Partners In Hope Vancouver, BC

Free and Low Cost Dental Services Update

2012-01-19T15:59:00.000-08:00

Our good friend Dr. Alex Yule has worked tirelessly to arrange for free and low-cost dental help for people in need. From time to time, through the generosity of various dentists, we are able to offer a dental clinic. As we have those dates available, we make them available here. Currently the main resource available for free dental service is at the clinic on East Hastings open on Mondays and Fridays. It is a "first come-first serve" clinic so you'll want to arrive as close to 9am as you can to be early in that day's list of patients.

Downtown Eastside Walk-In Dental Clinic
Vancouver Native Health Society
449 East Hastings StreetVancouver,
BC V6A 1P5
telephone: 604-254-9949

This clinic offers free dental care to the residents of the Downtown Eastside. The clinic's focus is primarily on the relief of pain. The clinic is staffed with volunteer dental professionals and the hours vary.

Mid-Main Community Health Centre

3998 Main Street

Vancouver, BC V5V 3P2

telephone: 604-873-3602

The clinic accepts dental insurance. If a patient does not have dental insurance, the patient will be charged 10% below the fee guide. Please call for hours.

Vancouver Community College - Dental Clinic

City Centre Campus

250 West Pender

Vancouver, BC

V6B 1S9

telephone: 604-443-8499

A low cost dental service. Patients are screened by the dentist. Six appointments are required. The clinic runs from September through to June. Please call for hours and to make an appointment.

Vancouver Community College

Denture Clinic

City Centre Campus

250 West Pender

Vancouver, BC V6B 1S9

telephone: 604-443-8500

A low cost dental service for people who need dentures, either partial or full. The clinic runs from September through to June. Please call for hours and to make an appointment.

Reach Community Health Centre

1145 Commercial Drive

Vancouver, BC

V5L 3X3

telephone: 604-254-1331

Low-cost dental treatment and preventive dental services.

University of British Columbia

Faculty of Dentistry

John B. MacDonald Building

2199 Westbrook Mall

Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

telephone: 604-822-2112

Fees are 20% to 25% less than what dentists can charge in private practice. Student Dentists are supervised by an experienced and licensed Dentist. Clinic is open from September until April. Serves the lower mainland. Please call for hours.

North Community Health Centre

200-1651 Commercial Drive

Vancouver, BC V5L 3X3

telephone: 604-215-3935

This clinic offers dental treatment and prevention for children under the age of 6. It also offers emergency services for children up to Grade 7 who do not have dental insurance.

Portland Community Clinic

100-360 Columbia Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 4J1

telephone: 604-609-7366

Provides dental services at a reduced fee, or through dental insurance, to Downtown Eastside residents. Residents must live in postal code areas V6A or V6B. Please call for hours.

My thanks to the folks at the Vancouver Metis Community Association who had all this information listed on their webpage: http://www.vancouvermetis.com/dental.html

Squamish Fun

2012-01-19T15:27:00.000-08:00

We're never quite sure when there's going to be snow on the ground in Squamish. Sometimes it comes when we are not expecting it and other times when we prepare, the roads are bare and we travel in ease. We visit friends in various places in the downtown and then have lunch somewhere, including the local Tim Horton's. Mid-afternoon we gather at Mountain Valley Mission for a 12-step support group where we learn and share our journey of faith and life with God in recovery together.

The Wednesday before Christmas we spent time around noon at a local shelter singing Christmas songs while Santa visited with folks who came for lunch and gave them some early Christmas presents.

Then it was back to Mountain Valley Mission for our usual 12-step meeting and a celebration dinner. Some of our friends were busy with work or family and we missed them but we still had a great evening. Candles were beautiful. Food was plentiful. Music was delightful. There was laughter and joy in the house. Santa took off his cap and you'd never believe the hair under it!!!! He had to leave soon after dinner to get back to work at the North Pole but at least he had a bit of "down time" with us in Squamish.

Christmas With Immanuel in Deep Cove

2012-01-19T15:17:00.000-08:00

What a joyful evening of food and fun, celebrating Christmas and our relationships with one another because of our relationship with Jesus. We're so glad Jesus came to earth to bring us peace and joy that we can celebrate with each other. Across the table from one another could have been someone in a treatment center or an executive from a local business. Together we make up the family of God. Together we find acceptance and a place of belonging. That's church. That's how God intended us to give expression to His healing love. We came together for dinner because we've been brought together by God's love that holds us safe.

Getting Ready for Christmas

2012-01-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

It comes around only once a year but when it does, we are furious little beavers. There's singing and chatter, jokes and bantering. In between all that we do a little work and wrap thousands of items for the Christmas bags that are delivered to shelters, treatment centers, prison, and on the streets.

Prison Volunteer Party

2012-01-19T15:11:00.000-08:00

We've learned to have fun together in many places,including our Monday night visits in a local correctional center. What a great evening of sharing and laughter, music and food as we gathered at Evelyn Leeburn's home. We all give thanks for the many wonderful experiences we've shared with women inside prison walls and with each other. Our lives are enriched because of the stories they've shared and our times together. It's a great team of women who make the journey on a bi-weekly basis.

Ben Paulus Ordination

2012-01-19T15:06:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful night it was when our good friend Ben was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church. Ben has been a great companion to many friends in Partners in Hope from our early days of meeting with Immanuel Church in the Salvation Army Family Services building. He and his wife Anna and their handsome son Sam bring a smile often to our lives. We enjoy their teaching and leading and friendship in Immanuel Church. Congratulations Ben!!!!

Summer Outreach in DTES

2011-07-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

If it's cold and wet we take socks. Change the weather to warm and sunny (not that we've had much of that in Vancouver this summer) and we take bottles of water. Simple ways to come alongside friends we are meeting around the Downtown Eastside. We have no other agenda than to give loving witness to God's goodness and His desire to heal and restore whatever is broken or lost in lives -- including our own. God always "shows up" and each little walk through Oppenheimer Park, Pigeon Park, or one of the alleys close by is a source of joy for us.

What's Going On In Squamish?

2011-07-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

Summertime in Squamish. It's never difficult to get in the car with a Tim Horton's coffee at 8:30 on a Wednesday morning and head for Squamish. Evelyn and I (Elsie) round the corner on Hwy 99 at Horseshoe Bay and "ooh and aah" our way up the Sea to Sky, arriving around 10am at Mountain Valley Mission at the end of 2nd Avenue. For the next few hours we enjoy time to get to know new friends and build relationships. A leisurely walk gets us to the Helping Hands shelter a few blocks away. Coffee and conversation with friends -- sometimes laughter, sometimes tears, always kindness. Simple sharing together and watching God do wonderful things in all of us.

Clockwise from top left: Barclay and Mary Mayo, Mountain Valley Mission, Evelyn Leeburn, Mark Hird, Elsie Quick

Church and Affordable Housing Conference 2011

2011-07-26T17:13:00.001-07:00

Mark your calendar now. More information to come.

Meet The Office Staff

2011-07-26T12:26:00.000-07:00

Who are you going to find when you come to the Partners in Hope office? Actually, familiar friends.

Richard Campbell is a longtime volunteer with Partners in Hope. He's facilitated meetings, hosted many friends at his home, talked with men on the phone and in person in encouraging ways. Richard answers the phone, sorts out our computers, and generally offers assistance.

When she's not running around doing all sorts of other things, Alayne can be found in the office on Thursdays. She's never short on a laugh, a sound word of advice, and a can-do way of looking at whatever is challenging.

Joan has criss crossed the city doing various acts of kindness through the food co-op and other areas of service with Partners in Hope. She leads and early morning prayer group on Fridays, runs over to the drop-in at Fraser and 16th and then heads to the office to be of assistance to folks.

Susan just knows how to find a solution. She's walked alongside women for quite some time, supervised various areas of the food co-op. Currently she facilitates one of our support groups. She finds time to meet folks in the office on Friday afternoons.

Roger's "office" is often a coffee shop where he meets with guys but they sometimes find their way back to the office as well. In spite of not wearing that Santa suit in the summer, you always know when he's around!!

Thank You Bill

2011-07-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

I pull up to the curb in front of the office and, right on time, there's Bill waiting for me. Bill is our office custodian and what a great joy he is to all of us. From the coffee on my desk this morning to the cleaning up of things I haven't yet noticed are dirty, Bill works tirelessly to keep the Partners in Hope office looking top notch.

Bill is also thoughtful, well read, and articulate, and he keeps me wondering about things that are important. I appreciate that.

Thanks Bill for being you and for being one of us.

1273 Clark Drive Pictures

2011-07-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

A few pictures to let you see the office and where we are situated. You'll have to decide for yourself what colour the building is. It's a bit of a joke among some of us if it is green or "something else." The main thing is that you know we are located at Clark and Charles. We're a few steps from the "Clark and William" bus stop for the #22 bus. Come and find us here.

Typical office hours are 10am - 3pm. You'll find Elsie here on Tuesday, Richard on Wednesday, Alayne on Thursday, and Joan and Susan on Friday. We are phone accessible every day at 604-215-0335.

New Partners In Hope Office

2011-07-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

We made the transition to a new office this spring. We quickly learned the difference in size from the house on 21st Avenue as we squeezed in together to celebrate what God has given and to bless the space for God's use.

You can find us at our new address in downtown Vancouver. I'll have a street view picture soon.

