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plinary Studies in Science class at Rivers Collegiate planned a project for Riverdale Harvest.

Dubbed the Boat Load of Food, students secured a canoe from Rolling River School Division month-long promotion, which culminated in a ceremonious presentation on March 20 to Riverdale Harvest president Heather Gray and Liliane.

Because the snow had melted so much, the canoe could not be portaged across the street to Zion Church (home of River dale Harvest). Rather, the teens carried bags, boxes and garbage noon of March 21, where the food was weighed and sorted. Although the project was a senior students brainstorm, the entire high school was encouraged to participate. The collegiate hosted a poor boy floor hockey tournament in which to play,

When all was said and done, the scales at Riverdale Harvest noted a total of 434 pounds, “a fabulous amount,” says Heather.

“We are so pleased they decided to help those we serve. A lot of times kids don’t get enough credit but this group of students put away in the proper place on the shelving units. They were fantastic! We are very, very pleased.”

Elementary school staff member/Harvest volunteer Yvonne Crouch initiated a similar campaign in her school. That threeweek effort simply encouraged students to leave product in the canoe; 87 pounds of food was collected from the younger group on Thursday, March 22.

The world is in turmoil, both at home and far away. From economics to mental health to wars, there are plenty of things to worry about. It’s as if we are in a constant state of grief.

So what does one do? We have to carry on until our days are done. As I wrote a little while ago, it’s important to count our blessings. It’s important to know that no matter how tough life may be or seem to be, there is usually much to be thankful for. Dark times come from illness, death of a loved one or from financial stress, but the sadness becomes less and the sunshine of blessings can be found.

In dark times, I have some touchstones. I will share one with you. In the Netherlands during WWII, the ten Boom family were watchmakers. The dad, the mom and two daughters were all in the watch business. When Germany invaded Netherlands, their town came under the harsh German rule. They were Christians but hid some Jewish people in their home. I believe the hideaways were kept safe, but the family were imprisoned in a work camp. The parents died and after much mistreatment, so did one of the daughters. Her death was hastened by being beaten by one very nasty guard.

But one daughter, Corrie ten Boom survived.

In 1947, she later wrote she was speaking in Germany to many different groups of very downtrodden defeated people. After one meeting, where she spoke on God’s forgiveness, a man came to the front to meet her and she recognized him as the guard who had beaten her sister. He said how wonderful it was to be forgiven by God but he didn’t realize who was he speaking to. Corrie ten Boom had great

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RIGHT IN THE CENTRE Ken Waddell

“With all my heart!”

For a long moment, we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and

“For a long moment, we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely as I did then” difficulty forgiving the man but she said, “And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. “I forgive you, brother!” I cried. the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely as I did then.” Corrie ten Boom could not forgive except by the grace and power of God flowing through her.

To me, that story is indeed a touchstone, a marker by which we can all stand. If God could give the badly abused Dutch watchmaker the strength to forgive the abuses she saw