The Hometown Treasure December 2012 | Page 18

to the Joy World by Harold D. Gingerich Few tourists see the sign pointing to Christian Aid Ministries’ Indiana Clothing Center. For over 30 years Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) has quietly been working to serve people around the world. Every year CAM distributes 15 million pounds of food, clothing, medicine, Bibles, Bible story books and other Christian literature. Founded in 1981 as Christian Aid for Romania in Berlin, Ohio, they provide a means for Amish, Mennonite, and conservative Anabaptist groups to participate in relief efforts. The chang- ing political climate in Romania forced the group to broaden their vision and change their name. In a recent interview, David N. Troyer, CAM’s founder and General Director, pointed to two local men who played a role in the ministries’ development. “It was David Borntrager in Indiana who really inspired us in the late Giving Big Around 500 people received free goods and services through the Big Give on November 10 at the Town Center. The churches involved in the Shipshewana Ministerial Association donated $3000 to buy food, which helped approximately 160 people. The churches also gathered clothing and were assigned additional non-food items to be collected. Marion Mennonite donated toothpaste, toilet paper, and shampoo. Shore Mennonite brought laundry soap, bar soap, hand soap, and dish soap. The Big Give was set up and run by volunteers. There were even stylists who donated their time and expertise for hair-cuts and a photographer who took family portraits. pg 16 · The Hometown Treasure · December ‘12