WHY VOLUNTEER WITH UMVIM?

WHY VOLUNTEER THROUGH UMVIM?

1.UMVIM is an approved United Methodist ministry.

2. The mission projects are vetted and screened.

3. Volunteer teams can continue their relationship with the project site they served at via The Advance and missionaries.

4. All are welcome to serve.

5. Training, forms, insurance, etc. available

6. It's simple. Contact umvimwj@hotmail.com to get started!

Faith in Action

Faith in Action
Showing posts with label alaska. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alaska. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TEAM TO ALASKA


Photo: Juneau, Alaksa
SERVE IN ALASKA


The next VIM Team trip to Juneau and the Southeast Alaska UM Camp
will be June 28 to July 9, 2010. This will mainly be a construction team,
building a new covered activity center/storage area/worship center in the
area near the current outdoor fire circle. Other jobs will be as needed---
like clean up around camp, fire wood hauling and trail clearing. The traditionalhelp at Douglas UMC for their 4th of July deep pit beef barbeque dinnerwill also be on the agenda!

Team member cost for this year’s trip is at $200 each.
That covers food, van gas, insurance and $100 to camp building fund!
And we use the White Salmon UMC as our clearing house.Travel costs, including souvenirs, are in addition to this and your own responsibility.

We would like to have around 12 on the team and certainly welcomenewcomers to VIM activities as this is usually easy work, in great scenery
and a fantastic group of locals to meet and play with!

For signing up or more information, contact:Tom and Mary Louise Hager
at either
tomterrific3@juno.com or695 Summer Lane, White Salmon WA 98672 (509) 493-2445

Friday, January 8, 2010

FUTURE TEAMS TO CAMBODIA VOLUNTEERS WANTED; BIRCHWOOD CAMP IN ALASKA NEEDS VOLUNTEERS, CAMP ON THE BOULDER IN MONTANA WELCOMES TEAMS


Photo: Enjoying the beauty of Birchwood Camp in Alaska. If you are interested in volunteering in Alaska see below. Photo courtesy, www.redbrush.us
FUTURE TEAMS TO CAMBODIA


The Louisiana Annual Conference has had a transformational experience with the re-establishment of the Methodist Church in Cambodia. Our teams have gone to support the work in-country and have returned renewed and strengthen in the faith.


Two mission journey's are scheduled from the Louisiana Conference for 2010. Your prayers and support are needed as we continue to support the rebuilding of the church in Cambodia.


2010Medical Mission - February 25 - March 10 - Beverly Dinnel, team leader. dinnels@bellsouth.net Our third year of medical care. We move to the Svay Rieng region and hope to visit ministries in Vietnam. THIS TEAM IS IN NEED OF ONE MORE DOCTOR OR DIAGNOSTICIAN to complete the team. Please contact Beverly immediately if you are interested or can suggest someone. This team uses not only team medical members but works with and trains local medical personnel. Donations for medical supplies and honorariums for local medical personnel are needed. Team meeting, Jan 16 to prepare.


Youth Leadership Camp - May 22-June 3 -- Jack O'Dell, team leader. pastor@thewellumc.com This team will sponsor the second retreat for Cambodian Youth who will become the leaders of the future Methodist Church. Those who participated in this event in 2008, both Cambodians and Americans, speak of this as a significant formational event. Jack has team member slots open. Churches can support the event with gifts of $1000 which scholarship the participation of Cambodian youth. Individual donations are welcome as well.


THE SUCCESS OF THESE 2010 TEAMS IS DEPENDENT UPON ALL OF US WITH A HEART FOR CAMBODIAN MINISTRY.


2011Construction Team - October 20-30 -John Butterfield, team leader. The team will return to work on construction projects as directed by the in-country staff. Work can include water wells, water storage, parsonage and church construction. Team members are needed and donations for supplies.


