Los Alamos Monitor Staff Report (New Mexico, USA)
John and Jean Lyman - New Mexico Parents of the Year in 1997 - have received a mission call to serve as full-time Welfare Services missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their assignment is to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to serve as humanitarian country directors working with the Minister of the Interior, as well as other international agencies.
"I'm very excited," Jean said. "I feel like this is a wonderful opportunity to really make a difference somewhere in the world."
The Lymans leave Aug. 21 for Provo, Utah, for a week of missionary training. They will also be trained for an extra week in humanitarian work in Salt Lake City.
The couple, who live in Los Alamos and raised their five children here, will primarily oversee humanitarian project work for LDS Charities in Cambodia.
"When the tsunami hits, when the floods come, people like us in humanitarian work are the ones who call Salt Lake City and place the orders for what the people need," Jean said. "(LDS charities) have a really good track record. When there's a need, everybody gets help."
"She added, "I love that. That's how my mom raised me."
The Lymans will spend time in many parts of the country, she said, checking on projects and meeting with people in villages to see what they need.
"I need to go and listen to them and see what needs they perceive they have," Jean said. "It's not that we want to impose what we think they need on them."
LDS churches are involved in several projects in Cambodia and other nations:
Jean said she's reading about development and sustainability in preparation as well, and is looking forward to teaching some parenting classes.
"This couple has done a lot of things and now they've been called to this special mission in Cambodia," said church member Peggy Bradberry, a longtime friend of the Lymans.
She said John has been active in the church, one of 12 people who travels to the various LDS churches in northern New Mexico and reports back to the stake president.
Jean co-founded the Family Strengths Network in Los Alamos and "just does good little things for everyone," Bradberry said, like making people feel comfortable at parties and always remembering birthday cards.
An open house will be held for the Lymans from 7-8 p.m. Aug. 3 in the White Rock building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 366 Grand Canyon. The Lymans will speak on their plans and missionary options in general, and will address questions.
Some projects will be available - tying a quilt, and assembling school kits, hygiene kids and newborn infant kits.
The public is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.
For further information, contact Peggy Bradberry at 672-9478.
John and Jean Lyman - New Mexico Parents of the Year in 1997 - have received a mission call to serve as full-time Welfare Services missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their assignment is to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to serve as humanitarian country directors working with the Minister of the Interior, as well as other international agencies.
"I'm very excited," Jean said. "I feel like this is a wonderful opportunity to really make a difference somewhere in the world."
The Lymans leave Aug. 21 for Provo, Utah, for a week of missionary training. They will also be trained for an extra week in humanitarian work in Salt Lake City.
The couple, who live in Los Alamos and raised their five children here, will primarily oversee humanitarian project work for LDS Charities in Cambodia.
"When the tsunami hits, when the floods come, people like us in humanitarian work are the ones who call Salt Lake City and place the orders for what the people need," Jean said. "(LDS charities) have a really good track record. When there's a need, everybody gets help."
"She added, "I love that. That's how my mom raised me."
The Lymans will spend time in many parts of the country, she said, checking on projects and meeting with people in villages to see what they need.
"I need to go and listen to them and see what needs they perceive they have," Jean said. "It's not that we want to impose what we think they need on them."
LDS churches are involved in several projects in Cambodia and other nations:
- distributing of wheelchairs - partner with other agencies that collect new and used wheelchairs, especially for those who have lost limbs in landmines;
- accessing needs at schools/orphanages to provide them with school kits and +books, or meet other needs they have;
- drilling wells for clean water that the local people can run and learn how to prepare;
- farming - teaching the villagers how to be more productive;
- distributing eyeglasses;
- ensuring dental work is available; and
- teaching medical personnel to resuscitate newborn babies.
Jean said she's reading about development and sustainability in preparation as well, and is looking forward to teaching some parenting classes.
"This couple has done a lot of things and now they've been called to this special mission in Cambodia," said church member Peggy Bradberry, a longtime friend of the Lymans.
She said John has been active in the church, one of 12 people who travels to the various LDS churches in northern New Mexico and reports back to the stake president.
Jean co-founded the Family Strengths Network in Los Alamos and "just does good little things for everyone," Bradberry said, like making people feel comfortable at parties and always remembering birthday cards.
An open house will be held for the Lymans from 7-8 p.m. Aug. 3 in the White Rock building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 366 Grand Canyon. The Lymans will speak on their plans and missionary options in general, and will address questions.
Some projects will be available - tying a quilt, and assembling school kits, hygiene kids and newborn infant kits.
The public is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.
For further information, contact Peggy Bradberry at 672-9478.
No comments:
Post a Comment