Real Justice

For many years now, judges in Canada have had a curious practice in dealing with convicted criminals. If they were in a pre-trial center (rather than a full jail) awaiting trial they have been given a 2 for 1 credit on time served. It goes like this hypothetical situation: A crime is committed. Upon conviction he is sentenced to 6 years. He had waited 1.5 years to go to trial, that is credited to him as 3 years. That leaves 3 years of his 6 to serve.

However in Canada, prisoners can get out after having served only 1/3 of a sentence. So, in this case the offender could be released right away (on probation).

Defence lawyers have said that this is necessary guideline for protection of prisoners' rights. Clayton Ruby, one of Canada's leading defence lawyers, called Canadian detention centres "hellholes" and "a humiliation."

Like their time in a pre-trial center is any hardship compared to victims that have been stolen from, raped, mugged, and otherwise traumatized, but I digress...

Some feel that the accused have intentionally delayed their trials so that they could stay in pre-trial longer and get 2 for 1 credit.

Well, NO MORE! -- thanks to the Conservative government which is going to take away the discretion of judges in this. Prisoners will no longer get a 2 for 1 deal. They will have to 'do the time' (which is already often very light!) to pay for their crime.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said, "I think this will have the effect of unclogging the courts. I think individuals or their solicitors will not find it to their advantage to have continuous delays or adjournments and so I think this will help move the process forward," he said.

Full details here

Kids In Action

Well, Saturday was a great day. We started the day off with Adopt-A-Block with the LA Dream Center. This is a program where hundreds of people head into various neighbourhoods that are troubled and disadvantaged. To name a few; they go to the downtown hotels, skid row, gang areas, and among the working poor. Our particular site was into a dead end street surrounded by old old walk up apartments 3 and 4 stories high. We were distributing food, picking up trash and cleaning a vacant lot that was full of trash (diapers, broken chairs, alcohol bottles, old clothes, general trash). Our kids helped hand out food and played with one of the neighbourhood children. There were about 30 adults (plus kids) to get food. Our kids saw very clearly how others have to live – “No place to play except the street! No grass. They don’t have enough food? It’s so dirty here. There’s garbage everywhere!” We were able to engage them about how these are the places that Jesus has called all of us to. Not just inside a church, but taking His love out into a world and to a people that the devil is intent on destroying. We were so proud to see them stepping out of their Courtenay comfort zones and loving, giving and serving others in the inner city. It is important for children – not just adults – to have an opportunity to ‘go about doing good’ (Acts 10:38) and experience the affirmation and presence of God in it. We all had a great time together! This picture is taken afterwards as we went to the Citadel.

Holiday Time

It's Saturday, and we're in California. We found favour on some tickets on Alaska Airlines. :-) I'm excited about going here to start our week at 10 AM. I've been several times before and I'm looking forward to experiencing it with Shanda and the girls. It is great to be able to join in the restorative work of God. What would it look like doing something like Adopt-A-Block in your community? Just so you don't think I'm a crazy dad, we are also going here later...

Living HIS Mission

It is encouraging to see our Christian School actively involved in restoration. Our staff have been diligently working together to raise awareness among the students - and our community - about our responsibility to respond to the needs in the world. You can read all about it in the Record (click here)

It is great to see our staff and students seeking to actively living out what Jesus did, who "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil"(Acts 10:38) It also shows the world that Jesus is alive! We're promised that people will see the good works and glorify God because of them. (Matt. 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12).

As we proclaim the gospel with words, our willingness to help and bless others gives a greater credibility to our message. It opens the door for people to hear the good news. If you look at successful missionaries of history, as well as those of today, they have always put good works (clinics, hospitals, skill training, clean water, education, orphanages, leper treatment, etc.) together with the proclamation of the good news. However, it is important to note that it is always right to be a blessing to others - even if they do not respond to the gospel.

In our day to day life it is very important that we be dispensers of God's grace and favour - that is what Jesus modeled! That is also what these students are participating in and modeling - lovers of Jesus and lovers of people. We're proud of our students!

Favour Update

Further to this story of favour, here are more details. Jordan was able to escape from her attacker / abductor. We are so thankful to God for Jordan's safety. Now, we need to pray for God's healing power over her as she had 2 days of extreme trauma.

Fighting Global Poverty From the Comox Valley

The students at our Christian School will be participating in the World Vision 30 Hour Famine next week. It is great to see them building a life of service to others that flows out of a love for God. We're proud of you guys!

This is what is happening...perhaps you might join them?!

