Costa Rica Mission Journey July 8 - 16, 2017

 Our journey to be with the people in Costa Rica, or at least the ones we've spent time with since 2005 is facing an interesting dilemma.   Currently we have 23 team members signed up and several others who are on the bubble.   I have reserved 30 seats on the airplane.  If not all seats are used we can and reduce the number around April 1.  

 

Our Costa Rica Team in 2011.  

So if you or someone you know wants to go with us on our return journey, please give Bonnie a call (219) 241-7250.   We have about 6 newbies going so far (not been with us on a mission journey before);  9 college age young people with most of them having Spanish language in their pocket ready to use. We are blessed this year to have Ryan McBride join us for Costa Rica.  He's been with us to Guatemala and Dominican Republic.  Jenna Dambek is signed on as one of several newbies.   We look forward to having her on the team as she is a Spanish speaker.   Logan Cobb and Kaityln Galey are new to the teams going out from Valparaiso 1st as well as some college friends Mary Ann and Marvin Mast and their friend Barbara Carpenter.  

The cost for the journey is $1,700 which covers all expenses in country, airfare and medical/accident insurance.  Let Bonnie know if you want at place on the team.  I need a check for $200 (deposits for Costa Rica and American Airlines) made out to Valparaiso 1st UMC with Costa Rica in the memo and send to Bonnie Albert, 345 East Tratebas Road, Chesterton, IN.  46304

Our team of youth in 2011.  Left to right... Taylor, Miranda, Michael, Allyson, Anissa, Hailey, Collin, Sean, Elijah,
and Quinn.    Five of these young people are joining us in 2017.    Taylor, Miranda, Hailey, Collin, and Elijah are ready to return to Costa Rica where it all started.    Quinn may be able to join us as well.
 

 

 

 

 

Our Support for UBL...

THANKS!!! 

$1,500 has been sent to UBL

 

What a great gift our congregation has once again provided for UBL, you know the Bible University in Costa Rica where Margie Miller spends about 1/2 of her time these days.   Doesn't seem possible but she's been there since early September and will be "home" in early December.  

 

We have gathered $1270 from the Monthly Mission envelopes for the month of October.  The National/International Mission team has also taken $230 from the line item budget (money that comes in because you have made a pledge to the church) to make our gift $1,500.   The online curriculum is on schedule but prayers are needed as the "OK's" are sometimes slow from the Department of Education in Costa Rica.  

 

Margie says "thank you" for your generosity.  Once again when we feel connected to the ministry, we are generous with our resources.     

 

 

GIVING TUESDAY November 29, 2016

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Some suggestions for giving through Global Ministries Advance program that supports projects connected with Valparaiso 1st UMC.  We have placed them alphabetically not in priority order.   All of our suggestions are ministries  associated with our missionaries.  

All of these gifts may be given as an online gift on November 29 through the website. You can mark your donation as associated with Valparaiso 1st UMC. (We are in Indiana Conference and North District.)  

Clara Biswas:  Street Children's Ministry in Phonom Penh, Cambodia -  14921A 
In recent years, Clara can't do her Christmas Program/Drama because funds have been depleted before year's end.  Currently the fund requests $48,000 and less than $20,000 has been received which indicates that several programs will be affected.   

Ardell Graner:  Lost and Found Children of Dominican Republic -  3021935 
The main focus for this ministry is the development of Children's Materials for all the churches in Dominican Republic in the Spanish Language and culturally appropriate.   The ministry would function best if she had $40,000.   So far this year she has received $4,629.  

Margie Miller:  UBL (Latin American Bible University in San Jose, Costa Rica)  - #09139A  and/or #10247B
Funds going to Advance number #09139 will help fund the change-over to long distance learning/ online curriculum. Advance #10247B is used for Scholarship funds for the students.   Both of these Advance projects are underfunded. 

Operation Classroom is not a General Church project but rather an Indiana Conference Advance Project.  Funds may be sent directly to the ministry.  
  
Bob and Sandy Coolman:   Operation Classroom - The best way to support this program is to write a check to Operation Classroom, 359 South Franklin Street, Valparaiso, IN 46383 
Funds are always needed for student scholarships in both Liberia and Sierra Leone.   Operation Classroom needs funds for 210 scholarships at $240 each per year.  They would love to have at least 80 more scholarships subscribed.

We could have many, many more ministries listed that deserve your support because we have numerous "home missionaries". You know the projects we are deeply involved in the community; the Men's and Women's Shelters, Rays of Hope, Hilltop Neighborhood, Christian Food Pantry and more.   We are an active congregation.   The ones listed above indicate how our church is also connected to the world.  We wanted to provide you with the tools and information to do a little extra giving and support the programs associated with our "foreign" missionaries on November 29.   

Remembering Dominican Republic

Find Ryan and Rob McBride,  Gene and Bonnie Albert,
Francesca Pupillo, Robert Kitridge, and Mackenzie Trott

We received a wonderful newsletter from our Missionary Ardelle Graner this morning.   Ardelle and her husband Gordon are serving in Dominican Republic.   We were blessed to have them visit our congregation in the fall of  2014 and then we had a team of "missionaries" serve in Dominican Republic in June of 2015.  (see the photo) 

In her newsletter she tells an amazing story of giving and compassion.  I hope you will read her newsletter (here's a link)...it is a fast read and ever so humbling.   We are so blessed in comparison to about 90% of the world's population.  So for those that have so much, what does Jesus say to us?   Check Luke 6:38. 

