Going Where? To Do What?

This has been what seems like a long time coming, and was only possible with patience, hope, dedication and persistence. "If we hope for something we already see, it’s not really hope. Who hopes for what can be seen? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."

When I am asked what I am doing I am often confronted with this. You are going where? To do what? 

I am excited to say that I am moving to the UK! L'Arche will soon be my new home and I will have the opportunity to go through life with some amazing people and I hope to encourage them and engage in two-way learning, all while having fun. A perfect combination of things I am passionate about: life-long learning, community development, spirituality, and environmental awareness. 









More about L'Arche 
L’Arche supports the personal growth and development of each member so that they can fully develop their potential. Communities provide work, therapeutic and leisure activities that are a source of dignity and fulfillment for their members.

L’Arche communities give each person the confidence and skills to grow, to achieve their life goals and to make a contribution to society regardless of their intellectual and physical limitations. This is done through the development of long-term mutual relationships, providing a stable home environment, on-going training of those who provide assistance to community members with disabilities, and partnerships with professional care providers and government authorities.

There are currently 146 communities in 35 countries. Each community is comprised of homes and day programs, which operate according to a not-for-profit model. Our model of care is unique: people with intellectual disabilities are at the heart of L’Arche – not as clients, patients, or recipients of services but as friends, teachers and companions.

Founded in 1964 in France by Jean Vanier, L’Arche is an international federation dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs and support networks for people who have intellectual disabilities and people without intellectual disabilities live mutual relationships and share daily life, building community together.

What's Next?.....I'm Glad You Asked!

It has been awhile since I have used this blog, so welcome back!

First I would like to thank everyone who has ever encouraged me, taught me, coached me, disciplined me, or guided me. I cannot tell you enough how grateful I am for you all being in my life, helping me to where I am today. Life is meant to be lived together and we are much stronger as a community than individuals, so thank you for being a part of mine!

This fall I finished my university degree at Dalhousie University after returning from Scotland in May and completing my final courses this past summer. I have officially achieved a Bachelor of Science, double major in Earth Science and Marine Biology (rocks and fish). My time at university was life changing and I have learned so much about the world around me and how to use and enjoy all God has created!

 

7 October 2014, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

I am excited to tell you all that I have been accepted to work with Power to Change - Students on a one year internship! I was involved with P2C at Dalhousie and was challenged to deepen my faith. This changed my perspective on faith and allowed me to see the world in a new way: the world is full of people who need Jesus.

Starting in January I will be on university campuses joining a small team that will work with students to develop student led Christian ministries where there is a need for the life changing message of Jesus. Half of the year will be in Australia and the other in Canada, with potential to impact the lives of thousands of students from many different areas of study from all over the world.

But, this cannot be done unless I am able to find like-minded people who are eager to support me. For the next few months I will be working towards developing a sending team...people who are as excited about this as I am. I am asking people to join me in a variety of ways, ultimately to "journey with me" to Australia and back to Canada. Two main ways you can join me right now is with prayer and financial support, both are essential. If you, or someone you know, is interested please contact me (gillianbond.m@gmail.com; 902-277-1566) and I would be glad to tell you more.

Ps. I will make sure to use this blog as often as I can with updates!

Weekend Away: Birmingham

A bustling city of culture and history, the collision of people and places: Birmingham. I arrived in the early hours of the morning and watched the sun rise over the city. The city came alive around 6am with people rushing off to work or stepping outside to enjoy the sunshine. 

It was also the location for this years Crufts Dog Show and the streets were full of merchants who took advantage of the crowds. The street musicians came to life in the afternoon and played into the evening, with hopes to get a fair bit of pocket change in exchange for a smile and the occasional foot tapping. 

The meeting of two worlds appears at the canal system where you can travel in time to see the path of a well used trade route from inside the city to the outskirts. A lovely walk along the cobblestones of the canal and a hot sun makes it hard to believe what was necessary to obtain what we now so easily take for granted.

 A great challenge in a city such as this is to create space that attracts people for learning about the history while at the same time stimulating the continuation of learning. Such places as museums and educational sites are great displays of this as well as the city streets.

With all this going on no wonder the city is home to the rock band Black Sabbath and the factory of Cadbury Chocolate's!