Ellen is a women who was in a terrible accident, which left her in constant pain and unable to perform daily tasks. She is extremely allergic to dust but cannot clean her apartment herself. Our CSM groups go in as often as we can and attempt to dust, clean, rearrange and organize her small apartment. She is so thankful for the help and usually has a list as long as a house of the things that need to be done. Ellen has been an inspiration to our groups because of her positive attitude on life (despite her condition) and is constantly trying to move forward. The doctors told her she would be wheelchair bound for the rest of her life but she walks (not very far but nevertheless). She is convinced that she can get healthier if she can just get her apartment in order and get exercising again. Ellen is constantly praying for people to come and help her.
One of the weekends in April, we had a group come to serve in Toronto. Stacey came as a fill in leader at the last minute. She didn't know the group very well but had a big heart and was willing to serve whenever and wherever. She was chosen to lead a small group to Ellen's and had no idea that God would use her in ways she never imagined.
As soon as we arrived at Ellen's house, Ellen began to make a list of all the things she wanted us to do from running errands, dusting and reorganizing things. Stacey took two of the youth out to help pick up groceries, get the mail and find organizational items at Canadian Tire, and I stayed behind with the rest of the youth to help clean. The group worked as hard as they possibly could, but still felt they didn't make a dent in what needed to be done. Stacey was particularly burdened by the fact that they left Ellen with still so much to do.
Stacey decided to come back, on her own time, with another group, just to help Ellen make her apartment more of a home and more organized. Again, the group worked really hard and were able to make a huge difference in Ellen's apartment and life. I want to add that Stacey came back even though she was feeling quite ill and later had to go to the doctor's. Ellen was truly blessed by God through Stacey and her groups. I too would say that I have been blessed to meet Stacey. To me, Stacey lived out scripture, not only the weekend she served with CSM, but in her own everyday life and choosing to come back and help someone in need. Matthew 25:40 "Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me."
-Holly Fledderjohann, CSM Toronto Co-City Director
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