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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
May 2002 |
Can Ganta's 'God moments'
make you laugh and cry?
Does God have a sense of humor? The Rev. Anne Girton, administrator of Ganta UM Hospital, thinks so. Several years ago, she asked God not to send her to the Calumet District. But he did. Later, in Liberia, she prayed, "Please, God, don't send me to Ganta," but she did accept the call. "Since then I have been having the time of my life."
How can she say that, as tension, unrest and fear prevail as the country struggles to become stable? The people need reminders that they, and Operation Classroom, are God's people, called to work together. The support comes from visiting American clergy, work teams, physicians, missionaries and individuals even beyond Indiana. They remind Liberians that they are not alone or forgotten and that other Christians care enough to enable them to once again be self-sufficient.
At the Liberian Annual Conference in February, a state of emergency had just been declared, and tension was high. The group gathered at the Brumskine School where Mona Morgan's (Carmel, Ind.) work team renovated the building last summer. "Preaching, singing, dancing made it seem like a large family reunion for all, including Bishop Alfred Johnson and other U.S. guests. These God moments confirmed that God was surely with us," said Girton.
A work team from the Oregon/Idaho Conference worked to restore the multipurpose building at Camphor Mission, in hopes that students could use the classrooms this fall. A medical team from the North Central Jurisdiction led by Beverly Nolte provided cleaning and sorting at Ganta, plus staff in-service training. Returning soon, they will improve patient care and services to promote better health care. A group from the Holston Conference put finishing touches on a school at Tapita.
Relief supplies, for students, schools, churches, orphanages and both children and youth groups, from several states, have been unloaded and sorted. "God knows the needs" and so do the Operation Classroom coordinators, the Rev. Joe and Carolyn Wagner. Please check with them, if you wish to make a donation.
God sent Ganta a second doctor early this year. Because there exists an acute shortage, Girton calls this another God moment. That's not all. A third missionary doctor arrived April 1, and additional training in ophthalmology was held May 1. Hopes have been heightened that an OB/GYN and orthopedic doctor will soon be on staff.
A newly constructed malnutrition unit opened in February, with care for the children and training for their mothers. This program is working in villages to train people in hygiene, basic health issues and to provide safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
With UMCOR, "We are completing a much needed new kitchen and laundry facility. New toilets are being constructed and electrical systems are being upgraded."
Along came a God moment when workers were confronted by a giant "fist-sized" tarantula on the bottom of a water tank. Workers were very frightened, but a work team member, veterinarian David Stanley, quickly had the situation under control.
In March, Girton was interviewed by the Liberian Television network and a one-and-a-half hour program was aired. It was rebroadcast March 15. Another opportunity to share her faith, as she reached across the land.
Anne's story would not be complete without her account of Christmas at Ganta: a truly Liberian family affair, with an international dinner, decorations, and her first Liberian Christmas tree, decorated to resemble a Norfolk pine.
June 'in gathering'
There will be an Operation Classroom In-Gathering at both the North and South Indiana Annual Conferences. While at Annual Conference, look for a truck marked "Operation Classroom." It will be parked near the music hall at North A.C., or near the auditorium at the South A.C. Visit either www.nicumc.org or www.sicumc.org for a complete list of needed items.
To help with OC's outreach, contact the Wagners at home, P.O. Box 277, Colfax, Ind. 46035, or by e-mail at wagners@operationclassroom.org or ccwagner@hotmail.com.
Bloomington's support guarantees education for 714 girls |
|
The Bloomington District of the SIC has made a significant contribution to the education of the girls of Freetown by providing funds for the establishment of a new girls school. It is the only UM girls school in Freetown. According to the principal Etta Nichol, there was no school for the 714 girls; they would have been in the streets with no opportunity for education. The new school is located on Circular Street in the same building the Harford Girls School used for six years during the war. The building is the old conference headquarters. Operation Classroom through the Bloomington District has provided salary support for 20 teachers, YES and ET kits and other supplies. The school opened for the first time in September. Without the assistance of Operation Classroom the school could not have functioned this year. Operation Classroom has been its sole source of support. |