The last couple of weeks has been amazing ...
The Katimavik Group raised 621 dollars for our rebuilding effort.
Our Presbytery took up a collection and offered a little over 300 dollars last month.
Then over the last 24 hours we've been informed of fundraisers held by the staff of Brandon's Wal-Mart this past month, and our brothers and sisters in Souris held a pancake supper with the proceeds coming to us ...
My personal feelings about the Trans-National-Corporations not withstanding, it is an outstanding gesture on the part of the staff of Wal-Mart to raise money for our rebuilding effort and to make such a gracious offer. I am in awe.
Such is the strength of small towns, and rural life. Like the old barn raisings, and threshing bees, the folks here in Minnedosa are being carried along by the love and support and care of their neighbours both near and far.
We are still getting cards and notes from Churches across Canada. Yesterday I opened a letter from a United Church congregation where everyone signed a note of support and encouragement. Sunday Schools, Chamber of Commerce, politicians, and people of other faiths and denominations - our tragedy has reached across all manner of divides and walls, and have offered us and everyone the means of caring for and caring about one another.
I've realized that it isn't even the the size of the gift that matters right now. It's the mere gesture of saying - "I'm thinking about you guys in Minnedosa ..." that makes all the difference.
Today, and everyday since the 12th of February, the people of Minnedosa have been living the simple reality that - "we are never alone."
May the lasting legacy of this experience be the realization that we should wait for a tragedy to express that caring for each other ... we should do it every day as we lift in prayer our sisters and brothers in faith and continue to work for the creation of the Kingdom.
L'chaim,
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