Our grade 6-10 students are invited to participate in The 30 Hour Famine on March 5^th-6^th. Our grade K-5 students are invited to participate in The 30 Hour Tech Fast on March 6^th-7^th

30 Hour Famine and Technology Fast is an international youth movement to fight hunger. It will bring our group closer together and to God, feed hungry children, and change our world forever. Students fast for thirty hours and raise funds to help feed and care for children around the world. By sacrificing and serving others, they are learning to think outside themselves and see the world as Christ sees it.

Wow - Another Amazing Student!

This is another great student from our church doing something about pain and suffering in the world. Great job, Samantha Middleton! We're proud of you!! Thank you for honouring your friend specifically, and also modeling compassion for people that you don't even know.

Want to have a great evening and raise money for a good cause at the same time?

Highland Secondary School Grade 12 student Samantha Middleton has planned a variety night to raise money for cancer research.

A close friend of hers, Olivia Johnson, passed away Sept. 20, 2007 from cancer at the age of 15.

Middleton decided to create an organization called Guardian Angel to raise money for cancer research. The slogan is “Honouring those taken too soon.”

The entry is by donation and there will be snacks for sale. The event will be held Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. at Highland Secondary in Comox.

Get the whole story here.

I'm Proud...

of my niece Samantha! I love her. She is someone who is passionate, kind, loud, loving (and a bit kooky at times :)) One thing she is not though is apathetic!!

I opened my newspaper to read this today...

A Comox Valley teenager is using chocolate bars and bracelets to do her part to stop the scourge of slavery.

Samantha Millar, a 16-year-old Courtenay girl, sprung into action when, during a series of sermons on social justice at her church, she found out that there are an estimated 27 million people still in bondage across the globe.

"Basically for every person we see in Canada, that's somebody in slavery," said Millar. "That's impossible to imagine. I think that we've really lost respect for people and people have just become a product.

Way to go, Dolly! I honour you for speaking up for those that can't speak for themselves. You're an inspiration to us old foggies - and the young ones too!

You can read the rest of the story here

Is This Really Worth 15 years in Jail?

BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi journalist thrust to instant fame when he threw his shoes at US President George W. Bush will go on trial this month on charges that carry up to 15 years in jail, a judge said on Monday.

Investigating judge Dhiya al-Kenani rejected new allegations by the journalist's family that he had been tortured in custody, charges that were levelled after a brother was allowed a first prison visit.

Responding to Reality in the Comox Valley

The Comox Valley finally has a place other than a tent in the bushes for the homeless to go when the weather turns particularly nasty and the Salvation Army shelter is full. This was in our local paper.

The Northgate Foursquare Church has agreed to open their multi-purpose room to as many as 30 people under certain climactic conditions, such as when the temperature dips below -2 degrees C with sleet, freezing rain or snow.

"The truth of the matter is that BC Housing stands prepared to come in and build something," said Wilson. "What they do require is a commitment, and usually for a municipality a commitment means property.

According to Wilson's report, factors contributing to the problem locally include a lack of high-paying jobs -- the average household income in the Valley is 18 per cent below the provincial average and 22 per cent below the federal average -- and the lack of new rental stock being built.

He noted that over the last 20 years, zero units of affordable rental housing have been built by anybody at all, other than affordable housing for seniors. You can read the rest Here

It is great to see social service providers and our church responding to meet needs that are in our community. However, in my opinion, these articles highlight the need and challenge to our city council and mayor to be PROACTIVE:

1. Attract industry. Do what it takes to become a more business friendly climate. Go after businesses and 'sell' the Comox Valley. Find out what the barriers are and move to change them. The best guard against homelessness and unaffordability is a well paying job. We need more than service industry jobs.

2. Meet with builders and anyone necessary to encourage building of rental stock. I suspect this will needs some liaising with the provincial government on a regulatory level as well.

3. Work with anyone, and do whatever the city can, to help affordable housing be built.

How Does God Answer Prayer?

We have talked and prayed about responding to homelessness and the need of the disadvantaged. Last year, on a very snowy night, we took the girls out to check under the bridges and in some other spots to see if there was anyone we could help with blankets, coffee, food or whatever we could. We couldn't find anyone, as by that time, the Bridge (i think) and St.George's had opened up all night to get people off the street - if only to have a place to sit and drink a coffee.

It was encouraging to hear the impact of that simple walk in the snow on our daughter, Alaina. She has a very tender heart for the needs of others. We've talked much about and pray for God's help in responding to social justice needs (prayer for Congo, homeless, needy, etc.). However, we hadn't really talked about the issue above specifically since.

Tonight, while I was braiding Alaina's hair, she says, "Dad, I think that we need to go out again if it gets cold and snowy to check under the bridges. People will need help" We talked about how people are going out even now (yea, Miranda!) and how great that is.