Changes Continue

2010-06-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

They did it! The fix was really in because not only did they renovate the floors and stairs, and paint the walls, but they kept it all a secret! I came around the corner and what a surprise hit my eyes.

So many people worked so hard. They are NOT all pictured here. Special thanks to Don and Linnea who came and co-ordinated the project but really to all who had a part -- what an amazing gift! Ya done good!

2010-05-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

Wednesday Morning in ChongQing

I arrived on time in ChongQing late Tuesday afternoon. Such fun to
come through the gate and find Koert and Gea on the other side. After
a taxi ride into the city to their apartment we sat down to coffee and
cake and talking. So many stories to catch up on. A little later we
walked out into the garden surrounding their building and heard the
birds and crickets. Lovely warm summer evening.

I'm staying in a lovely guest house just up the street from them.
I've had a great night's sleep with the air con and am ready for a day
of friends and family. More stories to come.

Life Affirming Stuff In Any Language

2010-05-24T21:35:00.000-07:00

Well, if you hang around Partners in Hope for very long you'll know that these are very familiar words. They are part of a seminar I've prepared. They are good words in any language.

I'm in Hong Kong heading for China in just a bit. Looking forward to being in new circles of friends as well as old. I'll have stories and pictures of lots of fun things along the way. I think we get to ChengDu on Thursday or Friday but I'm already dreaming of the hair washing place in the front of the building where Koert and Gea live. I'll talk those guys into extra time again!!!

Taichung Weekend

2010-05-23T03:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's been both a quiet time with some hours to relax and some busy hours as well. Always food involved. I stayed with Melody, High School music teacher and that put me close to lots of folks. Friday night we spent some time at "Tiger City" one of the new hot spots in Taichung. Dinner and Chili's and Baskin Robbins for dessert .... Jose and Kitty (church pastors) have moved close to the school so it was only about 5 minutes to their place. I was back and forth between the two locations. You'll see the lunch we had on Saturday at the sushi cafeteria in the same block as Jose and Kitty's house. Although I don't have a picture, I had a great evening with Terry and Sharon McGill and their 3 boys on Saturday evening.

Church in Taichung on Sunday morning. Lots of good music, good sharing, a double birthday, great lunch, and coffee with the parents while the youth had their activity.

Travelling South

2010-05-20T17:16:00.000-07:00

Look out my flagging friends, technology is on the way!! As I walked by a construction site in the neighbourhood I came across this robotic flagger! I have a movie. She's not just standing there. She's actually flagging. Too funny!

Well, I've actually done more profitable things than finding humourous things. Spent time with Nancy in HsinChu and her roommate Di. Good to catch up on stories. Also good to make connections with folks who are interested in "doing business" in a way that supports those in society who need a hand -- maybe a connection for the women at the Pearl Family Garden.

Then just down the road in TouFen to Gregg and Eva -- somehow I didn't have my camera operational at various points so just this one shot of the "eye-to-eye" of our 5'11" or so friends. Particularly in a society of folks who are shorter, tall women really stand out and so it's fun when they bump into each other.

I've always loved the rice paddies and took a couple of pictures from the train as we headed into Taichung.

Any of you who know Jose know that I had a good dinner last evening with the family. Also lots of time to "begin the conversations". We'll have more time in these next days as well. Mark, the dog, is never far away and entertains in his own way. Grandma (Kitty's mom)is staying with them so I met her. Teenager Joseph was in and out as teenagers are with tennis and friends etc.

Weekend in South Taipei

2010-05-16T22:03:00.001-07:00

So I tried uploading pictures to Facebook via e-mail but I guess because my telus address is the one listed there, when I try to send using gmail (because Telus doesn't work overseas except on webmail, of course) it doesn't seem to work. Anyhow, I'm off to lunch and when I get back I might find about 10 new postings because I tried about 10 times to get these photos directly on Facebook. If I do I guess I'll just remove them and learn that I just need to wait a few minutes. Otherwise, I'll try to figure out what I'm doing wrong. It should be simpler than I'm making it.

In the meantime, look at all these lovely faces!!! What a joy.

Out of Sex Trade and Into Home Based Industry

2010-05-16T20:05:00.000-07:00

I've been walking and asking God for ways to bless women who are coming out of difficult lifestyles and coming into something new. Three words have been in my heart as I've done that: provision, wisdom, and favor. We know that God says if we seek Him first He will give us all we need. So, I ask for that for these women. I also know that God has many ways of doing things and we need to look to Him for the way that He knows will get the job done. I believe God uses all sorts of surprising people in that process and so I ask for favor among those who are around who God might be seeking to draw together to bring about His purpose.

So, when I was with Tera at the Pearl Family Garden she was showing me some of the small things that women are beginning to make as part of "home industry." These women are often in prostitution because they don't know another way to provide for themselves. There isn't a social network here of housing and funding when they stop earning money in the sex trade. What are they to do? Some of these women are "older" -- worn out by years on the street. They don't have much education. They don't have much hope of getting work in traditional industry. What to do?

Right now some of them are producing some beading items. Some are producing some chocolates. They need to develop a market. They need some assistance as they get started to make themselves and their products known. This is one small way they can begin to earn a bit of money and begin to see some hope for life without the need for money from the sex trade.

So, I have been thinking, what can we do to help these very tiny efforts move to the next level? It's something I've prayed a lot for in Vancouver and am so excited when I see our good friend Brian Posselwaite of Mission Possible on CNN and CTV telling the story of the Misson Possible Enterprises labour business that's happening. We need so much more of this kind of effort. It's why I appreciate the Banqueting Table that was begun by folks from the Open Door ministry for single moms. They do good work and they bless so many by employing them as they are coming back into the work force.

What can we do, then, to support the efforts of these women here in a home based workshop? I thought of Hilary's idea where she's had folks buy goats for their family and friends for gifts but rather than their friends receiving them they are actually given to a family in Rwanda. I wondered what we might do here and what I think could really be a double blessing is for us to purchase these gifts and donate them to a local church here for distribution in their "friendship evangelism" efforts. I've spoken to a couple of pastors who are ready to be involved in receiving and distributing.

I don't know exactly how we'll work the details but it's not too complicated and by the time I'm back in Canada we'll have a plan in place, we'll have information on our website and I'd love to see us really make a difference in the lives of these few women who have started and many more who could be invited to join them if we can help them build a market. Somehow I believe that as we help them spread their products a bit further afield, someone/persons will come along who will be the link to help them make a solid business plan for distribution etc.

So, provision, wisdom, and favor. Pray with me that we will help many women have a real opportunity to come into the new life that God is providing for them.

I've put some initial "thinking pictures" below as ideas to pray into.

Weekend Catch-Up

2010-05-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday morning ... time to do the laundry before I run away tomorrow evening for cities south of here .... the weather is warm enough to dry the clothes, I hope. We've had a few days of humidity and rain so hanging clothes outside really wasn't worth it. I think they might dry today.

Outside of that, this is also time to send along some pictures of the past few days. I forgot my camera a couple of times so there were times with folks that don't have pictures at the moment.

Thursday lunch with the women in WanHwa at the Pearl Family Garden was fun once again. I have to say i smiled a little when a couple of the women were rather loudly "discussing" something. I felt right at home!!! I wish I knew a way to record the singing without embarrassing folks. I don't so I have to just remember all that and the story about forgiveness .... one woman telling me how she was caring for someone else who had 7 children and none of them take care of her .... lots of stories, lots of pain BUT women together singing, praying, sharing, eating, thinking about each other and what they might do to support each other. That's a good start. I'll tell you about some home businesses in another blog entry -- businesses they are trying to get off the ground to get some of these women out of prostitution..

In the meantime, last evening's prayer meeting ... we were a couple of hours ahead of Immanuel's Friday morning prayer group ... I actually prayed along with Vancouver folks while I was on the train home after the meeting ... I was on my way to bed and truthfully, I'd rather have it than the half-awake way I show up at the morning prayer meeting ....

You know that I have to put these pictures in somewhere ..... the massage that followed ... it's all Doris and Fritz' fault of course .... I came to visit them and they wanted to do this !!!!!!!! You can imagine how they forced me!

And then it was climbing on transit to get close to home meeting in the home of old friends .... I told the leader he hadn't changed a bit in all the years I've known him, except .... his hair line has changed a bit!!! Haven't we all had changes in our hair?!! Some of us hide the changes and other of us just slide along. Great fun. Birthday for Fritz with yummy cake. It's lovely to buy a cake that is actually pieces of all different kinds of cake. I'm not visiting the doctor for a while after I get back!

If there's a baby I'm gonna have a moment ..... what a cutie this one is, not afraid of my foreign face .... was sound asleep on my shoulder a few minutes after this picture ....

Weary, Worn, and Waiting

2010-05-11T04:32:00.001-07:00

Pictures from my time in WanHwa area today. So many seem so lost. So many seem to have no where to go, no plan for anything to do, no energy to find a new way -- except for the guys who are quite animated as they throw their money away gambling.

So, I ask God as I walk, "So I see these folks. I've seen them before. I'll see them again. To only see them, what is that? What is it that you want me to do in order to make this seeing fruitful?"

I was led to speak on Sunday from Luke 18 where the Pharisee and the tax collector pray in church -- one with great pride and the other with a heart open to God's great love. The tax collector received God's mercy and went home in God's eyes a righteous man. The Pharisee who did everything right? -- big problems before God.

