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.   

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.    



Clara Biswas visit

Clara Biswas at the Ice Cream Social

Clara Biswas spent several days in our area last week.   Her work in Cambodia as a General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) s missionary was given in the midst of a wonderful ice cream social.  

 

Valparaiso 1st has supported her as a missionary since 2007.   She has been with us in 2007, 2011 and again in 2015.  Her work is with the poor of Cambodia in the Phnom Penh area.  

 

Just prior to coming to Indiana she fell during her last moments of stay at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.   In order to make her flight to Fort Wayne, she was quickly bandaged and sent to Fort Wayne where she spent her first night and early morning at the emergency room.  After 9 stitches in her middle finger of her right hand, she made her way through speaking at the Fort Wayne Calvary UMC.  Somewhere along her future travels, she will find another quick care to have the stitches removed.  

 

 Clara is a popular missionary and has many churches to visit.   She is able to do her work with the street children through the funds received through her Advance #14921A.   It was noted while at our church  with one half of the year passed, only about 28% of the funds have come in to this fund.   ($13,000 received out of $48,000 needed).   We are hoping that through her presentations, people will respond to the needs there and give to this project in addition to continuing their support for her as a missionary. 



Dominican Republic and MMDC teams updated.

With less than a week before the deadline to put the names on the seats in the plane, we are getting closer to having seats filled.   If you have been considering going to DR this summer (June 13-21) and haven't let Bonnie know, you need to contact her immediately.   We are at 11 of 15 seats filled for sure with 4 still thinking.   bonnie@albertmail.com   March 10 will be the last date we can change the number of seats. 

 

The Midwest Mission Distribution team will depart on Sunday for Chatham, IL.  They still have room for more people and plenty of food promised to feed everyone.   You know this particular mission trip is a food fest as well as an amazing glimpse at the work done by UMCOR.  If you are interested (just $200 for and all inclusive experience), contact Mike Strayer.   jstrayer@netnitco.com 

 

We are blessed through serving.  

On the road again...

Gordon and Ardell Graner all packed and ready to hit the road.

Thanks for the great hospitality that was extended to our Missionary Ardell and her husband Gordon.   After this meeting it will be difficult to think about Ardell and the ministry in Dominican Republic without thinking of Gordon too.   Humm... It could be we have just added a missionary on the list of folks for whom we support with our prayers and our service and our funds.  

 

Ardell and Gordon are spending about 8 months "home" (itinerating in the US)  visiting  over 100 supporting churches, engaging in United Methodist Conferences and gatherings around the country, and working from libraries, the car, hotel rooms and homes of stranger, friends and now new friends to keep the ongoing ministry connected in Dominican Republic.   Before the end of this week they will have been in three states and with numerous church families.  

 

We were so blessed by their presence on Sunday.  Our church has not hosted a missionary on a Sunday for at least 25 years so it was quite an honor for us when they offered to come on a  "Sunday" with their busy schedule.   More than 50 people joined the conversation with the Graners throughout the day.   What a great opportunity it was to learn more about fellow Christians in DR, a bit of history of this small island destination, and most important to meet Ardell and Gordon.

Valparaiso 1st has MANY people who serve everyday.   Their service is reaching out to those next door and in the community to make a better tomorrow for all.   Yesterday, in addition to more than 50 people gathered to learn more about the Graners and how they translate the love of Jesus wherever they are, those who are associated with Rays of Hope had a special luncheon yesterday as well.   Rays of Hope folks are fine and dedicated "missionaries" who are also translating the love of Jesus right in our neighborhood.   For this we celebrate the lives of all who are taking the Gospel of Jesus seriously and personally. 

 

Nearly $300 was collected as a free will offering at the Luncheon.  These funds will be sent to New York to help cover the cost of itinerating missionaries.  It is our way of saying "Thanks" for providing the opportunity for Missionaries to visit church families.  

 

Reminder:   Our Mission Focus for the month of October is for funds to support the work of  Ardell (and Gordon) in Dominican Republic.   Funds will be sent for the Lost and Found Children of Dominican Republic Advance project which underwrites the cost of doing ministry.   

UPDATE for offering in September:  $527 was sent to the Holding Institute in Laredo, TX for use in meeting the needs of immigrants in that area.   Thanks to all who give faithfully every month.  

