Miriam’s Table founder Susie Keefer sets book release May 5

The public is invited to join Susie Keefer and her family along with her publisher, Ron Sauder from Secant Publishing, to celebrate the release of her book, “He Hoped I Would Come” at 6 p.m., Sunday, May 5, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. Fourth St., Lewes.

Keefer's journey of service changed her life in ways she could never have imagined. Equipped with degrees in special education, she had been a successful leader in the Special Olympics organization. She and her husband Ed had led youth groups for many summers in a church program called the Appalachia Service Project.

In 2010, Susie made her first trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa, as part of a small team representing the Peter D. Weaver Congo Partnership, a ministry started by a Delaware United Methodist bishop who was answering a cry for help from African bishops. Together, the American and Congolese churches created nutritional and medical programs designed to meet the acute needs of the Congolese people.

Susie never imagined she would meet and bond with a small child named Miriam, whom she encountered in the nutrition program. Eventually, she and Ed adopted Miriam and brought her home to Delaware. Later, they went on to establish their own nutrition program for children, called Miriam’s Table, which took them back to the Congo over and over again.

“He Hoped I Would Come” is their remarkable and moving story, as told by Susie Keefer herself. Books may be purchased at the event. No reservations are necessary.