Pastor's Retreat Team - Sept 29-October 10 - Ann Sutton, Clifton Conrad, leaders. This team will provide a time of spiritual refreshment and recreation for Cambodian pastors. PRAY - for these teams GIVE - your specific donation for a project or to the Cambodian ministry in general can be sent to LAVIM, atten Pat Mauras, 527 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802 GO -


Contact the team leaders or your local VIM Office - to reserve your place in ministry. Our shared ministry in Cambodia has made an indelible mark upon my life of faith. I invite you into this adventure of travel and faith. In Christ, Ann Sutton,Chair, Cambodia Initiative, Louisiana Annual Conference



BIRCHWOOD CAMP IN ALASKA LOOKING FOR SUMMER VOLUNTEERS


Birchwood Camp in Alaska has a great need for groups who wish to do construction/projects around camp. They need several work teams to help complete their new log cabin meeting space on camp.


They began the building last summer—the exterior is mostly completed, it has a roof, etc. They will be finishing the interior this summer (floors, doors/windows, electrical, shingles, putting in wood stove/heating, landscaping, etc) and they need skilled work teams to help complete the project. If you have teams that are looking for a project or destination this summer, please direct them to us!

If you have teams that are interested, please contact Stephen at director@birchwoodcamp.org or at While we may need one team to help counsel Faith Adventure Camp, we have a great need for groups who wish to do construction/projects around camp. We need several work teams to help complete our new log cabin meeting space on camp. We began the building last summer—the exterior is mostly completed, it has a roof, etc. We will be finishing the interior this summer (floors, doors/windows, electrical, shingles, putting in wood stove/heating, landscaping, etc) and we need skilled work teams to help complete the project. If you have teams that are looking for a project or destination this summer, please direct them to us!

If you have teams that are interested, please contact Lori Staats, UMVIM Coord. for Alaska at staatslori@gmail.com or Stephen Sweezey at director@birchwoodcamp.org
or 907.688.2734.


TEAMS NEEDED IN MONTANA AT CAMP ON THE BOULDER


CAMP ON THE BOULDER, Kent Chittenden, 3916 Boulder Rd, PO Box 47, McLeod, MONTANA 59052, Phone#406-932-6314. Email: camp@campontheboulder.org, Website: www.campontheboulder.org. Variety of camp fix-ups. Lodging provided at camp. Small and large groups accepted. Many dates available. Please come help us recover from logging for fire protection, reduce forest fuels by piling branches, rebuild trails hurt from logging, also regular camp work like washing dishes, painting, mowing, patching roofs, picking up rocks, etc. Free time for mini golf, archery, low ropes course, Frisbee golf, craft cabin, camp store, sand volleyball, hiking, fishing, etc. J, S, F, individuals, and RV –all welcome!



Monday, November 2, 2009

TEAMS NEEDED IN SENEGAL, MEXICO, CHILE, WASHINGTON, & ALASKA; PRAYERS FOR FUTURE TEAMS


Photo: Volunteer helping to rebuild home in Lewis County, WA due to flooding. To volunteer, read below. Photo courtesy Channels Express, Pacific Northwest Conference.
* TEAMS NEEDED IN SENEGAL, MEXICO, & ALAKSA


Senegal:
The United Methodist Church of Senegal is a Mission Initiative of the General Board of Global Ministries. The church has been recognized by the government of Senegal since 1996. They are involved in a variety of ministries including health, Christian Education, and church constructions. Senegal is a 95% Muslim country, but it is very safe and peaceful. It is very easy to reach from the US as it is the most western country in Africa. There are opportunities for construction, medical, educational, and agricultural teams.

Mexico:
Igelsia Metodista Refugio de Paz - Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon. Construction of Sunday School classrooms. Ten teams needed. Youth accepted.


Chile:

The national Volunteer in Mission coordinator in Chile has a church in theValpariso region which needs to build up a place beside the church forsocial or community programs called VILLA ALEMANA, near to Valparaiso. The weather is so good the views are amazing andthe the people very nice and waiting for your help. Please contact Denise Soto Vergara at denise_178@yahoo.com.


Alaska:

North Star United Methodist Church in Nikiski, AK - 4 teams needed and able to accept youth and family teams as well. Will be able to accept teams as of June 2010 to do construction and landscape work as well as create a playground. For more information please contact Rev. Laura P. Skiba at plskiba@gmail.net or klskiba@alaska.net or at 907-394-3674.


