NorthLife: Soles and souls! 13,000 pairs of shoes and boots went out the door in 6 hours! What a fantastic day we recently experienced. Our distribution centre was privileged to greet hundreds of Fort McMurray residents who made their way to 141 Alberta Drive to pick up free shoes and boots for their families as we enter the winter months. The day was intense, the volunteers were exhausted yet we were all blessed! Security guards and RCMP officers provided a welcomed service. Thank you! The gratitude of fathers, mothers and the precious children was seen on the faces and expressed in the words of appreciation. The delightful diversity of our beloved city was evident! A microcosm of this world in which we live.
The value God places on people can be measured by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the Cross two millenniums ago.
“When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them.” Every person has been created in the image of God. All souls are precious. The value God places on people can be measured by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the Cross two millenniums ago. The measure of our commitment to God is our practical and prayerful involvement with others.
Teresa of Avila (1515–1582) wrote the following poem which reminds us that in this period of time between the Lord’s ascension and return, we as His followers represent Him on earth. “Christ has no body but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.” A recent write-up about Nostco by the United Way of Fort McMurray, captures the heart of what is now happening. They quoted the words of our Nostco Director, Rachel Ondang: “Nostco isn’t about things, it’s about sharing our stories and connecting with one another.” We must seize this season of unprecedented opportunity in every way possible.