Strengthening bonds with Mozambique
Right now there is a team of Missouri Conference leadership in Mozambique visiting with local church leadership to discuss future plans for the Mozambique Initiative (MI) partnership. While there, the leadership group with have meetings for the purpose of strengthening our conference to conference partnership, and visit some of the MI sustainability projects. For more information on how you and your congregation can partner with our brothers and sisters in Mozambique contact the MI coordinator, Sarah Bollinger, at sbollinger@moumethodist.org.
Mozambique Flood Relief
The flooding of the Limpopo River in southern Mozambique continues to affect hundreds of families. The Mozambique Initiative has reached out to communities separated from necessary resources to provide for those needs. February 7th Mozambique Initiative staff provided rice, instant porridge, corn flour, and cooking oil to 50 displaced families. Food was provided through the Missouri Conference/Mozambique Initiative pledge to raise $15,000 to provide food, clean water and other supplies to those surviving this disaster. For more information on how you can help visit http://www.mzinitiative.com/FLOOD_RELIEF__.php.
Flooding in Mozambique
Photo Credit: Anna Wallenlind Nuvunga/IRIN News (www.irinnews.org)
Last week the Limpopo River in southern Mozambique flooded displacing 150,000 people who fled their homes for camps at higher ground. Aid organizations are working to meet the overwhelming needs of these displaced Mozambicans. The Missouri Conference through the Mozambique Initiative plans to raise $15,000 to provide food, clean water and other supplies to at least 600 people. For more information on how you can help visit www.mzinitiative.com/FLOOD_RELIEF__.html.
Christmas in Mozambique
Christmas was alive at the Carolyn Belshe Orphanage in Mozambique on Christmas Morning. These wonderful children were given the opportunity to feel a little of the Christmas Spirit through gifts and a meal provided by the Mozambique Orphanage Fund on Christmas Day. Planning and preparing starts in August and packages are sent in September to ensure they arrive in plenty of time for Christmas Morning. If you are interested in shipping a gift to a child in 2013 or donating to Christmas presents you can contact Chris Sams at csams@arkbild.com or 816.806.7758.
Conference Staff Serve in Joplin
This week some Creative Ministries staff took part in building a shelter for the Cedar Ridge Park in Joplin, Missouri. Cedar Ridge Park is a new city park that is part of the Joplin Recovery plan. For more information on how you can continue to support the rebuilding and recovery of Joplin, Missouri contact Missouri Disaster Response staff Dan Steska.
Welcome Dan Steska!
Creative Ministries welcomes a new Disaster Response Coordinator, Dan Steska. Dan will coordinate Disaster Response efforts for the Missouri Conference so for more information on his ministry and how you can help please contact steska@umocm.com.
UBL Housing
In August of 2012 the first of several teams traveled to the Latin American Biblical Seminary in San Jose, Costa Rica to assist with the construction of new student family housing. The Missouri Conference will provide hands and funds for one student family housing unit. For more information on how you can help visit http://www.umocm.com/vim/ubl.html or contact Audrey Phelps at phelps@umocm.com.
Igesia Metodista de Cuba
Prior to Sunday morning services in Boca de Camarioca, Cuba, local Cuban Pastor Jose and VIM Pastor Mark Martin practice what they preach by spreading the word, works, and Spirit of Christ. Since 1994, VIM teams to Cuba have been an important part of rebuilding the infrastructure and hope of the Iglesia Metodista in Cuba. Now the third largest denomination on the island, Methodism is growing faster than ever and doing so just as in the beginning; one life, one soul at a time. You are invited to join a team April 7-19, 2013. For more information contact Missouri Conference Team Leader, Joe Himes, at boazjoe@gmail.com.
Youth Prepare for SERVE2012
The St. Francisville UMC youth get prepared for SERVE2012 during their summer Vacation Bible School program. August 1st is the final day to order SERVE2012 event t-shirts!!! Shirts are $6 each and sizes available include Youth Extra Small-Extra Large and Adult Small-4 Extra Large. To order register your event or contact Audrey Phelps at phelps@umocm.com or 573-474-7155.
Haiti Clean Water VIM
Steve Hahn of Centralia UMC poses with a new Haitian friend. Steve and others from the Centralia UMC were part of a clean water Volunteers in Mission team to Haiti this month. For more information on Haiti clean water missions contact Audrey Phelps at phelps@umocm.com.
SERVE2012 Toddler T's
SERVE2012 Youth Extra Small t-shirts are now available! Little helping hands want to feel included too so order this size and more when you register a project at SERVE2012.org.
VIM to Chokwe, Mozambique
Jim Bryan and a team of nine others from Missouri UMC were in Chokwe, Mozambique helping to build a guest house that will provide income for the local UMC to become more financially sustainable. This is one of the first triad partnerships with Missouri UMC’s partner church Malhangalene and Chokwe UMC. Jim Bryan made fast friends with this young boy in the market at Chokwe. For more information on Mozambique Initiative Partnerships contact Sarah Bollinger at sbollinger@moumethodist.org.