What is it that God wants us to see of our common humanity, common need, common ability to dream because He's with us, and together find hope and healing. Lots. It doesn't matter what continent we are on -- even an island -- the truth remains the same. We are loved, we have hope. God is longing today to help us find our way.

Water, Trains, and More Food!

2010-05-11T04:11:00.000-07:00

I'm trying hard to keep my mornings quiet and a time for listening and prayer. It rains hard in the nights here but so far the days have been dry. Having overcast skies keeps the temperature more moderate. I put on a long sleeve shirt for the air-conditioning. For the rest, it just means I turn off the fan.

Started my trek on Monday by travelling one stop to the end of the transit line. There's a river/canal and a park. Took some time to walk and appreciate the massive highway tressels, flowers, quiet water ... not so many folks there after a busy weekend.

Then it was time to jump back on the train and head into the city to WanHwa -- the area that keeps me coming back to Taipei. I change transit trains twice and it's interesting to me to see the changes in those who ride the trains from the busy commuters to students, to the weathered faces of those whose lives has been hard. Observed 4 middle aged women (I have to be careful who's middle aged and who's old, you know) chatting. The years of hard living and tough exteriors were evident in the lines on their faces, their clothing, the way they wore their make-up and even the way they spoke with each other.

My destination: The LongShan Temple Station. One of the most famous Buddhist temples sit directly behind this station. In between is a plaza/park where all sorts of things happen. (I can only put 5 pictures in each post so I'll put the pictures and news of what I saw there in the next post.)

I always have a sense of excitement as I come up the escalator to the area and at the same time, it's not many steps from the entrance of the transit station before I sense the same heaviness that you experience when you walk in the Main and Hastings area. There's such a collection of pain and struggle it seems. Fortunately we can bring light and hope.

The city has tried to make some beauty in the area. Since I was last here they have installed a lovely water park feature that gathers all sorts of folks a few times a day -- I was there for the 5pm display.

It doesn't matter where you go, meal time is interesting here. The cafeteria's weren't this "high class" years ago in the countryside but here we are decades later in the city. On my way home I met Amy, my roommate, and we went to this cafeteria just a couple of blocks from home. The choices are endless. The prices are cheap (I think I had 4 different things rice, soup etc. for $2.50) This cafeteria is more upscale than most but I tell you, the choices elsewhere are just as varied and good -- only the containers the food are in are a bit more ordinary.

Mothers' Day in North Church

2010-05-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Mothers' Day! We celebrated mothers in the church in north Taipei. Lots singing. The kids had a presentation for moms. A couple of mothers shared from their hearts about changes in their lives and the pastor spoke. Somewhere sandwiched in there I shared a bit about what's happening in Vancouver and thanked them for their generous support through the years. Hopefully part of the words invited people to come along and see similar activities as part of their daily lives.

Weekend in Taipei

2010-05-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

Time to catch you up on what's been happening. I spent Friday afternoon with good friends -- pastors of the north church in Taipei. Time to share about where we're at, our hopes and dreams, thoughts about what God is saying and doing in our lives .... and fun with kids.

Weekly prayer meeting at the church later on after dinner at a "cafeteria." I actually forgot to take pictures for you but I'm sure I'll be at another one so you can see what amazing choices you get from day to day -- beats the heck out of a McDonald's menu any day!

Saturday was a day to take it easy ... woke up late .... went out walking in the neighbourhood -- our objective was to get lunch at a street stall and we accomplished that. However, on the way I just shot some pictures as we went by various shops -- not that I'm trying to "rub it in" that there's fresh fruit at hand everywhere!!

In case you wondered what tou-fu looks like before it shows up in those little plastic packages in your neighbourhood grocery store -- here's a close up -- yummy! Fresh eggs in roadside bulk form. And just a couple of market pictures on the stalls at the street corner as we crossed the road. The weekend market is a lovely place to spend a bit of time.

Saturday afternoon we hopped on the MRT to the grounds of the main university and walked there for a couple of hours -- listening to birds, watching turtles, checking out the flowers. Pretty relaxing day. It was overcast so the temperatures were moderate and really pleasant.

Friday Morning Mix

2010-05-06T19:23:00.000-07:00

Don't you love the weather folks on the days they predict a bit of everything. That's the way today seems a bit. It's lovely and warm but pretty muggy. There's going to be some sun, some rain, some cloudy.

I feel that way with the news I received a bit ago as well. I have to smile when I hear that Grandma Gunzel, who is 99 years old and loves the Lord, is slipping away pretty quickly as her family gathers around. What a gift I've had for years to hear the stories of her life as a missionary decades ago in Mongolia and China. We've shared many laughs together, as recently as just before I left when Mom came with me and the four of spent some time together.

First Hours In Taipei

2010-05-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

Immigration and customs took only a few minutes and the first faces outside the door to greet me were Amy and Doris. Great friends who make space for me.

The first hours are all about eating, sleeping and trying not to say anything too wild when you don't know what you're saying! Directly across the road from the apartment where I stay with Amy is this little coffee shop that features Costa Rican coffee. We were there pretty quickly after lugging the suitcases up the stairs to the 3rd floor.

Catching up with friends always happens with something on the table in front of you. I happened along to a "Birthday Club" celebration for Carla's birthday .... how many friends of 30 years do you sit down at a table with and tell stories that only those at the table need to know!! Smile!

Newfoundland Visits With Steve and Betty and Winnie

2010-05-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed visiting colleagues and friends in Newfoundland. Steve and Betty send their greetings to everyone. Following Winnie's graduation I had a day to visit her "at home" in Flatrock, NL with her daughter and grandkids. It's a beautiful area.

Good stories of supportive relationships in chats with Steve and Betty as they come alongside folks in various ways inside prison, outside in community, in hospital visits.

Enjoyed seeing friends from St. Thomas Church and hearing good things happening in lives and ministry.

All in all, refreshing for me.

Yes the weather was brisk sometimes but the friendships were warm.

I certainly got my education ... do you know what an ugli stick is? Have you ever played one. I didn't know. I do know. I did play it.

That's Betty's Mom in the first picture with the ugli stick and her friend Katy in the second. Each ugli stick has a design all its own!!

The kids are always the best, arent't they? Winnie's grandson feeding the goat while we waited for the school bus to bring his sister home from school.

Winnie's Graduation From Taylor College

2010-04-25T12:02:00.001-07:00

Our good friend and two time summer intern, Winnie Ollerhead, graduated last evening from Taylor College. Pictures tell the story of the joy and the friends. Monday evening Winnie is commissioned as an evangelist with Threshold Ministries (previously Church Army.)

Behind Bars!

2010-04-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

Well, the picture says it all, doesn't it?? Behind bars in the past 24 hours ... What did she do to get there? Who locked her in? Where is she now? (She's known for being pretty handy with the tools!)

Her story is that she was preparing the shopping list for this week's food co-op. Anyone out there believe that?

Easter Baptisms

2010-04-05T13:18:00.000-07:00

They got wet .... and it wasn't the hose in the back yard!! It was a wonderful celebration of new life for a number of Partners in Hope friends and others in Immanuel Church.

I'll post the slide shows below so you can check them out for yourself.

It's Spring! What Else Can I Say?

2010-04-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

Is it the warm air? Is it post-Olympics? Is it just the "usual" around Partners in Hope? I'll let you attempt to answer that question yourself as you see the pictures. I was going to put captions on some of them but, what can I say? I'm sure your thoughts will do a much better job of naming the moment than I ever could.

These are the pictures I didn't know where to fit anywhere else. I thought of using the title "Misfits" ..... smile! In another way, I'd love to name it mis-fits because one of the beautiful facts about Partners in Hope is that we are a unique bunch and we have tons of fun being ourselves. We learn to fit together in our fun, in our serious moments, in our working moments, when we cry, when we celebrate, when we irritate, when we bless. We give the best picture I know to the fact that a bunch of "mis-fits" actually blend pretty well together in a remarkably wonderful extended family.

Let's hear it for the the misfits!!!

Food Co-op, Spring 2010

2010-04-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

I think they are sick of me running around with my camera but they are here week after week and they work hard -- you'll have to check with me about Roger but all the rest of them work hard. It's important to pause once in a while and say "Thank you" to those who just continue to do good work. We appreciate you.

Partners in Hope and the Olympic Games

2010-04-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

Well, it's quite a bit after the fact, but they were fun days and why not re-live some of the memories of the Olympics with a few pictures.

Who can forget Joe being the only one cheering for Team USA while we watched the game on the big screen (the wall) at the house .... only to have them win and us lose!

Ask those in the Salvation Army drop-in what our blood pressure was while we watched Slovakia come within a couple of inches of tying that game with the puck behind Luongo.

The expert on the moment Sidney Crosby scored the winning goal, however, is my mother while we jumped and made noise in the RIO theater with the hundreds of others who were there and later as we drove down Commercial Drive and into the Downtown Eastside.

Changes at Women of Hope

2010-04-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

These are days of spreading out at Women of Hope. Catherine Morris has moved along after three years to Powell River to a new ministry opportunity there as well as to see how to bring to life a vision God has put in her heart.

Mun Hee Kim has returned to Korea for a while to renew a visa and to re-connect with family, friends, sending mission, and sending church.

