ST PAUL'S GLOBAL MISSION ACTION GROUP MAINTAINS GLOBAL
RELATIONSHIPS IN FIVE COUNTRIES AND THROUGH THIRD WORLD BOOKS! WE ALSO REACH OUR TO THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST THAT ARE IN THE ARMED SERVICES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
WE HAVE MISSION RELATIONSHIPS IN HONDURAS,EL SALVADOR,RUSSIA, SOUTH AFRICA, AND TANZANIA. FOR EACH OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE A GMAG MEMBER WHO HAS BEEN THERE AND IS IN CONTINUING CONTACT.
Members of GMAG are active in the parish, the community, the diocese, nationally, and globally.
TANZANIA
RIFT VALLEY CHILDRENS VILLAGE IN ARUSHA.
This relationship was started in 2004 by GMAG member Meredith Bowen (mbowen13@aol.com) who spent 16 months between 2004 and 2008 in country and volunteering at RVCV. Meredith founded the African Orphan Fund www.africanorphanfund.org and is currently working with Foundation of African Medicine and Education as a Volunteer Coordinator. Her blog is on the www.africanorphanfund.org website. Meredith completed CWRU law school in 2008 an education that included an internship at the Rwanda Trials in Arusha. Meredith's mother Sharon Bowen, Judy Watson, Karen Carter, and Mary De Boer also volunteered at RVCV for three weeks each in 2008.
An American, India Howell , is the founder and Director of RVCV, an orphanage which now has 55 children. She has recently been given responsibility for the local pre school and has a management contract with the local schools. RVCV provides school supplies, teacher preparation, nutritional meals, sports , uniforms and volunteers.. RVCV has also developed an agricultural project and microfinance profect for the community to increase productivity and growth. India has spoken at St Paul's , most recently in May 08.
St. Paul's sponsors a child, VINCENTE, Juma Baran (DOB 8/16/05) see side bar for pictures.
IT IS COMPLICATED WRITTEN by JUDITH WATSON AFTER HER RETURN AUGUST 08
The Rift Valley Children’s Village is like a tiny island of loving care for children in the dismal rural poverty in northern Tanzania. More than 40 children, mostly between the ages of 3 and 11 years of age live there; a large permanent staff and many volunteers work all day every day to give every child love, acceptance and guidance and education to prepare them for productive Tanzanian citizenship. It is an environment of such hope and challenge; nobody knows how well the children can and will develop, but everybody’s full effort and spirit is engaged to provide the best possible lives for each special individual child. It is an amazing place; India Howell guides it all with her passion and wisdom for the children, individually and collectively, and her talents in running a complex business operation..
The children! Of course the children are at the center of it all. They are remarkably like many other children I have known and loved. But each one has his or her own sad past, some remembered, some not , which in some ways separates them from every other child. Each boy and girl is adjusting to new realities of home and safety, many brothers and sisters and streams of staff and newcomer volunteers entering and exiting their lives. They have the laughter and joy of active children everywhere, the struggles of difficult chores and mastering math and English and finding their place in such a big family. They are open and loving, giving and receiving affection freely. When a volunteer participates in giving a successful lesson, a fun bedtime story, an entertaining activity for play time on Saturday or gets everybody scrubbed at bath time, they joy of their very living is a tremendous reward.
Among the most obvious gifts they receive are the living conditions provided. By western standards their situation is impoverished and minimal; by local standards, these children are materially very well off. They have a dry house with a cement floor, running water, a flush toilet, excellent nutrition and gentle and loving medical care, lantern light and several outfits of clothing. Of central importance is their access to education and tutoring, and especially their facility with English, gleaned through constant contact with English speakers, in addition to the English they study at school. One of the central ironies of the orphanage is that these children, whose parents have died, or are unable to care for them, and whose more distant relatives are likewise unavailable have material priviledges far beyond nearby children. Nobody living at RVCV can avoid this fact, since there is a squatter village adjacent to the orphanage where the poverty and misery of rural northern Tanzania is fully visible.
