Retired; Octogenarian; husband, father and Opa & Great Opa; interested in celebrating/contributing and distributing the blessings we have as Christians in Canada's fair land - trying to be a bumbling, humble blogger.
Hamilton District Christian Highschool 1956 – 2021 65 years of Blessings!
“The aim of education is the forming of an individual into an independent personality serving God according to His Word, able and willing to employ all given talents to the honour of God and for the well-being of their fellow creatures, in every area of life in where God has placed them.” Dr. Jan Waterink 1890 – 1966
Reflections for the 50th celebration in 2006:
It now seems to me such a long time ago that we attended HDCH, back when it was still in its baby shoes. The whole operation was a learning experience, both for the students, the teachers, the Board and the community. Nobody had any real training or expertise in running a High School operation, let alone managing a bunch of (recent immigrant) teenagers who were just feeling their age and getting into the local culture. (girls, boys, hit parade, hockey, cars etc) (Confession: We (I) sure didn’t make it easy for some of the teachers!) It seems we were all struggling to make ends meet, both in the family and in our church and school communities and learning the new language and culture all at the same time. What a mixed bag of concerns, challenges and opportunities! How much easier it would have been, if we had just connected with the locals!? But no, we were following the cry of Dr. Abraham Kuiper: ‘There is not one inch of human life (the world) about which Jesus does not say “mine!” I remember the first day our family arrived in Hamilton and my dad said to us, just as a matter of fact: “You are going to Christian School.” (1956)
So up the mountain we drove in our blue 1937 Dodge, along the gravel road that was then West 5th Street, past the unpaved Mohawk Road, past the Brouwer’s home on the south east corner and up to Calvin Christian School. The school was situated in a mud marsh and consisted of the original two classrooms with a recent addition of washroom space, teacher office and two more classrooms. The place was full of mud brought in by the kids during recess and when it rained hard the cement block structure leaked at times, the well (sulphur) water smelled like ‘rotten eggs’, the desks were discards from the public school. We played baseball in the marsh reeds…….. but it was a ‘Christian’ school.
When the grade eight class graduated in 1956, it was decided to push through with grade 9 and so HDCH was born. We moved from the Calvin Christian School (1958) site to Immanuel Christian Reformed Church (then the newly constructed home-to-be of the Canadian Reformed Church) at 61 Mohawk Road West. Classrooms were in the basement and it was very much a ‘homemade’ location. Two by fours and plywood separated the (rooms) grades. A year later, we moved to the ‘Mount Hamilton Christian Reformed Church’ on Upper Wellington, where there was more space. It meant however that a lot of us would need to take the city bus beyond Mohawk Road (which cost an additional fare of 15 cents). No student fare was allowed as we were an ‘unrecognized’ school. (This ‘unrecognition’ was not corrected till 1961 when the second class of HDCH students graduated and received their official ‘Ontario Junior Matriculation’ diploma). A number of St. Catharines students were also added to our numbers and they arrived by a special bus driven by teacher Tony ten Kate or rode in with Rev. Wiebe van Dijk’s (‘this is not the Cuban revolution’) car.
One more move in 1961 to downtown First Christian Reformed Church at Charlton & Hess, and then to Athens Street off Mohawk Road completed the journey to our ‘own’ school building. It was all done within five years. A tremendous effort!
What a journey it was! These were ‘heady’ times, full of youthful energy and ‘Kingdom’ dreams and visions. A small but important start in claiming the Canadian scene for the Kingship of Christ. A foundational sense of building ‘for the Lord’ that would reach all the way to many Christian Schools; Redeemer University College and other institutions like ‘CLAC’, ‘Shalom Manor’, ‘Holland Homes’, ‘Christian Stewartship Services‘ and other endeavours.
How are we doing? do we still have this ‘Christian Kingdom’ zeal? Do our children see and ‘catch’ this ‘faith’ desire that was so strong in the 50s and 60s and 70s? Are we ‘passing on’ our Christian faith and passions?
Our parents were the ‘visionaries’, we the ‘users’ and then the ‘builders’, will our children be the ‘maintainers’ and with prayer, the ‘expanders’? Will and can we all continue to constantly renew the energy of doing Christ’s work in our adopted now HOME country Canada? Are we all (still) ‘ready’ for this task? Are you ready and willing?
It is my wish that we may always be found to be faithful ‘servants’ of the Lord Jesus Christ! For the ‘Message of the Gospel of Jesus’ is salvation, glorious, full of wisdom, love and light and above all the Truth! (John18:37)
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.” Letter to the Romans Chapter 12 verse 11 (New International Version)
JS (2006) and Feb 23, 2021
(2021) TodayHCH has a large educational complex at 92 Glancaster Rd, Ancaster, ON L9G 3K9, accommodating up to 500 students with a budget of 6 million dollars.
Top pictures – bottom row L to R: Science lesson in the kitchen of Mnt Hamilton CRC Church basement from l to r- Mr. Tony tenKate;John vanderHoek; Dick vanderSteen; Mary Appel; Ted Bootsma; Berend Hartman; Bill Hordijk – HDCH crest; the staff – Mr.Tony tenKate (science, math & music; Pastor Wiebe vanDijk (Principal – Bible); Miss Jesse Personaire (english, literature, math); Bert Witvoet (french); Lowell Witvoet (history); Picture of the Class of 1956 -57 (Grade 8 & 9) Below: Tuition certificate: 1965 -66 and Graduation Certificate (1961)
2021 will be the 30th Anniversary of the CELEBRATE RECOVERY program
Posted first on April 23, 2012 (A letter to those who study the Bible with prisoners)
I thought I had seen him before….. It happened at a Prison Bible study session and when I asked the young man, he said, yes, he had been here a couple of years ago. So what has happened? I said. The answer was somewhat evasive and I realized that it is hard to break out of a life style, especially when you are young, impressionable and are moving around in a community of like minded people. As one fellow told me: ‘Why work when I can stand on the corner of the street for a couple of hours and can get what will take another two months of hard work to earn? You shake your head and say, don’t they ever learn?
Have you ever wondered about that as you mark your Bible Study correspondence papers and write all those encouragement letters? Am I really making any sense? Will he or she make a new start in their life? How can I influence this young man or woman with the Gospel’s renewing Good News to break out of this cycle? Jesus also knew how hard it was for someone to change. He said “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to seek those that are sick.” He knew that he had to deliberately seek them out to get through to them to deliver his message of salvation. And as we know, it not only had to do with believing what Jesus said, but then also to change your life (life-styles) and to start following him.
Take Zaccheus. What pent up thoughts and motivations were stirred in Zaccheus’ heart that he wanted to see Jesus? (Even if he looked ridiculous in climbing that tree!) My guess is that he had been gripped by the words of Jesus. They had given him a ‘key’ that cleared a way for him to break free from his involvement in shady tax dealings. This was his escape from his addiction and bondage of the power of misguided economic wealth. Did Jesus not say to Zaccheus after listening to his confession of restoring wrongs, “Surely salvation has come to this house today”. ‘Amazing grace how sweet the sound of Jesus voice.’
