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Aroland 2008
 A tiny seed is planted in some soil and it soon becomes a beautiful flower. You place your desire to help those in need into the Precious, and Holy Hands of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and it soon becomes a sign that God is alive over 1600 km away! On May 12th to May 19th, 2008, thirty-eight youth placed their plans in the hand of the Lord, and travelled to Aroland First Nation Reserve—4 hours NE of Thunder Bay. Sixteen hours of driving were spent to reach our destination so that we may spread the love of Jesus Christ and touch the lives of those who are “in our own backyard.” We passed mountains, rocks, trees, lots of trees, and bears. The beautiful land of Ontario!
In Third World Countries there may be no food, clothes or drink. In Aroland, Ontario, there may be the material needs to sustain life…but the Spiritual Food and Drink is what God specifically sent us to deliver. Under the care of our father the priest, Abouna Makari, the Changing Lives Group continued the mission that began in June 2007 with Careforce International. We returned to Aroland to see the same faces and meet the same friends, each one remembered by his or her name. Every morning began with the Holy Liturgy, followed by Quiet Time for the servants. We would then split in the mornings between activities at the school and at the construction site. In the evenings, the whole group was re-united with all the children and youth of Aroland in the school gym. It was there that we carried out songs, Bible stories, dramatic plays, games, and group activities.
School
 As the doors of Johnny Therriault Memorial School were opened to us, so also the doors of our hearts opened with love for the children. From the moment we walked into the school, the contagious smiles on the children’s faces were all we could see.
The school consisted of five classes, each of which had at least two servants to assist the teacher with their classroom tasks, and simultaneously, build a strong love-filled bond with the students. Whether it was teaching the JK/SK class the difference between their odd and even numbers, or one-on-one tutoring with the grade 7/8 class, the compassionate Changing Lives Group longed to serve in the name of the Lord. Many servants were requested by the staff to spend long hours helping in the resource room by completing tasks such as stapling seven hundred books. The Changing Lives Group provided the SK and grade eight students with a graduation ceremony as a token of appreciation for their achievements. As we got ready to leave, the students were provided with a symbolic t-shirt and cross to remind them that although the Changing Lives Group may be leaving, the Lord remains with them always. Working with the students at Johnny Therriault Memorial School opened our hearts to receiving our Lord, for “Whoever shall receive one such child in my Name, receives Me” (Mark 9:37). This journey made possible by the grace of our Lord, not only allowed us to establish a relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but also provided us with the opportunity to experience our Lord’s unconditional love. Dentistry Service
The kids loved our "dentist girls" Dalia and her assistant Sherein. Whether it was presentations about oral hygiene or working on the kids teeth, it was all done with Christ's love.
Construction
 Digging with shovels, hammering nails, moving logs of wood and sticks, squeezing oneself into an attic with a dust mask to make a chimney—whatever the job was, everyone was willing and ready to take on the task with determination and enthusiasm! The “Pyramid” is a structure that was built last summer 2007 by the Changing Lives Group as an extension to the “Shack.” John Reynolds was the foreman on site, and with 38 additional hands this summer, the roof was completed, insulation installed, and a bathroom was set up! This building now stands as a place for the youth and children of Aroland to gather. Sunday School
 Gym nights together really gave us a special time to bond with the children and youth. Entertaining plays were put on, and servants dressed up in puppet costumes…all to deliver the word of God. Youth activities were organized including ice-breaker games, group discussion topics, and fun sports games like volleyball, floor hockey, and FREEZE! On the last night of the mission trip, we had a bonfire for the whole community of Aroland, including parents and the elders. The beautiful children of Aroland were lit up with smiles on their face as hugs were shared, emails were exchanged and friendships to last a lifetime were made. The Changing lives Group really made strong and lasting connections with the children and youth. Memories so sweet were built, and the relationships are continuing until today through msn, email and phone calls from our friends. A Prayer
 We pray for our brothers and sisters in Aroland, that the Lord may touch their lives and that the seed that He planted be watered and flourished for the glory of His Holy Name. A servant can teach a child a song, or tell a child a Bible story, but it is God who works inside their hearts and reveals His awesome and beautiful Face to them. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). At Aroland, 2008, seeds were planted and seeds were watered in the hearts of the children and youth, but it was God who worked all in all! |
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