Washington:

In a little less than two months, it will be two years since the 500-year flood in Lewis County, WA. Many volunteers from many faiths have given of their time, their talents and their gifts to help the flood survivors recover.


Unfortunately, the task is not complete. There is still a great need for volunteers. Please consider sharing some of your time, energy and talents with those who have had a very difficult two years.


To volunteer, contact UMVIM:Ronda Cordill: r_cordill@hotmail.comJim Truitt: jftruitt@comcast.net


To give financial support, contact PNWUMC:PNW AC TreasurerP.O. Box 13650Des Moines, WA 98198 For gifts in the form of a check, please indicate "Disaster Relief" on the memo line.Thank you for your past support. I look forward to your continued outreach in the future.




*PRAYER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE TEAMS


Individual Volunteers to Tiu Rancho, Bolivia: October 24- November 13
Monica Bruesewitz from South Reno UMC - Nevada, and Margie Marshall will travel to T’iu Rancho outside Cochabamba, Bolivia to work with the GBGM missionaries currently assigned there.

Retired Clergy Team to New Orleans, Louisiana: October 30- November 7
Nadine Dewitt of Sparks UMC - Nevada leads another R.C.A. team back to the Gulf coast to continue hurricane recovery efforts. She will be joined by Philip Angove of Loomis - First UMC Mary Bahlert of Oakland - Lake Merritt UMC Harry Dutt of Bakersfield - First UMC Edna McCoy of Susanville UMC Joe Hurd, Linda Butler, Anita Dutt, Douglas McCoy and John Sublett.

Ca-Nev / Kansas Team to Tatoxcac, Mexico: November 15-24
Jackie Kawashima, Don Kawashima of Wesley UMC – San Jose (and the possible additions of Kelli Kawashima and Desiree Fuentez) will join up with a Kansas team to continue their work in Mexico.

Multi-Church Team to Cuba: November 29 – December 13
Martha Milk will lead a team of 12 to Cuba from Yerington UMC and Woodland UMC. They include Gregg Atkins, Ardith Allread, John Baggaley, Shanna Baggaley, Kris Beck, Ashley Broaster, La Vonda Ristow, Belinda Robinson, LaRae Shaw Meadows, Bob Weiser and Paul Sweet.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

FLOODING IN ATLANTA AREA; US RESPONSE TO FLOODING; VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR TEAM TO NEW ORLEANS; UMCOR WEST GETS A "LIFT"; BIRCHWOOD CAMP ADDING NEW SPAC


Photo: Flooding in Atlanta causes bridge and road collapse, courtesy examiner.com.
* FLOODING IN ATLANTA AREA
In response to this week's flooding in the Atlanta area, the North Georgia Conference is setting up a call center at the conference headquarters at Simpsonwood in Norcross, GA to match cleanup and repair needs with volunteer teams. The call center will operate Monday to Friday, 7am-7pm. Volunteers are needed to help staff this call center.
To volunteer to staff the call center, please contact Dr. Julia Crim, North Georgia UMVIM Coordinator, at 678-462-4335.



Please note: UMVIM teams are not being accepted at this time. This is currently ONLY an appeal for volunteers to staff the call center. When the Conference is ready to accept volunteer teams for cleanup and repair, the UMVIM, SEJ office will make this announcement via UMVIM priority email and will have more information at that time.








*US: GEORGIA FLOOD RESPONSE



On Monday, Sept 21, 17 counties in the state of Georgia were hit hard by massive flooding from severe storms moving northeast from the Gulf of Mexico. About five people are dead after Georgia creeks and rivers burst from days of torrential rain.
UMCOR is in contact with the North Georgia Annual Conference to assist with recovery efforts, as disaster response personnel assess the situation. Cleaning buckets from UMCOR’s Relief Supply Depots are ready to be dispatched to areas in need.
Support the North Georgia Annual Conference during this initial phase of recovery with your gifts to US Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670





* VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: NEW ORLEANS, LA




I am Elinor Edmunds Miller (former Yellowstone Conference Missions Coordinator and now at Faith UMC, Troutdale, OR) and I am the team leader for a UMVIM trip to New Orleans from November 14-21, 2009. If you would like to be a team member or know of someone who might be interested in going, please email me, Elinor Miller, at elinorfromkabul@hotmail.com or call me at 406.465.8799. I have lead UMVIM teams to New Orleans in 2008 and 2009. We would welcome inquiries from those interested in knowing more about the trip. There's room for new team members!