Only those who know that they are lacking in themselves see this renewal as the key to a new beginning. What a powerful ministry Jesus had and continues to have in the lives of people. The 12 step ‘Celebrate Recovery’ program also acknowledges this in Step 1 and 2 where it states:
• We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviours and that our lives had become unmanageable. ‘I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out’. (Letter to the Romans Chapter 7 verse 18 )
• We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. ‘For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose’. (Letter to the Philippians Chapter 2 verse 13)
Past studies have shown that up to 65% of the inmates in Canada’s prisons are 34 years and younger. Young men and women who will be the next influencers in the future lives of other young men and women. They will be setting the tone for our future communities and they are the ones that you are talking to in your Bible Studies and letters. Help them to see that in the un-manageableness of their lives, God’s power can forgive and heal. Be assured, you are making a difference for there are many who will never have to face a return visit to the time of their loneliness and unworthiness. Because you cared! Thank you Jesus.
The people criticized and grumbled that Jesus would dine with notorious sinners. So on another occasion not unlike this one, he told the crowd, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (Gospel of Matthew Chapter 9 verses 12 & 13) NLT
JS February 23, 2021
Based on the successful AAA 12 Step recovery program initiated in the 1930s, the ‘Celebrate Recovery’ is a Christian ministry started in 1991 at Saddleback Church under the leadership of John Baker, a former alcoholic.
2022 will be the 540th year anniversary since its completion in 1482
The“d‘olle Grieze” has stood watch over the houses of the city and its nearby lands [1] for over 500 years. In all kinds of weather and seasons it looked proud and tall [2] on the north east corner of the center of the great square (‘Grote Markt’). The ‘kerk’ was snuggled up beside it, touching its eastern side to almost halfway the height of the first tower balcony and fanning out with its ten peaks, five back to back on each side like separate buildings joined together with their black slate roofs and brick walls, and in each peak a large window.
The far eastern end of the church was narrower again with a slate roof on which perched a choir loft straining in height and towering over the ten peaked roofs like a massive stone tent.It looked like a church should look. Majestic and grand, with its tower reaching up to the heavens, taller than any other structure around it. Against the south side and beside its main entrance way were two smaller houses called ‘het brood & boter huisje’ [3] while just around the corner on the south side and tightly nestled into the corner of the church and against one leg of the tower was the house of the ‘tower watch’, guarding the entrance to one of the three stone portals, on the south, west and north side that gave access to the tower. From here one could enter through a door to the stairway leading upwards. The stone steps worn by the thousands of shuffled footsteps, turned like a coiled snake inside the brick structure of the tower going round and round. A rope was attached in the center for support as one circled up the tower. Narrow slits in the walls gave a little light in finding the next step. At the first balcony one could see the massive bells [4] hung on large and thick beams and directly outside on the south side, a sun dial was hung to check the accuracy of the towers clocks situated just above the second balcony, their clock faces turned to the north, south, east and west. Above that and just below the gleaming golden crown the bell carillon was hung which played during the day at the top of the hour and could be heard over the ‘Grote Markt’.[5]
At the top – what a view one had of the city and beyond to the country side!
Back at street level, on gaining entrance to the church through its large doors, one was struck by the vastness of the place. It was large and stately, reminiscent of a great cathedral. In front against the tower wall, one could see the great organ built originally in 1480 by Rudolphus Agricola and rebuilt and expanded by the famous F.C. Schnitger in 1834, beautifully decorated with gold leaf in the decor of its time. It had been and has again become world famous. Organists have traveled from the Americas to ask for permission to touch it ivory keys and hear the pipes speak in their clear and germanic tones.[6] As it was played, the sound would travel through the walls and could be heard clearly as one climbed the worn out steps of the tower. Huge stone slabs covered the floor and as was common, contained the last resting places of those who had been a somebody in the city going back to 1550 or even before that. During the last renovations a discovery was made of 8 Christmas and 6 Easter scenes painted in the ceiling of the choir loft. Although for a short time Catholic, the populace turned with the Reformation into a solidly Reformed people who in 1672 defeated the attempts of the Bishop of Munchen (also known as ‘Bommen-Berend’)[7] even though he had launched a series of bombs to force it to surrender and take-over the city. That victorious event is still celebrated each year on the 28th of August [8] with a civic holiday and much festivity enjoyed by young and old.
The tower of grey stone, blackened over the years, was originally over a 100 meters high and boasted as the highest structure in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Its height and it grand stature was the proud emblem of wealth and economic wellbeing of the northern province (‘t golden laand’) with the same name as the city, Groningen (‘áin wondre stad’). By the locals the tower was known as the “olde grieze” (the old grey one) That expression conjured up the idea that there was wisdom, strength and life experience in the structure that many a ‘Grunninger’ could look up to from a long distance away. Yes, there was even more, a feeling of comfort, of home and of family. This was their tower, their ‘Martini tor’n’, and their city. The only city (stad) of status [9] in the northern provinces of the Kingdom. Invincible, energetic, strong and proud. Like its citizens, reflecting the true Calvinistic work ethic which said that ‘van hard werken ga je niet dood’ (you do not die from working hard). They were a people with a conservative bend, quiet, industrious and yet with a dry humour that made them seem real and believable, deep but true and steadfast. Their dialect was hard to understand and had various variations as one traveled through the province, but they were all one.
In Groningen you either ‘goan noar stad’ or ‘komt oet stad’. (‘go to the city’ or ‘you come from the city’)
Around this setting my parents grew up and lived most of their lives. It provided for them a shelter, roots, a place of identity, a place that spoke of who they were and where they had come from.
This place was their home!
JS February 2021
[1]Also known as ‘Stad en Ommelaand’. The Groninger folksong mentions this phrase in the song meaning the city and its nearby country lands. Gruninger Volks Lied.[2]Built around 1250, rebuilt in 1469 and restored during 1889-94 and then again in 1926 with major work done over a 20 year period to 1948. In 1465 the tower was struck by lightning and in 1468 it collapsed, causing it to fall and destroy a large portion of the church, except for the extreme eastern part which remained intact. In 1469 the building of a new tower was begun taking 80 years to complete. In 1627 the wooden crown was placed on top of the structure. Its height is 96 meters.[3]’’Butter and Bread’’ house.[4]First bell was made in 1627 and weighted 7850 kg.[5]’Grote Markt’ means ‘large market or square’. This was directly to the south-west of the tower. At the west end stood the City hall started in 1777 and not completed till 1810 (due to the Napoleonic wars, when the Kingdom of the Netherlands became a province of the French Empire) in the grand gothic style with four massage stone pillars in front and two large stone steps leading up to the first floor front balcony. To me it looks very Napoleonic like. Right behind it stood the ‘Collecte huis’ also known by the locals as ‘Goud Kantoortje’ (Gold office) because here the citizen had to make their city tax payments. Above the front was fixed in Latin the saying of Jesus, ‘Date Caesar quake sent Caesar’ (‘Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar’ Gospel of Mark Chapter 12 verse 17)[6]Some of J.S.Bach’s organ works such as his trio-sonatas were recorded in the church in 1989 for the Naxos label. The organ was played by the famous organist Wolfgang Rubsaum.[7]The city was ably defended by General Rabenhaupt who refused to be intimidated by the Bishop’s fire power.[8]One of those festivities was a fireworks display on the market “Grote Market” in front of the tower every 28th of August. It started sharp with the striking of 10 PM on the tower clock. An event that I was allowed to watch several times, although my mother didn’t think I should stay out that late being only 10 years old.[9]There were others who had also been granted the privilege of city status but the ‘Groningers’ always tried to dominate the entire northern part of the Kingdom so that already in 1473 there was a law that forced the farmers to bring their grain to ‘stad’ to be milled and processed. In 1487 the city received authority from the German emperor Frederick to establish its own mint.