 

We have just completed our pledge commitment to support our church with our prayers, our gifts, and our service.  Our pledge dollars are stretched to the max these days.  Simply stated, we are not getting enough money into our church to cover the expenses. One way we are maintaining is to not pay our connectional tithe.   We have been doing this for about 4 years.   As long as we've been in this church, we have never had a 4 year period of time in which this church did not pay their tithe (or apportionment).  As a Global Church, it is important to support the connection... by paying what is expected from each of us, a tithe.

 

This past Sunday every member family and every individual was invited to share a part of what God has given them.  What if all giving units would give at least 5% of their income (Biblically we are expected to give back 10%)?  (Good illustration was given on Sunday through the children's sermon... thanks Sarah Black.)  How would this impact the day to day life of our church?  What ministries within the neighborhood would be expanded?   What might the trustees do to get our building in tiptop shape?  How about bumping up the part-time staff to fulltime?  Come on... let's dream big.    What would be possible if we gave as Jesus taught?  

Now back to Dominican Republic.  Ardell's taxi driver demonstrated giving out of what little he had.   How will we give out of the abundance that we have? 

   

Costa Rica Update

We now have 14 people signed up to travel to Costa Rica in July 2017 to be with old friends, meet new ones, and doing whatever it is they have waiting for us.  Usually it is some kind of cement/rebar construction and a children's component.   If you are interested in going with a great team of young people and super adults, contact Bonnie Albert at bonkay@hotmail.com  or call her at 219 241-7250.  

 

In the previous post, you have all of the details for how to get signed up.  I will reserve tickets next week (November 1 or 2)  and want to be sure to have a best guess as to the number going.   You will not be sorry about your decision to be part of a Mission Journey.  

Costa Rica Mission Journey 2017

It's time to gather a team and return to Costa Rica to be with friends and meet new ones.  Back in 2005, a small team from our church went to Costa Rica to find out what ministries might be a place for volunteers.   Our first team consisted of Mary Lou Rainford and Lois Smith as well as Bonnie and Gene Albert.   We were the "scouts".   This was before digital cameras so I'll have to search "hard" copies for a photo of this group.   

 

Bob and Sandy Coolman and two grandchildren, Sandy Detraz, Bill and Sherry Stockwell, Nicole Sliger, Julie and Terry Gannon, Eldon and Marlene Versteeg, Phyllis and Dean Gerber, Margie Miller, Amy Chiu, Tim Ridenour, Rebecca Rusnak, Mike Strayer, Stephanie Strayer, and others.   I'm probably forgetting some in those early years.   We have had teams go at least yearly from 2006-2011.   So it has been a while since we've been back.   We hear from those who became our friends and they are asking ... when are you coming back?   2017 is now on the books.

 

If you are interested in joining our team.   We have reserved July 8 - July 16, 2017 and expect the cost to be around $1,700 which covers airline tickets, cost of project, medical and accident insurance, ground transportation in CR, room and board in Costa Rica and a bit of sight seeing.   Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the world...lush green, beautiful flowers, volcanos, great frogs, and sloths.   One of our side trips will be to visit UBL, the Latin American Bible University where Margie volunteers. 

We already have 13 people on our list of those interested in going on the 2017 Journey  and have given us a $100 deposit to hold their place.  Team size had been arbitrarily set at 18... we may have to rethink that.  So if you are interested in going and want more information, please contact Bonnie Albert, bonkay@hotmail.com .    You can send me a check for $100 made out to Valparaiso 1st UMC with Costa Rica in the memo line.   I need to do appropriate book work, then the check will go to Kate Shifflet for placing in our Costa Rica fund.   

A quick report and update

Just a few photos of the computer lab at UBL.  Our focus for the Month of October is UBL and their computer/software needs as they move into yet another phase of meeting religious education needs of  Christian leaders throughout Central and South America.  

For about $900, we can provide a computer and the software necessary to set up computer station thus enabling the school to offer classes to students who are enrolled in an online curriculum.   They will still be required to come to Costa Rica for study but it will be for less time (1 semester).   Reducing the time on campus greatly reduces the cost for students, all of whom come at great sacrifice to their family.   

Margie will still be of assistance to the students with language usage but it will also be mostly via Skype.  She does this all the time she is in Valparaiso so that is not new to her or the students requesting assistance. 

 

UPDATE:   Kate tells me we have already gotten in enough for one computer and the software.   AWESOME.   Could we possibly go for 2?  

 

Thanks for your support.   What a difference it makes in our giving when we are connected with the recipient and the vision.  Thanks Margie for being our connector. 

