A Tribute to a Life Lived For God and God Alone - JFJ Hope Centre

A Publication From Jewels For Jesus Mission Inc.A Tribute to a Life Lived For God and God AloneFebruary 2011Mrs. Hazel Hill-Jarvis, co-founder of Jewels For JesusMission Inc., went to be with her Lord on 4 January 2011.Hazel, with her husband Rev. Milton Hill, co-foundedJewels For Jesus Mission in 1948. Hazel was director for 12years with her husband, and 8 years following his passing.Along with being mother to her two children, Hazel wasmother in her heart to many others through the years,including 150 children helped by Jewels For Jesus. Hazeloversaw approximately 125 adoptions. While not directlyinvolved in recent years, the ministry of Jewels For Jesushas remained close to Hazel’s heart and she has remainedclose to ours. Hazel requested that those who wish toremember her in her passing do so by making a donationto Jewels For Jesus. Below are some of Hazel’s thoughts.They contain wonderful memories of just a few of thethings God has done through this amazing woman.By Co-Founder, Mrs. Hazel A. Hill-Jarvis:My husband and I returned from 8 weeks of directing aChildren’s Camp at Morinus Lodge, Muskoka. FromCamp we learned of problems and the deep needs representedby campers. We returned home with firmthoughts regarding a Christian home for children. Aftermuch prayer and direction from the Lord, we realizedthat such should be given a name, a board of directors,etc. Wanting it all to be glorifying to the Lord, we wereconstrained to include the name of Jesus. Lingering onthe word “Gems”, it came suddenly to me one day,“Jewels For Jesus” and we both knew that this wasindeed the name for us to use. A Board of Directorswas formed and application made to our Government.Permission was given to proceed.Trusting the Lord and backed up by the encouragementand prayers of many with like interest, we waitedand prayed. About that time we found and rented, byfaith, a suitable location for a summer camp. Suppliesand bunk beds were obtained from War Surplus.From this Camp, we received into our home, our firstgirl, Marilyn (age 13). She cried and did not want toreturn home. Uncle Mel (camp name), phoned hermother, who replied. “Do what you like, I don’t love herand never did.” Unbelievable!! Our son Jonathan Paulwas born to us within a few months, followed shortlyby a newborn baby girl.For a short time our family numbered 5. Orange cratesand apple boxes were most of our furniture. We didnot feel crowded but trusted the Lord to supply ahome to enlarge our outreach. A 9 room house onMedland Street was purchased by faith as funds camein. Within a year or two another one on Indian Grovewas secured, where the work expanded.The work incorporated after a few years. After my dearMel went to be with the Lord, the board asked me toact as Director, which I did for 8 more years. After 20years, I felt that I contributed all I could give, the childrenneeded a father figure and my two early teens(Jonathan and Bethany Joy) needed to be alone withme.In 1964, Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Earle Roweinvited me to be one of 25 people, out of 400 attendinga Welfare Conference at the University of Toronto,to attend a Tea. They spoke kindly of and about themission work which they had been well informed of.Cont’d next page

Goodbye to Helen Hancock & Kelly CameronWith great sadness we say goodbye to Helen Hancockand Kelly Cameron. Both are moving on to otheradventures. Though we will greatly miss them, we lookforward to hearing about all that God has planned forthem.Helen’s historywith Jewelsgoes backmany years.Helen, alongwith her husbandWayne,began as fosterparents in1991. Fifteen years ago Helen joined the office staff asreceptionist, taking the occasional sabbatical when alittle one needed to be fostered. In 2006 Helen retiredfrom fostering but continued to faithfully serve at theoffice. While Helen’s official title was Office Assistant,those who know her best recognize that she was reallyan office manager and for many years has been thebackbone of the Care Cupboard ministry. CareCupboard families, adoptive families, birth parents,A Life Lived for God continued from page 1They thanked me for such a great contribution to thegovernment and to children.Many of our campers and children grew up to continuetheir faith and ministry in the Lord’s serviceamongst their families, in their homes and communitiesand in mission work throughout the world. Wepraise the Lord for each one and continue to pray forsome who have not chosen yet to follow the Lord.And so the work goes on and into foreign missions allover the world and into the Christian homes of someof our children, grandchildren and into the next generation.“Our God is Faithful!”.Allow me to take this opportunity to once again thankeveryone who has backed this work of the Lordthrough the years, with prayers, sacrificial giving, timeand strength. It is because of you that the work carrieson! “THANK YOU.”adoptees and her colleagues have all experiencedHelen’s warmth, gentle spirit and compassionate heart.We will deeply miss Helen’s expertise, gentle spirit andcompassion. But most of all we will miss her friendship,and the daily pleasure of her company. Blessings onthis new chapter of life Helen.Kelly began with Jewels For Jesus Adoption Agency in2005 as a Birth Parent Support Worker. Her passion forbirth parents, and her calm compassion, made her anatural in this capacity.But it wasn’t long beforewe realized Kelly had othergifts. Kelly’s passion formentoring youth led tothe development of TheRelationship CompassProgram, which Kellydeveloped, promoted andtaught. When it becametoo big to manage, Kellytrained a team of facilitatorsto launch into schoolsand youth groups across the GTA. Still following herpassion, Kelly left on January 20th for Cambodia whereshe will be using her social work skills to work as anAftercare Fellow with International Justice Mission. Wewill not only miss Kelly’s expertise but we will greatlymiss the gift of fun and friendship she gave to each ofus. Our prayers go with you Kelly.Mission Inc.Executive DirectorMargo Semple6655 Kitimat Road, Unit 5Mississauga ON L5N 6J4905-821-7494email: helpline@JewelsForJesus.netWebsite: http://www.JewelsForJesus.net

