Dear Friends,
Things have been running at 200 mph around here. I thought I should give you an update on the situation so you will have an idea of where we are. I hope all of you made it through the storm with minimal damage. Some of us didn’t. Vivian Pinard’s home is severely flooded and they are living with neighbors. Others have had some roof damage. If you need a team at your house, let me know!
Ike damage was very serious in our South and South East Districts. We have churches that are missing others with damage so bad that they will not be repaired. Sabine Pass doesn’t look like it did before except that the Parsonage we all worked on is still standing!! Galveston Island and all areas to the east and west along the coast do not look the same.
From a map perspective, if you look at all the waterways leading from the Gulf you will find severe damage. The storm surge was like a tsunami in many respects as it marched in strong and deep, destroying neighborhoods in its path. So all along the waterfront to the top of the Bay, over to Anahuac and following the coast over to Sabine Pass the storm surge was tremendous. Once you get past the coastal area, then we see lots of wind damage with trees causing substantial damage to homes.
Right now, as you can guess, we are mucking out homes from flood waters all along the coastal and water edge areas. Trees are being cut up and debris removal is happening everywhere else from Houston to Missouri City to Crosby and all points east.
Eddie Hilliard has been hired for the next 90 days to over see the Houston/Galveston (and surrounding area) of Ike Recovery. Alan Miller has been hired for 90 days to organize the clean up/construction sites. I am in charge of scheduling volunteers and housing them.
Rita Recovery in Beaumont is now “Disaster Recovery” and they will continue working with their staff in the eastern portions of our Conference for Hurricane Ike.
Flood buckets are still needed as we “owe” Sager Brown UMCOR Depot 1000’s to help them resupply. We are still accepting buckets for our area and they disappear from the church parking lots as quickly as they are dropped off. So your churches and church groups can continue to put them together.
If you have a team wanting to work in the recovery effort please contact the office. I will pass on your information to both area offices. There is still plenty of clean up to do. We are hoping rebuilding/repairs can begin after the first of the year.
Other PIM news:
The first Team Leader Training scheduled for Oct 11 has been cancelled because we are all too busy with recovery.
Team Leader Training on Sept.25 at St. Luke’s UMC will still be held. Please get the word out to any of those who need this early training. It will be January before the next training session. Right now we only have 2 registrations. I know teams are going out in Dec/Jan/Feb and they need to get to the Sept. training. Registration attached.
Please get your project 2008 Proposal in. I have only a handful and if I don’t have your Proposal in by next week, I will not put it in the budget. I will attach a Proposal to this email for you to fill out.
The Executive Committee voted to release $20,000 from carry over money to help with any material supplies needed for the Relief and Response stages of Ike. TAC is waiting on money from UMCOR but there are things that need to happen before that money arrives. Stairs to homes, for instance, need to be built so families can clean out their homes. If the money isn’t used, then it stays in our account. We do have money in the carry over to assist this fund.
I hope all of you are ok and participating in the response efforts. We are encouraging people to help in their own neighborhoods. If you find an area that we need to know about please call Alan Miller at 409-679-0608 so he can take a look at it. This will also facilitate getting clean up teams to that area.
Blessings to all of you!
Kathie L. Mann
Director, Partners In Mission
Texas Annual Conference
5215 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
713-521-9383
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008
Red Cross Training Opportunity for Houston Area Volunteers
The Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is providing training for people willing to help others during major disasters like Hurricane Ike. We are adding to the greater Houston community’s ranks of pre-trained, pre-registered volunteers to be at the ready, so that they can mobilize and provide immediate humanitarian assistance when a major disaster threatens our communities.
Hurricane Ike continues to cause suffering along the Gulf Coast, and your help is needed. The American Red Cross is working to engage communities in a strong response to this disaster, and to build capacity for whatever the future holds. As a key agency in the relief effort, we would like to offer this training to your volunteers to help build our total community capability to shelter our neighbors from the storm. You are the difference in your community’s ability to respond and recover from storms like Hurricane Ike and in preparing it for a future disaster.
The American Red Cross offers classes daily. Volunteers will receive training that can be used in any shelter situation, whether working in your own facility or supporting a shelter with the Red Cross. We will also be placing volunteers to meet the needs of our current shelters in addition to preparing for the next storm.
Volunteer Intake Center
6059 South Loop East
Houston, Texas 77087
610 at South Wayside Drive
877-808-4860
Hours of Operation: 1000AM to 800PM Daily
Sunday Noon-6:00PM
Last training class starts at 4:00PM
http://www.houstonredcross.org/
Additionally, they offer some training online.
Hurricane Ike continues to cause suffering along the Gulf Coast, and your help is needed. The American Red Cross is working to engage communities in a strong response to this disaster, and to build capacity for whatever the future holds. As a key agency in the relief effort, we would like to offer this training to your volunteers to help build our total community capability to shelter our neighbors from the storm. You are the difference in your community’s ability to respond and recover from storms like Hurricane Ike and in preparing it for a future disaster.
The American Red Cross offers classes daily. Volunteers will receive training that can be used in any shelter situation, whether working in your own facility or supporting a shelter with the Red Cross. We will also be placing volunteers to meet the needs of our current shelters in addition to preparing for the next storm.
Volunteer Intake Center
6059 South Loop East
Houston, Texas 77087
610 at South Wayside Drive
877-808-4860
Hours of Operation: 1000AM to 800PM Daily
Sunday Noon-6:00PM
Last training class starts at 4:00PM
http://www.houstonredcross.org/
Additionally, they offer some training online.
Partners In Mission Team Leader Training:
Partners In Mission Team Leader Training: Saturday, October 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., St. Luke’ UMC, 3471 Westheimer, Houston , 77027, Kathie Mann , 713-521-9383, texaspim@methodists.net. Organize all aspects of your mission team to create a successful mission experience. $15 includes manual, meal, and snacks.[ Register ]
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Volunteers needed at Christian Alliance right now!
Please call Fran Stokley at 713-294-7790 or leave a message at 281-412-2285 and she will return your call.
Need to organize and box up cleaning supplies
Repack drinks
People to transport cleaning supplies to League City FUMC at I-45 South and FM518
People to haul any food and drinks to Manvel, Grace UMC at 288 South and Hwy 6
Mass feeding center at Grace UMC, Manvel ( contact Donald Brown at 281-489-9083):
Non-perishable foods
Water and other drinks
Need to organize and box up cleaning supplies
Repack drinks
People to transport cleaning supplies to League City FUMC at I-45 South and FM518
People to haul any food and drinks to Manvel, Grace UMC at 288 South and Hwy 6
Mass feeding center at Grace UMC, Manvel ( contact Donald Brown at 281-489-9083):
Non-perishable foods
Water and other drinks
Disaster Response Partnership Opportunities
Houston Food Bank
They have truckloads of food. They want to deliver palettes to locations for mass distributions.
Contact: 713-223-3700
Alliance Ministries
Short Term: Change of Clothes Packs (pants, shirt, three pair of underwear. Labeled: adult/child, male/female, size)
Long Term: Temporary Housing
Contact: marthaMacris@gmail.com
They have truckloads of food. They want to deliver palettes to locations for mass distributions.
Contact: 713-223-3700
Alliance Ministries
Short Term: Change of Clothes Packs (pants, shirt, three pair of underwear. Labeled: adult/child, male/female, size)
Long Term: Temporary Housing
Contact: marthaMacris@gmail.com
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
United Methodist leaders tour hard-hit Texas areas
By Eleanor L. Colvin*Sept. 16, 2008 HOUSTON (UMNS)
United Methodist leaders in Texas feared the worst is yet to be discovered as they began touring churches and communities battered by Hurricane Ike and its 110-mph winds."The real question is, what is the damage in Galveston?" asked the Rev. Don Waddleton, a district superintendent whose oversight includes the barrier island community. "We cannot get in there to assess." Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, who leads the church's Texas Annual (regional) Conference, traveled to areas south and east of Houston Sept. 15-16, but authorities blocked her group from reaching Galveston, a city of 57,000 people with five United Methodist churches. Another 20 of the denomination's churches dot nearby areas in and around Freeport, Texas City, LaMarque and Baytown.Ike was the worst storm to hit Texas in 25 years and killed at least 40 people in 10 states, including 11 in Texas.Galveston was among the hardest hit. City government leaders have urged residents to stay away from the coastal community, saying the city is unsafe as a massive cleanup begins with no power and little clean drinking water...more>>
United Methodist leaders in Texas feared the worst is yet to be discovered as they began touring churches and communities battered by Hurricane Ike and its 110-mph winds."The real question is, what is the damage in Galveston?" asked the Rev. Don Waddleton, a district superintendent whose oversight includes the barrier island community. "We cannot get in there to assess." Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, who leads the church's Texas Annual (regional) Conference, traveled to areas south and east of Houston Sept. 15-16, but authorities blocked her group from reaching Galveston, a city of 57,000 people with five United Methodist churches. Another 20 of the denomination's churches dot nearby areas in and around Freeport, Texas City, LaMarque and Baytown.Ike was the worst storm to hit Texas in 25 years and killed at least 40 people in 10 states, including 11 in Texas.Galveston was among the hardest hit. City government leaders have urged residents to stay away from the coastal community, saying the city is unsafe as a massive cleanup begins with no power and little clean drinking water...more>>
Volunteers to help transport Flood Buckets
UMCOR is sending a semi right now with 1200 flood buckets which will be delivered to one of our churches on the East side of Houston. From there we will need volunteers to help transport buckets to churches or neighborhoods who need them. I will send out that information as soon as I have it. Remember if you come to help you must have enough gas to return home!!!!
