Catching up with Johnny & Morag
How did you become involved in Ladner CRC?
Johnny: My parents moved with their 5 boys from Telkwa, BC, to Ladner in the early 1970s. We soon became part of the very large van Tol family that attended Ladner CRC where my Opa (Grandpa) played the pipe organ. It seemed that I was related to almost everybody in the church!
Morag: I was baptized as a baby in Salmon Arm where I was born even though my family was not connected to any church. When I met Johnny, he invited me to his church where I felt very comfortable and welcomed. As our relationship grew, I felt led to become a member. I joined Johnny's Care Group and made my Profession of Faith within my first year.
Tell us how you met.
Johnny & Morag: We met through a mutual friend at a CountryCeltic/Folk concert featuring the Ladner band the Clumsylovers. After the concert we chatted for a few hours and realized how much we had in common: working with persons with special needs, going hiking, cycling, and spending time with our families.
What sort of work do you do? How do you bring your faith to work with you?
Johnny: This is my 33rd year employed as a Community Support Worker here in Ladner. The society I work for supports adults on the autism spectrum both in group homes and day programs. As a Christian, my work offers many opportunities to show kindness, patience, encouragement and perseverance.
Morag: I started my career in 1986 as a Recreational Therapist at Sunny Hill Health Centre working with children with severe disabilities. For the past 30 years I have been employed by the Delta School District as an Education Assistant where I continue to support students with various challenges. My faith helps me to show patience, empathy, kindness, and a genuine heart for all of my students. I believe in my students and will advocate for them so that they can be the best that they can be.
Tell us about your strata complex and how you are engaged with your neighbours.
We live in the 10-unit colourful town homes near Memorial Park. Every year we give each unit a Christmas card and invite our neighbours to join us for our Christmas Eve Candlelight service.
We have also shared about our church's involvement with the Canadian Food Grains Bank. We set up a bin in our carport where our neighbours happily donate their refundables. We always let our neighbours know how much our strata was able to raise for the CFGB.
Our neighbours have also been generous in donating items when we are setting up an apartment for our new immigrant families.
What is something people may be surprised to learn about you?
Johnny: I have travelled to 26 different countries and look forward to exploring many more. And I can chow down a whole jar of pickled herring in one evening!
Morag: I cycle on average 3000 kilometres from March to November every year. Also, I can scarf down a whole bag of popcorn when I go to the movie theatre!
What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today?
Johnny: One of the challenges of being a Christian today is that our society is getting more and more anti-Christian. From TV shows, politics, the news, letters to the editor, and the general community, there is a continuing threat to Christian values and beliefs.
Morag: I find it challenging to be a Christian and follow the "politically correct" rules of our society. As an example, we are no longer allowed to use the word “Christmas” as a holiday, a concert, a dance, or a dinner. It can be difficult to discuss my Christian faith while being in a public school setting.
What is one of your favourite Bible passages?
Johnny: Psalm 103.
Praise the Lord oh my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
The thing I miss about not attending church is the praising of God through song. I really enjoy the collective worship with our congregation.
Morag: My favourite Bible passage is from 1 Corinthians 13.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.