There are 4 residence houses, most housing 12 children; in each house two African “mamas” and two volunteers live and care for the children. Days at the Orphanage start in early blackness; breakfast at 6:30 a.m. follows hasty rising, bed making, dressing and washing. By 7 a.m. it is light, chores have been done and volunteers are accompanying about 20 children in grades 3-6 down the path to the local school where they will stay until about 4 p.m. The rest of the school age children play outside until it is time for these younger ones to leave for a shorter day at school. At 9 a.m. Preschool convenes for 7 children and tutoring occupies others struggling with elementary mathematics and English. Everybody gets a snack break at 10:30; then back to preschool and tutoring, or, for Grades 1 and 2, off to class at adjacent Gytigie school.
Lunch is at school, or in the houses where the preschoolers live. Then rest time for the young ones—some sleep but mostly quiet (we hope) times on beds. At 2 p.m. afternoons get started with English as a Second Language classes for young adults (not resident at RVCV) and supervised play time, usually outdoors for the youngest children. 4:00 finds the older children walking home from school; 4:30 is bath time and another hearty snack of boiled egg and bread. More chores and then a cartoon or movie on DVD in the living room of each house. Dinner, story, tooth brushing and bedtime follow quickly—bedtime is about 7:15 and volunteers have dinner at 7:30—its inky black again as we walk over to the volunteer house where delicious western style meals are provided. We even have a special garden where fresh lettuces and herbs are grown—salads are served every day.
I headlined this piece “Its Complicated”, and the daily routines described above, though minutely organized with attention to the children’s individual personal, social and academic needs, are not the only “complication” that I am talking about. India’s vision includes not only helping the orphaned and abandoned children, but trying to prevent or heal conditions which lead to endangered and abandoned children. One of the basic problems is that the economy of Tanzania, and especially the area surrounding the RVCV is very limited; subsistence squatter farming and intermittent coffee picking is the rule.
Even when children and young people have education and English language skills it is hard to imagine where they will find a local niche in which to earn a living as adults. An important step was taken recently when local authorities turned over responsibility for the village school to the RVCV; slowly, conditions and teaching are improving and will continue to do so and thus give all the children better tools to make their lives prosper.
But more imaginative schemes than just improving the school program are needed, and these must reach beyond the gates of the RVCV. Several such efforts are under way now, in their very first months of existence. Hopes are high, but the difficulties of change, sparked by outsiders is well known and the volunteers and staff are taking care to work with local leaders and move cautiously. One such plan which India Howell and her organizations have established is a program of micro loans, to encourage individuals to start small businesses to earn some cash. This has been funded by donors and one cycle has been completed, with repayments on time or early! This same full time staff member is trying to help local farmers understand and use low tech innovations and existing assets (in one case stalks and cobs of maize after harvest) to manufacture charcoal which could sell for cash in the neighborhood. Another project is the demonstration farm which RVCV runs, using compost and low pesticide and erosion control methods to help local farmers get more produce from the available land. Another vision is to help start cooperatives into which people could deposit their earnings and use the assets to lend to one another, making the organizations less dependent on external support than they are with outside financed micro-loans. Another long term staff volunteer, both an artist and coach/athlete, has designed and raised money to build a regulation soccer field this year, on land between the orphanage and the local school, for use by all the local children. A recent “first” was a GIRLS soccer game between two newly formed teams played on the existing field; never before had girls played, always being kept on the sidelines. It was a momentous happening, planned, encouraged, facilitated and cheered on by many volunteers! It was scheduled after School, and Orphanage activities were suspended for the duration of the game so that everybody could cheer this great event for all the senior management of RVCV, existing staff, volunteers and donors. It is a very hopeful place. I am aware of the huge impediments which stand in the way of economic and personal growth in the region, but after my brief visit children. This same volunteer is working to raise money for equipment and soccer shoes for all players, as well as design and fund arts programs within the school.
The four innovations above are examples of the imaginative and gritty work which is being done along side of the hands-on loving care for orphans at RVCV, all sparked by to RVCV I realize what enormous strides can be made by the efforts of a very few people. I hope SPC will continue to support all the work of India Howell and her inspired helpers.
TANZANIA 2009!
Judy Watson, Karen Carter, Abra Said, and Mary De Boer volunteered at Rift Valley Childrens Village for three weeks in August 2008.
