Greetings from Wakarusa, IN

A cold, dark, cloudy morning with rain predicted. In fact, we had rain during the night. I have on my coat while using free WiFi at MacDonalds (in Wakarusa). I just wanted to "touch base" and let you know I'm still in Indiana. The following is a story I copied from the local newspaper.


Tally it up: All the quilts, all the compassion brought in $355,000 in relief.

by Justin Leighty in The Elkhart Truth newspaper Sunday, September 27th, 2009

As the need for humanitarian assistance grows around the globe, the Mennonite Relief Sale takes on added significance.

GOSHEN -- While the setting is distinctly Goshen, the ripples of Saturday's Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale span the globe. With the economy the way it is, nobody expected the sale to break records. Preliminary totals show Saturday's auctions brought in an estimated $355,000 compared to last year's $389,965. That money goes to the Mennonite Central Committee to help people worldwide. "That's what it's all about, all the humanitarian things they do," said David Yoder, spokesman for the sale.

The Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds serve as the venue for the entire two-day event. Amish buggies and apple butter, quilts, cheese and pulled-pork sandwiches all enhance the local flavor. There were the standard features of the sale: The auctions, key among them the quilt auction; the pancake and sausage breakfast, which Yoder said was "crazy," it was so busy; and the food vendors, some of whom highlight food and educational materials about MCC work around the world.

One new feature this year was a tent about a staple food for many of the world's poor people: Rice. The idea started with Louise Claassen of Hively Avenue Mennonite Church in Elkhart. Gesturing to the international food court tent, Claassen said, "So many people are starving and here we are feeding ourselves." As thousands of people walked by, a few stopped in. They got a free dish of rice and a sampling of the various ways it is served across the world. They could add fruit, or curry powder, or soy sauce, for instance. People also learned that a dime will buy a person a bowl of rice in Cambodia. "We've had really quite an amazing response," Claassen said. One man promised a $300. match if the booth raised at least that much. They got it. A young girl came by donating $10. A little while later she came back, donating another $10.

Just like all of Saturday's proceeds, the rice donations go to MCC. Not only do they provide food, they help provide clean water for people in Colombia, or teach artisans business models in Kenya. They'll provide HIV care kits around the world, too, with $2,520 raised toward that end.

In addition to all of that, some food options showed off the world: From apple fritters to hummus, from donuts to egg-rolls to tamales, the people at the sale were reminded they were there for a common cause: "It's communities coming together, donating funds," Yoder said.