Here is a letter from Marsha Johnson, a long time friend and co-worker of Del regarding his passing. If you have other memories or appreciations of Del you can send them to spiritinaction@sbcglobal.net
Many of Del’s inspirational writings are available free on the Spirit in Action website: www.godsspiritinaction.org
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My dear SIA friends,
I’ve been able to reach most of you today by phone to let you know that Del “graduated” (as he would have said) into his new life this afternoon. He had been at the same skilled nursing facility where Lucile is for the past two weeks, which gave them precious time together. He has truly been ready for a long time, so I am celebrating his transition, and at the same time feeling the sadness of knowing he’s no longer here as I’ve known him to be. Now, in Spirit, powerfully, I’m sure…. I am together with you in Spirit as we all honor in special ways the profound presence Del has been in our lives.
The SIA board is planning a celebration of Del’s life for all those who would like to gather:
Celebration of Del Anderson’s life
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008
3:00 PM
Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church
3534 Lakeshore Ave. (at Mandana)
Oakland
Always with love and appreciation for you,
Marsha
“This year alone, the United States Army will add about 7,000 soldiers to its total; that’s more people than in the entire American foreign service,” writes Nicholas Kristof, a New York Times columnist.
This is a very encouraging article loudly calling attention to the need for more diplomats and funds to support important and necessary diplomacy on behalf of the US. The columnist points out that the United States has more musicians in its military bands than it has diplomats!
You can read the New York Times article by clicking here.
In addition, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Quaker lobby group, has a very helpful webpage about how anyone can “urge Congress to make diplomacy a priority and to implement lasting structures for peace.”
The first step toward peace on earth is loving, praying for, and talking with your neighbors and enemies.
Last November the Spirit in Action Board of Directors approved a grant for Samuel Teimuge (Kenya) to purchase an Animal Feed Machine, which grinds up grasses for animal feed. This is part of the “zero-grazing” technique of animal husbandry which confines the animal in a shaded pen, reducing the risk of disease for the animal and the amount of erosion caused by the animal eating hillside grasses. “Zero-grazing” also increases the amount of milk produced by the cow or goat.
The Teimuges were able to purchase the machine right before the harvesting season and share the machine with neighbors also interested in using remaining hay to feed their animals. Here is an update from Samuel:
“We made 700 bags of animal feed and we managed to get $1,000 despite the violence in our country. We assisted over ten families to sustain their cows. I assisted Dennis Kiprop to purchase a water pump machine for irrigation at their farm. The rest of the money will go for machine adjustment to go faster and to start as early as September this
year. Thank you so much”
Spirit in Action is excited to support this technology, which provides the community with more milk and training in healthy, ecological animal husbandry techniques.
Click on picture to see larger version:
Obediah Teimuge manages the Animal Feed Machine
Thank you Boyd Jr and Boyd III for your wonderful help with the newsletters!
Hello friends,
Here is an update from the Women’s Garden and Pigsty Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo from SIA Coordinator Jacob Lipandasi. This project received a grant from SIA last May:
At the end of the Pigsty Project in summary:
1. We know that 13 piglets were shared to continue the women pigsty project and owners are sharing with others 2. Two pigs were sold for $100 which paid scholar fees to 5 orphans for 4 months.
3. Others 35 orphaned children are supported at school they are receiving mushi twice a week from the women’s garden;
4. Compost: 240 kgs of compost and manure were produced and distributed to the owner small garden (kitchen garden). The compost and manure still be produced and will be used by the owners.
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Jeanne (pictured below) harvests from her garden.
(Click on picture to see larger version.)
Jacob Lipandasi with the other 2 SIA Small Business Fund Coordinators from DRC and Rwanda. Left to Right: Jacob, Benoit Malenge, Hamuli Francios (Click on picture to see larger version.)
I have received some wonderful photos from SIA Small Business Fund Coordinator Godfrey Matovu in Uganda. Here are some pictures of the training and prayer meeting that Godfrey held for the groups before they receive their $150 small business grants from SIA. The training includes choosing a group leader, budgeting, reinvesting and long-term planning. The groups are also prayer groups.
Thank you SIA supporters and volunteers!
[Click on the picture for a larger version.]
Hi there!
Thanks for your patience. Karl Johnson has helped me figure out why I was not able to post photos on the blog, and now it is working again. Check out these latest photos from SIA Small Business Fund in the Democratic Republic of Congo…
[If you click on the photo it will open a larger picture.]
I have created a catalog of all the books I have at the SIA office through Library Thing, which is a website that lets anyone add their books and create a “bookshelf”. The tag cloud shows the subjects/themes of the books, as described by me. If you are interested in borrowing any book or if there is information I can find for you in any book, let me know! We have lots of information to share!
Spirit in Action has a page in the Solar Cookers International Wiki.
http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Spirit_in_Action
Check it out!
The wiki has tons of information about building solar cookers, recipes, networks of solar enthusiasts and more!
Here are some of the latest pictures from SIA Small Business Fund groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The SBF coordinator is Jacob Lipandasi. Each group received and initial grant of $100 and then an addition $50 after 3 months in business. They are required to reinvest a portion of earnings back into their business and are encouraged to donate some funds, time or materials to help start another group in their region.
One group reports: “We can use our money to buy food [instead of] ask dept; we are with orphans every evening. Thank you GOD!”
Thanks,
Tanya Cothran
Spirit in Action Administrator
