A Community in Mourning

Posted: April 30th, 2008

Today is a very sad day. Most who are coming in to the store are mourning the loss of Joshua who died this morning in his mother’s arms at Children’s Hospital after a lengthy illness from which he could not recover. His father Arnel was a guitar teacher here for a short while before taking a sabbatical these last few months to concentrate on school. He was to return this month, that did not happen.

Our lives were intertwined for a few short months and I do not know Arnel and Brenda well but, I know them well enough to know they are people of tremendous faith. This is the faith that will get them through this most difficult time. This is our faith. The faith that will draw our community together. I am so honoured to be here in our little store watching as God unveils each day, the good and the bad. And I am humbled to watch you, my brothers and sisters, rise to the challenges that God presents because we know and love Him, and because we know that He is bigger than the worst things that can happen to us in our lifetime.

Something that really helped me was a piece called “A Child Loaned”. You can find it as the Newsletter for the month of May. For Joshua and for all children who have gone home before us.

St. Augustine and The Singer

Posted: April 15th, 2008

Ms. I. and I became acquainted over the phone when she called to ask about a book of saints which led to conversation about our favourite saints. We now identify each other by these saints names. St. Augustine, as I refer to her (she calls me St. Paul), came in today. Something about her was so familiar. Sure enough she turned out to be the mother of Ms. T. the singer, who I know through the store and through friends. In fact, I have met two of her daughters through the store. We had a wonderful visit as I learned a little more about her family. And I was amazed, but not surprised, at the ever shrinking world that makes up our Christian Community.

Ms. B

Posted: April 8th, 2008

Ms. B. lives in the neighbourhood and is a long time French resident of Maillardville. She stumbled into the store in August of 2005 not really knowing what it was and wasn’t overly impressed but, kept coming back anyway. You see she was raised Catholic and didn’t have good experiences as a young person. She doesn’t blame God but wonders where He was. So, here we are 60 years later. Over the last 2 1/2 years her guard has come down as she shares her life stories revealing and healing a little more each time she visited once a month, once every couple of months or a few times a week. She worked at the neighbourhood convenience store until about 1 year ago when they retired her which made her very angry. But, she’s less angry now and even announced today when she came to visit that “I came here to ask you something. I came to ask if you know any of the priests in this area. I think I’m going to go back to church”. YAY! God is good and my day is complete.

New Beginnings

Posted: April 1st, 2008

Our webmaster, Chris, is not happy with our lack of blogging. To this I respond “I don’t really know what to write. I don’t really know what would interest people enough to log on and read this? What happens in the store that is noteworthy?” DUH! EVERYTHING!!

And, so begins an attempt at regular blogging. It seems very appropriate at Easter if at no other time to begin anew. Stay tuned!!