Extended volunteer commitments were done by Meredith Bowen and Mary DeBoer in Tanzania. Meredith is volunteering with Dr. Frank Artress and his wife Susan of Foundation of African Medicine and Education for one year. Mary worked with Dr. Henry Ziegler and Dr. Priscilla Ziegler RN for 6 months at the Anglican Health Center in Dar Es Salaam. She worked with the Nets for Life program and with community workers to educated citizens about the prevention of malaria.. She volunteeered at an orphanage where there was a malaria outbreak. She contacted GMAG and our rector responded with funds for bed nets and screening that were badly needed for malaria prevention.
old letter from Meredith Bowen January 7th, 2008
I just returned from almost 7 months in Northern Tanzania - three months at the Rift Valley Children's Village (RVCV), three months with the United Nations Rwanda Tribunal, and two weeks with Bishop Baji in Korogwe.
India Howell, the founder and director of RVCV, who visited St. Paul's in 2006, is doing extremely well - she sends her greetings and many thanks for all of the support that St. Paul's has shown to her project and her children.
The August trip to RVCV with Sam McDonald, Sharon Bowen, Sallie Bear (Christ Church Kent), and Jeanie Heller was very successful. The group was able to participate in all facets of the orphanage - from kindergarten, to tutoring, to bi-weekly clinics for the local community. Sharon Bowen was able to perform evaluations of the kindergarteners, as well as those children with apparent learning delays. These evaluations have been made available to all volunteers and staff in order to create continuity for the kids and the educational programming at the orphanage.
Baby Vicente, St. Paul's sponsored child, is doing very well - the cutest, smartest little guy! He loved the quilt that our St. Paul's Rift Valley Quilters made for him.
My time with Bishop Baji was also very interesting and worthwhile. Korogwe has very similar circumstances to those surrounding the orphanage. The extreme poverty is rampant across all aspects of life - housing, food, medical care, education. Bishop Baji is doing an amazing job of helping those in his area - regardless of their religious labels. His dedication to children - especially orphans - was inspirational. I am so thrilled by the connection that the Diocese is making - by having Bishop Baji attend our Convention, as well as through the future plans of support and friendship between our Diocese and theirs in Korogwe.
Now that I am home and back to law school, my focus is on fundraising - specifically for secondary school scholarships for those of age at the orphanage. It is always easy to find sponsors for the smaller children - adorable pictures of little kids - but harder to find for the teenage children who are in need of tuition in order to attend high-school. Secondary school in Tanzania costs $1,500 a year for 6 years. This includes tuition, room and board, plus all of the extras like books, clothes, and travel.
also
PLEASE CHECK LINKS TO VINCENTE PICTURES, MEREDITH'S LETTERS, AND SAM'S BLOG.
http://globalmission.pbwiki.com/vincente
http://globalmission.pbwiki.com/letters-from-Meredith
Http://samepisco.typepad.com/
MEREDITH BOWEN IN KARATU TANZANIA WITH FOUNDATION OF AFRICAN MEDICINE AND EDUCATION
Meredith had a year commitment to work with Foundation of African Medicine and Education with Frank Artress MD and Susan Gustafson. She was Volunteer Coordinator but we know Meredith has also worked in the Bush clinics and is extremely capable. The children from Rift Valley Children's Village where Meredith volunteered 14 months out of the last four years, receive preventive and sick care from Dr. Frank. FAME provides basic health care in this remote area. http://www.fameafrica.org Meredith adopted two children (Addie and Coleton) and returned home September 2009. She gave an outstanding presentation to the parish at a GMAG potluck on November 16, 2009.