On top of that, I then was able to talk with her that hopefully that won't be happening this year, because our church family is responding. It is awesome to know that Pastor Scott and our church council, in response to a need in our community, have willingly opened up the church as an emergency cold weather shelter with beds and safety this winter. I've heard that around 15 people from Northgate have volunteered to help out at the shelter. I honour all for taking this step because it took money to make some facility upgrades, as well as a commitment that we will alter our schedule to accommodate this when necessary.

As God has answered our prayers for ideas and solutions to help others, as usual it seems that He responds by having us be part of the solution. I am reminded of the following quote

God answers sharp and sudden on some prayers,
And thrusts the thing we have prayed for in our face,
A gauntlet with a gift in it. Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

We (Northgate) have been given the gift of being able to join God in doing some small part of seeing people 'restored'...and my children get to see again the goodness of God work through the people of God... responding positively to needs in the world.

We Would Never Do That!

The Canadian military in Afghanistan is a subject of controversy for many. I personally am torn at times for a variety of reasons. However, when I read stories like this, I think it might be a good thing that we are there to help establish justice... An 18 year old girl (with some other girls) has acid thrown into her eyes as she walked to school. They suspect that the men that did it did it because they are opposed to girls going to school.

Eighteen-year-old Shamia was blinded by the acid, which the girls first thought was water until their eyes began to hurt."You see the situation, it's very bad," said Shamia's mother Malina, crying. "It's a very painful and terrible situation. Her sin was that she was going to school."

The Taliban denied involvement in it, almost like they were saying that would be just too terrible of a thing for them to do. They kind of undercut their argument when they were quick to claim responsibility for a suicide bomb.

However, Ahmadi said the Taliban did carry out the suicide bombing in the city at 12:40 p.m. that killed six, including a woman, a child and two intelligence agents.

"It's just overwhelming," said Canadian Lt.-Col. Bruno Plourde of the Black Watch Canadian Highland Regiment of Montreal, after surveying the damage. "As a soldier, I can understand soldier-versus-soldier. But using civilians, it just doesn't add up. It just baffles me that people can't put their mind and intelligence to better use than that."

These people's tactics are just terrible...In that environment, in 2008, Canadian soldiers continue to put their lives on the line for the freedom of others. I salute you, men and women of the Canadian Forces.

Pray 4 Congo.

In the midst of an American election, our approaching Christmas, and the busyness of life it is easy to forget that there is a desperate situation in the Congo that needs our prayer! George Boloko, from Northgate CV, is in the Congo (not in the fighting area) as well. Let's pray for the peace process to bring fruit quickly in the Congo.

KIWANJA, Congo — Sporadic gunfire and explosions echoed Wednesday around this town in eastern Congo, as rebels fought pro-government militiamen for a second day, forcing thousands to flee.

A wider cease-fire between the rebels and the government was holding, however, and diplomats scrambled to assemble a regional peace summit Friday in

Kenya.

Associated Press journalists who visited Kiwanja before being turned back by rebels saw several thousand people on the roads, including mothers with babies on their backs, as insurgents loyal to warlord Laurent Nkunda searched houses.

Kiwanja is about 45 miles north of the provincial capital Goma and the clashes between rebels and a militia known as the Mai Mai appear to be taking place on the town's far outskirts or in the hills and fields of coffee and corn beyond.

Feel Like Chicken Tonight?

Pastor Charles is doing a good job taking care of us here in Ghana. Two of the greatest risks for dysentery and such are water and food...kind of necessities for life. The water is actually pretty clean to the eye. But there are tiny little nasty creepy crawlies in it waiting to attack my intestines (now that's a visual picture). So, needless to say it is bottled water only. Actually, I've drank some pop - 4 or 5 - which I pretty much never do ordinarily.

Food - Breakfast is usually tea, jam and WHITE bread, which I never eat at home. Sometimes we have a fried egg with bread.

There are some interesting foods here - fufu, bangku, shito (yes that's right), red-red, Ghanaian sauce, ground nut (peanut) soup, etc. Most of them would make us quite ill apparently. However, I have eaten ground nut soup and this trip we have eaten red-red and shito... (dangerous ground I'm treading here).

Red red is actually fried plantaine. Shito is dried shrimp and herring ground up and combined with a type of gravy (garlic, ginger, onion,) and ground hot dried peppers. It sounds gross, but it is actually quite tasty and hot on rice.

So, overall, I've just been eating lots of chicken and fried rice and veggies for which I am very thankful.

We are eating well and enjoying ourselves. I may go on a chicken fast when I get home though...

Social Justice

Our church lead a fundraising 5k on Saturday to raise funds to enable children in Haiti and Ghana to go to school. Not wanting to potentially embarrass my senior pastor with my prowess as a runner, I chose to run with my daughters.

