Archive for October, 2008»
An American Harvest Party
On Saturday, October 25, FOCUS had a harvest party for some of the new international students.
[Go to Picasa Web for a larger format slideshow.]
Thirty-eight international students met at the PSU park blocks from where we carpooled to a farm near Oregon City. There we picked apples, for some a first. A few reported that they had never seen an apple tree before.
We then headed over to Al and Arlette Dunham’s to make apple cider (thanks to David and Lola Mae Hatfield), apple pies (under the able tutelege of David and Elizabeth Case with assists from Cleo Leigh), and ice cream (courtesy of Steve and Debbie Gomes). Many other members of Cedar Mill Bible Church helped in various ways. Between internationals, FOCUS staff and associates, and CMBC members, we had over sixty in the Dunham house.
At any given time there were people cranking ice cream, pressing cider, baking pies, playing volley ball or ping-pong, or singing some traditional American folk music.
After dining on Caribbean stew, rice, and salad (provided by CMBC volunteers), we all gathered to sing some folk songs, followed by a brief talk by Jonathan Guest on what Christians believe. This was followed by apple pie, ice cream, and brownies (yum, Sue-Ann).
Thanks to all who made this possible and to Jonathan for putting this together. Thanks again to Al and Arlette for opening their home and for Arlette’s organizing the CMBC volunteers who helped in so many ways.