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Rea challenges students toward social justice
PHOTO COURTESY PROVIDENCE
From curling rinks and post offices to fighting global injustice OTTERBURNE, Man.—Kristine Rea grew up in Otterburne, Man., which is “pretty much a curling rink and a post office.” Now she uses her training in psychotherapy to train people around the world and empower others to fight global injustice. “I was born and raised in Otterburne,” says Rea, a psychotherapist in couples therapy and trauma recovery who volunteers with the International Justice Mission doing fundraising and training nationals to go back to their countries to help with post-trauma recovery. “I didn’t see myself as a global power player, but I think I was deceived,” she said. “I started off in Otterburne, but I had options.” On Feb. 4, Rea returned to Providence Kristine Rea speaks College and Seminary for Missio Dei, a twoon social justice to students at Providence day event helping over 500 students, staff, College and Seminary. and faculty to become aware of issues of social injustice in the world. Rea—and other event
in memory
Allan Kavanagh 1938–2009
On Remembrance Day 2009 Allan gave his last peaceful breath surrounded by his wife, Bev, children and his pastor, David Funk of Abbeydale Christian Fellowship. This church’s warm and tender fellowship surrounded Allan’s family with unequaled love and service. His funeral proved to be a most touching testimony of Christ’s love to Allan’s family, here in Calgary and from across Canada. Through tears we were reminded to hold on to Allan’s favourite saying: “We are in Good Hands.” Allan was born in Ottawa, Ont., where he married Sylvia and where his
speakers—also promoted tangible ways the students could make a difference in the lives of others around the world. “Injustice is the misuse of power,” says Rea. “Most people in the world don’t have a lot of power. I have a lot of power compared to how the women in the rest of the world live.” Rea encouraged the students to look at the level of education, food intake, accommodation, clothes, healthcare, and transportation available to Canadians. She described the option to have an education as an indication of the power we have. She also recognized that students at Providence are already making a difference. “What I noticed from the students at Providence was a sense of people saying, yes, I see this. How can I help?” Missio Dei helped encourage Manitoba students to choose to get an education, choose to buy products not made by slaves, and even choose a profession in fighting injustice. “There are a lot of students who are doing this already,” said Rea. “I can really see how this generation is growing up with a sense of justice… It’s very encouraging.” Sara Dacombe, Providence College and Seminary
six children were born. After a long struggle with alcoholism, Allan became a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1976. He moved to Calgary with his children and wife Beverly. During these first very difficult years it was through AA and Al-Anon that God provided His steadfast support and the beginnings of spiritual growth. In 1981, when the time was right, God provided two Christian Al-Anon members to lead to the next step, a loving growing Bible study group in Helen Cameron’s home led by David Thiessen, pastor of what was to become Abbeydale Christian Fellowship. David became a patient and very close partner in Allan’s journey to Christ. This small group became our church (like in the book of Acts) for nearly a year before Allan and I would venture into the church to join the rest of the flock. God’s people upheld Allan and his family while God worked through the next couple of years’ struggle to clear up the rubble. In 1983 we were baptized together. In God’s strength, Allan grew in faith and gratitude to become an example of what God can do for anyone, even a Prodigal Son, as Allan always called himself. Allan
always remembered “this son of mine was dead and has returned to life.” In gratitude and grace Allan became a beacon of God’s hope for the downcast who are lost and weary as he had been. Allan will be remembered for his spontaneity—starting a trip to “somewhere.” He demonstrated his creativity by decorating wedding cakes, one of many skills he perfected by “just trying them out.” He bought wrecked cars and restored them to their shiny, original state. His apple pies were acclaimed as the best at our church suppers. His wife Bev sadly misses Allan and the oneness in both their marriage and in their shared relationship with God. Allan is survived by his wife Bev; six children, Shawn (Lauran), Jeffrey, Kevin (Jaqueline), Kerry, Erin (Keith), and Tara (Ryan); two stepchildren, Jeffrey and Lorie. He delighted in his six grandchildren, Angel, Amanda, Brandon, Devin, Lindsay, Tyler and Courtney, treating them to “Special Surprise Events.” Allan was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Alex and Quaid. Bev Kavanagh and Family
THE MESSENGER | April 2010
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