NEWS

A Shipment of Love

By Rick Wolcott

(View Slideshow) The temperature hovered in the teens.  Wind gusts exceeded 30 mph.  Snow drifted on the open roads.  Yet all I could see anywhere I looked were smiles!

“I’m so excited!  This is really, really fun,” exclaimed Rev. Ray Ake.  “Everyone is here.  It’s happening.  It’s a big moment!”

“It” is the culmination of a year-long effort by the 3Cs Farmer to Farmer ministry team to collect farming equipment and other necessities to send to Liberia.  What began as a chance meeting between Rev. Ray Ake, then of Henrietta UMC (Firelands District) and Pryde Bass, then of Werner (now Celebration) UMC (North Coast District) has grown into an EOC mission that is changing lives on two continents.

“This is super!  It is good to see something start, follow the process and then be here for the conclusion,” said Bass.

On this blustery January day in Amherst, Ohio the mood was electric as clergy and laity from Henrietta UMC and Celebration UMC gathered at Born Implement to load a 20-foot container. 

“We are glad to be part of this,” said John Born, a member of Henrietta UMC.

Celebration UMC member Jeanne Freels feels the same way.  “I’m excited to be part of something so large,” she said. 

“It means a lot to be able to be here and help someone,” said Bertha Coles.  “I feel it right here in my heart.”

A tractor, a motorized scooter, farming tools, seeds, medical supplies, clothing and many more items were loaded into the container.  All of these generously donated items will soon impact 20 communities in the St. Paul River District of the Liberia Annual Conference.

“It’s good to see our vision become a reality,” said Linda Crowell. “It’s a blessed opportunity to help someone else.”

The hearty souls gathered in Amherst this day are just a small sampling of those who have nurtured this ministry.  The generosity of countless individuals and companies has allowed a dream to become reality.  Hull Bros, Inc is loaning Jason Ake, Ray’s son, to the cause.  He will pick up the container Monday, January 16 and haul it to Baltimore, MD.  It will be loaded onto a ship and begin its voyage to Liberia on Thursday, January 19.

“This opportunity was heaven sent,” said Rev. Dogba Bass of Celebration UMC.  “It was a dream we weren’t sure would work, but it did!”

(View Slideshow)