Friends,
...Because many members live two or three miles from the
church and are without cars, and this is an unusually wet winter, church gatherings have been
smaller than usual. The owner of a car, "Hermano" or "Brother" Antonio rarely
misses and thus is called upon frequently to pray the "Prayer of Thanksgiving"
during the service. Each time he prays, he thanks God for the 'beautiful,
comfortable, heated surrounding we have to worship in.'
I find this noteworthy because by U.S. standards our sanctuary, would
not be considered beautiful, comfortable or heated! Built in 1927, the building is a
rather simple construction. Concrete walls rise to the pointed roof. The windows
are clear glass, without screens. There is no carpet on the wood floor. Our pews
are plain wood as well, without cushions on the bottom or backs. In fact, their only
covering is the wealth of names and initials students have carved into them over the
years.
The heat Antonio mentions is provided by a wood-burning stove made
from a barrel that stands in a corner. If you are fortunate enough to sit on one of the
first two rows of that side, you benefit a bit from the heat. Clearly, beauty and
comfort depend on your perspective. People here are just grateful to have a place
where they may gather freely to worship. They are grateful to have pews period—and
especially ones with backs, as they are aware that many churches do not.
Having now "seen" our sanctuary, I'd like you to meet a church member
or two! Like Hermano Antonio, Hermana [Sister] Denise is in regular attendance
but does not own a car. Denise's life is a reflection of the lives of many Chilean
youth. She just turned 17 and lives in a small house along with her mom, dad, three
sisters, a young niece and nephew, and a cousin (yes, you counted right—nine
people). Denise is in her third year at a technical high school where she is studying
to be the equivalent of our Certified Nurse's Assistant . In Chile's troubled
economy few jobs are available. Denise's parents are presently going from one
seasonal job to the next with periods of total unemployment. Thus Denise must pick
up temporary work when she can to help pay costs of her schooling. Should she
finish high school she will be the first in her family to do so. When not studying,
she helps at home with cooking and cleaning chores, and helps care for her
8-year-old sister, who is mentally challenged and unable to walk, dress or feed herself. She
also assists with the 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday School classes at our church. In her
"spare" time she attends youth meetings and discipleship classes. We find Denise an
inspiration as she quietly goes about her life, without complaints, and dreams of
continuing her medical studies after high school, not only because she enjoys the
field, but so she can contribute more to the family economy.
Another remarkable woman is our friend Hermana Gladys Paillao
Cayuqueo. As any Chilean would tell you, her last name gives away the fact that she
is a member of the dwindling native Mapuche peoples. As opposed to some
Mapuches who change their names to hide their heritage in an attempt to avoid
rampant discrimination, Gladys wears her name and ancestry with pride.
Her father was a peasant farmer who had 12 children and encouraged
them to get as much education as possible. With much effort on his and Gladys'
part she got the 3-year technical degree in Home Economics. She has worked 30
years teaching rural women home management—nutrition, health, gardening,
preservation of fruits and vegetables and baking [skills]. On weekends, after she
finishes teaching night classes, she takes a 3-hour ride to her sister's home to
relieve her of the care of their 89-year-old stepmother who suffers from senile
dementia.
Though Hermana Gladys has no children of her own, her home is
frequented by young people who need the advice and comfort of a second mom.
She currently spearheads efforts of the El Vergel Methodist Church to set up an
outreach of prepared meals and support for local senior citizens. Her
servant's heart and her deep faith serve as an example for all of us fortunate enough
to know her.
May God bless you all and may you find inspiration in the people who
surround you. May that inspiration move you to love as the Apostle John suggests
we all must as followers of Christ, not "with words of tongue but with actions and in
truth."
Peace,
Abel and Grace Vega
An excerpt from Church and Community Worker, Deaconess Judy C.
Mathany, Ph.D., serving in West Virginia:
Friends,
...I keep hearing in the news about how the unemployment rate is the
lowest in a long time and how anyone who wants a job can have one. That may be
true in some parts of the country, but it is certainly not true for McDowell County.
Even in the midst of a good economy for some people, others are still struggling for
the basic needs of food, water, and shelter.
