Ash...unpacked but not settled...

This picture is actually of a homeless man in Trinidad but these are basically the people that I spend my days with. If you didn't know I work for Siloam Mission as an Outreach Worker and everyday I build relationships with the people that walk through our doors. The director of a program I used to work for, Larry Moore, always said, "Figure out what you love to do and then get paid to do it." That quote comes to mind often because I really am doing and being paid to do what I absolutely love to do. I would say 99% of the people I see each day are battling an addiction of some sort. Cocaine and inhalants are the two biggest addictions in our area of Winnipeg so as you can imagine going to work can be pretty exciting most days. These people can love you one day, hate you the next, and not remember you the day after that, but I can honestly say that I deeply love them. Honestly, there are moments that I still get afraid--remember that I am a 22 year old female and most of our patrons are older males with colorful criminal records, but I have seen God at work even in the hearts of the hardest and it is an absolute delight to go to work each day. I wish you could meet Dennis--him and I pray everyday together, or Michael--I just gave him a bible and he already wants to talk about what he's reading or Cheryl--she has had such a hard time but still smiles and laughs with me. Even some of the more...energetic patrons like Joe who always announces very loudly to everyone that I am going to sing for them or Lisa, my dear schitzophrenic friend who has so much pain but is learning to love...AH I could tell you so many stories about the amazing people who are quickly becoming my friends. I wish you could come and meet them.

I am still having a hard time adjusting to living in Winnipeg and I am still getting lost everytime I leave the route between my house and work but I know that this is where I am supposed to be. A visit by anyone would make my day but I am learning to be content with where God has placed me. I still don't have a home church here and that is really difficult for me on Sundays when I get so homesick for my church in Calgary. But things are good and I am excited for tomorrow...and the day after that. I am going to start volunteering with this group that does kids club in the inner city and I am so excited for that...if you think the addicted homeless adults will touch your heart, the kids that live in these communities will absolutely break them. They have broken mine and I can't wait to hug those little lice infested babes!

I am learning that this new place in my life will look different than any place I've been before and I'm still missing things and people, but nothing is as satisfying as doing the will of Him who sent me.

Woot woot.