We will miss both of these women who've touched our lives but know that in each of these days God's love and goodness is surrounding them in their journey. I'm reminded of the familiar verse in Psalm 23 as I write this note, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." You don't have to live at Women of Hope to live in the house of God's hope.

John Lombard Birthday Party

2010-04-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

We hurried out to Langley on a recent Sunday afternoon for a really good reason .... a birthday celebration for our good friend John Lombard.

We pray God's blessing on John's life even during these days of limited activity.

FOOD CO-OP IN SQUAMISH

2010-02-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

Coming soon! Food co-op in Squamish! Barclay and Mary Mayo are situated now in Squamish and getting work space organized for a food co-op and other services in that area. They've been with us several times in the past few weeks working hard to prepare for a post-Olympics launch. You can contact them for more information at:
http://www.mountainvalleymission.ca/events-calendar/food-co-op/

DENTAL SERVICES - FREE AND LOW COST

2010-02-01T08:40:00.001-08:00

Our good friend Dr. Alex Yule works tirelessly to arrange for free and low-cost dental help for people in need. He was the force behind the free clinic on Hastings Street in Vancouver as well as supporting the efforts that have a clinic up and running in the Food Bank in Abbotsford. Dr. Yule continues to advocate for more dental services, more free clinics, more services made available free or at affordable rates.

Initially the main focus was on removing pain and infection from mouths. We've also come to realize that challenges to self-esteem and the ability to find employment are significant issues as well when people are missing teeth or are having significant dental issues.

Listed below is contact information for free and low-cost service we are aware of in the Vancouver area. The best first emergency contact will be the walk-in clinic on Hastings Street.

From time to time, through the generosity of various dentists, we are able to offer a free dental clinic. As we have those dates available, we make them available to you. (NOTE: February 2010 - No special clinics are organized at this date.) When they are, we will post the information here, on Twitter and Facebook etc. so keep linked to us.

In the meantime, we are also glad to make available the following information about ongoing help in the area of dental health and thank all these providers for their assistance.

Downtown Eastside Walk-In Dental Clinic

Vancouver Native Health Society

449 East Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1P5

telephone: 604-254-9949

This clinic offers free dental care to the residents of the Downtown Eastside. The clinic's focus is primarily on the relief of pain. The clinic is staffed with volunteer dental professionals and the hours vary. Please call to inquire about hours.

Mid-Main Community Health Centre

3998 Main Street

Vancouver, BC V5V 3P2

telephone: 604-873-3602

The clinic accepts dental insurance. If a patient does not have dental insurance, the patient will be charged 10% below the fee guide. Please call for hours.

Vancouver Community College - Dental Clinic

City Centre Campus

250 West Pender

Vancouver, BC

V6B 1S9

telephone: 604-443-8499

A low cost dental service. Patients are screened by the dentist. Six appointments are required. The clinic runs from September through to June. Please call for hours and to make an appointment.

Christmas Eve Singing

2009-12-28T09:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve singing started a long time ago with angels singing to shepherds. We try to carry on that tradition. Somehow, after dinner, a number of us found ourselves in the living room belting out some of the familiar tunes of the season. That was in preparation, I guess, for our later activities when we gathered at Main and Hastings to go carolling there and at neighbourhood shelters. At 11:30 we gathered at the RIO theater to sing with other friends at Immanuel Church. Christmas afternoon near the end of our time together Matt and Mun Hee got us singing again. Somehow Christmas and singing to together. That's the hope. That's the joy of learning to belong again. That's the message of Jesus that Partners in Hope seeks to share every day of the year.

Christmas Gift Wrapping -- Wednesday Night

2009-12-12T13:12:00.000-08:00

If you came to help wrap gifts on Tuesday, look to the post below this one. If you came on Wednesday, you are now part of the "Cheesy Smile" slideshow. We had a lot of fun but the camera ..... you'll have to see the story for yourself. You count the "cheesy smiles for yourself...." (Just wait a moment .... sometimes pictures load slowly)

Thanks to the many who came and all the fun and hard work you contributed.

Are you ready? Really ready? Christmas Preparations

2009-12-09T11:30:00.000-08:00

It's happening all over again!! Some call it Christmas preparations. Other call it insanity. You get to name it .... but only if you enjoy it! December 8, 2009!! More pictures tomorrow. In other words, you too could be "featured" (was that trashed) .... in the pictures after tonight's gathering at 7pm here at 557 E 21st Avenue.
(Wait for the pictures ... sometimes they take a moment to load.)

Christmas Gift Parties - 2000 - 2008

2009-12-05T15:53:00.000-08:00

When did you first help prepare Christmas gifts with Partners in Hope? You might be surprised at what you looked like a year or 2 or 10 ago!! We always seem to be having fun. Why not come and help us again this year ... December 8, 9 or 15 at 7pm at 557 E 21st Avenue.
(Wait for the pictures ... sometimes it take a minute to load.)

The "Wild Man of Christmas" Is Coming Again!

2009-12-05T14:58:00.001-08:00

He's pretty crazy. He talks funny. Sometimes he has people sit on his knee. Other times he sits on theirs. He's on his way again to lighten the hearts of all sorts of people at Partners in Hope events.

AND, he wants all of us to know that the real joy of the season comes from his best friend who was born in a manger so many years ago. The "wild man" will make you laugh for a moment but that baby in the manger will bring smiles to your heart the rest of your life.

Come along and have fun with us and learn how to meet that amazing friend. Details at http://www.partnersinhope.ca/ways-to-help/christmas/celebrations

It'll be a surprise a minute but your heart will be warmed beyond belief. We're all inviting you to be a part of a Partners in Hope Christmas.

Lorna McLachlan "Promoted to Glory"

2009-10-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

Our dear friend Lorna McLachlan died on Thursday, October 22 surrounded by loving family and friends. What a story of God's amazing grace that changes a life that struggles to one that helps strugglers find their way.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Lorna's life this coming Thursday, October 29 at 3pm at Southmount Salvation Army Citadel, 3403 E 49th Avenue (49th and Tyne). See the map. If you are coming on transit here are directions:

Coming from Vancouver City:

Take the Skytrain to the Joyce Station

Catch the #26 – 29th Avenue Station to 49th & Tyne

Coming from Burnaby and beyond:

Take the Skytrain to Metrotown Station

Catch the #49 UBC bus to Tyne and 49th

Birthday Bash

2009-09-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

I'm a few days late getting this posted but we had a great birthday bash for Arlene, Rose, and Elsie -- what a day that was for God now wouldn't you say!!

Little Richard Craig - Son of Gloria and Sam -- Newest Partner in Hope

2009-09-07T10:38:00.001-07:00

Candy Girard Funeral

2009-09-07T10:32:00.001-07:00

If you have to go to a funeral, that's the kind to go to! I remember thinking that years ago when we gathered in the Salvation Army building at First and Commercial to celebrate the life of our friend Jack. That was certainly the case again on Saturday for those of us who gathered to say good-bye to Candy.

These are just pictures from a phone so they're not great but for those of you who couldn't attend, they will share a bit of the event with you.

Happy Birthday Lloyd

2009-09-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

We've known Lloyd for many years and he's been a great volunteer in the food co-op for past couple of years at least. He knows exactly what to do with the fruit and veggies for the boxes on Friday mornings. We're happy to celebrate Lloyd on his birthday.

Sunday Afternoon Stars -- The Question Is - What Kind of Show?

2009-09-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

A month later and here are the pictures from the yard on Sunday afternoon the 27th of July. These were there "before the water hose came out" shots. Remember the hot Sundays!!! Remember Rose and Frank and that sly Gordon with the hose!!! I learned a lot about who i could trust with what kind of water and who makes a fantastic team member -- the more devious the better when it comes to water fights!! :)

I also look at these pictures and I see all the events that happen in our lives in the space of one short month. Some of these folks are now in detox and we are so thankful for that. Others have struggled in hospital with diabetes, cancer, MS. Mom's had her eye surgery (yesterday.)

Roger's been to Malaysia and back. Winnie is back on the East Coast getting ready for her final year of school. We've been to a couple of funerals (none for those you see in these pictures). Lorna's been on the edge a couple of times. Our lives touch one another's in so many ways.

One of these days when life isn't quite so hectic (start counting my gray hair now) I'm going to do a retrospective with pictures. Don and I were laughing about the "flaked out on the couch pictures" I have of him through the years. I think I have pictures back to 1997 so look out folks!! We've watched kids grow up and all of us get a little older. We've hung together for a lot of years, many of us. That says a lot to me.

There were many things I didn't know about what life would look like for me when I came to Vancouver in 1994. I knew God wanted me to be here. I knew He had many precious people to meet and that our lives would make a difference for each other. We think about programs and things we need to do, but what you see here is what Partners in Hope really is for me -- people doing life together like family.

I have enormous gratitude to the folks you see here and to the many faces that didn't get to the camera that day or are captured on other days. My life is so much richer because I've known all of you and we've tried our best to love each other and take care of one another through the struggles. Yeah God! Your plans really are great!

Beautiful Baby

2009-08-31T15:23:00.000-07:00

Isn't she a beauty? Baby Amber and mother Trish came to visit us on Friday and while her mother is holding her in the top picture, a few of us were wanting to claim her as our own. She's moved into our neighbourhood now so we hope to see her more often.

How Is Our Friend Lorna?

