CARSPA met for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 8, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. at the Osceola Senior Center following social time at 9:00. Hostesses Eleanor Gage and Venita Escher served donuts, coffee, and water. There were 14 members present with Linda Foland presiding.
Guest presenters were Megan Oswald and Jenna Sanquist. Both are juniors at ISU. Through the Cornerstone Church in Ames, they learned about the mission trip possibilities and the application and screening process. Both girls were successful in receiving the opportunity.
Megan outlined the highlights of her mission trip to Albania for 8 weeks last summer. She demonstrated their custom of how to greet people. They distributed food to some in need. They shared Christian outreach activities to youth. Muslim and Catholic religions dominated the area. Their mission group of four did mountain climbing with many Albanians and celebrated Ramadan with a Muslim family. Megan demonstrated how to make hand motions to demonstrate the country’s double headed flag. They also taught English classes and took classes in Albanian.
Jenna Sanquist’s mission trip to China revealed three basic cultures: guilt, shame, and fear. Her mission group of four students used translators to present Bible studies in the homes. Many different village dialects resulted in a translator translating for another translator at one point. Many of the Chinese were Buddests or Atheists who prayed to their ancestors as respect to them. Family honor and fortune were important to the Chinese. The mission group did a village backpacking trip with young people and experienced a Dragon Festival. Many Chinese did have cell phone service. The rewarding experience has led Jenna to accept an internship position in China with Cargill for the 2017 summer.
To open the business meeting, President Linda Foland read “What is a mother made of” for Mother’s Day and another article.
Minutes from April 10, 2017, were read by Venita Escher. Minutes were approved.
Treasurer Sharon Cameron gave the balance as $672.32. No new bills were presented. She reminded members that dues need paid now.
After learning that the Senior Center questioned why we were paying for coffee as it was not expected and that no other groups were paying for coffee, a motion was made and seconded to discontinue that coffee payment.
The district meeting will be held in Osceola on May 17, 2017. Volunteers reviewed the sheets of duties and planned attendance lists. About 50 participants are expected to attend.
Linda Foland read “And then it is Winter.” The meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
Venita Escher, Recording Secretary