Mission Focus for October

Our Mission Focus for October is for the Latin American Bible University (Universidad  Biblica  Latinoamericana or UBL) in Costa Rica.   We have supported UBL since 2012 when Margie Miller first came to this Costa Rican institution as an individual volunteer.   While UBL is not a school of the United Methodist Church, the school has long been valued for its contribution to the religious leadership of Latin America for generations beginning in the 1920's.   GBGM Missionaries have served in this place almost from the beginning.   UBL is an Advance Project, which simply means, they are vetted as one of the places for churches and individuals can give money at any time for their goals and vision are in line with our beliefs.  

Valparaiso 1st has given tuition support or scholarships in the past. Sometimes we have given funds for Margie to use in whatever ministry way she sees fit.  The best part of Margie's volunteer service is learning more about a place we visited in 2010 and has now become home for her when she's not in the USA. 

This time we want to be part of the development of a  new program which allows more students to get the education via internet.   Long distance classes will help the student who has struggled in the past to afford not only to come to Costa Rica but to find the funds for living expenses while studying in Costa Rica. They will still need to come to study for one semester but that is less of a hardship on personal or church expenses than the current program.   We are proud to be part of this transition into the future of educating religious leaders.  

Recently Margie met this group of university students from the USA who are studying for the semester in Costa Rica.   She was invited to sit down with them to talk about mission.  They loved the time on the campus and their time with Margie.  These students are not enrolled at  UBL however they were able to connect with one of the professors to lead them in a class or two to help them in their research.   Margie was at a loss for words when she was asked to speak about missions.  

July 8 - 16, 2017 a mission team will journey to Costa Rica.   We haven't been there since 2011 so it is time to go back.   We are planning on visiting UBL one day while we are there.   Stay tuned for more information about our 2017 Journey to Costa Rica.  

Thanks for remembering the computer and software project at UBL when giving your mission offering.  

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY - UBL

UBL has existed in Costa Rica since 1923.   Their mission remains the

same but how they accomplish their mission reflects the times. Today they

are preparing curriculum and computer labs to educate students throughout

Latin and South America.  

It is so appropriate to post this one on World Communion Sunday.  In Friday's note from Margie... remember this is her first full week of volunteer time at UBL.    She writes;

 

I have spend quite a few hours in our community kitchen here on the second floor of the dorm where I am living now.  Lots of relationship building and learning and conversation happens in that kitchen; (and lots of cooking too) I have made two HUGH pots of chicken soup, two HUGE bowls of potato and beet salad, two bowls of tossed vegetable salad, etc. in order to be able to share with others of my friends (many NEW) who live here on this floor.  There are now 2 men and the 7 women sharing this space.  Our Cuban pastor friend returned to his country this week---we are missing him!  These second-floor residents(students) come from Honduras, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Peru, El Salvador, and the USA. EVERY SINGLE day I learn from them and every single day I have opportunities to offer a "mother-hug" or a "mother-ear" or a friend-smile!!!
For lunches this week I have shared that hour with Olga (Colombiana living here in CR and in charge of the Women's Network for Econ. Development), Priscila (Mexican) working here at the UBL  and in charge of our communication office (Spanish), and Luisa (El Salvadoran married now to a Costa Rican gentleman David and in charge of our UBL communication office (English and Spanish). 
I now am teaching THREE English classes on Wednesdays and Fridays---one in the a.m. for our UBL staff members and two in the afternoons---a beginning class and a "not beginning" class!!!  My. English students in the afternoons come from our student body and also from our nearby neighborhood.  These classes is a way in which our UBL can extend a service (free English classes) to the wider community.

Last night we had a Bible study discussion for students here---a voluntary opportunity with pizza shared by all!  The study was ably led by Texia, a UBL student from Chile.  I love auditing a Bible class taught by my dear friend Jose Enrique...that class I attend but only as a LISTENING student for 3.5 hours on Tuesday afternoon.

 

For Margie, World Communion Day is a special day to participate in communion locally knowing that Christians throughout the world are also taking communion this day.   As United Methodists we take an offering (I think this is the 80th year of doing so).   The offering is used to provide scholarships for deserving national/international graduate students to be equipped to change the world.   Once again, thanks for your faithful support for this offering.    

Remember too... October is highlighting UBL and the new distance learning labs as our Mission Focus of the Month.  As the month goes on, we will have additional news for you about UBL and the progress they have made toward their $15,000 goal to get computers and software.  

UBL - a home away from home

Our Margie has arrived safely back in the "arms" of UBL, her Individual Volunteer assignment with GBGM for the next 3 months.   After a long travel time she arrived on campus around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.  She had expected to be there a day earlier but the volcano was active and no planes were landing in the San Jose area.    She was given a complimentary room with food vouchers for Tuesday night in Dallas with the expectation that she would be just 24 hours late but experienced another 2 hour delay due to mechanical problems.  

Tim Ridenour, Bill and Sheri Stockwell, Gene and Bonnie Albert,
Rebecca Rusnak, Amy Chui, Margie Miller and other UMC friends made up
our team of 15 in 2010. 

Thanks for the support you have given the project she has come to love so much.   In 2010, a mission team from Valparaiso 1st visited UBL and Margie was one of the team members. 

