TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW September 5, 2008
Articles in this special Volunteer in Mission (VIM) issue of THE REVIEW
1. United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
2. The Kingdom of God is alive and thriving in communist Cuba by Nancy McNulty
3. Medical Mission by Dr. Ted Hill, M.D.
4. Belmont UMC continues to build on Malawi relationship by Wayne Wood with photos by Jerry Park.
5. UMVIM: Building Homes in Guatemala by Norris Allen
6. Volunteers in Mission: Will I need insurance
7. Lake Charles, Louisiana: Recovery from Rita
8. You can become Partners in Mission (PIM).
9. Learning to Live Missional Lives,
10.Where You Can Go in Mission . . . Everywhere! Article with no graphics or photos.
11. Tennessee Conference VIM Scholarships, article with no graphics or photos.
With special thanks to Tennessee Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Jason Brock and VIM Coordinator, Bob Snell.
___________________________
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
Putting faith into action is at the very heart of the Christian calling and not just something we do in our spare time. Through United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) persons in the church have the opportunity to serve and to live out their calling more faithfully. And when they reach out in this way, using what God has given them in the service of others, there are life changing experiences.
The understanding that we are called and we are sent is at the foundation or our faith. The Bible is full of stories of persons who responded to a call and were sent on a mission for God.
Jesus summed up the Christian lifestyle in a simple formula: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30)
Today we live in a global neighborhood, and our neighbors are everywhere There is no place where we are not called to go if there is a need. We, who are from more affluent countries and congregations working with those who are not as fortunate or are oppressed, are blessed in profound ways. When we work in different cultures and experience life in other settings, we begin to live our lives with greater sensitivity, understanding, and compassion.
Mission volunteers have an increasingly important role to play. As we reach out to projects and persons around the world, we build bridges, develop new relationships, and experience cross-cultural enrichment.
What are the benefits of participating in Volunteers in Mission?
When we participate in mission projects, we meet new people and make life-enriching friendships. UMVIM provides the opportunity for learning about other places and about the lives, needs, and struggles of people beyond our neighborhood. New skills can be learned. There is a satisfaction in serving God in this way, giving of who we are and being part of something meaningful.
Who can participate in Volunteers in Mission?
Persons of all ages are welcome, but it depends on the needs and skills required for each project which persons are accepted. There are opportunities for individuals and groups, adults and youth and families. Some projects require technical or specialized skills. Others just need a helping hand.
How long do I serve?
Volunteers can choose to serve for a day, a week, a month, or even years depending on the project and the location.
Where can I go and what can I do?
UMVIM offers mission experiences throughout the United States and around the world. There are several opportunities within our conference. Projects are listed on the Southeastern Jurisdiction website: http://www.umvim.org./ And local projects are listed on the conference website: http://www.tnumc.org./
Projects include
· medical, optical, and dental clinics;
· assisting with programs for children and youth (Vacation Bible School, etc.);
· construction and repair of homes, churches, schools, community centers, etc.
· Evangelistic ministries;
· learning about hunger and working with ministries that assist the hungry.
Who pays for mission trips?
Expenses are paid by the team members. Some churches share in the expense.
How can I get involved in a UMVIM experience?
Invite someone from another church who has participated in a mission project to tell about her or his experience.
Check out the need for assistance following tornadoes or floods. The conference office can help put you in touch with the conference in the devastated area.
Check to see if you will need specific training related to the project you desire to participate in..
Volunteer to work at UMCOR Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, Louisiana.
The Kingdom of God is alive and thriving in communist Cuba
Article by Nancy McNulty
The Kingdom of God is alive and thriving in communist Cuba as was seen first-hand by a humble and amazed twelve-person United Methodist Volunteers In Mission team led by Pastor Phil Ross of Bethlehem United Methodist Church.
On July 19, the team headed from Miami airport on a charter flight direct to Havana, Cuba. Less than 300 VIM members are allowed in Cuba each year so being a part of this team from the beginning was a privilege we each recognized.
Charlene Yacko chips away at tile in the historic seminary building located just off the Prado in downtown Havana. The seminary building is slowly coming back to life in a neighborhood of abundant need.
Serving our brothers and sisters in Christ in this time-warped country was our mission and, not surprisingly, we quickly realized we were the ones being spiritually fed in wonderful and surprising ways by Cuba’s gracious people. Team member Brenda Ross described Cuba as “stepping back in history with old cars, limited resources and lack of readily-available modern conveniences. Although showing years of disrepair, Cuba remains a country of beautiful architecture, breathtaking ocean scenery and abounding flora.”
We continued the work in Cuba accomplished in April of this year by a Tennessee Conference team, led by retired pastor Larry Burke. The Cuban government has returned a building to the Methodist Church in Havana that is now being converted into a seminary opening this September. Pastors will make a spiritual pilgrimage from all over Cuba for a 21-day session, four times a year over a four year period. Assistance is extended to pastors whose churches are too poor to pay. This will definitely be the case for many when the average monthly wage of the country is $8 to $14 pesos.
Months were spent raising funds through a Benefit Concert, Salsa and Bake Sale and Silent Auction. In addition, we conducted a medical supply drive that was supported by CrossLink International, our church family as well as doctors and businesses in our community. Due to the U.S. Embargo, you can’t just drop items in the mail to this nation with plenty of doctors but sorely lacking in supplies and medicine. We added it to our personal luggage already limited to 44 pounds per person.
College students Matthew Turner and Maggie McNulty take a break from work to play with a new Cuban friend, Joshua, in the interior courtyard of the seminary.
Our team of ten adults and two college students sacrificed precious vacation days and money to meet our goal of taking $6,000 for construction expenses in addition to the cost per person for travel, food and lodging. We were aided by Girl Scout Troop #2702 who donated $350 in tools – which we also had to carry in our luggage. Team members included: Dr. Mike and Charlene Yacko; Marlaine Ells; John Cooper; Pastor Jim Fields; Randy Sloan; Bo and Matthew Turner; Pastor Phil and Brenda Ross; and Nancy and Maggie McNulty.
It would have been so much easier to have simply sent money for this cause. However, this ministry is about people and relationships; it’s about personally offering hope and encouragement as empowered by Christian faith and love. Any sacrifices or inconveniences quickly evaporated as we were met at the airport by our translator and host, Alba, and bus driver, Daniel. So quickly, they and the people of the Metodista Center where we stayed opened their hearts to us. Alba described the current religious conditions as “less restrictive.” However, we were reminded by soldiers and ration stations in our Havana neighborhood that this is indeed a carefully controlled world.
