One Plants, Another Waters and Another Reaps

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Affordable Housing, Alberta, Calgary, Canada, Charity, community, compassion, Diana Schwenk, dreams, History, Homelessness, Hump Day Chronicles, life, living in the moment, memories, passion, Purpose, Relationships, The Mustard Seed

Original Mustard Seed site

It was a beautiful Friday morning when I stepped out of my apartment to walk to the Mustard Seed. I intentionally chose a route that would take me past the original Mustard Seed at 521 13 Avenue SW.

Although the building no longer exists and the site has become an extension of First Baptist’s parking lot, it is a place that I often come to when I feel lost or need to make a major decision – a sacred space, if you will.

In my mind’s eye I can still see all the people on the porch of the old house that served as The Seed’s coffee house drop-in. Back then, the idea of housing folks who were homeless was just a glint in our eye, a dream we kept like a treasure in our hearts.

Unknown to us at the time, people like Jeff would spend the night wrapped in a sleeping bag tucked behind the boards under the porch. And occasionally I brought teenaged girls home with me, or spent the night with them at that old house.

The old Veteran’s Hospital used to be across the street where the Sheldon Chumir Health Centre now stands. I remember seeing the faces of the old Veterans pressed against the windows, no doubt wondering what in tarnation was going on across the street. When they learned that we would be moving to 102 11 Avenue SE in the early 90s, they lamented that they would miss, what they called, the greatest entertainment around.

Ahh but that was then and this is now. And I was on my way to the Mustard Seed for the grand opening of the 1010 Centre.

Steve Wile, CEO, Mustard Seed

Stephen Wile, CEO of the Mustard Seed welcomed his guests including donors, government representatives, members of the Resolve Campaign team and past and present staff and volunteers.

He spoke of his gratitude to all in attendance; those who were there in the beginning with the vision and dream, those who began the process of implementing the plan and those who now occupy the centre’s spaces and facilitate hopes and dreams within its walls.

Pat Nixon, former CEO and founder of Mustard Seed

Pat Nixon, former CEO and Founder of the Mustard Seed spoke to the beginnings of the vision, the early meetings with key stakeholders and the objections and NIMBYism that arose and were overcome.

He went on to talk about the NOW, the new beginning in a building containing homes for up to 224 people and how these homes will change the lives of thousands.

Then a current resident spoke. She started by saying that three years ago she had it all; things were going well.

And then her husband died. And she fell into a depression and lost her job. Things continued on a downward spiral until she lost her home and was living in her car.

She eventually ended up at the 1010 Centre and spoke about the programs and wonderful staff who have lifted her out of despair.

“I don’t know if you noticed when you walked in,” she said. “But there are three little words on the main floor – Hope Grows Here – check it out when you leave, if you didn’t see it on the way in. Those words are true.”

The grand opening included other inspirational speakers, a tour of the facility and an incredible lunch. I got to see people I haven’t seen in years and I was witness to the dream, realized.

It was an emotional event for me, one that I feel honoured to have been invited to and privileged to have attended.

“Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

I am fortunate to see this dream fulfilled. Often that isn’t the case in life. Do you ever wonder about how something you started turned out in the end?

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Grace

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angels, Calgary, calling, Charity, Diana Schwenk, dreams, friends, God, grace, growing up, joy, living in the moment, love, memories, mission, Purpose, Relationships, The Mustard Seed, vision

When I moved to Calgary in March 1990, I’d been sure for a number of years that I had a calling to work with the homeless. When I arrived I discovered Teen Challenge in the phonebook and called them immediately, convinced I could get a job there. They told me they didn’t hire women because staff had to be physically strong enough to handle when their clients were going through withdrawal.

I was disappointed and was starting to wonder if I had just imagined my calling. My roommate Bonnie decided she would take me out for lunch to cheer me up. When we had ordered our meal, Bonnie said grace. And by saying grace, I mean she said a very loud prayer over our lunch. I was mortified and embarrassed!

It caught the attention of a woman sitting all by herself at the other end of the restaurant and she came over to our table. “Hi, my name is Grace. Pardon me for just barging in but I’m new in town,” she said. “And I’m looking for a church that I can attend.” We talked about the church we attended and invited her to join us. She then focused her attention on me, remarking that I seemed sad. I told her my whole story; the calling, the long waiting, the disappointment – all of it.

“Why don’t you go check out the Mustard Seed,” she said. “It’s only a block and half away from here.” I thanked her for the information and she wrote her phone number and address on a piece of paper for me so that I could call her and make arrangements for her to attend my church.

After lunch, Bonnie and I headed over to the Mustard Seed. That’s where I met Adele. I asked her if I could speak to the head pastor and she picked up the phone to inquire about it. She told me he’d be awhile and invited us to sit and wait. While we waited we chatted with Adele. I’m sure I told her that I would be a brilliant hire or something like that. A young good-looking man wearing acid-washed jeans and a purple tie-dyed T-shirt stopped in and we chatted with him for 30 or 40 minutes.

Not being the most patient person in the world, I finally turned to Adele and said, “So when is this head pastor gonna show so I can talk with him?” She laughed and gestured toward Mr. Acid-washed Tie-Dye and said you’ve been talking to him for half an hour!

Tim Bonenfant, Diana Schwenk, Pat Nixon, Karen Cates, Herb White
Taken in 1991

After that day I began volunteering at the Mustard Seed and by the time this picture was taken for a magazine article, I was on staff as an Outreach Worker. In total I spent about 20 years at the Mustard Seed. When I left in 2010, I was the Chief Development Officer.

This past Saturday, I attended an informal ‘Old Mustard Seeders’ reunion. Now, 24 years after I first walked through the doors of The Mustard Seed, it was good to catch up with everyone. We shared about what we’re all up to now and talked about the good old days. Pat Nixon, who was the leader of the Mustard Seed for over 26 years told us we should be proud of what we were able to contribute in the time that we were there. And we are proud and grateful for everything we learned about life and what’s really important from our amazing street friends.

Trish Sonnenberg, Pat Nixon, Diana Schwenk, Chuck Harper, Adele Toews, Ty Ragan, Christie Halliday, Herb White
Photo taken March 29, 2014

We plan to get together again, perhaps for a picnic in the summer, with many others who couldn’t attend this past Saturday.

~

Oh yes, and what about Grace? I called her for weeks and weeks and her phone just rang and rang and rang. Finally, I got on a bus and went to the address she’d given me. It was a long-abandoned, empty lot.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ~ Hebrews 13:2

 ~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~