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call me at 406.465.8799. I'd be delighted to answer your questions and am excited to be returning to New Orleans.

Grace and peace,

Elinor
Elinor W. Edmunds Miller
UMVIM Hurricane Katrina Team Leader: November 14-21, 2009
former Missions Coordinator for the Yellowstone Conference of the United Methodist Church
Member, Covenant United Methodist Church, Helena, Montana
Attending Faith United Methodist Church, Troutdale OR
Elinor's contact information:
2980 NE Division Street, Unit T2
Gresham OR 97030
406.465.8799








*US: UMCOR WEST GETS A “LIFT”



When UMCOR West Office and Depot opened its doors on May 30 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the people of the western jurisdiction responded with generous support.
Recently, Park City UMC in Park City, Utah gave UMCOR West the “lift” it needed to operate more efficiently. The church raised over $12,000 for the purchase of a forklift to use in the processing and storing of relief supply kits at the 22,000 square foot depot.


"We are so excited to be able to provide UMCOR with the means to help reach so many people around the world,” said the Rev. Bob Kaylor of Park City UMC. “It is so exciting to have a general church presence like UMCOR here in Utah.”


Christ UMC in Salt Lake City also raised money during their annual 5K run to purchase a much-needed pallet scale for weighing shipping materials to people in need around the world.
Support UMCOR West Depot with your gifts to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance #901440.






* BIRCHWOOD CAMP IN ALASKA ADDING NEW SPACE




Have you heard? Birchwood camp is creating a great new space!
The new building is an Alaska Log structure with a full basement.
The upstairs meeting area will be an open space of about 1500 square feet.
The back deck area will be partially covered and looks out onto Psalm Lake.
We are hoping to have this building finished by fall of 2010. The exterior is almost complete,
thanks to the hard work of many volunteers.

Matching Grant –
Judy and Al Kline have generously offered a 50 percent matching grant, matching up to $20,000 for our new building!
If we can meet this goal by the end of this month, we will be able to finish funding phase one of the new meeting space.
Call us, or reply to this e-mail if you would like to donate. Every dollar you give will be multiplied.

Annual Dinner & Silent Auction
Celebrate old and new connections with Birchwood Camp, and be a part of this exciting new expansion!
When: Sunday, October 18, 2009. Open house and silent auction will begin at 6:00pm, followed by the meal and program.
Where: Birchwood Camp’s Main Lodge.

Tickets: $25/ person, $200/ table of 8... Seating is limited! Call 688-2734 for tickets.
The silent auction will include framed photos by Walt Hays, Miniture Totems by David Fison, and original Alaska Native Crafts.
All proceed will be used to complete the New Meeting Space Project.

Grace and Peace,

Adam Muhr

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

UMVIM VOLUNTEER NEWS & NEEDS


Photo: Flooding in Casper, WY, courtesy weather.com.
* UMVIM NEWS & NEEDS


1) CASPER, WYOMING - Volunteers are URGENTLY needed to help homeowners recover from flash floods that occurred in July. Over 930 homes and 70 businesses experienced flooding from 1 feet to 9 feet! Work includes removing drywall and insulation and doing mold abatement. Housing provided by First UMC Casper. They will also provide access to their kitchen and showers. There is also a campground nearby that has some 30 amp RV hookups for free. To schedule yourself or your team please contact Joy Clark, 307-234-9386, fumccpr@tribcsp.com.


