|
| |
|
Heifer
International:
Ending Hunger, Caring for the Earth
|
One more ‘ark’ than Noah
First UMC, Decatur, children lead congregation in mission
BY DR. JOAN GRAY LABARR
Editor
 |
Pastor Rev. Tommy Brumett, left, and the First UMC,
Decatur, children celebrated raising funds for two
Heifer Project International arks, offering 30
families the opportunity for a sustainable lifestyle.
|
|
Three years ago, Children’s Director Kristi Lunday of First UMC,
Decatur, dreamed of a mission-directed project that would help
the youngest members of the congregation learn lessons in
giving.
“I thought that if we raised $200, it would be a great thing,”
she said.
As Lunday researched possible projects, Heifer International
captured her imagination. She consulted with pastor Rev. Tommy
Brumett, who was familiar with Heifer Project, and gave the idea
his enthusiastic blessing.
“Tommy said, ‘wouldn’t it be great if the kids could raise
enough for a water buffalo, which cost $250?’” Lunday said. “He
also said that there was a man in the congregation who would
match whatever the children raised.”
Lunday ordered her first start-up kit, and the race was on. The
children embraced the campaign enthusiastically.
Every Sunday they brought their change to church, so much so
that Lunday carried a basketful of coins to the bank every
Monday.
The adults wanted to get in on the fun, too, so the mission
project was opened to the whole congregation. Soon the children
had raised over $800 and the rest of the congregation more than
$1,900. Would the benefactor still match such a significant sum?
The answer was an enthusiastic “yes.”
 |
Rev. Tommy Brumett and Children’s Director Kristi
Lunday view the First UMC, Decatur, Heifer Project
display.
|
|
Money continued to come in, and soon it became apparent that the
church could purchase the ultimate Heifer gift, an “ark” of
animals that offered 30 families hope for a sustainable
lifestyle.
An “ark” includes four cows, sheep, camels, oxen, water buffalo,
pigs, beehives, goats, llamas, donkeys four trios of ducks,
rabbits, guinea pigs, flocks of geese, and chicks.
All recipients of Heifer animals promise that they will share
offspring with their neighbors, so the residual effects of an
ark donation are amazing. The gift has the potential for
exponential growth, bettering the lives of hundreds of
impoverished families around the world.
Heifer International now has 726 projects in 57 countries, plus
29 states in the USA. Families who receive the animals are
trained in issues such as gender equity, sharing, and caring, to
ensure the goals of sustainable development are attained. Over
60 years of Heifer International’s existence, there are
remarkable stories of lives transformed.
One of the most well known of these stories, about a young
African woman named Beatrice, whose family received a goat, has
been shared in a popular children’s book and documentary.
After the success of the first year, the children
enthusiastically led the congregation in another Christmas
season mission in 2005. Once again the church was able to
purchase an ark, plus a few more animals.
By now, members were giving Heifer animals throughout the year –
for birthdays and other significant events. They found a source
for miniature animals and began giving the persons they were
honoring through a Heifer gift a tiny replica of the particular
animal.
Dr. Brumett and his wife, Eve, also an enthusiastic cheerleader
for the Heifer mission, began giving Heifer animals as Christmas
gifts for the staff. He thinks that one of the reasons the
Heifer mission is so successful is that it resonates with the
rural roots and self-reliance of the Wise County congregation.
He also lauds the church’s generosity, noting that First UMC,
Decatur, gives generously in the face of disaster and is the
biggest support of Habitat for Humanity in Wise County.
And, the generosity continues.
After two successful years, was there a chance that the Heifer
Mission would begin to lose momentum? In 2007, the campaign was
so successful that the church was able to purchase two arks, and
through it all, the children have been the leaders.
Lunday now receives queries about Heifer International from
other churches due to promotion on the First UMC,
Decatur, website. Despite the project’s growth, the children
remain the leaders.
As Lunday recently told the church’s administrative board, “we
are believers in giving hands and feet to faith, even if they
are little hands and little feet.”
|
|
|
   |
