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06 Jul

July 6, 2009 |

Last week I sorted through 15 years of correspondence, 1978-1993.  We were cleaning junk out of the warehouse, and I had two file cabinets of stuff from way back. I knew I’d want to keep some of the letters in those files, and that meant going through each one. Took me most of two days.

Those were the years of the monthly United Brethren magazine, which I edited from 1982 until it ceased in 1994 (and worked on as assistant editor before that). There were, as you can imagine, some negative letters. People called me on the carpet for various literary offenses. In some cases, folks subjected themselves to severe contortions in order to scrunch between the lines of things I published, finding meaning which neither I nor the angels and demons knew was there. One person accused me of writing “editorial drivel,” which was actually true more than I’d like to admit.

My favorite was the fellow who, in a light-hearted piece of satire, imagined a slight against gun owners (which I could never locate). That led to conclusions about my patriotism and Christian commitment, which he expressed thusly: “I am very let down that you people are not only un-American, but also against Freedom and apparently pro Communist. Where are the true Americans who used to be pro-Christian freedom-lovers and God-fearing? Please don’t answer this letter, as I am not in the mood for some stupid liberal trying to convince me that living in slavery is good.”

Letters like that stand out. Most of the negative letters, though, made good points. Some, as I look back, were totally valid (though in my defensiveness, I may not have felt that way at the time).

But as I plowed through hundreds of letters, here’s what really struck me: the overwhelming graciousness of UB people.

Put aside the occasional negative letter. Most of the letters I read during those two days contained affirmations, compliments, positive statements, and assorted words of appreciation. The sheer volume of warm fuzzies totally eclipsed the occasional bad-mouthing.

It really humbled me, and renewed my appreciation for all of you. Thanks, UBs, for being good people.

06 Jul

July 6, 2009 |

Huntington University is adding three new online programs:

  1. Associate degree in organizational management.
  2. Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
  3. Bachelor’s degree in management.

The first fully online program offered will be the Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a major in not-for-profit leadership. Although the official launch of this online program will be in January 2010, some online courses leading to this degree are being offered this fall.

Huntington already offers a hybrid master’s degree program in youth ministry leadership that has both online and in-class components. The university’s online offerings also include some master’s degree courses in other programs, including counseling, education and ministry.

03 Jul

July 3, 2009 |

Marilyn Reeck, a United Brethren endorsed missionary living in La Ceiba, Honduras, sent this update on the political situation in Honduras. It was sent on Wednesday, July 1.

In Honduras the presidency is a one four-year term without possibility of reelection. Mel Zelaya was in his third year as president. Hugo Chavez has been his mentor and he was leading the country in a direction that the country did not want to go.

The last thing was ordering a vote to change the constitution so that he could be reelected (as Hugo Chavez had done). Both Congress and the Supreme Court declared it illegal. He fired the Joint Chiefs of Staff when they confiscated the ballots, which then led to them having him forcibly removed from the country. He has declared that he will return to the country tomorrow. All of the entire world has voted in his favor.

At the moment, we are safe and far away from the action in Tegucigalpa, the capital city. Roger is in Israel, but my daughter Chrysti and her family live here, and two of my daughters are visiting from Texas.

My main concern at the moment is that there are eight kids and three leaders here from North Carolina and a missions trip. Decisions have to be made about their return, but at the moment roadblocks do not permit us to get them to the international airport three hours away. All national flights are cancelled.

Please pray  for the safety of these kids and for us to make the right decisons in this regard. Pray especially for peace in Honduras, that God will give the new leaders wisdom in how to handle this situation.

03 Jul

July 3, 2009 |

Dennis and Debbie Osberg are former UB endorsed missionaries in Honduras. They continue serving at Academy of the Pines, a school outside Tegucigalpa, but are no longer under the United Brethren umbrella.

On Monday, June 30, Debbie emailed information about the political upheaval which had occurred the day before, when the president was deposed. She was in the States, expecting her husband Dennis and daughter Amanda back on July 1 (they made it safely, but reported that the airport was full of people trying to get out).