2009-08-31T14:07:00.000-07:00

How does she do it? If you follow us on Facebook you'll have seen regular updates on our friend and colleague Lorna McLachlan as she's battled with cancer.

Lorna was diagnosed with cancer shortly after she came to Partners in Hope about 12 years ago. We've all learned with her as she's faced life and death, suffering and regaining strength.

In recent weeks and months that cycle seems to have sped up with the struggles and strengthening periods having shorter periods of time. Lorna has faced seemingly imminent death on several occasions and has had life renewed. As recent as a couple of weeks ago Lorna's health was very precarious. She was admitted to hospital by ambulance and a variety of things were challenging to her ongoing health. She laid very quietly on her bed and slept so much. Her skin was deeply jaundiced. A variety of drains and tubes helped her along. It seemed as though her journey were nearing an end.

We've taken pictures of her awake, asleep, sitting, laying, chatting, being helped by nurses. If food made it near her mouth we photographed it because it was the event of the day!!

Amazingly, if you were to see her today, she looks pretty good. While she still spends almost all of the day on the bed, her skin is pink, she smiles and chats, she prays and listens as we read God's word together. She's "hanging in there."

I just thought you'd like to know.

Fall 2009 Schedule of Christian 12 Step Meetings

2009-08-31T13:56:00.001-07:00

Tuesday 5:45 pm – Broadway Church – Broadway and Slocan - Contact: Chris 604-253-2700
Tuesday 7:00 pm – Living Waters – 782 E. Hastings – Contact: Richard: 604-682-3269 x 2621
Tuesday 7:00pm – North Shore Alliance – 201 E 23rd. Contact: Melissa 604-929-9826
Wednesday 7:00 pm – 1st Nazarene – 21st and Kingsway - Contact Steve: 604-916-9599
Wednesday 7:00 pm – Cityview Baptist Church – 4370 Sophia – Contact Graham: 604-876-6752
Thursday 6:30pm – COH Recovery, Community of Hope, 535 E. Broadway. Contact Terry - Maurice McElrea Bldg
Thursday 7:30 pm – Mission Possible, 543 Powell Street – Contact Elsie: 604-215-0335
Friday 6:00 pm – Belkin House – 555 Homer Street – Contact Carlos: 604-681-3405
Friday 7:00pm –1641 E 1st Ave – Salvation Army Building – Contact Michael: 604-307-2543
Friday 6:00pm – MR Inter Church - 21299 River Road, Maple Ridge. Contact: Lorne 604-319-6538
Saturday – 4pm – Richmond Faith - 11960 Montego Street, Richmond – Contact Joseph: 604-304-4234
Saturday – 6pm – Richmond MB – 10200 #5Rd, Richmond – Contact Ron: 604-271-2103
Sunday – aft – Relate Church – Robson Square – Contact Archie: 604-767-1761

More meetings will be starting in September so keep coming back to check the new information as it becomes available. If you know of other Christian meetings in our area we'd love to expand the list and publish details about your group. Send your information to: office@partnersinhope.ca

Volunteer Appreciation BBQ

2009-08-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

The rain held off. Those who came to be apppreciated chopped food, set up tables, barbequed, served food, and cleaned up. Not a bad deal. That's really what makes us Partners in Hope. We're an extended family who help one another and enjoy each other in the process. We owe it all to God who has healed our hearts and given us a reason to be with life and with each other today. For that we say "Thank you" to God. On behalf of Partners in Hope, thank you to all our volunteers who in small and large ways extend love and acceptance and encouragement and help to others all year long. You are a great bunch!!!

Gathering to Say Good-Bye

2009-08-10T12:17:00.001-07:00

Although good-bye is challenging, we were grateful to gather on Sunday with Lynn's family to say good-bye. Lynn passed away from a heart attack and she'll be missed by friends in Partners in Hope and Immanuel Church. We pray God's peace and comfort for Lynn's family and those here who's lives were touched by Lynn.

Work Team - Women of Hope House Upgrade

2009-08-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

It looks beautiful! They worked hard inside and outside and the whole house sparkles because of it. A youth group from Everett Washington came to visit us on Monday ready to work and work they did! They painted and washed and mixed concrete and chopped branches and pulled weeds and power washed yard furniture and on and on. You'll see some of what they did in the pictures below and then I've also put a slide show with more faces. Thanks to all who helped organize and then do the work. It was a great day.

For the rest of the pictures have a look at the slide show below:

New Appliances -- Gifts SO Appreciated!!

2009-07-25T13:11:00.001-07:00

WOW!! A shiny new kitchen got delivered to our door this week! Stainless steel fridge, dishwasher, and stove. Thanks to Jennifer Odendaal, a wonderful friend from St. Simon's and one of her bosses who didn't just make available good used appliances (which was what we thought the original plan was) but who went to the warehouse and had these wonderful matching and BRAND NEW appliances delivered to us.

So, along with the regular food co-op work on Friday we had someone cleaning out the fridge so the guys could take it out. Then they brought in the new fridge ... look at the picture below and start counting the stairs -- I think it's 13. Then they took one of our "even older" fridges out of the food co-op and moved the kitchen fridge in there. (didn't get a picture of that move unfortunately) Someone read the instruction manual -- hmmmm -- and attached the handles, levelled it etc.

Someone else is coming this afternoon to hook up the dishwasher ... and you get the picture don't you. These appliances get used for lots of community projects and the community gets involved from many places to see they get installed. Even in small projects like this you see the "Partners in Hope" experience in action.

OUT GOES THE OLD ONE

OUR SHINY NEW FRIDGE IN PLACE

Life Around The House

2009-07-25T13:05:00.001-07:00

What DO you do in the house? I get asked that question often and the short answer is "live as a family". I was reminded of that clearly in the last few days where we celebrated birthdays and then sat around and sang some songs. Last Thursday evening I walked around the house after dinner and Laura and Alayne were fixing Mom's watch. Mom was chatting at the table. Chris and Margaret and Ryan and Johanna were watching something on TV in the living room. Terra was texting something on the phone while she sat outside chatting with Winnie. Kelly was booking a flight on computer. It was so "natural" and "nothing special" but "just right" ... that's life here in the house.

(Clockwise from top left) Kelly Types; Mom and Lorna Chat; Terra Texts With Winnie; Laura and Alayne Fix A Watch
(Clockwise from Left: Rose and Rose; Johanna, Chris, Margaret
(Clockwise from left: Birthday Party Moments: Winnie & Johanna; Jana & Terra; Elsie & Cathie; Jennifer & Kelly
Birthday Party Moment: Lorna on the Phone -- we think she was talking to a good looking man!!!

Birthday Party Moment: Singing in the back yard after dinner ... we've done it often and it was great to do it this time with Lorna even though her voice is weaker these days.

Computers and the Co-op

2009-07-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

"No Alayne. You can't play on the computer until the work is done. (Notice that Alayne's monitor has an ad for single men showing .... look out Roger.)

Meanwhile, Sarah is busy doing the data entry .... actually Alayne is training her for that as she has trained so many others to do various jobs in the co-op

But then it's back to her knees to get things right!! Smile! This time it is the sorting or orders into delivery routes so the cars don't drive back and forth around each other in taking food to clients.

We all appreciate the many hours Alayne gives to Partners in Hope week after week and month after month. She and Roger were away for a couple of weeks and we certainly missed them and were reminded once again of how generous they are with their time and their hearts in Partners in Hope.

Trip With Lorna To Nanaimo

2009-07-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

Lorna was feeling well enough to make the trip to Nanaimo so off we went for a couple of days this week. We scheduled the naps and didn't bug her too much about what she was or wasn't eating. Had a lot of fun. You need to ask Lorna why she was looking out the window with field glasses ..... something about "swimmers at night ....". Be sure to ask her. She has a story to tell.

Good friends, good food, painted toe nails, time in the hot tub, doing puzzles on the ferry, in houses not far from water ... under the down blanket with the teddy bear .... a couple of new pieces of clothing .... thanks to Gillian and Frances for your warm hospitality. It's good to be with friends.

Prison Visits and Dairy Queen

2009-07-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

It's all Winnie's fault, you know. She loves peanut buster parfaits at Dairy Queen. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. One of the fun parts of the trip to Maple Ridge to visit women in prison is that we pass by more than one Dairy Queen and on a lovely summer evening, it just seems the right thing to do to stop there on our way home -- just to debrief our experiences, of course!! A few of the volunteers couldn't be with us tonight but believe me, they are right in there with us at Dairy Queen on the nights they are with us!! Just because you don't see them tonight doesn't mean they aren't part of the action!! Smile!!

Every other Monday evening a group of women spend a couple of hours at the provincial prison visiting with women incarcerated there. It's a simple ministry of visits and listening, acceptance and celebration of a person's life. On the way out tonight after a visit in one of the units one of the women said, "So what does it take for ME to get a hug" .... clearly the friendships and sharing that goes on between the volunteer and the inmate is a simple witness of something good that brings out a longing in others to experience some of the same.

There are always more women in the prison looking for a visit than there are volunteers to make the contacts. We'd love to have you join us if you are interested. Take a look on our webpage (www.partnersinhope.ca) under the "Ways to Help" section and you'll find all the information you need. You could be part of the next Dairy Queen expose!!!!