 

Let's welcome Ardell and Gordon Graner ...

Meet and Greet

Ardell and Gordon Graner

October 5, 2014

 

Opportunities:

1. Ardell will give a mission minute in each of the 3 services.  
2. They will spend time with our youth during the 2nd service.
3. We will get acquainted with the Graners in Tower Chapel during the 3rd service.
4. Lunch at 12:15.   Please sign up between services on September 28 so we may plan appropriately.   A free will offering will be taken to support the work in Dominican Republic.
5. At 12:45 in Tower Chapel, learn more about the ministry in Dominican Republic. 
6. Meet at the home of Gene and Bonnie Albert (345 East Tratebas Road) at 6:00 p.m. to talk about the reality of a mission journey to Dominican Republic June 13-21, 2015.  

One more way to connect with Ardell is through the monthly offering in October.   We will be using that to support their Advance project Lost and Found Children of Dominican Republic.   You'll learn more about that work at the 12:45 session.

The National/International Mission team encourages you to be present for all of the above or whatever time you can carve out in your day.  Ardell has never been in our church so this will be the first time to meet and greet us and for us to meet and greet her.   We are hoping for a warm welcome which demonstrates our "radical hospitality".   

 

Save the date...

Ardell is colorful...when she's with the children. 

Ardell

Our missionary Ardell Graner and her missionary husband Gordon will be with us on Sunday, October 5.   She will be introduced in each of the services.   Following the 3rd service we invite you to join us for lunch and a time of getting acquainted with Ardell and Gordon.    Watch for details.  

Meet a new young adult missionary

 

Hye-In with the Lyric Opera House in
the background. 

Hye-In Lee had a "taste of Chicago" on Wednesday.   In addition to lots of city walking, she was able to see the musical "Sound of Music".   South Shore provided the transportation to and from Chicago.   The Cultural Center is always a great visit for new people who come to Chicago and that we did.  (Lots of changes taking place there.  Very exciting.)  Walking, walking, walking and wind, wind, wind summed up the day outside the Opera House. 

 

In July Hye-In will be trained to serve as a young adult missionary with the United Methodist Church.  She's part of one of largest Korean congregations in Seoul and is seeking to serve God through mission.    Hye-In will join other young adults from around the world in the Philippines for training and consecration prior to going out to serve.   She's not sure where she will be placed.  Next fall, an update will be posted.    

 

Hye-In worked for the Scranton Women's Training Center in Seoul.   The training center is a wonderful extension of the women's work in Korea through training young women all around Asia.  

For those who met her on Sunday and Tuesday evening, she felt very welcomed by our congregation.  Thanks for being that radical hospitality group that we've all come to love.  

A special visit...sorry we didn't have time to share.

Janet at the kitchen table... both of us on a computer.

GBGM Missionary Janet Lahr Lewis is visiting with us this evening.   Janet is itinerating in the US for the next 3 months and she needed to get from Chicago to Indianapolis.  Well, sounds like a great road trip for Bonnie.   After church today we drove to Chicago Temple UMC and gathered her up.   We stopped at our favorite Thai restaurant for lunch and then on to our house for conversation and rest before going to Indianapolis early in the morning.

What a blessing today has been.   Since the middle 90's Janet has served the UMC as a missionary in Palestine/Israel.   Conversations around the issues that face the people living in the that area of world have been enlightening and sometimes troubling.  

• Did you know that our tax dollars ($8.2 million) are used every day to support in just the military aid in Israel?  
• Did you know that Israel receives more military support than all the other countries in the world combined?  
• Were you aware that Palestinian land owners with deeds in hand often times have no rights to their land when it comes to Israeli occupation? 
• Palestinians do not control their own water supply even in the West Bank.   They must buy their water back from Israel even if they are sitting on top of the aquifers.

Janet is on her last itineration visiting supporting churches around the US between now and late summer.    She will soon retire from her job as a missionary but indicates she will stay connected with the issues and people of Palestine in what ever she does following retirement.  Her knowledge and spirit of cooperation will not be lost but rather just take on a new audiences or focus.   

We are sorry that there was not time to set up a meet and greet with you all. Janet is someone you would have enjoyed in sharing an evening of conversation.  Another time.  

