{
    "title": {
        "media": {
          "url": "/ButlerMission/objects/parsonage.jpg",
          "caption": "Our parsonage above and chapel & extra rooms below Photo",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection Timeline",
          "text": "From 1975 to 1995, David and Carol Butler lived and worked in Oran, Algeria as United Methodist missionaries with the Protestant Church of Algeria. This collection houses many of the letters they wrote back to the States reporting on their time there."
        }
    },
    "events": [
      {
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterdec76.pdf",
          "caption": "Christmas 1976 Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll002",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "12",
          "day": "26",
          "year": "1976"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "Christmas 1976 Letter",
          "text": "Letter about celebrating Christmas in 1976, including a family trip to Morocco. Also updates on the logistical issues the church has been facing with transportation for parishioners to and from the church for activities."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterdec82.pdf",
          "caption": "Ourselves in relation to the Lebanese Tragedy Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll003",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "12",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1982"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "Ourselves in relation to the Lebanese Tragedy Letter",
          "text": "Letter discussing the history of Israel and Palestine in relation to the 1982 Lebanon War, including the United States' responsibility in military and economic support for Israel and how the Arab populations tend to view Americans and America as a whole."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterapr86.pdf",
          "caption": "Summer of '85 - Update on car project & ecumenical ministry Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll004",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "04",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1986"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "Summer of '85 - Update on car project & ecumenical ministry Letter",
          "text": "Letter recounting several trips, including a \"barnstorm\" around Iowa to speak with many churches about their work, and two trips taken back in Algeria with their new car to share in Christian fellowship with more distant friends. "
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterdec77.pdf",
          "caption": "The Muslim feast of sacrifice - (Abraham's sacrifice) Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll005",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "12",
          "day": "07",
          "year": "1977"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "The Muslim feast of sacrifice - (Abraham's sacrifice) Letter",
          "text": "Letter describing and contemplating the slaughter of sheep for the yearly Muslim celebration of the \"Festival of Sacrifice.\""
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterdec86.pdf",
          "caption": "Christmas Greetings 1986 Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll006",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "12",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1986"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "Christmas Greetings 1986 Letter",
          "text": "Letter recounting Carol's brief trip back to the States for a ceremony at her alma mater, some history on the Protestant mission in Oran, and the stories of two of their parishioners referred to as \"H. M.\" and \"P. B.\""
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterdec89.pdf",
          "caption": "1989 update/Economic & Pol. changes/Am. Police Brutality Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll007",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "12",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1989"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "1989 update/Economic & Pol. changes/Am. Police Brutality Letter",
          "text": "Letter explaining the recent political changes in Algeria and the new groups/parties that have emerged. In the States, their second eldest son had an upleasant encounter with the police while taking a walk in a park at night. "
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterfeb80.pdf",
          "caption": "How the third world (and especially the Arab world) sees us Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll008",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "02",
          "day": "18",
          "year": "1980"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "How the third world (and especially the Arab world) sees us Letter",
          "text": "Letter discussing the history of the relations between the Arab world and the West, including the many perceived betrayals during and after the World Wars."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterfeb85.pdf",
          "caption": "More on our ecumenical ministry/Family/New car project Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll009",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "02",
          "day": "09",
          "year": "1985"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "More on our ecumenical ministry/Family/New car project Letter",
          "text": "Letter giving updates on their four sons, now all back in the States for university and the two oldest pursuing grad school. Also introduces the new car project and updates on Carol's work teaching English."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterfeb92.pdf",
          "caption": "Annual conference/U.S. visit/The difficult situation here Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll010",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "02",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1992"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "Annual conference/U.S. visit/The difficult situation here Letter",
          "text": "Letter detailing their trip to Switzerland for the Annual Conference, followed by a whirlwind trip of visiting friends, family, and churches throughout Paris, England, and North America. Then they discuss the changing political climate of Algeria."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterjan79.pdf",
          "caption": "New Address 1979 Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll011",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "01",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1979"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "New Address 1979 Letter",
          "text": "Letter informing of their move and change in address, as well as other family and health updates and a trip back to the States over the past summer."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterjuly80.pdf",
