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.  

Giving Tuesday is just around the corner.

Our National/International Mission team are once again helping you be part of the Giving Tuesday where we can provide funds for our mission programs within the United Methodist Church.  

December 1st is going to arrive before we know it.   If you want to know more...please check out the Giving Tuesday website.

Considering there are more than 350 missionaries and more than 800 mission projects, we have narrowed down the search for you.  Missionaries and projects are identified by number so here are a few special numbers.  Each are linked to the webpage to give you more information. 

Missionaries:
Clara Biswas  #13952Z 
Ardell Graner #10836Z

Projects with special significance:
Latin America Bible University in Costa Rica  #10247B     We hope that you will support this project as our thank you to Margie Miller for serving there as an Individual Volunteer. 

Operation Classroom has 2 project numbers.
        Operation Classroom - Sierra Leone  #12922A
        Operation Classroom - Liberia  #3020494

Children of Abraham #3021427    This is the only Advance Project in the state of Indiana and it happens to be located in our neck of the woods...Hammond area. 

Won't you please get onto the Online Giving website and check out what information is required for giving?   Giving Tuesday begins at Midnight (Central Time) on December 1.   The first $1,000,000 donated will be matched dollar for dollar with a few restrictions such as no project can get more than $25,000.

You can look for projects that might be near and dear to your heart such as UMCOR simply by typing the name in the box provided on the giving screen.  Those 5 letters will lead you to many project numbers.  Be sure to identify that you are part of Valparaiso 1st UMC.   Your gift will be noted as coming from our congregation.    

Have fun.   This is one way we can let our missionaries know we are thinking of them.   You may remember the 1st year for Giving Tuesday, $6.5 million was raised for mission.  Last year many organizations got involved so our giving on this day was $2.5 million.   Both years were so important for the ministries supported.   We are so blessed ... let this day be an expression of our thanks. 

Living in a culture of violence...

Margie involved in conversation around Living in a Culture of Violence.

One of the new activities for our dear friend Margie Miller is to be part of a discussion-learning group.   Within the student body of UBL many countries are represented.  That's one of the beauties of UBL...students within the context of digging deeper into their own personal belief structure and the Biblical courses that will prepare them to lead back in their home countries, have a safe place to really talk about issues that face them back home.  

Margie writes: I am sending along this newsletter with picture (See the photo above) telling about a new group of which I am a part...wanting you to know one more blessing in my life here as I live and LEARN so much alongside these dear people who are studying and leading here at the UBL.

Her dear friend Ruth, a UBL professor and Baptist missionary, gathered a group of students to come together after hours to tackle political problems following one of the famous potluck meals.  With participants from Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Peru, they came together around the topic of "Living in a Culture of Violence".   Each country would present the issue from their prospective with a few questions from others.   After all 4 countries were heard from, they would then have an open discussion on the topic.  Ruth shared in her newsletter. 

 

The stories were heartbreaking. They spoke of living in a suffocating atmosphere of fear and mistrust that permeates every aspect of their lives. They detailed the structural violence corroding their countries: corruption, poverty, illiteracy, concentration of wealth in a few families, military repression, impunity, lack of justice. They claimed that not only were the governments not able to control the criminality, gangs, and mafias, but they participated in them and profited from them. The governments, they said, align with international corporations to steal land from Indigenous peoples to exploit petroleum and minerals. One student told of the systematic destruction of his people, the Indigenous Miskitos of the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua. All spoke with passion and pain. They detailed how the structural violence has provoked domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, and street crime. The pervasive impunity has motivated a vigilante justice in which criminals are burned alive by the community. The terror has forced mass migrations, breaking up families and communities.

What then, has been the role of the church? Surely the church has stood out against these injustices, has spoken for the poor and marginalized, has called for justice? No, it has not, they agreed. They divided the church into three groups:

1. Those who have their head in the clouds and are heavenly bound, not to be concerned about worldly things.
2. Those who see their opportunity and join the system, using religious rhetoric to win votes, power and wealth.
3. Those who oppose injustice and stand for the poor. They are quickly “disappeared” by the state apparatus.

Where is our church (United Methodist Church and/or Valparaiso 1st) in our culture of violence right here in the USA?  Where are we personally?   Is this one of the hot topics for the future at FUMC?  

 

The next Political Dinner will be November 6.   Lift the students, Ruth and Margie up in prayer as they enter into another evening of meaningful ways to be a world changer. 

