Catlett resident Alvin Miller of Children's Medical Ministries handles wheelchairs slated for repair and shipment to children in Colombia. PHOTOS BY PETER CIHELKA/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

'Compassion for people'

Southern Fauquier man travels the world as a volunteer with a children's medical ministry

Date published: 11/15/2009

By CATHY DYSON

Alvin Miller is a humble Mennonite from southern Fauquier County, a man who goes out of his way to help his neighbors.

It's just that, in his mind, his neighbors aren't only the people who live in Catlett with him.

They're also children who wander the streets of Peru and the slums of India, the jungles of Colombia and the villages of Kenya.

The 69-year-old great-grandfather volunteers with Children's Medical Ministries, a humanitarian organization in Crofton, Md.

Since Miller joined the nonprofit group 12 years ago, he has been to more than 30 countries and directed projects that range from drilling wells in India to distributing wheelchairs in South America.

"Everybody should have an Alvin Miller, he just does it all," said Bill Collins, a retired Army colonel who founded the group with his wife, Erma, in 1988. "He really has a compassion for people, that's his biggest asset."

Miller has another vital resource: free travel. After years of doing construction work, Miller wanted to try something different.

So he spent 10 years handling luggage for Continental Airlines. He was furloughed twice, but was called back both times and stayed long enough to earn free lifetime travel.

He has made the most of the benefit.

To Colombia 66 times

"I've been to Colombia 66 times," Miller said, as if there's nothing unusual about it. "Figure how much that would cost if you had to pay for it."

His wife, Esther, also is entitled to the travel benefits, but she doesn't fly. Her ministry is at home, taking care of four elderly women who live with them.

The Millers have been married 48 years and have six children, 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Their kitchen is decorated with plaques, such as the one that says Alvin's name means "beloved by all," and decorative plates from foreign places.

Miller's work sometimes puts him in contact with corrupt governments and jungle guerillas, but his wife doesn't fret every time he boards a plane.

"I figure the Lord is using him, and He'll take care of him," she said. "Besides, Alvin is really happy."

Concerned with others

Miller started mission work 23 years ago with other organizations, and took trips to places like Haiti and Peru. He helped build schools and homes for missionaries and visited regions rocked by floods and earthquakes.

Alvin Miller drives throughout the Mid-Atlantic area to get new and used wheelchairs for Children's Medical Ministries. He typically travels alone. When he gets tired, he pulls over and takes a quick power nap, which helps the 69-year-old cover as much as 500 miles a day. When Miller travels abroad, he goes with the local residents and often is the only American in the group. "He has tremendous oversight and responsibility," said Bill Collins, the ministry's founder. The ministry has programs in 30 countries. Since 1988, the group has distributed an estimated $7 million in medical supplies and disaster relief, according to its Web site. : childmed.org

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Date published: 11/15/2009