Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, Ontario

I have been looking forward to a three day retreat out of Toronto for a long time.

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, Ontario

Many of my classmates and I are excited about attending this Silence and Solitude Retreat as a mandatory part of the course.

We arrived at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre at around 3pm 

I met up with Julianna, Nicole and Karyle at the college and hitched a ride with them to the retreat centre. I really did not know know too well as we rush in and out of our class, never having an opportunity communicating with them.

A beautiful and quiet setting for our retreat

Sitting in the car for almost an hour gave us time to talk and get to know each other. I found out so much from them and discovered the other side of Karyle, a very humorours side of him. The ride was enjoyable and before we knew it, we reached our destination.

Main lobby at the Renewal Centre

The Quees of Apostles Renewal Centre was built in the early 1960's.  It occupies a site of about twelve acres surrounded by mature majestic trees.

The forest  behind the Renewal Centre. 

A beautiful retreat located just steps from city streets. It is spacious, peaceful and quiet, away from all the hustle and bustle of the city.

We all have a single room with private bathroom!

As we were the first one to get there, we got to pick our own room.

Each one of us got a room with our own private bathroom with shower facility.

The small garden with a waterfall outside the dining hall

The centre is clean, spacious, quiet and peaceful.

The renewal centre is perfect for people seeking some time off to be quiet and reflective for a little while.














After putting away our luggage, I went out for a walk before dinner time.


This is a very mature and affluent neighbourhood of the city of Mississauga. I was glad that I could have a quick walking tour of the area before dinner.

Dinner was at a local restaurant not far from the retreat centre. I met two other people from the other session, Peter and Minhee. We sat at the table and same a meal together.

Great food and interesting conversation at dinner!

We decided to order and share our food so that we could have a variety of dishes rather than one big individual one. We had pulled pork nachos, chicken and shrimps, BBQ ribs and different kinds of vegetables. The food was delicious and the conversation was fantastic and stimulating!

Peter was sharing with us about his three year MBA experience which cost him over $80,000,00 in tuition fee about ten years ago. That was interesting as he recounted his business project experience in detail. I haven;t had such great conversation in a long time!

We had our first session at the Chapel 

We got back to the retreat centre in time for our 7pm first session. Our professor was there explaining to us about various housekeeping items and our schedules for the next few days.

The chapel is full of symbolism and interesting architecture  

Before we started the worship program, we were asked to get together two or three and shared with the other what we expected and hoped to get out of this retreat. I shared with the lady sitting next to me, Dorcas.

Though this was the first time we met, we shared and prayed with each other as if we had known each other for a long time.

Professor D. sharing his message at the retreat

Professor S. played the music softly and we began our worship. What a peaceful and joyful experience that was! I felt wonderful and blessed as we started singing, My youthful voice came back and I was able to sing like I used to, strong, clear able to hit the high notes!



After our worship in songs, Professor S. shared a message with us on the power of tongue - our words to others. The evening ended with some hot drinks and cookies and great fellowship with the other participants.

A great first evening! I look forward to our next two days in this great facility!
Praise God for giving me such a wonderful opportunity!

R.T.
Queens of Apostles Renewal Centre
Mississauga, Toronto

CRRS's 2016 Annual Fundraising Gala for Poor Rural Students in China

The annual fundraising dinner was held in Toronto recently.

These days, I am hesitant to turn on the TV and watch the news broadcast as it often reports news of violence, war crimes, natural and human disasters and political ugliness and dirty laundries of each other.

For one evening each year, instead of hearing negative news reporting bickering and tragedies,  we were immersed in some joyful news of how love and compassion can change the lives of others and their families and homes.

I am writing about the CRRS' efforts in helping to raise fund to support poor rural children to go to school in China.

The Fundraising Committee getting ready for their thank you song for the guests 

It is such an uplifting and wonderful experience for me each year that I would not miss it for the world.

This year, the fundraising dinner was held at the Premium Ballroom in Markham.

The dinner was very special as we battled economic bad news and fierce competitions from other worthy charities for donors' hard earned dollars.

The waiting staff getting ready to serve the first course at the dinner.

But praise God, we were absolutely delighted when we had almost a thousand guests attending this fundraising dinner last Sunday evening!

Almost 1000 guests gathered for the fundraising dinner.

However, it was no small feat getting so many people coming to the dinner. 

Angela F. performed her songs at the gala

Often when we talk about our project in raising funds to help poor rural children to get an education in China, there would always be this comment: 

China is rich now; it does not need our help!