Trained ER Teams right now
We are staging teams at various churches around the Conference so that they will be closer to specific sites. We need only Trained ER Teams right now. All must register on the website above to know who is coming and where to send them. We will not be prepared to host teams if they do not register first. http://www.txcumc.org/ikevolunteer.
Early Response teams need to gear up and be ready
All teams MUST be TOTALLY SELF CONTAINED! There are so few services all around the disaster area Houston to Galveston and all the way to the Louisiana border. This includes bedding, food, water, gas (enough to get there and back) and insect repellant! We can not promise that anything will be available. Right now there is a sign-in process for all ER and long term recovery teams at http://www.txcumc.org/ikevolunteer.
Incident Command for Hurricane Ike has requested the following assistance
Nurses, EMTs, LVNs and doctors to deliver meals to Harris County Meals on Wheels recipients.
Volunteers are being be asked to utilize their own vehicle (no reimbursement for time or gasoline) to go to a central distribution site at a Reliant Stadium parking lot (see below) where they will load their vehicles with meals and water for three days to distribute to Meal on Wheels clients. We are asking for healthcare volunteers to assist with these deliveries so that they can simultaneously do a quick visual health assessment for these clients and assess any medical or special needs that are not being met.
If you are willing to help, please call the following number, 713-881-3258, ASAP or go to ST. PAUL'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (5501 Main st. Houston 77004) at the parking lots between San Jacinto and Calumet as soon as you can. We will be distributing from 6am -9pm tomorrow- 9/16/08.
You will need to bring your credentials with you that include a picture ID and a copy of your license or certification.
You might be stopped by a couple of DPS troopers and you need to let them know you are Meals on Wheels drivers.
I encourage you to please bring a key map if possible as all you will get will be a clients name, address, and phone number.
You will get enough meals and water for three days to deliver to each client. Some are in their homes, some are in apartments.
If you find a medical need, here is the protocol:o If you find an emergency, call 911 for an ambulance to assist.o If the client has some medical special needs, ie oxygen, but are not in an emergency situation now, here is the number to call to Metro directly so that they can come and pick up the client to take to either a general shelter if appropriate, or to the GRB to be bussed to a Medical.Special Needs State hub. Please tell Metro your are Meals on Wheels driver and also any information about Durable Medical Equipment they have so that they can send an appropriate vehicle.
Jennifer Posten, ManagerOffice of Disaster Preparedness & Response
INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON
TEXAS GULF COAST REGIONAL VOAD - President
Direct 713.533.4909
Main 713.533.4900
Cell 832.382.5285
Fax 713.520.4663
www.imgh.org
http://www.tgcr.voad.org/
http://www.readyhouston.org/
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001l1UIFEQ93CbbB9jievKtoraFpBWKBry1FvKskHW22CG6t5o6oTrqrdRQZ6QGPMfUm3gDTl8_kTrTgFFNT-qFU7LlPN60vaUAMnrgUDZP0h6unpGUL19ecFSzxeO1tjNA
Volunteers are being be asked to utilize their own vehicle (no reimbursement for time or gasoline) to go to a central distribution site at a Reliant Stadium parking lot (see below) where they will load their vehicles with meals and water for three days to distribute to Meal on Wheels clients. We are asking for healthcare volunteers to assist with these deliveries so that they can simultaneously do a quick visual health assessment for these clients and assess any medical or special needs that are not being met.
If you are willing to help, please call the following number, 713-881-3258, ASAP or go to ST. PAUL'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (5501 Main st. Houston 77004) at the parking lots between San Jacinto and Calumet as soon as you can. We will be distributing from 6am -9pm tomorrow- 9/16/08.
You will need to bring your credentials with you that include a picture ID and a copy of your license or certification.
You might be stopped by a couple of DPS troopers and you need to let them know you are Meals on Wheels drivers.
I encourage you to please bring a key map if possible as all you will get will be a clients name, address, and phone number.
You will get enough meals and water for three days to deliver to each client. Some are in their homes, some are in apartments.
If you find a medical need, here is the protocol:o If you find an emergency, call 911 for an ambulance to assist.o If the client has some medical special needs, ie oxygen, but are not in an emergency situation now, here is the number to call to Metro directly so that they can come and pick up the client to take to either a general shelter if appropriate, or to the GRB to be bussed to a Medical.Special Needs State hub. Please tell Metro your are Meals on Wheels driver and also any information about Durable Medical Equipment they have so that they can send an appropriate vehicle.
Jennifer Posten, ManagerOffice of Disaster Preparedness & Response
INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON
TEXAS GULF COAST REGIONAL VOAD - President
Direct 713.533.4909
Main 713.533.4900
Cell 832.382.5285
Fax 713.520.4663
www.imgh.org
http://www.tgcr.voad.org/
http://www.readyhouston.org/
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001l1UIFEQ93CbbB9jievKtoraFpBWKBry1FvKskHW22CG6t5o6oTrqrdRQZ6QGPMfUm3gDTl8_kTrTgFFNT-qFU7LlPN60vaUAMnrgUDZP0h6unpGUL19ecFSzxeO1tjNA
UMCOR Relief Supplies - Sustaining Everyday Life
Caring For The Most Vulnerable
UMCOR Supply Kits help to care for the most vulnerable people during times of crisis. They also help to sustain everyday life by providing basic necessities to people who lack ready access to essential supplies. These kits provide vital support for the work UMCOR does throughout the world. By donating kit supplies or financial gifts to purchase the supplies, you make a direct, tangible difference in sustaining people's lives.
Each Kit page contains lists of specific items needed, the estimated value of each kit, the cost for processing and shipping the kit, shipping instructions, and contact information.
Gathering and assembling supply kit materials as a group can be a wonderful hands-on activity, bringing together young and old, neighbors, friends, and co-workers. UMCOR asks for, and deeply appreciates your support. Thank you for your donations !Bedding Kit
These supplies provide an important source of comfort for displaced persons. Learn More... Bulk Materials
The material resources program is always happy to receive kits and buckets fully assembled with all required items. However, the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot can also use large quantities of bulk items. Learn More... Flood Bucket
These supplies enable people to begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up after a flood or hurricane. Learn More...
Health Kit Health kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. Health kits are also used as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition and cooking classes.Learn More...
Layette Kit Many women do not have swaddling clothes with which to welcome their child into the world. Layette kits provide basic supplies for their baby's needs. Learn More...
School Kit
In some countries, children don't have books or school supplies. Many have no schoolrooms; classes are held in inadequate or half-destroyed buildings, tents, or even the open air. School kits may be these children's only educational resources. Learn More...
Sewing Kit
Sewing kits foster independence rather than dependence. Women can make clothing in their own size and in the style of their culture. Cottage industries often grow out of the sewing classes where women use these kits to practice valuable income-generating skills. Learn More...
Learn More
UMCOR Sager Brown
Get Connected
Receive Hotline Updates
Send Relief Supplies
Volunteer
Resources for Churches
Multi Media Gallery
Watch Now!
Kit Instruction Sheets
Bedding Kit PDF (1pp, 74K)
Flood Bucket PDF(1pp, 78K)
Health Kit PDF(1pp, 78K)
Layette Kit PDF(1pp, 74K)
School Kit PDF(1pp, 77K)
Sewing Kit PDF (1pp, 75K)
Quick Links Select One ... Relief Supply Home Bedding Kit Bulk Materials Flood Bucket Health Kit Layette Kit School Kit Sewing Kit
UMCOR Supply Kits help to care for the most vulnerable people during times of crisis. They also help to sustain everyday life by providing basic necessities to people who lack ready access to essential supplies. These kits provide vital support for the work UMCOR does throughout the world. By donating kit supplies or financial gifts to purchase the supplies, you make a direct, tangible difference in sustaining people's lives.
