Torre Fuerte ... Strong Tower -- A new United Methodist Church

Located at 3801 Deodar Street in East Chicago.   The main building is 3 floors, and on the right side is a full gymnasium.



The doorway which leads to the worship center of the
Ministrerio Torre Fuerte along Deodar Street.

A new ministry lead by Pastor Esequiel and Pastora Suri Becerra is being consecrated on June 6 at 1:00 p.m. by Bishop Coyner.  The United Methodist Church some 20 years ago had a Hispanic presence in the East Chicago area.  So there is some real excitement that one such ministry is returning.   

Valparaiso 1st will be present at this service to show our support for the new, very important, and much needed ministry in our area.  If you would like to be part of the "welcoming" group from Valparaiso 1st, please call the church office and let them know.   We will be organizing a car pool or the church bus to be transport us to Each Chicago  for consecration service. Following the service participants will be treated to some great Hispanic food. 
This amazing clergy couple has worked tirelessly (well may not exactly tirelessly) to prepare this building which needed lots of loving care.  They have completed so much work in a very short time.   Esequiel works as a contractor as well as spends many hours in doing the remodeling for the building and pastoring in the neighborhood.
Children and youth can come for recreation,  the Hispanic community can come to worship and Bible study, mission teams might stop by as they pass through the northern part of our state, and community activities will be welcome at Torre Fuerte.   In the coming months, our mission team will be exploring more about the ministry and discover ways in which we can be a partner. Start up needs are great.   Keep watching, reading, and ask questions.  Stay tuned. 

  

 

 

Congratulations go to Chiwimbo Gwenambira

For the past few years our church has given the Christmas Eve offering to support the Africa University Campaign under the Indiana Conference leadership.   In addition to giving money to support the Agriculture Department at the University and student scholarships, we are also learning more about Africa University in the process.

 

 QUICK FACTS:

1. The university opened its doors in 1992 to 40 students.
2. The first two faculties were Theology and Agriculture.
3. Since 1992 over 5500 have received a degree.
4. Currently 28 Africa nations are represented on the campus.
5. 1450 students were enrolled for 2014-2015 school year.
6. All classes are taught in English. 
7. They now have 7 faculties for degreed work at the university.

Our church has a goal for the AU Campaign of $29,000 or more.  When our church joins the other churches and individuals from around the Conference (State of Indiana), we hope to have $1.6 million dollars to be placed in an endowment for salary support for the Agriculture Department and scholarship support for students such as Chiwimbo.

 

Chinoeso, Chiwimbo, and Pricilla at Graduation

Reverands Gwenambira visit Valparaiso 1st May 10  

On Sunday May 10, Chiwimbo and her parents were with us in the 9:15 worship service.   They so appreciated the way in which we extended our radical hospitality.  Chiwimbo had just celebrated her graduation from Michigan State with a Master's Degree in Crop and Soil Sciences.  

Both her parents a United Methodist Pastors in Zimbabwe.   Her father Chinoeso pastors a church with over 1000 who worship each Sunday.   Her mother has been assigned to a rural area where she pastors 6 churches and shepherds 700 worshippers on a Sunday morning.  Her father did his Master's in Divinity at Africa University just before Chichi began her studies there.  She graduated at the top of her class in Agriculture with emphasis on research in crop and soil sciences.  Africa University prepared her very well to move forward with advanced degrees. 

Please remember Chichi and others like her when you give to the Christmas even offering in December 2015.   It means we will be supporting other fine young people just like her who have great plans to make a difference in the world. 

Chichi will be returning to East Lansing this coming fall to begin her doctoral program at Michigan State.  All of the data research will be done in Malawi and Zimbabwe while the actual data analysis will be done in the labs at Michigan State.   We wish her all the best as she continues to "be a Spartan".   (Game days there are a pain...all sorts of bus delays for the serious student.)                   

Chiwimbo receives her Master's Degree on Friday, May 8.

Chiwimbo and her parents at Michigan State for the big event. 

Chiwimbo will soon graduate with a Master's Degree from Michigan State in Plant and Soil Sciences.   Her parents along with Chiwimbo will be with us for worship on May 10.  Please welcome them to our church "community". 