Since that time Margie was trained and deployed to serve at UBL (which was not envisioned in 2010) and Rebecca Rusnak returned to Costa Rica as an Individual Volunteer with Strong Missions, married Erick Quiros, and now lives fulltime in Carrillos, Costa Rica (all this was not envisioned at that time.). 

After the services on Sunday, September 18, one of our FUMC folks gave Margie a check for $1,000 to take with her be used for the UBL project of getting the long distance learning labs up and running for their next educational impact on the religious education of leaders in Latin America.  We will be sharing more about UBL and how the focus for their institution remains the same but the "vehicle" has changed considerably.    

Margie Returns to Costa Rica SOON

Bonnie, Alicia, Patty, and Margie -

There are many reasons our Margie Miller is steeped in the Hispanic Culture.  Her life has been filled with it since the 60's.    After studying the language in Costa Rica in the mid 60's and then on to serve in Iquique, Chile for 3 years, she returned to Valparaiso in the early 70's and encouraged our church to welcome several families from Chile who were given safe passage to the US.   We opened our doors and hearts to the Munoz family (as well as other refugees from Chile and Afghanistan).  

Alicia and Manuel and their 6 children  (Jamie, Patty, Louis, Daniel, Steven, Rebecca, and Moses) arrived on snowing day in February in 1976 (?).   Manuel passed away about 4 years ago.   Margie and Bonnie have traveled to and from Moline, IL at least once each year since 2010.  Last week was one such day... lunch was packed and off we went for our visit ... this time it had been one year since we had been there.   Between visits, Alicia had suffered a stroke and was diagnosed with Parkinson's.  We were saddened to learn of her declining health but we had an enjoyable visit with our old valued friends.  

 

Patty greets us warmly whenever we come by taking the day off from work to be the best hostess.  She surprised us this time with making Chilean Empanadas.  Maybe Margie can explain why this culinary treat has one ripe olive, 3 raisins, some onions, and hamburger in each and every one.  We even got take-outs to bring home to share.   

 

We had to hustle in our visit this year as Margie leaves on September 19 to return to the love of her life, the Latin America Bible University and all the students and faculty.  Our United Methodist Women took up an offering in June for the school.  They are needing new computers and the software for each of them to get their long distance learning lab ready to go.   UBL had a goal of raising $15,000.    The UMW collected over $500 so we are going to send that with Margie next week.  

 

Margie will also be carrying funds that she can use for ministries with the students (sometimes there are great needs that become apparent such as medicines for family members, emergency transportation, emergency needs back in the home country) and she also has a women's network she loves to support in small ways.   Some folks just hand her a $20 to partner with her in this work.  (She's even had someone on the plane ride on the way to Costa Rica give her funds to help out.)  Don't be bashful. 

 

Next month UBL and the computer project will be the focus of the Mission Offering.   The move to allowing students from all around Latin American (Central and South America) study form their home countries will really help more students to get their religious degrees without the expenses of a year or two away from home.    All students will have to spend some time on the campus during their studies but the expenses of living abroad will be greatly reduced. 

 

We are hoping that Valparaiso 1st will provide at least $1,500 toward the expenses of getting the computers up and running.   Your help will be much appreciated.   You can write a check anytime and put UBL on the memo line. 

Latest Report on the "Bucks for Buckets"

The latest report from last Sunday's offering for replenishing the Cleaning Bucket supplies:

 

 

Sent:  $3,343 after 1st week

Sent:  $3,671 after the 2nd week.  

TOTAL:  $7,014

 

Thanks for your "extravagant generosity".  

 

 

Your pledge is also important for our church's overall outreach.   Through your pledge we are

• involved in the Hilltop ministries through the Monday morning Kids Breakfast, we support in small ways emerging needs in our community and within the connection.
• making a difference in Dominican Republic and Cambodia through our missionaries "Louisa" Graner (she changed her name when she went to DR because Ardell was too difficult for people to say) and Clara Biswas.
•  with families going through tough times - Rays of Hope.  

Thanks for your continued support through the Pledge. Because you give and care we are outwardly focused in ministry with others.   

A Quick Update!!!

In 2014 Cleaning Buckets were part of the volunteer duties of our team.   Here Gene and Della are trying to make it all fit into one blue bucket.  

 

Today $3,343 was sent to MMDC to purchase supplies for the Cleaning Buckets to be distributed in future disasters.   

 

    THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! 
 

Giving from abundance is much appreciated.  Our pledge dollars are also important for the day to day operation of 1st Church as well as supporting  outreach that comes from this wonderful place.   Thanks for all you do to make it happen.

Following the Church Council meeting this evening, another $650 was given to "Bucks for Buckets".   There were rumors that more checks were coming so we may need to update this post next Wednesday. 

 

 

Indiana's Disaster Fund and UMCOR

In June our Mission Focus was the Indiana Disaster Fund and $549 was sent to this fund from our offering.  Today, I was part of a Disaster Committee vote to approve using $10,000 to help with the aftermath of the cleanup in Kokomo. How blessed Indiana is to have churches who recognize how important it is to have a fund with ready cash that allows volunteers to respond to disasters immediately when they happen "locally".

