A Last Minute March for Peace

A great gathering of people, some estimates in the 100's of thousands, gathering in Washington, D.C. on January 18 to voice their concern about and opposition to the potential war with Iraq. As Claudia Curran reported in the Ashland Daily Press, "Northland students and professors; four educators from the Bayfield School; a substitute teacher from Ashland; an unemployed journalist from Duluth; a university student from Houghton, Michigan; students from South Shore, Washburn and Eagle River high schools; a couple from Drummond; a seven-year-old from Washburn...went to Washington to tell President George W. Bush and the United States Congress "No War in Iraq."

Among those 98 people departing from Ashland, Wisconsin, was Anne Lacy of La Pointe, a wife, a mother of two daughters, a Bayfield 5th grade teacher and coordinator of the Gifted and Talented Program and a member of St. John's Church Council. She was on one bus, joined by 11 other busloads of citizens from northern Wisconsin, leaving in the early hours of the morning to travel cross-country.

They were joined by other bus and car loads of people, 100,000-400,000 people, who cried for peace. The group from northern Wisconsin was accompanied by paper machee doves and caricatures of the men of power made and designed by the Bay Area Puppet Farm, frequent participants in the Island's 4th of July parade. It was an exodus of thousands exercising their rights of freedom to call attention to the call of peace, "to study war no more." They sounded a cry of "violence begets violence."

Five days before walking on the peace buses, Anne Lacy had gone through a thousand excuses why to stay at home. But it was a spur of the moment decision...a reaction to early cabin fever, the feeling of being locked in with no ice road in sight, back-to-school mid-January doldrums....a spontaneous act that snowballed in support and enthusiasm as the event unfolded. She said she "would probably feel like a million bucks if she got on the bus." And the affirmations and congratulations poured in from students, fellow teachers, neighbors and her pastor as Anne departed.

Anne commented that as a young woman growing up in the 60's and 70's, she had never got on any bandwagon to protest...not the earth, women's rights or the war. She always felt remiss about that...and so...she called in her name and reserved a spot. Traveling with boxes of oranges and numerous loaves of fresh bread (literal manna from heaven as it poured down from overhead compartments!), Anne and others wound their way to the capital.

The highlight clearly was "the thrill of marching." The Wisconsin delegation walked toward the front of the march. "The flow of people was a very moving image for me," Anne shared. "We walked for three hours along the streets, then we heard of wave of sound starting in the back as people chanted words of peace."

Upon her return home, another crowd greeted the weary and travel-worn marchers in Ashland as they returned from the East. Anne said, "Now I believe I can make a difference. The march began something."

Matthew's Mighty Mates

What can a four-year-old do to help out?? You might imagine setting the table with an older sibling or parent...or perhaps picking up his toys...or watching after a baby sister while Dad is on the phone. For Matthew Bauman, son of Jeff and Nancy Bauman, and grandson of Bill Nygren, it was quite a different story.
On January 18th, he and his parents joined a number of friends, relatives and total strangers in a "Walk to Cure Diabetes" at the Mall of America. This walk was organized to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which is the #1 nonprofit, non-governmental funder of diabetes research worldwide and has raised over $600 million since 1970. In a typical year, $.85 of every dollar raised goes directly to research and education about research.
Why? Matthew was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes this past summer. This means he is required to constantly have his blood sugar checked by pricking his arm 5-7 times per day and having up to three shots of insulin per day. Since June 11th, he has had his block checked over 1000 times and has had over 300 shots of insulin. That's a lot of pokes for a 4-year-old! He joins three other Island children in this journey and a growing number of other children nationwide.
The family's goal was to raise at least $5000 for diabetes research. And they collected $_____________, including some funds from year-round Islanders. Our church held Matthew and the other children in our prayers for the Sundays that surrounded this walk of hope. Matthew walked ______________. He commented, "

______________________________________________________________."

Another Child that is supported by our church...

For many years, our congregation has supported a child in Africa through the mission support of World Vision. Currently, we are supporting a child (with the help of the offertory collections from our church school children) from Zambia. Her name is Monga Inambao. She wrote to us recently"

"It' s my pleasure to have this wonderful opportunity of writing a letter to you. It's my hope and prayer that all is well with you and family. I am fine including the family.
I am happy to let you know that I am now in Grade 11 at Kasisi Girls Secondary School.
Thank you so much for being my sponsor. I really appreciate the support you are rendering unto me. Looking forward to receiving more information from you.
Thinking of you,

Moonga."

World Vision supports individual children and their community. The Kapululwe area has benefited from this support in the areas of HIV/AIDS education, special agricultural programs, spiritual training seminars for community leaders, and a one-day music festival.