Each Kit page contains lists of specific items needed, the estimated value of each kit, the cost for processing and shipping the kit, shipping instructions, and contact information.
Gathering and assembling supply kit materials as a group can be a wonderful hands-on activity, bringing together young and old, neighbors, friends, and co-workers. UMCOR asks for, and deeply appreciates your support. Thank you for your donations !Bedding Kit
These supplies provide an important source of comfort for displaced persons. Learn More... Bulk Materials
The material resources program is always happy to receive kits and buckets fully assembled with all required items. However, the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot can also use large quantities of bulk items. Learn More... Flood Bucket
These supplies enable people to begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up after a flood or hurricane. Learn More...
Health Kit Health kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. Health kits are also used as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition and cooking classes.Learn More...
Layette Kit Many women do not have swaddling clothes with which to welcome their child into the world. Layette kits provide basic supplies for their baby's needs. Learn More...
School Kit
In some countries, children don't have books or school supplies. Many have no schoolrooms; classes are held in inadequate or half-destroyed buildings, tents, or even the open air. School kits may be these children's only educational resources. Learn More...
Sewing Kit
Sewing kits foster independence rather than dependence. Women can make clothing in their own size and in the style of their culture. Cottage industries often grow out of the sewing classes where women use these kits to practice valuable income-generating skills. Learn More...
Learn More
UMCOR Sager Brown
Get Connected
Receive Hotline Updates
Send Relief Supplies
Volunteer
Resources for Churches
Multi Media Gallery
Watch Now!
Kit Instruction Sheets
Bedding Kit PDF (1pp, 74K)
Flood Bucket PDF(1pp, 78K)
Health Kit PDF(1pp, 78K)
Layette Kit PDF(1pp, 74K)
School Kit PDF(1pp, 77K)
Sewing Kit PDF (1pp, 75K)
Quick Links Select One ... Relief Supply Home Bedding Kit Bulk Materials Flood Bucket Health Kit Layette Kit School Kit Sewing Kit
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
MISSION FORUM 2008 CANCELLED
Because of the lack of registrations only two weeks away from the scheduled date for the FORUM, the committee decided to cancel the FORUM this year. We had more Project Coordinators than we had participants. Because of the cost of gas, the location or other concerns, people just did not sign up. Therefore, we are moving the PIM meeting from Friday, Sept. 5th to Saturday, Sept. 6th. If you feel you need to spend the night, PIM will NOT cover your costs. PIM will cover your mileage.
CHANGE IN PIM COMMITTEE MEETING DATE! WE WILL NOW MEET ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
HUNTSVILLE UMC
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
10 A.M. – 3 P.M.
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED BY HUNTSVILLE UMC
Please bring your 2009 Project Proposals!!
Please email Kathie L. Mann
CHANGE IN PIM COMMITTEE MEETING DATE! WE WILL NOW MEET ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
HUNTSVILLE UMC
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
10 A.M. – 3 P.M.
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED BY HUNTSVILLE UMC
Please bring your 2009 Project Proposals!!
Please email Kathie L. Mann
Friday, August 08, 2008
PIM meeting on Friday, September 6th
Please let me know if you can make it to a PIM meeting on
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
HUNTSVILLE UMC
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH10 A.M. – 3 P.M.
Huntsville FUMC
Huntsville, Tx.
______ Yes I can make it
______No I can not make it
I need all Project Coordinators to attend so we can go over the procedures and budgeting for 2009 projects.
Budgets are due by Sept. 15th. If you do not have your paperwork to me, you risk not having funding for 2009
Attached is another copy of the Proposal.
God Bless,
Kathie L. Mann
Director, Partners In Mission
Texas Annual Conference
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
HUNTSVILLE UMC
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH10 A.M. – 3 P.M.
Huntsville FUMC
Huntsville, Tx.
______ Yes I can make it
______No I can not make it
I need all Project Coordinators to attend so we can go over the procedures and budgeting for 2009 projects.
Budgets are due by Sept. 15th. If you do not have your paperwork to me, you risk not having funding for 2009
Attached is another copy of the Proposal.
God Bless,
Kathie L. Mann
Director, Partners In Mission
Texas Annual Conference
Thursday, July 10, 2008
INTERNATIONAL WATER CONFERENCE
Here is another Conference that looks good. It is coming from our Medical coordinator for GBGM. If anyone wants to go, the registration information is linked below. It would be at your own expense. If anyone is going to attend I would like to visit with you after your return. We are getting information out to mission minded churches, leaders, and individuals about how ordinary people can save lives empowering indigenous people to provide safe water for themselves and their communities. Most of us participating in missions can say we encounter hurting people because of poor water quality situations. Twenty-five thousand people die each day because of water related issues (most of them children).
That's why EDGE OUTREACH has been empowering church mission teams, mission organizations, missionaries and indigenous people to provide pure water for communities for over 7 years through our water school in Louisville, KY and our International Water Conferences. Go to this link to learn more about water ministry and how it can enhance your current mission activities. This training allows a more integrated and holistic approach to mission work. Mission teams serving in church building, orphanages, hospitals, and community centers, to name a few, experience a widened capacity to serve the physical needs of those they minister to, while providing an expanded field of outreach to those who would otherwise never approach a church. The vision is simple: Equip missionaries to be able to provide pure water for those they are serving, even if they have no background in water.
We would love to help you to extend your lasting mission impact by adding water ministry as part of your missions work, and we encourage you to attend our International Water Training Conference October 8-11. Join over 100 people from around the world committed to changing lives and unleashing the "Living Water" of Christ. Clickhere for conference information & registration. Also, if two or more people register at the same time, then we are happy to offer a group discount.
Please let Jarrod Johnson Jarrod@edgeoutreach.com of EdgeOutreach know if you have any questions or concerns. We would be honored to be joined by you and others who have a heart for serving the poor.
submitted by Jarrod Johnson
Visit the umvim health blog at www.umvim4health.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
the Savuto’s, GBGM missionaries to Maua
Dear Friends and Family,
“God has set the type of marriage everywhere throughout the creation. --Every creature seeks its perfection in another. --The very heavens and earth picture it to us.” Martin Luther
TEAMS: We had a good week with our Oregon Team. Their hospital project was to help us create a minor theatre (operating room) out of our old laboratory. They did a bit of painting of our new Rehab, Chest Clinic, and Debt Team building. They paid for and went on a Bush Clinic – a free clinic that is done in an especially needy area. The clinic was held in Ndoleli where they saw over 425 patients but ran out of medications and had to turn many away. They also built an AIDS Orphan’s home. We are so grateful for the medical supplies and many other things they brought that will help us this year and for the love and hope they gave to each of us. What a blessing our mission work teams are to the hospital.
Saturday my sister and her family arrived and we have had such a wonderful time. They are building an office, helped create a side walk by digging out the dirt and then filling the path with big rocks. They have also worked on an AIDS Orphan’s home. What an incredible blessing it is to have family visit you when you live 8000 miles away from them. We leave with them on safari this Friday and Bill and I will not be back until 21 July 08.
WEDDINGS: This year our Chaplains Department has decided it is important to follow the Standing Orders of the Methodist Church of Kenya. To be hired, promoted, or sent for training a staff member at Maua Methodist Hospital must be a full member of his/her church. To be a full member of most churches in Kenya, and certainly the Methodist Church, you have to be married in the church. I had always assumed the majority of our staff had been married in the church but I am learning that isn’t the case. Most people are married, traditionally married, and now must be married in the church.
I had assumed that most of the staff members that needed a church wedding would have a “mass wedding”. A mass wedding happens within a Sunday morning worship service. The couples usually buy a new suit for the man and woman and at St. Joseph’s Methodist Church, Salome, the hospital kitchen in-charge, bakes one cake that we all taste after the worship service. We have seen three couples married in the church at the same time and found it a wonderful, inexpensive way to marry.
However, the top of my bedroom dresser is filling up with wedding invitations and pre-wedding invitations as some of our staff chose to have a ‘big’ church wedding that is somewhat like a US wedding with wonderful Kenyan touches.
Sat. 21 June, I attended the wedding of a staff member. The wife is a member of the Hospital Quality Improvement Team so we spend hours together. Her husband had come to our home the day before to ask if they could take the wedding pictures around our home as they thought we had such a photogenic compound. We felt very honored. The wedding invitation had stated the wedding would start at 10am. I was quite sure it wouldn’t start on time so I talked to several people. Dr. Claire Smithson told me she was going and had a colleague who would call her when it was time to go and then she would call me.
