An Angelic Church Lady & Hospitality

 

                                         Migrant Workers harvesting the food we eat in Ontario

As the last of the seasonal workers leave Ontario after months of labouring in fields and orchards CBC Radio's  Mary Wiens did an excellent series on these essential but often forgotten employees, as well as those who reach out to them. One segment was about two retired men who repair and refurbish bicycles for these workers, providing transportation at minimal cost. There is a hub out of a church which distributes clothing and boots. 

There was a piece about a woman one worker described affectionately as The Church Lady. Nearly twenty years ago he was cleaning up leaves at a home as a family barbecue was underway next door. This woman invited him over to share the meal which began a lasting relationship. Through her congregation many more workers have been welcomed and assisted over the years. They have also been invited to worship with congregations and contributed musically with gospel reggae. 

 The seasonal workers are often away from their families for the better part of eight months and some of them have been doing this for decades. The past two years workers have come to Canada despite the risk of COVID and some have become very ill while several died. They come because this is their livelihood but also because they know that their employers need their labour. Of course, we need them as well for the provision of produce we take for granted in grocery stores.

One of them spoke highly of his employer, but also of the need for the Canadian and provincial governments to give them more than precarious status. There are too many examples of exploitation of workers and in a pandemic they've needed safe housing and healthcare. Even though they are treated as temporary workers what they do is essential to our economy and they should be allowed to apply for permanent residence. 

I should note that in 2020 the Five Oaks Education and Retreat Centre, affilated with the United Church made its space available for temporary foreign workers who were required to quarantine before they were allowed to work, a huge hardship. 

The man who was welcomed by The Church Lady also described her as "an angel of God" and Mother. This is the season for angels, is it not? God bless the various angels who have demonstrated hospitality in a variety of ways.