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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-07-29, Page 22Pape 22 Times -Advocate, July 29, 1992 Cl/MAU Missionaries find work very close to home By Ray Lewis DASHWOOD - When many think of the work of a mission- ary, they automatically envision travel across a great distance to some remote place. But what many don't realize is that there is a great deal of mission work go- ing on much closer to home. "We are classed as missionar- ies, but we don't usually go too far," said Karen Gaul, leader of a Vacation Bible School team. "You don't have to go across the water to be a missionary." Gaul, who became interested in missionary work nearly four years ago, is just one of four members of the Dashwood Lu- theran Church who spend time throughout the summer helping to build congregations. This will be Gaul's third team mission. Having always worked with music and the youth in her church anyway, she heard about the opportunity and decided to try it. Most of the volunteer missions last for two weeks, as is the case with Shelli Rader and Angelika Metzger, who have been selected to the team and will be leaving August 1 to serve for a week in both Goderich and Kincardine under the leadership of Gaul. Commonly, a team consists of 10 youths plus two leaders, al- though Gaul's team will be com- prised of 13 members. Appli- cants come from as far east as the St. Catherines area where the program originated, and from as far west as Dashwood. The team works closely under the organization called ZAP, which stands for Zany Ambassa- dors for Christ. It is an operation within the Lutheran Church which challenges the Lutheran youth to live and share their faith. After applying for a spot on the team, successful applicants must then attend three training weekends Donna King per year where they spend time do- ing intense training coupled with straight evangelism. "We usually go to small congre- gations where we help to build them up," said Gaul. "We do a lot of work helping churches to build their youth groups, and just general outreach." While mornings are spent operat- ing Vacation Bible School, after- noons involve visiting nursing homes, detention centres, hospitals, holding ministry in the square, and many beach activities. "That's usually where you fmd a lot of people," said Gaul. "And it's fun to do outreach there." Activities include puppet plays, dramas and canvassing in an at- tempt to bring new members into the church. Spare time is spent pre- paring for the next day or handing out flyers to again help the con- gregation build upon their youth gip. While most missions last for two weeks in the summer, 16 - year -old Donna King was fortu- nate enough to be selected for an eight-week stint across the prov- ince. Beginning in July, King left on an excursion which included one-week stops in Hamilton, Bra - maks, Petersburg, Pelam, New Hamburg, Ottawa, Georgetown and her current home, Mississau- ga. King's mornings are spent teach- ing Vacation Bible School, unless she is working in a large church. In this case, teachings are twice daily with any combination of morning, afternoon or evening classes. The program is now entering its fourth year, and encompasses a large enough area that it has to be divided into three regions. In the past, teams have travelled to places such as Illinois and Hai- ti, and this year one will skip across the pond to England. "It usually depends on where leaders want to go and where they can fmd a place to go," said Gaul. "But most of the time we have more places to go than leaders to lead." The organization is funded mainly by the various churches in- volved, with the suppon of fund- raising events. The balance is paid for by the applicants accept- ed. Members are all volunteers, and while on a mission, are billet - ted with families paired up for the excursion. "It fun work," agreed Gaul. "And it's a great way to make friends." Jet ski races iii Grand Bend tut 00 Jet skis took over the Grand Bend beach on Saturday and Sun men the Kawasaki Jet Ski Summer Race Series held closed course, slalom and freestyle rac- es for skiers across the prov- ince. The event featured $5,000 /n cash and prizes. The Usbome township Sesquicentennial parade featured many family floats on Saturday, such as this one entered by the Johns family. Letter to Editor In favor of Swimmer Report Dear Editor. In response to "Ambulance Op- erators Concerned" in your July 22 issue. Before you contact your MPP, consider this: Over 200 am- bulance officers from across Onta- rio, gathered in Toronto to Lobby the MPPs, including the Honoura- ble Frances Lankin, Minister of Health, in favor of the Swimmer Report chaired by Dr. Gene Swim- mer. In November of 1989, the Onta- rio Public Service Labor Relations Tribunal concluded that "all sig- nificant aspects of operations of ambulance services arc under the control of the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health funds 100% of all ambulance operations, determines all staffing levels, owns all vehicles, and owns or controls all dispatch centres, with the exception of Metro Toronto." _Dr. Swimmer's proposed system, - unlike the current system with its patchwork "mix of provincial gov- Acrnment services, Crown agents, -municipalities, private operators, hospitals and volunteers, which has led to overmanagement and personal family fiefdoms" will save you, the taxpayer, millions, not cost you. The Swimmer Report states . the emergency medical care system is under increasing fmancial pressure... this creates an even greater need to ensure that existing resources are used to the best ad- vantage." -' Dr. Swimmer proposes to issue a province -wide 9-1-1 service, re- duce response item, and increase the amount of services we can provide to you in your time of distress. especially