Valparaiso 1st is a big supporter of UMCOR.  We send one team to volunteer at Sager Brown in Baldwin, LA and we send another team to Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, IL. This has been a yearly event for 11 years.   Both teams take funds with them from the congregation to help fund this ministry of responding to disasters world wide.   UMCOR has been in existence since 1940 ... that's 75 years of being there for people who are suffering.     UMCOR is involved in the South Bend and Kokomo by providing $10,000 each place to begin getting families back to normal.  Depending on the year about 40% - 60% of all money leaving Indiana Conference and going to the Advance program (lands in New York...soon to be in Atlanta, GA.) is designated for UMCOR.   Indiana as a whole promotes and supports UMCOR.   We like what they do, we like how they go about it, and we like that our donation is used at 100%.

Any church building that suffers damage has to depend upon Insurance coverage and the Indiana Disaster Fund when it comes to putting their facility back together.   UMCOR does not allow its money to be used to rebuild churches.   Think about why that would be as an effective NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) working every where in the world.    So it is with the funds we sent in July, we will be assisting with the repairs and support for the Kokomo Urban Outreach and Kokomo Trinity UMC.  We are so thankful that our church is open to learning about how we connect though our giving. You see... it takes UMCOR, regional UMCOR Centers, Conferences,  local churches, and you to come together to respond and make a difference.   Thanks for being "connected".  

BUCKS for BUCKETS ...1st Sunday

What a mission team we have.   On Tuesday we realized that it was going to be important for local churches to step up to the plate to replenish the Cleaning Buckets at MMDC.   We had gotten word that the last bucket had been loaded on a truck and sent out.  The shelves were empty.  (see previous post)

Today, Mike Strayer shared the statistics on the two disasters that had taken place in our state in the last few weeks.   One was the flooding in South Bend.   Living in Northwest Indiana, we do not hear about the issues of a city just to the east of us (we hear lots about those in Illinois - a topic for another day).  Over 1000 homes have been damaged by flooding with about 100 of those homes being damaged enough for a complete rebuild.  Lots of future work to do in that area. 

Wednesday, Kokomo was hit by a tornado and Trinity UMC was damaged and their ministry building for Kokomo Urban Outreach (KUO) was destroyed.  If you want to follow a great ministry who is involved in the community in a healthy way, follow them on KUO FB page.  In the middle of cleanup, on Thursday less than 24 hours after the tornado hit, the community came together and took care of 250 dozen ears of corn so that the food pantry families would have fresh froze corn this winter.  Read a few of the wonderful Facebook posts regarding the church's leadership with the displaced families near the church.   

 

While Mike was sharing the Mission Minute with the 3rd service, Jane was there to answer questions. 

On Sunday morning, we had a mission minute and a display in place (thanks Mike Strayer).  By noon thirty on Sunday, our congregation had responded with $2391.00 for MMDC to purchase supplies to fill the cleaning buckets.   Others have promised to send their funds to church this week because they were not prepared to respond this morning.  Come back at the end of the week to get an update. 

Bucks for Buckets - replenishing the supplies

We've watched the news on the flooding of homes in Louisiana.   The Cleaning Buckets are flying off the shelves at the UMCOR centers.  What can we do?
Bishop Mike Coyner has indicated the thing is to pray for the families and relief workers and the second thing is to send money.    We hear about the cleaning buckets and all the health kits from our teams serving at Sager Brown and Midwest Mission Distribution Center.  Right now nearly all of the buckets have been sent out.  Volunteers at both of those places are working hard to get replacements packed up. 
Our mission team suggests that the best way we can respond is to send the dollars we would normally spend on contents for the buckets.  This way we save the cost of transportation to an UMCOR distribution center and know that buckets are being filled with exactly what is listed. 
How much does it cost to fill the bucket? UMCOR says it takes about $65 to purchase all of the items.  
Check out the list below.  

Cleaning Bucket Contents

5-gallon bucket with re-sealable lid
Buckets from fast-food restaurants or bakeries can be used if washed and cleaned;   Do not use buckets that have stored chemicals such as paint or pool cleaner; Advertisements on the outside are acceptable.
Liquid laundry detergent   One 50-oz. or two 25-oz. bottle(s) only.
Liquid household cleaner   12‐16 oz. liquid cleaner that can be mixed with water;
                                                No spray cleaners.
Dish soap    16‐28 oz. bottle any brand.
1 can air freshener          Aerosol or pump.
1 insect repellant spray    6‐14 oz. aerosol or spray pump with protective cover.
1 scrub brush   Plastic or wooden handle.
18 cleaning wipes    Handi Wipes or reusable wipes;   No terry cleaning towels; Remove from packaging.
7 sponges     No cellulose sponges due to mold issues; Remove from wrapper.
5 scouring pads   Remove from wrapper;   No stainless steel, Brillo pads, or SOS pads (nothing with soap built in).
50 clothespins
Clothesline   One 100-ft. or two 50-ft. lines; Cotton or plastic.
24-roll heavy-duty trash bags    33‐ to 45-gallon sizes; Remove from the box.
5 dust masks
2 pairs kitchen dishwashing gloves   Should be durable enough for multiple uses; Remove from packaging.
1 pair work gloves    Cotton with leather palm or all leather.