 

 

Mission Sunday... October 25, 2015

Youth Choir sang, as well as the youth provided all of the
worship music.  

Part of the lead up to our finance campaign is to hear from various ministries of our church.   On October 18 we were blessed with a service in word and song with our young people.  When both the youth choir and the children's choir share in the same service, we had a wonderful warm feeling being with so many of our church family in one service.   

 

On Sunday, October 25 we will be hearing from the mission teams ... Local Missions, National/International Missions, Hilltop, and Rays of Hope will share the worship time.  

 

Part of the pledge and general gifts to the church are used to support our mission program.  All of the 4 mission areas have a small budget...$6,000 to share.   Recently we (National/International Missions Team) send Margie back to Costa Rica with $300 of our budgeted funds to use at her discretion while she volunteers at UBL (Latin American Bible University) in San Jose, Costa Rica.   This week she sent us a note telling about a need that was addressed with those funds.  Read her words...

Just today I gave $120.00 to a refugee family who are being protected, loved and cared for here by the UBL community.  They are close and loving friends of mine...REv. Hernan, Mirna is wife, and Rachel their teen-aged daughter.  3 years ago they ran for their lives from the their MOST violent nation of Honduras, threatened at gunpoint.  So, the Lutheran Church of CR and several Lutheran Churches in the US, plus the UBL community are helping together in their support.  I have recently learned of a fairly serious health problem with 16 year old Rachel is suffering, and for which they simply do not have the $$$ to buy the medicines she needs.  We together have checked with my niece Dr Molly Stout by skype (Molly is a doctor in St. Louis and we all talked today together by skype) and Molly confirms that Rachel needs regular dosages of this particular medicine.  So...because she has NOT been taking it regularly due to lack of $$$, I have given her mother money for 5 months supply---$120.00.  They are good and faithful people, and they are very, very grateful for this gift from YOU, my church!!
I told her that today I would write to you her gratitude!  and MINE!  Love to all, Margie

Another way your pledge dollars are used is to support two missionaries.   Clara Biswas who serves in Cambodia and Ardell Graner who serves in Dominican Republic.   We were blessed in 2014 - 2105 with visits from both of these missionaries. $2,500 for each missionary is pooled with other churches who support our missionaries.  It takes about $60,000 per missionary to fully fund their living expenses, travel expenses, and medical insurance.  To support one missionary requires at least 24 churches giving at $2500 per church.  Again this is an example how working together is better than working on our own.      

In addition to that our church sent a team to Dominican Republic to get better acquainted with the ministry being lead by Ardell and her husband Gordon.  The mission team provided some of the project money for the completion of the parsonage at Monte Rojo church.  Previous blog posts give a bit of that story...just scroll down to June.   

Another way our congregation supports mission is through the Monthly Mission Focus.   As you know in October, your donations are going to UMCOR's response to the refugee issues in our world today especially to those fleeing Syria.  Each month a mission offering (which is above and beyond your pledge) supports a ministry within the connectional church whether it be within our state, another place in the US or out of country.  We are so blessed with a church denomination that has mission at its core.   It is only because we work together that we can make such a huge difference in our world.  We are "CIA"...Christians in Action".   Thanks for your gifts...in response to all that you have been given.  You are blessed.  

A report from Margie...

I've been a bit negligent this year with following Margie's activities.  She's just difficult to keep up with.  She sent these photos and few words today.   Good to hear from her.   Too bad she doesn't enjoy her volunteer "job". 

Margie LOVES to teach this class every Wed and Friday afternoon, 4-5 p.m.!!! Today we had 14 students plus teacher!  One student is taking this pictures and thus is missing from the picture. 

She wrote to the Shop women several weeks ago... thought you might like a few words from that email.
Yes, I am so happily back here in Costa Rica with this warm and loving "family" I have here, too!  The trip was without delay and without any problems...easy does it!!!  Hooray!

  I have important and interesting jobs here awaiting me...especially teaching now two English classes...mornings and afternoons Mon and Wed., one hour in length.  The student population for the morning classes is entirely those who work on our administrative/office staff here at the UBL, and free work hour time and classes in English is now one of the added "benefits" the UBL is offering to these folks--9 people in this class, and I work with another volunteer in a "team teaching" arrangement.  Kimmi is a good friend whom I have known here over these past several months, and we work well together, complementing each other's strengths!  I believe that is how GOD plans for us to work with others ALL THE TIME, don't you agree?