Yes, China is getting better, but there is another side of the untold story that touches us deeply.

It is this side of the rarely told touching stories that motivate our family to continue our strong support for CRRS’s work in China.

Chinese Canadians funded their volunteer trips teaching in China last summer.

I feel that CRRS’ work in supporting poor rural students in pursuing their basic and higher education is critical. 

Ether takes a group of volunteers to China every summer

As Chinese economy continues to grow, the demand for a skillful and educated work force also increases. Without assistance, the chasm between the have and have not will deepen. 

Dr. Leung, CRRS Founder

While city children in China enjoy all the latest technology and resources to advance their learning, therefore equipping them for jobs of the 21^st century, those children being left behind in the villages will fall behind even further without enough schools, adequate funding, resources and most important of all, love and care of their parents who have left for the big cities for better paying jobs.

CRRS donors fund their visitation trips to visit their sponsored students in China.

CRRS’ twice a year mission visit trips are vital and are the lifelines for many of these children who have been abandoned feeling unloved by parents due to economic reasons.

I applaud those CRRS donors and supporters for their generous donations of the poor kids in China.

We visit and listen to the students' stories in their schools

Having visited the schools and students twice in the past, I was deeply touched and moved by how much the students appreciated our visits.

Some of our out of town guests came to support the CRRS dinner 

I would encourage potential donors to take a further step to join future CRRS mission trips and visit these students and to personally experience how powerful your love and donations could be for China’s young people and its next generation!

R.T.

CRRS Fundraising Dinner

Premiere Ballroom

Richmond Hill, Ontario

A Three Day Fundraising Events at 105 Gibson Centre, Markham

Lots of beautiful almost new footware for sale at the fundraising event.

It was a crazy busy three days of fundraising events at the 105 Gibson Centre, Markham!

Lots of people from our community donated over 500 bags of items to the Garage Sale

First there was the gigantic garage sale that lasted from Friday till Sunday.

We had a three day Garage Sale to raise fund for 105 Gibson Centre

People from the community and congregants of  TCCC donated over five hundred bags of gently used almost new clothing and house ware items to the annual sale.

The Garage Sale raised over Can. $20,000.00 during its three day event.

Volunteers worked for days sorting and organizing all the items for display and sale.

It was a huge undertaking!

Some of the volunteers preparing refreshments for the Walkathon participants 

The second event at the same weekend was the annual Walkathon.

Many people were involved in planning the Opening Ceremony and the post walkathon celebration program.

The Committee met numerous times recruiting many volunteers helping out with the event.

McDonald's contributed generously to supply beverages to our Walkathon participants

One significant breakthrough for us was connecting with some local business. We were able to obtain the sponsorship and support from our local McDonalds restaurants.

John P., the owner, donated very generously to this event and helped keep all the Walkathon participants hydrated and happy with orange drinks and hot coffee upon the completion of their walk.

At the post walkathon celebration event, we served walkers with drinks, hot dogs, and egg rolls.

There was a program afterwards as well. The most outstanding program was a group of blind singers from Taiwan performing and entertaining the crowd. Watching these blind singers performing and listening to their angelic voices was truly an uplifting and inspirational experience!

Lots of volunteers helping out at the 105 Gibson's Thanksgiving Dinner

The third fundraising event was the Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday evening - about five hundred people attended this buffet style dinner in the gymnasium of 105 Gibson Centre.

About five hundred people attended the Thanksgiving Dinner

We were grateful that a lot of young people from the community and other agencies volunteered to help, set up fifty tables and served at this dinner.

Serving stations were set up to speed up the service at the dinner.

It was a joy seeing the young people interacting and working together to serve the community.

Everything was so well organized and executed!

It was not long before we were called up to be served at the serving stations and were able to enjoy our food without much waiting.


My mom also came with me and she was tickled pink when she saw the video of me being interviewed about my volunteer work at the community centre.

Councilor Jim Karygiannis and Rev. Ng at the dinner

We had a number of special guests attending and celebrating with us at our Thanksgiving Dinner including our city councilor and regional representative.

These 3 day events brought the various people from the community together.

It was a very busy three days for the Fundraising Organizing Committee.

But as we look back at the results, we realize we have benefitted more than just the amount of money these three day events have raised for the Centre with its mission to serve the locals and the needy.

These fundraising events have also provided opportunities to our young people to be involved in meanful special events and bringing the various residents in the community together.  I felt truly blessed to have played a small part in these three days and our hard work has been paid off indeed!