Cleaning buckets ready to be sent out.  At this time the
section is empty.   We need to help fill it up again. 

As you can see the content list is very specific.   All of the UMCOR distribution centers purchase the items in bulk and fill the buckets using volunteers.  Of course they accept the actual filled bucket however the cost of transportation makes is not the best use of our mission dollars.  These buckets are only used in the US. 

There is a 5 gallon bucket in Fellowship Hall and we'd be happy to accept your monetary donation.  Mid-September our donations will be sent to Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, IL to help them replenish all of the buckets that have been sent from the center due to the recent flooding.  Thanks for your interest in responding to the floods in our country.  

 

Update on the Treadmill for Kissy Hospital

As you may remember the miracle of the treadmill for Kissy back in May.   With little time available, a need expressed by Steven Moinia, the physical therapist at Kissy Hospital went from not possible to do within a week to being done in 6 days.   Now we have a couple of photos that were sent to the church family at Valparaiso 1st with words of thanks. 

 

On June 13, 2016 Steven said "We offloaded the container last Friday. The new Treadmill was among. Its much advanced than previous ones. We are enjoying using it. The patients too are very much happy with it. Much appreciation to the church and all who made this a possibility. God bless.  Steven"

 

I received these photos today (thus the prompting to get with blogging again).   His words in an email on August 18, 2016:

"Dear Bonnie,
Greetings from Kissy! I just opened your email and realized you have no idea about us with regards our recent Treadmill. Am sorry this great joy reached you so late. It was my favorite equipment ever received from the US. I understood later on, that it came from the First UMC in Valpo.
I was confident however that my message below reached you because my appreciation note (email) was sent to Indiana.
Again, my deepest application for all your supports in helping the people of Sierra Leone and more importantly for capacitating us accomplish Christ mission. May the Lord continue to abundantly bless you, your family, the church, and the entire USA family."

 

August Mission Focus

Sorry about being a little behind these days. It's not that we are not involved in mission these days ... the writer has been over programed and under motivated to sit down and write. 

 

Ezekiel and Suri (the husband and wife pastors)

Let me start here today... Our August Mission Focus is Torre Fuente Ministries in East Chicago.   This is the new and growing Hispanic UMC in our area.   We are so blessed (we meaning the church as a whole) for having a husband and wife team that are unbelievably dedicated to ministering the people of East Chicago and Hobart.   In the past we have provided funds to purchase replacement windows in the old YMCA building.  We need to travel to East Chicago to get a current photo of this building as most of those windows have been replaced to allow for air flow and light.    Now we just want to provide funds to that will be used in the outreach within the community.   Every dollar is much appreciated.    You will never really know just how much our focus means to this growing congregation as they minister with those in their community.   Ezekiel also has a full time construction job to supplement the income of a pastor's salary and much of what he makes goes back into the church.   They are faithful and faith-filled servants of  Jesus Christ.  They are making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world for sure. 

This building has been transformed into a place of ministry to the community of East Chicago in the name Christ and with the blessings of the Indiana Conference United Methodist Church

June Monthly Mission Focus

Indiana Conference Disaster Fund will be the recipient of the funds received through the June Mission offering.    In recent years this fund has taken a hit as small floods and a big tornado took its toll on homes in Indiana.  Sometimes FEMA and UMCOR can't cover all of losses and especially if the loss has to do with a church facility.   UMCOR is such a church favorite, it seemed only right that we provide a bit of funds for assisting families and individuals within our state. 

To go along with this, we are hosting Disaster Response Training on August 20, 2016 at our church.   We will be offering Early Response Training (team members are encouraged and most places required to have this training before going out to serve) and Connecting Neighbors training (provides training for churches to develop their own disaster response plan in case the disaster is local).  This will be open to other churches in the area and our district.    Watch for more details.

Dennis and Carol report from Sager Brown

Loading one more container.

Dennis and Carol are spending the month of May at Sager Brown in Baldwin, LA.   Dennis is keeping the warehouse organized as a long term volunteer.  

 

He writes:  We loaded the third container of our time here so far. Today was a challenge because there were 17 pallets of flood bucket along with school bags, bedding kits and layette kits. The shipment is on the way to the Ukraine.
Marlene (Versteeg), we are eating our way through Cajun country, know of many good restaurants! Looking forward to sharing when we get home!

 

This is where a group of nearly 20 or more go each January or early February.   We consider it not only good works but great fellowship and an escape from cold weather.   Little did Dennis know that he would be doing the same thing in May... the temperatures in Baldwin was in the 80's last week.   Send some of that warm weather our way soon!

Pledge $$$ used for mission

Sometimes it is good to remember that the dollars we pledge reach out beyond our congregation.   Giving is such an important part of being in the Christian community for we have been so blessed and receive continually.  While the percentage that goes out for what we would call "mission", it is much appreciated and used to keep us connected  here and abroad.

