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| Issue 007/2005 |
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. . . a village in south-east Nigeria to build a school, drill a well and bring needed items. This will be Jeff’s fifth mission trip to Africa, past trips have been to Burkina Faso to build a village for orphans of AIDS, a medical mission trip to Mali and to Nigeria. “I know its cliché that we’re so lucky to live in Canada”, says Miclash. “However, no one will truly understand this until you go to serve in a third world country. The ironic thing is that we think we are normal. If normal is what is in the majority, then we’re not. Middle class in Canada is in the top 1% of living standard on this planet. What’s normal is what I’ve seen in Africa. General Dallaire put this very well in his recent book on Rwanda.” Jeff, his parents and several others including an MD created “Alongside International”, a Christian, humanitarian organization that mobilizes volunteers to raise funding, items and travel to mission projects around the world. “My parents are the real leaders. They’ve led over 30 mission trips and do this work full-time as volunteers. I love using the leadership skills I learned at RMC on these missions. The people who come on our mission trips are stretched and grow so much – it’s very gratifying to be part of that change. They come back to Canada with a whole new perspective on the world and go on to do some incredible work serving others. These trips are about changing lives.” Jeff’s own life was changed by the first mission trip he went on. “I never knew what I was supposed to be doing with my life or who I should be serving before I went on my first trip. It took going to Africa to find that out – I’m crystal clear on both points now”.
Alongside International has six mission trips planned for 2005
including Brazil, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, NW Ontario and Peru. Anyone
can go! Details may be seen at
www.alongsideinternational.ca or contacting Jeff at
Jeff would also like to thank his ex-cadet buds who have supported him on these trips. |
