By: Raphaela So, Summer Intern
Growing up in the suburbs of Markham for the majority of my life, the Kingston-Galloway neighbourhood is quite the contrast. Last Friday, my team and I had the chance to step away from all the planning and take a walk around the community.
As we walked around the plazas and past the numerous community housing buildings, we exchanged glances with many of the people of the community - the elderly, parents, teenagers, and toddlers. I began to wonder what types of homes these people came from, and what their individual stories were.
For much of the walk, I was overcome by the feeling that many of these people were hurting or broken. What’s more, my heart ached, as I realized that many of these people were struggling without knowing the hope that comes with the Gospel.
Near the end of our walk, we ventured along a trail and ended up at a river flowing through the trees. We took some time to reflect and to hear God speak to us, as the birds chirped and the river bubbled around the rocks.
Surrounded by trees, grass and water, I was reminded of Psalm 23.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
Though my heartstrings were being pulled as I walked through Kingston-Galloway, a sense of peace washed over me as I repeated that phrase to myself: He restores my soul.
I do not doubt that there is a lot of pain and suffering in the homes of the communities that TCM is ministering to, but I believe that God will work in the hearts of families and children and open their eyes so that they too can experience the hope and peace that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It is my prayer that despite the hardships and difficulties in their lives, they may one day find comfort in this simple phrase: He restores my soul.
This is Raphaela’s first summer serving as an intern with TCM. She is working in the Kingston-Galloway community, running the Sonshine Day Camp with the other interns and staff at the site. She is both excited and grateful for the opportunity to do missions in the inner city as her last mission trip was 3 years ago. Fun facts about her – she can drink a one litre bottle of Coca Cola in less than 5 minutes, and she loves to play ultimate frisbee in her free time.