Anybody who has visited my house knows I like to garden. A few years ago, my husband and daughter built me a greenhouse so I can start my plants from seed. Each precious seed is carefully placed in prepared soil and carefully nurtured to grow strong before being transplanted into the garden to grow up and produce a harvest.
Recently I’ve been rereading the Parable of the Sower (or maybe better called the Parable of the Soils) from Matthew 13.
What is startling to me in this parable is the complete disregard of the sower for all the seed that is wasted. No gardener deliberately throws seed on the path, or amongst weeds, or on rocky ground. Seed is reserved for fertile soil.
So why is this sower apparently happy to waste so much seed?
When I first heard what Allan was doing among refugees in Winnipeg, I felt a desire to learn more. After meeting with him and hearing the details, I was convinced that this amazing story, describing what God can do with a willing and servant heart, had to be shared with the world.
The website, ScriptureEarth.org, containing one of the largest repositories of Bible resources available, is a hidden jewel in the toolbox for diaspora ministry in Canada!
A story of unexpected hospitality! A broken fence that led to neighbours showing mutual hospitality to one another...
Muslims are noted for their hospitality. They are gracious and friendly. But one thing they will not tolerate are snails. I mean I don't want to eat a snail, but this is anathema to Muslims. Now, if you are a Christian living in a Muslim country, they will treat you with hospitality. People will be friendly and try to help you if you have a difficulty. But you will be viewed as if you were a Snail Salesperson.
The House of Omeed (House of Hope) exists to inspire hope in the hearts of refugees and newcomers to Canada as they make the necessary huge adjustment to their lives now transplanted into a new, unfamiliar, and often incomprehensible society.
From the very beginning, the existence of the House of Omeed has been a story of miracles.
Given their track-record, it's not surprising, on a recent visit in the middle of Covid restrictions, to find that the staff and volunteers are as busy as ever. In fact, perhaps they’re busier than ever, as they tackle the needs of the community in a way that complies with public health directives.