Birthdays and Fun With Friends

2009-07-05T23:39:00.000-07:00

She's 2!! Sierra just had her birthday and it was so much fun to actually watch her rip open the presents and respond to what she saw. How much she's grown and what a lively young lady she's become!!

Just a few scenes from the yard and the house from recent days. Whether it's folks chatting in the yard or Rose and Jodie playing jokes in the kitchen, there's a lot of fun around. Can you believe that this handsome teenager Christopher is the little guy who moved into our house 10 years ago with his mother!

We're happy to have Winnie here for her summer internship along with Mun Hee a missionary on loan to us from WEC. Jodie is trying to keep them in line as you can see. Every week many folks check e-mail and play games on the computers. We never run out of things to talk about as you can see as well, including stories of how Joe hurt his foot at the job site. Sundays are good family days every week and with the lovely weather we've been having, our afternoons together in the sunshine are everything we could hope for.

Well Done Tessa

2009-07-05T23:33:00.000-07:00

She used to be one of the "kids" on Sunday afternoon. Now she's a mom and a valued employee of the warehouse where we buy our food co-op supplies every week. It's so much fun to see her coming down the aisle or to page for help in the meat department and have her be the one respond to the page!! Tessa, we are SO proud of you!!

Update on Lorna

2009-07-05T23:13:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I posted news about Lorna. I think the last news was the fire in her apartment building in mid-May. Here we are early in July and the scaffolding is up around the spot where the fire was and renovations are taking place. Although it will be a new apartment, there is a space available to Lorna for moving back in the first week of August if she's well enough, so she's pretty happy about that.

In the meantime Lorna is living in a Salvation Army residence called Grace Mansion. Not a bad name I'd say. She's growing a beautiful orchid and during a little ride we had in the car last week we saw this amazing rainbow as we drove down her street. The room is small and there are some restrictions but it's a safe and comfortable place for the moment for Lorna as she relaxes in her easy chair.

We still have hospital and clinic visits. Lorna had another difficult few days in June where it was necessary for her to be in hospital again. Nurses come on a regular basis to keep track of her. We get great medical care and even get house calls from the family doctor. Not bad during 2009 to get a doctor to the house I'd say. Lorna's diet is limited and she doesn't eat a whole lot ... but we've had a visit to the Dairy Queen recently and that's what you'll see in the picture below. Her weight loss has resulted in some new clothes that fit her better than what you'll see in these pictures, and she looked pretty snazzy at church today. Lorna had a pretty good day in her lawn chair at the Immanuel picnic recently too.

So, we give thanks for each day and the fun we can have. We talk about life here on earth as well as life in heaven. We know that each day we have for now is a gift and we want to live each one of them well.

What Goes Around Comes Around!

2009-07-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

They always find a way. Practical jokes are a way of life around here. If it's not Rose doing the "soapsud thing" to Elsie, then it's Elsie doing it to Rose. Don't let Elsie whine too much. However, let everyone beware. The balance swings pretty easily to the other side!

Kitchen Job For Guys -- Yeah Don!!

2009-07-05T16:51:00.000-07:00

Well, it's a new way to build those muscles ... we women have been doing it for years but now the guys are catching on! Build those forearm muscles, grate carrots!!!

There's no where else you could come early on a Sunday morning to volunteer and drive the van, get roped in to grating carrots for the salad, and have Elsie trash you in the process!!! How's that for service with a smile!!

By the way, the salad tasted good!!

Food Co-op's Cutest Volunteers

2009-07-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

You are never too young to have something helpful you can do in the food co-op. Megan and Regan came to the co-op with their mom. They both love to help and help they did.

Picnic at Buntzen Lake 2

2009-07-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

So, the weather is still perfect and the food was still good. Here's the 2nd of the slideshows .... I'm not sure about the quality of the volleyball .... some folks seemed to spend quite a bit of time in the sand .... best fun was chasing the ball around the little ones who were wandering about the same sand. See for yourself ....

Picnic at Buntzen Lake

2009-07-01T12:50:00.001-07:00

The weather was perfect. The lake was beautiful. Food tasted great. It was one of those days that just go right and you get home feeling it was just good. Not bad for something called a "church picnic" but there you go .... lots of us from Partners in Hope attend a church that meets in a theater (the Rio at Broadway and Commercial, 10:30am on Sunday) and this was our first of the season event outdoors. I'm sure we'll have more. It took a couple of slide shows to get the photos in so I think this is the second show .... I doubled up the pictures of the little kids in the water because they are cute. Enjoy.

Growing List of Local Christian 12-Step Meetings

2009-06-13T12:52:00.000-07:00

This is our most recent list of Christian 12-Step meetings we are aware of in our area. We encourage your support of these meetings for your personal growth and for support of others in their new life with God in recovery.

Tuesday 6:30 pm – Broadway Church – Broadway and Slocan
Tuesday 7:00 pm – Living Waters – 782 E. Hastings
Wednesday 7:00 pm – First Church of the Nazarene – 21st and Kingsway (taking summer break until September)
Wednesday 7:00 pm – Cityview Baptist Church – 28th and Sophia
Thursday 6:30pm – COH Recovery, Community of Hope, 535 E. Broadway
Thursday 7:30 pm – Mission Possible, 543 Powell Street
Thursday 7:00 pm – Step Meeting – Broadway Church – Broadway and Slocan
Friday 6:00 pm – Belkin House – 555 Homer Street
Friday 6:30pm – Celebrate Recovery - 1641 E 1st Ave – Salvation Army Building

More meetings will be starting in September so keep coming back to check the new information as it becomes available. If you know of other Christian meetings in our area we'd love to expand the list and publish details about your group. Send your information to: office@partnersinhope.ca

Free and Low Cost Dental Services

2009-06-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

Our good friend Dr. Alex Yule works tirelessly to arrange for free and low-cost dental help for people in need. From time to time, through the generosity of various dentists, we are able to offer a dental clinic. As we have those dates available, we make them available here. Appointments are made through Partners in Hope office (604-215-0335). If no date is listed here, we do NOT currently have a date available.

FREE AND LOW-COST DENTAL SERVICES

However, we are also glad to make available the following information about ongoing help in the area of dental health and thank all these providers for their assistance.

Downtown Eastside Walk-In Dental Clinic
Vancouver Native Health Society
449 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 1P5
telephone: 604-254-9949
This clinic offers free dental care to the residents of the Downtown Eastside. The clinic's focus is primarily on the relief of pain. The clinic is staffed with volunteer dental professionals and the hours vary. Please call to inquire about hours.

Mid-Main Community Health Centre
3998 Main Street
Vancouver, BC V5V 3P2
telephone: 604-873-3602
The clinic accepts dental insurance. If a patient does not have dental insurance, the patient will be charged 10% below the fee guide. Please call for hours.

Vancouver Community College - Dental Clinic
City Centre Campus
250 West Pender
Vancouver, BC
V6B 1S9
telephone: 604-443-8499
A low cost dental service. Patients are screened by the dentist. Six appointments are required. The clinic runs from September through to June. Please call for hours and to make an appointment.

Vancouver Community College - Denture Clinic
City Centre Campus
250 West Pender
Vancouver, BC V6B 1S9
telephone: 604-443-8500
A low cost dental service for people who need dentures, either partial or full. The clinic runs from September through to June. Please call for hours and to make an appointment.

Reach Community Health Centre
1145 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC
V5L 3X3
telephone: 604-254-1331
Low-cost dental treatment and preventive dental services.

University of British Columbia - Faculty of Dentistry
John B. MacDonald Building
2199 Westbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
telephone: 604-822-2112
Fees are 20% to 25% less than what dentists can charge in private practice. Student Dentists are supervised by an experienced and licensed Dentist. Clinic is open from September until April. Serves the lower mainland. Please call for hours.

North Community Health Centre
200-1651 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC V5L 3X3
telephone: 604-215-3935
This clinic offers dental treatment and prevention for children under the age of 6. It also offers emergency services for children up to Grade 7 who do not have dental insurance.

Portland Community Clinic
100-360 Columbia Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 4J1
telephone: 604-609-7366
Provides dental services at a reduced fee, or through dental insurance, to Downtown Eastside residents. Residents must live in postal code areas V6A or V6B. Please call for hours.

My thanks to the folks at the Vancouver Metis Community Association who had all this information listed on their webpage: http://www.vancouvermetis.com/dental.html

Warm Weather and Wonderful Volunteers!

2009-06-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

If weather like this doesn't invite you to Vancouver, I don't know what will. WoW! There are lots of reasons to get up in the morning and this would be one of them. Thanks to Don and Linnea Groom and Roger and Alayne Adams for all their hard work on the house and in the yard. We made several comments as the work went on to the effect of "It's looking less and less like a crack shack all the time!" All that to say that we've needed to get hedges trimmed and flowers planted and walls repaired and so on and so on. Thank you to wonderful volunteers who give of their time and to all the women in the house who worked really hard too on very hot days to cut lawns, make trips to the transfer station with garbage and yard trimmings, give lots of glasses of water to folks, prepare meals. Thanks to all of you.

Fire Damage For Lorna and Cathie

2009-05-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

Although they had to get out of bed at 2:30 in the morningto smoke and yells of "Fire" , Lorna and Cathie and the other 70 residents in their apartment building got safely out. Lorna and Cathie have been staying temporarily at Elsie's mother's apartment -- what a blessing that has been!!

