“And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord if it is really you, command me to come to you on the water.’”. (Mt. 14:28) For me this experience was one that truly challenged me to come out of my comfort zone, put my trust completely in God and experience being part of a community of The Welcome Home that has opened its heart and arms to embrace and live Christ’s call to serve the poor and to be one with the Father and each other.

How does one prepare for this? Well, I learnt that though we had our plans of getting to Come and See, God took us on a different route right from the start, and through it all He protected us and helped us overcome the “bumps on the road” that we encountered. Yes we had a deer literally hit our vehicle, which made me stop and wonder if He really wanted me to be part of the “Come and See” experience . . . and then He showed me how to embrace this and see the blessings . . . neither I or Laurie were injured, we were able to get a flight to Winnipeg, our “planned” schedule changed, and God was now in control of my journey ahead. I needed nothing more than to sit at Christ’s feet, and listen to His words to experience being His hands and feet in serving and learning from those we are called to be a neighbour to.

Arriving at The Welcome Home, we were immersed right into “Family Night”, visiting with the people from the neighbourhood who come regularly to gather to pray the Vespers and share a meal together as one family. It was overwhelming at first, yet showed me the love and respect they had for each other, and the meaning of “who is my neighbour”, what family was about and that prayer was always the center, the connector bringing all of us together. The next morning we spent at Siloam Mission, being the hands and feet of Christ in service to those in need, our neighbours. We got right to work in the kitchen helping in preparing and serving breakfast. I was totally overwhelmed by the atmosphere and attitude of the staff and volunteers and the love and dignity that they showed to those that came through the doors. The tour of their facility, the shelter, the services that are provided, showed how we are called to give and share what so many of us take for granted.

Spending time in prayer as community and the tour and time at Blessed Vasyl Martyr’s Shrine was an opportunity to reflect and walk in the footsteps of a man of our time who totally dedicated his life to serving Christ, His Church and a devotion to the Blessed Mother, teaching us how important it is to put Christ first in our lives.

The sessions that Laurie led us through, touched me to the core, as it made me realize how blessed I am. It made me look deep into how many things I took for granted; a safe and warm place to live, a job, clothing, family and how my life could change if circumstances changed . . . how difficult and different my life could quickly change. What did I come away . . . that building community comes through praying, sharing, working and breaking bread together; that what we have been blessed with, we are meant to be share with others and that I have a part to play in reaching out to share what I have and not to look the other way.

What touched me . . . the “family” at The Welcome Home . . . thank you Father Michael, Ana, Matthew and Edward for making me feel welcome and walking and sharing this time together in service, prayer and fellowship.