The "grape vine" via Princess tells me that she will be returning to Michigan State to begin her Doctorate in the same faculty...Plant and Soil Sciences.   We expect to get the full story about her future on Sunday.

 

Margie and The Journey Home

Margie is on her way back to Indiana but her departure was delayed by one day.  We now expect her in the early morning of  May 6.  Edited... Margie will not be coming in now until May 10 in the early afternoon.   Spirit Air won't fly though the volcano "whatever" so flights have been cancelled.   How great it is she has friends in Costa Rica.  No worry about Margie, as she is surrounded by a very supportive community.     
 

The Journey Home, our April mission focus will soon be receiving the offering that was shared by our congregation...$409 will be sent this week to help in providing a safe environment for 11 military veterans who otherwise would be homeless.  THAN KS  Valparaiso 1st United Methodists for giving through the "connection".  The Journey Home was selected by the National/International Mission team because of our interest in providing a hand up to the homeless community. This particular focus of addressing homeless veterans is not addressed here however it does provide our leadership with information about possibilities for veterans who stop by and are in need of a residential facility.  We are now able to offer this connection to a veteran in our area. 

Thanks again for your support.     

 

Graduation time at UBL

Gustavo, Margie and Beauvais

Margie is winding down her time at UBL for the "spring" semester. She writes:

Today was a very special day for me...the graduation of some UBL students who have earned their Bachelors or Licenciate Degrees in Bible or in Theology.  Here I am rejoicing with these two dear friends with whom I have had the privilege of working side by side on the corrections of their theses...to the left is Gustavo Perez, a Colombian who has lived for several years with his family here in Costa Rica, and to the right is Beauvais Mervileus from Haiti, who is leaving in one more week to return to his beloved country after spending three whole years here at the UBL earning both degrees in Bible.  What wonderful assets these two men are/will be in the leadership within their churches and communities!!  Another JOY for me today was to hear the names of three other students who graduated en ausencia, whom I know, and the man from Bolivia now living in Canada I was happy to review and correct his graduate thesis by "long distance" e-mail services!! Such blessings!  Much love to you all, Margie

April 15 and the Mission Focus is ...

THE JOURNEY HOME

  

THE JOURNEY HOME is a residential facility for war veterans.   Statistically 23% of our homeless in the United States are veterans so this is an important ministry for those who have literally given their life for others.   Sometimes living with all of the aftermath of being in a war is not easy to adjust to living with family and friends when they return. 

A highly motivated and professional staff help the veteran transition back into society and become a productive member of the community and help rebuild a broken family unit.  Several local employers have committed to hire them while they reside here, when they are ready for work.   On the job training is also available from some employers.  Today 11 residents, 5 who have just returned from Iran/Iraq/Afghanistan wars, are working through the issues of being productive members of society after the experiences of war.   

This particular facility is in Winchester, IN which is near the east central border of Ohio.  David Byrum is now the District Superintendent of that district and is pleased to have this ministry a part of the Indiana Conference Advance projects.  Few facilities exist in our country and this is only one of two that exist in our state.  

Please use the link to the website for The Journey Home.   A powerful story of  Andrew Powers is shared.  

The National and International Mission Team seeks to support ministries in our connectional church that respond to the needs of others.  Your extra attention to this ministry is much appreciated. It is just other way that we at Valparaiso 1st UMC reach out to the least of these.   Thanks for your generous gift.      

Margie in her element

Margie with friends...playing games and enjoying one another. 

Found this photo on Facebook.   Some blog readers may have seen it but some of the blog readers are not on Facebook so I share with you.  
Margie is winding down her time (for this winter and spring) in Costa Rica.   Her estimated return date is May 3 so we lift her up in prayers as she prepares for the journey again.  Now just because she is "coming home" doesn't mean she will be home.   She will surely continue her journey here in the US as she visits the families of Sarah, Rachel, and Naomi.   Whenever it is she loves our warm welcome back.  
How's the painting coming along Margie?   We were so blessed with the opportunity to be part of that project.   See you soon.