Can you see the future? Are you able to look into next month or 2 weeks from now and tell what is going to happen? Can you even see what tomorrow will bring? Well no, but we can plan what that will (hopefully) be and look-like, you say.
Well, we can plan but what it will look like for you and me is much more of a problem today, it seems to me, than it ever was before. Our lives plans have been messed around with.
Take the biggest issue of all, the Covid situation. At the present we are under ‘lockdown’ orders. Stay home we are told especially the Seniors among us. So what can you plan? Visits to the grandchildren? A cruise or a vacation in Florida? (yes, some are doing it but at what (illegal and health) risk?) (Plus restrictions as you hit the border)
Then there are the issues with children’s education, businesses closing and a general fear of getting the groceries at the local food market. The local paper says west Burlington last week has one of the highest percentage occurrences of the virus in Ontario.
We are all sapped-out hearing about these issues, especially the constant news about Seniors in Nursing and Retirement Centres being infected by the virus and losing their lives. What misery for them, loved ones and staff. Will it ever end? We are caught in a whirl wind of sickness and death.
Then we are told about the vaccines. Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik, AstraZeneca and others. They are coming, No, they are not. We will get them, well maybe, we are not sure! Projections, Plans (there you have it!) are that in Canada we will receive 6 million doses by March 31 or maybe 4 million and for sure, all Canadian, will be vaccinated by September. In the meantime we will take away some vaccines (2 million?) from the Bank reserved for the poorer nations and maybe replace them later? Well, we plan to replace them. We all have to wait and be patient. We will come through this, except some will be through it faster (fairer) then others. (Feb 11, 2021 news: Manitoba will order it own vaccine supply (2 million doses) from Providence Therapeutics in Calgary (possibly available by the Fall 2021) as the Feds promises are poorly (un)reliable.) Where is the Truth in it all?
The USA hopes to have all its citizens vaccinated by the end of July 2021, that is 300 million people! and Canada? What about the other nations?
What a mess! People are getting so skeptical and are cooking up their own versions of the TRUE news. Let’s tell it the way we see it. Who can see the future?
Am I letting it get to me. Yah, I suppose so…….However, I consider myself blessed as I am retired and my interactions with others are limited to walks around the neighbourhood and driving my wife for shopping. But what about others who have a (closed-up) businesses, out of work, or are Care-givers and mothers who must work and interact with (Covid-possible) people everyday. Wow!
For a while there was a slogan AD on TV: we are in this together….. Well some are in it a lot more than others. But we do all need to get this bug under control TOGETHER! See it through TOGETHER! Do you hear this, Anti-maskers promoters!
Pray for those on the front-line. (and for yourselves!)
Book of Proverbs chapter 3 : verse 29 says: ‘Make no plans that could result in injury to your neighbour; after all, he should be more secure because he lives near you.’ (Translation: The Voice)
A 400 year old poem says: No man is an island entire of it self; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away be the sea; Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me; because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. (author: John Donne)
God is our shelter and our strength. When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help. So why run and hide? 2 No fear, no pacing, no biting fingernails. When the earth spins out of control, we are sure and fearless. When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, we are sure and fearless. 3 Even in heavy winds and huge waves, or as mountains shake, we are sure and fearless.
Come, gaze, fix your eyes on what the Eternal can do. Amazing, He has worked desolation here on this battlefield, earth. 9 God can stop wars anywhere in the world. He can make scrap of all weapons: snap bows, shatter spears, and burn shields. (and kill viruses) 10 “Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God. I am honored among all the nations. I am honored over all the earth.” 11 You know the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies, surrounds us and protects us; the True God of Jacob is our shelter, close to His heart.
Now-a-days and especially at this time of Christmas, many people will be forwarding their Christmas wishes via email. Many ecards can be used for personal birthday wishes or greetings.
My neighbour sent me a Christmas ecard greeting the other day via email with a Jacquie Lawson.com card attached.
It’s the type that you click on and then it opens and plays an animated scene with a song. They are actually cute and very colourful. Some ecards are free, others will cost.
The ecard I received was a card featuring a lovely Christmas tree that made the decorated balls light up as the song progressed and came to the end by lighting the star on the top of the tree. Lovely.
The song of course was: O Tannen baum, O Tannen baum. “O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How are thy leaves so verdant! Not only in the summertime, But even in winter is thy prime”.etc. etc.
It reminded me of a time in the late 40s when I was just a lad, the home of my next door friend always had a Christmas tree. Not just an artificial one but a real tree with wonderful animal decorations, dwarfs, angels and balls hanging from every branch. And believe it or not, they would have real candles mounted in the tree. They would turn off the house lights, strike a match to light them and then sing the ‘O Tannen baum’ song. It had a catchy tune and so I remembered it easily.
It was a special moment, as our voices blended together, the atmosphere and the burning candles was very lovely and cozy. It all sounded like singing a hymn.
However my friend’s father kept a sharp eye on the burning candles and just in case had placed a pail of water near the tree.
So after the song was sung the candles were again extinguished till the next day. It was magic.
I remember coming home and singing the ‘O Tannenbaum’ song. My dad when he heard it said: ‘Where did you hear that’. I said: ‘at the neighbour’s, they have a lovely decorated Christmas tree and when they light the candles, they stand around it and sing this song’. So I started again, but he cut me off and said: ‘Don’t sing it anymore. Don’t you know that is idolatry, worshipping a tree. Well, our fore-fathers when they were heathens before they were converted to the Gospel by Saint Boniface, also worshipped (Oak) trees. Christmas is for celebrating God’s coming into the world and away with this idolatry. In fact, when Saint Boniface brought the gospel to the Frisians and the Batavian tribes, he himself, chopped down the trees they worshipped. Don’t you start again.’
Then as an afterthought he said: ’O yes, and telling the Gospel message cost him his life’.**
Wow, what a lesson. How do we rate today. Celebrating the real Christmas yet?
Later checking with Wikipedia, I noticed that the information on the ‘Tannenbaum’ showed a version of the song that had been Christianized with a fourth stanza:
‘O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How sturdy God hath made thee! Thou bidd’st us all place faithfully, Our trust in God, unchangingly! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How sturdy God hath made thee!’
It has been over 3 1/2 months now since my by-pass surgery and the healing is progressing slowly and without any complications.
It was on evening of my birthday, that I was admitted to the General hospital Cardiac wing and prepped for surgery……..,weighted, catheterized and shaved, smeared with orange yellow stuff (iodopovidone or chlorhexidine) to prevent infection, on the chest, arms and leg areas.
The diagnosis, a few days earlier after the angiogram, showed that at least 4 arteries were partially blocked and 80% of the LAD (left anterior descending artery – it is the largest artery and carries 50% of the blood to the heart) Two branches were also blocked 70% in several places extending back into the left main.
I had no idea what it all meant but was told by my cardiologist and family members (who are in the medical profession) that it was a big concern. I agreed and surgery was scheduled for the next day.
