be.


Shout to the North

Men of faith rise up and sing
Of the great and glorious King
You are strong when you feel weak
In your brokeness complete

Shout to the North and the South
Sing to the East and the West
Jesus is saviour to all
Lord of heaven and earth

Rise up women of the truth
Stand and sing to broken hearts
Who can know the healing power
Of our awesome King of love

We've been through fire we've been
through rain
We've been refined by the power of his name
We've fallen deeper in love with you
You've burned the truth on our lips

Rise up church with broken wings
Fill this place with songs again
Of our God who reigns on high
By His grace again we'll fly

Written by Martin Smith ©1995 Curious? Music UK

Kentucky!!!!

In less than three weeks, we will have completed our first work day in Kentucky with the 2012 Faithworks SALTeam!

Can you say excited?? Cuz that's what I am!!!! Oh I love, love, LOVE this place on earth.

Last night, to celebrate Family Day, I had an impromptu party. There were seven of us girls at one point. And all of us but one had been to Kentucky. It was so great being excited together (not the whole time. We played Apples to Apples as well. And discovered that to some people, large mouth bass are sensual (or cuddly.) And to others, construction workers are irresistable (or dainty.) I handed out some help-line numbers in both cases :P)

Send-off is in less than TWO weeks! Contact one of us if you'd like to come :)

I'm already half-packed. Hold your comments. It's the work clothes bit that's packed. And these aren't the kinda work clothes I can get away with as a teacher. Unfortunately.

And...the people! Can't wait to spend time bonding with the team, and of course getting to see some of my favourite Kentuckians, and meet some new ones too!

As for the work? The work's great, but it's mainly the means to building new relationships. An excellent means, if you ask me.

Can't wait to visit my very favourite place on earth, once again!

Cause # 2: Faithworks

Faithworks is a cause very near & dear to me, and one that you can support in a way that doesn't involve your pocket book (though it could!)

James 2:18 "But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." 

I'm actually on the Faithworks committee - I'm the secretary as well as a Kentucky SALT trip leader. And this is one committee that I don't want to give up any time soon.

Faithworks is a sub-committee of the Canadian Reformed World Relief Fund (CRWRF). As a committee, we run short-term service trips. There's a lot more to it - paperwork, evaluations, meetings, etc.

But here's where you can support us:

1. Prayer - for us as a committee, but also for our SALT trip members and our partner organizations - that all of us can praise God in our deeds
2. Join a SALTeam! Look for our upcoming trips & application deadlines. Find a contact form on our website or e-mail us (servewithfaithworks @ gmail . com.)
3. Support a team member - look for bulletin announcements, contact us, there are lots of ways to get to know the people who are going on these trips to serve & learn. 
4. Become a committee member - we're looking for a couple more right now, in fact.

Cause # 1: Anchor

Anchor is an organization closely linked to me. It's the  Canadian Reformed Association for the Handicapped and provides homes, as well as summer camp, for those within our church denomination who have special needs. They draw the name "Anchor" from Hebrews 6:19 'We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure...'
My oldest brother, James, has the benefit of living in one of the homes they provide. Currently, there are four homes. Unfortunately, they don't have enough monetary support.

Times are tight. Not everyone has enough to go around - especially when we're paying school fees, giving to the church, and supporting innumerable other charities.

But who can't afford $30/month for a grand total of $360 a year? I can guarantee that more than the 16% or less of church members who actually are members of Anchor can afford this. Most people pay more for coffee every month.

And, if it were your brother/sister/aunt/uncle/etc living there - wouldn't you like to see them have a second helping at dinner if they still feel hungry? Or a glass of orange juice made with 3 cans of water instead of five? The people working at Anchor are stretching their resources as far as they can go. But there's only so far you can stretch a dollar. Especially when you're at -$200,000 at the end of a year.

If you can't afford $30/month - give what you can! I remember being a student. It wasn't easy to make ends meet myself, but I definitely had opportunity to give.

Some ideas:

1. Become a member!
2. Give up one morning coffee's worth of change a week & donate that.
3. Host a dinner and invite the residents of your local home (great idea for youth groups!)
4. Host a fundraising tournament/dinner. When I was in youth group, we had a Dutch dinner and/or Pancake breakfast every year & the proceeds often went to Anchor (and the total was often close to a year's membership!)
5. Bring a meal over.
6. If you work for a company (grocery store, food packaging plant) that has leftovers or 'seconds" ask them to donate some! (Find out what the homes need first.)

Those are all physical/practical means, but of course they also need prayer and every single one of our brothers & sisters living in one of these homes loves company. You can visit as a family, a group, or by yourself. You can also sign up to be a cook/counselor for summer camp.

Please support as you can!