          "caption": "The Muslim month of fasting & our own ecumenical ministry Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll012",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "07",
          "day": "17",
          "year": "1980"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "The Muslim month of fasting & our own ecumenical ministry Letter",
          "text": "Letter describing the fasting of Ramadan in Algeria, including the potential dangers of dehydration, and the inter-denominational fellowship among the Protestant and Catholic groups in Oran. Also describes the Little Sisters of Jesus, a Catholic sisterhood, and how the Butlers were introduced to them."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterjuly90.pdf",
          "caption": "How we see our role here (New revised version) & July independence days & elections Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll013",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "07",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1990"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "How we see our role here (New revised version) & July independence days & elections Letter",
          "text": "Letter starts with the celebrations of the various Independence days for the U.S., France, and Algeria, then explains the four main aspects of their ministry."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterjuly94.pdf",
          "caption": "But we are still writing from Kansas 1994 Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll014",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "07",
          "day": "28",
          "year": "1994"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "But we are still writing from Kansas 1994 Letter",
          "text": "Letter updating on turmoil and violence in several countries, especially in Algeria. With one year left before retirement, and Oran seeming safer than some other Algerian cities, they plan to continue their work here while they can."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletterjune79.pdf",
          "caption": "General background information on Algeria esp. political stability & economic development Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll015",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "06",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1979"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "General background information on Algeria esp. political stability & economic development Letter",
          "text": "Letter describing the political and economic situation of Algeria."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerlettermar93.pdf",
          "caption": "Unrest and the story of M.B. Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll016",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "03",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1993"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "Unrest and the story of M.B. Letter",
          "text": "Letter updating on the violence in Algeria, and telling the hopeful story of one African student they worked with, here referred to as \"M.B.\" whose home country (unspecified) is also enveloped in violence and danger."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletteroct83.pdf",
          "caption": "A Day in the Life of the Butlers Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll017",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "10",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1983"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "A Day in the Life of the Butlers Letter",
          "text": "Letter providing family updates on the boys, and detailing the events of one specific day in David and Carol's lives."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletteroct84.pdf",
          "caption": "1984 Update Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll018",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "10",
          "day": "22",
          "year": "1984"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "1984 Update Letter",
          "text": "Letter updating on their daily work and some new changes, including Carol's last year working at the university teaching English due to the Algerianization of the staff and her lack of a PhD. Now she is teaching and tutoring English through the consulate in Oran."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletteroct88.pdf",
          "caption": "Ecumenical Ministry & the Little Sisters of Jesus",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll019",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "10",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1988"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "Ecumenical Ministry & the Little Sisters of Jesus",
          "text": "Letter describing some of the relationship between David and Catholic churches in Algeria, and then giving an update on the Little Sisters of Jesus as they visit them for the third year in a row. The droughts and locusts have not been kind to them, but they persist. "
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletteroct92.pdf",
          "caption": "1992 Update/The Pilgrimage of Friendship/The Incredible Caper of the Butler Boys/Our Present Situation Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll020",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "10",
          "day": "",
          "year": "1992"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "1992 Update/The Pilgrimage of Friendship/The Incredible Caper of the Butler Boys/Our Present Situation Letter",
          "text": "Letter starts with their trip throughout France and England to visit friends and former parishioners, then tells the tale of the Incredible Caper of the Butler Boys, in which their four sons surprise them by visiting from the States with the help of local accomplices. The letter ends with updates on Algerian government leadership."
        }
      },{
        "media": {
          "url": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/objects/butlerletteroct94.pdf",
          "caption": "1994 Halloween update Letter",
          "link": "https://lunakae.github.io/ButlerMission/item.html?id=coll021",
          "credit": "David and Carol Butler Mission Letters Collection"
        },
        "start_date": { 
          "month": "10",
          "day": "31",
          "year": "1994"
        },
        "text": {
          "headline": "1994 Halloween update Letter",
          "text": "Letter providing small updates on two Rwandan students, the local death toll, and the progress of Carol's library project. On their most recent return from the States, they visited several friends and \"extended family\" in Great Britain and France."
        }
      }
    ]
}