August 2005
To: Partners of Love in Action Int'l
Re:  Update
Dear Friends,

I began the last update dated December 2004 with, “This has been a year filled with troubling changes. Because I haven’t known how it would all work out, the update has been delayed many times.” Those were the words I was going to begin this update with so I’ll begin with a simple ‘ditto’ on this opening.

Bob Striler
Many of you are aware that Bob Striler remained in the hospital until mid-February this year. During those two and a half months, he had multiple procedures. He has been in physical rehab for six months and is doing amazingly well, just smaller by 70 lbs. He’s back caring for patients and refugees and being his wonderful, sassy self.
 
Office/Warehouse Moving
We have lost our office/warehouse space in Plano. I will be moving the office to my home and renting a relatively small storage space in order to continue shipments to Mexico
 
Changes
Some of you may know that I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January. The year for me has been filled with tests, surgeries, chemotherapy, and doctor’s visits. I was literally carried along during that dark time by the prayers and care of friends and family.
 
During my illness and Bob’s absence, the Axe Methodist volunteers carried on the work. They picked up and delivered medical and dental equipment and supplies, manned the phones and managed the warehouse. Thank you John, Carlos, Ray, Byron, Bill, Jerry, Dennis, and Dave for all the wonderful ways you saved the day for us.
 

 
Containers
In spite of all the craziness, we shipped five containers last year. We will ship four this year to Mexico and Croatia.

Reflections
During my illness/treatment, there was time for reflection on many things. It always seemed to come around to “what’s it all about – life here on planet earth.” Who doesn’t know that in the end it’s just about loving God and our neighbor as ourselves! And yet that reality is spoken to every human heart in a way uniquely their own.

For me it has been the cry of the poor; the homeless; victims of war, family violence, and catastrophic illness. I’ve been outraged at the injustice, disappointed with myself and angry with God. In the beginning, I thought all this suffering was because people didn’t know. The most painful time in my life was when I realized most do know, but choose to turn their eyes away in indifference.

Since that time of determination to change the world, I’ve come to a more peaceful place. I will never, no matter how I try, do much to end hunger or poverty. Why? Because the problem is us. But I also know that every act of kindness, once it’s given to God, becomes infinite. I see it in my mother’s life as she lives on in me and in others she touched. And in my children’s lives as they live out the love for others as they experienced it. And so as Mother Teresa of Calcutta says, it isn’t about the big things we do but the great love we give in the little things.

Thank you, dear friends, for all the ways you care for us and for others along your way.

God bless,

Rae England
Executive Director