And in this controlled world where 1950s cars are abundant and buildings are crumbling, we saw the work of Christ in big and small ways. Our first Sunday, we met with a beautiful Cuban doctor who explained her challenges of serving sick people without sufficient antibiotics and supplies. We brought bags of help with us but you always wish you could do more.
Our work at the seminary site consisted of chipping away at ages-old paint, removing tile from a bath and kitchen sorely needing plumbing repair and then cleaning, hauling and painting as efficiently as possible when we were a little challenged by our equipment. We easily stopped thinking about ways this could be done faster and easier in America because we were developing wonderful relationships with our Cuban co-workers. Three American team members did a great job of helping us communicate; however, as Jim Fields, Wesley Heights minister and team member noted, you don’t have to know the language to understand when communication is done in Christian love and friendship.
Pastors Phil Ross, Aracelio Navea and Jim Fields in the Navea apartment where the VIM team was treated to Naraya (orange drink) and cookies after church.
Our worship experiences reminded us most that we are all God’s children in this grand spectrum of life. We worshipped at the Martin Perez Metodista Iglesia in east Havana where young Cuban minister, Aracelio Navea, led the services in this quaint, two-room building. (You stooped down to enter the second room – an area where the pastor’s family live including daughter Sadie who is wheel-chair bound due to a childbirth brain injury.) We were privileged to participate in the services and God truly lifted Pastor Phil up as he gave a moving sermon on the miracles of Christ through our translator. Team member Bo Turner reflected how grateful the congregation was in surroundings that appeared so meager in our eyes. “God had truly blessed them. Their faith in how their Church was going to grow was palpable. We came to show them the face of God and they, in turn, showed Him to us,” Turner noted. This was a lesson we learned time and again.
Many of us are mid-life Christians. We have been importantly practicing our faith with our parents, children and friends for years. It is important now to step out of this status quo, open up faith horizons, experience God in other places in the world and your community and through different eyes. We shared with Cubans donations, supplies, tools, clothes and our labor. Our Cuban brothers and sisters in Christ gave us a life changing experience as we participated in expanding the kingdom of God. How exciting, how real, how great is our God.
Medical Mission
By Dr. Ted Hill, M.D.
I have been going on VIM trips for about as long as I can remember. I know I have been on at least 11 or 12 trips-I've lost count. Why in the world, you say, would you keep going back all these times? I think VIM must be a acronym for some type of disease. Once you get infected, you never quite get over it.
I remember the first time I went. The poverty and living conditions of the third world were almost more than I could stomach. But when I met the people we went there to serve and ended up being served by them, it was not a disincentive to go but a privilege and blessing. Anyone you talk to who has been on a VIM trip always gives the universal answer to the first question asked from others who did not go, "How was your trip?" And the answer always is, "I got so much more out of it than I put into it, it was a blessing and experience I will never forget."
I am a physician and I got recruited to go to help establish a medical clinic for the week we were on our mission. At first, we saw up to a 100 persons per week and we thought we were busy and tired at the end of the week. Now, with about the same crew of helpers, we see over 100 per day and could see more if we had the personnel and supplies to last. Those early days were learning days both in planning and in experience. Now, we have our systems down to a science and things flow smoothly and efficiently.
We have mostly non-medical volunteers to work in the clinic because the skills required to do most of the support work can be learned through a mentoring process by the "old hands" to the new recruits .. Their work is essential to the running of the clinic. Of course, the more medical professionals we can recruit, the more patients we can see and the more lives touched.
One need not be a full-time medical missionary to staff and run a medical clinic for VIM. All one needs is a willingness to serve, some few essential professionals, some tools for your work including prescription meds and an open heart. There are still countless of persons in the world who are brothers and sisters in Christ who need medical needs met and countess numbers of people who might be recruited for the church and the kingdom of God through the medical efforts of a VIM team. Get in touch with a VIM contact and inquire how you can be a part of making a difference in the world through the name of Christ. You will be rewarded far above your investment in participating.
Belmont UMC continues to build on Malawi relationship
By Wayne Wood
Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville has developed a special relationship with the Methodist Church in the African country of Malawi, having sent a Volunteers in Mission team there three times since 2004. The most recent of those trips was in July, and included 21 people from not only Belmont, but four other congregations.
“This has grown and has been a great blessing to both Malawians and Americans,” said the Rev. Herb Mather, a retired pastor and Belmont member who has spearheaded the development of the relationship. “The Malawian Methodist Church is only about 21 years old, was founded by Malawians, not by missionaries, and our goal is always to provide relationships and resources.”
Worship in the temporary church. Photo by Jerry Park.
Mather first traveled to the small landlocked country in 2000 and he says the friendliness of the people, combined with the obvious needs in the poor country, captured his heart.
“Malawi’s nickname is ‘The Warm Heart of Africa,’ and that was the experience I had,” he said.
Malawi also is one of the world’s poorest countries, with a high rate of HIV infection, malaria, and infant mortality. Even getting clean drinking water is a struggle for many of the nation’s 12 million citizens, who primarily live in rural villages.
Milling Corn. Photo by Jerry Park.
Mather and his wife, Sue, spent three months in Malawi in 2007 traveling to all parts of the country, meeting with leaders and church members, and laying the groundwork for the continuing relationship between Malawi and Belmont United Methodist.
That support has seen not only the several VIM trips, but also funding for a variety of micro-economic projects as well as wells (called boreholes) in rural areas so that villages can have fresh, safe water. Belmont also, as part of a fundraising campaign for the church called the Legacy Campaign, pledged $50,000 to help construct a Conference Center in Malawi for disparate church members to meet.
Three teams
This year’s Belmont VIM trip saw the traveling group of 21—an all-age group, some of whom were making their third trip to Malawi, and some of whom were novice travelers—divided into three teams of seven people each. One team based in Lilongwe, the capital, another in Blantyre, in the south of the country, and a third in Dedza, a small town in the western mountains near the Mozambique border.
Two of the teams worked to directly support the local Methodist Church by working on refurbishment of parsonage and church building properties, while the Dedza group was dedicated to a pilot medical mission involving providing eye examinations and distributing prescription eyeglasses (one of those traveling with the group was a retired optometrist).
