Those who sleep ...quite literally on the street, can drift off with all kinds of images and messages around them to fuel the psychotic minds of addiction. Their thoughts might include  "where am I...what will help me....and who really cares?"  Much prayer, wisdom and compassion is needed to invest in the people in our surrounding community.

Sean invited Jesus into his life when he was only 7 years old. Growing up in Edmonton, life was very difficult because of physical and sexual abuse, but more so, the  emotional abuse he had suffered.  When he ran into trouble with the law at 16, Sean ended up in the foster care system and was sent to Winnipeg.  While in foster care, excessive bullying and more physical abuse carried on for 2 more years.  Sean shares how at the tender age of 10, he struggled with pornography, at 18, he started experimenting with alcohol and by 22, he was using marijuana.  As a result of the addiction and mental illness, he bounced from job to job and has been homeless since 2010.  Sean came to UGM, broken down and desperate for a change.

A UGM volunteer started working with Sean, encouraging and guiding him back to Christ.  Sean learned about God’s dream for him, overcame his marijuana and alcohol addiction, and learned how to study the Bible and pray.  He still struggles with pornography from time to time.  Sean utilizes services at UGM such as Chapel and counseling. He told a chaplain “UGM is a safe, warm and welcoming place to receive help.  I would like to thank all staff, donors and volunteers who make this program possible”. 

Please pray for Sean as he has plans to move to Alberta, and for him to fully overcome his battle with pornography.

His favorite verse is Rom 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. “

In a world of pandemic lockdown, the extraordinary safety of being in the hands of Jesus, being in the security of the Masters hands, has been so reassuring to us at UGM.

The world has made so much of "no touching". Washing hands constantly. No warm hand shakes in loving greeting.  Helping hands at 2 metres.  Stereo typically, missions are often seen with their hands out asking for donations. Paradoxically, street people, homeless and poor people are viewed with their hands out, constantly looking for alms.

Here at Union Gospel Mission, we are conscious of the tremendous support by God's peoples, especially through COVID 19.  Sacrificial giving. Hands lifted up in prayer.

The kindness of all our supporters and the generosity that has come our way from others within this community of Winnipeg, wider Manitoba and even throughout Canada, has been humbling indeed.

At the Mission on Princess Street, Winnipeg, we have gathered art work from various gifted people with the theme “Hands of Hope”….offering encouragement to all who come through our doors (especially the street people, homeless, poor and needy) and for the recovering addicts who live here.  Jesus is so dynamically active here.  We see his hands constantly at work. Whether preparing or serving food, handing out bottles of water, opening the pages of the Bible, or sorting through clothes, His hands demonstrate His deep love and amazing compassion. The praying hands of our chaplains. supporters, volunteers and missionaries, placed in the hands of Jesus, bring healing and comfort.

In all this, it seemed so fitting that the Lord inspired UGM to write a short song to express the journey of being in the Masters hands.  “Falling’, “Fallen”, “Secure” –in His hands.  This is the journey for many in this Mission.

With a collaboration of Inner City Youth Alive’s story studio and Jack, with music written and performed by Corneli (wife of Carel one of our Chaplains), and the voice of one of  New Life Sanctuary’s worship leaders, Michelle Peters, we sincerely hope our modest offering is honouring to the Lord we serve and a blessing to the listeners.

Mostly, we want to bring glory to Jesus! Give back. Its His hands, His handiwork, that we want to be all over the 7 ministries of UGM.  We are “Secure in his hands”…….whatever befalls us and the world!!

Click to hear the full song  "Secure in His Hands"  posted on CHVN Radio.

Last week we spoke of a trip to Grand Rapids.  The trip has been postponed to July 24th, so there is still time to donate some of the following items to bless that community.

The following are items that would be beneficial to the children and families:

• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Shampoo
• Soap
• Socks – ages 2 to adult
• Underwear – ages 2 to 13
• Crayons & pencil crayons
• Sports equipment:
  •    Baseball gloves
  •    Soccer balls w/ pumps
  •    Baseballs
  •    Tennis balls

Items should be delivered before noon on Thursday, July 23rd, directly to 320 Princess St.  Please mark donations for Grand Rapids, to be sure they make it for the trip.

We are looking for a few volunteers to help with a landscaping project next week at 320 Princess St.  If you are able to come for a day or two with some gardening gloves, a bit of muscle and perhaps a shovel, we would really appreciate your help.   We are making garden beds and need to move soil.  This project would be taking place from Monday to Friday, July 13-17th, during the day time hours.

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make arangements.