Meredith's email mbowen13@aol.com
Mary De Boer is working in Tanzania also . This fall she worked at Bugurini Anglican Health Center and this spring she is working at an orphanage for girls.
message sent by Mary
Episcopal Relief and Development (along with Exxon-Mobil and Coca Cola) co-sponsors a program called NetsForLife (NFL) across Sub-Saharan Africa. NFL distributes grants to public health organizations to subsidize the cost of long-lasting, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, one of the best tools available to prevent the transmission of malaria. These nets are distributed to groups at an especially high-risk for dying from malaria--namely pregnant women and children less than five years of age. Since August, I have been working with an Anglican non-governmental organization, based in one of the slums outside of Dar es Salaam, as the program evaluator for one such NFL grant. As an evaluator, my job was to survey the population the organization was serving--both within Dar and the surrounding rural countryside--and determine whether the mosquito nets had been distributed effectively, whether they were being used correctly, whether malaria rates were declining, and whether the population was well-informed about the causes of malaria and prevention techniques. After collecting and analyzing all this data, I was then responsible for suggesting ways to improve the program's effectiveness in meeting those goals. My job in Dodoma in the coming months will be somewhat similar--I will be evaluating a community health program targeted at reducing HIV in the interconnected populations of commercial sex workers and ruby-miners in Central Tanzania.
Mary subsequently worked at at an orphanage for girls and responded to a serious need for malaria prevention.
South Africa - Mary and Rich Nodar MTNodar@aol.com
A relationship since 2001. Mary and Rich Nodar went as a model of partnership in mission to Masiphumelele. They have worked tirelessly in the Diocese of False Bay and also to educate others on mission at St Paul's, in the Diocese of Northern Ohio, and at the national Everyone Everywhere 08 conference in Baltimore. They have tried to assist a small parish to find a permanent place of workship, have done hearing screenings in schools to identify children with hearing disabilities and provide hearing aids to enhance learning. They have developed many relationships and are working with the local community and diocese.
A Youth Pilgrimagage under Youth Ministry for occurred July 2008. Eight St Paul's youth went to the Diocese of False Bay with Kate Gillooly and Sam Mc Donald. Rich and Mary Nodar were Hosting Liaisons. Mary De Boer was a chaperone.
Bishop Merwyn Castle visited St Paul's in August 2008 after Lambeth. GMAG members and Bishop castle were hosted by Heather and Barry Nelson at their home for dinner. GMAG under the leadership of Linda Mc Corkle had an all parish brunch in honor of Bishop Castle.
Mary and Rich served 3 months January to March 2009
The nodars return to South africa for three months a year to continue to represent St Paul's by ministering to the people in the township of Masiphumelele and the Anglican Chapelry of St Mathew'sin masiphumelele. Gifts from st Paul's parishioners help to support township people in need and the chapelry's needs each year. They are St Paul's presence in St Clare of Assissi, Ocean view, St Mathew's mother church, and in the Diocese of False Bay. Mary teaches the WordWorks Language and literacy Program in the library after school and provides homework assistance and enrichment programs for younger children in the library. Mary, who has a Masters degree in Education with specialization in reading is involved with plans for the reading camp. As an audiologist, Rich fits and provides hearing aids to children with hearing losses. Rich spends afternoons in the library teaching chessand coacing the Masi Knights chess team for tournaments in the Western cape Junior Chess tests. The Nodars function as st Paul's eyes, ears, and hands in South Africa.
The Nodars return to South Africa for three months a year to continue to represent St. Paul’s by ministering to the people of the township of Masiphumelele and the Anglican Chapelry of St. Matthew’s in Masiphumelele. Gifts from St. Paul’s parishioners help to support township people in need and the chapelry’s needs each year. We are St. Paul’s presence in St. Clare of Assisi, Oce an View, St. Matthew’s mother church, and in the Diocese of False Bay. Mary teaches in the Wordworks Language and Literacy20Program in the library after school and provides homework assistance and enrichment programs for younger children in the library. As an audiologist, Rich fits and provides hearing aids to children in need. Rich spends afternoons in the library teaching chess and coaching the Masi Knights chess team for tournaments in the Western Cape Junior Chess Tests. The Nodars function as St. Paul’s eyes, ears, and hands in South Africa.
Prayer:
Lord guide the people of South Africa as they face their next national election in March. Be with the Chapelry of St. Matthew’s in Masiphumelele as they strive to find their way as a group of worshiping Anglicans. Help the Nodars to discern your will to support those in need in Masiphumelele and in the Diocese of False Bay.
MDG’s Rich and I support the MDG about primary education for all. The planned Foster Home in Ocean View, supported by St. Paul’s, will support the MDG primary education and MDG infant mortality ones. The planned Reading Camp in the Diocese of False, which St. Paul’s supported by St. Paul’s, relates to the MDG Primary Education one.
