Stories of Advent – Mac

It’s been a joy to connect with you this past month, sharing stories of Advent hope from the NightShift neighbourhood. Thank you for joining me!

I hope your Christmas 2020 had moments of wonder, and peace, even in the middle of uncertainty and pandemic restrictions.

The year 2020 has been one for the history books.

As the Founder and President of NightShift Street Ministries, this year has brought moments of fear for me, too. But through it all, God has found the simplest of moments to whisper his peace and provision.

One such moment came last March, just weeks after the pandemic was declared. I had made a quick stop into a grocery store and was shocked to see how crowded it was – filled with people fearfully stocking up for an uncertain future.

A young woman with two small boys was lined-up ahead of me. We began talking about COVID-19 and she shared her concerns for her children. She had recently been laid off she didn’t know what the future held. I listened and sympathized with her, a single parent now without a job during the pandemic.

I shared with her about NightShift, and the people we serve on the street every night. People who are homeless, struggling with poverty, addictions and mental illness. She listened, and then we said good-bye.

As I gathered my grocery bags to leave, she rushed back to me. She had a gift for NightShift – a $25 grocery card! She said she wanted to do all she could to help people less fortunate. I was speechless. My eyes filled with tears over her generosity and care, in the middle of her own struggle.

I had a profound heart ‘shift’ that day. My thoughts shifted from pandemic fear to beauty and kindness. Peace in the middle of chaos. God is at work. Since that day, I look for Him in every moment. God’s stories are everywhere.

As we look forward to a new start, hope and peace in 2021, I invite you to be part of God’s story in the NightShift neighbourhood. Will you make a year-end gift to help reach out to people on the street with hot meal and outreach services?

Thank you for being a part of the NightShift neighbourhood. Your support this year has meant the world to us – and to the people we serve. May you be richly blessed in 2021!

“May the God of Hope fill you with all the joy and peace as you trust in Him.”
(Romans 15: 13)

In Hope,

MaryAnne Connor (Mac), Rev., RPC
Founder/President

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This Christmas, with the help of generous sponsors and wonderful volunteers, we served hot turkey dinner and gifts to 225 people in Surrey and Langley! Thank you everyone. Check out our photo gallery here.