I have so much to tell you...

It's been awhile, and I have so much to tell all of you....

A "hero" passed away this past January. 18 years ago this "hero", Ansgar, decided he wanted to make a difference in this world, and at the age of 75, he began by organizing a banquet in Woodland to help raise funds for Medical Teams International, previously known as NW Medical Teams. This "Partners in Hope" banquet has raised over a million dollars to be used throughout the world in the fight against poverty.
Dave and I had the privilege of attending this "Partners in Hope" banquet at the Oak Tree this last Saturday, where we learned that Chicujal, Guatemala has for centuries carried water on their heads to their village. With the money raised in Woodland, Medical Teams International purchased the supplies necessary to install a pvc pipe water system, several miles in length, from the local water source to the village. The villagers had dug, before the team arrived, 5 foot deep trenches, through a forest, in which to lay the pipe. Combined with the efforts of the Medical team and volunteers, and the villagers the project was a success. They were able to run clean water to the village of Chicujal. In addition to this they provided school supplies to the children, allowing them to choose any color of notebook their little hearts desired. Choosing a notebook color brought the children so much joy! They had never had the opportunity to do so before. Along with this, the Team provided medical treatment and training to the locals.
At some time during Saturday's banquet, one of the speakers said, "Hope makes a difference". In the photos shown, we were able to see the difference created by hope. Hope was the driving force behind the villagers tirelessly digging 5 foot deep trenches. Hope was behind the joy of the children choosing their notebook color. Hope was found in the faces of the future and their smiles. Hope is found in the lives of the past. Hope is in "remembering Ansgar" and his example of life.
Dave and I have signed up to host a table next year at the Oak Tree, and it is our hope that we will see you there....

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tunes without the words, and never stops at all." -Emily Dickinson

Ingrid