Recalling the last six months of my health episodes, I now began to understand that the chest pressures I had felt with a sense of disorientation, had been due, not to my just being a 79 year old, but pointed to a definite deterioration of my blocked circular system. The blood supply to the heart was insufficient. I was ready for a heart failure.
It seems strange to me now, but I did not have a lot of nervousness around this decision. I knew the situation was bad and as I had prayed a few days before for the Lord to extend his grace to me, in my heart I was assured that all would be well.
The next morning early I was pushed up to the operating room. The surgeon and staff said ‘good morning’ and after being placed on the operation table asked me to put out my hand and placed something on my finger and that is the last I remember.
Woke hours later in the ICU. I was not very sore but extremely tired. My son visited me in ICU but I did not remember. After sometime, I think it was the next morning, the mouth respiration tube and catheter was removed and I was relocated to the cardiac general nursing department. I did not have much pain but was restricted to laying on my back, but was able to sit up to eat and carefully use the facilities. I could feel my chest sore and tiring soon but other than that I felt just weak and awkwardly limited as far as body movements.
It was Covid-19 time so family visitation was limited to 2 persons and every other day, so I spent a lot of time by myself. However I did not mind as I wanted to get my strength back and go home as soon as possible.
After a couple of days I could get out of bed and walk around and was told if I could walk a fair distance by myself I would be discharged. So 5 days after my surgery I was released and driven home by my brother-in-law.
Since my wife was home, I had instant help and I needed it. As I had not taken a shower since my surgery I needed help with washing myself.
My leg was swollen and still sore. My chest was delicate and sensitive to movement, so I needed to be careful what I could eat and swallow. My home made meals were such a pleasure compared to the hospital meals. I never did get the drift of ordering what I liked while in hospital as every day there was the choice of a different menu.
I now had to be careful that nothing too big stuck in my throat. I would easily panic due to the limited movement of my sore chest. Especially when I needed to cough, I was taught to use a pillow pressed to my chest to lessening the pain it caused as my chest expanded.
I started to walk in the house a few times a day for 10 minutes or so and ventured outside down the street the following week. I felt good, happy and glad to be home. It was summertime and the weather was perfect.
The surgical area had a large incision right across the middle down my chest and I had a large scar on my leg from my calf to my groin area. All of this is still very visible after 3 months and occasionally I will apply some ointment to medicate the raw feeling of the scar tissue.
In a month or so we will celebrate Christmas and I look forward to perhaps being able to do a lot more than now.
Covid-19 lock downs and just being very careful with going about in public has certainly left me at home a lot. Although the feeling that days are somewhat blending into each other; Today is Friday? No, that was yesterday; is very real to me.
I check my mail box and have not found a hospital bill as yet. Eh. Canada.
I am also reminded of the Carolyn W. Gillette hymn** (tune version ‘There’s a wideness in God’s Mercy’)
God whose will is health and wholeness, hear your people as we pray: Many now are facing illness; more face sickness every day. As we lift our song toward heaven, may we use the gifts you give — Science, justice, and compassion — to help others safely live.
Jesus taught that your commandments call for us to use the mind. May we use the gifts of science to seek health for humankind. Bless the ones who work for healing; bless the ones who seek to be Builders of a health care system that protects society.
God, you call for love and justice, yet our laws are far from wise: Many don’t have good insurance; lack of health care threatens lives. Many workers must keep working, sick or not, to pay the bills. Turn us round when we have sanctioned greed that leads to greater ills.
Loving God, we ask your blessing on the sick and those they love, And we pray for those now grieving as they lift their cries above. There is trouble all around us; illness causes pain and fear. Give compassion, love and kindness as we serve your people here.
It has been 5 weeks now since I had my by-pass surgery. It has been a slow time. Slow in getting back to normal. The places that were operated on can easily be seen and felt. The long scar on the left leg where the extra body parts were harvested and the scarred chest where the surgeon performed the ‘heart’ of the matter so to speak are all signs of the extensive and invasive operation.
Healing, I was told will be ‘weeks’ and not always easy, so Patience and following the well documented instructions are the key to better health. Sleeping, eating, coughing or swallowing or putting on your socks was a chore and always with apprehensive care that something could go wrong. On this journey it helps to speak to those who have traveled here before.
There is a book in the Bible called JOB where the devil ‘robbed’ a man of all his assets including his health, all with God’s permission. From this story we get the saying: He or she has the patience of JOB. Now my recollection is that JOB was not that patient with his humbled condition especially when his visiting friends accused him of being a liar and a cheat, a bad person. ‘God who sees all has punished you for all of that;’ his friends told him. But JOB insisted they were wrong and became very IMpatient with his friends including in his dialogue he had with God about his present condition.
Now I did not incur that kind of impatience (thank God for his goodness) but at times it seemed like I could be back to normal life but when I exerted myself, I found that weakness was ever with me. The body needs its time to heal and in my case, big time. My wife kept saying: ‘but John, it is major surgery you went through, be patient it will come.’
Last Friday (July 17, 2020) I walked into my local hospital emergency and said: ‘I need help, my chest hurts’.
For sometime I knew that it would happen, but I had been unaware in my mind that things were on such a fast downward slide. Being 3 score and almost 19 is already aged beyond the wisdom of Scripture where 3 score and 10 is for the strong. Psalm 90 verse 10.
Once inside Emerge (after giving my personal details – twice and given my admission bracelet) I was subjected to a battery of tests, prodded with a few pricks and provided with a ‘port’ for future internal injection events and waited.
Now it was my time to reason: is it bad news, what will they tell me, probably heart-burn and write a prescription? And send me home. How silly of me to come and waste these people’s time. Will I die?
There was a lot of activity, someone had a sore shoulder, another had a heart attack (60 years of age) there were police and paramedics bringing in more patients with doctors and nurses going here and there. A nurse inserted a needle to draw blood, another had a machine to measure my blood pressure and temperature, other machines were used to measure heart rate and internal heart movement with stickers pasted on the chest with wires (5) hooked up to a monitor which would send a remote signal to a central station. There came a rolling X-ray machine operated by a nurse, there were cell phone conversations in the various patient examination stalls and cleaning staff moved continually up and down the halls (cleaning and wiping equipment, chairs, door posts, beds etc …….. it was Covid 19 time….but did not pickup an item that had popped out of a supply cart) there were calls over the communication system, code ‘white’, main entrance 100; code ‘yellow’ south tower floor 7, 200, it all was very busy and in a crazy but organized way.
The cardiac surgeon came and talked with me. Because everyone was wearing masks I understood only half of the conversation but got enough to indicate I’m staying and will have more tests.
After some hours I was transferred to another part of the emergency department and received a bed to lie in. ( I had been sitting in a chair for hours) A nurse gave me a shot in the stomach to prevent blood clots. An older lady across from my stall was brought in and kept shouting: ‘I need help’, ‘I need help…’ and proceeded to climb out of her bed. The nurse came in, put her back in bed and said; ‘I will help you…..’ she shouted: ‘I need help….’ ‘I need help’. The nurse said; ‘what can I help you with…’ but the conversation never developed any further beyond this. After an hour or so she was transferred somewhere else. There are people here with physical ailments and with emotional and diminished cognizance dementia ailments. I was told very clearly now: you have suffered a heart attack.
