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At 5,300 pounds the amethyst encrusted boulder that graced the lobby of the RiverBank in Chisago City was a wonder of nature and a great conversation piece. It came to the bank through a founding officer, from a quarry at Thunder Bay, Ontario and was designed into the bank’s lobby decor, where it was admired for over 20 years.

Recent extensive remodeling at the RiverBank limited the gemstone’s use. The interior landscape motif it was part of was removed when the lobby got its new look.

Bank officials opted to offer “the rock” to the highest bidder. One thing led to another, and that huge raw amethyst is now in Mexico, donated to the Casa de la Gemas Orphanage in Guadaloupe.

The orphanage’s name in English is house of gems-- a reference to the children the ministry serves. But, to a host of local folks drawn into the gemstone’s saga, this coincidence in name reinforces the spiritual underpinning of this story.

Bank President Dean Perry said they had a high bid submitted for the stone from a rural Center City man, Jerry Carlson.

But, Carlson had just returned from Casa de la Gemas as a first-time volunteer with Tapestries of Life Ministries. Tapestries operates the orphanage and related food and shelter outreach directly across the border from El Paso, Texas.

Carlson was moved by the experience enough to suggest to Perry that the best use of the huge amethyst would be as a donation to the organization.

Perry enthusiastically consented and Tapestries of Life Ministries Pastor Steve Brewer arrived with a trailer and brought the gemstone back to Casa de la Gemas. (See photo.)

Perry commented, “It felt like the right thing to do.”

Tapestries of Life has a history of support from this area.

Volunteers Connie Campbell and Sharon Spanel have been serving in Mexico for several years and the two told the Chisago County Press there are over 50 area residents who regularly aid the organization in ministry “vacations.”

The trips run about $500 for the week and food and sleeping quarters are provided to volunteers. Any funds remaining are plowed back into the ministry.

That the amethyst should be donated from here is no surprise to these two.

Spanel and Campbell listed numerous local corporate and personal supporters of the orphanage and the new construction. Hazelden, for instance, has donated mattresses and a bean processor has donated tons of beans.

Campbell said, “People in this area have been so generous...what amazes me is how one donation gets another...the sacks of beans we brought down there in a donated trailer... and that interconnected effort just keeps going.”

Campbell and Spanel said volunteers hold a large, local garage sale annually (dates are Aug. 19, 20 and 21 this summer) to raise money for the ministry’s work.

They bag groceries at a grocery store and their “wage” is donated.

They collect apparel, blankets, toys and treats, and then they haul the stockpiles of goods to Mexico.

Once there, volunteers lay tile flooring, they paint, build bunk beds, distribute items. They even take turns in the headquarters kitchen cooking food for other volunteers.

It’s a working vacation in every sense of the word, but it also makes one feel better after having participated; and isn’t that what a vacation should do.

Plus, the volunteer network shares an affection for the proud, but impoverished people who come for aid. “You just never forget what you see down there,” Spanel said. “It changes you and you can’t wait to get back.”

The new, 50,000 square foot orphanage facility under construction will be able to house about 300 children. Roofing for the new orphanage is scheduled to begin this fall and the hope is to have adoptions coming out of the facility by next year.

Campbell and Spanel made special mention of an anonymous matching gift that could really boost the project. If people are moved to donate money-- now is a good time. The opportunity for the matching gift ($100,000 max) ends September 1. Checks can be sent to Tapestries of Life Ministries, P.O. Box B, in Fabens, Texas 79838 and should be noted at the bottom “for matching fund.”

Or, if you want to find out more about the volunteering; Campbell’s number is 257-5876 and Spanel can be reached at 464-5699. They return to Mexico every January and have even given their work groups names: The Minnesota Marvels and the Frozen Chosen.

And, what about that rock?

For now it’s being kept in a safe place and its future is not certain. It may become a focal point of the orphanage or it may serve yet another purpose. You can bet that wherever it ends up is most likely where it’s supposed to be.

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