day 6 - July 30 - Next Steps and John St.

 Today is Thursday and we had a very rainy day!  Our day started as usual - up and at 'em - heading into the city for breakfast and to prep for play days. The forecast called for rain pretty much all day. Risk of Thunderstorms, heavy rain, 80% POP. Once we got into the office the rain began.  We cannot do a play day in the rain and so we were not sure what was to be done.  

Today was also the last day for Next Steps.  It runs Tues-Thurs and on Thursday, it is chapel. Jeremy (who those may remember from previous trips) comes and does the chapel service at Next Steps. Seemed to be a quieter day today than the previous days. Likely some of it had to do with the rain, and on another note, tomorrow is when the ODSP payments are released.  They can usually pickup their cheques the day before. There were still many who came out looking for some shelter, coffee and food. Some were still under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The staff know them so well; for one person, the staff knew he needed just to be next to him, perhaps put a hand on his shoulder. He was able to regulate throughout the morning. Bethany shared her story today with those who were at Next Steps - her story about monarch butterflies. Jessie was back to play the piano for the participants. I saw some of the same people throughout the week. We also saw them watch out and take are of one another. There is community among the group. They watch out for one another. In Next Steps there is also a prayer jar. The participants have put many prayers into the jar - take a peak at some of their prayer requests.

So here's the story of the rain.  It rained.  and it rained.  and it rained. The forecast was calling for rain all day. At first there was a little break and we hoped and planned to go earlier. And then the storms merged and it was going to rain all day. We looked at forecasts, models, radar... nothing changed. So we stopped and prayed. We continued working and planning for other play day ideas (for future teams).  We continued preparing for lunch. We prepared more balloons, the games, activities etc. 

 Then we looked at the forecast around noon... and it seemed like there was a shift in the forecast!  Sun was now due to come around 2pm until 5pm. Guess what!  Playdays were scheduled for 2-5pm! So by faith we continued preparing to go.  We left the office around 1:45 and the rain had already begun to taper off. We arrived at John St. and the rain had stopped.  And amazingly it was a sunny (albeit hot) afternoon! We ran the play days as usual. 

John St. is a smaller community. About 20 of these families had come up to the cove a couple weeks ago already. The families who came out were mostly those who already knew Northwind. They seemed to have a great time. Lots of snowcones and hotdogs went out again. They played games and stayed for the raffles and our story.  The kids seemed to like and understand our caterpillar story. I hope that they carry some of that forward into their lives at their homes and schools. It was really nice to see the families coming out with their kids to play at the playdays. Everyone was so polite and appreciative. And when we finished and got back to the office, there was a little bit of rain again.

Today being the last of the play days, we also needed to clean and put away all the activities. 

As this is also our last day at the offices, we also hosted the staff we've been working with all week for dinner. They enjoy Osmow's and so we ordered party platters. 

And so we finish our week with a celebration; a thank you to the staff for their support this week.  We also dropped off treats and encouragement cards to the counselling office at 141 May St. to surprise them in the morning.  We pray they have a restful sabbath (they are closed for the first week of August for sabbath rest).

Tomorrow we will do a debrief for the week and then a little touring around Thunder Bay.

Thanks for following. We'll post some tourist things tomorrow and Saturday!

day 5 - July 29, 2026 - Windsor St.

 Happy Wednesday!

Ok, so our morning routines are pretty established and so we won't go over the regular details.  Hunster had to return home as there was something he needed to support and attend to back home.  Prayers for him as he has returned home.  His flights were fine although he had to go from TB to Ottawa then Toronto, to make it home.  We are glad he updated us that he is home and things are okay.

So today we did a few things.

1.  Next Steps

2.  A Prayer walk

3.  Play Days

At Next Steps we had others who did not go the day before go and support the staff and program. Did I mention that there are only 3 staff who support and often they see over 100 people in a 3 hour span. One at the door, one in the kitchen, and one to support the participants. 

I met a participant named Kevin today. He has a power wheelchair. We had a long chat about many different things in our lives. I asked him what one of his earliest memories was. He shared with me about a time he was fishing with his father, and when he had turned around to do something, his dad hooked a fish they had already caught on his line so that he thought he caught one!  That is so cute! Many stories throughout the morning; where he went to school (both Canada and US - don't forget, Thunder Bay is a border town!), also his working in Canada, and some of his experiences now. One of his roommates came in and told us that her mom's place had been broken into - someone smashed the front large window of their place.  He shared some stories of how he'd had a break in before, and they beat him up, how people would steal his wheelchair and sell it, and he'd buy it back. But he also shared that the people are mostly good, the land is beautiful, and he would never leave Thunder Bay. Lots for families, lots of parks, the area is beautiful. You could hear his love for his city. Talked about the baseball player who made it in the majors from Thunder Bay, other athletes etc, and the pride he has for his city clearly came through.  There are good people everywhere, and we really need to all learn how to treat one another better!

