Echo Spring 2021 - 25

" The problem we had at the time was that most of
our students did not have access to computers, and
we did not have enough to give out. I shared this
with a friend, Stu Metzler, who was able to get me
some old computers that needed upgrading. Stu loves
tinkering with computers and that's how we started
the program in 2017. "
The refurbished computers have helped refugees,
migrant workers and newly arrived immigrants as well
as those displaced by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico
in the fall of 2017. Alpha & Omega especially reaches
out to students in its ESL program to find out where
computers are needed.
Over the past four years, Computers for Refugees has
distributed over 500 desktops, laptops, tablets and
printers to individuals, families and organizations that
work directly with refugees, immigrants and asylum
seekers. The main criteria for distribution is the need
of a computer to practice everyday communication,
accomplish tasks like school and job applications as
well as additional studies.
" We work with CWS and other centers like the
Intermediate Unit 13 Refugee Center, Migrant
Education Program and Career Link who have direct
access with the refugees, " Gingrich said. " To get a
computer, students are either referred by the agencies
or are part of the ESL classes at AOCC. Once we get
connected, the students have to indicate how they
will benefit from it, and we provide the computer
to them. "
Gingrich also has LBC | Capital connections through
the Alpha & Omega program. He works closely with
his " technical partner, " LBC | Capital Trustee Charles H.
Kreider, who helps to both secure donated computers
and personally perform the upgrades. Computers for
Refugees has also received donations of laptops from
LBC | Capital through the facilitation of Micah Story
('98), Senior Business Systems Analyst for the college.
Through Computers for Refugees, students and
families receive an upgraded Windows 10 computer
as well as bilingual dictionary and pre-installed
websites uploaded by IU13 Refugee Center so they
can learn and improve their English. Those who
are looking to study nursing also receive additional
relevant resources.
Gingrich, a Lancaster native, has always been
interested in cross-cultural ministry and began his
professional journey by taking cross-cultural ministry
and ESL courses at Lancaster Bible College in the
mid-'70s. " I always remember the words of one of
my LBC professors, John Winterstein. He told us that
each of us is called to be a full-time Christian no
matter our occupation. Early on, I sensed my ministry
as encouraging and coming alongside others-
something along the lines of Barnabas, Aquila and
Priscilla. "
After graduating from LBC in 1978, Gingrich enrolled
in English education courses at Millersville University
but suspended this endeavor as he took on family
and work responsibilities. In 1996-97, he and his family
served one year of short-term ministry in France,
where he taught conversational English. Gingrich
then returned to a previous corporate position. When
the company was sold in the early 2000s, he headed
back to Millersville, some 25 years after his initial
studies in the early '80s, to pursue an M.Ed. in English
with the intention of working with adults. Gingrich
began working with international students then
shifted to immigrants as more resettled in Lancaster
and began looking for employment and educational
opportunities.
Though he does not force his faith on those he
works with, Gingrich considers himself a farmer who
cultivates lives and plants seeds that he has seen
germinate as his students embark on a path of selfreliance.
(To
learn about donating desktops and laptops with
Windows Vista or 7 or newer or computer accessories
such as keyboards, mice, monitors, cables, speakers,
Wi-Fi adapters, cameras and tablets, connect with
Alpha & Omega Community Center at alphayomega.
us/contact.)
Sitawa Wafula ('22) contributed to this story.
ECHO 25
https://alphayomega.us/
Echo Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2021
