Two years ago our friends in Columbus started raising money for a new cottage at Casa de Esperanza. They decided to build this cottage in memory of Bill Brumley. Mr. Bill had been an elder in Columbus and a friend to many. The plan was to raise the money and in July 2008, when the Columbus group was in Honduras, to build the cottage. The airport in Tegucigalpa was closed in July 2008 and the group did not get to come that year. In spite of that, they wanted that cottage built and sent the money. Local laborers were hired and the cottage was started in September of last year and basically finished in December.
Before the cottage was complete, Michael Brumley, Mr. Bill's son died. Again, the family decided to do a memorial that would benefit Casa de Esperanza. Money was donated to build the Michael Brumley Memorial Library as a part of the new cottage. The library was built as the front room of the new cottage.
Several people made plans to come to Honduras this past July. Included in that group was Mrs. Jackie Brumley, Mr. Bill's widow. We planned to dedicate the cottage at that time. Due to the political situation, none of the July groups got to come to Honduras. This was the second year in a row our friends from Columbus were unable to come.
As we began to make plans for our visit to the States and what churches we would be visiting this time, an idea was hatched to do the dedication while we were in Columbus. It was Marc's idea, but I whole-heartedly agreed it was a great idea. Not only could all of the Brumley family be there, but all the people in the Columbus congregation who had helped raise this money.
Yesterday morning, I sat behind the Brumley family as Marc told how God was a weaver, weaving our lives in the lives of not only the Brumleys, but the entire Columbus congregation. How God uses tragedy and weaves it into triumph. I had my tissues out before Marc got started good. Some of the Brumleys did, too. Perhaps others did as well.
Marc had planned it with Karen for the children to call at a certain time. Marc's phone rang and he answered it and the children from Casa de Esperanza began to sing, in English, "I Love You With the Love of the Lord" to the Brumley family. How sweet was that.
Marc did a great job of dedicating the new building and expressing our gratitude to the Brumley family. It was a moving and meaningful morning.
Again, we thank the Brumley family.
Terri
3 comments:
YES MARC DID A GREAT JOB AND YES, IT MOVED ME AND MANY MORE. I WAS SO TOUCHED BY HIS WORDS THAT I COULDN'T HOLD BACK TEARS.
TO SEE MARC AND YOU TURN GRIEF INTO REJOICING IS A WONDERFUL BLESSING TO ALL OF US.
WHAT A GREAT TEACHER YOU AND MARC HAVE BEEN TO SO MANY. TEACHING US HOW GOD WORKS IN OUR LIVES IN GOOD TIMES, AND SAD TIMES AND EVEN SADDER TIMES OF LOSS.
CHRIST LIVES IN YOU BOTH!!
THE KIDS SOUNDED SO SWEET.
THEY LOVE YOU SO MUCH. IT SHOWS.
YOU ARE MAMA AND DADDY TO THEM.
Awesome idea and awesome group of people there in Columbus! :)
It was great to meet you during your visit to the Sylva, NC Church of Christ. Marc did a great presentation.
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