Mission team gearing up for SD

Members of the Northern Tier Mission Team are preparing for their trip to an Indian reservation in South Dakota later this year. They'll embark in May to repair homes on the Sioux Reservation.

In the past, the team has traveled to Nicaragua, the Pine Ridge Reservation and West Virginia to build or repair homes.

Last June, 12 members traveled to Gilbert, W. Va., to help the West Virginia Ministry for Advocacy and Workcamps. Headquartered at a Presbyterian pastor's home, they spent a week helping to build a home for Carolyn Jenkins, a widow with health and financial problems.

Jenkins' daughter was killed in a fire that destroyed their home. Northern Tier Mission Team members helped with wiring, plumbing, construction and trim work. Leona Ruter cleaned and planted new flower beds. The local team presented Jenkins with linens and accessories.

Participating were Linda Todd, Roy Heimel, Terry Simkins, Jim Centanni and Leona Ruter, all of Coudersport;

Connie, Jack and Caleb Benson, Port Allegany; Marilyn

Roslinski, Bradford; John Wesley, Smethport; Roy Harvie, Cincinnati, Ohio; and former Coudersport resident Fred Fish, now of Indiana, Pa.

Northern Tier Mission Team is evaluating its projects for future years, recognizing that the need for help with adequate housing is widespread in Central America, Appalachia, Indian reservations, as well as the Gulf Coast.

More information on the Mission Team is available from Roy Heimel at 274-4239.