A Mayan Odyssey
An Immersion Into The Yucatan Peninsula
September 23, 2007
Leave a Comment
By: Stephen Kent
Last Weeks program - September 18, 2007:
Rev. Jeffrey Weenink's Yucatan Missions
Rotarian Jeffrey Weenink, head of staff at First Presbyterian Church, presented a slide show of his annual mission trips to the Yucatan Peninsula. For the past 20 years he has been part of a group of five Presbyterian Churches from Michigan that go to the Yucatan to help build churches and other projects.
Jeffrey showed pictures of projects in the village of Luis Echeverria-Quintana Roo, some 20 miles north of Chetumal. Among the projects described was a two story church building. The construction method involves lots of blocks and cement. With limited water it was necessary to hand carry water from a well to the project to make the concrete.
The recent hurricane Dean came directly through the area where the church group works. It's 180 MPH winds did caused general devastation but the concrete block church withstood the blast.
Jeffrey took a sabbatical last summer and, with his wife, two daughters, and the family dog spent an extended period in the villages. He came to appreciate that chickens don't respect the clock and also that one can somewhat get even since chicken is a staple of the local diet.
Jeffrey had the opportunity to attend a local Rotary Club, which met in the morning. There was no speaker but the members enjoyed fellowship and the discussion of projects. He also showed pictures of Rotary Park on the bay in Corozal, Belize. The Rotary seal was prominently displayed.
Upcoming Programs
(See the official schedule at
RotaryBayCity.org)
September 25
District Governor Pam Harkema
October 2
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? High school coaches Mark Miller and Dave Schwartz
October 9
Historic Resources at the Public Libraries of Saginaw
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mark October 18 on your calendar for the chartering of the Pinconning /Standish club. The meeting will be hosted by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe at the Community Center located on the Saganing Indian Reservation. A traditional bar-b-que dinner will be served starting at 6:00 and the program will begin at 7:00. Cost of the dinner is $15.00 Be sure to make reservations with Mike Stoner if you plan to attend.
Connie Schweitzer has taken the chair of the international projects committee.
Vocational Days needs a co-chair. If interested see Ralph Knop or Griff Acker.
The International Night committee is meeting weekly at 11:00 am, right before the regular Club meeting. Volunteers are needed. Be sure to check the sign up cards.
Be sure to buy your International Night tickets. Larry LaPorte distributed two tickets to all members.
We need about 120 more auction items over the next six weeks. The auction accounts for a third of the revenue!
The board has approved a Public Relations Officer position for the club, for which it will pay an honorarium.
Breezes Reporters Wanted: If you'd like to help write the weekly Breezes please see Steve Kent. It's an easy job. No experience necessary. High Pay (well at least a lot of thanks).
Visit
RotaryBayCity.org,
web site of the Rotary Club of Bay City, Michigan
Stephen Kent
|
|
Steve Kent and his family have lived in Bay City for 40 years. He is VP of Technical Services at MMCC which produces MyBayCity.Com. Kent is active in many Bay City civic organizations.
More from Stephen Kent
|
Send This Story to a Friend!
Letter to the editor
Link to this Story
Printer-Friendly Story View
--- Advertisments ---
![]()
![]()
![]()