R.T.
Fundraising Weekend
105 Gibson Centre
Markham, Ontario
Canada

The Prayer Palace Church - Where a Great City Wide Evangelical Meeting Took Place

Wow! What an experience we had at the Prayer Palace on a late September weekend!

The Prayer Palace Church, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

We have heard many stories and news reports regarding the declining Sunday Service attendances in churches across North America and in Europe.














However, for this particular weekend in September, we had quite a different and an uplifting weekend!

This weekend, my husband and I were involved in a Christian evangelical meeting aimed for a certain group of residents in
Toronto.

Main chapel of the Prayer Palace Church, Toronto

This Toronto wide meeting was held in one of the biggest churches in Toronto - Prayer Palace, located in the west end of the city.

Though we have been living in this great city for the past thirty years, we had never been to Prayer Palace.

It is a modern beautiful church that can accommodate about six thousand people at the same time.

Playground for the kids at the Prayer Palace Church 

It  also has great facilities such as a spacious outdoor playground for kids.

A spacious cafeteria for its congregants.















Pastor T., a children's pastor, led the Children' Ministry Team for this Toronto wide special event.

The Children's Ministry Team getting ready for the program in the gym

We have been planning, rehearsal plays and getting ready for this event for months.

It finally happened this evening at Prayer Palace.

Members of the choir for this special meeting entering into the sanctuary 

It was a thrilling and heart warming experience for us when we witnessed first hand the massive number of people being involved and helping in the organization of this meeting.

Tears filled my eyes as I saw the church filled up with people hungry for God's words

There were hundreds and thousands gathered together at Prayer Palace waiting eagerly to hear the powerful message of God! 

Tears swelled up in my eyes as I took a quick walk along one of the aisles in the gigantic meeting hall that could seat about six thousand people. The place was packed to the rafter!

We were glad to see so many people turned out to hear the gospel about Jesus!

Children gathered for their own meeting in the gym

While the parents gathered in the main hall, our team performed the program to about two hundred children who accompanied their parents to this outreach meeting.

It was not an easy feat to keep more than two hundred children with different language skills, age and diverse background interested for two hours.

S. led the count down activities prior to the start of the main program

The children's program began with some count down activities to get the kids quiet and settled for the evening's program.

Pastor T. and her worship team leading the singing

 Pastor T. and her singing team led the children in some lively songs and worship about Moses.

Games for the children before the message

There were a couple of games after the singing to allow the children to be active and spent some of their energy.

Bible play for the children - Pharaoh refusing to let the people go

The highlight of the children's program was the play about Moses/ Aaron approaching Pharaoh to have the Israelite released from their slavery in Egypt and a skit about the Wordless Book.

Both of these biblical plays demonstrated an important message to the children: God loved His people so much that He was willing to send His only son Jesus to come to this earth and bear their sins so that men and women on this earth could be redeemed and saved.

Do not underestimate the children's understanding of this important message. Many of them did understand and took the opportunity to accept Jesus as their friend and saviour!

We praise God for the opportunity to serve Him and delivered this all important message to the children at this Toronto wide evangelical meeting!




Praise God!

R.T.
Prayer Palace Church
Toronto

My First Day at the Tyndale Seminary, Toronto

Tyndale Seminary, Toronto, Ontario

Praise God! I am finally entering the seminary to learn more about the bible this fall!

Services are held at the Tyndale Chapel regularly

Studying in a bible college has  been a desire of mine for a long time!  Before I retired, I was too busy working full time at a high stress job.










Right after my early retirement, I had other family commitments and for the past few years, there were always something or distractions which prevented me from entering the bible college. Finally, this fall, I made up my mind to plunge into seminary school!

New students marched in and sat at the front rows of the Commencement exer.

Today was my first day going to the Seminary!  I was very very excited, a little nervous too!

The last time I was studying on a campus was more than fifteen years ago!  On my first day, I took part in the Commencement Exercise.  All the new students were invited to march down the aisle of the beautiful Chapel at the beginning of the service and were seated at the front rows.

Dr. Nelson addressed the students at the Commencement Exercise

The chapel was packed and I was straining my neck to see my professor for the first course I would be taking here at Tyndale.

Dr. Gary Nelson,  president of the college, addressed the students giving us a brief history to whom the seminary has been named after.

The student reps spoke at the assembly

It was a powerful story of faith and witness on the part of Mr. Tyndale!

I look forward to be back on a university campus attending the lectures and sessions, and interacting with other seminary students at Tyndale College!

R.T.

First Day of My Seminary Life

Toronto

Sept. 2016