MCC World Relief Fair in Black Creek
by Heather Schroeder 
Locals have called it the "MCC Fair," the "Relief Fair" and the "Spring Fair." Fairs of this type go on all over North America and their intent is to raise money for global projects that respond to the very needy, destitute, hungry and thirsty people. When earthquakes reduce people's homes to rubble, when hurricanes destroy crops and fishing fleets, when drought causes massive starvation, when war creates thousands of homeless refugees and when terrorism attempts crumple and shatter lives, MCC is there. People in our country prepare earthquake kits, health kits and school kits to send out as the demands come in. Many hours are spent in church basements sewing and quilting blankets that will be shipped worldwide. MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) first came together in 1920 so that North American Mennonites could respond to the needs of hungry people in the former Soviet Union. The very first MCC Fair in Black Creek was held at the Mennonite Brethren Church in 1987. People from the community and beyond attended this very country-style Relief Fair and found themselves feasting on delicious Mennonite cuisine while filling their spiritual appetites with music and song. The Island Churches came together that year with cabbage rolls, varenki, waffles, noodles and wonderful sunshine that shone down on Black Creek while the rest of the Island was covered in cloud and rain. That first Fair was the beginning of a yearly tradition that has been carried through to this day. It was, and still is, impressive to see all the people come together on a Friday evening and build a city of tents in the playing field of the Community Hall. After a few hours of on site construction it's ready for all the rummage, auction items, plants, crafts and of course the food! Very early Saturday morning the workers arrive and everything gets underway. Pancake breakfast begins at 9:00 am served with Mennonite sausage, of course. The feasting continues throughout the day as the children enjoy the kids' carnival, pony rides and the petting zoo. Adults will love the rummage sale and the auction with some of the best deals you'll ever find. 
Always a big hit and back this year is the Ten Thousand Villages. This MCC store is a self-help store bringing third world creations to North America. The plant booth is always brimming with those unusual (and not so unusual) perennials, shrubs, trees, bedding plants and some gorgeous hanging baskets. Enjoy the entertainment while experiencing reflexology and nibbling on homemade pie. Now that is a combination that would be hard to resist! The relief money raised at the Fair is designated to various MCC projects both nationally and internationally. This year the focus is once again on Cambodia. An earlier MCC Fair project involved the support in removal of land mines throughout the country. | | We all equate Cambodia with the Vietnam War. As that war ended, a draft US AID report observed that the country faced famine in 1975, with 75% of its draft animals destroyed by the war, and that rice planting for the next harvest would have to be done "by the hard labour of seriously malnourished people." Cambodia has undergone dramatic changes in the last 20 yearsÐfrom a conflicted country to one that finally enjoys relative peace, from centrally planned to a market economy, and from a one-party state toward a democratic system. Still, the country faces significant problems such as instability and debt, and for many Cambodians, especially in rural areas, illiteracy and poverty are major issues. MCC first initiated work in Cambodia in 1979, shortly after the fall of the devastating Khmer Rouge regime, a time in which some 1.7 million people perished. Granting a new start Ea Ean is a 30-year-old farmer living in the village of Mesang in Cambodia. Besides growing rice, she has a small grocery business to supplement her income. She found an opportunity to expand her business through an MCC-supported savings group. MCC supports fourteen village banks through a local organization in her district. The village banks work with savings groups that share funds among members to help expand or start agricultural and business ventures. 
Ean decided to borrow 300,000 riels (equivalent to $80) from her savings group with 3 per cent interest a month. She used the money to buy different goods for sale in her grocery business. By having more goods to sell, she made a greater profit from the business. Your attendance and contributions at this years MCC Fair will help others like Ean to succeed in their businesses. $80 provides a loan to expand a business such as a small grocery store. Responding to the Needy Health Kits
immediate need- $10,000 This year health kits will be featured at the MCC Fair. If you would like to contribute items to these kits that are shipped all over the world please bring these items: one toothbrush (adult size; leave in wrapper), one squeeze-tube of toothpaste (minimum 130 ml, leave in box), one bar of soap (110 to 140 g, in wrapper), one fingernail clipper and one hand towel (larger than fingertip, dark colour). The United Mennonite Church and the Mennonite Brethren Church in Black Creek have been the major organizing bodies for the Fair along with strong support from the other Vancouver Island Mennonite churches. Come to the Fair on May 24th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Black Creek Community Hall and enjoy the food and fellowship. It's about Community, it's about faith and it's about helping your brother. See you there! 
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