But while the work was worthwhile, the real impact of VIM trips, including this one to Malawi, is best measured by relationships and stories, participants said.
Mother with child on her back. Photo by Jerry Park.
Stories such as that of a small rural congregation outside Blantyre in which several members, all poor themselves, had built on their own a small house for a disabled church member.
Or the Dedza team, which witnessed people who had not seen properly in years being supplied with prescription glasses—including one man, a welder, who had been unable to read since 1970 and who left the clinic with new glasses and the ability, again, to read. (And, on the other side of the same coin, the acute disappointment of those who were unable to be seen when the clinic was forced to close due to darkness).
Or those who attended rural churches and heard the melodic acapella singing, saw the smiles of welcome, and heard the parting message: “Don’t forget us.”
Continuing relationship
The Belmont VIM visit happened to coincide with a three-day meeting of bishops and others with interest in the Malawi church in Lilongwe. Among the results from that meeting was a statement of purpose from the Malawian Methodist Church of its four areas of focus: Health, Education, Agriculture, and Church Building.
Commerce Street. Photo by Jerry Park.
“Our goal at every stage will be to support the church in the needs it has identified,” Mather said. “This will never be a case of outsiders coming in and telling Malawians how they should set their priorities.”
For the future, Mather said Belmont’s Outreach committee will consider another VIM trip to Malawi in two years, and will continue in the meantime to support the development of this new church in the Methodist worldwide family.
UMVIM: Building Homes in Guatemala
By Norris Allen
Eight years ago Rev. Phil Ross, Reid Walker, and I went to Guatemala and met with the President of the National Methodist Church of Guatemala; the church of the poor Maya and Ladino people. We were touched by the great needs that we saw as the Guatemalan people were struggling to pick up the pieces after a 30 year civil war.
The “home” occupied by a recipient family – before VIM constructed a new home.
Since then, our VIM teams have helped build 3 churches, 2 parsonages, 2 Sunday School rooms, 2 schools (total of 16 classrooms, an office, and a kitchen) a playground, a soccer field, and two medical clinic buildings. At the same time we have held Bible schools, eye, dental and other medical clinics. We have provided new students and teacher's desks for the two schools with more than 70 students. We have helped start 4 typing classes for sixth graders and provided student and teacher supplies for 2 years at each school, basic. We are currently providing monthly financial support for two pastors, the two schools and a central office person. We are sponsoring 18 scholarships for students to elementary and secondary schools. A well has been dug and a water system constructed for one of the schools. Our VIM teams have also assisted with surgery patients.
During these years we have noticed that many of the rural people live in horrible conditions, under pieces of metal roofing held up by bamboo poles, under plastic tents or under trees on dirt floors, cooking over an open fire. Many eat fruits and roots from the yard and drink water from the river or a contaminated shallow well. We were appalled by these conditions and wanted to do what we could to help.
The recipient family poses in front of their new home with John Cooper, a VIM team member from Gallatin.
We approached the Executive Committee of the National Methodist Church of Guatemala with the idea that our teams could build homes using many of the ideas that Habitat for Humanity uses. The Committee, after much discussion, voted to develop this housing program. The project is known as "Utz' K'aslemal". This is a word in Mayan Quiche which means "Good Life". It was recommended that a study be made by a professional social worker and the neediest families be selected to receive the homes. The family will pay only a small amount to the church for the house.
Today 4 families are living in their new home built by our VIM teams. Next year we plan to build 6 new homes, starting January 10, 2009.
If you would like to be a part of the project or want more information please contact me via e-mail: franallen1939@aol.com or by phone: 615-789-4015.
Volunteers in Mission: Will I need insurance?
When you make plans to take a group out of the country, perhaps the last thing you think about is getting sick or injured. But, what if you suddenly did have a medical emergency? You should be prepared for medical emergencies. If you volunteer outside the U.S., you will need a special policy. Medicare and most health insurance programs will not cover expenses incurred outside the U.S.
Insurance is offered through the UMVIM, SEJ office when you register your team. All team members will be covered for the duration of your trip and is very inexpensive. You have a choice of how much coverage, but included in all policies are:
1. Accident Coverage AND Medical Coverage
a. Our policy has limits of $10,000 or $25,000 and includes both accident and illness (after $50 deductible). You choose the limit.
b. Coverage includes a pre-existing condition waiver of up to$15,000.
2. Medical Evacuation/Repatriation up to $100,000.
3. Trip Interruption coverage is included up to $5,000. The covered person will be returned home if there is the death of an immediate family member, or serious damage to the insured’s principal dwelling.
4. Lost luggage is covered up to $250.
5. Emergency Medical Reunion coverage is included for one person in case of Medical Evacuation or Repatriation.
6. Return of Minor Children traveling with a parent is now covered.
Do I need to register with UMVIM, SEJ?
The SEJ office provides team support, training, information regarding work sites around the world, and medical insurance. In order to obtain medical insurance you must register with the SEJ office. For international trips, it is imperative that you register so your team is covered.
Is there insurance for individuals?
Yes, if you have individuals who do not have their own insurance and they desire to join your team on projects within the USA; they can obtain insurance through the Mission Volunteers Office of the Board of Global Ministries.
United Methodist Volunteers In Mission
Southeastern Jurisdiction Office of Coordination
315 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 750
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Phone: 404-377-7424
FAX: 404-377-8182
sejinfo@umvim.org
http://www.umvim.org/
Mission Volunteers OfficeGeneral Board of Global Ministries475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1400New York, NY 10115Tel 1-212-870-3825
volunteers@gbgm-umc.org
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/about/us/mv/
Lake Charles, Louisiana: Recovery from Rita
By Jason Brock
Twenty four men, women, and youth set out in October 2007 to share a long journey, with a “spicy” reward as they traveled to Lake Charles in SW Louisiana. Coming from 9 different churches, 5 different districts, and 2 conferences, we came together to serve for a week with those still recovering from disaster. Less than 2 months after Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, Rita picked up where it left off along the Louisiana and Texas coast. After winds, storm surge, and “more tornadoes than you could count,” hundreds of communities and families suffered devastating losses. The SW Louisiana Recovery Station was in its 2nd year of what was expected to be a 7 or more year recovery. While they have been able to do well getting grants from UMCOR and other agencies, volunteers have been in shorter supply there than other places along the Gulf.
There was substantial interior damage in homes flooded during Katrina..