As of today, May 19, Cathie and the other residents above the fire (with a couple of exceptions) have been cleared to occupy their suites again. As you can see from the picture, Lorna's apartment was directly beside the main source of the fire. She and the other residents on the 4th floor will not be able to return for quite some time. The good news today, however, is that with the help of her friends at the Salvation Army, Lorna has rented a suite in another building. It's smaller than what she has now but it has a private bathroom and kitchen and it will do in the interim.

We've all had a laugh about the fact that there's a balloon flying in her window ... trust her to have a party heart no matter what!! Both she and Cathie have done well in spite of uncertain days. Keep them in your prayers as they clean up and, in Lorna's case, move, and get their lives back to the usual routine.

"Pearl Family Garden" in WanHwa, Taiwan

2009-04-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

Come along as we head into the world of the "working girls" in Taipei. The pictures tell the story. Probably the highlight of my trip here is sitting in a room with 20+ women, hearing them sing and watching them ask questions about a story from the Bible that was being shared, and then seeing them praying for one another.

What makes something good? Maybe there is a sweetness that comes to an experience because you watch and wait for it for some time. I've been watching and waiting for this kind of thing to be reality here in WanHwa and so to sit in a room and be part of it was about as good as I think I'll find life on this side of heaven.

I can't take pictures or movies of these moments to share with you. It just would be so inappropriate but you need to know that there are wonderful things happening with women who've been trapped in prostitution for years and years and who are now coming to know another way with a God who loves them and who chooses to walk with them so they can find strength to walk away from these hard times.

There will be more of this in the future, for sure. Exactly how Partners in Hope can partner with the Pearl Family Garden will be a journey it will be a joy to walk and discover together. For now, it's simply a time for that "jump" in my heart of gratitude and celebration and a long time dream beginning to come true. I'm a happy woman today ..... I'm so thankful.

Always Time For Fun In The Sun

2009-04-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

The weather has been perfect and similar to Vancouver, there are plenty of beautiful places nearby to visit with friends.

Songs From Abroad

2009-04-28T23:07:00.000-07:00

You won't understand the words but you'll know the music and you'll appreciate that these songs are being sung by a group of people who are taking a risk every time they come together. You'd never know it by the joy and celebration and caring that you experience among them.

Food Choices Every Day

2009-04-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

"If I eat anything else in the next 24 hours, I'm sure I will die by explosion." That was what I wrote in an e-mail yesterday. I'm posting pictures of everything from rabbit heads to Starbucks coffee, breakfast rice porridge, a typical lunch and dinner meal to a wonderful meal in a brand new Japanese tepanyaki restaurant. There's plenty more that we've eaten without pictures.

Elsie Visits Good Samaritan House

2009-04-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

It was a joy to visit a new ministry centre for the homeless and recovering addicts. This centre is just a few months in operation and already lives are being changed. I've posted pictures of faces -- because all of the buildings and programs are on behalf of people and them coming into relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Singing and sharing were very much a part of our visit as they are in meetings in Vancouver. The facilities are quite simple. The leaders keep the sdhedule tight throughout the day and covering all of their efforts is a real love for each other and a sense of God's presence.

Jen and Kent Morgan Wedding Video Clip

2009-04-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

For those who couldn't get to Pender Harbour yesterday, here's some video of the wedding. The sound is distant because I was just sitting in the congregation and turned on the camera. You'll have the vows, the ring exchange, the blessing, and of course, the first kiss. More pictures in a couple of other posts below.

Kent and Jen Wedding Reception Pictures

2009-04-04T22:51:00.001-07:00

Good people! Good food! Good laughs! Lots of stories! The parents of Kent and Jen had lots of stories to share with us at the wedding reception. There were toasts and welcomes to the family. Jen's sister had a poem she'd written for the couple. Roger and Alayne were the "MC's". The Pender Harbour church family did a lovely job presenting the food for the afternoon and no one was cuter than the young ladies who brought trays around to the guests.

Wedding Pictures - Kent and Jen Morgan

2009-04-04T13:41:00.000-07:00

The deed is done! Kent and Jen are now husband and wife. Rev. Barclay Mayo presided at the wedding just and hour or so ago here in Madiera Park. The church was full and lots of joy was evident. The worship team led us in singing "Today I Choose To Follow You" and "We are a Moment", a clear sign that Kent and Jen see their lives and their marriage connected to and surrounded by the love of Jesus Christ. The sermon was focused on Jesus words to us in John 15 about being connected to the vine. Then Jen and Kent exchanged vows and rings. Rev. Barclay pronounced them husband and wife. Jen's father prayed a lovely prayer of blessing over the couple. Then Jen and Kent received communion and then served the rest of the congregation the bread and wine.

Gratitude Circle VIDEO

2009-04-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Every meal we gather together to eat is preceded by a time of "Gratitude". Sunday dinners with a house full of people is no exception. Typically while Elsie and others are in the kitchen finishing up the food preparation, Lorna is with the rest of the crowd leading them in gratitude.

We taped the gratitude circle this past Sunday on behalf of Lorna in the hospital but it's a fun time that I thought it would be nice to share as it is such a part of what we are and do on a regular basis.

A Bit of Fun With Lorna "Video"

2009-04-01T10:11:00.001-07:00

We had a bit of fun with Lorna in the hospital yesterday. My mom, Rose Zaiger, was chatting with her. Lorna shares about all the wonderful "food" she's eating (fantasies while sipping a bit of broth) and the nursing staff she is enjoying.

I just got off the telephone with the hospital and Lorna is finally getting the scan that it's taken so many days to do -- the prayer of the moment is that she gets the contrast fluid down and it is able to travel far enough into her system to show what's needed on the scan.

So, enjoy Lorna at her best on the video and keep praying.

Lorna in Her Own Words Video

2009-03-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

Lorna is a wild one .... as we all know. She may be sick in hospital with cancer but she's definitely not dead. Lots of laugher and typical Lorna behaviour .... just ask her about her cute night nurse... here's a word or two from her in hew own words.

She's undergoing further tests today to see what kind of "patch job" doctors can do on her so she can eat again .... look out Rose .... she's planning on a night at White Spot with you ....

Let's keep praying for Lorna, for strength, for wisdom for the doctors as they assess and treat Lorna in these days.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUN HEE

2009-03-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

It's a great day to celebrate our friend and co-worker Mun Hee who is celebrating a birthday today. Mun Hee comes to us from Korea and is offering hope and joy and friendship to people in the Downtown Eastside. She prays hard and spends lots of hours every week sharing kindness and love that she's experienced through Jesus Christ and offering the same to those she meets. We wish her well today and thank God for her life.

RENEWAL MISSION - ST. SIMON'S Pictures (Posted Mar. 20)

2009-03-20T15:52:00.000-07:00

We love to spend time with our friends in St. Simon's and this weekend is special for many of us as we participate in the Renewal Mission, held annually during this time of year. The theme of this year's conference is "Catching Fish in the 21st Century".

We're loading up the old gray van at 6:30pm tonight to head over the Second Narrows Bridge. Since we moved to a morning service and have focused our time with Immanuel Church in the Rio Theater we have missed being with our friends at St. Simon's so we're anxious to chat and do all the other good things that come with being together as a family. The worship and the speakers will be the "icing on the cake" as we listen along for new ways to engage our friends who don't yet know how much they are loved by God, their creator.

Coming Soon! Kent and Jen's Wedding (Posted Mar.20)

2009-03-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

Our webmaster Kent Morgan and our good friend Jen Isaak will soon be married. April 4 is the big day. Lots of Partners in Hope friends are praying for God's blessing on their life together and for these final days of preparation.

We appreciate Kent's ongoing work as our webmaster. What would we do without his efforts keeping our employment and housing listings up to date. I certainly don't know how to do any of it so without his expertise we would have many fewer resources to offer to our friends.

FREE DENTAL CLINIC and Dr. & Mrs. Alex Yule PICTURES (Updated Mar. 20)

2009-03-17T11:27:00.001-07:00

Hats off to Dr. Alex Yule and all his good friends at the Metrotown Dental Clinic. Yesterday (March 16) we were able to bring 25 of our friends to the clinic for free dental service that included x-rays and fillings and cleanings -- basically whatever was needed in mouths to get them healthy.

Now if the driver (me) had done a better job of finding the entrance to the clinic first thing in the morning (it was before 8am) then the day would have been hassle free because the staff were efficicient, kind, helpful, and very professional.

There are so many good people doing good things that we never see and so can't thank but when we do experience something generous, we want to make note of it and the good people at Metrotown Dental Clinic did a good thing. They are not just doing it as a "one-off" either because we already have the date of the next clinic scheduled.

Dr. Yule and his wife Jo are great friends of Partners in Hope. They come to help in the food co-op every week and do whatever is needed from chopping vegetables to making lunch, to listening to Lorna's stories (now there's a real service!! :) ). They head of the home Bible study groups at St. Simon's Church of North Vancouver -- a church close to our hearts -- and do all sorts of kind and caring things just because they are the right thing to do. They laugh a lot. They put up with my (Elsie) craziness and just show all of us a wonderful example of making every day of our lives count.

Dr. Yule is the founder and animating force behind the free dental clinic in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside as well as a new one now operating in Abbotsford at the food bank. I smile better just because I know Alex and Jo. Lots of others smile better because Alex and Joe have worked hard to make everyone around them have a real vision of God's goodness through their daily lives.

