Cold Nights, Warm Surprises

The cold these past few weeks has been something else. The kind of cold that makes you rethink your life choices while standing outside for more than a few minutes. Sub-zero temperatures, sharp wind, and nights that feel longer than usual. Cold Nights, Familiar Faces

The cold these past few weeks has been relentless. The kind of cold that settles deep and makes you rethink being outside for more than a few minutes. Because of it, we’ve had to adjust our rhythm. On Wednesdays and Thursdays we still begin at our usual spots, but after about 30 minutes we head toward the shelters to serve those waiting to be admitted for the night.

What continues to amaze us is not just the number of people braving these temperatures, but the expectation. Even in sub-freezing weather, people come out looking for us. When we pull up, their faces light up. It doesn’t feel like they’re just waiting for food. It feels like they’re waiting for connection. For something familiar. For someone who remembers their name.

Last night reminded us just how much that consistency matters.

A young woman — we’ll call her A. — who had been a regular at our Welland table, was recently relocated to St. Catharines. She’s young, at risk, navigating homelessness in ways no young person should have to. Instead of disappearing into a new city, she did something remarkable. She asked around. She searched. She specifically asked members of the street community where the tables were, because she had faithfully attended our Welland table every Wednesday.

And last night, she found us.

The look on her face wasn’t about hotdogs or coffee. It was relief. She told us she was happy she had found a bit of “home” in St. Catharines.

Let that sink in.

A folding table. A thermos. Some volunteers standing in the cold. And somehow, to her, that meant home.

We don’t take that lightly.

There’s something profoundly humbling about realizing that showing up consistently can create that kind of anchor in someone’s life. We often think of ministry as big, visible, transformative moments. But sometimes it’s just being there again… and again… and again.

Another quiet surprise these weeks has been watching some of our regular guests begin to bring things to share — a container of soup, an offer to help serve. The irony isn’t lost on us. We went out thinking we were there to minister to them, and they are ministering to us with what little they have. The Lord has a way of flipping the script and reminding us that generosity isn’t about surplus; it’s about heart.

At the same time, this season has tested us. A complaint has been filed every week in St. Catharines about our tables. We were called in to explain what we do. The meeting was cordial, and reasonable steps are being taken to ensure everything remains orderly and compliant. Still, it’s a sober reminder that even the simplest acts of kindness can face resistance.

But moments like last night with A. put everything into perspective.

If showing up creates even a small sense of stability in a life that has very little of it… if consistency can become something that feels like home… then it is worth it.

Please continue to pray for wisdom as we navigate both the cold and the complaints. Pray for protection over our volunteers. Pray for guests like A., who are searching for footing in difficult circumstances. And pray that we would remain faithful, steady, and humble in whatever the Lord places in front of us.

The nights are cold. But grace is warm. And we will keep showing up.