The Greentown Grapevine – 2005-01, 12:01

              The Greentown
L Celebrating Our 12th Year!
It Volume 12. Issue 1 a
Greentown Familv
Connected to
Tsunami Disaster
Kevin Sparting points to Negombo, Sri Lanka, the town where his friend was
when the tsunami hit on December 26.
-’ . Photo by Rachel Jenkivu
Upon hearing‘ the news of the . buy the items&&&#. . Kevin can bt
tsunamis caused by an earthquake’ , contacted at “ L765- 628- 3720
under the ocean floor near the island of Correspondence and donations can bt
Sumatra; Greentown resident, Kevin sent to LMI, PO Box 3 I I , Greentown
sparl ling, emailed his friend, Anton IN 46936.
founder of Lanka Ministries Kevin Sparling, a 1978 graduate oj
International in Sri Lanka. Kevin’s Eastern High School, met Anton
question was, “ Are you Okay?” The George, a native of Sri Lanka, while
following day he received an answer both were students at Christ for the
from Anton saying he and his family Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas.
were, indeed, alright, but he also They have been close friends over the
relayed a harrowing experience. years. After returning to Sri Lanka,
Lanka Ministries is located in the Anton began teaching and training
town of Kandy, in the center of Sri pastors, who have started about 60
Lanka, in a mountainous area where churches attended by over 3,000
the main enterprise is the growing of people. The area around Kandy is
tea. It happens that the George family impoverished and Anton “ had a heart”
always spends a few days after for the underprivileged. Kevin, Logan,
Christmas with family in the coastal and two of Logan’s brothers visited
city of Negombo. They had just Lanka Ministries in 1995 and were
arrived on the evening of December 25 impressed with the work being done.
and the tidal waves struck the next Kevin, daughter Katie, Logan, Craig
morning. He reports that they saw Kirkpatrick and his son Phillip went
people running and not knowing where again in 2000. Logan has been back 8
they were going. He said, “ Many have to IO times. The Sparlings help the
lost their loved ones, homes and things ministry by doing fund raising and
and it is sad to watch them crying for publishing a newsletter. The ministry
help.” is a 501( c) 3 organization’ and all
Anton states that he is organizing the workers in the United States are
pastors in the ministry and will be volunteer
sending them to different locations
with food, clothing, medical items,
bedding, etc. Kevin Sparling is the US
Director of Operations ofthe ministry.
His father, Logan Sparling, is on the
board of directors. The Sparlings are
be transmitted to Anton with which to
1 ,<,-
12-
,; George. Anton is a minister and FRIENDSHIP BEGAN IN 1984 i:
FACTS ABOUT SRI LANKA
The island is located at the southern
tip of India. It is about 2/ 3 the size of
Indiana and has a population of 20
million. It was formerly known as
Ceylon. Its shape has caused it to be
to be a pearl dropped from India.
- seekingdonationsofmoney which will called the pearl of India, as it appears
perf or & peoph? lp January 2005
Students Spread Cheer
at Howard Haven
Michael Silver and Howard Haven resident, Patsy Hagy, work. on a wreath , j
Members of Eastern High’s
Students Against Destructive
Iecisions ( SADD) spent several hours
Saturday, December 1 1 , at Howard
{ aven Residential Center providing a
) arty for the residents, complete with
$ is, food, and music.
The group held a “ hat day” to raise
noney for the project. Students paid a
ee to be allowed to wear a hat at
chool, an item of apparel usually
orbidden. SAAD adviser, Michelle
[ hodenbaugh, said the students chose
Howard Haven as their prqject partly
because the number of residents ( 1 6)
was feasible for them. They bought
slippers for all the residents and
wreath or swag- making materials.
Students worked with residents to
decorate a wreath or swag for their
apartment door. The students helped
serve a lunch provided by a Kroger
store. Kroger also donated a
boombox, 011 which CD’s of Christmas
music was played, which added to the
festivities.
Kaileigh Lee and Catherine Wyant place deocrations on a wreath to hang
on Catherine’s door.
Photos by Rachel Jenkins