CARTS New Inner City Location

This Sunday, October 4th CARTS will be relocating after their recent eviction from Queens Manor. Although this never would have been our decision, we understand the ongoing tension between local business, neighbours and the inner city marginalized community. It would be nice to be able to wave a magic wand and keep joyous harmony in the Queens Street area. But, the dynamics and relationships are far more complex.

So here we are in limbo. We knew we had to move some where, and at the same time maintain continuity with feeding and care for the marginalized community.The Mustard Seed was an option, but with their recent internal struggle between various factions upset with direction of mission. Our stay there might also have been precarious. And with fall and winter, and a return to harsher weather conditions we needed something with some protection for both us, and those we serve.

Through out the upheaval of dealing with our eviction from Queens Manor, Alan Rycroft and Coretta Peets have truly understood what CARTS means to many on the inner city streets. Shortly after we knew the move from Queens Manor was a reality, Coretta and Alan thought of places we could relocate and still serve the marginalized community in Victoria. So Victoria Cool Aid Society offered us the use of the courtyard at the Downtown Community Centre.

So on Monday, Jeannie and Charon went on a kind of reconnaissance mission of the area. It was kind of reminiscent of Caleb and Joshua scouting out the promised land for Moses. They both came back with there reports. Of course it is always human to see the giants first, they tend to loom casting dark shadows over everything else. The challenge is always to see what God sees, where it is more risky and where it really stretches our redemptive imagination.

Sure there are challenges, but there are also redemptive possibilities. I still think, looking back on our Capitol 6 parking lot eviction. It was truly a tipping point. It could have easily tipped towards the end of CARTS, where we just packed everything up and called it a day. But this little flicker of flame, this passion that God has for "the least of these" refused to die out. The volunteers of CARTS deeply sensed this, and faithfully kindled the flame.

And yes there were challenges, was CARTS the same as version 1.0. No we had to adapt and move with the flow, what was happening around us. But this has always been the beauty of CART, its adaptability to serve. Maybe, large organizations struggle more, but CARTS being small and fluid, moves and responds easier to the moving of the spirit.

So this Sunday, will be our first Sunday in our new location, at 755 Pandora Avenue at the Downtown Community Centre. It will take time for CARTS to morph into something different.
But that is the beauty of faith, much like the worm spinning a caccoon. It's a season where from the visible eye not much is happening. But, inside there is transformation. The waiting is certainly uncomfortable. But, with time, and faith, there is a breakthrough where something beautiful does emerge.

So please pray for CARTS in this season of transition, and transformation, that what emerges will be pleasing to God, and the marginalized community in Victoria.