I went to my office to work around 9:30am all dressed for the wedding. I was working away when I heard some loud noise and wondered if it was the wedding party. It was 11:30am. I tried to call Dr. Claire but her phone wasn’t working and I assumed she couldn’t reach me so I dashed out of my office and ran to the church. When I arrived at the front gate of St. Joseph’s Methodist Church, there were two young men I knew. As I looked past them I noticed no one was around. They told me no one had arrived yet but hopefully they would by 12noon. I returned to my office to work. At 1pm I walked home to have lunch with Bill. As I was fixing my sandwich the phone rang and it was Dr. Claire. I quickly ate my sandwich and rushed off to the church. When I arrived there was a relatively small crowd in the church, the two young men I had met at 11:30am were singing songs and I saw the wedding party. I went in and sat by Dr. Claire. After numerous songs the groomsmen and brides-maids were invited into the church. There were four of them. The bridesmaids were wearing lovely maroon colored dresses and the groomsmen were in grey suits. After sometime the groom was invited in and he was accompanied by what we would call the Best Man. Later the bride was asked to come in and she started in but for some reason turned around and we waited another 15 minutes for her entrance with her Maid of Honor. The bride was in a beautiful white dress, US style. The bride and groom met at the front of the church and then sat down in two chairs. There was a song sung by the congregation, prayers and scripture read.
Bride reading vows Bride, groom and their son
After this the groom and bride rose and stood together to repeat their vows. To my surprise the British Methodist Church wedding service and vows were used. This couple have been married traditionally for several years and have a son. It doesn’t seem appropriate not to acknowledge their commitment for those years and life together. However, they repeated the vows and when they completed one of their nephews pulled a children’s car down the aisle with his sister in the driver’s seat. Noreen, 2 ½ years old, was carrying the ring. She handed it to her brother and he gave it to the groom for the bride. Then the parents were called forward and introduced to their son-in-law and daughter-in-law. The parents beamed with joy and pride. The parents and bride and groom returned to their seats and we had a 30 minute sermon about the need to have God as the center of a marriage. Following the sermon the pastor explained that he had a copy of their registration as a married couple. This paper went to the couple and the copy went to Nairobi to be officially filed. He then handed the form to the bride. She took the form, folded it and placed it in the inside pocket of the groom’s coat. (The act of putting the form in the husbands pocket is equivalent to the groom kissing his bride in our tradition.) The pastor then announced them as an officially married couple and hand in hand they left the church followed by the bride’s maids and groomsmen.
Ring bearer in car being pulled by brother Bride and groom in Jeep to drive around Maua
Before anyone could leave, the young man in-charge of the wedding transportation, stood to explain what would happen now and in what vehicle all the different groups of people would drive around Maua. First the bride and groom would be in a Jeep that had no top so “the groom could show off his beautiful bride and the wedding dress as they drove through Maua.” The parents were in another vehicle and the license number was given. Then the vehicles for the bride’s maids and groomsmen, family members, special family friends were given with license numbers. All other guests would be in a bus.
Immediately following the church ceremony there were group pictures. The first group was the pastors and elected officials of the church. Then came the Board members of the Maua Methodist SACCO, where the groom is In-charge, followed by the staff of Maua Methodist Hospital, where the bride works. I left after that, approximately 3:45pm but there were still several groups that would have their pictures taken. After those group pictures everyone loaded into the appropriate vehicle and drove up and down the major road in Maua two times.
When that was finished everyone was invited to the School of Nursing grounds for the reception. However, the bride and groom went directly to our house for pictures in our yard. After numerous pictures of them together and separated, one with him chasing her around a bush, with them seated and standing up, the other wedding participants arrived and pictures were taken in our front yard, side yard, and back yard.
Bride and groom Most of the wedding party
Bill and I left the house to meet the mission work team around 5:15pm and pictures were still being taken. Thus I imagine the wedding party would arrive at their reception around 5:30pm which would only give them one hour as by 6:30pm the sun is almost down and it is dark. Everyone needs to leave before it gets too dark as most people would walk home. Also, there are no lights in the School of Nursing field.
It was a wonderful wedding and I was so glad I had the opportunity to attend. However, most the staff who need to be married cannot afford this type of wedding ceremony. To my delight our senior pastor announced on the following Sunday that there would be mass weddings in the church using a new wedding service that acknowledged the traditional wedding and the years spent as a committed couple. I look forward to being a part of those mass weddings.
For the type of wedding I have written about, the couple asks friends, relative, and co-workers to help them pay for the wedding. They appoint a Pre-wedding committee to help them and that committee meets weekly for months. Traditionally no gifts are given the bride and groom. The groom is required to pay a bride price and pay for the wedding so often the couple starts their married life with very little money or “things”. A bride price differs greatly dependent on the village or area the woman comes from, how much the family has paid for education, medical bills, etc., and the skills or beauty of the woman.
Girl babies are a burden to many poor families. Her only worth is the bride price as once she is married to her husband, she belongs to his family and will be required to care for his family and have little to do with her family. Often part of the bride price is a yearly gift (a container of good honey) that must be given to the parents to guarantee they see their daughter and future grandchildren at least yearly.
Traditionally there is no honeymoon. It is in recent years that a few of the rich are going on a honeymoon. In fact, one night in a hotel would be more than most couples could afford.
We are always a bit sad when Kenyan’s abandon their own traditions and adopt ours, especially when they cost so much money. However, Kenyan’s are so relational that I often think they would prefer to pay for a celebration that includes food and fun for all their friends and family then have something for themselves. We still have so much to learn from our Kenyan friends and co-workers and are so grateful for the opportunity to live with them and learn from them.
In His grip,
Jerri & Bill Savutosavuto@maf.or.keMaua Methodist HospitalBox 63, Maua 60600Igembe, Kenya
“God has set the type of marriage everywhere throughout the creation. --Every creature seeks its perfection in another. --The very heavens and earth picture it to us.” Martin Luther
TEAMS: We had a good week with our Oregon Team. Their hospital project was to help us create a minor theatre (operating room) out of our old laboratory. They did a bit of painting of our new Rehab, Chest Clinic, and Debt Team building. They paid for and went on a Bush Clinic – a free clinic that is done in an especially needy area. The clinic was held in Ndoleli where they saw over 425 patients but ran out of medications and had to turn many away. They also built an AIDS Orphan’s home. We are so grateful for the medical supplies and many other things they brought that will help us this year and for the love and hope they gave to each of us. What a blessing our mission work teams are to the hospital.
Saturday my sister and her family arrived and we have had such a wonderful time. They are building an office, helped create a side walk by digging out the dirt and then filling the path with big rocks. They have also worked on an AIDS Orphan’s home. What an incredible blessing it is to have family visit you when you live 8000 miles away from them. We leave with them on safari this Friday and Bill and I will not be back until 21 July 08.
WEDDINGS: This year our Chaplains Department has decided it is important to follow the Standing Orders of the Methodist Church of Kenya. To be hired, promoted, or sent for training a staff member at Maua Methodist Hospital must be a full member of his/her church. To be a full member of most churches in Kenya, and certainly the Methodist Church, you have to be married in the church. I had always assumed the majority of our staff had been married in the church but I am learning that isn’t the case. Most people are married, traditionally married, and now must be married in the church.
I had assumed that most of the staff members that needed a church wedding would have a “mass wedding”. A mass wedding happens within a Sunday morning worship service. The couples usually buy a new suit for the man and woman and at St. Joseph’s Methodist Church, Salome, the hospital kitchen in-charge, bakes one cake that we all taste after the worship service. We have seen three couples married in the church at the same time and found it a wonderful, inexpensive way to marry.
However, the top of my bedroom dresser is filling up with wedding invitations and pre-wedding invitations as some of our staff chose to have a ‘big’ church wedding that is somewhat like a US wedding with wonderful Kenyan touches.
Sat. 21 June, I attended the wedding of a staff member. The wife is a member of the Hospital Quality Improvement Team so we spend hours together. Her husband had come to our home the day before to ask if they could take the wedding pictures around our home as they thought we had such a photogenic compound. We felt very honored. The wedding invitation had stated the wedding would start at 10am. I was quite sure it wouldn’t start on time so I talked to several people. Dr. Claire Smithson told me she was going and had a colleague who would call her when it was time to go and then she would call me.
