a Zeelander's journey to Africa

Jennifer Hamm a local Zeeland resident is advancing towards her final destination as a missionary to Kisumu Kenya Africa with a gathering of family, friends and the wonderful people of Zeeland who have supported her since she moved here 5 years ago. Jennifer who attends Ridge Point Community Church has served her neighbors and the local community in many different ways. She credits the wonderful people in Zeeland for encouraging her vision, helping her step out in faith and fulfilling her destiny.

You can learn more about Jenny's story from her blog ,

http://jennysjourneythruafrica.blogspot.com

a message from Jenny:

Dear Friends , Neighbors, and Love Ones;

I remember the moment when I was 13 years old when I heard HIM call me to Africa, It was a still, small voice and yet so very powerful it still rings like thunder into the very core of who I am. Although my life's journey has taken me from place to place I cannot abandon this stronghold of my soul.

Africa, a place of death and poverty, a landscape scattered with bones of the dead and yet HE calls me to a people that cry out to HIM for compassion and mercy. How can I not submit to this yearning that has been within me for years? If I abandon this longing, surely I will die. I am consumed with this passion for faces I have not seen and a people I do not know.

I humbly come to you to help me fulfill this calling that burns within me. I am willing to go to a place of poverty knowing full well that my eyes will see things that are unspeakable. My arms cannot wait to hold the HIV/AID child who no one wants and that has been left for dead and I will smooth its fevered brow.

To be able to get to where I need to go to and hold that child I feel I must go to Iris Harvest School of Missionaries in Mozambique, Africa where I will be trained in the ways of the people of the countries I will be entering into too. The school starts October 12th
2009 and I am in need of much prayer to see that my feet touch the soil of Africa.

I promise not to fail you and that of The Lord Jesus Christ.

Allow me to show you the faces of those who draw me away to a place of delightful passion for the LORD. You are invited to

A CELEBRATION OF HIS CALLING TO AFRICA

To be held on Saturday October 3 2009
At The Baert Baron Mansion
Between the hours of 6:00 & 9:00 p.m.
Hor d oeuvres & Refreshment will be served

RSVP Jennifer Hamm at (616) 212-6533

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Showcase for Local Jewelry Artist, Anna VanDeventer

YT Galleria in Grand Rapids will be featuring local Zeeland artist Anna Karen VanDeventer and her jewelry line "The Baroness" in the annual "Celebration On Cherry" in Grand Rapids Michigan that kicks off at 6:00 p.m. Thursday October 1st 2009 with food, wine, fashion, and music. YT Galleria along with 9 other business sponsor this annual event through the month of October.

As a talented artist from her studio in Zeeland, Michigan, Anna creates an extensive collection of exquisite one a of kind hand crafted jewelry that she calls "Accessories for Women with an Attitude". Anna, along with her husband Vic own the The Baert Baron Mansion which opened in Zeeland this summer as a Bed and Breakfast.

Anna gives soul food a new meaning on her international cooking show A Dash of Taste that can be seen in over 170 countries on the TCT Network based out of Marion Ill. She is also a gifted speaker that brings her audience to an understanding of freedom for the very best in their life.

Anna's one of a kind jewelry collection can also be found at Bella Donna Boutique, downtown Zeeland's newest retailer, carrying fine women's fashion, hand made jewelry and must have accessories. Bella Donna Boutique is located at 139 E. Main Street, Zeeland.

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Zeeland National League Team to be Grand Marshall in the Pumpkinfest Parade!

The Zeeland National League 9-10 year old all star team played fifteen games in twenty-two days to win both district 9 and the state tournaments. Dominating pitching, stellar defense and a potent offense that always seemed to get the timely hits marked the Zeeland team through all fifteen games. "It was a team effort. Every member of the team, from every starter to every substitute, contributed to this teams success." said coach Trent Ter Haar and coach Steve De Witt added "This is a special group of boys. Tremendous skills and great attitudes combined to form a team chemistry that was essential to winning this championship. I could not be more proud of each and every one of these boys."

Because of their success and more so the way that this team represented Zeeland throughout these two grueling tournaments, they will be this year's honorary marshalls at the Pumkinfest parade.

Go Zeeland!

Left to right:

Kneeling - Coby Curtiss, Brady Twentyman

First Row - Jason Rennick, Trevor Ter Haar, Matt Van Dyken, Cooper Kilinski, Drew Hart, Tyler Brouwer, Dakota Geurink, Zach De Witt, Chase Medendorp

Back Row - Manager Joe Rennick, Coach Trent Ter Haar, Levi Nelesen, Derek Jacobs, Coach Steve De Witt

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September Home Zweet Home Winners

Cooney Home


Sumrall Home



Disselkoen Home (sorry it's sideways!)

