Gaining more than giving up

by Gladys Terichow

It was not a spur of the moment decision. We had spent years talking about the inconsistencies between our faith and our lifestyle. We asked ourselves: What would Jesus be doing if He lived on earth today? As Christians, we wanted to follow Jesus' example. We wanted to spend more time and energy meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of others. We wanted to place less emphasis on jobs, money and the things that money can buy.

We had tried making these changes without quitting our jobs. But it is easy to forget that there are people who have many needs when you are surrounded by people who have jobs, money and the power and privileges that come with them. We knew we would need support, so we joined the Mennonite Central Committee Voluntary Service Program. We didn't see our MCC assignment in the inner city as a two or three-year term. We saw our assignment as a vehicle to help us change our lifestyle.

When I was packing our household goods and getting ready to move, I was excited about the changes we were making. I also had a lot of fear, anxiety and even anger. My biggest struggle was letting go of a lifestyle that I enjoyed. The things I didn't want to give up included a rewarding career as a journalist; living in the same town as my parents and several brothers and sisters; church and community involvement; a spacious house with modern appliances and comfortable furniture; and a yard large enough to grow a vegetable garden, flower gardens and apple trees.

When I thought about our assignment in the inner city, I thought about living in a small house in a crime-ridden neighbourhood. I thought about the possibility that I would be a victim of crime. And I just knew that I wouldn't find an assignment that would be as rewarding and challenging as journalism.

When I was in the midst of these struggles, I found myself asking the question: Am I going to let these things stop me from leaving my comfort zone, taking a step of faith and doing something different?

I'm so happy that I didn't let these things stop me from doing something different. I have gained so much more than I have given up.

For three years, I worked part-time for MCC Manitoba in the communication and education department and part-time at the North End Women's Resource Centre. Terry worked at Winnipeg Harvest (a ministry which supplies food and other necessities to the poor). Our experiences during these three years gave us a deeper understanding and awareness of poverty and injustices. Our interest in these issues and Terry's previous work experience with credit unions have led to an overseas assignment with CUSO (a non-profit relief and development organization). Our new two-year assignment is in the Solomon Islands, where Terry will be working to help women and youth get access to financial services.

My experiences with MCC have taught me that I don't have to feel anxious about the uncertainties of the future. I've learned that you take your skills and passion with you and you develop new skills and passions. When we made plans to serve with MCC, I was prepared to give up my journalism career. Instead, I was able to use my writing and communication skills in ways I had never expected. One of the most rewarding was researching, writing and narrating the script for an MCC video. At the North End Women's Resource Centre, I interviewed women and published their stories in a book, Mom's O.K.: Women In Search Of Wholeness. I also helped the MCC Thrift Store compile a book to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

My life has been enriched by learning more about other cultures and socio-economic conditions. I have been surrounded with people who are on welfare and disability pensions, experiencing various forms of oppression and injustice. I know the names and faces of people who have been murdered or who have committed suicide. I know the names and faces of prostitutes, drunks, glue sniffers, drug dealers and panhandlers. I know mothers and grandmothers of gang members.

It was a struggle to give up our jobs just as we were entering our highest income years. But I have learned that I can be happy with a family income that has been reduced by more than 50%. I have learned that I can be happy living in a house that has half the space that we had before.

At first, I missed living in the same community as my parents and brothers and sisters. But my parents and other relatives and friends appreciated having a place to stay when they came to Winnipeg. We appreciated their interest in our work and the chance to introduce them to people who eat in soup kitchens and go to food banks.

Opportunities to share my experiences with church and community groups served as a reminder that what we were doing was not just a job</#209>it was a Christian ministry, and we needed the support of believers to help us.

An unexpected bonus was the decision made by our youngest daughter, Selena, to join the MCC youth program, SALT Canada. Before she finished her one-year term, another daughter, Laurel, joined SALT.

God met all of my needs--right down to a garden space. At our MCC offices, we had small plots for gardens, where I could grow all the tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers that I wanted to.

But my story is not a typical story of many people living in Winnipeg's low-income neighbourhoods. There will be more murders, suicides, prostitution, stolen vehicles and home invasions. There will be more racism, discrimination, anger and hostility. There will be more babies born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. More children will be recruited for prostitution and gangs, more people will get addicted to drugs and alcohol, and more families will go to bed hungry.

What would Jesus do if He was living on this earth today? What does the Lord require of us? Terry and I have found spiritual growth and numerous blessings since we decided to follow the Lord's answer in Micah 6:8: "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God".