MARY AND RICH NODAR ARE RETURNING TO DIOCESE OF FALSE BABY JANUARY 7 - MARCH 30, 2010
HONDURAS CENTRAL AMERICAN MEDICAL OUTREACH CAMO www.camo.org
CONTACTS ANN FARMER annfarmer@roadrunner.com 330 467 2275 OR 216 544 3789, SAMMY DYER SAMD@ON-LINE.NET AND CONNIE HANSON 216 283 4896, MARY NODAR mtnodar@aol.com RICH NODAR rhnodar@aol.com
US headquarters Orrville Ohio, Honduras Santa Rosa de Copan
Kathy Tschiegg RN , CEO CAMO is a model of mission!
CAMO is a christian humanitarian organization that works closely with the honduran Government and the community on health, development, and medical education thorugh partnerships with Honduran professionals.
Kathy Tschiegg RN, CEO spoke at St Paul's January 2009. CAMO is currently building with Honduran labor and community support a shelter for women and children who suffer from domestic abuse. This shelter will open December 2009. the Youth of Kathey church Salem Mennonite church in Kidron Ohio have developed a business plan to furnish the shelter. GMAG's Bob Cheshier is spearheading work on selection and provision of books for the shelter library and Sammy Dyer has taken responsibility of working with Prison Ministry to sew the curtains.
We have had a relationship since 1997. CAMO was brought to our attention by Caroline Morgan GMAG member and mother of Dr. Douglas Morgan who served in the Peace Corps with Kathy Tschiegg and continues to volunteer as a gastroenterologist and work with Honduran counterparts. Over the years GMAG has helped refurbish a gastroscope, donated money for the start of the CPR program (CAMO is the sole provider in Honduras), funds to support the Emergency Room , Family violence center and other programs as recommended by Kathy. The Nodars have volunteered and Rich trained the only person certified to test hearing. Bob Cheshier , GMAG member and President of Third World Books Inc., was instrumental in networking with the Noble Foundation of Akron, which sponsored construction of the CAMO library. Currently CAMO has 16 programs!
BABY BUNDLES Sammy Dyer Prison Ministry worked with the Stiching Post Group at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville to have shirts and blankets made for the Baby Bundles. Sammy's life term group is inspired to start sewing for community service for us , AIDS taskforce, Metro NICU unit. We received a competitive grant to continue and expand this work in 2008. We delivered 124 baby bundles fall of 2007, 42 in August of 2008, and 49 in october 2008. This has been an inspiring effort and increased parish awareness and participation.
Baby bundles were assembled October 14th with Eliza Backus Guild and GMAG They were blessed October 19th at the 9AM service with the 3rd grade carrying the bundles. GMAG is working with the third grade to share information on CAMO and Honduras. Sammy, Connie, and Ann met with Kathy and delivered the baby bundles. We collaborated with Prison Ministry, St Martins, Solon Womens Club, Jewish Federation who donated fabric,and Eliza Backus Guild. The Sunday School Children donated the soap and parishioners donated items.
Sammy Dyer is filing applications for 2009 work at the prison.
CAMO needs hospital bed sheets, home health equipment, bandages and other health supplies. We have networked to obtain donations and made several trips with equipment. We facillitated a donation of home health equipment from a donor in Columbus. We facillitated awareness and collaboration of CAMO and MedWish International. Through the Diocesan Miission Summit 07 and 08, we have shared information about CAMO and encouraged other parishes to work with CAMO or work with us for CAMO. Through this a connection was made with the International Federation of Womens Clubs which we hope will be fruitful.Information was also taken to the Everyonee Everywhere Mission Conference in Baltimore June 08.
CAMO HAS REQUESTED PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL AND NURSING BOOKS IN SPANISH FOR THE LIBRARY. WE ARE NETWORKING TO TRY TO LOCATE SOME. ANN HAS INQUIRED ABOUT THE COST OF A WANTED SUBSCRIPTION.