Promises of getting a bed upstairs were many but after a night in Emerge, I was finally late the next day, moved upstairs to a private room with a great view.
As the sun set later that evening, I was still hopeful it was not serious. It was, and I prayed and hoped, I will be OK. My 79th birthday was in 5 days.
Psalm 27 verse 13 – stuck in my thoughts, ‘Where would I be, if I did not believe I would experience the LORD’s favour in the land of the living.’
A reflection on Psalms of Faith & Covid 19 and us – we are ‘shifted’……….. The virus has now been in Canada for over 150 days, since Jan 25, when the first person was diagnosed in BC. Genevan Psalm 25 verse 8 in the DUTCH version reads: “Zie op mij in gunst van boven; Wees mij toch genadig, HEER; Eenzaam ben ik enverschoven: Ja, d’ ellende drukt mij neer. ‘k Roep U aan in angst en smart; Duizend zorgen, duizend doden, Kwellen mijn angstvallig hart; Voer mij uit mijn angst en noden.”
Translation:“Look at me in favor from above; Have mercy on me, Lord; I am lonely and shifted: Yes, the misery presses me down. I invoke You in fear and sorrow; A thousand worries, a thousand dead torment my anxious heart; Take me out of my fears and needs.”
The total deaths so far in Canada and the USA is well over 138,000 (July 1, 2020) out of 2.8 million confirmed cases. Far more people die who get COVID 19 then from the flu. In the US about 50 million+ catch the flu each year and 40,000+ die but as you can see, the COVID-19 virus is much more deadly. There have been 25 deaths from COVID-19 in the Halton region (Burlington, Oakville, Milton & Halton Hills) since the beginning of March 2020 and 1 new case confirmed yesterday, June 30th, bringing the total to 836 confirmed. It has not stopped spreading.
Of the total 25 deaths, 15 were in the 80+ category. Nellie and I are almost in that category at ages 78 and 77. So certainly the Psalm verse above speaks to us clearly. As the verse says we are ‘alone a lot’ (‘eenzaam’) and have been sorely ‘shifted’ in our (home and body) comforts and what is needful and what is important.
We lament the destruction of our communities and the (emotional and economic) wellbeing of our kids, grand-kids, relatives and friends.
It so frustrating, as we (cannot) do not see this VIRUS and yet people in the know tell us it is out there clinging to packages and surfaces and hands and bodies. We know the ‘flu’ and take some precautions but this virus at our Senior age can be stealthily deadly.
How will we manage for the days to come? Sure, we grocery shop usually (once a week) early in the morning, 7 AM with mask and gloves (we have not suffered food shortages) but I have been to the garden nurseries a couple of times and we have delivered church devotionals & bulletins and other support things to friends, family have visited us all with social distancing, we stand in line at the bank, but still it is ALL STRANGE. No church or choir or other gatherings etc. What about birthdays, graduations and celebrations and God forbid, family sickness and deaths?
The Bibles for Mission Thrift store re-opened June 8, 2020 and asked us if we will volunteer, and assured us that they will use every precaution. Well, we are not sure. We know the cases in Halton are few, but it would be better to see an overall drop in cases. (Ontario still has a steady near 200 cases a day) Perhaps the final test for us should be: NO CASES at all for at least a couple of weeks?
On the gravestone of Teunis Zent and Jaapje Groenewegen-Kleijwegt in city of Brielle (a city first liberated for the REFORMED FAITH from the Spanish domination (for freedom) in 1672) you will find inscribed at the bottom, the words ‘Psalm 68: 2. The Dutch Genevan version of that Psalm reads: “Maar ‘t vrome volk, in U verheugd, Zal huppelen van zielevreugd, Daar zij hun wens verkrijgen; Hun blijdschap zal dan, onbepaald, Door ‘t licht, dat van Zijn aanzicht straalt, Ten hoogsten toppunt stijgen. Heft Gode blijde psalmen aan; Verhoogt, verhoogt voor Hem de baan; Laat al wat leeft Hem eren; Bereidt den weg, in Hem verblijd, Die door de vlakke velden rijdt; Zijn naam is HEER der heren.”
Translation: “But the pious people rejoicing in You, will dance with joy of soul, since they obtain their wish; Their joy will then, indefinitely, by the light that shines from His view, rise to the very top. Sing joyful psalms to God; increase, increase the way for Him; Let all that lives honor Him; Prepare the way, rejoicing in Him, who drives through the flat fields (no obstacles for God); His name is LORD of lords.”
These folks heard the call of the Gospel and lived in the comfort of that call all their lives even though sometimes (WW1, the Depression, WW2, etc) the misery of it all pressed (shifted) them down.
We have an old tape recording of Opa and Oma Groenewegen (Teunis and Jaapje), already quite old, together singing Ps 68: verse 10: “Praise be to God with deepest awe! He loads us day by day, with His favor, that is the God of our salvation; who would that Supreme Majesty, then not respectfully praise………”
We wish you all a SAFE and comforting time as we together continue to go toward our unknown days ahead.
Some time ago, I attended at the Netherlands Canada Friendship Day activities in Burlington ON. This is an annual event remembering the twinning of the city of Burlington with the city of Apeldoorn in the Netherlands.
That Saturday in May remembrance ceremony, was attended by the Mayor Rick Goldrich and Consul General in Toronto for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Anne Van Leeuwen and Elizabeth Witmer, past deputy Premier of Ontario, (born in the Netherlands) and several Armed Forces WW2 veterans and cadets.
The two flags were raised and the National Anthems sung for Canada (O Canada) and the Netherlands (the Wilhelmus).
In his address to those in attendance, the Consul General mentioned that 2 verses of the ‘Wilhelmus’ is always sung at important occasions and since this ‘Friendship Day’ event also remembers the liberation of the Netherlands by the Canadian forces in 1945 from the oppression of the Nazi regime and the expression of thankfulness of the Dutch people for that gift of freedom obtained and freely given by Canadian men and women (some were just teenagers) has always been fondly and thankfully celebrated and so has cemented close friendships and bonds between our two countries.
The Consul General reminded us that when we sing the second verse, we are reminded that it contains a phrase that says: ‘de tierannie verdrijven, die mij mijn hart doorwond’(‘to drive out the tyranny that wounds my entire heart’) a wish and a prayer expressed by Prince Wilhelm of Nassau to rid the country of the ‘tyranny’ by others, brought upon the Dutch people back in 1568 and beyond when they struggled for independence and freedom.
This was a timely and popular reminder by the Consul General of ‘terror’ and ‘tyranny’ that we have seen very recently in various places in the world, especially in Europe but also in Canada & USA, and how precious and thin that freedom(ed) reality is and how it can be breached suddenly by slanderous speech, actions and misplaced truths, (and in 2020 by a terroristly contagious virus) if we do not, every day, practice ‘freedom expressions of protection of others’ in our own attitudes and life walk, also here in beautiful Canada.
This was a notable and timely reminder of the constant watchfulness of the protection of ‘freedom’ ways that we enjoy in our present every day circumstances. Thank you Mr. Consul General!
