I was new to Canada, I had arrived from El Salvador and it was my first winter here. I had only been in Ottawa a couple of months.
One day, while walking downtown on a snowy day without any gloves (something a new Canadian wouldn’t think of!), I saw a woman panhandling on Elgin Street. She saw that I was cold and offered me a pair of gloves. I noticed that she had been sitting on a milk crate in the cold. She, who was herself cold and alone, recognized someone else in need. Her act of kindness has stuck with me. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, many are able to extend kindness towards the stranger in their midst.
-Gaby, Staff
30 Days of Prayer, 30 Seconds Each Day, In Honour of Our 30th Anniversary
This story is part of A Special Series this month in honour of OIM’s 30th Anniversary. We hope to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions, and honestly reflect the lives of those who call the streets their home. As you reflect on these stories, please take a moment to PRAY EACH DAY – just 30 seconds – for our ministry’s needs.
Thanks and God Bless You.
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