NETWORKING WITH OTHER CHURCHES IS IN PROCESS REGARDING DONATION OF CREDENCE CLOTHS FOR THE PRISON MINISTRY TO SEW BURIAL GOWNS FOR NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE BABIES WHO DIE. SO FAR ST TIMOTHY'S MASSILON and ST PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN INDIANAPOLIS HAVE RESPONDED. ST MARTIN'S CHAGRIN FALLS CREDENCE CLOTHS BURNED IN THE FIRE, BUT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DONATE FABRIC. IN MARCH 2009 THE SEWERS COMPLETED 29 SETS OF BURIAL GOWNS, BLANKETS, BONNETS, AND BOOTIES. EACH BLANKET AND GOWN HAD A PIECE OF AN ALTAR CLOTH SEWN IN TO IT.
DURING 2009 CAMO WILL BUILD A FAMILY VIOLENCE CENTER AND SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN. bOB CHESHIER HAS BEEN ASKED TO SPEARHEAD THE SELECTION AND ACQUISITION OF APPROPRIATE SPANISH BOOKS FOR THE CENTER LIBRARY .. GMAG MEMBERS hEATHER nELSON WHO IS PROFICIANET IN SPANISH, SAMMY DYER WHO IS EXPERIENCED IN VIOLENCE SHELTER WORK, AND CAROLINE MORGAN ARE ASSISTING. A MEMORIAL GIFT OF $565 HAS BEEN DESIGNATED TWOARDS THE PURCHASE OF BOOKS. tHE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST IS $2500. SAMMY DYER AND THE PRISON MINISTRY SEWERS WILL SEW CURTAINS FOR 18 WINDOWS. COST NOT ESTIMATED AT THIS TIME. DONATIONS ARE BEING SOUGHT.
Diocese of El Salvador Episcopal Schools Los Amigos Episcopales
Los Amigos (LAE) is a 501c3 organization in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio with active participants from 7 collaborating NE Ohio parishes and including st Paul's. It is part of the Diocesan Peace and Justice Ministry, dedicated to supporting the Episcopal Schools and preschools and a clinic in the Diocese of El Salvador. LAE supports 9 schools. In 2007 LAE helped purchase a house which provided space for 5 additional classrooms and enabled a school to expand from grades 1-5 to grades 1-9. In 2008 LAE supported student scholarships. In 2009 LAE is responding to Bishop Barahona's appeal for $6000 to support El Maizel School ( built by ERD after the earthquake). LAE is requesting partnership with the Diocese of Ohio in 2009. An application is completed for partnership between the Diocese of Ohio and Diocese of El Salvador. GMAG members are active in LAE.Connie Hanson 216 283 4896 is VP of LAE and Mary Nodar 216 283 9062 is corresponding Secretary of LAE.
MDGs addressed: #1 with the Bean Fund #2 primary education #3 gender equality #4 infant mortality (clinic and water monitoring).
GMAG gives annual support which has been $1000 per year in 2008 and 2009.
The relationship of St Paul' started in the 1980s and it is estimated that at least a dozen parishioners have volunteered there.Members of st Paul's have been active in LAE since it's founding in the 1990s. More recently Heather Williams (Nelson) was paritally supported on a LAE and ERD mission trip in 2005 .Additionally Rich and Mary Nodar have made two mission trips to El Salvador with a medical team of Concern for children. Bishop Barahona and Father Chavez have both visited St Paul's.GMAG held a Potluck Dinner in Bishop Barahona's honor in 2006 attended by 80 parishioners.Bishop Barahona's last planned visit was cancelled due to illness. Bishop Barahona and Bishop Hollingsworth know one another.
Russia St Andrew's Anglican Church, a mission church in Moscow
A relationship since 1996. Ann (Oestermeyer) Farmer read about this church in Anglican World and notified her daughter Caroline Oestermeyer who was living in Moscow.This church had been taken over by the Bolsheviks and desecrated. This church does many outreach activities to the homeless and ex patriots. They collaborate with a neighboring Orthodox church to run a soup kitchen. they collect clothing and blankets for the homeless. Last winter about 400 persons over half of which were children were freezing to death on a given night within blocks of the church. Over the years, St Paul's helped with vestments, new prayer books, some funds to refurbish the kitchen/church meeting area, a candle lighter/snuffer. TWB sent books to the Anglican Orthodox Library in it's belltower.The fourth grade Sunday School will be studying Russia this year with Ann and Harry Farmer. They hope to be in contact with the fourth grade class at St Andrew's Church in Moscow.
