LONDON, ONTARIO - The London Urban Network may be undergoing some changes at the end of May but much of the work begun by Dave Henderson and his colleagues will continue in 2010 and beyond..
As Dave and Allie Henderson make plans to move to Vancouver for Allie’s medical school residency, Dave says he is sad to leave the work in London but is also encouraged by what God has done in such a short time. He considers himself privileged to see how Christians all over the city are reaching out to bring Christ’s love to refugees who face loneliness, poverty, and injustice.
“The idea behind this initiative was always that I would work myself out of a job as churches took on the role of community transformation. I don’t think any of us expected the work to last only 2 years and there is still much to be done, but fortunately most of the work that has been started can continue.”
Founded in 2008 as a partnership between North Park Community Church and International Teams Canada, the goal of the Network has been to serve, support, and encourage churches as they reach out to the refugee and low-income communities around them. Many of the activities started in partnership with local churches will continue in 2010, like the unique Huron Street Cultural Market, and the youth soccer and the Wednesday night kids’ program run by Stoney Creek Church and Knollwood Church. A number of churches in the Limberlost area (Gateway, the Meeting House Home Church, and Trinity Presbyterian) hope to continue to work together with the Limberlost Chaplaincy. London will also be a host city for the Ride for Refuge later this year.
Dave initially became more involved in the London community when he started volunteering with youth programs at the Life Resource Centre, and says he is excited to see that work continue to grow and evolve. “My volunteer work gave me something practical to do, and it ended up making a huge difference in my faith. I learned a lot about Jesus and love and judgment through doing this, so I’m excited when I see other people or churches in London catch that and take it on and get excited about it. Often it changes them as much as it changes the refugees.”
What’s next for Dave? He says he will be looking for a job in Vancouver once he and Allie are settled there. It is obviously a bittersweet transition and Dave expects to miss his daily interactions with the diverse group of refugees in London. “I’m going to miss being surrounded by people from all around the globe, being exposed to new people and new cultures. Every day I’ve seen and worked with and talked with people from Congo, Burma, Iraq, Sudan, and all over the world.”
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