 

Missionary Ardell Graner

In recent weeks we've had several communications from Ardell as she gets settled in her new assignment with the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM).   She is one of two missionaries supported by our church as a Covenant Missionary.   What that means is we agree to provide $2,500 toward the support of missionaries serving through GBGM and she agrees to stay in communication with us and when the opportunity presents itself, she will come and visit us in person.  (And this $2,500 comes from your pledge to the General Fund at FUMC.)  One way to stay current with her is to follow their blog/webpage. (Just click on the hot link.)

Rev. Luisa and Ardell

Ardell and her husband Gordon went to Dominican Republic in April 2013 so they are just getting their ministry legs.   She's been trying to find where her gifts and graces are fitting with the needs of those they are serving.  She has invited our church to send a team there in the future... so be thinking about whether this is something that you would like to do.  Here's a quote from a recent email to our mission team.

 

One small church had their vacation Bible school last month with the children from their neighborhood.  500 children came one day.  Isn't that incredible!  The church is so small they didn't have materials or even space to receive all the children, even though they went into the street to work with them.  They actually had to turn away some.  That makes me feel sick.  During this same time one little boy got into an argument  with another little boy and he broke a bottle to start a fight.  The church panicked and had to call the police.  There is so much work.   The other huge area is with young, young girls who are being abused and are pregnant.  There is a suburb south of Santo Dominigo where 23 girls between the ages of 9 and 14 are pregnant.  My head can hardly handle this. 

So it is with this information that we pray for our missionaries wherever they serve on our behalf.  

A message from Ardelle Graner

Ardelle and Gordon - Missionaries serving in Dominican Republic

Ardele is "our" missionary.  Once serving in Bolivia, she and her husband have recently been reassigned to the Dominican Republic.    They serve as a missionary couple.  We share her words to her churches.  We will be posting additional information in the future.   Come back again.   

Dear friends,

We are grateful for your prayers and your support, especially now as we begin a new mission journey with the Iglesia Evangelica Dominicana (IED).

We were in a meeting this week with two national pastors, one who is the head of the seminary and a previous executive secretary for the IED.  They expressed to us that they believe it is God’s will for us to come to the Dominican Republic. It was encouraging to hear that as we seek to find our way in a new mission.

As we listen and learn from the Dominican people, we are beginning to understand what the needs are and how we can support the ministry of the church.

We do this knowing that we are together with you in mission and are aware of your prayers for us, daily.  Ardell & Gordon

Here's a great link to Newsletter telling more about their new mission assignment. 

Street Children in Cambodia

Clara prays with some of the street children before lunch time.  

Clara's work is so important to the lives of especially the young girls.   Girls are sold or stolen around the age of 11 or 12 as sex slaves.  By the age of 17 or 18 they are deemed "used" and are returned to the streets. What Clara is trying to do is to keep these young teens out and away from the human trafficking so that they will instead move from being a normal teen to a productive adult.    

The Street Children are practicing for the Easter Pageant.



Our mission offering for the month of August is going to support the work of Clara Biswas, our missionary in Cambodia.   Without the funds provided by her supporting churches for the Street Children's ministry, she would not have much to do.  Your offering does make a difference in her ability to reach the vulnerable children.  

Working with these children is so important for more than the obvious reason.   Children on the streets without supervision or some place to go is never a good thing.   One of the intentional pieces to this program is to keep the early teens 12 - 17 out of the hands of human traffickers.   She works to make it less attractive to be "sold" into that trafficking by giving families of the dumpsite or streets another option.   There are signs all over Cambodia warning adults of the penalties for engaging in Sex Trafficking.  These signs are written in English.  Does this tell you why we in the English Speaking world need to be aware of the issues of injustice that happen in the developing countries?   Families living in just awful poverty are convinced that a life of as a sex slave is better than what they have to offer so they sell their children.   Guess which countries have the most money to spend in this manner? 

On September 25 at 7:00 p.m. Valparaiso 1st UMC will be hosting a forum and discussion around Human Trafficking in the United States. Two FBI agents will be with us to share what they can from the most recent "busts" in the United States.    The events brought to light around the 3 girls being freed after more than 10 years tells us that children who are not connected with family are real targets for the those who want to prey on young people.   We are hoping that the forum will educate our community on the danger signs and how we can prevent children and young people from being taken in to the trafficking arena.   Please mark your calendar so that you might be part of that evening and conversation around  Human Trafficking in our country.  