There also (in the afternoon) was a session for participants on cooking. It was a cooking class to show them how to make some basic things. Kevin shared about having made an apple pie one time - never done it before until now.  Jasmine does a cooking for life class in the afternoon weekly. Sometimes they get things from the food bank and they don't know what to do with it. She tries to get the list from the food bank in advance and then plan a session on how to cook with those items.

We also heard a story about one lady (participant) who had been banned from some other area shelters and supports because she'd gotten into fights and arguments there. Northwind was the last place where she was allowed.  She works hard to not get banned. She works at it and knows she needs to remove herself from those situations and work at being more calm. Northwind is a safe place for her and so many. I saw a few people who came in and went to sleep.  Got their coffee and bannock, ate it and took a nap. That indicates to us that Northwind is a safe place. Imagine being out, whether on the streets or a shelter, and you are worried all the time that someone might steal your things, or worse, try to beat you up or rob you. Northwind is a space where they can sleep.  They can charge their phones. They can talk with one another and be in community.  Continue to pray for the work Northwind is doing. (sorry, no photos of Next Steps as we don't have permission from the partipants!)

Our afternoon was play days again to Windsor St. This complex was not as busy today, but I still ended up doing almost 100 hot dogs!  I invented a new snack - the SnowDog.  It's a hotdog in a snow cone.  Yes it sounds weird but someone agreed to try one... and then he asked for a second :)

The kids would play and had a good time. We saw families out, and some were connected well with each other.  We saw some kids who were with us back when we did the overnight camps too!  So nice to see them and how they've grown. Lots of kids played the games and looked on with interest at the play.  Unfortunately I'd say that the community has grown a bit more messy and in disrepair. There were some units with fresh paint outside, but lots of garbage about, and it could use more care.

On our way back to the camp, as we were driving through the city we saw a momma deer and a fawn walking in the city, just eating the grass and weeds. The momma deer didn't seem concerned about the cars going past her - but the fawn was getting a little spooked.  They were so cute! Just a reminder of the beauty of nature and creation around us!

Enjoy your evening.  One more big day tomorrow!  Stay tuned!!!

Day 4 - July 28 - Play days at Limbrick

 It's Tuesday July 28 and today we had our first day at Next Steps, and also Play Days at Limbrick housing.

So how are you all feeling today?  As a team we are kinda tired but excited at the same time.  Our usual routine is up by 7, out by 7:30, breakfast at the office around 8:15 and then start the day at 9.

Did you know you can bake your eggs instead of boiling them? In needing to do hard boiled eggs I decided to just bake the case of 30 instead of boiling all the water.  Just put them in a muffin pan, bake at 325 for 30 minutes and then ice bath for 10.  Only "problem" is they sometimes get a burn mark where they were touching the pan. In the end, an easier way to make so many hard boiled eggs!

Today we were introduced to the Next Steps team.  This team of 3 people can often see 100+ participants in a 3 hour window at the Next Steps program.  Jasmin, Anton, and Steve.  A small team but a mighty one!  What is Next Steps?  Glad you asked!

Next Steps is a program that NWFM runs Tues-Thurs and provides clients with coffee, tea, juice and bannock (think bread with butter, jam or other toppings) It is a safe space for clients to come in from the cold, and the streets to get a warm drink, something to eat and just a space to rest or get support. Our team is able to help them in getting the drink ready, serving our guests and just talking with them if they want. Some of our clients might still be struggling with alcohol or addictions and needing just a space to be for a little while. This is a space for only adults to be present. 

Our youth were preparing some activities for the play days - making more balloon butterflies, and also preparing a craft we will do to present to the Northwind staff after we leave. Lots of team laughter today.  Although people are tired, everyone is bonding well as a team.

Limbrick was where we held play days. A large complex, and one which has historically been one of the "roughest" housing complexes.  Definitely the grounds were not as well maintained as at Academy; there was much garbage around and more graffiti on the playground structure. However the kids were fairly happy, and we saw more families coming out today than yesterday!  We gave out over 100 hot dogs today, and likely had over 120 people come out to play games, get snow cones and hot dogs. The community was welcoming and I think that's a change from over the years. The people were very welcoming and kids were out playing! I think in the past I felt that there was less community between people.  I do hope that is changing for the better. We did see more families and those family units coming out to play today.

