What does it truly mean to do ministry like Jesus? I thought I knew the answer to that until I joined The Dale, where I have seen it with my own eyes. My name is Olivia, and I am interning at The Dale this summer. I have only been around for four weeks and have already felt very welcomed by the community.
The Dale is unique in so many ways. I have come to know this through experiences that continuously shape my idea of who The Dale is.
The Dale is: knowing by name each person sitting on a park bench or along street corners.
The Dale is: being friends with the gentleman at the traffic light asking for spare change.
The Dale is: visiting and feeding cats while their owner is in the hospital.
The Dale is: treating everyone with dignity and value.
The Dale is: two people trying to carry twelve bags of groceries to a friend’s apartment on the second floor.
The Dale is: cleaning a friend’s apartment while listening to “I’m Sexy and I Know it” on repeat.
The Dale is: passing a plate of food around the table to serve one another as a family does.
The Dale is: not just giving but mutually receiving from the community members.
The Dale is: hugging every individual in the church congregation during the greeting.
The Dale is: an unconditional love for anyone, from all walks of life.
During Jesus’ ministry, He spent time with the people who were marginalized in those days, such as the tax collectors and the sick. He told the people to “love your neighbour” (Mark 12:31) and models this throughout His ministry. Through working with The Dale, I am learning more about how this is applied today, that loving people can be accomplished by joining them in life’s mundane tasks. This community has shown me what fellowship looks like. From being with one another in the hard times to the simple moments of sitting in the park singing.
I am excited to continue to be involved in Parkdale and feel blessed to be a part of this family. Each day is unpredictable. I am never sure how plans will turn out, but by the end of the day it is cool to reflect on and see how God is directing things for His good.
ERINN OXFORD 
Well said Olivia! May your summer continue to be a blessed one!
Lovely!
Love this one: “The Dale is: cleaning a friend’s apartment while listening to “I’m Sexy and I Know it” on repeat.” So real! 🙂
The Work of the DALE sounds incredible and may God bless you as you give your heart for His Glory amongst the people of the community..You are special and called by Him..