A case in point is Frankie, a mother with two children. Frankie studied
and passed the state dietitian exam with a good score. She applied for a dietitian
job at the hospital and nursing home. She was interviewed at both places but
someone else got the jobs. She has put in applications at all the fast food places and
hasn't heard anything. If she gets a job, she does not have transportation to get to
work, and there is no public transportation in the county. She has tried several times
to pass the test for her learner's permit. At present she is living on a $357 monthly
welfare check. What happens when she is no longer eligible to receive a welfare
check under the current welfare system?
Many persons struggle to survive and don't know there is help available.
In such cases help usually comes only when someone who cares learns about the
situation and seeks help for the person. Let me give you an example:
Barbara [a local woman] was going door to door inviting children to Bible
School when Doris, a mother with four children, began telling her that the water was
on in the house when she moved in and she used it without telling anybody. She
said that she knew that she had been stealing the water by using it. Then the utility
company discovered someone was using the water and disconnected it. Because
she owed a $219 bill to the utility company in the town from which she had moved,
she could not get the water connected at this house. She did not have any income
because the welfare office had stopped her check when she missed an appointment.
She missed the appointment because she did not have transportation to get to the
welfare office.
When Doris shared her story, she was unaware that Barbara worked at
the utility company. Barbara drove by her house later and saw that Doris was using
creek water; she told her she could not use this water because it had raw sewage in
it. Barbara explained that the utility company would allow Doris to sign an
agreement to pay $10 a month and would then turn on her water. Doris said she
could not sign such an agreement because she did not have any income. So Barbara
called a friend at an interdenominational mission agency for help with the unpaid
utility bill. That agency didn't have funds and called me; I was able to help. I
believe this shows what will happen to some people when they are no longer
eligible to receive a welfare check. In this situation the check may be cut off for
only a few months, [assuming] Doris is able to find someone to take her to the
welfare office so that she can keep appointments. However, with no income, she is
not likely to find anyone to transport her for free.
Where is the hope? My sense is that some of the hope comes when
persons feel that someone cares. One of the ways people experience God's love is
through our actions. I am grateful for your support which allows me to be in
McDowell County to provide encouragement and to help whenever I can...I have
made referrals to McDowell Mission for families to get furniture, appliances,
household items, layettes for babies, baby beds, cleaning supplies, and clothes from
the thrift store. I have given food from the Bluewell-Keystone Parish food pantry,
assisted with utility bills through the Welch Area Parish Service Account, and made
loans from the Welch Parish Revolving Loan Fund.
As I work with people, I find unexpected joys like being invited to the
birthday party of a seventeen-year-old disabled boy, whose family I have worked
with for a number of years. Another joy was receiving a special thank-you card
from young mothers in the McDowell Mission Dove program for assisting them in
earning their GED's and developing parenting skills. One young mother who
doesn't say much verbally wrote, 'I thank you very much and a whole lot
because I wouldn't know what to do if there wasn't an angel around to save me.'
....As I work with those who are denied the basic necessities of food,
water, shelter, dignity, love, and respect, I am reminded of the promise of God's
presence in all we do. Through your support I also feel God's sustaining presence.
With much appreciation,
Judy
An excerpt from Church and Community Worker Rev. Meri
Whitaker serving in Oklahoma:
Friends,
The secrets of Christmas time give ordinary work special meaning. Tasks like
baking, shopping, cleaning, and decorating become celebrations and we anticipate
the joy and enthusiasm of those who will enjoy our efforts. It is no different here at
the Cookson Hills Center. Activity that can become mundane through the year, takes on a special
meaning at Christmas.
As you know, the Cookson Hills Center ministers to low income families
of Cherokee, Adair, and Sequoyah Counties. Many of these families with children
would not celebrate Christmas if it weren't for the generosity of United Methodists.
We do not have to be rich to be generous! I hope that you will consider giving to
those who are not as blessed as you are at this time of year . . .
As Christmas approaches, please remember to pray for your missionaries
and the folks they serve.
This season, Lord, we turn to prayer,
To lift all people to Thy care,
Regardless of their race or creed...
We realize a common need. (McAlphin)
Oh, Father, fill me with the love
That filled the earth that night,
A love that reached throughout the world,
And filled it with your light. (Maroney)
Yours in Christ
Rev. Meri Whitaker
