Mission: Run kids booth at Oakville Waterfront Festival, promote The Sanctuary

When we began our meetings in preparation for our mission trip to Oakville, Canada we found we had more questions than answers.  This was the first time this particular trip was made and we were unsure about what we would be doing when we arrived.  The Oakville Waterfront Festival was our destination and we knew we would be manning a tent that was set up to celebrate the 15th year of the festival.  The Sanctuary was to staff this booth and as preparation went on with the festival committees, the church was welcome to promote summer camps and activities it had going on. This turned out to be exactly what we did!  It proved to be a simple mission: We were there to provide enthusiasm as we told others about the “God things” going on at The Sanctuary!

Our team ranged in ages. There were three generations represented in our group and it proved to be a blessing.  As we ventured out into something new, we all brought something different to the table.  God used our two eight-year-old team members as there were many kids at the festival. They were able to connect with young people and invite them into the “Birthday Tent” where we had so much going on! There were tattoos to be placed, cookies to be iced, prizes to be claimed, pictures to be colored and buttons to be made.  Most importantly though, while all of these activities were taking place, there were contacts being made. We found out about our new festival friends, and told them about The Sanctuary. The most inviting phrase was “The Sanctuary? Come check it out!  We hang out on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM. It’s a new way of looking at things.” We promoted the Upward basketball camps, Xtreme Summer Camps as well as the weekly gathering times of The Sanctuary.

As a team “on mission” there is an overwhelming call to service.  To serve each other, the people we are there to support, and those we are contacting for a purpose. That purpose is Jesus Christ and His gift of life to us! We can share Him with those we come in contact by a smile and a kind word. We mirror His image when we pick up trash, clean placemats for little ones, color with a new five-year-old friend, or take the time to love on one in a wheelchair. These practical ways to follow Christ can be done when we are officially “on mission” or when we are UN-officially “on mission” – every day of our lives. We must serve others so that people see Him through us!

Margie Johnson