2) GUATEMALA - October 30-November 8, 2009 - Medical mission trip. Urgent need for 1-2 DENTISTS! Location is Lake Panajacha area for medical/construction team from Father Dyer Church in Breckenridge. Very experienced leadership. Contact Theresa Ashton, lravenhouse@gmail.com


3) ALASKA - Volunteers needed NOW to help people recover from ice-flooding. Fly into Fairbanks or Dawson City, Yukon, Canada (passport required). Transportation from these locations can be pre-arranged. Housing is in tents - sleeping bags rated to 0 degrees needed. Food and showers provided. Bring hand tools. For more information see http://www.umvimwj.blogspot.com/ or contact Lori Staats, UMVIM Coordinator, staatslori@gmail.com



4) Mc CURDY School, New Mexico - September 13-21, 2009. Sponsored by Shepherd of the Hills UMC in St. George. Those interested should contact Mike or Sherry Cummins at 435/272-4577 (home) or 435/313-4112 (cell). Mike & Sherry's email is cummins_m_s@yahoo.com (the spaces between the s m & s are underscores).


5) GUATEMALA - April 30-May 10, 2010. Dental mission trip sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Conference. Both medical and non-medical volunteers needed! Non-medical volunteers to help the dentists and play games with local children. Dental mission trips are particularly satisfying because you can see immediate results of providing pain relief! Learn about health and education-related ministries with the indigenous Mayan people of Guatemala. Contact Mark Ely, marcos@puravida.org, http://www.puravida.org/.

Monday, July 20, 2009

HONDURAS SUMMIT; UPDATE ON VOLUNTEERING IN EAGLE, ALASKA



Photo: Ancient ruins in Honduras, courtesy nationalgeographic.com. Interested in learning more about Honduras, read below.


* HONDURAS SUMMIT



Interested in learning about and/or serving in Honduras? You are welcome to attend the Honduras Summit 2009 held on September 10-12 at Christ United Methodist Church, in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information please visit www.ccum.net/HondurasSummit.








*UPDATES ON SERVING IN EAGLE, ALASKA





If you are interested in serving as a volunteer in the ice-flooding recovery in Alaska please get in touch with Robert Paire and or Rev. Richared Whetsell. Robert's email is robert.paire@gmail.com and Richard's email is whetsell@ak.net.





In addition, please contact FEMA coordinator Carol Gordon 425-367-2368 or Amy BeVille 907-317-9982.





Due to the amazing response, the three villages of Stevens Village, Eagle, and Tanana might have enough volunteers already to get the work of rebuilding homes finished by mid-September. However, currently other villages are being looked at to see what their needs are.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

CAMBODIA CONSULTATION; ALASKA VOLUNTEER INFO; VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN CHINA, CUBA, & KENYA; SERVE IN HAWAII AT CAMPSITE



Photo: The Great Wall of China, courtesy nationalgeographic.com. Voluteers are needed there to teach English. Read the story below.



* CAMBODIA CONSULTATION SEPTEMBER 2009

VIM'ers!
Let me take this avenue to cordially invite you to attend the next Cambodia Consultation scheduled for September 17-19, 2009 in Metairie, Louisiana. Metairie is part of the makeup of the city of New Orleans, so you can expect not only exciting news about our work in Cambodia, networking with our missionaries and other UMVIMs engaged in Cambodia but that marvelous South Louisiana hospitality and food! (Jambalaya and New Orleans Po-Boys are on the menu!)
Attached is the brochure and registration and you can also register on line at http://events.signup4.com/camcon2009.


Information is also included for two hotels, Radisson and Sheraton, where you can find reduced rates for the Consultation, $79 plus tax, available until 8/28.
Romy del Rosario, Country Director, Svay Youtharoat, Principal of the Methodist Bible School and Tuy Chamroeun, President of the Methodist Youth, Clara Biswas, Irene Mparutsa, Katherine Parker and Esther Gitobu, missionaries, are among others slated to be here from Cambodia.
The deadline for registration is August 31, so please consult your calendars and plan to come. Metairie is the site of the New Orleans Airport (MSY) and Airport Shuttle and the Sheraton will get you safely to your hotel destinations.
If you have questions contact me at 225.346.1646 or LduckN@aol.com.
As we say here, Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez - Let the Good Times Roll! Welcome to New Orleans and the Cambodian Consultation!
Larry Norman, LAVIM Director






* ALASKA VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Volunteers are still needed and welcome to come and serve in Alaska due to the ice-flooding. You can connect with Robert Paire and Rev. Richard Whetsell whose contact information is found in the blog post right below this one dated July 8, 2009.