After a long journey, we split into 2 teams and tackled 2 very different projects. One team began the 1st step of rebuilding a home that had been tarped for almost 2 years, sitting, waiting, just as the owners had, for someone like us. The team finished “tearing out” the inside of the home, hauled off debris, repaired damaged ceiling studs and floor joints, did some wiring, and put shingles on the home. As we left, the family was able to come and see their home, no longer tarped, no longer waiting, no longer filled and surrounded with debris. A step forward for the home, and most importantly, the family.
Great care has to be taken to prevent mildew and mold.
The second “cushy” team worked to finish a home, in the air conditioned inside. They installed cabinets, painted, did wiring, and a million little finishing touches so that before the group left, the gentlemen remarked it was the first time “he’d made a cup of coffee in his kitchen since the storm.” He was so grateful, he made the team all sorts of wonderful Creole goodies for them to enjoy at lunch. In the end, he was able to move back into his home because so many who had given donations, and so many who had volunteered over the months following the storm, had cared enough to love him.
1. United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
2. The Kingdom of God is alive and thriving in communist Cuba by Nancy McNulty
3. Medical Mission by Dr. Ted Hill, M.D.
4. Belmont UMC continues to build on Malawi relationship by Wayne Wood with photos by Jerry Park.
5. UMVIM: Building Homes in Guatemala by Norris Allen
6. Volunteers in Mission: Will I need insurance
7. Lake Charles, Louisiana: Recovery from Rita
8. You can become Partners in Mission (PIM).
9. Learning to Live Missional Lives,
10.Where You Can Go in Mission . . . Everywhere! Article with no graphics or photos.
11. Tennessee Conference VIM Scholarships, article with no graphics or photos.
With special thanks to Tennessee Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Jason Brock and VIM Coordinator, Bob Snell.
___________________________
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
Putting faith into action is at the very heart of the Christian calling and not just something we do in our spare time. Through United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) persons in the church have the opportunity to serve and to live out their calling more faithfully. And when they reach out in this way, using what God has given them in the service of others, there are life changing experiences.
The understanding that we are called and we are sent is at the foundation or our faith. The Bible is full of stories of persons who responded to a call and were sent on a mission for God.Jesus summed up the Christian lifestyle in a simple formula: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30)
Today we live in a global neighborhood, and our neighbors are everywhere There is no place where we are not called to go if there is a need. We, who are from more affluent countries and congregations working with those who are not as fortunate or are oppressed, are blessed in profound ways. When we work in different cultures and experience life in other settings, we begin to live our lives with greater sensitivity, understanding, and compassion.
Mission volunteers have an increasingly important role to play. As we reach out to projects and persons around the world, we build bridges, develop new relationships, and experience cross-cultural enrichment.
What are the benefits of participating in Volunteers in Mission?
When we participate in mission projects, we meet new people and make life-enriching friendships. UMVIM provides the opportunity for learning about other places and about the lives, needs, and struggles of people beyond our neighborhood. New skills can be learned. There is a satisfaction in serving God in this way, giving of who we are and being part of something meaningful.
Who can participate in Volunteers in Mission?
Persons of all ages are welcome, but it depends on the needs and skills required for each project which persons are accepted. There are opportunities for individuals and groups, adults and youth and families. Some projects require technical or specialized skills. Others just need a helping hand.
How long do I serve?
Volunteers can choose to serve for a day, a week, a month, or even years depending on the project and the location.
Where can I go and what can I do?
UMVIM offers mission experiences throughout the United States and around the world. There are several opportunities within our conference. Projects are listed on the Southeastern Jurisdiction website: http://www.umvim.org./ And local projects are listed on the conference website: http://www.tnumc.org./
Projects include
· medical, optical, and dental clinics;
· assisting with programs for children and youth (Vacation Bible School, etc.);
· construction and repair of homes, churches, schools, community centers, etc.
· Evangelistic ministries;
· learning about hunger and working with ministries that assist the hungry.
Who pays for mission trips?
Expenses are paid by the team members. Some churches share in the expense.
How can I get involved in a UMVIM experience?
Invite someone from another church who has participated in a mission project to tell about her or his experience.
Check out the need for assistance following tornadoes or floods. The conference office can help put you in touch with the conference in the devastated area.
Check to see if you will need specific training related to the project you desire to participate in..
Volunteer to work at UMCOR Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, Louisiana.
The Kingdom of God is alive and thriving in communist Cuba
Article by Nancy McNulty
The Kingdom of God is alive and thriving in communist Cuba as was seen first-hand by a humble and amazed twelve-person United Methodist Volunteers In Mission team led by Pastor Phil Ross of Bethlehem United Methodist Church.
On July 19, the team headed from Miami airport on a charter flight direct to Havana, Cuba. Less than 300 VIM members are allowed in Cuba each year so being a part of this team from the beginning was a privilege we each recognized.
Charlene Yacko chips away at tile in the historic seminary building located just off the Prado in downtown Havana. The seminary building is slowly coming back to life in a neighborhood of abundant need.Serving our brothers and sisters in Christ in this time-warped country was our mission and, not surprisingly, we quickly realized we were the ones being spiritually fed in wonderful and surprising ways by Cuba’s gracious people. Team member Brenda Ross described Cuba as “stepping back in history with old cars, limited resources and lack of readily-available modern conveniences. Although showing years of disrepair, Cuba remains a country of beautiful architecture, breathtaking ocean scenery and abounding flora.”
We continued the work in Cuba accomplished in April of this year by a Tennessee Conference team, led by retired pastor Larry Burke. The Cuban government has returned a building to the Methodist Church in Havana that is now being converted into a seminary opening this September. Pastors will make a spiritual pilgrimage from all over Cuba for a 21-day session, four times a year over a four year period. Assistance is extended to pastors whose churches are too poor to pay. This will definitely be the case for many when the average monthly wage of the country is $8 to $14 pesos.
Months were spent raising funds through a Benefit Concert, Salsa and Bake Sale and Silent Auction. In addition, we conducted a medical supply drive that was supported by CrossLink International, our church family as well as doctors and businesses in our community. Due to the U.S. Embargo, you can’t just drop items in the mail to this nation with plenty of doctors but sorely lacking in supplies and medicine. We added it to our personal luggage already limited to 44 pounds per person.
