Faith
To trust in God for his provision and leading through the Holy Spirit.
For more than 31 years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve the homeless community in downtown Vancouver through the distribution of food, clothing, and encouragement. What began as a simple desire to help those in need has become one of the greatest privileges and most rewarding experiences of my life.
How it all began
One Sunday, I received a call from my sister-in-law asking if I would like to help distribute 70 sandwiches left over from a banquet they had hosted the previous evening.
Without hesitation, I said, “Yes, I would love to.”
They picked me up after church, and we made our way downtown. As we drove along Hastings Street, my heart was deeply moved by the number of people living on the streets. We eventually came upon a church with a long lineup of individuals waiting for a meal. We decided that would be the best place to begin.
I suggested that we start at the end of the line because those people would likely be the last to be served and might not receive any food by the time they reached the meal window. So that is exactly what we did.
We divided the sandwiches amongst ourselves and began handing them out. Soon, I was down to my final two sandwiches when three men approached me with their hands extended.
I looked at the sandwiches, then at the three men, wondering what I was going to do.
I gave a sandwich to two of the men and then turned to the third and said, “I am so sorry, but that is all I have left.”
At that moment, one of the men who had received the last sandwich broke it in half and shared it with the third man.
That simple act deeply touched my heart. I remember thinking that the sandwich might have been the only meal he would receive that day, yet he was still willing to share it with someone else in need.
As I drove home, I could not stop thinking about what I had witnessed. The question that kept running through my mind was: ‘How can we get more food to help these people?’
When I arrived home, I called my pastor and asked if I could share my experience with the congregation the following Sunday. I also asked if everyone would be willing to bring just one sandwich, and I promised that I would personally deliver them to those in need on the streets.
The following Sunday, I received more than 400 sandwiches.
That was the beginning of an incredible journey that continues to this day.
The impact of the ministry
Over the years, I have witnessed countless lives touched through simple acts of kindness, compassion, and faith. I have seen people who felt forgotten discover that they are valued and loved. I have watched broken relationships restored and hope renewed in situations that once seemed impossible.
This ministry has been a deeply humbling experience. While food and clothing meet immediate physical needs, I have learned that many people long for something equally important: someone who will listen, care, offer encouragement, and remind them that they matter.
Every person deserves to know they are seen, valued, and loved. It is an honour to provide practical support while also sharing the message that Jesus loves them and that there is always hope.
I am grateful for every opportunity to serve and for the many miracles I have witnessed along the way. These experiences have strengthened my faith and continually remind me that even the smallest act of kindness can have a lasting impact on a person's life.
