Make a Difference

We live in a world that is not as it should be. 

With hatred, pain, suffering, carelessness and so much more. 

We like to be comfortable, doing what we know works. 

Is this how we are meant to live? 

I believe the answer is no. 

We have a moral obligation to make things better in our lives and in the lives of others around us. 

To take risks and to do the unimaginable. 

This is huge and often overwhelming. 

But it is possible. 

So speak up, do what is right, do for others who are not able to give back in return. 

We all have passions, skills and desires. 

Use them!

Ephesians 4:1-3, 7

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.... However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

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.

The Year Ahead

With the start of another year and a change in plans I am determined to make the most of every day, seeking peace and spreading joy. 

The team of Canadians and Australians are together and preparing for the year of ministry ahead. As a result of timing challenges I am not joining in on this adventure. I am thrilled to still be able to pray for this ministry as they seek to develop young Christian leaders and stand up for faith in an environment that is hostile to the thought of a God who is supreme. 

After searching for what I was to do I found that it's not about the place or the actions alone, but bringing glory to the one true God. He will never change. He is always the same, now and forever. God loves us for who we are and not what we have done or will do. His desire is to see us love him, not holding anything back. 

With that being said, I have redirected my path and will let you know more at a later date as God reveals more of His glorious plan to me!

For now, here are a few photos for you to enjoy! 

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!

All Things Made New

Spring is a beautiful time of year when new life arises and the beauty of the earth can be appreciated. I have had the privilege to capture some of that and would love to share it with you, along with a few texts for inspiration!  

One day tells a story to the next. 

One night shares knowledge with the next 

     without talking, 

     without words, 

     without their voices being heard.

Yet, their sound has gone out into the entire world, 

     their message to the ends of the earth.  (Psalms 19:2-4 GW)

What have we done to the world 

     Look what we've done

What about all the peace

     That you pledge your only son....

What about flowering fields 

     Is there a time

What about all the dreams 

     That you said were yours and mine....(Earth Song, Michael Jackson)

That's why we're waiting

Waiting on the world to change

We keep on waiting

Waiting on the world to change

It's not that we don't care

We just know that the fight ain't fair

So we keep on waiting

Waiting on the world to change (Waiting on the World to Change, John Mayer) 

I'd like to make myself believe

That planet Earth turns slowly

It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep

'Cause everything is never as it seems (Fireflies, Owl City) 

 

Gazing through the window at the world outside

     Wondering will Mother Earth survive

     Hoping that mankind will stop abusing her sometime

I'm just a dreamer 

     Who dreams of better days (Dreamer, Ozzy Osbourne) 

 

 

Life: a precious gift we are privileged to have and enjoy!

I took a huge leap of faith in coming to Glasgow, with high expectations of what my time here might look like. But, as life happens so does change. Change is guaranteed to come, often when we least expect it. We can enjoy the ride that life brings, but is there more to life than sitting on a ride and waiting for the next turn or bump? 

I appreciate where I am in life right now and I am able to enjoy it with those around me and with others who are a bit further away. My course load is manageable and I enjoy learning about the world around me, while still having the ability to see it for myself. So much of the world has already been uncovered with a spark of curiosity and patience, both of which I seem to have been gifted. 
 

The world we live in is amazing and full of wonderful surprises, but we are satisfied by the simplest of things, like smartphones or tv, that generally occupy our minds with nonsense. I believe that there is more to life than busying our minds and bodies, that we are all able to seek something greater. Our lives have so much more value than we ever could understand and we must appreciate all that we have. 

Consider your life, are you satisfied with where you are now or are you seeking something more? 

The biggest challenge I face is not knowing what I will be doing in the future. For a lot of people university is the time in life when they "find themselves" and determine what they will do upon graduation. But I am fully reassured that I am still undecided, with less than a year until I finish my degree. I know who I am and as a follower of Jesus I have complete faith that all of my challenges will be overcome in some way, but they may not be the way I think is best (it's often far better!). 

This life is very short and to spend our precious time worrying and planning is often a way to pass the time here on earth that is already so limited.
 

My challenge to you is to stop being busy and worrying, to seek God, to let go of your challenges, and engage in the ride God takes you on! 

Don't let life pass you by, it is far to short and you are worth it.