A group, mostly from Kansas, spent almost two weeks in Nicaragua. The first week we stayed in Santa Emilia, which is the partner village of Trinity United of Cheney. That week we worked on our Spanish, visited with the people of the village, and looked at projects, which we have been involved with over the years. For example, we looked at the high school, which for the first time allows youth to receive free high school education. We also met with the village committee.

As you know Global Missions is the combined mission arm of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The second week we were with Global Mission partner Mission Cristiana and Global Missions missionaries Laura Jean Torgerson and her husband Tim Donaghy, along with their children Quinn and Maya. We visited projects of Mision Cristiana in the barrios of Managua. We saw after school programs in some of the poorest neighborhoods of Managua. The children receive academic instruction, religious teaching, and a meal. For many of those children it is the only meal that they will receive that day. The church is doing great work with the poorest of the poor. 

Our Nicaraguan hosts were so gracious. After seeing one program they went out and bought cold drinks for us. They spend as much on our drinks as a laborer might get in three days. We wanted to refuse, but the missionaries said, "They are happy that you came to see what they are doing. They want to show hospitality. Let them."

We worshiped with our hosts. Church in Nicaragua is louder and more lively than most churches in the United States. There is a spirit there. In that place worship truly does give people strength and hope.

I have been to Nicaragua many times. Yet each time I come away realizing how little our material possessions contribute to our happiness. They might have so much less than we do, but they have so much to teach us about what is really important.

Next year the plan is that a group will go to India to see and share in the work of our church there. Interested?

~Pat Nixon

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

TOPEKA, KS 

You probably have heard of flash mobs by now - organized groups of people who go to public places, then strike a pose for a few minutes or take part in a prearranged, choreographed activity designed to draw attention to a cause.

An offshoot of the flash mob concept, called a cash mob, is now taking off in cities across the country.

One of the locations is Topeka, where Central Congregational United Church of Christ, 1248 S.W. Buchanan, sponsors a cash mob on the third Saturday of each month with the goal of helping locally owned businesses.

Sharon DuBois, a Central Congregational member, came up with the idea for her church to sponsor a cash mob after hearing a report earlier this year on National Public Radio.

The report told the story of a cash mob that visited a different locally owned business each month, with participants spending money to help the store's financial outlook.

"I thought, 'Oh, what a wonderful idea,' " DuBois said.

DuBois brought the concept of a cash mob to other Central Congregational members, who liked the idea.

"Our church is trying to do a number of projects that matter to the community," DuBois noted.

Church members invited friends from other congregations and the community at large to join them in their monthly cash mob venture.

The first cash mob took place in May, when the cash mob went to the Ice and Olives, an upscale delicatessen and food store at 3627 S.E. 29th.

In June, the group went to Hazel Hill Chocolate store, 724 S. Kansas Ave.

In July, the cash mob went to Sunflower School Supplies, 4019 S.W. Gage Center Drive.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, the cash mob is set to visit Absolute Design by Brenda, a floral and home-design shop, at 629 S. Kansas Ave.

Each month, the group has gotten larger, with about 20 turning out in July at Sunflower School Supplies. Many bought $20 or more in supplies for a back-to-school project for Meadows Elementary School and Robinson Middle School students.

"They feel like they're doing something that's really helping our community," DuBois said. "Small businesses really struggle. When we help them, we're helping our community. The money stays here."

After their shopping excursion, the cash mob then goes to a locally owned restaurant for lunch.

Participants say they have a great time, something that helps attract new people to the group.

"Each time we've done it, we've had several more people," said the Rev. Scott Kenefake, interim pastor at Central Congregational. "We've had a number of people join us because they think it's a good idea."

Those who take part in the effort wear large, round buttons on their shirts that proclaim "Cash Mob."

Among the July participants was Sue Wine, a librarian at Topeka Collegiate School.

Wine said she was invited to the cash mob by DuBois and was glad she came.

"It's fun," Wine said. "It's a novel idea. It's a different thing to do to get together with other people."

Wine took her bag from the front counter and held it up.

"I spent a lot of money," she said, laughing. "I did."

Store owners and employees certainly welcome the shoppers, as the cash registers are ringing nearly nonstop.

"This is great," said Jack Smith, an employee at Sunflower School Supplies, as he rang up purchases from a customer. "It's really supportive of locally owned businesses here in town."

For more information, email ccuccCashMob@cox.net.

Let's Move!

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