Clothed In Confidence

Hi, I'm Laura U. I'm an employment coach at The Mustard Seed in Calgary and this is my first time on the blog. I was assigned as Sandra’s Employment Coach a few weeks ago and met with her for the first time soon after. She sat with me in the intake room, and I asked to hear her story.

“Oh, my story is sad, sad,” she whispered. ”In my country there is too much war”.

I left it at that, sensing she would rather not go further. However, I did learn that Sandra is from Uganda and came to Calgary to find work.

“I need to find confidence to interact with people in a job”, she told me. “Can you help me find confidence?”

I told her I would try.

One of our first steps toward confidence is being taken today. We are going to Making Changes, a not-for-profit agency that outfits women with professional clothing for the workplace.

We arrive in the afternoon and Sandra’s eyes widen as she takes in the place, which is set up like a clothing boutique. Racks of clothing fill the room, one corner is stacked high with shoes, and a standing coat hanger dangles with purses. Another shelf is covered with brand-new cosmetics.

We are paired with a volunteer stylist who leaps to action, handing Sandra dress pants in eggplant and khaki. Then shirts in bright colors and soft fabrics are brought out. Sandra receives each item with stunned graciousness, her eyes full of light. She says little, but she is beaming.

Sandra steps into the dressing room, and our stylist looks at me and says, “She is wonderful.” She is awed, as I am, by Sandra. She shines.

In a world torn by war, oppression, and violence, Uganda is no exception. It would seem that the brutal reality of war would harden one’s heart. Often, however, as I and others in the Employment Centre have seen, it has the opposite effect. In some individuals, the need for God grows stronger. Sandra had told me in the car on the way to Making Changes that she prays a lot. She has to pray a lot, she says. It is a means of survival. Sandra has kept the hope planted by Christ, and it shows.

We prepare to leave Making Changes. Sandra fills out a survey, and when asked if she is now ready to enter the workplace with confidence, she checks “strongly agree”.

In the car on the way home she tells me that she has read in Scripture that God has good plans for His children. A few more times she whispers it: “Good plans”. Her confidence in God’s goodness has renewed my own. And with that, we ride back toward downtown Calgary - clothed in the confidence that comes from trusting Him.

Thank you, Garneau School!

Q. What do you get when you combine 2 enthusiastic teachers + 42 grade 1 and 2 students +The Mustard Seed ?

A. A whole lot of awesomeness! (And according to spell check, awesomeness IS a word!)

Late in 2011, we received a very special visit from the grade 1 & 2 students at Garneau School in Edmonton. They came for a tour and made some delicious sandwiches to serve during our drop-in. However, this was only the beginning of our relationship with these great students!

At the end of January, all of the kids came back, bringing with them dozens of backpacks stuffed with hygiene items, bus tickets, blankets and other good things. They had a blast unloading each backpack from the truck in a long assembly line which snaked through our Community Support Centre. Their giggles and excitement were infectious!

Still, I think the highlight for our staff was when two of us were invited to come to the school to check out the amazing models and dioramas the students had created of the different ways The Mustard Seed helps people.

Friday night Movie Nights:



"Peas Be With You" Community Garden:



(Please excuse the poor cellphone pictures!)

The students had made dozens of these dioramas, and each model had an explanation page next to it and a little book where we could write encouraging notes about the projects. Other models included our bread shelf, our Personal Assistance Centre (clothing and hygiene items), and our evening meal program. They had also made a video about The Mustard Seed, and worked on a lot of math and writing projects all based on their experience at The Mustard Seed. It was integrated, experiential learning in the best way!

Some of the students' work spoke most articulately to what they had learned at The Mustard Seed about how people need more than just food and clothes- they need love, support, and a place of belonging. It was an inspiration to see the colourful and creative ways the students had chosen to work through these ideas!

Thank you, Garneau School!

Cutting Hair for a Cause

Meet Art, The Mustard Seed’s volunteer barber who cuts hair on Thursdays. He has been a barber for over sixty years. Art started supporting The Mustard Seed by making financial donations and then decided to donate his talent and time as well. He says he enjoys his volunteer work with The Mustard Seed in Edmonton.

“I’ve really noticed how genuine people are. Many people say thank you after I cut their hair and I feel like my skills are valued by the community,” he says.

Art is a Christian who wants to share his faith while cutting hair so he hopes that through his skills and chats, he is able to help those in The Mustard Seed’s community on their journey. He truly believes that God’s great love for all of mankind is in action at The Mustard Seed.

“I see God’s love in action every Thursday through the community, staff and other volunteers,” says Art.

Why does Art keep coming back to volunteer?

“The great staff who encourage me and make me feel welcomed and valued keep me coming back. The community is gracious and kind. I enjoy the atmosphere and I feel like I am really a part of the team.”

Hacky Sack

As a relief support worker at The Mustard Seed Calgary, I work in several different departments (my job never gets boring!). One of my primary tasks involves helping facilitate our DemoCrew and CollegeCrew programs -- experiences where high school or college/university students spend multiple days and nights with us at The Mustard Seed volunteering and learning about homelessness. Our goal with these programs is to demolish the darkness and demonstrate the love of Jesus.

I was wrapping up orientation during one such CollegeCrew and asked the group to share whether they had any fears or apprehensions for the weekend ahead. One young man, whom I'll call David (not his real name), spoke up.

"I've never been good with words. What am I supposed to tell somebody whose life seems to be one bad run of events after another? I don't know how someone like me can say the right thing to help."

I told him that often, it's not the words we speak, but the most seemingly insignificant actions, that make the difference. He nodded, unconvinced, and I took the group for their first mealtime with our guests.

After supper I went to round up the students. As many wrapped up conversations with their tablemates, I looked around for David and found him leaning against the wall, intently focused on a game of hacky sack that had been started in the corner by five or six guests who I knew quite well. I approached David and stood with him.

"Do you think...do you think that maybe I could go play for a bit?" he asked me nervously.

"I think that's a great idea," I replied with a smile. "Go for it! They'd love to have you."

Cautiously, David approached the circle, where the guests enthusiastically invited him to join in. The following day, one of the guests approached me with more joy in his face than I had seen in months, asking if I could "please, please" excuse David from a group activity for a bit so they could play one more game of hacky sack together.

At the end of the weekend, David revealed that he had struggled with depression for many years, and had felt unqualified to help make anybody else's life better.

"But now," he said, "I know that it's not always about saying the right words. Maybe, sometimes, it's enough to kick a sack around with a bunch of people who I would normally have passed by on the street."

Sometimes, "helping" just might look like a game of hacky sack.

How Volunteering Became a Gift

Before working at The Mustard Seed, I never knew that those living in poverty volunteered in our community. But, it's true: those we serve at The Mustard Seed often volunteer for us. And, sometimes the experience is even life-changing for them. Lillian's story tells it best.

"I came from an abusive and alcoholic family. People were murdered in my life - and that really hurt me. Then, The Mustard Seed helped me.

I volunteer in The Mustard Seed's donations sorting group. I can feel God's presence at The Mustard Seed and through all the different people who work there. With the sorting group, there is prayer for people. I really appreciate being part of that group.

The Mustard Seed has helped me get food when I had nothing, nothing at all. All I had was AISH. I used to look down at the floor. I couldn't talk to people without stuttering but I sure can now. I opened up at The Mustard Seed.

I've gone from being a very silent person to a very open person. I smile with people. I share with people. And, I always leave The Mustard Seed feeling light and full and complete."

Thanks to Lillian for her story and for her volunteer efforts. Thanks also to others like her, who despite their own difficult circumstances, take the time to help their own community.