Robert recently noted: Alaska is a big place, and I am still learning myself. Dawson City, Yukon Territory Canada, is our nearest neighbor 100 miles up the Yukon River from Eagle. I think you can purchase commercial flights into Dawson, or at least into the provincial city of Whitehorse 200 miles away. Everyday there is a large commercial river boat called the Yukon Queen, run by Holland America, transporting passengers from Dawson to Eagle and back. It’s a very handy way to get into Eagle, the trip only takes about 4 hours and it’s free. The only catch is you will need a passport to travel around in Canada, but I think it’s worth it because the roads into Dawson are much better than the roads into Eagle.

We are having a lot of trouble scheduling volunteers out of Fairbanks. In the first place it’s 360 miles to Eagle, Holland America takes two days to get here. If you drive yourself you will have trouble finding a rental car that will allow you to drive on gravel roads. Not to mention that the roads are narrow twisty mountain roads with blind turns and 1000 foot drops offs.

In addition he notes: FYI if you decide to pursue things a little further on your own the fastest, and probably the easiest way to get into Eagle is as follows:

- Book a commercial flight into Fairbanks
- Spend the night at Golden North Hotel $80/Night 800-447-1910
- Leave Weekday by Everts Air $170 One way to Eagle 907-450-2350
-or-
- Make arrangements through Arlan DeYong to travel by Holland America Coach.

1) Bring a Tent to sleep in
2) It is much easier to get to Eagle from Fairbanks or Dawson City YT than from Anchorage
3) Bring basic hand tools such as tool belt, hammer, tape measure, small pry bar, utility knife as so forth.
4) meals are provided for volunteers by the city.

For more information about serving in the village of Eagle, Alaska go to http://www.eaglecity.org/.

Thank you for your willingess to serve in this time of need!



* TEACH ENGLISH IN CHINA - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Teach English in China for Big Stone Education group. Big Stone hasestablished an educational company in China for the purpose of placingteachers and providing educational management services. Profit from thiscompany provides funding for our charity work in China's rural countryside.Our current big project is a non-institutional sustainable orphanage andorganic farm.We are currently in need of 40 Americans willing to come to China for a yearor more, and teach English to the students in our partner schools.

The employees are paid and managed directly by our company. This will helplighten or eliminate the stress and discomfort caused by the office politicsfound in most schools in China, and allows them to focus on what they camehere to do. Our salary and benefits package is a cut above many of the otherteaching jobs in this province.The benefits include:. 10 month (renewable) employment contract (September - June). 6,500 RMB monthly salary. 20 teaching hours per week. Airfare reimbursement in cash. Private off-campus housing (3-star standard). Private transportation to school each day. International medical/health insurance. 1 all-expenses-paid travel excursions per term (2 per year). Weekends and holidays off. 2 - 3 Chinese language classes per week. Kung Fu classes (optional). Experienced American management For more information or to apply please contact:ChristaWingert@bigstonechina.org

Requirements:. Native English speaker (US, Canada). Good communication skills. Willing to live / work in Henan, China. Above 18 years oldPreferred:. Bachelor Degree (any major). TESOL or equivalent. Teaching experience




* VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN CUBA

Rev. Nick Elliott, former Executive Director of UMVIM, SEJ, will be leading a 12 member construction team to Havana, Cuba. Team will assemble in Miami on November 30 and fly to Havana on December 1-10. We will be working on the Methodist Seminary in old Havana, worshipping in different churches, and learning about the Cuban culture.
Please email NSEUMVIM@gmail.com for an application.

Special consideration will be given to persons who have never been to Cuba. Anticipated cost is $2250 from Miami.




