Thursday, June 15, 2006

Harry Lehotsky

When we lived and worked in Winnipeg I got to know and appreciate Harry Lehotsky. He was this New York kid who felt a call from God, to the West side of Winnipeg. He came and his strategy was simple, love the people.

I knew, from time spent with him, that his life was less than easy. But God was in Harry"s love and work, and began to bless the West side of Winnipeg.

This year Harry has been doing some writing for the local paper. He continues to try to see the place and people changed by the love of God.

But most recently, as in weeks ago, Harry was diagnosed with cancer. It"s an aggressive form of it and things don"t look great.

Today Lauralea gave me a heads up on an interview done with him on Sounds Like Canada.

The guy is still so gracious, pouring out his life there in Winnipeg with his wife and kids.

So today I am thinking about and praying for Harry, his wife Virginia, and their three sons, Matthew, Brandon, and Jared.



Lord, have mercy.



UPDATE: Thanks for your emails. Harry's life is a challenge. and encouragement.


5 comments:

  1. [...] Sunday morning as I awoke and got ready for the day, I wondered into the kitchen to get some coffee. The morning paper had been brought in from the mailbox and was laying on the counter. The front page was full of Saturday"s major story, that Rev. Harry Lehotsky had died. [...]

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  2. Hi Randall

    i've tried to find your email address to send you Larry Lehotsky PRESS RELEASE, I'll try this way.

    Rosie

    PRESS RELEASE
    SUBJECT:
    The Harry Lehotsky Memorial Work Project
    at the
    John M King School Playground Revitalization
    His Worship Mayor Sam Katz will be among the dignitaries turning the sod on a project that continues some of the first work the late Rev. Harry Lehotsky did in the West End twenty-five years ago.
    In 2007, the Parent Council of John M King School began a five phase complete renovation of the school’s playground. Phase one was a new, large, wheelchair accessible play structure. Phase two was landscaping of the field, adding hills, paths, trees, and resodding the ball diamond and soccer pitch. Now we are at phase three, a unique kindergarten playground learning environment, containing the landscape, plants and trees of Manitoba, south to north.
    When Harry and his wife Virginia moved across the street from the school on Ellice Avenue twenty five years ago, the playground was a field of gravel and broken glass. One of his first acts of community advocacy resulted in the field of glass being turned into a field of grass.
    Rev. Harry Lehotsky was a tireless worker for neighbourhood revitalization, driven by compassion for people living in poverty, among whom he lived. His sudden illness and death on November 11, 2006, left behind a challenge to help the poor, addicted, homeless, and abused of the West End to exemplify that "nothing is impossible" and that "no one is beyond change". Harry was recognized for his accomplishments as a community activist with the Order of Canada in 2007 and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2005.
    The volunteer labour for this project is being provided by international delegates to the North American Baptist Conference Triennial, being held at the Winnipeg Convention Centre the following week, a gift to their host city. Considering the part Harry played in the first renovation twenty-five years ago, the visiting delegates decided to offer their labour in honour of Harry.
    LOCATION:
    East side of John M King School - On McGee Street, between Ellice and Sargent
    ***In event of rain, location will be indoors at New Life Ministries, 514 Maryland Street.***
    DATE & TIME:
    Monday, July 6, 2009
    1:45 to 2:45 p.m. – ***CEREMONY 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. SHARP***.
    This ceremony will include information about the soon to be published biographical novel, The Urban Saint by Winnipeg writer Paul H. Boge, a riveting story of Harry's journey from drugs in New York City to friend of the poor here in Winnipeg's Inner City.
    CONTACT INFORMATION: Rosie Neufeld, pedpro@aol.com or 444-4127.

    -30-

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  3. Wow, thanks Rosie.

    I think it's cool that Harry's legacy and effect lives on.

    Wish I was a little closer, that would be a fun event to participate in.

    Blessings on the day, and the park.

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