Heifer
Heifer Village
22/02/12 15:55
The above device, used to transport water, can be seen at the Heifer Village in Little Rock, Arkansas. The plaque says "The average person needs between thirteen and twenty-six gallons of water a day to drink, bathe, and was. Just thirteen gallons of water weights nearly 110 pounds! Imagine having to carry that water instead of getting it from a faucet." To learn more about Heifer global village experiences contact the Missouri Heifer International Representative Carol Oliver at oliver@umocm.com.
Visiting Heifer Ranch
06/10/11 09:10
Rev. Londia Granger Wright feeds a slice of apple to a camel named Gobi at Heifer Ranch. Rev. Wright was one of 15 participants who went on a Heifer International Study Tour to the Ranch in Perryville, and to Heifer Village and Heifer International Headquarters in Little Rock earlier this month. For more information about Heifer and Heifer Ranch contact Carol Oliver at oliver@umocm.com.
Brunswick UMC Receives Gift Ark Plaque
30/03/11 08:59
On January 16th, the congregation at Brunswick United Methodist Church (with a membership of 106) celebrated the completion of their year long project of funding a $5,000 Heifer International Gift Ark. Throughout the past year, the congregation marked their progress by moving wooden animals they had funded into a lovely wooden ark. (See photo). The ark and animals were made by church member, David Buie. Mission chair, Mary Lou Buie received the plaque given to congregations that fund Gift Arks. From left to right in the photo are Rev. Jan Schnepf, Mary Lou Buie, David Buie and Heifer volunteer, Susan Mason.
Caring for Creation in Guatemala
03/02/11 14:31
Earlier this month twelve team members returned from a Volunteers in Mission experience in Guatemala where they participated in a mission focused on the environment. Their primary task was to plant trees but team members also greatly benefited from extensive learning about the cloud forest and about the Queqchi, (one of the indigenous Maya groups) who live in the part of the country they visited.
Some of the trees the group planted around a school yard will bear fruit. There are now twelve different kinds of fruit trees in that location which, once mature will provide a healthy source of food throughout the year for the impoverished children who attend the school. As one team member noted, they serve as, “…the tree of life.” In Revelations 22:2, it states, “…on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, (was) yielding fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
The cloud forest is spectacularly beautiful in the mountain communities the team visited but it is also vital to the environment in that part of the world. As the Mayan people say, “The forest catches the clouds,” and they are correct! Moisture in the clouds condenses on the leaves of the thick forest and other vegetation and drops to the ground. In the cloud forest, precipitation has been measured at seven meters (275 inches) per year while in areas where the forest has been cut, three meters (118 inches) has been recorded. The precipitation in the cloud forest is essential to all of the communities below who use it for water and for the livelihood of the plants, birds, insects and animals that live there. A highlight for all of the team was spending two nights in the homes of host families in the mountain community of Sanimtaqa. Communication provided the greatest challenge as no team members spoke Queqchi, (the language used by the women and children) and only a few knew Spanish which the men also spoke. However drawing pictures, pointing, gesturing and lots of smiles and laughter enabled the team to share with these loving and very family oriented people.
The team returned home much more knowledgeable about the importance of creation in this incredibly beautiful part of the world and with greatest respect and appreciation for the Queqchi and their way of life. This mission opportunity was truly an inspiration for all who participated.
A Heifer is Born
28/06/10 08:40
This calf was born to heifers contributed to a Heifer International project for the 2009 Festival of Sharing and is thriving at its home in Winston County, Mississippi. Donations of heifers or monetary gifts to be used to purchase a heifer are needed for the 2010 Festival domestic project in South Rankin County, Mississippi. For more information contact Carol Oliver at 573-474-7155 or at oliver@umocm.com.
Heifer International Petting Zoo - Fulton, MO
19/05/10 12:23
As a part of their Leadership and Service Program, students at Westminster College, in Fulton, sponsored a petting zoo and cow kissing contest to raise money for Heifer International. One little girl was particularly fond of the calf. Also present was a llama, a pig, goats and baby chicks. The money will be used by Heifer International to provide animals to impoverished families as a way of making them self-reliant. For more information about Heifer International talk to Carol Oliver at the Office of Creative Ministries. (oliver@umocm.com / 573-474-7155)