Faith Stories: Mission u
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! Sure, you have heard that before and I think everyone means it when they say it. Let me tell you a little about my short journey to-date with United Methodist Women (UMW). They are a super shot in the arm for Methodism  The wonders this group of loving, caring Christian women has done for our world is without comparison when you consider it is all done for the love of Christ and His Father. Nothing is done for personal gain such as wealth; nothing is done for notoriety. All is done for the praise and honor of our Savior.
The UMW has given me such rebirth in my faith, and no, I have not gotten rich, and no, I have not stopped having day-to-day issues in work or life. But I do have an unbelievable thirst for knowledge, trust, joy and love in my heart that makes me have to listen to what God tells me to do. Going to church is rewarding; working with UMW is fulfilling. As my Cajun family would say, I have “joie de vivre.”
Pat Lively informed me about “Mission u,” a UMW conference providing the opportunity to study current issues impacting society.  It was held recently in Woodworth, LA at the Wesley Center. The grounds of the conference center were beautiful and brought me back to memories of the Atchafalaya Basin area. The first morning that I awoke I looked out of the glass sliding door and there was an alligator just enjoying a float around the pond; I guess he was fishing. I would like to applaud Pat Cobb for rearranging her schedule so she could be with me on the trip, as it was my first time. I was referred to as a “first timer” and praised for coming to the meeting. The Baton Rouge District won the award for the most attendees  I aim to help us get the award for the most first timers next year also.
Before I get into the meat of this faith story, let me tell you that God has been pushing me to take charge with a certain aspect of this Mission u study. I have explained to Him that, first of all, I do not have a masters degree in anything. Secondly I do not have the time to do this. And shouldn’t this be handled by the church leaders? Â But God has been relentless. He will not let me fall back on this one and I have an unmatchable desire to tell people what I have learned from this class.
God has a very special way of getting us to do what He wants us to do, and boy, He does not stop once He starts leading you to where He wants you. I can’t even sleep at night as He makes me dream about it. This is aggravating at times simply because I try to push the thoughts out of my mind, and He says, “Oh no you don’t! Come back here. I want you to do this.” How He speaks without saying a word is a miracle in and of itself. Â I am His vessel and I must comply. After all, I do not want to end up in the belly of a great fish for sure.
The first class I took was called The Bible & Human Sexuality, led by Rev. Carson from Baton Rouge. It was a very well-organized, educational and entertaining class, to say the least. The second class was called Climate Justice: A Call to Hope and Action, led by Rev. Bray from around the Lake Charles area.
The second class is what God will not let me say no to, so I am working on having a class about this with the UMW and also maybe with the church. This class is dreadfully needed. We are abusing and plundering our earth, God’s gift to man, and when He gave it to us it was perfect. Boy, just look at what we have done to it since the industrial revolution. There was a great deal of information handed out to read and study and discuss, but the UMW organization will assist me with videos and lesson guidelines. I am so very proud of the UMW and their great works! More to come from this later.
Kathleen Adams