We asked people to talk about a "rose, bud or thorn" from the play days so far.  Some logistics came up as thorns - with this feedback we can make some minor adjustments.  Many of the roses or buds were about the people. Great to see some families come out.  Northwind knocked on a door and no one answered; but they had a camera and so the staff told them that we had the playday today and invited them to come - and they did!  I had one gentleman say he needed a hot dog for his girlfriend in the house - and that she wouldn't come out - turns out it was true - but I invited him to invite her to come out and she took a chance and did!  We had a chat and I told her glad to see her out here. She said she has a lot of social anxiety and it's not easy to get out. So glad she made it!  Many of the kids who came out were very cute - wanting to play, eat hot dogs and snowcones. Some just stood and asked with their eyes while others were more outgoing. They'd look out for each other; I believe most of them did have a sibling at home when they asked for another hot dog - and often the sibling came out eventually and had a good time!  It was the best when a little boy came up to us and thanked us for coming and said that all his friends want was to just have some fun - and they did!

The trip is over half done.  We have 2 more locations to visit this week before heading home.  We return Sunday. If you want to hear more from people about their experiences I do encourage you to reach out to them to chat!

Day 3 - July 27 - Play Days - starting at "Academy"

Hello and welcome to our Day 3 edition! Honestly it feels like middle of the week already.  It's Monday!!  Today was our first day of Play Days.  Today we met with David (team lead), Sydney (summer student), Elena (summer student). They are the leads for the play days this year!  

We started our day early, leaving the Cove around 7:30am.  Breakfast was set for 8am.  Simple breakfast for toast, bagels, cream cheese.  David led our devotional and reminded us about how important it is to read the Bible each day.  We might do this in different ways and at different times, but to hear from God daily, and to be reminded of his guidance daily is so important.

Today was to be Play Days at Academy - this is a housing complex on Academy Rd. We usually setup right next to the playground and run our activities in a fairly small area.  Academy spreads out quite a bit so we were told that we will put up signage around the entire neighbourhood.

They planned to do different carnival games than had been done earlier in July. Our job in the morning was to prepare for the games, prepare for our skit/bible story at the end and prepare the balloon animals (butterflies) we would hand out at the end.

So many fun things happened in the morning. The team is getting along really well.  Lots of laughs and ideas. From harmonizing "Ba-na-na" to laughing about different parts of our skit. Lots of great ideas for everyone!

Our caterpillar team!

I noticed today, that even though there are not events happening at 138 May St, Northwind's side for programs like Next Steps, and the Gathering, people would still come by to see if there was support available. Unfortunately, we have to turn them away as there are no programs in the office on Monday.  Next Steps runs Tues-Thurs.  

So for the week, the games were ring toss (try to get the ring on the pegs), castle crash (knock down the cups stacked using balls), fishing pond (try to hook the floating fishies!) , face painting, sponge toss (throw a wet sponge at the person standing behind the wall - there's a hole in the wall for their face!!), zipline activities (inflated balloons on large straws to race when the air is let out), photo booth (bring your own phone!), along with snow cones and hot dogs.  

 

I felt that the complex was much busier this year!  We likely had over 40 children come out to play for about 2 hours! They registered with Northwind and played the games at no cost, winning small prizes along the way. Many parents asked about supports, schedules for when Northwind runs programs and also how to get social services.  I noticed the kids and families were all very supportive of one another.  They'd help each other out where they could. They waited their turns and played nicely at the games and with one another.

Before we began, we first tried to clean up the area from trash. Making sure the area was safe and there were not things like discarded needles or glass. Garbage was picked up at the start and throughout the event.  Incredibly one older gentleman would walk around picking up garbage throughout the event for the community!  He just went about with a reacher and a bag and picked up garbage that he found. 

The diversity in the community is also changing.  Yes we had people of First Nations descent, but also others including from Chinese and others from South-east asia. More people have immigrated to Thunder Bay - but they are also in need of support. 

The play day was very well attended.  We are glad for that but I also wonder about how many more people with children are needing support.

At the end of the event we did some raffle draws and then shared the Bible passage on Romans 12:1-2.  Talking about how God transforms us - just like the way a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.  This is how the First Nations version of the new testament talks about it.  So with this in mind we did a little skit where caterpillars were bullying other caterpillars.  Some butterflies came along and it didn't bother them that those caterpillars were trying to bully them too.  They spoke to the bullied caterpillars and brought them to the farmer (God) who would show them that that is not something that should matter to them and not to be influenced or to conform to their ways.  The caterpillars then cocooned and transformed into butterflies!  They then shared this good news with the bully caterpillars who chose then to go to God.  A simplification of the story but wanted to share with children there that God can do so much more than we think - if we will trust him and listen to him.

Asking people how they felt today went and overall they were happy, it went well and while many did not know what to expect, things were smooth! People were tired however; on a 1-5 scale, many were a 3, some were even a 1 or a 2.  So after a yummy dinner, prepared by our cook Demerai, we headed back to the Cove to settle in for the evening.  

