This blog established by WWM Chairman, Nick, will enable us to keep Shallowford informed about the most current activities of the WWM committee. I have had a special interest in the Carmel Mission and look forward to keeping folks informed about the great work of Koshy and Joicy who are making such progress in the slums of New Delhi, where they are about to establish in a school a special computer center with the help of Shallowford. We hope this will ultimately help us in frequent communication with the school in New Delhi.

WWM Annouces Inaugural Mission Team Orientation Class

Today, Sandy Martin held the first ever SPC Mission Team Orientation & Preparation Class. The class, the brainchild of Sandy Martin and the WWM committee, was created to address mission preparedness on many levels:

• Understanding WHY we do mission
• Understanding what each member brings to the team
• Defining each unique mission
• Emergency preparedness, health consideration and team safety and security
  
• Diplomatic issues
• Cultural sensitivity

Sandy explains that, because every member of the church participates in mission on some level, whether that be funding, supporting or actually going on a trip, it is a good idea for each member of the church who has any interest in mission participate in one of these classes. For church members who are planning on going on a trip, the class is of much greater importance.

Sandy Martin and Kendle Hassinger share what mission means to them.

Sandy would like to begin offering this course at least once per semester so that groups going on trips can schedule to attend prior to their trip.

The class will be formatted as two 1 hours sessions and will include some reading materials as well as some expert advice on preparing for mission in different areas of the country and world.

If you would like more information about this class or would like to arrange for a special session to be held for your group, please contact nick@villaume.net.

Living Waters Mission Preparations Underway!

Our Living Waters Installation team met this evening in the church library to train and prepare for our upcoming trip on February 5th to Union Roja, Chiapas, Mexcio. Charlie Mathers was the official trainer and in attendance were Mike Hassinger, Doug Scott and Nick Villaume.

Charlie will not be able to join us on this upcoming trip, but was nice enough to take time in helping educate Doug on the systems function and assembly as well as to go over a materials list and planning items.

We will have a work day on Saturday, January 24th where the installation team will pre-assemble several parts of the system and get everything packed up for our Feb 5th departure. If you would like to come and learn more and bring your old suitcases for packing the parts, the training will be from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on the 24th.

Here are some highlights from the session:

Charlie explains about the steps in purification process.

Eager students doodle to maintain consciousness.

Mapping out a schematic of the whole system not only
helps educate, but also identifies needed parts.

A basket of assorted parts all signed by our church members
who attended last years water night!

Charlie gives us some pointers on gluing and pipe fittings.

Now that the classroom work is done, it is time for some hands on.

Shallowford is mentioned in the new "Just Coffee" book by Mark Adams and Tommy Bassett

The new book co-authored by Mark Adam, the Director of the Frontera de Cristo Prebyterian Border Ministry and Tommy Bassett, the Developer of the new Just Trade Center is called "Just Coffee: Caffeine with a Conscience" and it is now available for purchase at the Frontera de Cristo website.

The book is already receiving much acclaim and tells the story of the Just Coffee cooperative as well as the story of many people whose lives have been touched through this miraculaous story of faith, entrepenuership and dedication.

Please go order your copy of this book today. You may do so by making a $25 donation at http://www.fronteradecristo.org/just_coffee_book.shtml. (Note: you have to scroll down to see the info.) I have just ordered my own copy that I will read and review. If enough of you order (and if I am feeling generous) I might then place my copy in the most capable hands of our church librarian, Alice Smith.

During my recent visit, Mark and Tommy were kind enough to share a sneak peak at the book. I was impressed. That these two fellows were able to co-produce this without killing each other is astounding. The layout is great and the book is filled with really great info and captivating stories of the lives of many of the people who our WWM committee and Living Waters teams have come to know so well over the years.

Also in the book, Mark speaks highly of the Living Waters for the World system in Salvador Urbina that was installed in a cooperative effort between SPC and the Just Coffee cooperative there.

I am really excited to get my hands on a copy and will keep you posted.

Passing the torch in Burkina Faso.

Darl Snyder has been keeping SPC in close touch with Dr. Salibo Some in Burkina Faso, Africa for over 20 years and it has been a realtionship that has touched so many lives beyond the doors of our church that it would not be possible to list all the ways. Darl and Salibo became close while Salibo was studying at UGA and Darl was a professor there. From that time on, one could describe their relationship more as a that of a father and son than teacher/student or missionary.

However, in recent years, Darl has indicated that he cannot keep doing this forever and that new blood would be needed if this relationship between SPC and the ASUDAC (http://www.asudec.org) program, that was founded by Dr. Some, is to continue. Although we have been keeping an eye out for some time, we had not been able to find a person who was interested in stepping up to this role until serendipity brought Jobn Bogle to our committee.

John, Darl and I met about two months ago and enjoyed a great lunch where we shared about Salibo, ASUDEC and Darl's philosophy about that mission. He really is more like a father to this ministry and us all in that Darl never tells you how to do anything. He explores with you and is very clear in expressing his unwavering faith that you will find the right solution. This has been at the heart of his interaction with Salibo over these many years and it has not failed him yet as Salibo repeatedly demonstrates his ingenuity and accountability.

In a recent communication with Salibo, Darl shared the following:

"John Bogle, a new member of the World Wide Missions Committee at Shallowford is much interested in your work and wishes to take over responsibility at this end. I find him an excellent choice and will be moving to keep him informed by copies of messages to you. No, I am not leaving you, just getting some very good support."

John has lots of great ideas and is a very thoughtful and insightful person who we believe will bring the same gentle and inqusistive leadership to this minsitry that we have come to love from Darl. Salibo is also happy to hear of this change and expressed this in his response to Darl where he says:

"I know you wont never leave me, nor Burkina Faso and ASUDEC. Isn’t the coming aboard of Jon Bogle a testimony? I feel very flattered to benefit his trust and that of Nick Villaume. I am profoundly thankful, John and Nick! We will do all to merit your trust and friendship."

I should add that all this news comes on the heels of a recent contribution from Shallowford to help with the completion of a guest house in Burkina Faso that will be used for community activities as well as to generate revenues to help build the community there.

The contribution came about as a result of our following the lead of Dr. Snyder and simply giving with faith that Salibo would find the best possible use for the money. This, to us, is what mission is all about, trusting in our Lord to show the path of most good and using an open, trusting and sharing relationship with our friends around the world to expose that path.

The guest house, started through a contibution from Darl's late wife, Flo, is finally complete and open for business. Dr. Some reports great things and excitement at our joint accomplishments and looks forward to a long and fruitful continued relationship with SPC.

I encourage you to keep Darl, Salibo and John in your thoughts and prayers and to touch base with John regularly as he learns and shares more and more about this great legacy that Darl has created!

If you are interested in becoming involved with mission at Shallowford, please contact me and attend one of our upcoming WWM committee meetings. All are welcome and you do not have to be a committee member to attend. Although, we will try to recruit you.