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‘If you are satisfied, don’t go to Africa’
CHANGING LIVES—Members of Crossfire Ministries, which have offices in MVP Athletic Center, went to the Ivory Coast to Abidjan, Africa to visit a church they helped finance. While there the lives of the African people touched their hearts and changed their outlook on life forever. The Rockford residents coudn’t believe the difference in everyday life from our country and this third-world poverty.
Rockford’s Crossfire ministries travel to Africa’s Ivory Coast
by PASTOR Keith Hemmila
Crossfire Ministries
If you are satisfied with your life and happy with yourself, don’t go to Africa. You will come back forever changed. Abidjan was just another dot on the map until we visited this city.
We weren’t quite sure what to expect, but now it has a permanent home forever in our hearts. We still see a multitude of faces, beautiful people going through the motions of everyday life, with a hope that someday things will improve.
Civil War broke out in early 2001 that crippled the country. Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s largest city of 3.8 million, was hardest hit. The war caused 800,000 Europeans to exit the country along with the world bank. This beautiful city turned into a refugee camp.
Young people between the ages of 16 and 25 populated the city. Many had lost their families in the war and had come to Abidjan to reestablish themselves. Every morning it hit us that in a few days we would be going home, but for these people, this is their life. While we drove through the city, we felt helpless as we encountered so many people in need.
Our hearts were troubled as we caught sight of an elderly woman begging for her daily food. Children walked between the cars at intersections selling goods from newspapers to toilet paper. But the most heartbreaking scene was a young man walking on his feet and hands because his body was so severely twisted. Medical facilities were minimal for this unfortunate man. It was a startling reminder of the difference between our country and a third world country.
Myself and wife Judy Hemmila, Sherry Holmes, Shirlee Kamstra and Linda Penn-Davies made up the team that went to Abidjan. The purpose of our visit was to work with Bishop Anthony Yeboah, Field Director of Free International Missions. Pastors preached at eight services in three different churches. The three other participants came as support staff. Rice was purchased by Crossfire Ministries and distributed to needy people. Also, this team had the opportunity to visit a new church Crossfire Ministries helped finance in 2008.
The road trip to our first ministry event was shocking. Garbage lined the streets and actual garbage dumps existed throughout the city. It was a perfectionist’s nightmare.
We traveled on dirt roads full of pot holes and debris. We saw miles of shacks without doors or windows covered with simple tin roofs. Young men were hauling grass in carts for $2 a day while women carried heavy loads of merchandise or food on their heads to sell. We were all speechless and had a hard time holding back the tears.
Amidst the poverty, we discovered the treasure that existed within the people. They were beautiful, happy and generous. The colors in their clothing were spectacular. They spoke a beautiful French dialect.
The first Sunday worship service was at 6:30 a.m. with people filling the building and two large tents. We were so moved by the beautiful people with huge smiles that we didn’t notice all the armed guards and barbed wire. Worship was amazing. The music was full of life and the singing was passionate. The worship team moved from one song of praise to another. The people often danced around the church as they sang. The music was so joyful that Pastor Judy was compelled to join in the dance. This sparked giggles and smiles showing they were delighted that she had joined them. It proved that love and communication are more than speaking the same language.
As we reflect upon our trip, there are common impressions and lessons we learned from our experience. First, we recognize how fortunate we are to live in the United States. Sherry Holmes said, “I am so thankful that here in the states I can put my toothbrush under the faucet and back in my mouth without worrying about getting sick. I do not need a wall with barbed wire around my home and there are not armed guards or check points in Grand Rapids. I do not sit 16 hours a day in the middle of dirt and trash trying to make a living. Even the poor in our country have a backup plan called welfare or food pantries. Those who lose their jobs in the United States can apply for unemployment and get paid for not working; not so in West Africa.”
Linda Penn-Davies was also shocked by conditions there. “I was taken back by the armed soldiers standing on the street corners and soldiers driving jeeps with mounted machine guns,” she said. “This is everyday life for these people. Can you imagine armed soldiers walking around Rockford? I’m so thankful for this experience. I’m forever changed and know I am a better person for it.”
Pastor Judy reflected upon her renewed appreciation for our country. “We are so blessed. God has watched over, prospered and protected our nation because we patterned our culture on Biblical principles. I wonder how long we will be a blessed nation if we foolishly ignore and reject Christ and His teachings.”
Shirlee Kamstra shared how going to Abidjan gave her a new perspective of God’s passionate desire for a larger family and how He desires her to share this good news. Telling others about the loving and amazing God she serves and extending the invitation for them to experience His love and forgiveness.
Last, our view of church has been enlarged. It’s not about bricks and bucks. It’s about relationship with God and one another.
We are more committed to missions here in Rockford as well as in West Africa. Linda summed up the teams thoughts quite well. “I had to go to Africa to find myself. I know I will go again. It was a dream of mine; now it’s a passion. Every Christian needs to go on a mission’s trip. It doesn’t have to be in Africa, it can be down south, the inner city, Mexico, but they need to do it. God will enlarge out influence when He enlarges our hearts.”