I went to my office to work around 9:30am all dressed for the wedding. I was working away when I heard some loud noise and wondered if it was the wedding party. It was 11:30am. I tried to call Dr. Claire but her phone wasn’t working and I assumed she couldn’t reach me so I dashed out of my office and ran to the church. When I arrived at the front gate of St. Joseph’s Methodist Church, there were two young men I knew. As I looked past them I noticed no one was around. They told me no one had arrived yet but hopefully they would by 12noon. I returned to my office to work. At 1pm I walked home to have lunch with Bill. As I was fixing my sandwich the phone rang and it was Dr. Claire. I quickly ate my sandwich and rushed off to the church. When I arrived there was a relatively small crowd in the church, the two young men I had met at 11:30am were singing songs and I saw the wedding party. I went in and sat by Dr. Claire. After numerous songs the groomsmen and brides-maids were invited into the church. There were four of them. The bridesmaids were wearing lovely maroon colored dresses and the groomsmen were in grey suits. After sometime the groom was invited in and he was accompanied by what we would call the Best Man. Later the bride was asked to come in and she started in but for some reason turned around and we waited another 15 minutes for her entrance with her Maid of Honor. The bride was in a beautiful white dress, US style. The bride and groom met at the front of the church and then sat down in two chairs. There was a song sung by the congregation, prayers and scripture read.
Bride reading vows Bride, groom and their son
After this the groom and bride rose and stood together to repeat their vows. To my surprise the British Methodist Church wedding service and vows were used. This couple have been married traditionally for several years and have a son. It doesn’t seem appropriate not to acknowledge their commitment for those years and life together. However, they repeated the vows and when they completed one of their nephews pulled a children’s car down the aisle with his sister in the driver’s seat. Noreen, 2 ½ years old, was carrying the ring. She handed it to her brother and he gave it to the groom for the bride. Then the parents were called forward and introduced to their son-in-law and daughter-in-law. The parents beamed with joy and pride. The parents and bride and groom returned to their seats and we had a 30 minute sermon about the need to have God as the center of a marriage. Following the sermon the pastor explained that he had a copy of their registration as a married couple. This paper went to the couple and the copy went to Nairobi to be officially filed. He then handed the form to the bride. She took the form, folded it and placed it in the inside pocket of the groom’s coat. (The act of putting the form in the husbands pocket is equivalent to the groom kissing his bride in our tradition.) The pastor then announced them as an officially married couple and hand in hand they left the church followed by the bride’s maids and groomsmen.
Ring bearer in car being pulled by brother Bride and groom in Jeep to drive around Maua
Before anyone could leave, the young man in-charge of the wedding transportation, stood to explain what would happen now and in what vehicle all the different groups of people would drive around Maua. First the bride and groom would be in a Jeep that had no top so “the groom could show off his beautiful bride and the wedding dress as they drove through Maua.” The parents were in another vehicle and the license number was given. Then the vehicles for the bride’s maids and groomsmen, family members, special family friends were given with license numbers. All other guests would be in a bus.
Immediately following the church ceremony there were group pictures. The first group was the pastors and elected officials of the church. Then came the Board members of the Maua Methodist SACCO, where the groom is In-charge, followed by the staff of Maua Methodist Hospital, where the bride works. I left after that, approximately 3:45pm but there were still several groups that would have their pictures taken. After those group pictures everyone loaded into the appropriate vehicle and drove up and down the major road in Maua two times.
When that was finished everyone was invited to the School of Nursing grounds for the reception. However, the bride and groom went directly to our house for pictures in our yard. After numerous pictures of them together and separated, one with him chasing her around a bush, with them seated and standing up, the other wedding participants arrived and pictures were taken in our front yard, side yard, and back yard.
Bride and groom Most of the wedding party
Bill and I left the house to meet the mission work team around 5:15pm and pictures were still being taken. Thus I imagine the wedding party would arrive at their reception around 5:30pm which would only give them one hour as by 6:30pm the sun is almost down and it is dark. Everyone needs to leave before it gets too dark as most people would walk home. Also, there are no lights in the School of Nursing field.
It was a wonderful wedding and I was so glad I had the opportunity to attend. However, most the staff who need to be married cannot afford this type of wedding ceremony. To my delight our senior pastor announced on the following Sunday that there would be mass weddings in the church using a new wedding service that acknowledged the traditional wedding and the years spent as a committed couple. I look forward to being a part of those mass weddings.
For the type of wedding I have written about, the couple asks friends, relative, and co-workers to help them pay for the wedding. They appoint a Pre-wedding committee to help them and that committee meets weekly for months. Traditionally no gifts are given the bride and groom. The groom is required to pay a bride price and pay for the wedding so often the couple starts their married life with very little money or “things”. A bride price differs greatly dependent on the village or area the woman comes from, how much the family has paid for education, medical bills, etc., and the skills or beauty of the woman.
Girl babies are a burden to many poor families. Her only worth is the bride price as once she is married to her husband, she belongs to his family and will be required to care for his family and have little to do with her family. Often part of the bride price is a yearly gift (a container of good honey) that must be given to the parents to guarantee they see their daughter and future grandchildren at least yearly.
Traditionally there is no honeymoon. It is in recent years that a few of the rich are going on a honeymoon. In fact, one night in a hotel would be more than most couples could afford.
We are always a bit sad when Kenyan’s abandon their own traditions and adopt ours, especially when they cost so much money. However, Kenyan’s are so relational that I often think they would prefer to pay for a celebration that includes food and fun for all their friends and family then have something for themselves. We still have so much to learn from our Kenyan friends and co-workers and are so grateful for the opportunity to live with them and learn from them.
In His grip,
Jerri & Bill Savutosavuto@maf.or.keMaua Methodist HospitalBox 63, Maua 60600Igembe, Kenya
Keep Donna Dean and George Hutcherson in your prayers
You all know Donna Dean and George as our Project Coordinators for Four Corners. Please read her note below and keep them in your prayers.
AS you know, George was diagnosed with multiple melanoma 4 years ago. It can be controlled but not cured. Last summer it manifested itself in the tumor on the spine that caused him to lose the ability to stand up and have strength in his legs. All this year we have done rehab and he had
gotten to where he was doing really good. He walked without any aid but carried a cane to give him something to rest and balance on. He (we) decided that we would go back out this summer for the last time to try to finish what we had started last year. Just before we left (for Four
Corners sites), he had his regular MRI and it showed the melanoma was again very active.
The Dr. put him on a new medication (which we have now learned was a chemo treatment). It began to work on him so that by the time we got out to the work site, he was very weak and unable to do anything but come to eat, not eat much and then go back to the camper. I decided that we must come home and began to put that in motion.
When we went back to Gallup on Friday, June20, and George asked me to take him to the Emergency Room. They discovered that his blood count was almost nothing. They put him in the hospital and gave him 3 units of blood and fluids. On Tues, June 24, Lamar flew out and flew home with his dad and stayed until Amy and I could pack up and drive home. That trip is 1200 miles and took us 2 hard days drive.
WE are now home and have begun another treatment, which we learned was chemo when we went for the first one today. Up until this time we have never heard the word chemo; guess I am just dumb!!!. Anyway we will see how this all plays out. We earnestly solicit your prayers. WE are OK now that we are home but it was quite an adventure for me and Amy
specially. Have again learned more about hauling the trailer than I really wanted to have to know.
Donna Dean
Email: ddhutch@juno.com
Thanks to all,
Kathie L. Mann
Director, Partners In Mission
Texas Annual Conference
5215 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
713-521-9383
AS you know, George was diagnosed with multiple melanoma 4 years ago. It can be controlled but not cured. Last summer it manifested itself in the tumor on the spine that caused him to lose the ability to stand up and have strength in his legs. All this year we have done rehab and he had
gotten to where he was doing really good. He walked without any aid but carried a cane to give him something to rest and balance on. He (we) decided that we would go back out this summer for the last time to try to finish what we had started last year. Just before we left (for Four
Corners sites), he had his regular MRI and it showed the melanoma was again very active.
The Dr. put him on a new medication (which we have now learned was a chemo treatment). It began to work on him so that by the time we got out to the work site, he was very weak and unable to do anything but come to eat, not eat much and then go back to the camper. I decided that we must come home and began to put that in motion.
When we went back to Gallup on Friday, June20, and George asked me to take him to the Emergency Room. They discovered that his blood count was almost nothing. They put him in the hospital and gave him 3 units of blood and fluids. On Tues, June 24, Lamar flew out and flew home with his dad and stayed until Amy and I could pack up and drive home. That trip is 1200 miles and took us 2 hard days drive.
WE are now home and have begun another treatment, which we learned was chemo when we went for the first one today. Up until this time we have never heard the word chemo; guess I am just dumb!!!. Anyway we will see how this all plays out. We earnestly solicit your prayers. WE are OK now that we are home but it was quite an adventure for me and Amy
specially. Have again learned more about hauling the trailer than I really wanted to have to know.