However, the second verse that is sung also starts with a confessional statement that God is our shield and trusted truth keeper, (‘Mijn schild en de betrouwe, zijt Gij O God…..’)(‘My shield and trusty One are you, O God….’) in that He never leaves us if we are steadfast, faithful and truthful and honourable to Him and our neighbours every day and in every way. (Jesus’ Golden Rule: Love God and your neighbour as yourself’) Then, as his servants, we will defeat the (evil) tyranny that does so wound (our) my (people’s) hearts. This is a circular one way rule for you and I, and I and you, and you and I. This rule is the second greatest rule besides ‘Loving God’ yet as Jesus[2] said: For the Christian, the two belong to and are inseparable from each other.
This speaks of Christian walk and concern. Jesus taught us to be followers of Him, good people and faithful citizen practicing goodwill and compassion in our own land. May that spirit (law) of truth and justice be practiced and preached in all our circles, in government, neighbourhoods, schools, organizations, businesses and families. Then perhaps we too may even give up our lives, as some also did years ago, for such a place (country) where this is practiced and experienced every day. Thank God, we have this blessing in Canada and also in the Netherlands!
LATER: Thinking on this on Canada Day July 1, 2020, I also observed that we too have this sentiment and wish spoken in our Canadian National Anthem. In the second stanza often sung ( although sadly now more infrequently) we hear: ‘Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer, hold our Dominion in thy loving care; Help us to find, O God, in thee a lasting, rich reward, as waiting for the better Day, We ever stand on guard.
May we ever be consciously and prayerfully ‘on guard’ in physical and communal ways for that great and rich reward of freedom. This is also covered by Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) which expresses in its preamble that: Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law: …………. 2. Everyone has the fundamental freedoms: (a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and (d) freedom of association………….
The apostle Paul also instructs us in his letter to the Romans Chapter 12 (New Living Translation (NLT)
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”[g] says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”[h]21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
JS July 1, 2020
Anthem:
Wilhelmus van Nassouwe, ben ik van Duitsen bloed. Den vaderland getrouwe blijf ik tot in den dood. Een Prinse van Oranje ben ik, vrij onverveerd, den Koning van Hispanje, heb ik altijd geëerd.
Mijn schild ende betrouwen zijt Gij, O God mijn Heer, op U zo wil ik bouwen, verlaat mij nimmermeer. Dat ik doch vroom mag blijven, uw dienaar t’aller stond, de tirannie verdrijven die mij mijn hert doorwondt.
[1] Like many anthems, the Wilhelmus originated in the nation’s struggle to achieve independence in the 16th Century. It tells of Willem van Oranje (William of Orange), his life, and why he is fighting against the operssion of the King of Spain.[4] The anthem is written in the first person, and sounds as if William of Orange himself is speaking, the ‘ick’ -word (Early Modern Dutch) in the 1st stanza: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe benick (am I) van Duytschen bloet (“William of Nassau, was a German Prince”). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelmus
[2] Jesus words in the Gospel of Mark chapter 12 verses 30 & 31
Recently the town of Bobcaygeon Ontario was in the news with the sad happenings at the Pinecrest Nursing Home Covid-19 outbreak.
Here is a bit of history about the town:
Bobcaygeon’s nickname is The Hub of the Kawarthas and it is well named. The village is located at the rapids where Sturgeon Lake empties into Pigeon Lake on its way to Lake Ontario. The spot was an obvious site for native villages and was the spot of an early trading post run by a trader named McKeough. But the father of the village was an English entrepreneur named Thomas Need who set up shop in 1832. The local Mississauga Indians called the site: ‘bob-cajeon-unk’ which meant ‘shallow waters’ in their dialect. Need liked the name.
Need was granted 400 acres including the 3 islands that were part of the new village. Need built a sawmill & grist mill on the big island and a community began to grow up. In 1834 the government of Upper Canada commissioned the first lock for the Trent Waterway at Bobcaygeon. The lock was finished by 1840. The site was truly the Hub of the Kawartha Lakes
In 1844 Need sold his interests to a local farmer named Mossom Boyd and the village really began to prosper under its most famous family. Boyd’s main enterprise in the early years was his sawmill business. Ideally located on the Trent Waterway , Boyd floated the massive white pine logs to his mill at the foot of the lock. The dam at Buckhorn (completed in 1844) raised the water levels and forced several re-organizing of the locks & sawmills to the point where Boyd moved his sawmill to a new (and much larger site) on the south-east end of the island In 1855, the government commissioned a series of colonization roads to open up the Ottawa-Huron Tract north of the Kawartha Lakes . The Bobcaygeon Road was to be a key piece of this scheme and Bobcaygeon Village was to be the start point for the new road. It had regular steam boat connections with both Peterborough (via Bridgenorth) and Lindsay. All the settlers for Haliburton County flowed through Bobcaygeon until the Victoria Railway diverted the flow in 1876. The village prospered and became the largest community in the area. The village contained several large hotels and numerous stores to service travelers on the Road, local farmers & the lumber industry, then approaching its zenith
The village grew up on the 3 islands and on the north shore where a separate village called Rokeby was surveyed by the government. In 1876 the rival villages amalgamated so they could boast 1,000 residents & qualify for incorporated village status. The name Rokeby disappeared
The Boyds branched out and formed the Kawartha Navigation Company with numerous steam boats that plied the Kawartha Lakes for several decades until the age of steam passed by World War I. They also dabbled in livestock breeding. But the Boyds really wanted a railway for their businesses and when the Victoria Railway was planned in the early 1870s, they tried desperately to get the line to cross the Kawartha Lakes at Bobcaygeon. Unfortunately their designs were stymied by Verulam Township Council who refused to grant a bonus to the company. Fenelon Falls was not so cheap and won the railway. Fenelon’s rise was Bobcaygeon’s demise and the population actually declined in Bobcaygeon as Fenelon’s grew. Bobcaygeon eventually got its railway in 1904, but by then it was too late. The Boyd Family closed their big sawmill in 1898 and the village languished even further
The prosperity brought by the mills and the Road led to a number of prominent industries in the village. The Boyd Family built a series of large, lavish houses along the canal. The only one that survives today is the Boyd office, now a museum/library. The numerous Boyds also had a private school in the office. The Teachers, a Mr. & Mrs. Comer started a private school for boys called Hillcroft in town. This large structure was converted to a hospital (with 18 beds) in 1958. The small hospital operated until closed by the Ontario Government in the 1970s
Bobcaygeon also contained all the DNA structures of an established village: 4 churches, high school, newspaper, sawmill, grist mill, Orange Lodge, agricultural fair and numerous businesses. The Trent Canal also contributed to its prosperity, particularly in later years when tourism climbed to the number one industry in the area. Today the village has become a retirement destination, with both condominiums and estates gracing the local lakes. Today probably known for shopping at the Bigley Shoes & Clothings store.
The sorrowful bit of news at the Pinecrest Nursing Home with the Covid-19 outbreak surely must have rocked their families and everyone in this small community. It brought back some of the memories of what we experienced when I was married in 1965 and we settled into the village until 1967. Here are some of them.
The Bank of Montreal where I worked at their Burlington Branch had at that time a unique program where young men (not many women) were trained on the job in order to gain experience at BMO banking. They were often promoted by a move from branch to branch to enhance their banking expertise.