Here is Debbie’s report. You’ll be especially interested in the ten-point explanation of what has happened there.

As you have heard by now, Honduras is in turmoil. There have been peaceful demonstrations in the capital city with thousands of Hondurans supporting the removal of the President and seeking justice to prevail. Pray for wisdom and truth to be revealed and for peace to return to Honduras.

A Honduran friend recently sent out this email with the current facts.

  1. The event this morning should be taken as an arrest against a Honduras citizen, Manuel Zelaya, who broke the constitutional Honduran law in multiple occasions over the last few days.
  2. This SHOULD NOT be taken as a coup d’état.
  3. The vast majority of Honduras firmly opposes Manuel Zelaya and are in favor of his arrest.
  4. The current news being portrayed in international networks appear to be heavily tilted toward a contrarian view of most Hondurans.
  5. The majority of Hondurans are not in favor of Manual Zelaya and are extremely proud of our congress and military for their stance in favor of democracy and peace.
  6. The events happening today were caused by an attempt by Manuel Zelaya to manipulate our country and its constitution to fulfill his ultimate goal of remaining in power indefinitely.
  7. The world should be proud of Honduras as we are the first Latin American country to stand against a tyrannical leader who has tried to topple democracy and peace in our country.
  8. Declarations made by Hugo Chavez should be discredited immediately. He should, as President Obama said, allow Hondurans to solve this issue through open communication following LEGAL processes.
  9. It is not only in the interest of Honduras and its citizens that democracy prevails (supported by the events today and Manuel Zelaya’s arrest) but also in the interest of the United States that no other countries align with Hugo Chavez (and his puppets) to build his empire against democracy and peace.
  10. In case Hugo Chavez tries to use military force in Honduras, we hope and pray we can count on the United States to stand alongside Honduras against the fight against tyranny and oppression.

01 Jul

July 1, 2009 |

The Healthy Ministry Resources staff spent Monday and Tuesday cleaning out the warehouse. We threw out gobs and gobs of stuff, and totally rearranged the space. We’re making room for the Huntington University Graduate School to put in a new classroom. Bishop Ron Ramsey and Pat Jones provided the muscle. Administrative Assistant Cathy Reich roamed the heights, stacking boxes atop an existing classroom and climbing through shelves to rearrange boxes. Jane Seely directed traffic, giving instructions about where things should go, since she’s the main person who works out there.

And Steve Dennie did the least-strenuous thing he could think of–take photos.

“Don’t you dare take a picture of me.” Pat Jones, Marci Hammel (below), and Cathy Reichare take a picture of me.” Pat Jones, Marci Hammel (below), and Cathy Reich

“You missed a spot.” L-r: Pat Jones, Ron Ramsey, Jane Seely, Cathy Reich (foreground).

Cathy, Marci, and Pat move one of the large cabinets.

30 Jun

June 30, 2009 |

Once again, Fountain UB (Keyser, W. Va.) is serving as the collection site for the county’s Operation Christmas Child. In 2008, they collected 9100 shoeboxes full of small gifts, which were then distributed by Samaritan’s Purse to children in under-developed countries. This year’s goal is 12,000 boxes.

30 Jun

June 30, 2009 |

weberDoug and Ruth Weber and family, UB endorsed missionaries in Ecuador with HCJB Radio, are spending the summer in the States. A week before they returned, Ruth’s stepmother, Jean, passed away. They flew to California for the funeral, and will return to Indiana today, June 30.

Two changes regarding their work in Ecuador:

  • About Doug’s work: “I will be stepping down as the Radio Director for Latin America and instead be working with some the new media opportunities in the region when we return. These will include things like YouTube, Podcasting, Twitter, Facebook, cell phones, etc. I am pretty excited about the possibilities that some of these media present for creating new audiences in Latin America.”
  • About Ruth’s work: “Before leaving Ecuador, Ruth decided to leave her current position as a third grade teacher at the Alliance Academy International and teach Educational Therapy next year. That is a big change for her and will allow her to slow down a little, working only half time. We are hoping that this change will help her fibromyalgia symptoms to be a bit more manageable.”