Youth '98 Missions Trip
Trip Report

So often the problems of poverty and homelessness in the city are over-simplified or even ignored by many. That was not the case for eleven Central teenagers and three adult leaders who spent a week ministering within the city of Toronto, Canada. We went there with hands that were willing to serve and hearts that were willing to be touched by Jesus as we encountered the needs of the inner city.

Poverty is not the first word that comes to the minds of many people when they think of Toronto. However, in the midst of the popular tourist attractions there are abused teens who are living on the streets, immigrants who are trying to find a decent place to live and work and native Americans who are trying to escape the hopelessness of the reservations. These are the people with whom we worked during our very intense week.

We rose early each morning to assist at two Christian day camps which were comprised of mostly non-white and non-Christian children. The Gospel presentations at these camps were, by necessity, extremely simple. Many of the children had literally never heard the words "Bible" or "Jesus". It was a privilege for us to share God's love with them through singing, crafts, games and Bible lessons. The teens that went are continuing to pray that God will bring to fruition the seeds of hope that were planted in the hearts of these children.

During the afternoons and evenings we engaged in several different activities which helped us to better understand the people who live and work in Toronto. Activities such as the streetwalk and the sandwich run helped us to understand an minister to those who make their homes on the streets of the city. Eating in a different ethnic restaurant each evening helped us to get a grasp of the different cultures that make up this very diverse metropolis.

The Lord used our week in the city to impact each member of our group in a different way. Each of us could share different highlights of our time there. In fact, we will have the opportunity to do just that in the adult Sunday school Potpourri class on Sunday, August 2. We hope that you will be able to join us as we share pictures and stories about the amazing things that God did in and through us during our trip to Toronto.

-- Chris Ritchie