I was so proud of the effort that they put in! Anika was the first girl (age 10-13) to cross the finish line in around 23 minutes. Alexandra was third place. She and her friends had gotten lost in the woods following the wrong tape markers off the trail! :) Alaina competed in a 400 metre race for the kids and was the first girl to cross! Great job girls!

Actually - if the truth be known - P Scott ran an amazing race. He wasn't whining about this, but his knees have been giving him severe trouble the last couple years. He can really only run on an elliptical trainer. He ran that race on willpower (and probably some ibuprofen) and did awesome. Great example!

I'll post the amount raised as soon as I know it.

Great God, Great Day

What a great day! Sunday is always one of my favourite days of the week, but particularly so when we launch a new season of ministry each fall. here are my highlights of today:

1. 2 HOT new worship songs written by our worship leaders! The songs were powerful and really expressed God's heart. Great job!

2. An awesome sermon! Pastor Scott talked about our theme for the year, "Restore". Isaiah 58:6-8. Scott did a great job of challenging us, yet not condemning or guilting. 'compassion based activism'. Yea Scott! Yea God!

3. I had 3 hour nap today. This is not me, but I really needed one! Ordinarily, I don't like naps as they leave me feeling groggy for an hour after i wake up. I was so tired because I got up at 3 am this morning - couldn't sleep after one of the kids woke me to tell me she'd had a bad dream. I really don't mind waking up for those. It was something that happened regularly to me as a child

4.I just came from an Alpha leaders training meeting. Truthfully, as I was driving there I was still feeling groggy from my nap. As we talked afterwards, it was invigorating to hear some testimonies of people now leading Alpha:

"When I first came to Alpha, i was afraid to pray out loud. Now, I'm much
bolder." "I remember the joy of bringing a friend who had never heard of the
death and resurrection of Jesus. She is not a christian yet, but she is now
coming to church occasionally." "I was so discouraged as the people in my
group hardly spoke the first 6 weeks. Then 2 of them gave their lives to Jesus
at the Holy Spirit weekend." "I saw a lady that came to my group is now part of
another church - she's given her life to Jesus!" What a great way to end the
evening...but there's more!

5. I got a text that one of our former Master's Commission students, Victoria Katongo, got engaged tonight to her beau, Kato!

Thank you God for a great church and family to be a part of!

Are You Rich?

The post title is a question I've been pondering lately. Many times I find myself wanting this or wanting that. I remember when I was 18 and lived on room and board for $350 a month and had enough money to put gas in the car. It was great. I thought how easy it was going to be when i had a 'career' and could finally arrive. Yet, our society continually pushes us to want more, more, more. So - back to the question - if you are living in Canada / USA, the poorest among us is rich compared to the rest of the world in which many survive on less than 2$ per day.

Which brings me to my devotions today - it was about rich people.
James 5:1-6 CHALLENGING
Here's the highlights of what we do:
1. hoard wealth
2. fail to pay wages of those that provide our stuff
3. live in luxury
4. live in self -indulgence
5. fattened ourselves in day or time of slaughter
6. condemned and murdered the innocent.

At first, I was thinking this is a good verse for real rich people. i started to think about it a bit more and here are some thoughts rolling around my head.
- There are more slaves in the world now than at any other point in history. Most of them are working providing stuff for the west. (some sugar, some tires, some coffee) Am I contributing to workers not getting their wages by the choices I make in buying things?
- luxury and self-indulgent - Am I intentionally living to help and be generous to others?
- fattened myself - Am I eating 'more than enough' when others don't have enough to eat?
- condemned and murdered the innocent - Am I contributing (by my inaction) to the issues of injustice - sex and child slavery, slavery, environmental degradation, AIDS orphans (40 million in Africa), child soldiers, etc.

Whew - That is some heavy duty thinking... good thing it was only for me and doesn't apply to you, eh? :-)

We Have a Lot of Work To Do

If you have hung around our church for long, you quickly discover that "I'll Fly Away" is not one of our favourite songs. (It is awesome that Pastor Scott would be the leader of that sentiment - :-) ) It is a song that talks about a desire to escape the reality of the world and head for heaven ASAP. The tune is catchy but the words shouldn't be.
The harsh reality of the world is exactly what Jesus has called us to impact with his love, mercy and grace. In short, to pray and work as he prayed and worked, "Your will be done ON EARTH as it is in heaven." In other words, bring what is in heaven to earth.
It is when I read stories like this - Women buried alive in 'honour' killings - that convince me more than ever that the church cannot stay in isolated fortresses and hang on until Jesus comes. We are called to be a force for justice, goodness and kindness in the earth.