in a life-threatening sit- uation. we feel it should not be a matter of luck or geographical loca- tion that determines the level of re- sponse or quality of care that you receive. In regards to our right to -strike. The Swimmer Report states "given the essentiality of emergency am- bulance services, an unlimited right to strike where sufficient employ- ees would be available to answer emergency calls, but non - Letter to Editor emergency transport would cease." As for the Independent Ambu- lance Operations of Ontario, "Pri- vate operators would have the choice of ceding their licence to the commission in return for finan- cial compensation or continuing operation indefinitely, under re- newable service contracts." Elimi- nating the middleman will safe the money that can be used to train us to use the equipment and adminis- ter the medicines that can be used to save your life. We feel Ontario should have province -wide service standards, employment conditions, and para- medic training. Our service to you will not decrease. We believe in what the Swimmer Report stands for. Now that you have heard both sides of the story, contact your MPP. Sincerely, Concerned Ambulance Officers Information from The Final Re- port of the Emergency Medical Services Review." Gene Swimmer, Chair, December 28, 1991. Robert Wolfe Dashwood Small town spirit in Centralia Editors Note: This is a copy of a letter of thanks sem to Mel Winger of Huron Park for help given to a Brantford man who visited this area recently. • Dear Mel, You may be thinking that we have forgotten the help you pro- vided us on the weekend follow ing Canada Day. Well we haven't, in fact we haven't stopped talking about it to our friends and family as wc describe the weekend we spent over your way at the Pinery Provincial Park. I truly wish to thank you for res- cuing us. It's something you really didn't have to do, since wc arc complete strangers and are still strangers. I'll probably tell the sto- ry many more limes and this fel- low Mel will always be in it. You have reaffirmed my belief that the small town spirit to bc friendly and helpful lives on. It added some real meaning to Canada Day. It all started when we developed a very simple plan. We would re- turn from a business trip in Ken- tucky; land our small plane and clear customs—in London around 10 p.m.; continue on where 1 would bc dropped off at the Cen- tralia Airpark around 10:30 p,m. My friends would pick me up at the Airpark and we would head on over to Pinery Provincial Park for a great weekend of camping. OH NO! It's raining hard and the lights are out at the Centralia Air - park. This was completely unex- pected. We would have to head back to London and get dropped off there. Now what? My friends arc waiting in Centralia. How were they going to know? This simple plan was not working out. One of my business partners knew someone who works for a company in Huron Park. So some how, we got a telephone number for a person who lived close to the Aitpark. This of course was you Mel. We called you and asked if you my . friendwould mind go - form over to the �l Airpark and meet s and in- form them that they would have to pick me up in London. You gave us a very kind reception and off you went. Your persistence to find the Phantom Three (my friends) as they waited at a completely dark Centralia Airpark for a plane that was never going to land, went far beyond my expectations. Between telephone calls, you went out a couple of times tying to find a ma- roon colour Chrysler Mini Van and didn't have any luck except for one van, which you investigated and found belonged to an entertainer at a local night club. We agreed that you had tried your best but no van was to be found in the area. At this point I knew it was going to be a long night Already we had asked you to go out of your way, and 1 appreciat- ed your willingness very much. I concluded that the only way I would be able to get the message to them was to continue checking with the Rangers at the Pinery Pro- vincial Park through the night in hopes that my friends would soon return. The security guards at the London Airport had given me the green light to spend the night on The most comfortable belch I could find. Little did 1 know that you were not sitting still. You went back out and continued to look. And you found them! What was more amaz- ing was that they weren't even in a van; they were in a regular passen- ger car. You brought my friends back to your home so they could use the phone and call the London Airport. They couldn't get an an- swer at the airport. My friend Rick told me that you tried making sev- eral calls yourself in an effort to contact me. You suggested they go to the Airport immediately. I'm at the London Airport, com- pletely depressed, looking out the window wondering what the out- come would eventually be; when suddenly out of nowhere 1 sec the familiar faces of my friends. AL- RIGHT! There arc a lot of people who wouldn't have tiled; there arc a lot of people who wouldn't have gone past the first try; but, to go out a second and third time, having the wrong description and find com- plete strangers, not to mention bring them into your home. was unbelievable. I can't thank you enough! We were all back at the Pinery by 3 a.m. and went on to have a won- derful weekend and a great story to tell for many years. 1 hope 1 can realm the favour to you someday. This is one number you can call if there is anything you need when you arc in the Brantford area. Thanks again, Mel Dave Searle Brantford, Ont. 1HIS WELK'SSPECIALS Hamburger or Hotoog Was for the B80 o.raa,s . CHERRY STRUESEL PIE 2.99 Two CHEESE STICKS 61or 2.49 Tasty BANANAMUrrINS 6Ior1.99 TRY OUR DELICIOUS Honey Glazed Donuts, Damn. Pastry and Lod Cakes. NOW AVAILABLE' Take out sandwicMs, salads from (Jerry Rader) & cold drinks I' •