Jericho Road Coffee House and Youth Group

This past Wednesday several from our youth group, our youth leaders, and a couple of parents travelled downtown to St. Paul's Eastern United Church to attend Jericho Road's coffee house. Jericho Road is a place for men to live who are poor, have addictions, or mental illnesses. More information can be found at www.jerichoroad.ca Our church has had some interactions with Jericho Road through our Special Needs SERVE project that we hosted this past July, as well as a couple of residents who now attend Calvin CRC.

It was unfortunate that several from our group were missing for this evening, but I think we'll come to this coffee house in the new year. It proved to be fun and enlightening for those who went.

I learned some new things last night.

1. Jericho Road Coffee Houses have been going on for 23 years. I didn't even know they existed.

2. These coffee houses are the reason that Jericho Road started. Ray, started doing these coffee houses and got to know people from the streets. He found that there were people who wanted help to get off the streets, so he decided to provide it by opening a home for men to get off the streets and turn their lives around. Today there are 9 homes in the Ottawa area.

3. Ray is still using these coffee houses to get a feel for those whom he can help. I was impressed with his huge heart for the broken in our downtown.

I was also impressed with the way things are run. The pictures below will help bear that out.

Our group arrives. You could tell that some of us were nervous, but that's ok. Not William, however. Without being prompted he began to ensure that the chili wouldn't burn to the bottom of the pot.

Lots and lots of sandwiches were being made, in addition to soup and juice.

Here is Ray telling our group about how the evening will run.

He put everyone at easy very quickly.

Sarah and Simon busy cutting the desserts.

This gentleman led us in song for about 1 hour. It created a relaxed and festive atmosphere. Ray told us that for many of the people who come, this is their church. They wouldn't enter into a Sunday morning church setting, but they feel comfortable and welcomed here, and Ray provides them with the gospel message as well as food.

Here are some of our group serving the sandwiches, soup and chili.

Jonah adding forks to the desserts.

Chris just had to get a picture of himself breaking the Styrofoam in 1/2.

He's such a strong man : )

After food and singing, a gentleman took some time to share God's Word with us. Nicely done. Many people had left after the meal, but several stayed around to hear the message. It seems that every Wednesday evening is different. Last Wednesday the basement of the church was packed. Not so this Wednesday. One never knows who's coming, and Ray doesn't count any longer. He's learned that God brings in those who need to be there for that night.

After the message it was time for more songs and dessert. Always a hit. : )

At the end of the evening we all gathered in a circle and held hands and sang How Great Thou Art...at least I think that's what we sang : ) A nice way to end the evening. Then a closing prayer and it was clean up time and time to go home.

It was good to be at this coffee house. I better understand now how Jericho Road functions and how their residents end up in the homes in Ottawa. It's a wonderful ministry and Ray depends on God for it all.

Our group had a good time. Not alot of interaction with those who came off the streets, but some good interactions were done. It was eye opening for some. Thanks for coming along Chris and Eric. Thanks for being willing to serve CIA and ETM members. Thanks for loving hearts that desire to give hope to those who live on the streets of our city.