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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
September 2002 |
Concrete blocks, bananas and tennis shoes for Freetown
"I'm 'uungry," the child cried. As Bill Jackson, work team leader at Freetown's Kissy Urban Center comprehended, he distributed a bunch of over-ripe bananas to the group encircling him. There were not enough to go around. Soon, though, the hungry children broke off pieces, sharing with others.
Jackson, pastor of the Milroy UMC, said the people needed not only more food, but everything. When his team prepared to return from their two and a half weeks stay, they gave away all they had brought except the clothes on their backs. Jackson's son Brian now takes turns with his dad wearing their one pair of tennis shoes. Other shoes, plus three unmatched socks, grace the feet of the youth there.
Their trip last spring was a first for himself and his team of youth from the Rushville District, Cory Gault, Christy Stevens, Josh Mosier and Brian Jackson, who challenged him. He experienced difficulties with the heat, different food, language and emotional concerns.
"I'm sorry I can't help you" was the most difficult thing he had to say when youth begged him to adopt them or when women offered him their own children. "One boy said 'I'll work, go to school, go to church, do anything if you'll take me back. My father was killed and my mother can't feed us.'"
All United Methodists should be proud of what Operation Classroom has accomplished at Kissy, Jackson believes. "We laid concrete blocks for the nearly completed children's wing and painted three buildings. Many lives are saved among the 300 to 350 the staff sees each day. Call these medical miracles. Operation Doctor will be raising funds to add an operating room to the clinic, making it a full hospital."
Just as the children at Freetown clamored to learn, so did those at Baoma when Kay Hess and her work team arrived to help with construction upgrades for the school.
The team of James Bratt, Evansville; Lawrence Hunter, Spencer; Shanon Crane, Evansville; and Les and Hope Law from Colorado left July 15 and returned Aug. 3. Kay had joined Jackson's team on June 12 and stayed with a missionary friend during the interim. As a previous work team leader, she feels drawn to the people there because of "their spiritual nature and deep abiding faith." She calls her time there one of spiritual renewal.
Interviewing students convinced her of their intent to learn and to finish school. She received numerous requests for scholarships.
The team also made about 200 concrete blocks for the principal's home. They later attended a farewel1 dinner there, and were invited to the rural church where he is pastor. It was probably the most exciting worship service Kay can remember.
During the sermon, choir members jumped up and left their seats. The pastor. moved quickly away from his pulpit. It seems that a huge snake had appeared in the rafters!
Kay sensed long-awaited security there. Many told her, "The war is over." They approach the future with hope."
To help with school supplies, tools, books, contact Rev. Joe and Carolyn Wagner at wagners@operationclassroom.org.
Editor's Note: Bishop Arthur F. Kulah, ret., is now principal of Sierra Leone Theological Hall and Training Center, He said the elections last May ended ten years of civil war which left over 200,000 dead, millions in property damage, and hundreds of thousands of people displaced. He reports the voting process was peaceful and a new government is now in place. His school was involved in voter registration, education, and monitoring.
Last updated on 01/14/2004