Texas WMU board donates money, labor to BUA

SAN ANTONIO—Not content just to allocate missions funds to the Baptist University of the Américas, members of the Texas Woman's Missionary Union board of directors also gave time and energy to sprucing up the San Antonio campus.

"Donating money is great and absolutely necessary, but —in my opinion—nothing beats hands-on, meeting-people, team-effort, getting-dirty, seeing-smiles, experiencing-hugs, onsite projects," said Gloria Mills, president of Texas WMU for Texas, after a recent a "working" board meeting.

BUA in San Antonio is one of four emphasis areas of the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions this year. WMU Executive Director Sandra Wisdom-Martin moved the fall board meeting from Dallas to BUA's campus so board members could serve as volunteers.

Merle Cross from Gilmer wanted to make sure the BUA campus had newly planted flowers. So, she and Mills went to a store to buy the plants to set them out.

"Merle's conversation with the employee in the garden department inspired the salesperson to give us unbelievable prices on the plants," Mills recalled. "As we worked, students and personnel commented over and over how much they loved the flowers."

Joline Wiley, a board member from Kenedy, described the volunteer activity at BUA as "Texas missions in action. It's putting Mary Hill Davis Offerings to work."

Bonnie Sellers-Martinez, board member from Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana in El Paso, saw the volunteer project as "a contribution for benefit of future missionaries who will minister in Texas and beyond."

Gloria Mills of Henderson, president of Woman's Missionary Union of Texas, plants flowers on the campus.

Campus projects included painting, assembling chairs, tables and desks, as well as framing and hanging pictures in student areas. WMU staff joined board members in the work.

"Seeing a room being transformed was fun. But what was even better than that was seeing the faces of students who were delighted to see their buildings and grounds be-ing refreshed. The appreciation expressed was heart-warming," said Carolyn Porterfield, Texas WMU multicultural consultant.

At the end of the workday, BUA students served the volunteers dinner and presented a program that included personal missions testimonies and music.

"A highlight for me was hearing the testimonies from the students who went on a summer mission trip to London, plus hearing great multicultural musicians was awesome," said Charlotte Watson, board member from Georgetown.

"We heard first-hand how lives were changed and saw results," added Lynn Montgomery, board member from Tyler. "I was touched by the testimonies and experiences of the students and how far the Mary Hill Davis Offering extends. My church and I are really proud to support such a great cause."

Shirley Fannin, board member from Dickerson, recalled visiting with a student who sat by her at dinner.

"He shared some of his life with me. We exchanged email addresses to stay in touch in the future. I promised to pray for him," she said.

Doris Moore, board member from Matador, summed up the day at BUA, saying, "Being at BUA, seeing the caring staff and faculty, and hearing the testimonies of the students was a truly eye-opening, wonderful experience."