For the month of September, the City recognizes three new recipients of the Home Zweet Home Award. This program celebrates Zeeland residents for making their neighborhoods a beautiful place to live. The City of Zeeland is pleased to name the following residents as the new Home Zweet Home Award winners:

150 W. Garfield --- Arnold & Norma Disselkoen

434 E. Lincoln – Laurie Sumrall

140 W. Lawrence – Mark &Sara Cooney

Recipients were selected based on their beautifully maintained house and yard. All three of these properties can be seen in exceptional condition month after month. It is especially noteworthy to recognize the large scale rear addition and backyard renovation at the Cooney home on the corner of Lawrence and Pine.

The September Home Zweet Home Award Winners will be presented a certificate of recognition by the Mayor at the Zeeland City Council Meeting held on September 21 at 7pm.

This is one recognition program with a lot of Zeel! ZEEL is defined as that passion residents have for living in the City of Zeeland. Of course there are zillions of ways express ZEEL, but the City knows that many residents proudly express ZEEL through commitment to their property; and in Zeeland, that is something to celebrate.

This program is meant to recognize those special citizens that are investing in their home and yard through exterior improvements, attention to landscaping, overall maintenance, or tasteful décor (a.k.a. curb appeal), which increases the overall image and value of the neighborhood.

If you’d like to nominate yourself or your neighbor to receive a Home Zweet Home Award, stop by City Hall and pick up a nomination form or visit us online at http://www.ci.zeeland.mi.us/.

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Zeeland's 1st Annual Global-Local Waterfest!!

On Saturday, September 12, Zeeland will host a new, hopefully ongoing festival celebrating water. Zeeland’s 1st Annual Global-Local Water Festival will serve to invite the public to beautiful downtown Zeeland for a fun day of carnival games, prizes, live music, and education about groups that work to provide safe drinking water to the 884 million people around the world who still lack it.

The details and facts regarding the world's undrinkable water, while becoming more and more publicized in the media today, are still largely lost on most people. Consider the following:

. Over 1.8 million children under the age of 5 die each year from chronic diarrhea. (Source: World Health Organization).
. More than 4 million people die each year from diseases related to lack of good hygiene and clean water.
. In the past 10 years, diarrhea has killed more children than all the people lost to armed conflict since World War II.
. Safe drinking water in an impoverished region can save lives, increase productivity and jump start an economy.
. The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of all diseases worldwide result from contaminated water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene.

This festival, which is a mix of small town carnival fun, concert event, and public rally, will serve to bring the community together and invite them to consider the effects of extreme poverty, and the benefits of providing people with safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

The event is organized by 30perperson.org, a new local non-profit organization, which seeks to educate the public and promote mission groups already in existence. Their name is derived from the oft repeated appeal that as little as $9 billion could provide impoverished peoples with sustainable practices of obtaining safe drinking water using water wells, rain gutters, all natural filtering technologies, and basic sanitation practices. Broken down, that number translates to a donation of just $30 from every man, woman and child living in the US.

The event is hosted and supported by many groups who will be in attendance: 30perperson.org, Aqua Clara International, Living Water International, Community Reformed Church, Ambrose Collective, Zeeland Board of Public Works, Water Missions International, Friends of Children's Village, Safe Water In Ecuador and WaterAid. Each group will have a booth which will feature an event or game for kids and takeaway items for parents. This festival marks the first time these groups are working together to host a fun family-friendly event. There will be representatives from each organization speaking briefly in between 8 musical sets from 9am to 3pm. A community drum circle will follow.

The festival is also looking to promote the local businessman as well. With Michigan's unemployment now over 15%, many families are not thinking about what charities their extra money will go to. Encouraging individuals and communities to promote local businesses, services and products helps keep money in Michigan, thus helping to keep jobs within the state. In between the event's eight different music sets, different business owners from the community will introduce themselves and share their gratitude to local shoppers.

Live bands and musicians include Paucity, Left in Berlin, Acoustic Waves, Big Dudee Roo and the Raptors, Mixmatch, Zachary Graft and more.

The event will be on Saturday, September 12, 9am-3pm, on Elm Street between Main Ave and Cherry St in downtown Zeeland. For more information, please email 30perperson@gmail.com

Readers of this release are invited to visit the websites of the following organizations for more information about global water issues;

Aqua Clara International: aquaclara.org
Water Missions International: watermissions.org
WaterAid: wateraidamerica.org
Living Water International: water.cc
onedollarwater.com
30perperson.org

For more information contact Dennis Nagelkirk 30perperson@gmail.com

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