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The Citizen, 2010-03-11, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010. The Citiz e n Get Your Message AROUND THE WORLD IMMEDIATELY If you have important papers that need to go somewhere FAST ... use THE CITIZEN’S FAX MACHINE! Our fax machine can contact any other fax machine, in the world, instantly. We offer this service for a cost of $4.00 per printed sheet for the first one and $1.00 per additional sheet. (Or $1.00 per sheet if it is not long distance) Our fax number, is also your number, so use it to receive your messages at $1.00 per sheet. WE CAN RECEIVE 24 HRS. PER DAY! This service is only available in our Blyth office PP hh ..:: 55 11 99 --55 22 33 --44 77 99 22 FF aa xx :: 55 11 99 --55 22 33 --99 11 44 00 PP hh ..:: 55 11 99 --55 22 33 --44 77 99 22 FF aa xx :: 55 11 99 --55 22 33 --99 11 44 00 “The World Day of Prayer is aworldwide movement of Christianwomen of many traditions whowelcome all people to observe acommon day of prayer on the firstFriday of March. It is an ecumenicalmovement that brings together women of various races, cultures and traditions in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.” This is a quote from the literature that accompanied the service. Part of my enjoyment of this service is recognizing that I am one of millions of women around the world taking part in the same service on the same day. Another of the things I enjoy about the World Day of PrayerService lead by the LondesboroughUCW each year is learning moreabout the small nations of our worldand the lives of the women who livethere. The women of the tiny nationof Cameroon authored this year’s service. I believe the purpose of those women through the preparation of the service and the accompanying video we watched was twofold. Firstly they wanted to educate all of us about their country and conditions there for our sisters. The Republic of Cameroon is a triangular-shaped country east of Nigeria under the hump of the African continent. The country has only 402 kilometres of coastline along the Atlantic ocean. It is just slightly larger than the state of California. Cameroon is called “Africa in miniature” for within its borders are found all the types of landscapes, vegetation and animals found elsewhere on the continent. Cameroon is culturally wealthy having more than 240 ethnic groups and languages. However French and English are the official languages.Cotton, cocoa, coffee, bananas, teaand fish are Cameroonian crops.In 1983 this emerging nationsigned the UN Treaty that isintended to eliminate discriminationagainst women and promote equality between the sexes. But tradition continues to impact the women of Cameroon and they struggle daily to be heard. We learned that women are not allowed to inherit or to own land; that investment in a woman is believed to be a waste of family resources for she will become her husband’s asset. Education is a struggle for any child as money and teachers and schools are in short supply in rural areas especially. Human sex trafficking, modern day slavery, is big business in Cameroon. This trade works against efforts to bring HIV/AIDS under control in the country. Cameroonian women included Acts 16: 16 to 34 in the service. It is the story of what happened when Paul and Silas befriended a sex slave on one of their travels. The theme of the service held on March 5 around the world was “Let everything that has breath praise God”. That theme was taken fromPsalm 50. The Psalms praise Godfor all circumstances of life. Faith inGod’s wisdom, love and concern inthe good times as well as thedifficult ones keep the women ofCameroon working tirelessly for their families and their sisters. Worshipping, singing and praising God lightens their spirits and their load. This, I think, was the second aim in the preparation of this service – to show the rest of us that they continue to praise God. Despite violence, torture, disease, political dissension, graft and poverty, they have hope for the future. Ergo, we should follow their example in the tough times in our lives. While we have breath we should praise God for His blessings. Lynda Horbanuik, Dorothy Carter and Bev Riley conducted the service at Londesborough each wearing a colourful shawl in respect to Cameroon. They chose some most appropriate hymns for the ladies gathered that afternoon. Hymns that reflected the theme, for example, “Thine Is the Glory”, “Let There Be Light” and “For the Healing of the Nations”. NEWS FROM LONDESBORO The Londesborough Happy Gang Seniors held their February meeting at the Londesborough Community Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Annie Riley from Blyth entertained that afternoon. She