Hi everyone,

 So often I speak about our house, but there are 7 other houses which make up L'Arche Daybreak.  They are church Street, Corner House, Stephenson House, Green House, New House, Red House and Brookwood.

I want to speak to you about a couple of them.  First of all there is Corner House which is all ladies.  Here we have Tracey, Alelia, Elizabeth and Heather. This is a special house with three of the four wonderful ladies who are more disabled.  They bring also a wonderful dimension as they are gifted in their own ways.  First you have Tracey, who is the classiest dresser at Daybreak.  She matches, is accessorised and always carries a wonderful smile that can't but put you in a good mood.  For me I am struck by her deep gaze which are partially hid by a skiff of her streaked hair. I was told it was because I am a man and they don't always have the pleasure of men at their house.  For me it was more than that.  It is a deep stare that plunges into my soul.  It is not uncomfortable, but one that intrigues me.  I believe they are the eyes of Jesus.  By this I mean Jesus went beyond the surface and saw straight into the person's heart and spoke there.  Tracey does this to me.  There is a staring into my heart and it is like her heart is speaking to my heart.  It is really amazing.  Then you have Alelia who is Muslim and also has eyes that are wide and piercing.  The ladies in her house are wonderful as partof their table prayer recognizes her Muslim heritage. She also speaks with her eyes.  Then there is Heather, who is the house musician.  She swings and sways to the music and beat of rythmic tapping of fingers.  She has a great smile and wonderful laugh. Then you have Elizabeth or "Lizzie" who cannot say Jeff so calls me "dreff".  I usually get a hug from her and take her bowling with our gang on Saturdays.  She is a sweetie and a good buddie to Mary Anne at our house.

Then there is Church Street.  Here is quite a gang.  I start with Gordie, who greets me with "Meatball!!!!!!" each time he sees me.  I have a great atachment to Gordie as I met him in Riverview during the retreat he gave with Sue Mosteller.  Gordie is also in my mind one of the "priests" of this community.  When blessings are given he is there and usually had a great blessing to give as gift to the departing person.  Then there is Brian who is a wonderful man.  His sense of humour and his greeting of "Here comes the dancing priest....you ought to hook up with Wendy Boom Booms (the Anglican priest here at Daybreak).  I keep asking him if she falls when she dances, but found out it was the nickname given to Wendy by Annie of our house who died last year. Brian can also be heard asking "Did you hear the News?????" I answer "What?"  He hollers Pat Quinn (former Maple Leaf coach) got fired, the no good bum!" And it is followed by rollicking laughter.  I split my side each times he comes up with it! Then you have Linda Martin, who is always twisting trying to get me to dance with her. She greeted me at the Henri Nouwen day with "Hi Jeff you sexy thing!!!!!"  To which I replied "Linda, if you talk like that to me, I am going to sit next to you every time!!!!".  There also is Helen who is great also.  She is quite comical.  Last night she got out of the van (probably in her 50's..maybe early 60's) and I teased her saying..."Helen did you crawl out the back window of the van?"  She replied "I had to get out somehow!" I am not sure if she was serious or not.  They have Sven and Stephanie from Germany as assistants.

And so you see the wondrous people God has sent to love me and touch me and challenge me.  I am so grateful!  Until next time.

Jeff