This then involved a light hike around the property before coming into journal, and get ready for sleep.

I am excited to see what tomorrow brings. Our 2nd complex is Limberick. I'm curious to see changes there from the years past.  Take a look at the blogs from the last few years and you'll get a sense of what I'm thinking

For now, thanks for following along and keep praying for our sharing of the play days, showing positive ways to interact and play and to introduce people to Northwind and their supports, all done because God cares for us.

Day 2 - July 26 - Church, Safe people and places, The Gathering

 Hello!  thank you for following along with us!

It's Sunday and we are finishing up for the day.  People are journaling and recording their thoughts from the day.  It is rather incredible how much we have done over a 2 day period already.  It's starting to turn into a blur from when we arrived to now.  2 days, yet it feels like 3-4!

Early Bonita left for the airport to fly to Fort Hope.  This is the place where many residents have been evacuated, but many more have not yet been evacuated for whatever reasons. The goal from yesterday if you remember was to pack the items, equipment, snacks, games and even water for them  to bring up. Bonita was even preparing to bring the food she needed for the week as well.  When I travel I don't think about needing to bring food with me, assuming we can buy food, whether restaurants or grocery stores. Did not even think that we wouldn't have access to food.  She is gone until next week Sunday. She needs to bring food for the entire week!

Our prayer was that the team going (not our team, but Northwind) would be able to get the plane there, and to also be able to bring all the equipment they wanted to.  She texted and let us know that they were the only passengers. All their luggage and bins would also be able to go with them!  Praise the Lord! No worry and stress about getting everything there! She sent us a photo of theme on the plane, and also unpacking all the supplies and figuring out their play days!

So back to the team. Got up early and put into the oven the breakfast they left for us.  A special creation that they use at Christmas. It's like their Christmas breakfast tradition - which they have shared with us. It's like Christmas in July!  Bread, eggs, ham, cheese topped with corn flakes and butter!  Yum.  Recipe linked here:

So after being fed, we made our way to the city, and to go to Redwood Park Church, Thunder Bay. Here was a contemporary service, and with a growing First Nations population. Very welcoming!  Their current sermon series was on the Nicene Creed.  Think of this as a road map - "What is a Christian, anyways?"

Following church we went to the office where we will do our work for the week.  Today we have to go through "safe people and places" training. It is important that we follow this policy, not just because insurance demands it, but also to make sure we stay safe, the organization is protected, and it's just the right thing to do. Safety truly is everyone's priority.

Tonight Northwind hosted "The Gathering." Here they serve a meal - it's a safe space for people to come.  The people coming have asked for bible study as well and so starting at 4:15, they begin with an activity. 4:45 they serve dinner.  At 5:15 people move to the bible study, while they clean and reset for dinner again at 6pm.

Each dinner sitting served over 40 people.  We had over 80 or 90 people tonight come for a meal and to hear the gospel shared with them in a practical way. Chicken, mushrooms, bread, and a butter tart. Along with some juice, coffee, tea to drink.

Standing at the door, Justin (works for Northwind) would register attendees - he knew almost all of them by name and sight. We would welcome them in and record their names. He did turn a couple people away - if they were intoxicated or seemed under the influence of drugs. Most understood; we want this to be a safe environment, and kids are present. One gentleman was not so gentle and stormed off, swearing at him. A few others were also turned away but everyone was also offered coffee, tea or juice. We had to refill the coffee carafe 3 times each sitting! We asked Justin about the community - the shelter house offers dinner at 7pm so if they were turned away or came late and we were full, at least they could go there. He did say that there were more community resources around town which is good. But it seems that there may be more street adjacent than in the past.  I did recognize some of them from our trips in the past and had some conversations with them about things I remembered. There was steady busy all evening!  Before we left, someone was knocking on the windows while we were having our debrief. They likely wanted some food (but service was over) and we could hear her yelling in the window she would jump in front of a car. The staff did not know who she was; but we prayed she would find the help she needs. She did walk away and the staff checked - she was not on the street and had moved on. Other team members I believe saw her later and was in the midst of a number of men - perhaps they were trying to manipulate her to go and get things.

Tomorrow we go to the housing complex and start to run play days. David, staff who is working with us reminded us that everyone wants to belong, feel loved, feel a sense of belonging. Pray that we can have an environment at play days that is warm and welcoming, help people feel they matter and belong. We want to help in true reconciliation and that they can know they are loved by God; no strings attached.  We are also challenged to learn what God is trying to say and teach each of us this week.

It is late. People are still up... and we need to sleep because we need to leave by 7:20am tomorrow.  good night everyone! Thanks for journeying with us!