Stories from the Mission Fields

International Extravaganza: Stories from the Mission Field
On the evening of Friday, March 23 at 5:45 a meal with definite international flavor was served via buffet to nearly 80 folks of all ages. Most dishes were prepared by members of the parish from recipes that celebrated the Circle of Friends work that had been accomplished by Kevin Malcom. He had for years almost single-handedly kept Peoples connected with dozens of churches around the world. His life and work was a symbol of how small the world can be when you are joined to other peoples in the quest for world peace.
The tables were decorated with table clothes that included the colors of federal national flags and Rosemary Herd contributed international dolls to the displays on each food table. Many folks assisted in the kitchen, setting the tables, preparing the food and getting it out to the serving tables. It was a joy to see how quickly everything was taken down and put away after the program as well.
The room was festively decorated with displays of crafts and life experienced by several short-term missionaries who came to the event to present their story in display, pictures and words. There were displays that celebrated the missions experienced by Jane and
Cliff Ives in several countries including Haiti and Kosovo as well as many others. Ecuador was the theme of the display presided over by Pam and Rachael Tordoff who have both spent two week sessions in Shell, Ecuador with church members from the Hollis Center Baptist Church. Another collection of pictures illustrated the memories of
Pastor Gwyneth Arrison when she joined a group from the Grace Bible Fellowship in Camden on a mission to Cuba. As one circled the outer areas of Ellis Hall you might find Mark Tordoff showing examples of culture, mission activity and friendships developed when he went to Vladivostok, Russia when he went with men from Hollis Center. He also had memorabilia of his experiences in Africa when he went with Compassion International to Tanzania. Kevin Tordoff who is a member of the North Shore Community Church in Beverley Farms, Massachusetts, presented the other major cultural display. Recently returned from missions in Nicaragua and Ecuador sponsored by Peace and Hope International, Kevin’s display showed wares that local artisans develop and produce for sale. He is starting a new business, Global Village Trading Company that will help to provide fair trade prices to the artisan, a percentage of profit for the missions that he has worked with and some profit for himself. He is also working with a west coast organization called Lifewind that serve as medical ambassadors in several countries around the world.
Additionally there was a bulletin board that illustrated correspondence and pictures that have been received by some Peoples families that sponsor Compassion Children around the world. There was also a table where you could sign up if interested in short-term mission expereinces. That sign-up sheet will be available in the sanctuary for several weeks.
Beginning around 6:45 the evening program began with each of the people who had set up displays giving presentations that centered on three questions. 1.What do you have to do to prepared for short-term missions? 2. What can you expect or not expect once you are in the midst of your mission experience? 3. How does the experience transform your life? These three questions are suggested in the book Jane Ives wrote for Upper Room Publishing, titled, Transforming Ventures an excellent source or study for anyone anticipating or curious about short-term missions.
In addition to the aforementioned folks John Tordoff made a brief presentation. He is a freshman at Gorham High who last summer experienced a mission trip to Raleigh, North Carolina with others from Hollis Center to work and play with young folks in some of the project areas of that city.
Each of the presentations showed the personality interest and enthusiasm of those who had participated. One of the objectives of the program was to give folks in attendance an appreciation for what is going on in the world through mission opportunities. The hope and desire is that sometime in the next year or two there may be folks from Peoples that have the courage and interest to develop and go on missions elsewhere in this country or overseas.
The final presenter was Merrill Kaiser of Peoples who is presently the leader in the missions arena. The major thrust under his leadership will be to "Fill and Ark" for Heifer International. He presented a short video and gave a short speech about where we will be going with this initiative. A collection was taken at the end of the program with all proceeds going to the Ark project.
All in all it was a fabulous evening attended by many members and friends of Peoples Church. I would like to close this report with the words that could be found on the back of the evening’s program.
"We thank the participants for their time and their willingness to share their experiences in serving folks in many areas of the world. We thank you, the audience, for your graciousness and interest in participating in tonight’s program. We do hope that you will have taken away a better understanding and concern for peoples who in many cases live in conditions much less comfortable than our own. If you have taken away a message that calls for you to participate in some way, large or small, then the primary goal of tonight’s messages have been achieved."
May the Lord Bless You In Your Walk with the Lord.