* URGENT NEED FOR PASTOR IN KENYA

There is a critical and immediate need for an additional pastor to assist a Virginia Conference UMVIM team in the training of UMC pastors in the Nakuru District of Kenya in the East Africa Conference. A last minute and unavoidable team member cancellation has led to this vacancy. The focus of the training is basic theological, doctrinal, and pastoral education instruction for approximately 20 pastors. The need is immediate as the team leaves August 13.
The cost of the trip is $3000…with most of the money due now as we make travel and lodging reservations. On such a short notice we trust that the Holy Spirit will touch the heart of the right pastor(s) to assure training commitments are met. Can you help?
Details of the trip:
Dates: August 13 to August 28, 2009 (these dates are firm)
Leave and Return from: Dulles International Airport
Cost: $3000, all inclusive (except for personal purchases and optional safari at the end of the trip)
Place: Nakuru, Kenya, in the Rift Valley, East Africa Conference UMC at a new UMC boarding school
Contact for more information: Rev. Nancy Robinson, 804.264.7856 (H), or 804.873.1487 (C);
call anytime, but hurry!



* WANT TO SERVE IN HAWAII?

Opportunity to work on New Construction at Camp Mekokiko on the Big Island of Hawaii, October 1 - 16, 2009 !! This would be a UM/VIM team open to any who would like to experience a little different work location. Housing is in a mixed dormitory with only 14 beds available, thus setting the maximum size of a team. We do our own communal cooking, have laundry and showers available and all tools needed are provided by the camp. Couples or singles are welcome.

You arrange your own transportation to Kona, HI and we will coordinate meeting members coming in to the airport. Camp is about an hour and half from the airport. Follow on travel is at your discretion, but highly recommended if you have not been to the Islands before. We will have ample time to sight see around the Big Island on our days off (when it rains!) Individual cost (in addition to your airfare) are estimated to be $350, which includes $100 each to the camp building fund, car rental, GBGM insurance, camp shirt and food.
Check the camp out at: www.hawaiipacificmethodists.org/mekokiko.htm
For more information and sign up contact:
Tom and Mary Louise Hager tomterrific3@juno.com
695 Summer Lane White Salmon WA 98672-7400 Phone (509) 493-2445 or cell: (206) 399-3523

Thursday, July 2, 2009

MORE NEWS FOR VOLUNTEERS ABLE TO SERVE IN ALASKA; WORK TEAMS WANTED TO SERVE AT BIRCHWOOD CAMP-ALASKA; STORIES FROM THE GROUND-GUATAMALA



Photos: Volunteers serving in Guatamala, courtesy J. Grant Weins. For more information see their story below under "Stories from the Ground: Guatamala"
*FURTHER DETAIL FOR VOLUNTEERS ABLE TO SERVE IN ALASKA DUE TO ICE FLOODING

Thank you so very much for spreading the word about the opportunity and great need for volunteers to serve in Alaska in rebuilding homes. If you are interested in serving and/or know someone that is please contact me with their names and contact information as I am creating a database of persons/teams available to serve.

Wanted to correct you on the name of one of the villages that I gave you in my previous email. The village is not "Canana" but "Tanana". Please forgive me for any confusion here. Again, the three villages are EAGLE, TANANA, AND STEVENS VILLAGE. As it stands now, volunteers DO NOT need to bring tools. Tools will be provided/donated some by Samaritan's Purse and the Mennonites. Individuals are welcome to bring their favorite hammer but the bulk of the tools will be provided to them at the site.

Since it is customary for volunteer teams to bring an amount money that can be used for a donation/love offering, we are awaiting news as to what is culturally appropriate with the residents in the villages of Eagle, Tanana, and Stevens Village for bringing in money and/or leaving it behind. Once I receive word of this, I will pass this information on.

Safe Sanctuary training and background checks (especially of teams leaders) is encouraged to be done PRIOR to arrival at the site. If you have any further questions about this please contact me.

In addition, the village of Eagle seems to be serviced thus far through the Mennonites and as such we've been asked as the UMC to first direct our efforts towards the village of Tanana where there is a place for volunteers to stay and we are awaiting news as to how and if meals will be provided there as they will be in Eagle. I am still awaiting news on Stevens Village.

