Carlyle's Nicole Andrew, 20, says there is "a world of opportunities to help people," and she hopes to show southeastern Saskatchewan some of them at Arcola's Prairie Place Hall, Nov. 15.
The Youth on a Mission Supper began as a school project for Andrew, during her studies at Calgary's Rocky Mountain College. "It was a final project, a 'change the world project,' so I put it together like a business proposal. This event is a direct result of that plan. It's an evening out and I call it kind of a missions fair."
"It's an all-ages dinner, and we'll have five young people from Saskatchewan, representing four different missions," adds Andrew. "It's meant to be an informative, inspiring event that will let everyone know about the opportunities out there, as well as hearing about the work that homegrown Saskatchewan missionaries are doing, whether they live here and travel to their missions, or whether they're on the ground overseas full time with their missions. Proceeds from the event will support the missions represented that evening."
Jane Galbreath of Saskatoon will represent Hope for Her and the organization's work with survivors of sexual violence and trafficking in the Philippines, while Breanna Kehler of Carlyle and Emmanuel Sanchez of Regina will talk about Street Invaders Ministries and the work the organization addresses in Saskatchewan and overseas. Grace Smyth of Carlyle will talk about her experiences working with various organizations in Cambodia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, while Andrew will talk about her work with Mission:180 and the schools and children's homes the organization builds and supports in Kenya.
"I love working with kids," says Andrew. "That's where my heart is. I've babysat for years, and I'm currently taking courses towards opening a daycare. Anywhere I go and do missions-and my first experience at a mission was when I was a 12-year-old kid myself-that's my thing."
"For someone else, it might be different. They may want to work with a different age group, or they might want to help people right here in Saskatchewan. There are so many opportunities and the idea behind this evening is to open up the night, so people can find out more and come away uplifted and inspired."
Andrew has worked on faraway mission projects in Africa and Mexico and has also volunteered "for a few hours at Soul's Harbour Mission in Regina. It was as simple as a group of us-including my family- some of us clearing tables and doing clean-up at their Thanksgiving dinner this year," she says. "Over 600 people were fed, and all it took for us was two hours on a Saturday afternoon in Regina."
"Another thing that people can do is donate or pack go-mugs or water bottles for Soul's Harbour to give to people at Christmas and Easter," she adds.
"I've gone with groups to Mexico and the mission is often tailored to what an individual has to offer, because often the need is so great, that any help is useful," says Andrew. "If there was a group going down with mostly kids, we'd primarily teach and work with kids. If it was a busload of big guys, it might be a building project."
"Anybody can go on a mission, whether it's far away or right here in Saskatchewan. This whole evening is about letting people from this entire area know about the opportunities out there; to be aware of it, to be part of it, and to be welcome. We don't want to hound people or make them feel bad."
"We want to show people what five young people from the southeast corner of the province have done and what can be done in the future. It'll be an uplifting evening."
The Youth on a Mission Supper is at Prairie Place Hall in Arcola on Nov. 15. Doors open at 4:30 P.m. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for students 6-16 and $10 for children six and under and are available at Andrew Agencies and King's Department Store in Carlyle.
