Friday, March 9, 2018

Strides to End Homelessness

This past weekend a group of us from the Winfield Seventh-day Adventist Church showed our support of the Kelowna Gospel Mission in a 5 km walk to help end homelessness in our community.


This was in the first few minutes of the walk which started at the Kelowna Gospel Mission on Leon Avenue. 


It was a little cool out, but our spirits were high... anyone who wanted got a ballon to carry on the walk.


This was our group, the Winfield Sevens, except for Shirley who took this photo. 


And this is Shirley with her sister Roberta.  So we ended up with nine Sevens!


There were lots of groups... these are guys from the TD Bank who came out for the event.


When I took this photo inside I didn't realize that these two were part of the team called "Happy Feet." They were recognized as the winning team who raised over $10,000 for the charity. In all about $58,000 was raised by this event! 


We all had a good time.  It was fun to help people who are focused on helping others.


A candid shot of some of our Winfield walkers. Together we raised $750 for the charity.


There were even kids who got to ride around the 5 km.


Everyone who wanted received a free tee shirt... and after we got back from the walk there was yummy mushroom soup and a bun for all who wanted it.


But the highlight of the day for me was a prayer by Pastor Marcus just before we headed out for the walk.

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Lord God,

You came to give honour to the least, 

                 those forgotten, 
                 overlooked and misjudged.

You came to give first place to the last, 

                  those left behind, 
                  misunderstood and undervalued.

You came to give a warm welcome to the lost, 

                   those who are orphaned, 
                   abandoned and destitute.

Help us to be your ears 

                    to listen to their cries.

Help us to be your voice 

                    speaking out love and acceptance.

Help us to be your feet 

                    walking beside those in need.

Help us to be your hands 

                    to clothe, feed and shelter them.

You came for the least, the lost and last of this world.


Lord, hear our prayer.

Amen.