Redford

My host volunteers at the Redford Theatre.  The Redford Theatre started in 1928.  It is owned by the Motor City Theatre Organ Society.  It is operated and maintained entirely by volunteers.  My host volunteers to run the lights and was scheduled for a showing of a new film, Jack London, Son of the Wolf (2023).  Part of the movie was filmed in this historic building but attributed to a setting in Yukon Territory for the movie. 

None of the organ playing volunteers were present for this show; however, several of the actors and extras did attend.  The dog featured in the story was also present.  The producer took time to address the audience prior to the film.  I am grateful to my host for the opportunity to see his work and the show at the historic Redford Theatre.

First United Methodist Church

I visited the First United Methodist Church of Troy this week.  I was able to give a presentation about the mission work in Uganda on Thursday.  On Sunday we gathered for worship.  They have a single service on Sunday morning with an attendance around 120.  There is media showing the service on a larger screen for those who need it and those who do not have a clear line of sight to the pastor.  They also show the items being referenced during the announcements and those referenced during the sermon. 

I chose to look up the hymns because I can, and I like to read the music; most read the words from the screen. 

I felt welcome here.

Micro Center

Because of the system troubles (previous post), my host offered to take me to Micro Center.  It is a chain of 26 stores scattered across the continent.  They had, in stock, the cable I needed to connect my computer’s micro-HDMI port to the normal size HDMI connections of modern computers and TVs.  Now I do not need to put the presentation on a flash drive and trust the other computer will recognize my flash drive.  (I still do not understand why that one computer did not recognize the flash drive; I tried it in other computers, and they do recognize it and give access to the data.)

Micro Center had other things I wanted to get for the ministry in Uganda, and the price was better too.  I bought a USB hub.

System troubles

I accepted an opportunity to set up ahead of time for a presentation.  I was able to place the map on an easel and adjust the support arms.  We had to find a piece of cardboard to support the map.  Good to know now, so we can take care of it.

The PowerPoint presentation is proving to be a bigger challenge.  The presentation computer did not recognize my flash drive.  The TV did, but it would not “see” the PowerPoint file, just the pictures that were also on the flash drive.

My host tried to play it on his computer.  He found the PowerPoint file but no sound.  Further testing indicates the sound has failed on his computer.  However, we transferred the presentation to another flash drive to see if the computer at the presentation site will work from there.  Oh, so much fun.  This is why I like to test things ahead of time (when I can).

P.S. The computer at the presentation site did recognize the second flash drive and the sound of that computer worked.

Bird strike

No the birds are not protesting for safer flyways.  My flight to Detroit was delayed multiple times.  The first delay was just an hour five minutes for “maintenance.”  Naturally, there was no delay until we were lining up to board.  I knew I had to call those who would be meeting me in Detroit because they would have to start the drive to the airport in another hour and might not be online. 

When it was time to line up to board again, I waited.  Good thing.  The announcement was our original aircraft suffered a bird strike and maintenance needed more time.  They predicted another hour delay while they looked for a backup aircraft.  No details about what system was damaged or if the aircraft made an emergency landing when it arrived in Chicago.  After two more delays (five minutes each) we were boarding the replacement aircraft.  Not another word about the bird strike.  No birds met the flight to Detroit.

Bead work

The string on my Cursillo cross broke during Holy Week.  Pastor Laura knew where to shop.  She took me to Michael’s where I bought a new cord and a new bead to replace the one I lost.

It might not seem to be important.  For me it is.  How can I claim to be a missionary sharing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and not have a cross to wear.  (Okay, I had one, but I could not wear it with a broken string.)

It took an hour to take the knots out of the old cord that were holding the remaining beads and then restringing everything on the new cord.  I think it was time well spent.

Bible Tasting

I was invited to Bethel United Church of Christ’s Wine Study and Bible Tasting.  I was assured that I would not be the only attendee that did not drink wine.  True enough.

They tasted the first wine and talked about it.  Then they started a discussion of the gospel passage about Thomas not witnessing the first appearance of Jesus.  Another taste (different wine or other beverage for non-wine consumers) and then follow-up on some of the previous comments in the Bible portion of the discussion.  Repeat.

It was a great opportunity to meet as a community and explore the scriptures (as well as develop friendships).

Bethel UCC

Bethel is a moderate sized church with one worship service on Sunday.  I was invited to give the sermon.  When I talked with the pastor about it, she asked me to increase the length and talk more about the ministry in Uganda.  She tells me they want to know about what I do, how I came to that ministry and what my needs are.

After the service many expressed interest in what God is doing through me in Uganda, particularly the prison ministry.  I hope to be able to make a follow-up presentation in a future year.  I want them to hear for themselves how God is using the ministry to make a difference.  Currently, I can only talk about how God brought the ministry through CoVid and the prisoner’s hunger for the ministry (as witnessed by the increased attendance compared to pre-CoVid).

Fun Farm

I have heard of the tulip fields in Mount Vernon, WA, USA.  However, I have never visited the fields.  Now that the tulips are blooming, I am in another city again (this time in another state). 

The fun farm is in Missouri, USA.  The fun farm has many activities.  It appears to be named for all the kid activities – a model village, petting area (goats), farm animals not for petting, challenge course, small gauge (but big enough to ride) train, etc. 

Fun Farm model village – past century school house

Fun Farm play things

Fun Farm turkey and hen

They also have tulip fields, which is why we visited.

Fun Farm tulip fields

Fun Farm tulip fields

Zimbabwe

My host in Kansas City, MO, USA is a pastor.  She introduced me to the McDuff’s, members of the church who served as United Church of Christ (UCC) missionaries in Zimbabwe.  They served several decades ago, shortly after a change in the Zimbabwe government.  They tell me they were able to get approvals for their ministry because the (then new) government was happy to collaborate with them.  We shared stories about needing to get approvals, finding out where (and who) to get approvals from and the challenges, and benefits, along the way.  Two of their children were born there.  They decided to raise their children in the US, so they left the mission field.  Now that their children have grown, they have visited a few times.