And the location is...

For those interested in our upcoming mission trip... a decision has finally been made. Upon request of the Canadian Territory, we will be supporting the Salvation Army's work in Holguin Cuba. A fact-finding trip will be held in September, and we anticipate the mission dates will be in early February 2010.

Start booking your vacation time off now!

Another adventure anyone?

This year we have been asked to go to two different locations (one by the Salvation Army in Canada, the other by the Salvation Army in the Caribbean). We are thoughtfully considering both requests. Both locations have unique challenges, so please keep the mission and those responsible for making the decision in your prayers.

In the meantime, I'm planning a trip to Uganda and the Watoto Children's Village. This too is a building project and I'm looking forward to seeing how different groups do things... perhaps I'll come back with a few suggestions for Joel, Bob & Terry!

The ongoing impact of a mission trip...

Over the years a number of participants have continued their "mission quest" even after their return home. Some have started small mission groups of their own, and others are working locally to support the needs of Canadian youth.

Sharon is one participant who has always had a missions mind - both here and abroad. Please consider supporting her efforts if you are in the Toronto area on May 9th when her group, Cooper Coin Arts, presents their second annual "Break the Chains" fashion show to support efforts addressing human trafficking.

The details are:
Location: The Sanctuary (25 Charles St East - one block south east of Yonge & Bloor) map
Date/Time: Saturday May 9th (4-7pm art show, 7pm fashion/talent show)
Cost: $10
Website: www.coppercoinarts.com

See you there!

New Slideshow...

To the right, you'll see a new series of slides that were the backdrop to a short presentation by Bob & Shirley McArthur at the Clearwater Citadel Corps today.

By clicking on any of the slideshows, you'll be taken to their location on Picasa where you can see them at a larger size and view them at your own pace.

Rachel's first few days...

Rachel was one of several who joined us the second week - and helped lift our spirits and get everything completed! She wrote a blog article for the CFOT. Read it here:
http://cfot.ca/archives/1001

If a picture is worth 1000 words, what is this video worth? LOTS!

The following links to a video posted by one of our team members Sandra R...

Please watch and enjoy.
http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.asp?XID=10134&CID=250488

PS. The song being played is "Give me your eyes" by Brandon Heath. The lyrics hopefully express all of our wishes:
Look down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight

Touch down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos

All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what’s underneath

There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work,He's buying time

Pre Chorus / Chorus
I’ve been here a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
I need a second glance
Give me a second chance
To see the way you’ve seen the people all along

Mission Accomplished!

Thanks to all for making this years mission trip a huge success!!!

Many of the mission group have been posting hundreds (and hundreds!) of photos on facebook. We also have a mission group page there that I will post the links on. For those not on facebook, here are some of the links:

Sandi Fosters' collection:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26409872667#/album.php?id=652248447&aid=89591
Don's Halseys' collection:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58715&l=71f2f&id=508111737
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58175&l=96b62&id=508111737
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58715&l=71f2f&id=508111737
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58175&l=96b62&id=508111737
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58725&l=a25d8&id=508111737
http://www.facebook.com/album.phpaid=59282&l=1e9b4&id=508111737
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=59284&l=a6916&id=508111737
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=59287&l=72ed8&id=508111737
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=59418&l=54372&id=508111737
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=59418&l=54372&id=508111737


For those who weren't with us, here is a brief summary of the work accomplished:

Plumbing:

• Repaired all toilets to function properly
• Replaced 7 deteriorated vanities with pedestal sinks and a shelf
• Repaired faucet and shower controls
• Repaired water pipes and replaced feed pipes in ground, eliminating redundant lines, and provided shut off valves to enable isolating areas as needed

Tiles:

• Repaired and replaced grout and tiles as necessary on floors and shower stalls
• Repaired thresholds where new ‘adjoining room’ doors were installed

Carpentry:

• Library ceiling was removed and replaced with new plywood and batten strips
  Apartments were created in married wing, so each family unit will have a separate washroom
• In the single quarters, by changing walls and doors, 2-room units were created to provide a bedroom and a sitting/study room for each cadet. These were designed to allow easy change back to single rooms, if enrolment increases, or to accommodate guests for soldiers’ seminars, youth councils etc.