College students Matthew Turner and Maggie McNulty take a break from work to play with a new Cuban friend, Joshua, in the interior courtyard of the seminary.Our team of ten adults and two college students sacrificed precious vacation days and money to meet our goal of taking $6,000 for construction expenses in addition to the cost per person for travel, food and lodging. We were aided by Girl Scout Troop #2702 who donated $350 in tools – which we also had to carry in our luggage. Team members included: Dr. Mike and Charlene Yacko; Marlaine Ells; John Cooper; Pastor Jim Fields; Randy Sloan; Bo and Matthew Turner; Pastor Phil and Brenda Ross; and Nancy and Maggie McNulty.
It would have been so much easier to have simply sent money for this cause. However, this ministry is about people and relationships; it’s about personally offering hope and encouragement as empowered by Christian faith and love. Any sacrifices or inconveniences quickly evaporated as we were met at the airport by our translator and host, Alba, and bus driver, Daniel. So quickly, they and the people of the Metodista Center where we stayed opened their hearts to us. Alba described the current religious conditions as “less restrictive.” However, we were reminded by soldiers and ration stations in our Havana neighborhood that this is indeed a carefully controlled world.
And in this controlled world where 1950s cars are abundant and buildings are crumbling, we saw the work of Christ in big and small ways. Our first Sunday, we met with a beautiful Cuban doctor who explained her challenges of serving sick people without sufficient antibiotics and supplies. We brought bags of help with us but you always wish you could do more.
Our work at the seminary site consisted of chipping away at ages-old paint, removing tile from a bath and kitchen sorely needing plumbing repair and then cleaning, hauling and painting as efficiently as possible when we were a little challenged by our equipment. We easily stopped thinking about ways this could be done faster and easier in America because we were developing wonderful relationships with our Cuban co-workers. Three American team members did a great job of helping us communicate; however, as Jim Fields, Wesley Heights minister and team member noted, you don’t have to know the language to understand when communication is done in Christian love and friendship.
Pastors Phil Ross, Aracelio Navea and Jim Fields in the Navea apartment where the VIM team was treated to Naraya (orange drink) and cookies after church.Our worship experiences reminded us most that we are all God’s children in this grand spectrum of life. We worshipped at the Martin Perez Metodista Iglesia in east Havana where young Cuban minister, Aracelio Navea, led the services in this quaint, two-room building. (You stooped down to enter the second room – an area where the pastor’s family live including daughter Sadie who is wheel-chair bound due to a childbirth brain injury.) We were privileged to participate in the services and God truly lifted Pastor Phil up as he gave a moving sermon on the miracles of Christ through our translator. Team member Bo Turner reflected how grateful the congregation was in surroundings that appeared so meager in our eyes. “God had truly blessed them. Their faith in how their Church was going to grow was palpable. We came to show them the face of God and they, in turn, showed Him to us,” Turner noted. This was a lesson we learned time and again.
Many of us are mid-life Christians. We have been importantly practicing our faith with our parents, children and friends for years. It is important now to step out of this status quo, open up faith horizons, experience God in other places in the world and your community and through different eyes. We shared with Cubans donations, supplies, tools, clothes and our labor. Our Cuban brothers and sisters in Christ gave us a life changing experience as we participated in expanding the kingdom of God. How exciting, how real, how great is our God.
Medical Mission
By Dr. Ted Hill, M.D.
I have been going on VIM trips for about as long as I can remember. I know I have been on at least 11 or 12 trips-I've lost count. Why in the world, you say, would you keep going back all these times? I think VIM must be a acronym for some type of disease. Once you get infected, you never quite get over it.I remember the first time I went. The poverty and living conditions of the third world were almost more than I could stomach. But when I met the people we went there to serve and ended up being served by them, it was not a disincentive to go but a privilege and blessing. Anyone you talk to who has been on a VIM trip always gives the universal answer to the first question asked from others who did not go, "How was your trip?" And the answer always is, "I got so much more out of it than I put into it, it was a blessing and experience I will never forget."
I am a physician and I got recruited to go to help establish a medical clinic for the week we were on our mission. At first, we saw up to a 100 persons per week and we thought we were busy and tired at the end of the week. Now, with about the same crew of helpers, we see over 100 per day and could see more if we had the personnel and supplies to last. Those early days were learning days both in planning and in experience. Now, we have our systems down to a science and things flow smoothly and efficiently.
We have mostly non-medical volunteers to work in the clinic because the skills required to do most of the support work can be learned through a mentoring process by the "old hands" to the new recruits .. Their work is essential to the running of the clinic. Of course, the more medical professionals we can recruit, the more patients we can see and the more lives touched.One need not be a full-time medical missionary to staff and run a medical clinic for VIM. All one needs is a willingness to serve, some few essential professionals, some tools for your work including prescription meds and an open heart. There are still countless of persons in the world who are brothers and sisters in Christ who need medical needs met and countess numbers of people who might be recruited for the church and the kingdom of God through the medical efforts of a VIM team. Get in touch with a VIM contact and inquire how you can be a part of making a difference in the world through the name of Christ. You will be rewarded far above your investment in participating.
Belmont UMC continues to build on Malawi relationship
By Wayne Wood
Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville has developed a special relationship with the Methodist Church in the African country of Malawi, having sent a Volunteers in Mission team there three times since 2004. The most recent of those trips was in July, and included 21 people from not only Belmont, but four other congregations.
“This has grown and has been a great blessing to both Malawians and Americans,” said the Rev. Herb Mather, a retired pastor and Belmont member who has spearheaded the development of the relationship. “The Malawian Methodist Church is only about 21 years old, was founded by Malawians, not by missionaries, and our goal is always to provide relationships and resources.”
Worship in the temporary church. Photo by Jerry Park.Mather first traveled to the small landlocked country in 2000 and he says the friendliness of the people, combined with the obvious needs in the poor country, captured his heart.
“Malawi’s nickname is ‘The Warm Heart of Africa,’ and that was the experience I had,” he said.
Malawi also is one of the world’s poorest countries, with a high rate of HIV infection, malaria, and infant mortality. Even getting clean drinking water is a struggle for many of the nation’s 12 million citizens, who primarily live in rural villages.
Milling Corn. Photo by Jerry Park.Mather and his wife, Sue, spent three months in Malawi in 2007 traveling to all parts of the country, meeting with leaders and church members, and laying the groundwork for the continuing relationship between Malawi and Belmont United Methodist.
