Update on Life in Montreal

I can tell you two things for sure… I miss Denver, but I'm really having fun here in Montreal!

Where do I start… what is my life like in Montreal?

Upon arriving in Montreal, Sarah (my fiancée) had me really slow down and rest for the first 20 days that I was here. I reset my sleep patterns and I started sleeping 8-10 hours per night instead of only 6 hours and I started walking everywhere. She also helped me change my eating habits… I am currently gluten-free and trying to conquer sugar-free too. Pastries are no longer a temptation but man they have the best chocolate here. Local fresh farm and garden food is readily available here, and I think that the only products imported from out-of-country are packaged foods, and fruits from Central & South America.

 

I've become quite acclimatized since I've moved to Quebec. The winters generally last 6 months, from November to April. The coldest months are in January and February so they are almost over… woohoo!! I also got to experience my first extreme cold low... -37*C… wow, that was frigid, you have to keep moving just to stay warm!
 

Since being up here and walking everywhere, being constantly on the go at The Open Door, taking the bus and metro (subway), and changing my diet and eating habits, I have lost 25 lbs, 2 pant sizes and 1 shirt size. I really look homeless now because my winter jacket is too large for me and the sleeves hang past my hands… haha! It’s a bummer because I really like that jacket. I estimate by the way I'm losing weight that I will be either a large or medium in shirt size by next Christmas.

Sarah and I currently fellowship at the Vineyard Montreal Church. I also go to Emmaus Anglican Church every 3rd Sunday for a number of reasons. First, I’m a confirmed Anglican; second, I enjoy celebrating the Eucharist and shaking things up in a quiet church; third, I’m a missionary with the Colorado Anglican Society; fourth, Emmaus is the sponsoring church that oversees the operations of The Open Door; and finally, I want to bridge the gap between the Anglican communities in Canada and the United States.

I also attend the weekly prayer service that is hosted by Isaiah 40 every Tuesday morning. Isaiah 40 is an Anglican counseling center that hosts missionaries who come to Montreal. I also feel called to pray for the hurting and the broken-hearted that I meet in my neighborhood and on my travels around the city. And, of course, I still follow up on prayer requests from my many friends around the world.

 

I have a great apartment located in the heart of Verdun, which is an area of Montreal. It’s a 2 bedroom, with an open concept living room and kitchen. It has a washer and dryer, which is a huge plus, and the rent is affordable, thanks to friends of Sarah who are subletting to me until the end of May. I recently started hosting our church’s home group every 2nd Thursday, and I also recently invited a bunch of guys over for my first ‘Settlers of Catan’ games night!

 

My mission to The Open Door

I am serving as a missionary/volunteer for The Open Door / La Porte ouverte as the operations’ coordinator. The Open Door is located near downtown Montreal and near the heart of where a lot of homeless and poor spend their days and nights. 

 

 
My duties include overseeing the volunteers, community service workers, and welfare program workers; and ensuring the smooth operation of services such as breakfast, lunch, laundry service, clothing bank, and food bank. We have social and outreach workers who come in on a weekly basis, along with outreach nurses who tend to minor injuries and vaccinations. We also help with applications for medical identification, housing and work.

We are currently trying to get our computers back online so we can provide internet service again. We are working with a local law enforcement officer who is a Christian and has compassion on the homeless. He has helped us get the majority of the donations that we need but we still need a network cable and a modem that will serve 4 desktop computers and a printer.

 

My biggest challenges so far and a prayer request

It has honestly been struggle so far to raise enough support to cover the costs of my monthly expenses. After I put so much energy and effort into completing my tasks at the Open Door every day, spend time in prayer and intercession, go to the gym 3 times a week, and then spend some quality time with Sarah (who, although she is doing most of the work, also sometimes needs my help with planning the wedding), I barely have enough brain power left to work on support raising. My expenses are currently pretty basic, including rent & utilities, phone, monthly bus pass, groceries, and household supplies.

 

As for the prayer request, I need more donations on a monthly basis in order to pay for the costs of living here in Montreal. Unfortunately, I cannot issue tax receipts for donations from Canadians since I have a charitable work permit. I would really appreciate your prayers to keep my mind sharp so I can blog, stay in contact with my supporters, and share how God is working through me here in Montreal and at The Open Door.

Thanks for your prayers, encouragement and support! If you feel called to support me financially in my mission to Montreal, please contact me at halbellcbm@gmail.com for more details.