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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
Nov./Dec. 2004 |
Lafayette district congregations combat world hunger
By Matthew Oates
Together correspondent
OXFORD, Ind. -- The Rev. Linda Sproull of Oxford United Methodist Church looked out at the members gathered in a pole barn from the top of a hay wagon and said it simply: "The crop is ready to harvest this afternoon."
After words from Indiana Bishop Michael Coyner, Lafayette District Superintendent the Rev. Michelle Cobb, members of Lafayette Grace UMC and Oxford UMC listened to a message from the Rev. Paul Dirdak, deputy general secretary for the General Board of Global Ministries, who was there to celebrate the receiving of the harvest for United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) and the Food Resource Bank. Dirdak's responsibilities include overseeing the operation of UMCOR, health and welfare ministries and mission volunteers.
In his message, Dirdak thanked those who labored in the fields and in the churches for the cause of making sure that people around the world don't go hungry. "Today, we're going to see stuff work. It's a blessing; it's a good gift of God," he said regarding the process of gathering food. "It's a Christian thing to do -- for those who will rise up from the stones of war into bread to eat."
Hunger is not just something that happens to countries in far away places or when disaster strikes. According to Dirdak, UMCOR is in Haiti, Florida, the Caribbean, the Sudan and other sites where people are hurting. In some countries, such as Haiti, families take butter or oil, salt and mud and make little wafers that are also sold as food substitutes. "They feed a child so the child won't be so hungry," said Dirdak.
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"We've just worked for God's good, because people wanted to make a difference in the world." - Larry Winger |
UMCOR utilizes money from harvests such as the one in Oxford to fund agricultural reeducation programs throughout the world, such as the Congo where people are returning to the farms after the mining industry left. "What we're doing is restoring an agricultural society in a place where it is sustainable."
Sharing stories from the Congo, Dirdak told the congregations people build futures out of the resources given to them through programs such as the harvest, UMCOR and the Food Resource Bank.
After a meal, the groups went to the field about half-a-mile away and watched as 11 combines crowded the field gathering the crops. Larry Winger, one of the organizers of the event, stood in awe as members took turns riding in the combines.
"God has blessed us beyond measure. We've just been blessed," said Winger. "We've just worked for God's good, because people wanted to make a difference in the world."
After the corn was harvested, it was taken to Archer Daniels Midland in Attica, where it was sold and the proceeds would be given to UMCOR.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008