In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, is encouraged by the creative generosity of our community. He highlights the creative generosity of the LUM Immigration Clinic, at the upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration, and of the gift from French Knot. Please take 59 seconds to watch this video and SHARE with others. See below for more details.

John & Andrea Njuguna met socially in 2001. They fell in love and were married in 2002. Their relationship became complicated when John was detained in 2005. For many weeks, Andrea did not know where John was being held. When she located him, Andrea visited John every weekend (driving five hours, one-way). John was then deported to Kenya, and Andrea traveled there five times to visit him. They spoke every day by phone, text or video chat.

Not able to resolve John's issues on their own, Andrea reached out to the LUM Immigration Clinic for help in 2014. For several years the LUM Immigration Clinic worked on John's case, resulting in him finally being allowed to return to the US in 2021. The LUM Immigration Clinic was an integral part of the whole process.

Today, Andrea and John live in their new house in Lafayette, IN, and enjoy making home and landscaping improvements. John is a local truck driver, and Andrea works as a medical assistant. It was agonizingly hard worked but with persistence, faith, love, and the assistance from LUM, their love story has a happy ending. The LUM Immigration Clinic team is thrilled to have been a part of this heart warming love story.

Recently, our neighbors, French Knot, donated winter hats, hand accessories (mittens & handwarmers), and headbands to Lafayette Urban Ministry. More than 320 items were delivered to LUM by Luciana (Vizsla & Golden Doodle mix), Jonas, Ryan & Chelsea (pictured L to R). These items are already being shared with LUM families, children, and homeless shelter guests. LUM is grateful to the French Knot team for this incredible gift, which is already "warming up" our community. If you wish to make a donation to LUM, click the buttons below.

French Knot creates vintage-inspired winter accessories designed in Lafayette, Indiana, and handcrafted in Nepal. French Knot's products are made in Nepal by women artisans who take pride in their work. There are approximately 1,000 artisan knitters who create French Knot’s production. French Knot was founded in 2012 by designer Lindsay Mason.

Join us for the LUM 50th Anniversary Celebration and help us honor the legacy of Lafayette Urban Ministry. The event is a lighthearted evening with uplifting stories, live entertainment, refreshments & good company — with a few surprises. Because you have been a part of the success and endurance of LUM, we would love to see you there. The celebration begins at 7 p.m., but be sure to show up at 6 p.m. for the social hour with refreshments. Here are the details:

The event will kick off a yearlong celebration of the LUM legacy and the planning for the next half century of serving our neighbors in need. The program will be hosted by LUM executive director, Wes Tillett, and will include special video presentations, remarks from LUM executive director emeriti the Rev. Jud Dolphin and Joe Micon, and live entertainment. The entertainment will feature a duet by Onyx Uzomah & Derrick Williams-Bacon, an ensemble featuring Linda Hicks & Briton Weise, the LUM Children Chorus featuring LUM students, and the LUM Ecumenical Choir directed by Eileen Weiss and featuring singers from several local churches.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event go to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund. The LUM Good Samaritan Fund provides local individuals, families and children with a financial safety net when in crisis. In 2021, the Good Samaritan Fund helped 1,309 families; provided financial assistance in averting eviction, utility disconnects and other crises 2,018 times; and distributed $196,198. Please support the Good Samaritan Fund by attending the LUM 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Make your reservation today — go to LUMserve.org/50th-anniversary and take care of everything online — or call us at 765-423-2691 — or stop by the LUM Office, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901. Don’t miss the event of the season – and join us in celebrating LUM and your partnership with LUM yesterday, today and in the future.

More ways to get involved with the LUM 50th Anniversary:

For more information, please go to LUMserve.org/50th-anniversary or call or email LUM (765-423-2691 | lum@LUMserve.org).