United Electric

By Dianna Troyer

Karla Jesse says when her itin-erary as a Christian volunteer in Ukrainian orphanages gets disrupted, she has learned to relax and see what unfolds.

“I’ve seen time and time again how God does a bet-ter job with scheduling than I do,” says Karla, laughing. “I always know God has me in the right place at the right time to meet someone or to help in some specific way.”

In September, the 59-year-old Rupert resident took a three-week trip to the Eastern European country, where she has volunteered since 2002. It was her 23rd mission trip to Ukraine. She has ministered mainly in Dnipropetrovsk, a city in northern Ukraine with about 1 million residents.

Karla learned of the plight of Ukrainian orphans after hearing a presenta-tion at her church, the Paul Congregational Church. Gary Belliston, president of Belliston Brothers Apiaries in Burley, talked about his volunteerism in Ukraine with Global Aid Network, the humanitarian aid arm of Campus Crusade for Christ.

“I felt God called me, ‘Karla, this is something you could do,’ and put love in my heart for these people even before I met them,” Karla says. “After my first trip, I was totally hooked.”

She became known at orphanages as Momma Karla.

“The people we met were so sweet and appreciative,” Karla says. “The children begged for us to come back

to visit them again. I’ve been going as often as I can ever since.”

She says her friends wor-ried about her safety when she started going. Karla’s first trip to Ukraine was in January 2002, a few months after the World Trade Center attack.

“I’ve never been afraid, mainly because I’ve always believed if it’s not my time, there’s nothing anyone can do to kill me,” she says.

For several years, Karla went to Ukraine each winter with Global Aid Network. By 2004, she had developed enough contacts that she began returning there in the summers.

“We had grown close to two families, so a friend, Lynette Martinez, and I

decided to go back on our own,” she says.

Karla has learned to speak some Russian, a predominant language in the country.

“Our family has hosted three Ukrainian exchange students and become good friends with another,” she says. “Three of those girls have tutored me in the language.”

During her trips, Karla says she believes people have been divinely guided into her life, so they can feel God’s love through what she does.

Once, a Ukrainian friend who worked at a pediatric hospital told her a respirator was needed.

“Some friends and I donated money without knowing the exact price for the machine,” she says. “Later,

‘Momma Karla’ takes messages of love and hope to Ukrainian orphanages

Karla Jesse, far left, worked in the kitchen at

Ukraine orphanages. She and other

volunteers gave the staff gifts of colorful

handmade aprons.Photo courtesy of

Karla Jesse

Answering the Call to Share Her Faith

4 N O V E M B E R 2017

I learned the company had lowered the price for it, but that it also required sanitary disposable tips. The amount we donated was enough to cover all of the cost.”

Another time, a fellow passenger on her flight to Ukraine donated money for the orphanages after hearing Karla describe life there.

“The country has a high rate of alcoholism, a high birth rate, poverty and few social services,” Karla says. “Children are sometimes given to the orphanages because parents cannot pro-vide for them. Sometimes they leave home because their parents are abusive.”

Despite the country’s stan-dard of living, Karla says

the people she has met are incredibly generous. The families she has befriended are mostly Christians, “so they depend on God to give them hope, and it helps,” she says. “They’re so giving with what little they have.”

She has learned to not tell them something in their home is pretty because they will insist on giving it to her.

“Their tradition is to fix a meal for guests similar to our Thanksgiving,” Karla says. “With their generosity, they might spend their entire monthly grocery budget on that one meal.”

Karla says she tells children and staff at orphanages about God’s grace and shares a mes-sage of love and hope.

“They learn God is mer-ciful and isn’t a big bad guy in the sky waiting to punish them,” she says. “It’s really moving to see their tears of joy when they begin to have a personal relationship with Jesus. We also give them Bibles.”

Karla has been drawn to the plight of the orphanage’s kitchen and janitorial staff.

“Every day for three meals, they do everything by hand—from peeling potatoes to washing dishes,” she says. “Sometimes they’re feed-ing as many as 200 orphans. We’ve given the cooks colorful aprons, and they’re so grateful and touched.”

When Karla began to vol-unteer in Ukraine, she says

she remembered the adage, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

Knowing how much Karla cares, the children have made her gifts, including a wooden trivet, a dish, a bowl and other decorations.

“They use colored paper, magazines or take what people in our country would throw away and make beauti-ful things,” Karla says. “These gifts keep me connected with them when I’m here at home in Idaho.”

Karla says she will keep going to Ukraine as long as God allows.

“Every time I go, I feel a reaffirmation that God wants me there,” she says. n

Karla looks forward to yearly trips to Ukraine, where she ministers in orphanages. Using paper, orphans make handmade gifts for Karla.

N O V E M B E R 2017 5

United Electric

United Electric AnnouncementsThanksgiving, Veterans Day ClosuresThe office is closed for Veterans Day on Friday, November 10, and Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24.

