Never-ending packing party

From our nation's unspeakable tragedies, fervor has sprung from the goodness in men's souls that liberty generates, and from a sense of the brotherhood of all. In the ecumenical world, reasons are much the same, yet inspired by a higher calling.

Recent horrors have united frontline heroes, who "more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life." Add another dimension to the Christian response: "who more than self their Savior loved." Such love and devotion, care and compassion has been, and will continue to be, the heart and soul of Operation Classroom.

Volunteerism: the hands-on projects and OC are all part of the same sentence, and have been so since Indiana laymen Bob Bowman and John Shettle envisioned mission outreach in West Africa.

Hands-on projects would involve volunteers in a way that a simple check would not. A catalogue of needs took shape, with individuals and churches then offered various projects to lend their hands and hearts to. Gathering supplies to meet the needs of the schools appealed to the volunteers. And in 1987, the first in-gathering of supplies took place at Westfield.

Since then, OC has shipped thousands of school supplies, health kits, medical supplies and tools. The list is open-ended. When needs arise, they are added to the list.

Then packing supplies becomes a project which takes place in each district, under the leadership of their district coordinator. Some packing parties have brought together as many as 60 volunteers. They sort, and pack, and when it's time for shipping, some six to ten volunteers can load the 20-foot or 40-foot containers in about two hours. In addition, volunteers from 39 other states have packed and sent boxes.

Volunteers are the key to upgrading UM schools in Liberia and Sierra Leone through joining a work team. Over 275 have built and re-built the facilities, worked on libraries and classrooms. Two couples have also provided help. Age of the volunteers has varied from 16 to 80. And some volunteers, witnessing the suffering from the war, medical problems, the lack of the most commonplace, like chalk, and protein, even mattresses, inspire them to tell their stories back home and to return, two or three times. Why they have gone and what they have brought back has become a contagious outpouring of compassion.

Among other volunteers, OC counts seven teachers, a doctor, three nurses and one construction supervisor. Over 25 counselors have assisted in training local citizens in the basic understanding of counseling.

Two work teams, possibly three, have been scheduled for the summer of 2002. OC is also making plans to send some six to 12 volunteers to conduct two-week seminars to train additional counselors. Results from previous sessions have been gratifying, with a ripple effect. As the local people gain this understanding, they pass it on. Now volunteers for work teams, teaching, medical assistance, and counselor training continue to be needed. Other pairs of hands are also needed to gather and pack supplies and assist in the warehouse where containers are loaded for shipping. Because of the camaraderie, events are called "parties."

Just as Uncle Sam, portrayed in colorful World War II posters, pointed his finger at on-lookers, he said, "Uncle Sam wants you." Operation Classroom wants you. And needs you.

To answer the call, contact your district coordinator, or Joe and Carolyn Wagner at P.O. Box 277, Colfax, Ind. 46035. By e-mail at ocmission@compuserve.com or ccwagner@hotmail.com .

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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