Introducing Glory Center’s New Treasurer
As mentioned on Page 8, there have been many changes in
the Finance Department in recent months. Besides adding a new
position of Ministry Treasurer, we have also had a change of
treasurers for the Hope for Children Center and now for the
Glory Children’s Center.
The demands of being a volunteer project treasurer may sur-
prise some. It can be a complicated process to keep up with
ninety-plus orphaned children half-a-world away in an impover-
ished country. It’s even more challenging when trying to balance
it between home, family, work, and the normal stresses of life as
we know it in the year 2006. If any of these fac-
tors change, the cart can be tipped. When that
happens, priorities must be evaluated.
We are sorry to lose Lesa Tressler as trea-
surer for the Glory Children’s Center. The de-
cision to give up her position did not come
easy for Lesa, but personal circumstances
would not allow her to continue. We want to
extend our thanks for her hard work and to
wish Lesa all the best in whatever and wher-
ever the Lord leads in her life.
And as always, we are thankful that the Lord has seen fit to pro-
vide a timely replacement for this newly vacant position (and to Lesa
for continuing on with us until her replacement could be found).
With that, I am very pleased to introduce to you Brenda
Renfer as our new treasurer for the Glory Children’s Center.
Brenda is currently the secretary for the Lake Ann United Meth-
odist Church, a major supporter of this ministry. Actually, she
started as a volunteer there, over twenty-five years ago, and it
turned into a full time job. She has held several positions over
the years and she still remains very active in various aspects of
church life.
Those of you who are sponsoring at Glory Center will find
Brenda’s contact information on Page 11.
I want to offer my personal thanks to Brenda for volunteer-
ing her services to this worthy cause.
Brenda, I know you will be richly rewarded in ways that
you may never have dreamed of. May
you receive showers of blessings!
Pat Kroeger, Director
Finance Department
Dear Friends of Glory Center,
When Pastor Maurice visited our
church last August, we were very im-
pressed with what he shared with us re-
garding what Hearth to Hearth Ministries
was doing in Kenya. Soon after that visit,
we sponsored a little boy from Hope Cen-
ter. When Edna Shaffer told me recently
of the need for a new treasurer for Glory
Center, I felt a tug at my heart and a nudge
from God telling me that I could help out.
I told Edna that I could help wherever I
was needed—so here I am!
As I took on this role, I have come to
realize that it is more than just handling
the support monies for the children. I’ve
become interested in seeing that more
children get families, and in sharing what Hearth to Hearth Min-
istries is doing in the orphanages in Kenya.
God has a way of preparing us, it seems, for the tasks ahead.
For several years I was not only the church secretary, but have also
served as treasurer and financial secretary. As our church grew I
have had different responsibilities, but have always retained the
secretary position. God continues to open doors for me to use the
gifts He has given me for His glory—for which I am so thankful.
It seems I have been working with or for children most of my
life, beginning with baby-sitting as a teenager. As the mother of
three children, I was involved in most of their ac-
tivities: a den mother, a homeroom mother,
Sunday school teacher, and mother in the cheer-
ing section for many, many sporting events.
For several years I worked in the summer
at a migrant school that my husband Dave di-
rected. For the past five years we have been
very involved in a one-week summer camp
called “Summer Games.” The Migrant School
and Summer Games were Dave’s activities, and
I joined in because we are a team and like to be
together. Being involved with Hearth to Hearth Ministries is my
activity, but I’m sure Dave will become just as excited as I am
about being a part of this ministry.
Dave and I are blessed to live in a very beautiful area of
northern Michigan. Dave is a retired teacher who also works
part time for our church. We have been married thirty-nine years
and have three grown children: son David and his wife, Jen, son
Shane and wife, Betsy, daughter Bethany and husband Matt.
David and Jen have three sons, Nick (8), Jake (5) and Kyle (2),
and Shane and Betsy have a four-month-old son, Orren. We do
love our little boys and love spending time with them!
I look forward to this opportunity to serve God and His chil-
dren through Hearth to Hearth Ministries. May you also be
blessed as you offer support to those less fortunate.
Blessings,
Brenda
-9-
Introducing Glory Center’s New
Sponsorship Coordinator
We are pleased to announce the ac-
ceptance of Edna Shaffer to the position
of Sponsorship Coordinator for Glory
Children’s Center, to replace fifteen-
year-old Rebecca Clifford who found it
difficult to keep up with the demands of
this position along with her schooling.
We wish Rebecca God’s best as she con-
tinues preparing for her future.
With the addition of fifty-six new
children to the previous population of
forty-seven, and plans to buy land to
build a permanent home, we needed a
very special person for this project. Edna
certainly fills the bill. She lives in Beul-
ah, Michigan, and is a member of Lake
Ann Methodist Church. This will be a
real plus since our new treasurer for
Glory Center, Brenda Renfer, is also
from Lake Ann. Having this “dynamic
duo” in the same location, working for
the same orphanage, will be wonderful in
creating opportunities for Glory Center,
as well as the other projects.
Edna is the widow of a retired pastor,
with vast experience both in church and
mission affairs. She has supported mis-
sions in Africa for over half her life, and
has been working with our ministry be-
hind the scenes nearly since it’s inception.
Edna was instrumental in starting our
“Widows to Widows” work in Uganda,
and is anxious to jump in with both feet to
find parents for her 103 “new babies.”
Brenda & Dave Renfer.
