Being Missionaries in Maine - 2007
Written by Church on the Cape Missionaries

This was our second year as missionaries to Down East Maine Missions in eastern Maine. The Executive Director of the effort, Betty Palmer, focused our energies on assisting immigrant blueberry 'rakers', providing support for the elderly in Maine's poorest county and continuing to upgrade the cottages in the campground itself.

The observations that follow are from this year's church members who transported themselves to a third-world experience in our own state. As you read these comments, you'll come to realize that for us
it was an uplifting experience.

Impressions from Machias....

The expression on the faces of the migrant workers who were told that the clothes in the Thrift Store were a dollar a bag - but if they didn't happen to have a dollar on them - that was OK too... the sound of hymns - played and sung  (by Bill and Dick, respectively- as background shopping music....the expression of the young people as they sat around the campfire listening (even in spite of themselves!) to the beautiful wisdom of Donna, a member of the Micmac tribe...seeing the joy and commitment in Betty Palmer's face as she talked about that which is closest to her heart - the Down East mission.... the look of accomplishment in Meagan and Kate's faces after they returned from their first roofing experience...the peace of Emma and Katie that came from feeling totally accepted (and appreciated!) by 'older girls' (Meagan and Kate), the fun of playing a 'family game' even without being family, the taste of those who prepared  us meals and cookies even though they couldn't be present., Debbi's cleaning  "Shalom's" stove as she did 'something beautiful for God', Scott's 5 am coffee runs (to Dunkin' Donuts), singing our hearts out with the residents of a halfway house, and watching one resident come to life as he moved to the rhythm of Spanish music, assembling kits with the essentials (for the medical care truck), and putting together welcome gifts for residents moving to a new facility, seeing the expression of contentment on Roy's face when one knows he's in the presence of the Lord, saying goodbye to Jacksonville, knowing that (God willing) you'll be back again....................Ruth Merriam, Pastor

Arrival at camp brought memories of the construction of the deck at the main house, Shalom.  Both the house and deck seemed smaller than I remembered, but the deck was still sturdy and sure to last a long time.

We stayed at Emmaus this year, a cabin with a comforting name to Ruth and me.  And surprise – no snakes!  But a front porch to enjoy.

The highlights for me were the evening service with the Native American, and singing at the thrift store.  Bill picked out a few old hymnals and played adroitly on an old piano.  I warbled along, sometimes in the melody, other times in the tenor part.  No one complained.   

Over all, the week was relaxing and fun.  And we know that we made some small difference in a few lives.

Dick Merriam

The Mission Trip to the Machias area this year produced many memorable moments.  One of the most significant to me occurred Wednesday evening when a few of us left the Jacksonville Campground to drive 20 miles south to Columbia Falls to meet up at the Thrift Shop with a group of Spanish speaking people from Rhode Island.  Our goal from there was to go to a migrant workers camp in Cherryfield.  We followed the other car back to Route 1 and headed south.  We turned east on Route 1 in Millbridge, continuing to follow the other car whose occupants had the directions to the migrant workers camp.

After a few miles they (and we) realized we were going in the wrong direction.  Back we drove to Millbridge and headed west this time toward Cherryfield.  After many miles we realized we had missed the Camp turnoff – so back we went.   Yes, we were temporarily lost.  We did eventually arrive at the Camp about a half hour late.

 The group that came out to meet with us consisted of 23 men, 1 woman and 4 children.  An 11-year old youngster with the Rhode Island group played the keyboard.   Rev. Escobar, the pastor from Rhode Island, spoke to the group in Spanish about God’s great love for them and how God sacrificed His Son, Jesus, to bring them eternal life.  He asked them to accept God into their hearts.  After the short worship program we distributed blankets and socks and stuffed animals and visited with the people there.   This particular camp population was from Florida, Texas and Mexico.

 As I reflected on this particular evening I realized what significant meaning it held for all of us.  We were lost while looking for the Migrant Camp but we chose the right roads in the end.  In Mark 2:14 Jesus says “follow me” and in John 14:16, “I am the way”.  We are never lost when we follow Jesus and do His work.  He led our Church on the Cape team to DownEast Missions and He was with us all the way to the Migrant Campground that evening and beyond.  If we follow and obey Him, Christ will always be with us as we do whatever He requires of us.  All we need do is say, “Here I am Lord!”.

Roy Bruton

Participating in the Down East Maine Missions program has been a valuable experience.  Working with the migrants through the Thrift Store has increased my awareness of how hard these people work to survive. They have so little and yet they are willing to share what they have.

Participating in the migrant camp Church Services has shown me the hunger in all cultures and areas that want to be fed by God's word.

To see our young people give of their talents and energies while enjoying the work is a rewarding view into the future generation of our country.

Meeting participants from other churches and sharing meals with them enlarged our horizons as to all the wonderful good works being performed in other towns.

The Director, Betty Palmer, trusts God in all she is attempting to accomplish and this trust shines for all of the volunteers to see and absorb in the daily camp experience.

Come and experience,

Debbi Lord