HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-08-27, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2009.By Pastor John KuperusBlyth Christian ReformedChurchThe Kuperus family first came to
Canada seven years ago.
As we came to Canada and I was
driving the U-Haul truck I
remember asking myself, “When
will we be leaving Canada?”
We came on a visa to fulfill the
three-month internship requirement
for seminary. After that was
completed, I asked Blyth Christian
Reformed Church if I could l do my
nine-month internship, which the
church agreed to.
So we applied for a nine-month
visa.
After I graduated from seminary,
Blyth Christian Reformed Church
extended a call to me to be their
pastor. I accepted the call and was
ordained in 2003. At that time we
decided to apply to be permanent
residents in Canada and in time
received that status.
As we went through that process,
I became very aware of how we
simply take our citizenship for
granted. On a visa, we are a guest in
this land and are given a limited
amount of time to legally be on this
soil.
Our status was very important to
me and I wanted to be obedient to
the laws of the land, so we applied
for visas or permanent residence to
be in Canada legally.
As time passed, we decided to
take the next step and become
citizens as we are committed to this
country. This is a major step for me,
because committing does not come
easily for me.
What I can say is that we have
grown to love and appreciate
Canada.
First, we appreciate the people of
Canada. We feel that we have been
warmly accepted here. Thank you
for your hospitality.
We also appreciate the wonderful
land. I grew up on a farm in NewJersey and a big field there is 20acres. We live in an agricultural richarea, this is truly a blessing.
Something else we appreciate in
Canada is Ontario Health Insurance
Plan (OHIP). We have been treated
well by the medical system. Having
the province take care of health
insurance, I welcomed.
In the States as a self-employed
person, the health insurance would
cost our family about $15,000/year,
which is $1,250/month.
On top of that, when sick, I would
be cautious about getting to the
doctor or the hospital, out of fear
that the insurance would not cover
the bill.
When our first child was born, we
had 80 per cent coverage. We had to
pay out of pocket $5,000.
I remember complaining about the
cost of medical care to my father
and he said to me, “The bill will go
away, but you have a baby boy.”
He was right, we paid the bills and
continue to thank God for entrusting
a precious son to our care.
But health care and insurance
costs in the states are outrageous. I
appreciate the province handling
health insurance.
We also appreciate Canada’s
support for children. Giving moms
12-month maternity leave, I find
very generous. I also find the baby
bonus payments each month a
tremendous support to families.
Canada’s caring for our children is a
very honourable and a wise
investment.
Now we recognize that for the
government to provide
infrastructure with roads, provide
education for our children and
provide security with police and arm
forces, and offer other social
assistance, it has come from
somewhere.
So we do have a hefty tax bill.
This took me a little getting used to,as well as the big government thiscreates.I notice that this system creates a
dependence on government to be a
saviour. When farmers or businesses
get in trouble, we look to the
government to bail us out. Is this
healthy?
Now that I shared a little of our
journey to citizenship and some the
things I appreciate about Canada
and some concerns, I like to
comment on our citizenship test.
My wife and I studied a book
entitled, A Look at Canada which
covered all the information that
would be on the test. We still had
some questions, we would ask our
neighbours.
I was surprised that my
neighbours were stumped by some
of the questions.
These were the questions I was
asking: What is the political riding
that we are in? (Huron-Bruce) Who
is the Lieutenant Governor of
Ontario? (That is the person to
represent Queen Elizabeth II).
(answer: David C. Onley). Does
Canada make financial
reimbursements to England? (I
never did get an answer to that
question).
My wife and I passed the test and
on Aug. 26 we were sworn in as
citizens. At that time, we affirmed
the following: “I swear (or affirm)
that I will be faithful and bear true
allegiance to Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth the Second, Queen of
Canada, Her Heirs and Successors,
and that I will faithfully observe the
laws of Canada and fulfill my duties
as a Canadian citizen.”
This process reminds me of being
a citizen in God’s kingdom. We have
to have knowledge and
understanding of God and our rights
and responsibilities as citizens of his
kingdom.
Canada is a great country, butcitizenship in the Kingdom of Godis much greater. I like to encourageall of us to reflect on where we stand
in God’s kingdom. Is Jesus Christ
King in my life? Am I pledging
allegiance to the Lamb?
Do I share the statement of faith
of other Christians with the words of
the Apostle’s Creed?
For me entering into God’s
Kingdom was following in the
footsteps of my parents. I am very
thankful for them.
I was baptized as an infant and
when I was 18, I made profession of
faith publicly saying that Jesus
Christ is my Lord and Saviour.
There have been those times when
I have felt distant to God and have
been upset with the God whom I
love, although my overall life
journey has been that I hunger and
thirst for more of God.
What I appreciate about God’s
kingdom is that it has no beginning
or end. God’s kingdom is eternal. In
this world, kingdoms rise and fall,
but God’s kingdom lasts forever. I
find this a solid foundation that will
never be shaken.
What I also appreciate about
God’s kingdom is that Jesus is my
Saviour. Paul says in II Corinthians
5: 21, “God made him who had no
sin to be sin for us, so that in him wemight become righteousness ofGod.”Canada may be able to bail
companies or farmers out of a
financial pinch, but to have someone
take on the wrongs or sins I have
committed is a priceless gift. I thank
you Lord Jesus for paying my debt
of sin and giving me freedom.
In closing, I am thankful for
Canada and even more thankful to
be a citizen in God’s Kingdom.
From the Minister’s StudyA citizen of Canada and God’s Kingdom
308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 519-523-4590
B l y t h C o m m u n ity Church of God
C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS
O
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,
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A
“The Church
is not a building,
it is people
touching people
See you
Sunday!
Worship Service
10:30 a.m.
for July and August
Please join us for worship
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00am
Evening Service 7:30pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come
and worship with us
Trinity, Blyth
9:15 a.m.
519-523-9595
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
Sunday, August 30
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224 Rev. Gary Clark
All Welcome
Sunday, August 30
Worship Service 11:00 a.m.
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow
519-523-4848
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
Joint Worship at Blyth
Community Church of God
JULY - AUGUST 10:30 am
Evangelical Missionary Church
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, August 30
Brussels Arena
at 10:30 a.m.
Sunday School for children
4 to 11 years of age
Childcare provided for infants and toddlers
Coffee & cookies after the morning service
For additional details please contact:
Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, August 30
Ethel United Church
Worship Service - 9:30 a.m.
Brussels United Church
Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-9831
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service
PASTOR DAVID WOOD
119 John’s Ave.,Auburn
519-526-1131
www.huronchapel.org
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School is cancelled for
the summer months
10:30 a.m.
Morning Worship Service
Sunday, August 30
Guest Speaker:
Rev.Virgil Gingrich
BBQ FOR EL SALVADOR
Saturday, August 29th
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
at Auburn Riverside Retreat
All-U-Can-Eat for $20.00
Special Music and More!
All proceeds going to build
homes in El Salvador.
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