Missions

CAN'T CONTAIN THE LOVE (Part 2)
Photos by Cookie Slate, April 2005 Bulgaria Mission trip.

Cookie Slate would prefer the spotlight be on the mission work that she passionately supports rather than on her. But God doesn't work thru programs or committees. He works thru people like Cookie...and her husband,
Phil...and people like you and me.

Interview by David Alvey, August 2005:

Cookie, How long have you lived in the DFW area?
I was raised in Denton. I moved to Dallas about 1970. We moved to Plano in 1998 following retirement.

How long have you & Phil been married?
Since October, 1993. I was a career single most of my life. We were both members of The Heights. Phil's first wife died after they'd been married 38 years. He had no intentions of getting remarried. I had no intentions of getting married. We went on a Heights mission trip to Brazil, and fell in love. We married three months later. It definitely was a "God" thing...although Phil says it was entrapment! I think it was necessity... I needed someone to carry my luggage on mission trips.

Children? Grandkids?
Phil has a daughter and two grandchildren ­ so I became an instant mother and grandmother. Our granddaughter has two children, so now we are great-grandparents. They all live in the Metroplex area.

What did Phil do before he retired?
Phil is an Electrical engineer by education and worked in telecommunications for many years. He helped put the man on the moon ­ literally. The company he worked for did work for the Apollo project and he installed tracking stations around the world.

Did you work outside home?
I graduated from North Texas University with a degree in education but no desire to teach. I worked as a personnel management specialist for the Civil Service Commission. The last 20 years, I reviewed Federal agency personnel programs to insure they were in compliance. I traveled a 10-state area.

How did you get involved with Bulgaria?
My first mission trip was in 1986 to New York City. I have been on mission trips to Belgium, England, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, Brazil, Belize, and Bulgaria.

The Heights' first trip to Bulgaria was in 1996. Phil and I were on that first trip. U.S. Churches were asked to establish partnerships with locations throughout Europe. As far as we know, The Heights is the only church that partnered with an entire country. The commitment was initially a three-year partnership. It has continued and expanded significantly.

I have made 7 trips to Bulgaria. Phil has made 6 ­ he missed the 2004 shoe trip because of health problems.

After making several trips, do you see some of the same kids?
Yes. I have photos of several children from the past two ­ three years. We don't spend a great deal of time at each orphanage, so we don't get well acquainted with them. Some of them do recognize us when we return. Jan Margrave went in October 2003 and again in May 2005. A young girl, now a teenager, ran up to her and said, "did you come back to take me home and be my mommy?"

Have you had any leave the orphanage and go on to make a difference in Bulgaria?
We don't know what happens to the kids when they leave the orphanages ­ only that they are put out on the streets.

The most rewarding aspect ­ seeing kids who are often very sad ­ smile for a few moments.

Children in orphanages do not "own" their things ­ except for the shoes. We put shoes on a child ,and he keeps those shoes. So, we give them something they can call their own.

What has been the most frustrating or disappointing aspect?
The Bulgarian government views orphans as the discards of society. Sometimes, the children do not have enough to eat. Many go to outside toilets. Some do not have bathing facilities. They are dirty and
sometimes mistreated by the workers. We have been going to one orphanage since 2002 and have seen little or no improvements. The only joy for these mentally challenged kids is in seeing us for a few minutes once a year.

In what other areas are you involved at The Heights?
I am the director of the Grice class Adult Bible Fellowship. Phil is an usher and deacon. Phil works with the Park Plaza Apartment Ministry. We both participate in the Upper Room Prayer Ministry.

How long have you been a member at The Heights?
I joined The Heights about 20 years ago.

Footnote: Each of these volunteers pay all of their own expenses (approximately $1,400 - $1,700) on these mission trips. They have even covered the costs for translators and their hotel and expenses.