That support has seen not only the several VIM trips, but also funding for a variety of micro-economic projects as well as wells (called boreholes) in rural areas so that villages can have fresh, safe water. Belmont also, as part of a fundraising campaign for the church called the Legacy Campaign, pledged $50,000 to help construct a Conference Center in Malawi for disparate church members to meet.
Three teams
This year’s Belmont VIM trip saw the traveling group of 21—an all-age group, some of whom were making their third trip to Malawi, and some of whom were novice travelers—divided into three teams of seven people each. One team based in Lilongwe, the capital, another in Blantyre, in the south of the country, and a third in Dedza, a small town in the western mountains near the Mozambique border.
Two of the teams worked to directly support the local Methodist Church by working on refurbishment of parsonage and church building properties, while the Dedza group was dedicated to a pilot medical mission involving providing eye examinations and distributing prescription eyeglasses (one of those traveling with the group was a retired optometrist).
But while the work was worthwhile, the real impact of VIM trips, including this one to Malawi, is best measured by relationships and stories, participants said.
Mother with child on her back. Photo by Jerry Park.Stories such as that of a small rural congregation outside Blantyre in which several members, all poor themselves, had built on their own a small house for a disabled church member.
Or the Dedza team, which witnessed people who had not seen properly in years being supplied with prescription glasses—including one man, a welder, who had been unable to read since 1970 and who left the clinic with new glasses and the ability, again, to read. (And, on the other side of the same coin, the acute disappointment of those who were unable to be seen when the clinic was forced to close due to darkness).
Or those who attended rural churches and heard the melodic acapella singing, saw the smiles of welcome, and heard the parting message: “Don’t forget us.”
Continuing relationship
The Belmont VIM visit happened to coincide with a three-day meeting of bishops and others with interest in the Malawi church in Lilongwe. Among the results from that meeting was a statement of purpose from the Malawian Methodist Church of its four areas of focus: Health, Education, Agriculture, and Church Building.
Commerce Street. Photo by Jerry Park.“Our goal at every stage will be to support the church in the needs it has identified,” Mather said. “This will never be a case of outsiders coming in and telling Malawians how they should set their priorities.”
For the future, Mather said Belmont’s Outreach committee will consider another VIM trip to Malawi in two years, and will continue in the meantime to support the development of this new church in the Methodist worldwide family.
UMVIM: Building Homes in Guatemala
By Norris Allen
Eight years ago Rev. Phil Ross, Reid Walker, and I went to Guatemala and met with the President of the National Methodist Church of Guatemala; the church of the poor Maya and Ladino people. We were touched by the great needs that we saw as the Guatemalan people were struggling to pick up the pieces after a 30 year civil war.
The “home” occupied by a recipient family – before VIM constructed a new home.Since then, our VIM teams have helped build 3 churches, 2 parsonages, 2 Sunday School rooms, 2 schools (total of 16 classrooms, an office, and a kitchen) a playground, a soccer field, and two medical clinic buildings. At the same time we have held Bible schools, eye, dental and other medical clinics. We have provided new students and teacher's desks for the two schools with more than 70 students. We have helped start 4 typing classes for sixth graders and provided student and teacher supplies for 2 years at each school, basic. We are currently providing monthly financial support for two pastors, the two schools and a central office person. We are sponsoring 18 scholarships for students to elementary and secondary schools. A well has been dug and a water system constructed for one of the schools. Our VIM teams have also assisted with surgery patients.
During these years we have noticed that many of the rural people live in horrible conditions, under pieces of metal roofing held up by bamboo poles, under plastic tents or under trees on dirt floors, cooking over an open fire. Many eat fruits and roots from the yard and drink water from the river or a contaminated shallow well. We were appalled by these conditions and wanted to do what we could to help.
The recipient family poses in front of their new home with John Cooper, a VIM team member from Gallatin.We approached the Executive Committee of the National Methodist Church of Guatemala with the idea that our teams could build homes using many of the ideas that Habitat for Humanity uses. The Committee, after much discussion, voted to develop this housing program. The project is known as "Utz' K'aslemal". This is a word in Mayan Quiche which means "Good Life". It was recommended that a study be made by a professional social worker and the neediest families be selected to receive the homes. The family will pay only a small amount to the church for the house.
Today 4 families are living in their new home built by our VIM teams. Next year we plan to build 6 new homes, starting January 10, 2009.
If you would like to be a part of the project or want more information please contact me via e-mail: franallen1939@aol.com or by phone: 615-789-4015.
Volunteers in Mission: Will I need insurance?
When you make plans to take a group out of the country, perhaps the last thing you think about is getting sick or injured. But, what if you suddenly did have a medical emergency? You should be prepared for medical emergencies. If you volunteer outside the U.S., you will need a special policy. Medicare and most health insurance programs will not cover expenses incurred outside the U.S.
Insurance is offered through the UMVIM, SEJ office when you register your team. All team members will be covered for the duration of your trip and is very inexpensive. You have a choice of how much coverage, but included in all policies are:
1. Accident Coverage AND Medical Coverage
a. Our policy has limits of $10,000 or $25,000 and includes both accident and illness (after $50 deductible). You choose the limit.
b. Coverage includes a pre-existing condition waiver of up to$15,000.
2. Medical Evacuation/Repatriation up to $100,000.
3. Trip Interruption coverage is included up to $5,000. The covered person will be returned home if there is the death of an immediate family member, or serious damage to the insured’s principal dwelling.
4. Lost luggage is covered up to $250.
5. Emergency Medical Reunion coverage is included for one person in case of Medical Evacuation or Repatriation.
6. Return of Minor Children traveling with a parent is now covered.
Do I need to register with UMVIM, SEJ?
The SEJ office provides team support, training, information regarding work sites around the world, and medical insurance. In order to obtain medical insurance you must register with the SEJ office. For international trips, it is imperative that you register so your team is covered.
Is there insurance for individuals?
Yes, if you have individuals who do not have their own insurance and they desire to join your team on projects within the USA; they can obtain insurance through the Mission Volunteers Office of the Board of Global Ministries.
