Monica's Testimony (Youth)

Monica is a youth who is regularly part of our programs. She attends our tutoring program (EPIC) and our kids program (KIC), along with her younger sister, who she loves taking care of. She’s also a “big sister” to many of the kids in the program, as they look up to her and her faith in God. She loves taking part in the art/paint nights where they have done projects like painting landscapes/animals, making acrostic poems, and other creative works! 

Some of her favourite memories at program and camp include doing tie dye, eating freezies, and having water balloon fights. She can also be seen running around and has lots of energy. However, when she is asked why she continues to come back to programs, she says that she really enjoys talking about the Gospel. She has seen that having a relationship with Jesus has changed her for the better, and knows that God gives her a sense of peace in her life. She says, “I’m happy that he’s affected my life and programs!”

Hayden's Testimony (TLC)

If you were to glance in on a day in Sonshine Day Camp, you might spot Hayden with the kids! She has been serving faithfully as a TLC (Teens Leading Community) in the past two years at TCM. She’s been part of programs since she was in grade 4, and currently attends Youth Extreme and volunteers with Sonshine Day Camp. When she is not volunteering, she often helps to bring her younger brother and sister to programs as well. 

Hayden cherishes the time she spends in programs and with the children. She really enjoys the atmosphere of camp, and she can see how the leaders truly love and want to serve God. She also models that well herself! Her faith has been growing steadily and she does not shy away from sharing the Gospel with those around her. The children enjoy spending time with Hayden, whether during swimming or sitting by her at Bible time. She’s especially kind and helpful to the younger kids, who often stay by her side. She enjoys seeing how the kids truly want to learn more about God, and are excited to be part of programs each day. When asked about her experience serving at Sonshine Day Camp, she says “I’ve seen that I’ve grown as a person...and I’ve just been seeing God change my whole perspective on life.” She hopes that she can continue to build relationships with the kids as the pandemic gets better! 

Joys and Difficulties of support rising

By: Racheal Mulongo | Intern

Raising support is a part of a lot of different Christian ministries. It’s one of those things that some of us want to go through with a “bear it and grin” mindset. Where we just cannot wait to get it over with. And that’s understandable, it’s a draining process at times but there are also great joys that come with the journey of support raising. A friend once told me, “support raising is like a beautiful beast”. Beautiful because it is a time that God works on your heart and prepares you for ministry but still a beast because the process is not easy. However, just because it’s not easy doesn’t mean it’s bad. In fact, the times you learn and grow the most is through situations that aren’t always the easiest. 

Support raising gives you a chance to share your ministry with others and allows them to see how God is at work in places they might not have thought of. You also get the chance to hear from others how God is working in their lives. During the process of support raising, you get to invite others to join you as you step into what God is already doing. I think sometimes in the process of support raising the temptation is to think that you are carrying the weight of raising your funds on your own, but the truth is God is the one who is working in people’s hearts to give to your ministry. God cares far more deeply about the ministry you are stepping into. He cares so much more for people to come to know Him, for His people to experience restoration. No matter how passionate you are about the ministry you are stepping into, trust me God is far more passionate and zealous. 

Support raising is a growing process, a time where your dependence on God will grow because of how much your faith will be stretched. Your eyes are really opened to just how much God can do. It might be hard to see what God is doing or to understand how He is working during the process, but He is. In a similar way when the Jews were waiting for the coming Messiah, they did not expect Him to come as a humble baby, let alone a baby born in a stable.  The Jews were expecting a Savior to work in a particular way, to become a King and overthrow the Roman Empire, but He was working in a different way than they could not understand at the time. 

 There are some difficulties that come with the process of support raising. It can be scary and at times disappointing. There will be people you share with that might not understand your ministry or may not want to support you at that moment. It can be disappointing to follow up with someone for long hoping they would join your ministry only for them not to. 

At times you might not get a response from someone that you expected would get back to you and support you. What is interesting though is that sometimes the people you least expect are the ones God uses to support your ministry. 