If you would like to learn more about how to prepare for a trip to West Africa, please call our church office at (616) 863-8197. A DVD with music is available at our website: www.crossfire-ministries.org
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Club grows legacy one tree at a time
A SHADY FUTURE—Nancy Hoovler and Judy Markee help a Shaner Avenue Nursery staffer plant one of three trees the Rockford Garden Club donated to Rockford Public Schools. These trees will shade the hill by the softball field.
When the Rockford Garden Club asked Rockford schools where they would like a few new trees planted, Jim VanHouten of the grounds department had the answer.
On Thursday, April 9, club members joined VanHouten and staff from Shaner Nursery at a high school ball field. A sunny hilltop where families sit to watch their student-athletes play was cool in April, but can be uncomfortably warm in summer months. The Garden Club had just the solution in three maples.
“We very rarely buy trees, we focus on other things, so we really appreciate this when it happens,” said VanHouten.
The Rockford Garden Club is one of many organizations in Rockford that contribute to the quality of life in our town. Donating trees to Rockford Public Schools is an on-going effort. This year the club was able to buy the three trees at about $180 each for the high school. The trees will eventually reach 45 feet and provide a good amount of shade.
So far the club has donated to several other schools, and has the goal of donating one to each school in the district. When they contacted the high school, they were asked if they could donate more than one.
Funds for trees and an annual scholarship for a Rockford High School graduate going into the field of horticulture come from an annual plant sale which has grown very successful as the word has gotten out about the great deals offered.
This year’s sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, at the Rotary pavilion located at the corner of Squire and Courtland in downtown Rockford.
The public will enjoy the efforts of the 66 members and their green thumbs as they sell home grown garden goods including perennials, ground covers, small bushes/shrubs, annuals, herbs, bulbs and vines. Members will be on hand to offer advice and answer questions. Many are master gardeners.
The open sale begins at 9:00 a.m. and at 11:30 there will be an auction of remaining plants. Shoppers can enjoy the low prices and wide selection, as well as free advice. Spend freely and know that proceeds go toward good works such as the donation project for Rockford Public Schools.
VanHouten stated, “As a school district we love to see this going on. We also have lots of memorial trees in the district. Families sometimes donate a tree in the name of their son or daughter. We provide plaques so people can read them and know where the tree came from.”
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Vehicle narrowly misses ice cream patrons
Vehicle hits plate glass window at Lickety Split ice cream shop.
Hitting the gas instead of the break put a mini van through the plate glass window of Lickety Split ice cream shop, 1259 Post Drive, Belmont, Suite F, on Saturday, May 2.
Witnesses say a family had been sitting at the table in front of the window minutes before the crash, and that the children had left their seats to look something up in a Bible at the shop. The elderly drivers waited in the vehicle until Kent County Sheriff deputies arrived on the scene.
Auto crashes to inside of Lickety Split ice cream shop.
Not only did the van shatter the window at Lickity Split, the wall of the dental office next door was also damaged. Deputies reported there were no injuries.
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Rockford Public Schools Childcare earns national accreditation
FOREVER FUN—Kaleigh Olsen and Jackson Southwick blowing bubbles.
Program among the top in the nation by earning NAEYC accreditation
FOREVER FUN-Kaleigh Olsen and Jackson Southwick blowing bubbles.
ARTIST AT WORK-Trent Behrenwald completing his 3-D creation.
Rockford Public Schools Childcare has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.
“We’re proud to have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC, and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,” said Mary Blakeslee, program director. “NAEYC accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible.”
To earn NAEYC accreditation, the childcare went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the ten NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria. The program received NAEYC accreditation after a site visit by NAEYC assessors to ensure the program meets each of the ten program standards. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years.
In the 23 years since NAEYC accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. Almost 8,000 programs, serving one million young children, are currently accredited by NAEYC-approximately eight percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs.
“The NAEYC accreditation system raises the bar for preschools, childcare centers and other early childhood programs,” said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., executive director of NAEYC. “The school’s childcare NAEYC accreditation is a sign that they are a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education, and to help give all children a better start.”
The NAEYC accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs for young children since 1985. In September 2006, the Association revised program standards and criteria to introduce a new level of quality, accountability, and service for parents and children in childcare programs. The new standards today reflect the latest research and best practices in early childhood education and development. NAEYC is committed to utilizing the newest studies and analysis on positive child outcomes to ensure young children continue receiving the highest-quality care and education possible.
The NAEYC accreditation system was created to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality preschools, childcare centers and other early education programs. Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period.
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The Squire on Vacation
Stella Clove and her aunt Stella Lonigro.
The Rockford Squire traveled with Rockford resident Stella Clove to Canneto, Bari, Italy to celebrate on April 23, the 100th birthday of her aunt Stella Lonigro.
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