There were a million ways Mom could have celebrated her 60th birthday, but she wanted to do something different. Her birthday wish was that her children would plan a mission trip together. 

We are a family of 8 adults and 6 kids under the age of 6. We faced many obstacles: finding a week to leave our jobs seemed tough; travelling with infants seemed crazy; and deciding what to do among so many good options was difficult. But we didn’t want to put this off, so we created a mission experience in our own corner of the world, and arranged child care so we could focus on serving God and serving together. 

We met on Saturday afternoon in St. Catharines and went to a local shelter. We prayed together asking God to guide us, to work in us and to work through us. It was so great to work and serve together as a family, everyone wearing hair nets! We husked corn, baked fish and chips, peeled peaches and then served the meal to the 45 residents & meal guests. As Mom served corn, her heart broke as she realized all of these people have family too, somewhere. 

We headed to a youth centre where we hung out with 20 youth, playing games and chatting. When we made a few huge plates of nachos, with drinks, the kids were so surprised that it was all free. It was great to be able to bless these kids, who clearly don’t have much. 

Sunday morning started at an MB Church and then we attended a Catholic Church, wanting to experience something different even in worship. After church, we ate Korean food: another experience that we’re not used to. It was good to be uncomfortable together! 

During lunch, we gave Mom a birthday card with the money that we would have typically spent on a gift for her, explaining that the money was to be used for random acts of kindness throughout the city. We brainstormed a few ideas together, until Mom made her decision to buy someone’s groceries. 

We stopped at a grocery store and eight of us walked around, seeking the person we could surprise, until Mom spotted a lady with a full cart of rice, peanut butter and mostly no-name products. Her three adorable children were following along eating popsicles. As the cashier rang in all of her items and it came to $98, Mom handed the cashier a $100 bill and whispered “I’d like to pay for her groceries.” The lady was astonished and perplexed. With tears in her eyes, my mom said “We just want to bless you today, and buy your groceries.” Tears flowed as the woman left the store, looking back at us, smiling and waving. Outside on the sidewalk, the Salvation Army Food Bank was collecting money. She took her kids over to the booth, put some money in the jar and said, “…They just bought all of our groceries! I have to do something for someone else now!” What a great response. 

Mom used the rest of her gift money to buy supplies for the shelter. She had noticed they didn’t have good dishcloths or towels, and had decided to replace them as well as purchase items we saw on a supplies needed list posted on the fridge door at the shelter. 

As we took the items to the shelter that afternoon, our family mission trip was coming to an end. Mom started crying as she thanked us for the most meaningful birthday celebration. She encouraged us to continue to live generously, to love Jesus and love others. She said she was proud of us, that we have all chosen to love and follow Jesus. 

There were a million other ways Mom could’ve celebrated, but because of her choice, we have experienced the surprising and unceasing love of Jesus through the people we met and the joy of serving others, Happy birthday, Mom!