Whether you’re someone thinking of support raising or you’re in the middle of the process and feel discouraged, you are not alone. Many have gone before you and God has provided. If God has called you, He will equip you and enable you to do his ministry at the end of the day. Maybe it won’t pan out exactly how you planned and expected, but God will surely make a way.

Christmas Greetings

By: Elliott Shin | Executive Director

By the first week of December my calendar is usually filled with family, personal and ministry Christmas events. In 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic leads us into our 9th month, I am acutely aware that the normal chaos of shopping, parties and friend get togethers that typically bring joy and excitement to this time of the year will be replaced by a lot of stay at home activities. As we strive to adhere to public health restrictions, we are trying our best to find creative ways to celebrate with our friends and family.

This will definitely be a more intimate Christmas season. A time to celebrate the birth of Christ with just our immediate families. As I reflect on what a pandemic Christmas will look like, I am stuck by the unseen blessings this year can potentially provide.

I acknowledge that in years past, the glitter, and busyness of gift buying (receiving), dinners, lunches, and parties have oftentimes clouded the true meaning of Christmas. This year, through the intimacy of celebrating just with our immediate family, God has given us a wonderful opportunity to dig deeper and make this a much more thoughtful and contemplative festive season. 

My prayer is that this will not be a disappointing Christmas for you. Instead of whining, bemoaning and complaining about missing the many events and activities of the season, let’s take advantage of the additional intimate, alone time with God. As we do so, I am confident that God will reveal to us an important, richer and momentous message for us to reflect on.

Although marvelous, the meaning of Christmas does not lie on the creative gifts we give and receive. Nor is it in the magnificently trimmed tree, or the succulent turnkey dinner with all the trimmings with friends and family. Christmas is a season of joy that is not of material blessings. But rather, It is a time to simply celebrate the humble birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son Jesus into the world, and his birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. However, this was no ordinary baby, the prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. “For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Jesus’ story is one of hope, love and truth. His birth brought salvation for all of us. The bible teaches us that we are all sinners, we are born with a sin nature and sometimes we will do things that will not please God. But Jesus came to die on the cross for all of our sins. If we believe that Christ died for our sins, we can ask him to come into our lives and forgive us. We can have a personal relationship with Him!

As we live through the uncertainties and worries of Covid-19, we are blessed with the opportunity to observe and examine Christmas in a different manner. In the midst of challenging government restrictions, let us not be discouraged in our inability to meet with friends and extended family. Instead let us take this opportunity to have a more intimate Christmas and dig deeper and wider as we joyously reflect on the birth of Jesus!

On behalf of the Toronto City Mission team, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This is a video of drawings that the kids of our programs made. We hope you enjoy ‘The Story of Christmas’.

Timothy (TLC) Testimony

As a TLC (Teens Leading Community) Timothy volunteers his time with Toronto City Mission (TCM) during the summer and throughout the school year. His younger brother and sister currently attend the same TCM after school programs that he did since he was 6 years old. It’s been 7 years since then and he has now been a TLC for the past two summers. While the TLC program gives Timothy the chance to gain community service hours for school, he ultimately enjoys the fun activities and trips he goes on with the kids. One of Timothy’s favorite Sonshine Day Camp memories as a TLC is “swimming with the kids at the local park”. 

For Timothy, he feels blessed to have many Christian friends who keep him accountable. He thanks God that his Christian life is something that comes naturally to him and that his faith doesn’t feel like a chore. Coming from a Christian family, he grew up going to church and learning about God. While volunteering with camp, Timothy is able to show God’s love to the kids through activities and being an example for them. Most of the activities and games that are done at camp help the kids learn about the bible. These activities help the kids learn about God but for Timothy, “it’s a constant reminder of God’s existence and to get connected with Him.” 

Many of the kids look up to Timothy as an older brother. He’s one of the first people that many of the kids go to when they want to play basketball or when they’re having a tough day. He doesn't have trouble sharing the Gospel with the kids and often finds himself in situations where he helps lead bible time. Through the various activities and Bible times, Timothy has realized that learning about God isn’t just for adults, but rather that “… kids can learn and be in tune with God as well.”