Montreal Updates

May 15, 2026 

Today was our first full day in Montreal! We have been learning and seeing so much culture. For the first half of our day we had the privilege of being toured by our knowledgeable hosts Cal and Chrissy throughout Old Montreal. We saw beautiful architecture, old banks turned into functional restaurants, art everywhere you look, and even a piece of the Berlin Wall! Our history buff Billy was thriving! It was so special for us to learn more about the past in order to understand and serve those here in the present.

Our evening was spent with Trinity Youth Group. As we entered their building, we instantly felt so welcomed by youth and leaders alike! We were able to make connections and find inspiration for new games to take home! It was a beautiful exchange as our students were able to share their testimonies about how God has worked in their lives as well as receive prayer from others their age. We were so encouraged as we were reminded that all over Canada and the world other believers are worshiping and praying to the very same God! So as you read this, I pray you feel that very same encouragement - a reminder that we have one God, head over one faith family! 

À plus! :)

Lienke

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May 16

This morning the whole group woke up extra early to prepare 100+ sandwiches to give to homeless in Montreal. I had never been able to do this kind of ministry before, and it really opened my eyes to ways I could be actively serving people who need it. After that, Cal and Chrissy showed us around the St. Joseph Oratory. We admired the beautiful inside and outside, and I even met a real life nun! After we finished the tour we went to La Banquise to get our first poutine in Quebec as a group! It was deliciouso! Tonight we cheered for the Canadiennes at the Bell Center! Go Habs Go!

Adieu! ;)

Caelyn

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May 17

Today we awoke and washed up for church and put on our fancy clothes. At Evangel church, Rianna, the kids pastor there, gave us instructions to greet the kids and interact with them. When the session started we danced to some really cool worship songs about joy, bravery and sacrifice, all circling back to Jesus. After that we played a round of blob tag that our group connected to today’s story: Peter and Cornelius; God’s love is for all. Peter and Cornelius, Jews and Gentiles alike, are all clean creations of God. Then we split into small groups, where me and Thomas were with the Grade 5-6 class.  We watched a video on the subject as well. Later we had lunch with Evangel’s young adults. And I talked to Edguardo from El Salvador about some of the hard in his home country. Then we went back to our hostel and hung out on the patio while Caelyn and Thomas absolutley played. Later we went to Isaak and Rianna’s and we played some board games. After, we came back to the hostel and at the end of the night we hung out and debriefed our day. With much good advice and many laughs, the day is done.

-Billy

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May 18

Today we got to sleep in! After breakfast we met Cal and Chrissy at the mall for instructions on “Go Time”. This is a time where we focus on the holy spirit and intentionally have conversations with people that sometimes end in a chance about Jesus. Other times we just have a loving chat or smile hoping to show the love of Jesus. This was something completely new to me and even though I talk to random people all the time throughout my daily life, I never have intentionally looked at people with holy spirit goggles on to see how I can connect with them which honestly scared me! I was so proud of our whole group because even though there was some anxiety and none of us have done this before, we all did it anyway and had great conversations and even made new friends! Even though talking to people intentionally was scary, I learned the importance of making time for the Spirit and allowing it to guide me to the right people. it really made me see people a different way and realize how many opportunities we have in our daily lives to share the love of Jesus even just through our actions. 

After “Go Time” we had the rest of the day off to experience Montreal!! We had lunch at Schwartz’s and had smoked meat sandwiches! It was a small popular restaurant so we sat with strangers so that there was enough space and I loved it! We made new friends and the waiter was super friendly. We then went back to Old Montreal with all the old bank buildings and churches and got some souvenirs. We also went on the Grand Roue (the giant ferris wheel) which was absolutely gorgeous and so fun. There was bluetooth in our ferris wheel car so we listened to music while taking in the view and having such a fun time making life long memories with the group! 

Before bed we watched the Habs game against the Buffalo Sabers outside the Bell Centre. The atmosphere was electric! Everyone here really supports the Canadiens and when we won, there was fireworks and everyone there lost their minds!!! For those of you that gave to this trip, we just wanna say thank you for your generosity! It is because of you that we are able to make these memories and experience the culture on our off days as well as the service we are doing the rest of the time!

-Ashley

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May 19

Captain’s log. Stardate 05192026. Today has been full of service to the community. In the morning we met up with Chrissy to help work at a very large food bank that serves over 9000 people, we sorted and packaged a couple different types of food that will be distributed in their place to anybody who needs it.

Next in the afternoon we used some materials from a local organization to pick up garbage, it was honestly quite fun with a competition to collect the most cigarette butts. Thank you Eco-quartier for something I haven’t experienced before. It felt good to see some places slowly be transformed. It was also great to see so many people appreciate the work that we did - one guy even gave us a Pepsi.

Later in the evening we travelled back to Old Montreal for dinner and a meetup with some people we met from the food bank. We had so much fun together just chatting and laughing. It was also very refreshing to just sit and enjoy the atmosphere we had, it reminded us of Europe, except I’ve never been there, but I still agree. The rest of the night was chill and we enjoyed a sweet treat. 

-Tyler