RESPONSE FROM THE REV'D CANNON SIMON STEPHENS OF ST ANDREW'S ANGLICAN CHURCH IN MOSCOW
A POSTCARD OF THANKS WAS RECEIVED FEB 08
Dear Ann,
Greetings and every blessing to you from Moscow on a rather grey Autumnal day! It has been a disappointing Summer as far as I am concerned but at least Western Russia has been spared the floods which have swept both the United Kingdom and the Russian Far East. The Amur river which traverses the Primorsky Province and drains into China is in full flood for the first time in 150 years!.....So global warming is having an impact upon all of us!
Please would you convey to your Global Mission Action Group my very sincere thanks for your most generous check of 750 USD for placement in the Chaplain's Discretionary Account. You may rest assured that this gift will be a tremendous help to me in ministering affectively to those in need during the Autumn and Winter months ahead.
As you will be well aware, there is some considerable tension between Britain and Russia as a result of the recent spying allegations. There can be no doubt that St Andrew's Church, as a high profile member of the expatriate community, is being caught up in the backwash. We continue to battle to obtain our use agreement, even though the Russian company 'Melodia' has to all intents and purposes vacated the building. Meanwhile, the City authorities seem to be intent on ignoring our preconditions before they dig up the Church courtyard to lay massive heating pipes. So, as airline pilots often say, please fasten your seat-belts because we are passing through an area of turbulence!!
Please send my warmest good wishes to your Rector, Church Council and Congregation.
Every blessing,
Simon
CARDS MADE BY SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN (4TH GRADE) AND A LETTER WERE SENT AT CHRISTMAS. THIS IS A VERY BUSY TIME AT STA ANDREWS WITH BOTH CHRISTIAN AND ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS. ALSO SIMON HAS FOREIGN STUDENTS WHO CANNOT GO HOME FOR CHRISTMAS SAY AT THE VICARAGE. ST ANDREWS REACHES OUT TO THE HOMELESS IN MOSCOW. SEVERAL HUDRED DIE A NIGHT IN THE FRIGID TEMPERATURES - HALF OF THESE ARE CHILDREN. THEY COOLLECT FOOD, CLOTHING INCLUDING SOCKS, AND WORK WITH A NEIGHBORING ORTHODOX CHURCH IN A SOUP KITCHEN. PRAY FOR THIS MINISTRY.
Armed Services Outreach
for information contact Kathleen De Boer deboerge@aol.com, Jenna Klopovic jenn2klop@yahoo.com, Harry Farmer 216 544 3789
COMMITTEE: Riich Nodar, Harry Farmer, Linda Mc Corkle, Kathleen De Boer, Jenna Klopovic, beau stouffer, Connie Hanson, Rev Daniel Knaup member advisor.
Anna Mc Gill wrote GMAG thanking us for our prayers for her cousin , Tom Bordonero. and sent a picture of tom with his baby!
Jim Richardson and Ann Farmer contacted at Alan's suggestion - Father Gerry Blackburn, Director of Military Chaplaincies at National Church www.tec-chaplain.org . Kathleen De Boer has been in continued contact. The Reverend Daniel Knaup, Army Chaplain and advisor has been very helpful. He will be deployed Spring of 2008.
Efforts are being made to update our list, seek parishioner referrals , and support the deployed military and their families. Copies of the Armed Service Prayerbooks, Episcopal service medals and lapel pins have been obtained and sent to 7 on the st Paul's prayer list. Seven individualized Care Packages were sent in December. Cards were sent. Many parishioners signed them. Cards, lapel pins, and a copy of "While Theyre at War" was sent to families as suggested by chaplain advisor Dan Kanup.
A list of recommended care package items has been compiled and updated 10/08 by Jenna Klopovic
Books that are specially designed for those in the Armed services: Prayer Books for the Armed Services, Strength in Service, The Bible
Episcopal service medals and pins
For spouses a book While They Are Away
Kathleen De Boer had a display at the Everyone Everywhere 08 national mission summit in Baltimore in June 08. lists and HOST information.