Donna Dean
Email: ddhutch@juno.com
Thanks to all,
Kathie L. Mann
Director, Partners In Mission
Texas Annual Conference
5215 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
713-521-9383
Monday, July 07, 2008
IMT Prayers - The Czech Republic and Slovakia - July 2008
Slovakia1. Kosice Mission Station [Needs an IMT partner] - We will have the following events take place in July: July 4-6 - weekend retreat - please pray for wisdom in making decisions which we need to make there; July 12 - a one day camp for children in the housing estate Tahanovce - please pray for the chilren to be saved and the overall logistics of the camp; and July 21-25 - a camp for teenagers - please pray that God touches the hearts of the participants, for their healing and salvation. Rev. Stefan Rendos
2. Trnava UMC [IMT partner First UMC, Keller, TX] - we will be helping with a hockey camp in Trnava. We ask for prayers for the young hockey players and the chance to invite them to our church. Rev. Labos Tagaj
3. Petrzalka UMC [IMT partner Memorial Drive UMC, Houston, TX] - Beginning July 18th we will be teaching at a mission outreach in Gerlachov for about eight Gypsies. At the end of training, we will go minister to four different places with them, in churches and in public. It is a courageous project and needs many prayers, wisdom for us, and boldness. The training will last 10 days. Rev. Vojtech Sirkovsky
4. Sered UMC [IMT partner Cheviot UMC, Cincinnati, Ohio] - An English camp will take place the last week of July - it is being organized together with our partner church. We ask for prayers during the preparation time and especially for wisdom and creativity. Also pray for us to be able to do the after work with these young people. Rev. Jan Tagaj
5. Slavkovce UMC [Needs an IMT partner] - We are currently experiencing a small conflict between two generations represented in our church. Please pray for us. We know that we ant to serve the Lord but we need a special portion of humbleness and wisdom to be able to accept the fact that those things we may want to do may not necessarily be the right thing to do. Also, our youth will take part in a camp organized by the Kosice church and us. Please pray that we may experience God's leadership and transformation from childish behavior to zealousness to walk with Him. Rev. Svetlana Francisti
The Czech Republic
July and August are summer school holidays. Most of the Czech Methodist churches prepare various activities both for church members and their unchurched friends. Please pray for God's blessing during the events and also for participants so that they may experience God's love.
Brno (IMT Partners First UMC of Celina, TX and Calvary UMC of Paris, TX), Tachov (IMT Partner First UMC of Irving, TX) and Plzen - Lochotin (needs and IMT partner) are organizing Vacation Bible School with the assistance of teams from the partner district Johnson City, TN.
Jihlava (IMT Partner McEachern Memorial UMC in Power Springs, GA), Slany (IMT Partner First UMC of Union County, GA), and Plzen - Maranatha (IMT Partners Christ UMC in Farmers Branch, TX and Grace Avenue UMC in Frisco, TX) will have English camps in Karlovy Vary and Praha 2 in Sedlcany. Our US friends will teach.
Litomerice (IMT Partner First UMC in Frisco, TX) will host a Sports camp and the coaches will come from Johnson City, TN.
Mikulov (IMT Partner Iroquois River District, IL) and Praha - Strasnice (IMT Partner First UMC, Decatur, TX) will go for their church holidays to Poust, a church camp site. There are weekly retreats with various programs there in the summer.
Protivin (IMT Partner Sandbridge Community Chapel UMC, Va Beach, VA, and FUMC of Brighton, MI), Plzen - Lochotin (needs and IMT partner), Praha 2 - Nove Mesto (IMT Partner First UMC, Birmingham, MI), Jihlava (IMT Partner McEachern UMC in Powder Springs, GA), Mikulov (IMT Partner Iroquois River District, IL), and Trebon (IMT Partners First UMC, Denton, TX and Monticello UMC in Monticello, IL) will participate in summer camps for children.
Please pray for safe travels for all our US friends who are coming to work at each of these camps - in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Teams that we know are traveling abroad to work with their partner churches include:
Johhnson City District, Johnson City, TN,
McEachern Memorial UMC of Powder Springs, GA
Cheviot UMC, Cincinnati, Ohio
Mt. Olivet UMC, Arlington, VA
Suncreek UMC, Allen, TX
Dick Arnold, Global Ministries Consultant, Eastern Europe & Balkans
465 Mill Pointe Road
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540/961-1265 or 540/230-5550(C)
www.inmissiontogether.com
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Notes from the office -July 2, 2008
Dear All,
Hope you are all having a great summer and able to relax a little! Teams have been coming and going for weeks now and much is being accomplished. Thank you all for the work you have done to make sure each team has a positive mission experience.
Prayers:
Jordie Chalupnik – having knee surgery at 1:30 today in Clear Lake Hospital. She fell while playing with her dog and broke the tibia near the knee cap. She will be in a full cast for about 6 weeks and then weeks to months of recovery.
David Lund is recuperating quickly, but is not to be working of roofs for a few more weeks. Keep him in your prayers.
Joys:
Jan Bierwirth is back in the office and thanks all of you for your prayers and notes of concern this past week.
Tommy Lyles will be the Chair for PIM this quadrennium. Donna Dean has agreed to continue as secretary. At our next PIM meeting we need to decide on a Vice Chair.
100 Cook books have been sold to date. We need to sell 320 to break even!!!! So get out and promote these books. They will be on sell at School of Missions and all through the holidays. Jordie and her church volunteers did a great job!
The Executive Committee had a conference call meeting last week. Part of the discussion was focused on training for Project Coordinators (old and new). It was decided that to save travel costs, we would have a PIM meeting on Sept. 5th 10-noon at Huntsville UMC, then from 1-6 p.m. we will be working with Project Coordinators on all facets of the planning, budgeting and implementing your mission programs. PIM will cover your travel costs (.26/mile) and overnight. We are working on finding a hotel. All of you are to be present at the FORUM the next day so we are saving you one trip. If plans change for the FORUM, we will also reschedule our PIM meeting.
I will be mailing you multiple copies of the FORUM registration form. You are to get these out to your churches, team leaders, friends, etc. Please make sure they are distributed.
We are looking for Project Coordinators for:
Bolivia
Four Corners
Mission Store
If you know of someone who might be interested, please contact me. The Executive Committee will interview them before a decision is made.
God Bless,
Kathie L. Mann
Hope you are all having a great summer and able to relax a little! Teams have been coming and going for weeks now and much is being accomplished. Thank you all for the work you have done to make sure each team has a positive mission experience.
Prayers:
Jordie Chalupnik – having knee surgery at 1:30 today in Clear Lake Hospital. She fell while playing with her dog and broke the tibia near the knee cap. She will be in a full cast for about 6 weeks and then weeks to months of recovery.
David Lund is recuperating quickly, but is not to be working of roofs for a few more weeks. Keep him in your prayers.
Joys:
Jan Bierwirth is back in the office and thanks all of you for your prayers and notes of concern this past week.
Tommy Lyles will be the Chair for PIM this quadrennium. Donna Dean has agreed to continue as secretary. At our next PIM meeting we need to decide on a Vice Chair.
100 Cook books have been sold to date. We need to sell 320 to break even!!!! So get out and promote these books. They will be on sell at School of Missions and all through the holidays. Jordie and her church volunteers did a great job!
The Executive Committee had a conference call meeting last week. Part of the discussion was focused on training for Project Coordinators (old and new). It was decided that to save travel costs, we would have a PIM meeting on Sept. 5th 10-noon at Huntsville UMC, then from 1-6 p.m. we will be working with Project Coordinators on all facets of the planning, budgeting and implementing your mission programs. PIM will cover your travel costs (.26/mile) and overnight. We are working on finding a hotel. All of you are to be present at the FORUM the next day so we are saving you one trip. If plans change for the FORUM, we will also reschedule our PIM meeting.
I will be mailing you multiple copies of the FORUM registration form. You are to get these out to your churches, team leaders, friends, etc. Please make sure they are distributed.
We are looking for Project Coordinators for:
Bolivia
Four Corners
Mission Store
If you know of someone who might be interested, please contact me. The Executive Committee will interview them before a decision is made.
God Bless,
Kathie L. Mann
Help!! Disaster Relief in Iowa
We have just talked to Brian Lewis with FEMA and he has informed us that they have received 23,915 applications for the north half of Iowa. It is too early for them to be concentrating on the southern portion of Iowa as the waters have not receded. Linn County where Cedar Rapids is located has registered 7,776 alone. The northern half of the state is needing volunteers for mucking out, clean-up of debris, etc. We will be getting into the rebuilding later.
You may have the volunteers contact us at IAUMVIM@gmail.com or by telephone 515-432-1226. Volunteers can keep abreast of the situation at www.iaumc.org/volunteer. Volunteers are needed now and we do have housing available in churches as well as with other agencies.
You may have the volunteers contact us at IAUMVIM@gmail.com or by telephone 515-432-1226. Volunteers can keep abreast of the situation at www.iaumc.org/volunteer. Volunteers are needed now and we do have housing available in churches as well as with other agencies.