Volunteering at Jewels – many hands and hearts working as one…Hello again from my corner of the ministry! I hope youall enjoyed a time of rest and blessing over theChristmas season, and wish all of you a wonderful2011. Looking back over my first few months at Jewels,it’s so clear that God’s hand was guiding how eventsand people fell into the right place at the right time –and I want to share a little bit of that with you as itrelates to the Care Cupboard Christmas party.As November began, the buzz in the office increasedand plans for the party ramped up. The event was verymuch Helen’s, but I was to be involved, coordinatingefforts and, ideally, supporting staff time with somenew volunteers…and finding folks to bake over 20dozen sugar cookies for the decorating table!guidance from one of our wonderful foster families• The many generous donations from our long term,faithful supporters and new supporters – gifts ofmoney, pajamas, toys, special items for moms &dads…and more• The unexpected gift of hundreds of brand newsweatshirts and hoodies• The e-mail with an offer to provide 6 – 8 dozencookies from one of our adoptive families, and amember of his small group providing all the decoratingsupplies• The humbling gift of funds from Bramalea BaptistChurch to cover the cost of a grocery gift card foreach one of our Care Cupboard families• The wonderful connection with the chef at StAloysius Gonzaga High School – who, along withhis students, baked every last cookie we stillneeded – and then some!!• The Portico volunteers who came and did whateverneeded doing, Hal and his amazing balloon animalsand wonderful Christmas message, a wonderfulcouple who were celebrating hubby’s birthday byvolunteering at the party…and the list could goon…!The Care Cupboard party is special for so many –Margo’s Word (back page) speaks to the importance ofthis event for Jewels and our clients.Here is a brief list of God’s timing and guiding as weprepared:• The wonderful November timing of the VolunteerFair at Portico church in Streetsville• The almost 20 interested women and men whosigned up to volunteer with us – not to mentionthe beginnings of a list of willing bakers for thosecookies!• The call from the young adult group leader inGeorgetown – result? A fun group of 20 to 26 yearolds who wrapped ALL the gifts one Friday evening• The gift of craft materials, expertise and lovingAll of us, from the bakers to the kitchen help, the giftwrappers to the photographer – were serving the Lord,by serving His people. He showed us the way of love atChristmas. Thank you, everyone, for responding to Hiscall to share that love with our clients. May we continuethis good work into 2011!Karen PiccoloVolunteer Coordinator

Margo’s WordThe Spirit of theSovereign LORD isupon me, for the LORDhas anointed me tobring good news to thepoor. He has sent meto comfort the brokenheartedand to proclaimthat captives willbe released and prisonerswill be freed. He hassent me to tell those who mourn that the time of theLORD’s favour has come. Isaiah 61:1-2While reading through the Book of Isaiah I cameacross these words, written by the prophet thousandsof years ago. You don’t have to read thesewords more than once to recognize that Isaiahunderstood the job God had assigned to him.God had appointed Isaiah to bring good news tothe poor, to comfort the broken-hearted, to proclaimthat captives will be released and to tellthose who mourn about God. It’s no coincidencethat a huge portion of the Book of Isaiah focuseson Christ: his birth, his life, his sacrifice. In short,that God was and is with us, and is reaching out toa struggling humanity. This was the good newsthat God wanted Isaiah to communicate to thepoor, the broken-hearted and those imprisoned bythe burdens of life.It’s interesting how similar Isaiah’s assignment wasto the job God has entrusted to us at Jewels. Thepeople we help are in the same situation as thepeople Isaiah helped. The good news that Godwants us to communicate to them is the samegood news. The comfort and release from burdensthat God offered thousands of years ago, he offersstill.We've just come through the Christmas season.The time of year when we, as Christians, focus mostpurposefully on the good news that God is with us.During this season we at Jewels take full advantageof the opportunity to celebrate the goodnews of Christ's birth, life and sacrifice with thosearound us. Similar to Isaiah's audience, many of thepeople we help are experiencing poverty, manymore are in need of comfort or relief from the burdensthey're carrying. In short, they need us tobring them the comfort, hope and good news thatIsaiah brought thousands of years ago.Isaiah's words made me think of this year's CareCupboard Christmas party. It was, as usual, a wonderful,fun, successful event. The many familieswho attended were overwhelming in their expressionsof appreciation. This was echoed by theexcitement of the children as they enjoyed theparty and anticipated what treats were hidden inthe gift bags they received. But, during the party,the conversations also meandered through life situationsand, inevitably, the struggles that had followedthese families into the Christmas season:Christmas in a one parent home, broken marriages,unemployment, health issues and traumas of evengreater impact. We clearly minister to the poor, thebroken-hearted and the oppressed. And I realized,as I spoke with them, that they weren't here justfor the gifts, pizza and cake. They were herebecause of the hope, the good news, they find atJewels For Jesus. We are bringing good news tothe poor and comforting the broken-hearted, andthis is bringing hope to the people we assist. Thisis what Jewels is all about.As we gear up for 2011, I want to thank you foryour part in making 2010 another successful yearof ministry and for helping us continue to deliverGod's message as Isaiah did so many years ago.Margo Semple,Executive Director