1. $5,000 of church budget supports two missionaries.  Surely you can name them by now.  Several years ago we hosted both Clara Biswas and Ardell Graner (and her missionary husband Gordon).   
2. $6,000 is allocated to support mission teams right here at home.   Local missions, National/International Missions, Hilltop (Breakfast Club), and Rays of Hope each receive $1,500 to help them with their work. 

Of the $1,500 for National/International Missions, $300 was given to Margie Miller to take with her to Costa Rica.  

$50.00 — food (staple items) for a very large, needy indigenous family with several children,  in southern CR and part of the Women’s Network for Development

$50.00 — purchase of ingredients needed for two baking workshops for two small groups of indigenous women as part of the same Women’s Network…we made bread, lemon squares, and chocolate eclairs—enough that each woman in the groups was involved in the making and the eating and the taking of some of the “yummies” home with them to their families.

$50.00 —  Chico, a long-time, dedicated employee of the UBL, who has just recently been laid off due to financial constraints of the UBL— a father and grandpa with child-care responsibilities

$100.00 — several months supply of prescription meds for a young woman, daughter of refugee family from Honduras, who live in a UBL apartment and is part of our UBL community.

$50.00  —  Emmaus Christian Community…a small, very active, interdenominational faith community with whom I worship each Sunday, and who gives ALL of their offerings to mission projects in CR—this community is led entirely by volunteers including worship leadership, so their entire budget can go for the needs of many others in the wider community.

 

The FOYER in DRC





Foyer (a French word) meaning a training center for women in the village of Mulongo.

Shortly after the war, the United Methodist Women of Mulongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo realized they needed a place for women to meet and share stories and support one another.   The war took many casualties not only in lives but in spirit especially the women.   Adult women were killed or sometimes worse raped in front of the their families.   The same was true to many young women.   Consequently, the villages were full of scorned women for the enemy knew within the DRC culture, raping a women in front of the family would not kill her but it would mark her for life. 

Around 2005 or 2006, women began to talk louder about needing a Foyer.   The church was growing by leaps and bounds and churches were popping up all over.   There never seemed to be enough money for a Foyer.   In 2012 the women took the project into their own hands... literally.   They made 20,000 bricks which is very much men's work (all the time also doing their work which meant that they were spending all but about 4 hours per day working).   When the bricks were completed they came to the church council, sat on the floor, (women had no seats at the leadership table), and asked to present their case.  In early 2013 they were granted permission and land space to start their Foyer.  All that was needed was money for the mortar and roofing to get the project going. 

During this same time period in 2007, we met a pastor and mission person on a journey to Cambodia.   He told us about work he'd been involved in for over 15 years in DRC.   I kept asking him about when could Indiana mission folks take a team to DRC.   He always replied "Not yet, until we can guarantee your safety we can't accept teams."    Because I serve on the North Central Jurisdiction UMVIM committee and we have a program for young people called Mission Discovery, I would ask yearly if now was the time.   Suddenly in 2013 when I asked, Bob Walters indicated he thought they were ready.  Things were falling into place quickly.  The raids and violence along the river had subsided. If fact they were planning for a small team of Boy Scouts to come during the summer of 2015.   And about that time, the women had been granted the OK to build their Foyer.  One of the positives for getting a mission team to come is there is usually money that comes with that to help with a particular project.   Bob indicated that we would need $10,000 from the team for the cost of the project. 

Leaving out lots of the details, we invited the Conference United Methodist Women to help finance this team of young women by helping with the cost of the project (that $10,000).   They agreed and the rest is history.

Not only did they raise $5,000 (our Indiana Conference Mission team put in $5,000), by  mid-July 2014 they had raised $12,000 plus dollars.   Before all was said and done, Indiana mission folks had raised one dollar for each brick the women had made.  This is one huge miracle. 

Getting supplies to  the village of Mulongois is often a 3 - 4 month ordeal but as soon as the supplies arrived, the construction began.  The women cleared the land, moved all of the rocks from where they had placed them to be used for the foundation.  Within months the Foyer had walls up and roof in place. (Note the photo above.) Now they have been on hold because they lack the funds to purchase the windows and doors and put in a floor.   About another $6,000 is needed to get those in place.  After the rainy season is over, the women will begin meeting there and it is quite possible they will also be working on getting the floors prepared as they work together.  

Why is this building so important?   These women are problem solvers and community life is very important.  There are so many young women in the community with babies from being raped and none of them have an education.  One of the village women  (shown at the left) in North Katanga (a region in DRC) is shown advocating for women's literacy. A strong, poised, articulate young woman who cannot read because she wasn't sent to school as a girl.

The Foyer is located near a Nursing School so there will be resources for leadership from the school to teach the women about community health issues.   They will also use this facility to teach sewing and cooking.  They hope that it will be used by the community for other functions and generate some income for upkeep on the building.  Not only will the Foyer assist women in becoming better wives and mothers (many women in the 20's have raised themselves because mom was killed during the war), but most important it will give women a place to come together to solve the problems village life - problems of malaria control and treatment, problems of unsafe water, issues around literacy or lack there of.   Women want to read the Bible, not just always be read to.   Women want to be productive in their society.  The Foyer is where all this will happen. 