Dan and Jean Houston
Iowa UMVIM Disaster Response Coordinators
1530 Quill Avenue
Madrid, Iowa 50156-7579
515-432-1226
IAUMVIM@gmail.com or
djhouston@opencominc.com
Iowa UMVIM Disaster Response Coordinators
1530 Quill Avenue
Madrid, Iowa 50156-7579
515-432-1226
IAUMVIM@gmail.com or
djhouston@opencominc.com
Monday, June 30, 2008
The SCJ newsletter
Dear all,
Here is another newsletter. June has been a very busy month. I will post flood information as soon as it is sent to me. Lorna Jost NCJ has sent me information of how to help with disaster relief for Iowa, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. A copy of this is on the SCJ website. Please feel free to add it to your website or send it to interested churches or individuals. Also listed are mission opportunities in Vietnam, the Middle East and Ukraine to name a few locations.
Please send me an updates or information. I will be glad to post them on the website. It will be helpful to have the information in print ready form-edited and correct spelling.
Thanks for your help and ministry.
Deb
Debbie VestSCJ UMVIM Director
15120 Sunningdale
St.Austin. TX 78717
Cell:913.568.8826
Email: vimscj@sbcglobal.net
http://scj.umportal.org/
Here is another newsletter. June has been a very busy month. I will post flood information as soon as it is sent to me. Lorna Jost NCJ has sent me information of how to help with disaster relief for Iowa, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. A copy of this is on the SCJ website. Please feel free to add it to your website or send it to interested churches or individuals. Also listed are mission opportunities in Vietnam, the Middle East and Ukraine to name a few locations.
Please send me an updates or information. I will be glad to post them on the website. It will be helpful to have the information in print ready form-edited and correct spelling.
Thanks for your help and ministry.
Deb
Debbie VestSCJ UMVIM Director
15120 Sunningdale
St.Austin. TX 78717
Cell:913.568.8826
Email: vimscj@sbcglobal.net
http://scj.umportal.org/
FYI Medical Missions
Here is an opportunity for any of our groups involved in Medical Missions. The UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission) program is now working with Jane Dunn at the national level. If you want to see what is going on with medical missions then go to the web site below.
If you have anything you want to add to the website, please do so. It would be great to have the Texas Conference name out there.
If you have material that might be of interest to future teams, please e-mail the information and any photos, videos or articles to me at umvim4health@ameritech.net .
God Bless,
Kathie L. Mann
If you have anything you want to add to the website, please do so. It would be great to have the Texas Conference name out there.
If you have material that might be of interest to future teams, please e-mail the information and any photos, videos or articles to me at umvim4health@ameritech.net .
God Bless,
Kathie L. Mann
Hello UMVIM Health Volunteers:
Hello UMVIM Health Volunteers:
As care-taker of "Health Promotion Motion", the UMVIM health blog, I am seeking your slides, videos, stories about experiences and knowledge related to provision of eye and vision treatment in developing countries. Eye diseases will be featured throughout the month of July, 2008. If you have material that might be of interest to future teams, please e-mail the information and any photos, videos or articles to me at umvim4health@ameritech.net .
Don't forget to check in on the blog while you're surfing at www.umvim4health.blogspot.com
.
Blessings,
Jane Dunn
As care-taker of "Health Promotion Motion", the UMVIM health blog, I am seeking your slides, videos, stories about experiences and knowledge related to provision of eye and vision treatment in developing countries. Eye diseases will be featured throughout the month of July, 2008. If you have material that might be of interest to future teams, please e-mail the information and any photos, videos or articles to me at umvim4health@ameritech.net .
Don't forget to check in on the blog while you're surfing at www.umvim4health.blogspot.com
.
Blessings,
Jane Dunn
The Honduras Summit ::September 11, 2008
This year the consultation will be held at the Sunrise United Methodist Church, O'Fallon, MO. September 18-20, 2008. Already four Honduran United Methodist pastors have received their visas and are coming to the Honduras Summit. There will be some great worship services, great presentations and a time to learn, and time to provide your knowledge and experiences too. The program is in development and will be announced soon. Please go ahead and register today. Here is the web site: http://www.sunrisefamily.org/honduras_summit/ On the web page you will find the link to the registration form. Thanks for your prayers and commitment to the wonderful, God loving people of Honduras. Our neighbors whom we are asked by Jesus to love. You know, it is a real easy job to love the Honduran people.
Jim James E. Burris
Frankfort, Kentucky
40601502-330-2317
Please pass this on to others that you would like to invite to the Honduras Summit.
Jim James E. Burris
Frankfort, Kentucky
40601502-330-2317
Please pass this on to others that you would like to invite to the Honduras Summit.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Jerri & Bill Savuto -Our 37th Wedding Anniversary
Dearest Friends and Family,Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.” Albert Schweitzer
Recently I received an email from someone asking me a question. When I replied he stated, “He did not remember my writing about it in the past.” He recommended I share it sometime. His question was about evangelism at Maua Methodist Hospital. Personally, I believe everything we do in the care of the patient/client and in our out-reach programs is evangelism –‘feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, looking after the sick and prisoner.’ Along with those six requirements about which Jesus Christ spoke, the hospital does many others: ”31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Matthew 25: 31 – 34.
Every morning before the staff begins work, we have a 15 minute devotional time in the Chapel. We pray, sing, hear scripture and a devotional about the scripture. We end by sharing the words of grace of with each other. Even amongst Mission Hospitals we are an exception as we have Chapel 7 days a week.Immediately after Chapel our two Chaplains and two Evangelist head for the nursing wards where they do a morning devotional with the patients and then see any patients that need some special spiritual counseling or help. At 12:20pm and 4:20pm either a Chaplain or an Evangelist preaches to the visitors that are awaiting our visiting hours to begin so they can visit family and friends.
On Wednesday evening we have a healing service that begins in the Nursing Students kitchen. Any patient who can walk, meets in the kitchen. There is singing, Bible reading, preaching and then each person there is prayed for individually. From the kitchen the persons doing the healing service go to each nursing ward to pray for the patients that are bed-ridden. We pray for every person that goes to theatre (operating room). We have Muslim’s that have surgeries and we ask them if they want us to pray. To date we have never had one that said, “No.” When praying for them we pray to God, Allah.
Any staff member that has any kind of problem is welcome to see one of the Chaplains for counseling. We don’t start or end any meeting without prayer and we have lots of meetings. Seldom do we have anyone visit our home that doesn’t pray for us and for the hospital before they leave. God is a vital part of Maua Methodist Hospital and our staff work to include and remember Him as often as possible.
Many people have found Jesus Christ as their personal Savior through the spiritual ministries of the hospital. When this happens the patient’s name and village are sent to our local Bishop (District Superintendent) for follow-up.Often in Maua, the names of business have a Christian basis. If you ask the owners of the business why they gave their business that particular name, you will hear their faith story and how that name has meaning to them.
I am so proud to work at a hospital that so honors and includes God. It is a joy to be able to share one’s faith, pray with patients, and speak openly of our love of God. When I taught in the School of Nursing, I often spoke of the wonders of God’s incredible creation of the human body. Politically correct here is including God in all our activities.
This past week we had two dear friends visiting us, Ruth and Denny VanAndel. The VanAndel’s were missionaries with us in Nigeria. What a joy it was to share the ministries of the hospital with them and what a delight to see and hear their reaction to those ministries. We had such a meaningful time together, even though Bill and I worked daily. They rekindled my flame and I am so grateful.
This coming Sat., 21 June, our first mission work team arrives. The team is mostly from Chandler, TX, with one team member coming from Strawbridge Kingwood UMC in Houston. The leader is a close friend, Shirley Murray. I had said we were having four teams this summer but since then one more cancelled so we are down to three teams. The entire hospital is excited about the three teams and so grateful for their commitment.
Kenya is struggling as are many other nations. Today in the newspaper we read that the inflation rate is 26% up from about 10%. Food prices have soared in our area. Tomatoes and potatoes doubled in price as did corn (maize) and beans our two staples. Gasoline is $7 a gallon. Farmers cannot buy fertilizer as it is so expensive it is not being imported. Even hospital staff who have a steady income have cut way back and often cut certain items completely out of their diet.
Needless to say, the hospital is hurting. We still need to feed all the patients and yet the cost of food is so much higher. We are presently working on a conservation plan so that we might survive this difficult time. We are seeing increased numbers of children with Kwashiorkor (protein deficiency) and starvation.
We definitely need your prayers. This is not the time to raise the price of our hospital care as everyone seems to be hurting financially. The good news is God is incredibly creative and if we can listen to Him, we are confident He will guide us through this current situation.