played her guitar as accompaniment and sang many tunes. Annie also took requests and the group certainly enjoyed her visit. The seniors will host an afternoon of cards on Thursday, March 11 in support of the Auxiliary to the Clinton Public Hospital beginning at 1 p.m. Members of the Happy Gang Seniors are reminded to bring along an item or two for draw prizes. The Snowarama sponsored by the North Huron Snowmobile Club held on Feb. 20 is the only fundraiser for Easter Seals in Huron County. All funds raised through this snowmobile run each year support handicapped persons in the county. Snow conditions were not what a snowmobiler would term excellent for this year’s run. Consequently the number of machines out that day was half of last year’s total. Forty sleds registered and breakfast was served to 136 persons. The club has donated $13,560 to the Easter Seals campaign thanks to the support and generosity of folks who participated in some way to the day. Hullett Central Public School held a penny drive and donated $167 to the day. Adrian Salverda expressed his thanks to everyone who helped make the day successful. He noted that the third Saturday in February 2011 is designated for next year’s Snowarama. The day’s run ended with a barbecue at the NHSC clubhouse in Blyth and prizes were awarded. The 50/50 draw was won by Floyd Nesbitt. Tom McMann won a small generator; Jack Armstrong took home a cordless drill set and two garden items will perk up the backyards this summer of Terry Taylor and Mary Salverda. Prize items were donated by Good Choice Appliances of Vanastra. After learning about the “wolf moon” at the end of January, I was intrigued enough to see what the rest of the full moons of the year were named. Especially when the last weekend of February was clear again and the full moon was casting lots of light. The full moon names originated with the Native Americans and reflect life as they lived. The “Snow Moon” was the name for February’s full moon on Feb. 28 for, according to native experience, February is the month of heaviest snow. Some tribes referred to this moon as the “Hunger Moon” since harsh weather conditions made hunting difficult. Next week is March Break week for schools in our area so warm weather can’t be far behind – we hope. As one seasonal sport, hockey ends, athletes look ahead to others. Minor Ball registration for youngsters in our community takes place this month so organizers have plenty of time to draw up schedules and equipment. Drop by the Londesborough Township shed Thursday, March 18 from 6 - 8 p.m. or Saturday, March 20 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Doug and Karen Dolmage would also appreciate the return of last year’s t-shirt if there is one still hanging around your house. Persons in the Auburn area can register at the home of Steve and Sandra Popp anytime before March 31. Soccer players can register at the Blyth Public School on Wednesday, March 17 from 7 - 9 p.m. or Saturday, March 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. Herb Van Amersfoort is the contact for soccer. The Royal Canadian Legion figures large in our thoughts during the month of November. The rest of the year, perhaps not so much. But their work with and for veterans and their families goes on 12 months of the year. In order to have funds for their many causes, each branch finds ways to raise extra dollars. A notice went up on the bulletin board at the post office last week to say the Blyth Legion is selling Elmira frozen chicken products. You can order by contacting the Legion or, in Londesborough, Elaine Fraser. HULLETT CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL The pupils from Hullett Central Public School who participated in the public speaking competition in Blyth on Feb. 20 did very well. The three speakers from Hullett in each division placed first, Paige Gibbings and Claire Fleming; second, Brooke Middegaal and Lexi Aitkin; and fourth, Kaleb Wilts and Megan Hoggart. Well done! And good luck in the next round of speakoffs, the district level on March 27. This coming Friday, the last day of classes before the March Break will be another “spirit day”. The community need not question their eyesight that day. We won’t be seeing double! Pupils are asked to find a friend and take part in “twin day” by dressing alike. The character attribute for March at Hullett is “optimism” as in choosing to be positive. In order to achieve one’s goals one needs to have an optimistic belief that success is possible. Perseverance, practice and sacrifice go hand in hand with being optimistic about one’s goal. Londesborough holds World Day of Prayer By BRENDA RADFORD Call 523-4296 PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO