Plum Coulee News
Posted 2 months ago
By Cleo Heinrichs
Finally the group of 11 people from the Gospel Mission Church arrived at their destination – Jacmel – in Haiti! Among this group of mission servants was Tony Fehr of Plum Coulee, and he has quite the stories to tell. The start was not without some bumps, but as Tony expressed it, "we learned to travel by Faith. God is good!"
Upon arriving at Port au Prince on October 21, the work team had a four-hour truck ride ahead of them to get to Jacmel. Their mission is linked to Lifeline Haiti organization. For two weeks, Tony and some of his co-workers were occupied prepping the newly built, 2000 sq. ft. orphanage so the 27 orphan residents could move in. At the moment, the orphans were living in a tight 3-bedroom house. Both the interior and the exterior had to be cleaned, scraped, and painted. It was a satisfying event when that project was done. And did they ever sweat while working, and when resting. It was hot, just plain hot without any rain. Tony and the group experienced a warm welcome, not only literally with 30-plus degrees every day, but in the friendship of the people.
On the menu was rice, beans, and citrus fruit, and more beans and rice! Since the group did most of their own cooking, it was quite different from at home in Manitoba. Doing laundry was another unique experience for them. But it was so much more delightful when 11 year-old Marceline came to help with the laundry, all by hand of course! (nothing new and strange to those of us at four-score years!)
Tony and four others of the team returned to Manitoba after two weeks. Another four people stayed for another week, while two girls are staying an additional five weeks.
As Tony remarked when asked if he'd go on such a work mission trip again, "Oh, yes. There's so much unfinished work out there yet." And one of the Canadian young women said, "I know one thing, it will be hard to leave here."
Traveling and working in a Third World country always leaves lasting impressions.
Just a few facts from this team: a child can go to school and be fed for under $1.00 a day; the average age in Haiti is 18, and 400 children die every day in Haiti.
SILVER STRINGS AND SENIORS
The lively and lilting musical entertainment was a big hit with the seniors, at their monthly program last week. Providing this delightful music and vocals were The Silver Strings from Altona. What musical group would be complete without guitars, and there were two guitarists in this group; an accordionist, and a tambourine shaker. Not only did their instruments create beautiful music but their voices added an extra dimension of harmony, calling for sing-a-long from the audience. Tunes like "Calling You", "Hear the Voice of my Beloved" and "Go Rest High on a Mountain."
With this music still humming in the seniors' ears, former MLA Jack Penner, leader of the group, as well as guest speaker for the evening, talked about challenges facing seniors.
He took his hearers on a journey from his own youthful years, when he was involved in school and community through 4-H and the Sugar Beet Club, right through his years in public service for the provincial government.
To clinch his account of his years in public service, Jack commented, "I learned to understand that one has to give something of oneself to help others."
Through the years the Manitoba Legislature "became my home," he said. "But the day after retirement, that was over." A new question faced Penner. "What do I do now?" His ready answer was "Become involved in your own community." This was also his challenge to the seniors in the room. A statement Jack made, that puts a smile on anyone's face, is "retirement is such a great time, because you can do it at your own speed."
"But", he warned, "you can become so very busy, you must learn to say NO or you'll be too busy." Everyone understood that statement! "Finally" he added, "there are two very important keys to retirement. It's important to say NO and it's important to keep commitments, know your priorities."
For Jack Penner, retirement also includes serving the community through music This was again demonstrated as the Silver Strings concluded their evening musical repertoire with The Lord of the Dance, Wildflower, and Where the Soul Never Dies.
The next hour was spent enjoying coffee and refreshments prepared by the Seniors Board members. Another seniors program is coming up in mid-January, after the active Christmas season! See you then!