Street Children's Ministry in Cambodia

Cambodia...that is a world away from us and yet we are touching lives of children in the Phnom Penh area.  Thanks to our missionary Clara Biswas we are transforming lives a very long way from home.   In 2007 Gene and Bonnie Albert went on a mission trip to Cambodia and were able to see first hand the children who are part of the outreach planned and directed by Clara.  She does amazing things on our behalf. 

Clara is one of the 325+ missionaries currently serving under the General Board of Global Ministries of our denomination.   She has served the mission field for about 8 years now and works as a resource person with children and families.   The children she works with most often are the street children...these children have families but not much of a home.   The families are so poor they send the children into the street to find food, beg for money, and do whatever they can to stay alive.  Some children actually live at the dumpsite at the edge of town.  Five thousand people live on the

Families make a living and live on the garbage dumpsite. 

dumpsite during the rainy season and 10,000 live there during the dry season.  They cook, eat, sleep and work there just trying to eek out a living.   Clara goes to the dumpsite and finds young children and she works with the families to encourage them to allow the child to attend school rather than scavenge the dump for useful items.   She is a World Changer for these children.  Clara believes strongly that without an education these children will never get beyond the dumpsite. 

Clara gathers up the children to get them off the dump and into the school.

Our Monthly Offering for August will go to support the program for the Street Children's Ministry in Cambodia. (Check out this article about her work at the orphanage.) Our tithe offering  (our General Church pledge) pays for her salary and benefits but without these extra funds, she would have no working budget.  Thanks for your continued support for the mission outreach of Valparaiso 1st UMC.   

Inspired words and deeds...Thanks Priscilla

Maybe one of the 4-H projects in the works.

Thanks Priscilla for a delightful hour of learning about education...the joys and challenges of preparing Liberian children to live in the 21st century.  Those who gathered to hear Priscilla hung on every word.  

Priscilla was brought to Ganta School, Liberia West Africa as a missionary principal in 2009.   Her task was to get the school back in good working order after the wars of 1990's - 2004 for the 850 students who attend.  With the school being just one of the components of a typical Mission Station, it became apparent that her skills were needed for the entire Mission Station so a new assignment was made in 2011.

     Priscilla is now providing leadership over the 920 acres for the Ganta Mission Station which includes the farm and the clinic.  Getting the farm up and running to produce needed food for the station and also provide income for the programs of the station such as the school and the hospital is the immediate goal. 

     The vocation educational programs also will be addressed as graduates need to be able to find work when the opportunities for further studies are not available.   Vocational training for farming, auto mechanics, building trades and information technology are critical for the future of Liberia.  

    Thanks Priscilla for sharing carved wooden crosses made by leprosy survivors, cloth aprons made by 4-H members, and the wonderful nativity sets made by carving old shell casings that have been found around the grounds.     

Priscilla Jasiah ... Liberian Missionary and Educator

Pricilla Jasiah will be with us on September 17



    Priscilla is in Indiana today through September 18 and she's someone you might want to meet.  She's a United Methodist Missionary assigned to the mission school at Ganta, Liberia, West Africa.  We have a unique opportunity to greet her on September 17 at 6:30 - 7:30 in the church parlor.   All are welcome.

     Bob and Sandy Coolman are hosting Pricilla this week making sure she gets from place to place as part of her itineration related to supporting churches for the Ganta School.  Ganta is one of the 25 Operation Classroom schools in West Africa and is in a rebuilding process following the distruction of many schools in Liberia during the wars of 2003.  Education is a huge priority for all developing countries as they continue build for self-sufficiency in the future.  Their biggest dream is to be a developed country and be in a position to share what they have learned with others. 

     Did you realize that in a time when the Christian community in the US are making drastic moves to maintain church membership and involvement, the church in Africa expects to double in size?   Maybe we do have much to learn from our sisters and brothers in Liberia. 
     We are pleased to be able to have a bit of time to learn more about the role of a mission school in West Afica.  In the summer of 2014 Valparaiso 1st plans to have a team of educators ready to travel to Liberia, West Africa to lead teacher workshops.  On Monday evening we will begin the dialogue with Liberian educators to learn more about their schools and expectations.   If you are interested in knowing more about being part of the making plans and continue the dialogue with Liberian educators, please contact Bonnie Albert at bonkay@hotmail.com.  Join us Monday, September 17 to hear from Rev. Jasiah.  