The greatest cost for volunteers will be for them to get from their homes to Fairbanks, where volunteers are encouraged to fly into. Fairbanks is the preferred place for teams to fly into but teams may also fly to Anchorage as well. Then Holland America will transport them most likely by boat to the village of Tanana. So far, Holland America is offering to do this as a courtesy for volunteers helping in this recovery effort.

Please note that hotel accommodations are available for those teams that need overnight stays in Fairbanks/Anchorage as a result of airline/flight schedules. Thank you again. I will continue to update you as further details develop.




* OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN ALASKA AT BIRCHWOOD CAMP

Birchwood Camp of the Alaska United Methodist Missionary Conference is building a new log building on our camp and we are in need of willing workers. Due to the national cancellation of a scheduled MDA camps, we have a week of camp space available from July 31 to August 6 this summer. We need a variety of workers and abilities during this time. If enough people are available we will do some log building. We also need those skilled in carpentry and basic repairs as well as those of you who just enjoy working in yard.

Ever dream of going to Alaska but don’t want to be just a tourist? (Or if you want to tour after work we can supply information)

Perhaps you have been to camp at Birchwood and want to give back.

Perhaps you live near by and would love to be part of a giving group.

Maybe you’ve been a part of other volunteer in mission work teams and are ready for another experience.

This week may be for you. We can promise meaningful work, great meals, and warm hospitality, awesome scenery, and perhaps campfire sharing and singing.

The Details:

Your biggest expense (if you live outside Alaska) will be your transportation). You would fly into and out of the Anchorage airport. Cars are expensive to rent but are available. If we know your arrival time we may be able to facilitate transportation to camp. You will need to bring bedding or a sleeping bag, pillow, only casual clothes (Jeans long and short sleeve shirts, raingear, close toed shoes. Layered works well in Alaska)

We can feed and house you that week for $20 per day. There will be parking available for those who want to bring an RV. Go on our website http://www.birchwoodcamp.org/ for an VIM application, health form, and voluntary disclosure form. We do require that you have health insurance and can facilitate short term insurance for you at a low cost if needed. Fax it to us at 907-688-2734. If these times don’t work for you but you want to help, e-mail us at Director@birchwoodcamp.org and tell us of your interest and availability.




*STORIES FROM THE GROUND: GUATAMALA BY J. Grant Wiens

We were in Guatemala from May 18-27. We flew into Guatemala City and got thereon the evening of the 18th and stayed there for the night. The next day westarted our drive to the city of Quetzeltenango (also known as Xela), which iswhere we did our work. We got to Xela on the 19th after going to Lake Atitlanand Santiago.

In Xela we stayed at the VIM headquarters There they have amedical clinic and some dorm style rooms for volunteers to stay in. There weresome rooms that weren't finished and needed some work done on them. The wallsand ceilings needed some spackling and cementing work done, so that's what wespent most of our time doing.

We had to do everything by hand. We had to siftthe sand into a wheelbarrow then take it to another part of the compound wherewe mixed the cement/spackle with shovels. After we mixed the sand there withthe mix to get what we wanted, we carried it with buckets to the walls andceilings we were working on. We had to use trowels to get it on the walls andceilings with trowels. We had a plumb line that we had to get to and wouldsmooth out our work with boards every now and then to see how close we were togetting to that line. We covered multiple walls and ceilings while we worked.

In addition to all that, we also built some scaffolding and unloaded a truckfull of bricks, both of which will be used for future projects there. Weusually worked from about 8:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon with acouple of half days. In addition to all that we had the opportunity to takesome school supplies, which can be a real luxury in Guatemala, to a school there in Xela.

When we weren't working we got to see some of the sites therein Xela, as well as some Mayan ruins and sites in Antigua. The trip was veryrewarding for all of us. We got to work and interact directly with some of thelocals and hear their stories, and really got to make an impact by helping them.We also got to bond with each other, see the sites of Guatemala and makememories that will last a lifetime.