BMO in 1964
In April 1964 I was promoted Assistant to the Manager in the small 7 person branch in Bobcaygeon. My annual salary would rise to $2,700 per year. When I was told that my transfer was in, I had no idea where Bobcaygeon was, had never heard the name, and figured it was close to Wawa, ON. (this was a standard joke about that ‘infamous’ move you could ‘earn’ to the far – north lands of Canada)
So off I went from Burlington to Bobcaygeon in my 1956 Pontiac via QE, 401, Highway 115, 35 & 36 and arrived in the town with a population of approx. 600. The town was a renowned fishing and vacationing spot but more known to fishermen (even those from the USA) then the average ‘Joe Blow’ like myself. (I remember we had a well-to-do USA client at the bank who loved to hand out $2.00 bills for in the US the ‘deuce’ was no longer in circulation).
Arrangements had been made with a widow lady (Mrs. Clark) for me to board with and I would travel home every week-end. Room and board was set at $15.00 a week. Arriving at the branch, an old structure at the south-west side of the locks on Bolton Street I could see on the front above the door that it had formerly, before 1925, been a Molson Bank[1] branch.
In 1965 I got married and had my suit measured at Featherstone Menwear. ($100) My wife and I settled into the upstairs apartment in a mansion of a house (rent was $75.00 a month) on the Bobcaygeon Bolton Street beside the then IGA (now Foodland) store. Dr. Moran [5] had his office on the main floor of the house and we lived upstairs. We had bought our furniture at Knob Hill Furniture and Appliances in Scarborough, ON (owned by Jerry & Janine Lock) $1700 got us a kitchen table and chairs, stove, frig, bedroom set (bed, mattress & cabinets) and living room chesterfield, table and two chairs. On Sundays we drove to Lindsay to attend Lindsay Christian Reformed Church for worship services. Life here was slower and quieter. Nellie applied to the local hospital run by a Mrs. Stewart and she took a job at $13.00 a day.
Apt on Bolton St beside the IGA
There were two other dutch families in town. There was the Walhout family and the other Harry VanOudenaaren, a mechanic, who with his family attended the United Church in town.
At the Bank of Montreal branch I did the accounting and was in charge of the office at the SW corner of Bolton Street by the swing bridge for the boating (lock) canal (Trent Waterway system) between Pigeon Lake and Sturgeon Lake opposite the local hotel.
Our participation in the life of the town was limited to the Curling Club of which I was appointed secretary immediately as we joined. I had no idea what to do and received all poster events mail addressed to the club by hanging it up in the locker room of the local arena where we practiced the game. I remember I was terribly sore in my arms and shoulders from doing all the sweeping for our team’s stones.
We would try to go home at least once a month to visit with family and to keep in touch.
That summer of 1966, the 1956 Pontiac needed almost monthly repairs so a patient at Hillcroft hospital had a 1961 Chevy for sale for $1,100.00 which we bought. This car lasted us till 1968 when we purchase a 1965 red Pontiac from a Dutchman in Belleville.
In the Fall (November 1966) the hotel caught fire. We had been at home but most of the town was at the arena watching a hockey game between Buckhorn & Bobcaygeon. As the fire took hold the fire department was called but there was no answer (it was a volunteer fire department) because the fire chief and most volunteers were at the hockey game.
It was told that the person who first saw the fire ran across the two bridges and arriving at the fire hall sounded the alarm and started back with the fire engine.
Nellie suddenly said: ‘I smell smoke’. We checked the apartment but did not see anything and then decided to look outside and ‘Wow’ the whole hotel was on fire. People were shouting in the street and the building next to the hotel was threatening to burn. More fire engines were called in from Lindsay & Fenelon Falls to fight the blaze. At one point we started to move [4] our furniture and other stuff into our car as the cinders from the fire came down in huge volume onto the apartment roof and it looked like it also may go up in flame.
After some hours the fire was contained and we spent the night at the Walhout’s home.
The next morning we moved the furniture back into the house and I filed a claim with the insurance. We got $70.00 for cleaning and damage. The hotel was a mess through the winter and was finally cleared up in March of 1967.
Hotel after the fire Nov 1966
Shortly thereafter I received a transfer to BMO Stirling, ON, a small town near Belleville, a promotion.
JS March 13, 2020
Names I remember: Bobcaygeon Independent; IGA store; Devitt store; Purdy; Junkin; Need; Read; Nichols; Thompson; Poole; Clark; Jermyn; Mr. Daniels, Bank Manager; Jean & Eddie; Mr. James, the local cop; Dr. Thomas; Jack Featherstone; Bob Jokinen, the pharmacist; Mr. Strickland; Gladys Thorne; Mr. Ross; Purdy’s Garage; Chinese restaurant; Clark barbershop.
Kawartha Diaries (now famous for its ice cream) was established by Jack & Ila Crowe in 1937, its head-office is still in Bobcaygeon. http://kawarthadairy.com/about-us/
Bank of Montreal’s branch network was strengthened yet again in 1925 by a merger with Montreal-based Molsons Bank, founded in 1853, whose 125 branches were mostly in rural Ontario and Quebec. The ties between Bank of Montreal and the Molsons were close. The Molson family had been shareholders of Bank of Montreal since 1823. John Molson, founder of Canada’s oldest brewery, was President of Bank of Montreal in 1826, and family members had always served on the bank’s board. When the Molsons Bank recorded a severe decline in profits in the early 1920s, its then President, Fred Molson, initiated negotiations with his cousin, Col. Herbert Molson, a director of Bank of Montreal. All Molsons employees were given either employment or life pensions
[4] We were about 4 buildings up the street from the fire.
[5] I recall an unfortunate accident occurred in the 1966-67 winter, Dr. Moran, Ross Poole and one other person were in the habit of ‘ski-dooing’ on Pigeon Lake. Although they were well acquainted with the region, one night all 3 of them skidooed into the open channel and drowned.
It is now the 75th day since the virus landed in ON, Canada. (January 25)
We have been home now for 4 weeks and it looks like that may stretch into another 4 weeks or maybe more…… who knows, will we ever get back to NORMAL? Many say: No way! Things will be changed forever. Perhaps we can look back when it is all over, that this change was a chance for a NEW beginning.
We have not been out shopping since March 12 although A. has gotten us some bread, bananas and a few other little things, we still have enough for now. The fancy stuff will need to wait. We are thinking of maybe next Wednesday to stock up our small supply and go to No Frills or Fresco. Our toilet paper is holding out; but soon…………
This infrequent kind of shopping is not helping the economy!
We have taken some walks in the neighbourhood and noticed that the shrubs and trees are starting to bud. Rhubarb is pushing up in the garden.
It is difficult to plan ahead. All events and meetings are on hold. The annual BFM Thrift Store volunteer appreciation dinner for Apr 18 will not be happening.
Had a Zoom session with some of my Ambassadors singers yesterday and they are talking of August events, but I doubt whether that will ever happen.
Yesterday we also had a church zoom prayer meeting but it had bad audio and very repeated prayer requests. Some 22 people joined the zoom session. Not sure this a good and edifying way to connect. (one participant answered the phone on screen and had a conversation with the caller for a while?)
P. emailed us a ‘Good Friday’ zoom service at church for later today and we will have one at our church for Easter Sunday? We will see…..
Weather-wise it has been a few good days and so we have done some yard work because on Monday will be the first yard-waste pickup. I think the lawn will need to be mowed soon. All the crocuses and snowdrops are finished blooming. How quick it goes.