The Foyer (Women's Training Center) will transform women for better family life in the future.   What a joy it is to be part of the story.  Oh how I wish I were younger... guess where a team from Valparaiso 1st would be going next year if I could only lead the way? 

Our friends in Ecuador need our prayers and help...

Bishop Cavellos, Gene and Bonnie, Pastor Freddy

Ecuador was never on our radar until we hosted a wonderful young man from Cuenca as an exchange student in 2005.   Quickly we researched something about the country located in South America...on the equator and discovered they are very much like the United States.  They have an indigenous population that was moved to interesting places when the Spanish came to the country years ago. They use the US dollar and have similar  unemploy-ment  rates and economic standards.   Our time with Juan was outstanding...he was a great exchange student and today he's a fine young man. 

In September 2015 we attended his wedding and what a wedding it was.   Over 600 of his best friends joined us for a grand celebration.  Following our amazing time in Cuenca with his family we flew to Quito (the capital) to spend time with the Methodist Missionary Sara Flores.  On really short notice she arranged 3 1/2 packed days visiting churches and communities where the Methodist Church is meeting the needs of the people.  

One day we met with the Bishop of Ecuador, a non-paying job but one that is very important for the growth of the church in this country.  He, Pastor Freddy, and Sara took us to the Center of the Earth.   That line you see is the "equator".   Great day.  

Our best day was when we visited one of the schools and became the guests of a special dramatic presentation.  Even though we were nearly on the equator, it was cool.  Notice all the children are in sweat clothes.   This is the school uniform on the days they are outside. 

The villages in this area were suffering at this time as a nearby volcano had been erupting and the ash ... very fine... was airborne and causing all sorts of breathing problems not only for people but for the animals and crops.   UMCOR was there to help them get past the crisis. 

The map shows why much of the country was effected by the earthquake.

Now UMCOR is there providing water and food to those in need following the earthquake accord-ing to the most recent note from Sara (GBGM missionary).   One of the other stories she shared was the villages that were helped by UMCOR during the crisis with the volcano were giving their crop of onions and potatoes to those displaced by the earth-quake.   Pastor Blanco said "We are one family and we need to give back."  Sara continues to request prayers for the people. 

Being there has surely given us a deeper concern for the people of Ecuador.   Juan and his family wrote immediately to make sure we knew they were safe but they also wanted us to know they were very concerned for their fellow countrymen.  We've made our online gift to help the Methodist church respond.   When many people do just a little, it will make a big impact where needed.   It isn't possible to us to send food and water or provide shelter but it is possible for us to send a few dollars.  

To make an online gift, as you can imagine... it is easy.   You can indicate that you are from the Valparaiso 1st UMC and it will be recorded that indeed our church is concerned and in solidarity with the little church there.   Here's a quick link  to donate to Ecuador projects #00433A or you can always give to UMCOR in general and indicate Ecuador earthquake via a check to Valparaiso 1st.  UMCOR is there now providing food and water.   Even some of the small Methodist churches there have offered their floors and places for shelter.  The sun is very intense there so shelter is extremely important.  Thanks for reading, praying, and giving to a very special place on this earth.    



Where Oh Where Have We Been?

For several years this blog has been tended to religiously almost every week but since November 19, 2015...It has been sorely neglected.   It is not as though little has gone on at Valparaiso 1st UMC, it is some one ran out of time!

Just a quick summary of what has transpired since we last posted.

• We have met the $29,000 goal for the Africa University Campaign.   How awesome is that?   These funds are part of a $1.6 million campaign to raise money for endowing a chair in the Agriculture and Natural Resources department and student scholarships.   Both are tremendously important.
• A team of 20 went to Baldwin, LA to volunteer at Sager Brown in January with 2 people who have not been previously involved.  
• A team of 12 went to Chatham, IL to volunteer at Midwest Mission Distribution with 5 people who have not been previously involved. 
• Our missionaries Clara Biswas (Cambodia)  and Ardell Graner  (Dominican Republic) continue to be with children on our behalf and we will be continuing these two for another year. 
• Africa University was our mission focus for December 2015.
• Around February, Margie Miller returned to Costa Rica and UBL and she'll be back in early May.  My how time flies. 
• UMCOR has been our mission focus for February 2016.
• Youth Mission Trip is our mission focus for April 2016. 
• We have just been instrumental in getting a treadmill to send to Kissy Hospital's Physical Therapy Department.   You may remember meeting the therapist Steven Moinina who visited our church several years ago.   With the last container being packed on Saturday, April 16 lots of hands and feet had to move quickly to get one to the Lapel facility in less than 5 days time.  
• We are also sending 48 solar lights to Joseph Pormai, the Director of Elementary Schools for Operation Classroom to use as teacher incentives.   The container is filled with things that cannot be purchased in the country of Sierra Leone which makes it priceless.  

Now we just need to pray for safe passage of this container.  In less than 3 months it may be in the country.   Time is not important.  Knowing that we are still connected is. 

That's it for today.   So much happens in and around the church these days...we can rejoice for all this is.   Thanks for asking what happened to the blog.   Just know the blogger needed a rest.