ENDERLIN, N.D.— Cattle trailers, trucks, cattle and sheep lined the parking lot in Enderlin, N.D. to allow those passing by to drive through and donate money to Heifer International.  Some people dropped off coins, others a few dollars. When the drive was complete over $2,500 had been raised. Enderlin UMC, average worship attendance of 21, has been holding the drive for the past five years.

Photo: The United Methodist Chuch building in Enderlin, N.D. were a drive through fundriaser was recently held for Heifer International. Photo by Bruce Blumer.

“You don’t have to come into a church to be part of this effort,” said Myrene Peterson, coordinator of the drive through collection, Enderlin UMC. “ You just have to care. We have people from different churches, those that don’t attend any church drive through and give.”

The idea is to make sure they raise as much money as possible for Heifer International in a short amount of time.  The drive through donation is held in conjunction with the Enderlin UMC’s harvest festival.  The drive through takes place for three hours in the parking lot across the street from the church.

“We have cattle trailers that are filled with cattle and sheep. They form an alley or path for people to drive through,” said Peterson. “The men have buckets for people to roll down their window and deposit the money.”

The inspiration to hold the drive started with a member of the congregation who was a Vietnam veteran. When he was serving in Vietnam he shot a water buffalo in the heat of battle. “It was like I had destroyed someone’s tractor,” said the veteran. “I just could not get that out of my mind.”

So every year the members of the church make sure that one water buffalo is purchased for someone in Vietnam.  The cost of a water buffalo is $250, the additional funds are utilized as needed for other animals.

“We have learned here at Enderlin that the church is not about the building,” said Peterson.  The United Methodist congregation shares their space with a worshipping Lutheran congregation. 

Photo: A water buffalo provides a way for many to raise crops. Photo courtesy of Heifer International.

Peterson describes the church as small but caring. “We have done some untraditional things here like holding an “unbake sale”.  For lent last year we did not give up something each week, we gave something each week— an item to the food pantry, an item to the thrift store, an act of kindness to someone, coins found around the house and a message or greeting to someone.  I sent a greeting to my dad, even though he has passed away. I thanked him for giving me faith. I remember seeing him on his knees praying.”

Rev. Randy Cross, Eastern Sunrise district superintendent sees the church as an inspiration of what can be.  “This small church is reaching out in whatever way they can.  They continue to do their drive through project and raise more money each year.”