 

 

 

Becky Harrell is coming for a visit

Becky Harrell, missionary in Costa Rica

Becky Harrell has been part of our church for a number of years.   I'm not going to get into dates but our congregation first supported her when she was a missionary in Chile.   Her assignment came long after a team from Valparaiso 1st (under the leadership of Lloyd and Margie Miller) came to Pachica, Chile at the Kusayapu Agricultural School. Becky has been with us on several occasions since she became a missionary for the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.

Several years ago she was asked to go to serve at the Latin America Bible University.  Our Costa Rica mission team in 2010 were blessed by a visit to this fine institution of higher learning.   As you remember, this is the very school where Margie Miller recently spent 3 months doing some volunteer service.  

We are blessed again as Becky is "home" on furlough from the mission field and is visiting supporting churches around the country.   She will pass through Valparaiso on the evening of June 24.  

We are having a gathering at our home just north of highway 6 on Tratebas Road near 350 East (345 East Tratebas Road) around 5:00 p.m. with a meal at 6:00 p.m.   It will be very informal but also we'll hear from her about the work that is being done at the Latin American Bible University and why this institution is so important in Latin America.   Please call 464-1447 or email at bonkay@hotmail.com that you will be joining us so that enough food will be prepared.   We will ask for a free will offering to cover the expenses with the extra going to the University.   

Rebecca Rusnak returns to Costa Rica



Rebecca cleans the cement/concrete mixer.

What is this draw to Costa Rica?   In 2005 a small team including Mary Lou Rainford and Lois Smith did a "check it out" tour of mission work being done in the San Jose area.   Since that time, around 25  volunteers from our congregation have joined various teams to be with what we now refer to as our Costa Rican family.   

In 2010,  Rebecca got tired of hearing all the glowing reports coming from those who had been there so she gave it all up and ventured out to follow what she felt God was calling her to do.   Currently she is a long term mission volunteer work (with a living stipend) doing what she loves and what she was called to do. 

It was good to see Rebecca while she was visiting recently but after 3 weeks she was ready to go back "home" .   Rebecca works hard ... helps volunteer work teams mix the concrete, prepare the mudded walls, translates from Spanish to English (and visa versa), and assists teams make all the necessary arrangements to work with the people doing a variety of projects.  Now granted all this takes place in one of the greenest most beautiful places in the world.      

In our conference, (the entire state of Indiana) we have just 3 or 4 active Individual Volunteers and two of those are from Valparaiso 1st UMC.   Margie Miller and Rebecca Rusnak have both served in this country in 2012. We are blessed by their leadership and dedication.

This month we are using our May Monthly Mission Offering to honor the work that Rebecca is doing on our behalf.  These funds will go toward the various feeding programs in the area to help address food security and most importantly proper nutrition for children.  Thanks for your prayers and support for Rebecca and the ministries she has joined.     

She's back and on the move

My brief 1 1/2 hour visit with Margie yesterday was totally packed with great stories about the experiences of the past 3 months. I could close my eyes and just imagine the places and how life was for her. But just as I had expected, re-entry was difficult and maybe more difficult than even she had envisioned.  After living in "community" for that length of time, coming home to an empty house was tough.   However I found her in the middle of preparing lunch for a college roommate and her husband who were stopping in on their way through Valparaiso less than 12 hours from the time she arrived home.  The empty house was being filled with the familiar sounds of the Miller household...friends and hospitality were already intersecting.  

Leaving her UBL friends behind was not easy for Margie. She connected with folks at the Latin American Bible University in a special way.   Even though we have numerous photos to select from, there is no way to introduce you to all the people who welcomed her, loved her and have returned her to her family back in the US.   In the photo above Margie indicated that little grouping included a professor, an administrator, staff person, mission volunteer, and students.  She knows everyone that teaches at the university, attends the university, cleans and keeps the grounds around the university, and all the volunteers who came and went while she was there.  Is it any surprise that she's been invited to return next year?

The best way to get a story is  to ask her about this young Benedictine Monk shown at the left.  You'll love his story and her smile as she shares it. 

Also, please notice her new hat.   Margie always has a hat, usually the blue one or the red one.   Her special friends gave her a new hat as a going away (but come back soon) gift so she wore it all day for the farwell gatherings.  

