Trip to Montreal - Seafarer Centre

This is my 7th year here at Calvin CRC.

Some years ago I started taking the Christmas Parcels prepared for the Seafarers who stop over in Montreal. I didn't just take the parcels, I asked the youth of our church if they wanted to come along and join me to learn more about this great ministry sponsored by our Classis. They took me up on the offer.

We've now been doing this for many years, and I always find it a good thing to do. Parents have begun to come too, which is nice to see. The 2 hour drive is always fun (at least in my van it was interesting). The time spent learning about this ministry plants seeds of remembering as these YP get older. The adults who come have a better understanding/ appreciation of this ministry as well. All good stuff.

Below are some pictures of our trip. Enjoy!

All in all, we gave 80 parcels this year. Here is the group who went, surrounding the parcels.

We set up a line to get them into the vans. Saskia is working REALLY hard.

Mary Jane, you shouldn't be taking so many parcels you know!

There they go, into the back of my van.

Hannah and Rosalynn. Too cool.

Nice smile Michael.

Hey Hannah. WHAT are you doing touching my son's greasy hair....

We stopped for a pee break and some food.

Once we got to Montreal (I didn't get lost this time...) we unloaded the parcels in a line. Here is Saskia working hard AGAIN. : )

This is the way we unload the van, unload the van, unload the van.....

Once unloaded, we settled down in the Seafarer chapel to listen to Chaplain Dave (I think that was his name?). Michelle, whom we regularly talk with, and is the CRC chaplain there, was sick, so Dave covered for her.

We spent a good 40 minutes listening to what goes on at the Centre, and asking questions. I was quite impressed with this group.

Don't they look attentive : )

Mary Jane was full of questions. Dave took her to the map so she could know where everything was. She SOOOO wanted to go on a ship. Maybe next year Mary Jane.

Each year that we come, it's never certain if we will interact with any of the Seafarers. This day was a slow day, so we interacted with the games instead.

Chad, Janine and Ethan having dinner.

I think Rosalynn thinks Chris is cheating or something. He doesn't even know how to play pool, let alone cheat at it!

A sampling of the gifts that they give away each year.

Dinner time for these folk too.

Wherever you find a piano, you will find Hannah playing. It could just be me, but it doesn't look like Rosalynn is having much fun.

Dave took the group in the BIG bus/van for a tour around the port. They also got to drive on the Formula 1 track. I think they liked it.

Here is some video coverage of the weird things our YP do on trips....I do love them though......

And so ends our trip to Montreal for another year. We hope to do it again next year and continue to learn more about ministries that happen way beyond our 4 walls here at Calvin CRC. Blessings.