Contact information is available for Charlie Bates, Michael De Boer, Lisa Holmes, Dan Sansom, Jantzen Reed Mc Lellan, Todd Phillips, Chris Boehm
As we receive referrals/learn that Armed service persons are on our St Paul's prayer list, contact has been made with families/loved ones. and care packages cards sent.
LOCAL OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER FOR GLOBAL MISSION - RECYCLING FOR THE THIRD WORLD!
There are opportunites for you to volunteer if interested! see message below.
MEDWISH ASSISTED US WITH A CONTAINER OF MEDICAL ITEMS FOR BISHOPP BAJI OF THE DIOCESE OF TANGA TANZANIA! MEDWISH IS WORKING WITH US ON ITEMS FOR DR. hENRY ZIEGLER (CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD) WHO IS IN DAR ES SALAAM WITH HIS WIFE PRISCILLA DOING MEDICAL MISSION. AN APPLICATION WAS FILED 2/22 FOR DR FRANK ARTRESS (FAME) ALSO WORKING IN TANZANIA!
From Medwish International and the Nodars
Hi All- It's time to sort again. We have our second sort Saturday for the month of November coming up this Saturday, November 17th. As usual we will sort at the MedWish Warehouse, 17325 Euclid Avenue, from 10 AM- 12:30 PM. We hope that you can join us.
If we don't see you on Saturday, all of us at MedWish International wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving with your families and friends. Travel safely and we'll see you in December. Our December sort dates are Dec 1st and 15th.
Take
Medwish presentation Feb 22 2009
St Paul's members donated 197 pounds of used home health equipment and supplies including walkers, crutches, blood pressure cuffs, unused bandages etc. which were delivered to MedWsih by GMAG members. Donations are still coming in (a wheel chair and walker) and welcome. contact Connie Hanson 216 283 4896 or Bea Stouffer.
Diocese of El Salvador Episcopal Schools
Los Amigos Episcopales - a consortium of 8 churches in NE Ohio
Connie Hanson and Mary and Rich Nodar worked with Los Amigos Episcopales on the fundraiser for classrooms at the Episcopal schools in El Salvador. A dance was held at Trinity Cathedral October 19th and quite a success! Mary and Connie were instrumental in Los Amigos many efforts to raise $11,000 to purchase a house that will provide space for classrooms and make it possilbe to expand one school from six grades to nine.
Currently 8 parishes in Northeast Ohio participate in Los Amigos Episcopales. they work hard with the Bishop of El Salvador to support the Episcopal Schools there. St Paul's members have been involved and on mission in El Salvador since the eighties. Most recently, Global mission member Heather Williams was there on mission several years ago.
through Los amigos and our support additional grade levels and classrooms have been added. aslo handicap access has been provided for those with disabilities.
Third World Books
ROBERT CHESHIER rcheshier@roadrunner.com
President of TWB, Robert Cheshier has sent books globally since 1998 and has sent books to all GMAG relationship partners.
Bob RECENTLY SENT a container for Dar Es Salaam Tanzania in collaboration with St Ignatius High School. He is responding to Canon Masalawanga and Bishop Baji's requests and will include nursing books, secondary books, and hospital suplies requested! Hospital supplies are from Medwish International.
Recently a container was sent to Uganda. Bob is a master networker and collaborator. He trained librarians from all over the world and has many contacts to increase the effectiveness of his mission.
Books are also distributed to Cleveland and East Cleveland teachers through Kids in Need. Kids in Need provides space for Third World Books in exchange for Bob running the center.
Ann Farmer is a member of the Board of Directors. Annand Harry volunteer at Kids in Need. Bob is Director of the Kids in Need center
Travel Packets
Travel Packets were designed in the late 1990s by the committee and developed by mary Nodar and ann farmer to encourage parishioners to be aware and involved in mission. it is hoped that this effort will entice even the most reluctant to participate. It is hoped that our parishioners will attend Episcopal or anglican services while traveling, share our mission, and learn of the mission of others. Travel packets contain a letter from our rector and information about St Paul's church.
Available in the church office and being updated by Karen and Carl Carter
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