United Methodist Volunteers In Mission
Southeastern Jurisdiction Office of Coordination
315 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 750
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Phone: 404-377-7424
FAX: 404-377-8182
sejinfo@umvim.org
http://www.umvim.org/
Mission Volunteers OfficeGeneral Board of Global Ministries475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1400New York, NY 10115Tel 1-212-870-3825
volunteers@gbgm-umc.org
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/about/us/mv/
Lake Charles, Louisiana: Recovery from Rita
By Jason Brock
Twenty four men, women, and youth set out in October 2007 to share a long journey, with a “spicy” reward as they traveled to Lake Charles in SW Louisiana. Coming from 9 different churches, 5 different districts, and 2 conferences, we came together to serve for a week with those still recovering from disaster. Less than 2 months after Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, Rita picked up where it left off along the Louisiana and Texas coast. After winds, storm surge, and “more tornadoes than you could count,” hundreds of communities and families suffered devastating losses. The SW Louisiana Recovery Station was in its 2nd year of what was expected to be a 7 or more year recovery. While they have been able to do well getting grants from UMCOR and other agencies, volunteers have been in shorter supply there than other places along the Gulf.
There was substantial interior damage in homes flooded during Katrina..After a long journey, we split into 2 teams and tackled 2 very different projects. One team began the 1st step of rebuilding a home that had been tarped for almost 2 years, sitting, waiting, just as the owners had, for someone like us. The team finished “tearing out” the inside of the home, hauled off debris, repaired damaged ceiling studs and floor joints, did some wiring, and put shingles on the home. As we left, the family was able to come and see their home, no longer tarped, no longer waiting, no longer filled and surrounded with debris. A step forward for the home, and most importantly, the family.
Great care has to be taken to prevent mildew and mold.The second “cushy” team worked to finish a home, in the air conditioned inside. They installed cabinets, painted, did wiring, and a million little finishing touches so that before the group left, the gentlemen remarked it was the first time “he’d made a cup of coffee in his kitchen since the storm.” He was so grateful, he made the team all sorts of wonderful Creole goodies for them to enjoy at lunch. In the end, he was able to move back into his home because so many who had given donations, and so many who had volunteered over the months following the storm, had cared enough to love him.
Slowly and methodically homes were repaired.
Another Tennessee Conference VIM team will be heading back to Lake Charles, October 4-11. For further information contact Rev. Jason Brock, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, 304 S. Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 1, Nashville, TN 37211. 615-329-1177, fax 615-329-0884, email jbrock@tnumc.org.
You can become Partners in Mission (PIM)
Please consider becoming a Partner in Mission. Many congregations find it difficult to field a Volunteer in Mission team by themselves, but desperately want to participate. The Partner in Mission program will seek to connect "Partners" who can work together to participate in "Mission." Recently, Blakemore and Hendersonville partnered together for a trip to Nicaragua and were able to do far more together than they could have alone. Who do we need?
+ Churches who want to partner with one or more others to plan a trip in the U.S. or in another country.
+ Established VIM Teams who can take a few extra people, especially potential team leaders for a new group.
If you are willing to serve God and your Neighbor by being a Partner in Mission, please contact me so we can "Work Together for a Christ-like World!"
Grace and Peace
Rev. Jason Brock
Mercy, Mission, and Justice
Disaster Response Coordinator
TN Conference United Methodist Church
304 S. Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 1
Nashville, TN 37211
615-329-1177
615-293-8594 (mobile)
615-329-0884 (fax)
JBrock@tnumc.org
Learning to Live Missional Lives
By Bradley Edwards
The Dakota Indians have an old adage that says we are not human beings on a spiritual journey. Instead we are spirit beings on a human journey.
Zach Jarrell, Caleb Layne, and Dera Shelton putting a new roof on a house in Crow Creek, South Dakota. Photo by Andy Grosch.
It’s this kind of approach that has been and continues to shape the young people at Manchester FUMC. In 2008 alone, our human journey has taken us from the beaches of Ponce, Puerto Rico to a still rebuilding New Orleans to Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota.
In April of this year, we had twelve youth and parents head to New Orleans and work the week with Habitat for Humanity rebuilding houses in the St. Jefferson Parish on the west side of the Mississippi. River. Habitat isn’t just working on one house there, but working on an entire neighborhood. We put up trusses on one house, worked on insulation in other homes, and worked on some widows as well. The best part? The dedication ceremony that we got to take part in. We met the father of three kids who would be moving into the home. It wasn’t just a house anymore, it was a place that a dad would raise his kids, and do the laundry, and watch the Super Bowl. The project had a face, and that changes you.
Mike Marshall and Brad Edwards work on siding in the Jefferson Parish, New Orleans.
Some of those same folks were headed to Ponce, Puerto Rico just two months later. A party of fourteen left Manchester to spend the week in Puerto Rico’s second largest city. What we realized there was that the work was just a means to an end. The real point was and is relational. We painted and cleaned and helped, but what’s more than that is we developed real relationship with the people of Ponce. We played with them, worked with them, swam with them, ate with them, worshipped with them. And that’s a beautiful thing. Our youth are friends on Facebook with them, they’re sharing and talking still. One of us has even been invited back to speak at their church later this year.
Dirk, Kevin, Will and Mary with our new friends Sandra Liz and Mariana
Just last week, six of us got back from Crow Creek Reservation. The work was the same as other places. We put on a roof to a house and helped with some handrails. After we were all done, we helped another project with some concrete work. Somewhat different than Puerto Rico and New Orleans, Crow Creek seemed to be a mission of reconciliation. For too long, the Sioux Nation has been marginalized and felt separated in some way. Even now, there is a tentative approach to white folks (and perhaps rightfully so). Even more important than the new roof may be that our role there was to be a part of the healing process for a group of people: to see that they are loved; that they’re cared for; that (white) people want good for them, and to be a positive part of that process.
All this to say that maybe most important in where we’ve headed in our human journey is the fact that we’re learning to live missional lives. Lives that are less us. More Jesus. And what a wonderful journey to get to be a part of.
Where You Can Go in Mission . . . Everywhere!
.Lafayette, TN—LTRMC.org or 615-666-9714
.Mountain T.O.P. (Youth and Adults)—Mountain-TOP.org or 931-692-3807
.Appalachian Service Project (Youth and Adults)—ASPHome.org or 423-854-8800
.Tennessee Conference Youth and Young Adults—615-329-1177--Several mission related events and suggestions where to take youth
.UMCOR Sager Brown Depot, Louisiana (All ages)—SagerBrown.org or 1-800-814-8765. Load, unload, sort, and assemble UMCOR relief kits and learn a bit about Louisiana.