Emergency crews are on call if needed. In case of an outage or emergency, the after-hours number is (208) 679-4444.

Best wishes from all from us at United Electric.

Mitten Tree Time! The Mitten Tree tradition is back.

As we have done in the past, we are collecting mittens, gloves, scarves,

hats, socks and coats to be distributed locally to children needing warm

winter clothing. This year, we also are collecting stuffed animals. Items can be bought or handmade, but all should be new and unused.

We will have a grocery cart for donations of staple food items to supplement supplies at local food pantries. Items always in

demand are macaroni and cheese, pasta and sauce, canned veggies and fruit, peanut butter, soups, chili and stew.

This year, consider items a child can pre-pare after school or on a

weekend, when there is no adult to provide a meal. Food eas-ily microwaved or eaten cold is use-

ful. Microwaveable soups and noodles

or individual servings of fruit, applesauce,

pudding, cold or instant cereals and Gossner’s milk would

satisfy a hungry child during a long weekend. Call us at (208) 679-2222 for more details.

Notice to Irrigators Members should be aware that pump panels may be energized. Pumps will be discon-nected only upon request. If you want your pump disconnected for the season, please call the office at (208) 679-2222.

If you need to have a pump disconnected to perform work, please call the office to schedule the work. Please verify pump panels are de-energized before working on them.

Irrigation services will not be billed November through March unless more than 10 kilowatt-hours of energy is used for that month. Verify that pump panel disconnects and variable speed drive controls are off to protect equipment and avoid unnecessary charges.

Automated Phone Payment System Want a quicker, more secure way to make pay-ments by phone? Sign up for UEC’s new auto-mated phone payment system. This system allows members to call in any time—whether it is during regular business hours, holidays, weekends or after-hours—to make a payment fast and conveniently.

To make a payment by phone, call our office at (208) 679-2222. If it is during busi-ness hours, request to make a payment, and one of the member services representatives will transfer you to the automated payment system. If it is after-hours, choose the option to make a payment. First-time users will need to set up a pin by providing basic account information. Once a PIN is established, future payments can be made by entering either the account num-ber or member phone number and then the PIN to verify identity.

If you have questions or need help setting up a PIN, please come by the office or call us at (208) 679-2222. n

2018 CalendarsThe 2018 calendars are available in the office. Stop by and pick up yours.

8 N O V E M B E R 2017

United Electric

N O V E M B E R 2017 25

A&T Construction194 E. 200 S, Rupert 436-07385 percent off labor.

Animal Medical Clinic284 S 600 W., Heyburn 679-45505 percent off all cash services.

Arby’s 594 N. Overland Ave., Burley 678-842610 percent off purchase.

Barclay Mechanical Services Inc.100 S. 490 W, Paul 438-81085 percent off metal purchase.

Barry Equipment & Rental159 W. Hwy 30, Burley678-736810 percent off daily rates; 15 percent off select Walker and Bobcat parts.

Clayville Insulation250 E. 100 S, Burley 678-97915 percent off existing residential insulation.

Clegg’s Service ’n RepairBrad Clegg, owner703 W. Main, Burley 678-7697, cell (208) 670-7624$10 off full lube and service.

Columbia Electric Supply Co.1027 Normal Ave., Burley 878-9035slockner@cesburley.comWholesale pricing on cash sales.

Connections Credit Union510 21st St., Heyburn677-4519, option 2New members receive a free welcome gift and $5 deposit.

D.L. Evans BankNorth Burley BranchSouth Burley BranchRupert Branch

• Free small business checking. • Complimentary Visa check debit/ATM card. • No annual fee Visa with a business checking account (upon approved credit). • Free introductory checks. • Member FDIC

Farmers Corner202 S. Highway 27, Burley 678-5130Free pop with gas purchase.

Greener Valley Computer2853 Overland Ave., Burley 678-09645 percent off in-store software.

Larry’s Electric & Heating1133 Albion Ave., Burley 678-4071 www.larryselectric andheating.com10 percent discount on filters and lightbulbs bought in the store.

Lee’s Furniture Clearance Outlet459 Overland Ave., Burley 878-4433Receive up to a 5 percent discount on purchase.

Marble-N-Counters1321 E. Main, Burley 878-60425 percent off marble jobs.

Please support these businesses that participate in the Co-op Connections Card program

Co-op Connections Card

everyday savings

THAT'S THE POWER OF CO-OP MEMBERSHIPSavings on everyday items. Like up to 85% off prescription drugs at

participating pharmacies nationwide.

Connections.coopFind all the ways to save at

United Electric

28 N O V E M B E R 2017

Mind & Body Wellness Center2207 Overland Ave., Burley 878-941820 percent off any services, 15 percent off nutrition. Free consultation for Ideal Protein Weight Loss program.

Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce1177 7th St., Heyburn679-4793www.minicassiachamber.com25 percent discount on all Idaho gifts and jewelry items, excluding consignment and sale items.

NAPA Auto Parts501 Overland Ave., Burley 678-83117 percent discount on regularly priced items.

Ponderosa Golf320 Minidoka Ave., Burley 679-5730$1 off green fees, Monday through Friday before 4 p.m.

Pro Paint Inc.1116 Overland Ave., Burley878-0856$5 off a $50 purchase.

Quality Tire Factory822 S. Onieda, Rupert 436-39006 percent off regularly priced items.

Sears Burley2338 Overland Ave., Burley 878-8004Owned and operated by Ron and Judy Fowler10 percent off any regularly priced merchandise.

Skaggs FurnitureOverland Shopping Center, Burley 878-5100Discount of up to 50 percent on regularly priced items.

Snake River Bowl725 Minidoka Ave., Burley 679-269510 percent off regularly priced bowling, food or merchandise (league and tournament bowling excluded).

Stars Ferry Building Supplies20 S. 300 W, Burley 678-5562Free hat with $100 cash purchase.

Sweetheart ManorOverland and 42nd St., Burley 678-869210 percent off invitations or 30 percent off when used for receptions and tuxedo rental.

Ted’s Diesel Electric1141 S. Hwy 30, Heyburn 878-499110 percent discount once a month on any rebuilt starter, alternator or generator.

The Gathering Place524 6th St., Rupert436-045510 percent off purchases, excluding kits, batting and quilting machines.

Tony’s Barbershop1607 J St., Heyburn (208) 219-0666Special price for seniors and children.

Ward’s Cleaning & Detail1131 E. 18th Lane, Burley 878-510510 percent off carpet and upholstery cleaning; 5 percent off auto detailing.

Wilson Bates Appliance & Furniture2560 Overland Ave., Burley 678-1133Additional 5 percent off the best furniture sale price, Burley location only.

N O V E M B E R 2017 29

ID-29

UnitedElectricCo-op Inc.Directors President Bruce BeckVice President David PhillipsSec./Treas. Cordell SearleBrent BowenDean Nielsen Ronald Osterhout George TonerJohn R. West

General ManagerJo Elg

Engineering and OperationsTrevor Parke

Line SuperintendentKay Hill

Executive AssistantPenny West

Member Services ManagerChris Seibold

Mailing address:1330 21st St.Heyburn, ID 83336Phone: (208) 679-2222Fax: (208) 679-3333Email: uec@unitedelectric.coopWebsite: www.uec.coopOffice hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Friday, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

After Hours: (208) 679-4444

On the Wire at United ElectricUnited Electric Co-op Inc. is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative. We strive every day to hold down costs while still providing the reli-able, quality service you expect.

Unfortunately, we are facing an average retail rate increase of 6.3 percent effective October 1, 2017. As mentioned in the July edition of Ruralite, we knew wholesale power rates from Bonneville Power Administration would increase October 1, 2017, and that increase would have a direct impact on costs at United Electric. Additionally, United Electric continues to maintain and rebuild current infrastructure, and add new infrastructure to meet the needs of the membership and maintain reliable power.

United Electric worked with an independent consultant to evaluate the effect of the BPA rate increase, the cost to provide service, and to establish fair and equitable rates. The main goals were to ensure that rates:

• Are adequate to maintain a solid financial condition.• Provide the necessary revenue for delivery of reliable electric service.• Avoid subsidization between rate classes.One change resulting from the rate study is the establishment of seasonal rates for

irrigation rate classes. United Electric’s wholesale power contract with BPA provides for an irrigation rate adjustment, which is applied seasonally for irrigation loads.

BPA provides for an irrigation rate adjustment because reclamation of lands through irrigation for the agricultural industry is one of the primary historical reasons for constructing federal dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. BPA has a history of providing a rate adjustment for its utility customers that serve agricultural loads. This encourages the cultivation and irrigation of otherwise barren, nonproductive land. The adjustment provides direct benefits to farmers as agriculture is the dominant economic driver in many rural Northwest communities.

United Electric historically has applied the irrigation rate adjustment to the irrigation rate classes all year. However, included in the analysis and discussion during the cost-of-service review was the establishment of seasonal irrigation rates to reflect the seasonality of the irrigation season—generally May through September—and to mirror the months in which BPA provides the irrigation adjustment.

The board of directors and management of United Electric understand rate increases are difficult, but we are committed to minimizing the impact of increasing power costs on your household, farm and business.

Jo ElgGeneral Manager

Rates

ReviewCost

Drivers

AvoidAbrupt

ChangesFinanciallyAdequate

Fairand

Equitable

32 N O V E M B E R 2017