Today, Margie leaves her home again for a 4 day trip to visit family in Ohio.  Soon she'll be on the road in her little red convertible to attend a special family reunion of Lloyd's family and be with all her grandchildren and children for the first time in 3 months.  As her sister Sarah says -"You go girl"...and she does just that, hat and all. 

Bittersweet...leaving Costa Rica and coming home

My friend Lorena (Canadian) and I hard at work!

Margie sent a photo of  her and another new friend in her work environment... the library at the Latin American Bible University.  As you read this today, Margie is competing her last day on the job and getting the apartment packed ready for her re-entry back to Valparaiso, her home, her family and friends.  Margie leaves Costa Rica and is expected back in Valparaiso on April 24 around 10:30 p.m. 

For the past 3 months Margie has connected through the memories of  her life in the mid 60's with her beloved Lloyd and her young family and has added to those old memories a time, place, and people that was designed by God just for her.  Individual Volunteers matched her perfectly for this time.  Thanks, Nancy Eubanks. 

Last night she wrote:

I am just wanting to forward on to you the absolutely BEAUTIFUL, poetic message of love and friendship which is immediately below in Spanish, written to me by Cesar, a student here from Lima, Peru, and a Benedictine lay monk who most recently has been living and serving in the religious community near to Puno, Peru.  I have translated it for you here. 

  "To you, also, Margarita, for being the real presence of God in the midst of our lives. Always I will remember you with admiration for being BREAD broken, sweet and pleasing, in this brief experience of knowing you and of your having allowed us to know each other.  Happy Sunday, Margie.  Cesar Augusto Barahona--Lima, Peru"

It is a bittersweet day here for me as I pack up my things here in the apartment, then to up to UBL to spend my last day working among my new and dear friends there.  I am looking forward, of course, to being home again among ALL of you.  I love you, each one, so very much.  Margie 

 
  A ti también Margarita
  por ser presencia real de Dios
  en medio de nuestras vidas.
  Siempre te recuerdo admirablemente
  por ser Pan partido, dulce y agradable,
  en esta bereve experiencia de conocerte
  y de que nos hayas dejado conocernos.
  Feliz domingo, + Margie.-
  César Augusto Barahona.- Lima Perú.

Winding down, preparing for re-entry

I've tried to find a photo but ... not happening today. You'll need to use your imagination.  Margie wrote (after one of her parties I suspect) the following:

Yes, my dearest sister Bonnie--these have been REALLY busy social times for me, as these Ticos here are fabulous in hospitality, love, farewell parties, etc...and I've been quite included in all of that! Actually, this week another volunteer (UM from Iowa left, so we were all involved in her farewells--then now this week and even thru Monday are a series of many loving invitations for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, evening parties, etc. on my behalf. In addition, there are some of these special friends for whom I am the one doing the inviting to MY apartment!!  That means, for example, tonight a little coffee/tea/snacks time with 5 of my close neighbors, then on Friday night this week quite a large gathering of all our fellow apartment mates, plus about 4 others who will come together for a potluck dinner, squeezed into my little living room, 3 tables pushed together for mine and two other apts, then each one brings his/her own dishes, etc. as no single apt has enough for every one--and we will have several very talented latinos providing guitar music, singing, other south american instruments, etc. Should be quite a wonderful "bash"--I'm excited!  Well, yes, there IS still work for me to do here! Tomorrow I'll spend all day with two others painting an apartment owned by UBL and getting it ready to rent out to some new client--a way by which UBL can earn some extra income. I'll be painting and refinishing wooden cabinets, doors, etc. all day in a nearby section of San Jose--so YES, my time is still very full with volunteer labor, spending quite a few extra wonderful hours in conversations with my student friends here, going out with staff and professors, etc.  God is good, all the time.!  For sure, you can imagine that my feelings are definitely mixed in saying all these goodbyes--along with the wonderful anticipation of being back with all of my dear family and friends in Valpo, Indiana, midwest!!!  So...once again I affirm that God is good, all the time, and I am so very, very grateful for the fullness of JOY which I know here every single day, as I count my daily blessings.

  So now just close your eyes and I think you can just see her in the height of her glory, surrounded by her new best friends and talking just a bit.     Looking forward to getting her back in town.    See you soon my friend.