DIVAS | MaryAnne Connor

Location: Coquitlam Presbyterian Church – Women’s Group
Date: Wednesday, 5 November, 2014 (11:00 am – 1.30 pm)

On our second opportunity to share with the ‘Divinely Inspired Victorious And Serving’ women of Coquitlam Presbyterian Church, the question of “more” came up. After a decade of serving on the streets of our neighbourhood, why are we still doing what we’re doing? Stories of our daily interactions outline that we can be doing “more” –

The Poor will always be with you – Matthew 26:11

We can’t stop doing more: the heartbreak is in the fact that no matter how often we reach out with a nourishing meal, a blanket against the wind or a pair of boots to help that teenager get his first job, there will be others who need our loving, our voice when they have none. That’s why we continue to be there, night after night, doing whatever we can to ease the pain, to encourage purpose, to light the way to hope.

Location: Coquitlam Presbyterian Church – Women’s Group
Date: Wednesday, 2 April, 2014 (11:00 am – 1.30 pm)

A sea of shimmering silver shone up at me as I presented to the Coquitlam Presbyterian Women’s group yesterday. The oldest lady there was 93 years old and still going strong!
“Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31). These beautiful women who sat before me all wore crowns of glory. They are my heroes!

They call themselves The DIVAS, which stands for ‘Divinely Inspired Victorious And Serving’ women. So fitting! One dear lady knits socks for homeless feet on the Downtown Eastside, every stitch a stitch of love.

I’m inspired by their tenacity, wisdom and willingness to serve even during their later years, when many people choose to retire. God has a plan and purpose for us no matter how old or weak we become. He uses everyone and everything for His glory! Our job is to be willing and obedient to step into what He calls us to do – and that happens at any age.