Electrical:

• Plugs and switches were replaced as needed
• Four new industrial fans and controls were installed in the dining room, and the 2 working units from the dining room installed in the classrooms. All necessary re-wiring was done
• Light fixtures were changed to modern energy efficient units where required
• A Flood light was installed on the building sign

Cement Work:

• A safe concrete patio area with steps was created between the dining room and laundry/storage building
• Cement planter curbs were constructed to contain landscaping plants
• Walk area were levelled to help eliminate trip hazards
• Steps were installed in the area between the dining room and the offices to make it safer
• A cement wheelchair accessible ramp was installed from the parking lot to the walkway near the Officer’s Quarters

Masonry:

Masonry damage to the street side of the security wall was repaired, and the iron fence above that repaired and filled in where it was previously open or broken. The gates were also repaired and are now able to be securely locked.

Play Area:

A safe play area was created for Cadets’ children in the inner courtyard with clean fine sand installed

Roof Repair:

The mission team hired a local roofing contractor to repair the roof of the three story building by applying a 4mm single ply roofing membrane . This has a 10 year warranty. The Warranty Certificate has been given to the Training Principal.

Painting:

• 169 gallons of paint was purchased to cover approximately 51,000 square feet of the buildings
• The exterior was completely painted in a cheery yellow colour, with blue columns, and a brown splash zone at the base of the walls. All surfaces received at least 2 coats.
• The exterior of the building housing the laundry and storage rooms was repainted
• The security wall and fence above were painted
• Sign lettering was repainted.
• Flag-poles were re-painted and made functional for the raising of The Salvation Army flag donated by the Northridge Corps from Newmarket, Ontario.
• The Library was entirely re-painted
• Much of the interior Cadets’ Quarters area was painted with accent colour walls and trim

We're Here & now it's Day 2!

Who knew we'd have internet access! Move over Hilton hotels.... this is sooo much better! Hotels don't let you work hard all day so you'll sleep through constant traffic, barking dogs, crowing roosters, and the occassional gun shot at night!

Below are a few pictures of some of the action. We have had many blessings so far with our travelling, customs and immigration, and local support. "Normal" delays in getting access to the materials we ordered weeks and months ago are getting worked out.

The weather is fantastic - especially compared to the sub-zero temperatures at home!

Everyone is thankful of their supportive families at home and they pass on their greetings!

Have ticket will travel...

Everyone should have received their tickets last week. Please confirm this by replying to Shirley's email.

Looking forward to seeing the 1st week departures at the airport, and the 2nd week members in Jamaica.

Joel is working on his last minute email message to everyone, so watch your inboxes!

Soon & Very Soon...

As you can tell from the random thoughts below... we have now entered our "last minute" zone and things are getting a little hectic. Planning is coming together well, and our supports in Jamaica are being very helpful. The roofing that we are having done by locals has been started and should be complete before we arrive! Ground transportation may be one of our challenges, but it sounds promising.

My random thoughts on a Wednesday afternoon...

- Packing day is this Saturday at North York Temple (9am) if you can join us!

- Only 11 more sleeps for the 1st week group, and 18 for the second week. The first week group get one more night in their comfy beds thanks to Air Jamaica's change in flight schedules (for those who still think we're leaving Saturday - it has been changed to Sunday departure - same time).

- Two countdown emails have gone out.. if you haven't got yours, let me know, and I'll forward them on... I think I've caught anyone whose message bounced.

- Oops.. didn't get the devotions list out! Sorry !!! If you said yes - assume you're "ON".. and I'll try and get this out tonight...(note to self... expand To-Do list!)

- We have changed our overall numbers as well... down one and up two! Even with the flight changes we have been able to secure seats for a few last minute changes.

- T-shirts have been ordered and will be available at the Toronto airport. I'll have them for the first week people, Brian will have them for the second week group.

- Brian Bishop has agreed to be the week 2 team leader.. so look for him at the airport.. Here's a picture to help you out! (Brian's the third from the left)... guess his features are a little small to make out - but he should be recognizable by his t-shirt!