We continue to work on the Strategic Plan. I am praying we will complete the project in the next two to three weeks. There seems to be so many things that must be done NOW! It is extremely challenging but we are grateful to God for the opportunities we have to help the hospital move forward.
Thanks to all the people who sent and/or emailed me a birthday greeting. We are always so humbled by the love, emails, prayers, cards and caring we receive on our birthdays. We are grateful to the Prayer Calendar and those who faithfully read it and communicate with us. Many of our cards are from people we do not know. The best part of our birthday is there are so many people that are praying for us. That is our greatest need and most precious gift. Please continue to pray that we be ever willing to do God’s will. I recently read this prayer and thought I would share it with you.
“Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of Thee; Thou only knowest what I need: Thou lovest me better than I know how to love myself. O Father! Give to Thy child that which he himself knows not how to ask. I dare not ask either for crosses or consolations: I simply present myself before Thee, I open my heart to Thee. Behold my needs which I know not myself; see and do according to They tender mercy. Smite, or heal; depress me or raise me up: I adore all Thy purposes without knowing them; I am silent; I offer myself in sacrifice: I yield myself to Thee; I would have not other desire than to accomplish Thy will. Teach me to pray. Pray Thyself in me. Amen” Francois de la Mothe Fenelon (1651 -1715)
In His grip,
Jerri & Bill Savuto
mailto:Savutosavuto@maf.or.ke
Maua Methodist HospitalBox 63,
Maua 60600Igembe, Kenya
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
CHRIST IN THE SCHOOL CROSSING by KATHIE MANN
Driving into Houston daily gives me time to contemplate life, write sermons in my head, listen to a book on tape and find new roads to bypass rush hour traf¬fic. Of all the roads I could take to the office, I find myself traveling the same one each day.If I am there when the school crossing lights are flashing, I know that a tall man with a wonderful smile will be there waving to each car as we pass by. He has been there everyday for the past several years.
We recognize each other and he expects me to wave back with as much enthusiasm. I felt comforted by this gen¬tle man and safe while he was on the corner.If I was having a bad day, his smile was elec¬tric and I would snap out of my doldrums quickly with a chuckle, as his arm waved high over his head and his grin spread from ear to ear. I would thank God for him each day and felt this was part of my morning ritual blessing.Then one day, he was not at the crossing. I looked hard on both sides of the road but he was gone. I prayed that he was alright.
The new lady does not smile and wave at us. My heart was sad to think that my friend would not be there each morning. He was Christ at the School Crossing, not just for me but for everyone who passed on his street. We should all be like him, eager to share the love of life and friendship even in the simplest of ways
MISSIONAL EXCELLENCE– CYNTHIA HARVEY, DIRECTOR
Since arriving at my new post on February 1 as the Director of Mis-sional Excellence, the learning curve has been steep, curvy and very fast.I consider it a privilege to serve the people of the Texas Annual Conference in this capacity at this time and place. These are history-making times in this conference. The new model for ministry has been in place for two years and we are all beginning to learn how to travel this journey to new and exciting places together. It is particu-larly important to me to return to what I consider my roots. It was about 16 years ago that I assumed the role as the Executive Direc-tor of UM-ARMY and it was at that time that I became connected to the Annual Conference through the work of Partners in Mission. Those were exciting times and they are even more exciting today as more and more of our lay and clergy persons are involved in hands-on-mission. We are not simply traveling to far away places to do mis-sion work we are truly beginning to look at our mission as global. Our new partnership with the Annual Conference of Cote d’Ivoire is providing us new opportunities to serve.
At the same time we continue to serve those who have known for many years that the people of Texas Annual Conference under-stand what it means to love God and neighbor and be about the business of transforming lives.
Around the Annual Con-ference and across the planet I know lives are being changed because of the commitment of friends like you who want to make a difference and impact our world like never before. I ask for your continued prayers for those serving in mercy and mission in our Annual Conference and for those they will touch.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The last Team Leader Training workshop
The last Team Leader Training workshop until fall will be held on April 5th.
St. Luke’s UMC
3471 Westheimer
Houston, Tx. 77027
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Registration required. $15 fee.
Call the office 713-521-9383 to register by phone or use the attached form and mail it in.
Please make sure all your team leaders have attended this workshop.
God Bless,
Kathie L. Mann
Director, Partners In Mission
Texas Annual Conference
5215 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
St. Luke’s UMC
3471 Westheimer
Houston, Tx. 77027
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Registration required. $15 fee.
Call the office 713-521-9383 to register by phone or use the attached form and mail it in.
Please make sure all your team leaders have attended this workshop.
God Bless,
Kathie L. Mann
Director, Partners In Mission
Texas Annual Conference
5215 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Workshops for Annual Conference
Dear All,
We are working on several workshops for Annual Conference. One of them is called “30 projects in 60 minutes”. The idea is to find churches in our conference who are active in mission outreach using their own skills and ingenuity. We are looking for inexpensive start up projects but have made a big impact on the church and the community.
So I need you to give me the ideas from your churches and a contact person. It doesn’t matter how small or how large the project. We are looking for some ideas to pass on to others so they can realize missions in their own community.
It will be a great way to make your church stand out as a leader in missions. So send me your great ideas!
God Bless,
Kathie L. Mann
Director, Partners In Mission
We are working on several workshops for Annual Conference. One of them is called “30 projects in 60 minutes”. The idea is to find churches in our conference who are active in mission outreach using their own skills and ingenuity. We are looking for inexpensive start up projects but have made a big impact on the church and the community.
So I need you to give me the ideas from your churches and a contact person. It doesn’t matter how small or how large the project. We are looking for some ideas to pass on to others so they can realize missions in their own community.
It will be a great way to make your church stand out as a leader in missions. So send me your great ideas!
God Bless,
Kathie L. Mann
Director, Partners In Mission
Local Mission Project
Dear All,
I just visited St. Matthew’s UMC on 4300 N. Shepherd Drive in north Houston. This church has a declining congregation who have had some serious financial set backs. They have been trying over the past year to do some up keep but the facility is quite large for an aging congregation. There are many projects that would be great for a weekend mission trip or even longer mission commitment.
Things that need to be done by volunteers:
Wrought iron doors to be removed
Scrap and paint
Caulking
Replace a few window panes
Replace wooden floor in parlor
Move some outside doors to new locations
Re-hang doors
And many other odd jobs
You will have to bring your own tools and money for supplies. If Tom (see below) can give you a list of items needed for the job you decide on, then you could purchase supplies before you arrive.
I am hoping that some of you who have teams needed a place to work for a few hours will give the church a call.
Contact: Tom Blummer
713-864-8068
tomblummer@yahoo.com
Thanks
Kathie L. Mann
Director, Partners In Mission
I just visited St. Matthew’s UMC on 4300 N. Shepherd Drive in north Houston. This church has a declining congregation who have had some serious financial set backs. They have been trying over the past year to do some up keep but the facility is quite large for an aging congregation. There are many projects that would be great for a weekend mission trip or even longer mission commitment.
Things that need to be done by volunteers:
Wrought iron doors to be removed
Scrap and paint
Caulking
Replace a few window panes
Replace wooden floor in parlor
Move some outside doors to new locations
Re-hang doors
And many other odd jobs
You will have to bring your own tools and money for supplies. If Tom (see below) can give you a list of items needed for the job you decide on, then you could purchase supplies before you arrive.
I am hoping that some of you who have teams needed a place to work for a few hours will give the church a call.
Contact: Tom Blummer
713-864-8068
tomblummer@yahoo.com
Thanks
Kathie L. Mann
Director, Partners In Mission
Does anyone have a need for these text books?
Hi Kathie,
My husband has a box of math and engineering textbooks in excellent condition that he wants to find a home for. They are undergraduate and graduate level books that are still being used in universities. Last time he gave some away a missionary took them with her to an African university. These are very expensive books to buy! Any ideas?
Thanks, Terry Dougherty
ministerterry@hotmail.com
My husband has a box of math and engineering textbooks in excellent condition that he wants to find a home for. They are undergraduate and graduate level books that are still being used in universities. Last time he gave some away a missionary took them with her to an African university. These are very expensive books to buy! Any ideas?
Thanks, Terry Dougherty
ministerterry@hotmail.com
“Mission Academy” for youth
“Sharing in God’s mission” is the purpose of our experiential and hands-on international mission for Sr. High Youth. This “Mission Academy” will be a unique experience for you and your youth mission team (YOUth going into 9th grade through graduating Seniors). The dates of this mission opportunity are June 21-28, 2008. The location is McAllen, Texas and border area San Pablo District churches of the Eastern Conference of the Methodist Church of Mexico. [ View Flyer ]
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