Saw some snow this morning at the end of the rain but now it is sunny and very windy.
We are trusting that you are all well and pray for those who need to attend to our essential services especially the few of you who are working in health-care and others who meet directly with the public.
We pray God will keep you safe.
Seems everyone at this time is still working and we hope and pray that will continue.
Watched a video this morning from G. Christian school where Z. is the music program leader. A very nice chapel video with singable Christian songs especially aimed at the kids.
Not sure when schools will start again, the last I heard was that the public schools will remain closed till May 6th.
Blessings to K. who has had eye surgery. Pray for healing ‘eradication’ of the tumour in her eye.
Wishing you all a Good Friday and a Blessed Easter!
The Lord has risen, he has risen indeed! Take Care!
JS March 10, 2020
Here is a link to the Dutch Easter hymn ‘Daar juicht een toon’. A song I remember singing in de Kerk in Groningen with the congregation and a big organ.
It seems that my neighbourhood has come to rest, that is the traffic on streets is less. The people in my community are coming into the streets. They are walking, jogging and working outside on their gardens. As we walk down the sidewalks everyday we meet people who when they see us will cross the street or move to the side to provide a larger space for us to pass. Social-distancing it is now called. A friendly gesture to keep us safe. Give no chance for virus spreading in this time of the Corona.
As I look down the street it reminds me of the days in the 1950’s when the traffic was light, especially on Sundays as all the stores were closed. So again today, only essential businesses are allowed to be open. We are told that the air pollution is way down and some experts suggest that maybe the environment will get its much deserved rest from human exploitation and nature will rebound with freshness and renewal.
There is also big caution and concern that less human activity will hurt people in their ability to look after their personal and family needs. No migrant workers, no harvest. Businesses (small (many) businesses especially) with no work will go bankrupt, people will be unemployed, rent payments and mortgages will be postponed, goods and services will be reduced to a trickle. Depression and anxiety will rise because of uncertainty and despair among the masses. Pensions will empty out of funds. Hospitals and staff are already cramped with fewer medical supplies and ability to take care for people who have the virus. Society as we know it, will ground to a halt. Of course most dire predictions are about the economy, the Canadian stock market down again today by 113 point to an index at 12,576. Banking will see great monetary pressures. Government leaders will be become irritable as civil and authority conditions deteriorate. Even now countries trying to procure medical supplies are getting irritated by others pirating their intended supply shipments. Unity and co-operational support for each other is turning into each country for itself.
Above all there is the darkness of not knowing what next week will bring. There are predictions but it is not possible to piece the darkness we feel and see threatening its way into our communities.
In the book of Ecclesiastes it reads: ‘above all get wisdom’. Let wisdom speak in this day and age. Let the wise say: If one falls we can all fall. One link can break the chain that holds back the virus enemy.
A quote from Patrick Henry ‘Now is the time for all great men to come to the aid of their (party) country’.
Our country, our people are in need. Thanks for the front line workers, doctors, nurses and other essential workers. They are truly practicing the words of Jesus: ‘this is what our Scriptures come to teach: in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you’.
Even by staying home…..you show loving concern for your neighbours. Practice it and be content. Wear your masks.
March 18, 2020 this is day 54 since the official announcement in (BC) Canada (January 25, 2020) that the virus is now among us.
Stats as of March 17 are: Across Canada 558 confirmed, 12 recovered, 8 deaths, 21 pending.
We had known it would come but took a wait-see attitude. ‘we’ll deal with it when it arrives’ and when it did we said that is only one, we can manage.
Should we have stopped the inbound people and checked them for the virus when they got off the plane? Quarantined the whole plane load? Maybe we should have, in hindsight. However, how do you stop something you cannot detect by sight? or smell?
We are in it now ‘lock, stock and barrel’ as the saying goes.
The good thing about it is that Canadians are rallying around our leadership who been most promising with generous assistance of finances,services and good medical advice that will (hopefully) help everyone through this period of our ‘virus war’. We have learned from earlier episodes of disasters; war; 9/11; and 2008 meltdown, that if we do not help each other using our own resources, all of us ( not just a few ‘unlucky ones’) will need to step up to preserve our own health, wealth, safety, prosperity and happiness. In other words ‘if one member suffers all suffer’ words the Apostle Paul wrote 2000 years ago to the Christian community in Corinth.
It feels odd, having to watch out for who you meet with and what you touch. Social distancing is now the key word. Don’t congregate or stand close to people. I filled up with gas this morning and noticed that I and others automatically stood 3 ft away from the others paying our bill.
The invention of the internet has now come to help us with this disruption of community life and I believe will impact and change our lives going forward in yet unknown ways..
Virtual meetings, shows, church services, events, sports, gatherings and on-line class room education is blossoming. Purchases and email or virtual contacts will increase exponentially as we ramp up our use of this wonderful and powerful technology.
Yet we need to keep vigilant now. As our PM said: Keep an eye on your family and neighbours and make sure we cover for each other. If you are abroad, come home. Home; your place of comfort and security especially if you have to self-isolate.
Our neighbours are rushing to be home from Florida in the next few days.
Already this morning we found a note in our mailbox that our neighbours sent, volunteering to help with shopping etc. Other neighbours also sent us an email telling us to call or email if we need assistance.
These are turbulent times. We are in crisis. We are sad. We are watchful.
And yet in all these things there was a beautiful sunrise this morning giving us an assurance of the presence of GOD.
It reminded me of the hymn: When morning gilds the skies, my soul awaking cries: May Jesus Christ be praised.
And Jesus promise in his sermon on the mount: Do not worry what you shall eat or drink or wear for your Father God knows that you need all these things. But seek and do right acts and those things will be provided. (Good news)
Rest in the Lord; be safe. Keep healthy. Be a good neighbour.
before my by-pass surgery – a conversation with God.
ON THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AGAIN!
I said: I am not praying for the forgiveness of my sins anymore.
It’s an old fashioned habit, for I know now that I am a child of God.
You said: 'Jesus died because of your sins'
I said: I have turned my life around, repented and confessed
Am now living out of God’s goodness and mercy.
You said: 'Jesus died because of your sins'
I said: I now live in the love of God
And did acknowledge once long ago
That I am a sinner, forgiven
Sealed by the Spirit, done once and for all.
You said: 'Jesus died because of your sins'
I said: But as Christ who was once crucified,
Died and was buried, of which I remember and
Celebrate, partaking in the Lord Supper.
Repeats do not change.
You said: 'Jesus died because of your sins'
I said: I know my only comfort in life and in death
Is because Jesus paid the price for me.
I must now go and claim his promises.
You said: 'Jesus died because of your sins'
I said: I know my Christian calling, so I help
Where’re I can to give a cup of cold water,
Living for You God, my family and my neighbour.
You said: 'Jesus died because of your sins'
I said: Lord, You show me again and again
how to walk with you on the paths of the righteous
In Your WORD, for your name sake and by your mercy.
He said: 'Though your sins be as scarlet
They shall be as white as……….'
I interrupted Him and said: I know all that but
why again and again and again and again.
You replied: Because I love you, I died to take away your sins,
and make you whole.
JS August 2020
"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift."2nd letter of the Apostle Paul letter to the Corinthians chapter 9 verse 15
On the Road 
