by Rebecca Barthelmess

Today was our first official day of ministry and it started with plenty of commotion and excitement. A few of us short term staffers along with a DTS outreach team from Finland were on duty at the Cross Culture Center with The Salvation Army doing warming stations. The torch was scheduled to go by on the Drive. We quickly got coffee brewing to get out to the mobs of people who came out. On the schedule was former Mayor Sam Sullivan, who captured many hearts around the world at the last Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy when he waved the Canadian flag by swinging his wheelchair back and forth. It was an inspiring act for people all over the world who are disabled.

Back to this morning, there were protestors and proud Canadians out there to support what they believe in. We saw groups of Aboriginals who were chanting “no games on stolen native land”, environmentalists with signs saying “Greenest Olympics? or Freeway Games?” and then many decked out in their Canadian gear yelling “Go Canada Go” The atmosphere was exciting and intense. The Finland team got out there with their hydropack coffee holders and starting giving out free coffee. One pairing had one of the protestors say something along the lines of thanks for being out here. Talking with the team they are all very excited and have anticipation in their hearts for the upcoming days and what God is going to do in the city. They’ve seen people who God put on their heart but at that moment they couldn’t get to them but at another time their paths crossed. They were pleasantly surprised at how open people are. Its faith building and God showing how big He is.

This is only the beginning!