.United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (SEJ UMVIM)—UMVIM.org or 1-404-377-7424. Info for teams or individuals for U.S.A. and International missions, including Disaster Recovery
Tennessee Conference VIM Scholarships
In 2007, more than a dozen persons received scholarships for VIM trips due to funds provide through special gifts and apportionment giving. If you are new to VIM and/or have financial difficulties that make you unsure about going on a trip, please apply! If you don’t want to go or are unable to go on a trip, please donate to the Conference VIM Advance Special to help support others!
Details
--2+ scholarships per quarter, as applications and funding are available
--Awards normally range from $200-500 and are up to ½ trip cost
--Priority will be given to persons on 1st VIM trip, younger adults (no specific age), and persons with financial need
--Number and amount of awards depend on funds available from budget and VIM Advance gifts
Date of Your VIM Trip Application Deadline
January, February, March 2009 November 3, 2008
April, May, June 2009 February, 2, 2009
July, August, September 2009 May 1, 2009
Please register online at tnumc.org (VIM page) or send scholarship requests to:
TN Conference VIM, 304 S. Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 1, Nashville, TN 37211 or JBrock@tnumc.org.
Please consider becoming a Partner in Mission. Many congregations find it difficult to field a Volunteer in Mission team by themselves, but desperately want to participate. The Partner in Mission program will seek to connect "Partners" who can work together to participate in "Mission." Recently, Blakemore and Hendersonville partnered together for a trip to Nicaragua and were able to do far more together than they could have alone. Who do we need?
+ Churches who want to partner with one or more others to plan a trip in the U.S. or in another country.
+ Established VIM Teams who can take a few extra people, especially potential team leaders for a new group.
If you are willing to serve God and your Neighbor by being a Partner in Mission, please contact me so we can "Work Together for a Christ-like World!"
Grace and Peace
Rev. Jason Brock
Mercy, Mission, and Justice
Disaster Response Coordinator
TN Conference United Methodist Church
304 S. Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 1
Nashville, TN 37211
615-329-1177
615-293-8594 (mobile)
615-329-0884 (fax)
JBrock@tnumc.org
Learning to Live Missional Lives
By Bradley Edwards
The Dakota Indians have an old adage that says we are not human beings on a spiritual journey. Instead we are spirit beings on a human journey.
Zach Jarrell, Caleb Layne, and Dera Shelton putting a new roof on a house in Crow Creek, South Dakota. Photo by Andy Grosch.It’s this kind of approach that has been and continues to shape the young people at Manchester FUMC. In 2008 alone, our human journey has taken us from the beaches of Ponce, Puerto Rico to a still rebuilding New Orleans to Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota.
In April of this year, we had twelve youth and parents head to New Orleans and work the week with Habitat for Humanity rebuilding houses in the St. Jefferson Parish on the west side of the Mississippi. River. Habitat isn’t just working on one house there, but working on an entire neighborhood. We put up trusses on one house, worked on insulation in other homes, and worked on some widows as well. The best part? The dedication ceremony that we got to take part in. We met the father of three kids who would be moving into the home. It wasn’t just a house anymore, it was a place that a dad would raise his kids, and do the laundry, and watch the Super Bowl. The project had a face, and that changes you.
Mike Marshall and Brad Edwards work on siding in the Jefferson Parish, New Orleans.Some of those same folks were headed to Ponce, Puerto Rico just two months later. A party of fourteen left Manchester to spend the week in Puerto Rico’s second largest city. What we realized there was that the work was just a means to an end. The real point was and is relational. We painted and cleaned and helped, but what’s more than that is we developed real relationship with the people of Ponce. We played with them, worked with them, swam with them, ate with them, worshipped with them. And that’s a beautiful thing. Our youth are friends on Facebook with them, they’re sharing and talking still. One of us has even been invited back to speak at their church later this year.
Dirk, Kevin, Will and Mary with our new friends Sandra Liz and MarianaJust last week, six of us got back from Crow Creek Reservation. The work was the same as other places. We put on a roof to a house and helped with some handrails. After we were all done, we helped another project with some concrete work. Somewhat different than Puerto Rico and New Orleans, Crow Creek seemed to be a mission of reconciliation. For too long, the Sioux Nation has been marginalized and felt separated in some way. Even now, there is a tentative approach to white folks (and perhaps rightfully so). Even more important than the new roof may be that our role there was to be a part of the healing process for a group of people: to see that they are loved; that they’re cared for; that (white) people want good for them, and to be a positive part of that process.
All this to say that maybe most important in where we’ve headed in our human journey is the fact that we’re learning to live missional lives. Lives that are less us. More Jesus. And what a wonderful journey to get to be a part of.
Where You Can Go in Mission . . . Everywhere!
.Lafayette, TN—LTRMC.org or 615-666-9714
.Mountain T.O.P. (Youth and Adults)—Mountain-TOP.org or 931-692-3807
.Appalachian Service Project (Youth and Adults)—ASPHome.org or 423-854-8800
.Tennessee Conference Youth and Young Adults—615-329-1177--Several mission related events and suggestions where to take youth
.UMCOR Sager Brown Depot, Louisiana (All ages)—SagerBrown.org or 1-800-814-8765. Load, unload, sort, and assemble UMCOR relief kits and learn a bit about Louisiana.
.United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (SEJ UMVIM)—UMVIM.org or 1-404-377-7424. Info for teams or individuals for U.S.A. and International missions, including Disaster Recovery
Tennessee Conference VIM Scholarships
In 2007, more than a dozen persons received scholarships for VIM trips due to funds provide through special gifts and apportionment giving. If you are new to VIM and/or have financial difficulties that make you unsure about going on a trip, please apply! If you don’t want to go or are unable to go on a trip, please donate to the Conference VIM Advance Special to help support others!
Details
--2+ scholarships per quarter, as applications and funding are available
--Awards normally range from $200-500 and are up to ½ trip cost
--Priority will be given to persons on 1st VIM trip, younger adults (no specific age), and persons with financial need
--Number and amount of awards depend on funds available from budget and VIM Advance gifts
Date of Your VIM Trip Application Deadline
January, February, March 2009 November 3, 2008
April, May, June 2009 February, 2, 2009
July, August, September 2009 May 1, 2009
Please register online at tnumc.org (VIM page) or send scholarship requests to:
TN Conference VIM, 304 S. Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 1, Nashville, TN 37211 or JBrock@tnumc.org.
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 7:04 AM
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