By BETTY CARLISLE

Special to The Gazette

“Somebody must be having a big party,” thought Medina resident Judy Auman as the car driven by her neighbor and minister, the Rev. Tony Myles of Connection Church, entered their Westgrove Court cul-de-sac on June 8.

Myles, his wife Katie, Judy and her husband, Clint, had lingered after church services to allow for party set-up time, and had prayed together for Judy who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic and liver cancer.

As they approached their home, the Aumans were surrounded by a crowd of neighbors and Connection Church members wearing leis and greeting them with a banner announcing “Hey Auman Family … Enjoy Your Cruise through Tropical Medina.”

“This is unreal!” said Judy, as she stared in disbelief at the sight of driveways transformed into international ports with corresponding food, activities and decorations donated by American Greetings.

The music played by DJ Mike Edwards was culled from a list of favorite songs the Aumans had supplied to a neighborhood child pretending to need the song titles for a school project. “My neighbors are very devious,” Judy said.

“I’m in shock,” Clint said. “A lot of people care about us, but I didn’t know to this extent!”

The Aumans had often mused that they’d take a cruise when their caretaking for Marylou Auman, Clint’s 82-year-old mother who died Dec. 16 from colon and lung cancer, was no longer needed.

Plans were delayed by Clint’s recovery from a heart attack he suffered in January, and then put on indefinite hold after Judy discontinued chemotherapy in order to accept what she described as her “no-win situation.”

“I was given six months to live in March,” Judy, 59, said with peaceful resolve. “God is building the mansion, and until it’s done, I’m here!”

“She’s just such a special lady,” said church member JoAnn Fenwick, wiping away tears. “Judy’s an inspiration, and she’s always happy — giving and loving others.”

Seeking to join the resources of tables, chairs, video projector, music equipment and manpower from Connection Church with the generosity of the Medina business community that donated an abundant array of food, Myles worked for two months to mastermind the plans to surprise the Aumans with a festive land cruise.

Perhaps the biggest factor to the shipshape success of the event was the commitment of the 32 families who reside in the 10-year-old neighborhood.

The neighbors e-mailed and made plans over backyard fences to offer their driveways, ideas, culinary skills and game equipment to create a cruise experience that surpassed the Love Boat. “We’re like Judy and Clint’s adopted son and daughter,” said neighbors Conrad and Alison Roschival, whose driveway became the Port of Mexico, offering chips and salsa amid a setting of piñatas and a tropical backdrop. “They baby-sit our two kids and are wonderful people.”

“This is something we hope to do for other neighborhoods in the county who would like to partner with our church to bless someone,” said Myles, adding that more people need to feel the redemptive love of Jesus in a time when so many seem to be down and out. “This can become contagious and more than a good deed. We are joining in on the story of God in a practical way.”

And as for Judy, she’s content that when God’s timetable calls for her own ship to set sail that her husband can navigate the rough waters ahead with the support of a caring crew.

Myles can be contacted at tony@connectionchurch.org or by calling 330-461-3964.

For more information about Connection Church, visit www.connectionchurch.org.

Carlisle may be reached at accent@ohio.net.