We have this little joke whenever I meet up with them .... I'm always trying to get someone to distract Jo so I can hug Alex first .... but I'll always hug them both just because I love them and am so proud to be associated with them.

Hope Behind Bars (Posted Mar. 9)

2009-03-09T09:53:00.001-07:00

We hurried home from church, got about 60 people fed and then Lorna, Mun Hee and I climbed in the van and headed for the prison. Sadly, one of the women there had committed suicide earlier in the week and we were on our way to the memorial service.

Last Monday evening, as we regularly do, we had filled the van with volunteers and driven out to the back side of Maple Ridge. We'd talked about how this was the last time for awhile that we'd be driving out in the dark (because of daylight saving time coming on the weekend). We crowded into the tiny "control" area to sign in and get our volunteer badges. Linnea had given each of us our list of 3 or 4 people we were visiting ... those we'd visited before and new folks who'd asked to have a visit. Some folks made their way over to the new minimum security facility on another part of the grounds. This was the first time for them over there. The rest of us headed off to various "houses" to find our friends.

As sometimes happens, at one point in the evening a number of us found ourselves on the same unit. When I came through the door I saw Lorna sitting at a table playing cards with two of the women there and, as I usually do, I had all sorts of crazy things to say about her and "warnings" that I gave the women about what would happen to them if they kept hanging around people like Lorna. We had lots of laughs and I went off to visit the woman I was there to see.

Forty-eight hours later, one of the women sitting at that table with Lorna took her own life. While Lorna had been too sick to visit in the prison for a few months last year Mun Hee had befriended this woman so when we received the news it was a pretty big shock to both of them and the usual questions go through your mind: What did I miss? What could I have done or said? Why did something like this have to happen?

These are the challenging moments for all of us as we long to have people come to know the hope and the joy we have found in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

I know the absence of hope. I know the darkness that seems to thick and too heavy to go on. I tried the same route years ago. Thankfully, I was not successful and God has given me a life that has been very worth living. That's a hope I have to share with women by my presence at a memorial service and in upcoming weeks when I sit with them somewhere on the grounds or in a common area of one of the units.

It is a reminder to me and all of us that only God's love can give us the strength and vision we need to see the future in a way that makes us want to enter into it.

I know that Lorna and MunHee, the women in the prison, the family of the woman who has died, would all appreciate your prayers in these days.

Crowded But Filled With Good Things

2009-03-05T22:03:00.000-08:00

(Pictures: L-R: Apartment meeting at 2255 Pandora; Bible study and dinner at April and Roy's in New West; Meeting in the yard at 2509 Pandora)

What do you do when the usual meeting place is being renovated? You send vans and cars, pick up folks and bring them all home. We cleared out as much furniture as we could from the den and then we packed in. It reminded me of days at 2509 Pandora Street in the living room there.

We reminded ourselves that even though there were about 35 of us packed into our den, we were people on a good journey -- people who were seeking to make something good of our lives and willing to share with others how to do it.

Step 6 tonight -- entirely ready to have God remove all our defects of character .... if you haven't done so already, give the sheet a read ... you 'll find it in the middle of the main web page .... who of us is ever entirely ready to have God remove ALL our defects of character.

It was crowded but the room felt full of all the right things. This is family. This is making the most of what we are given and sharing it in love with others. My heart feels crowded with good things at the moment.

SPECIAL DAYS - LIFE CHANGING OFFER!

2009-03-03T20:49:00.000-08:00

It's a once a year opportunity -- for 40 days as we prepare for Easter we have a chance to reflect on what is working in our life and what isn't. For millions of Christians around the world these are days to take a few moments to reflect on our friendship with God. These 40 days of Lent are about taking time to have our hearts warmed once again with the awesome friendship God offers to us.

Every day we post a special meditation that names some way that God is offering love and really solid friendship to us. It's a chance to smile, really smile, at what is good in life and to hope again that where life is difficult, there can be something better.

You'll find that meditation across the page on the left hand side or you can go there directly at: www.partnersdailymeditation.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday Christopher

2009-02-26T22:42:00.001-08:00

Christopher turned 16 this week!!! That little 6 year old kid who came through our door years ago is a fine looking teenager today. He hit that milestone birthday earlier this week. It's great to see him involved with the youth group at the church. He was at the house last week helping with the co-op. He knows lots more about computers than I'll ever know and has a good heart to go along with it all.

We congratulate you Christopher and pray many years of fun and peace as you finish high school and move along the career path that God opens up for you.

On The Move

2009-02-05T10:39:00.000-08:00

Well, these are the moments we work for and the moments we find difficult.

Jen and (no longer baby) Sierra have found a lovely apartment and will be moving there in the next few days. It's a perfect little suite for them in a good neighbourhood not far from here and the price is right!

I'm wondering who will share my yogurt with me -- if Sierra is around we always do the yogurt "spoon about" so we each get some. What will it be like to climb the stairs and not have to climb over the safety gate? What will we do when we watch TV and she's not rocking away on her little rocking horse or climbing here and there exploring? I don't know.

I do know that these are the moments we work for and so it's with that mixture of emotions that we help them make this move and to settle into their own home. I invite your prayers for both of them during this transition.

Sharing and Extending Mun Hee's Ministry in DTES

2009-02-05T10:25:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, Mun Hee and I (Elsie) will travel to Langley to Gateway -- a training center for cross cultural missionary service operated by WEC International. We'll be sharing the work of Partners in Hope to a new group of students and inviting them to join us in the work for the next few months.

In past years a number of these students have come to help us with support group meetings and the food co-op. This year we are hoping to connect them to the work that Mun Hee is doing right downtown at and near Main and Hastings.

It's just a drive-by picture but you'll see Carnegie Centre in one of the pictures above. Mun Hee is in the area walking, praying, visiting with folks both on the street and in drop-in centres several afternoons each week. Various other people accompany her from time to time but she is the solid fixture there on a regular basis. It will be wonderful for her to have some others to do the same with her while they study at Gateway.

There are many drop-in centers where people stop for coffee and conversation where Mun Hee will take the students and introduce them to some of her friends. Many "points of interest" and accompanying stories will be part of what they do together, I'm sure. We'll keep you posted.

Immanuel Church in the RIO Theater

2009-02-05T10:15:00.001-08:00

It's finally here! We're finally moving! The first Sunday at the Rio is about to happen this Sunday, February 8, 2009.

Lorna will be busy working the patrons at the nearby "McDonald's" seeing who she'll get to walk around the corner to church with her. Lots of invitations have gone out to folks each of us know. I'll be taking the van out to pick up folks in the Downtown Eastside. With it's convenient location, many others will simply be jumping on the bus or skytrain to get there ... with Starbucks just around the corner, I'm sure I'll find a way to grab an extra cup or two from time to time.

We know that this is just a "venue" but it's also a statement of how we want to be among the people who are in our city. Partners in Hope has always focused on being a presence and accompanying people as they seek to make meaning of their lives. It's a great opportunity for us to continue to find a presence in North Vancouver through St. Simon's Church and now also to do the "reverse missioning" of having those who were previously accompanied and drawn to God's love now be those who accompany others and with their kindness, draw other to that same love.

Broadway and Commercial is one of the busiest transit stations in the city. Commercial Drive has been "The Drive" for quite some time with it's many ethnic flavours and funky shops. It's a wonderful place for people to walk around, shop, have a coffee, and hang out. In the middle of that, the folks who attend Immanuel Church want to simply be real people whose lives demonstrate a real God who has made real changes in our lives.

Stay tuned for more information as things happen!

Superbowl Fun

2009-02-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

We have a history around here .... important days come in various sports and here's how it happens ... I pick a team to support. Lorna picks the opposing team and we go around and "get support" from as many people as we can. I think the louder noises this year were with the team Lorna was supporting but you'll note from the shirt I am wearing that, even though it was close, I was on the side of the winning team! I certainly didn't think that was going to be the case with just a couple of minutes left in the game.

We had the usual schedule in the morning with church and dinner back at the house. We were back to our usual 50+ folks after more than 70 who came the previous week for dinner .... we're so grateful for the donations of food we'd received that week that fed all of them!

Then it was on to the fun activities of the afternoon with all sorts of people staying to watch the Superbowl game. We projected the pictures onto the wall and filled the den downstairs with folks. Those that didn't want to have to deal with the craziness watch more quietly upstairs in the living room .... can't imagine why they'd do that, can you??

Just another fun family day at Partners in Hope.

Cathie's 10 Year Celebration

2009-02-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

Not that we need excuses to eat around this place but we had two special celebrations last week. One was a birthday of a resident in the house. The other was one of those special celebrations that needs to be noted. Saturday night we went to Mongolian BBQ with Cathie to celebrate 10 years of sobriety. It's been quite a journey as we walked with Cathie through treatment, through days when she didn't think she could keep sober for longer than a few days, then how she managed 30 days so she could come and live in the house. Now she's looking at 10 great years of sobriety. Included in that is several years of not smoking. That was another journey with a few stops and starts and stops until she turned the corner. These are the wonderful joys of walking with people "as they reclaim the gift of their life."

Cathie is active in life with her various ministries connected to the church and Partners in Hope. She's developed her talents in photography and other artwork and has had several art shows. In short, she has a life with herself, with God, with her family, and with lots of friends.

Congratulations Cathie!