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The mean face of poverty and the horror of human trafficking are not very obvious in downtown Kincardine.

So, a group of  local youth is heading to Vancouver during March Break to gain a better understanding of both issues on an awareness trip organized by Dan Moes, youth pastor at Kincardine Pentecostal Church

The group includes 11 youth, ages 16-17, and four adults. Joining Moes on the leadership team are Erin (Mohr) Davies, Bart Eisen and Lisa Kordyjaka. 

The youth include Austin Clusiau, Jacob Farrell, Maggie Freimanis, James Hardman, Cameron Leschied, Jacqueline Luinstra, Allie Mohr, Janelle Taylor, Ethan Winterburn, Jessica Winterburn and Jessilyn Wolfe.

The aim of the trip, says Moes, is not only for the young people to get a deeper understanding of these issues and bring that understanding back to Kincardine, but also to take that knowledge with them as they leave their hometown and enter college and university life, becoming advocates in both locations.

"These are major issues across Canada," says Moes. "We don't have to face such things in Kincardine, but in the bigger centres, they are quite obvious."

The teens will be staying in North Delta, a suburb of Vancouver, and working with Youth Unlimited (known as Youth for Christ in Ontario) to help and understand the challenges that face single parents. 

They will be connecting with Gospel Hall, to work on understanding other people's life stories. 

And they will be going to see the lower east side in Vancouver to better understand the challenges that face those in need and to understand what their response to those needs could be.

"When we go to that lower east side, it's in East Hastings, the worst street in Canada," says Moes. "It's basically a people-dumping-ground - the end of the end of the line."

Moes has taken the youth to the "Welcome Inn" in Hamilton where they helped with local projects and assisted with basic needs for individuals.

"We could have gone to Toronto, but I wanted the group to go someplace they have never been," says Moes. "I have some good connections in Vancouver and I think this will be a great opportunity for these young people."

When they're working with Youth Unlimited, they will meet many honest people who are doing an honest day's labour, says Moes. "It's an interesting place. It's an opportunity to come alongside and show people we love and care for them.

"We have to shock ourselves our of our apathy, and then we can do something about the problem."

The great benefit of this trip, says Moes, is that the youth will discover the issues now, not when they reach university or college. Then, at that point, they can begin to help deal with those issues.

The group leaves London Airport on March 11 and returns on March 19.

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Sunday, February 13, 2011