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Isaiah 61:4 – They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations, they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. (NRSV)

A sledgehammer? I'm holding a sledgehammer and tearing down a wall! This isn't what I thought when I heard the words "inner city mission", but here I am with crowbar, hammer, and helmet. Evergreen Mission to street kids is expanding, and Youth in Mission from the Presbyterian Church in Canada has arrived to tear down the old walls of an empty cafe in order to make way for the new one, which will service the growing needs of those who look to Evergreen for everything from a quick meal or a foot bath, to a doctor or a dentist, a daycare or counselling.

Tearing down these old walls may not seem like much, but it is a connection to the kids who will use this space in the years to come. Let's remember that God uses crowbars, plaster dust, and two-by-fours, and that this expanded mission began by preparing the old, waste places to be made into something wonderful for God.

Prayer:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me.
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
– Patrick of Ireland