Swine Flu & Travel to Mexico; Volunteering in Tough Economic Times, Sri Lanka Emergency; Volunteers Bless Flood Victims in WA

In this photograph released by the Sri Lankan navy, a Tamil man and woman carry children after fleeing an area called the 'No Fire Zone' controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in northern Sri Lanka, April 22, 2009. REUTERS/Sri Lankan

* SWINE FLU & TRAVEL TO MEXICO

Below is a link concerning swine flu outbreak in Mexico.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24452859.htm


The CDC says, "CDC has NOT recommended that people avoid travel to Mexico at this time." They suggest instead that you take some precautions as outlined on the following website:

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx

* UNITED METHODISTS UNITE TO HELP FLOOD SURVIVORS IN LEWIS COUNTY

The Sunday School children from Rochester United Methodist Church gathered at the dairy farm of John Brunoff last Saturday to meet their cow. In the Lewis County town of Adna, they were celebrating helping him recover from last year’s flood in which all of his 272 cows drowned.
When the Sunday School heard about his need, they wanted to help. Leaders Danette and Bryan Jones organized a project selling Beanie Babies and candy bars, and raised over $650 toward the price of a cow. RUMC’s flood fund augmented that to buy a total of 2 cows.

Other UMC’s have joined in the project, including Moscow, Goldendale and Salmon Creek. Salmon Creek has donated more than $4000 just for this part of their flood recovery mission!
To date his herd has been rebuilt to 140 animals, 118 of which are milking. He needs to milk 200 to make a living. 15 pregnant heifers are available from a nearby farmer for $1500, a great bargain.

King 5 filmed the Sunday School visiting the farm; the story can be viewed at http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=353206

United Methodists made other great contributions that same day: Salmon Creek brought a gift of donated clothes for the Rochester Community Closet, RUMC’s new clothing bank started by Susie Hawes and June Gelvin. Also that day, Jim Truitt was coordinating about 40 volunteers from Edmonds, Vashon, Shelton, Salmon Creek, and Fairwood, First United Methodist of Olympia, and St. Andrew’s UMCs at five homes.

What a blessed day to see the joy shared as our churches work in community.
If you would like to contribute to the dairy cow project contact:
Brett DeMond, livingart@centurytel.net, 360-402-3037

If you would like information about donating to the Rochester Community Closet contact:
Susie Hawes, sjhawes@qwestoffice.net, 360-280-7797

If you would like to volunteer contact:
Ronda Cordill, r_cordill@hotmail.com, (509) 993-6753
Jim Truitt jftruitt@comcast.net, (253) 797-1680

*VOLUNTEERING IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES by Sue King, UMVIM Coordinator, Cal-Nevada Conference Much of news and conversation is filled with gloom and despair regarding the current economic situation that our country and others around the world are facing. The concerns are undeniably real and can affect us and our loved ones personally and often with serious consequences. It is at such times that we as people of faith are called to remember whose we are and who we are called to be. We are not alone. I was reminded of this last Saturday at Epworth UMC in Berkeley. Forty people took six hours out of their free time on Saturday to attend an UMVIM team leader training....to gain knowledge about leading mission teams that help the many people in our world who are hurting and often forgotten. Instead of reacting to their own economic situations by turning their focus and limited resources INWARD, they were preparing to look OUTWARD and EXTEND the hand of Christ. Beginning last year, a few people have asked me, “How is the economic situation affecting the Volunteers in Mission? Are there fewer volunteers going?” I can only say that the numbers of people wanting to serve continues to grow...this last training had the highest attendance ever! And, 2008 was another record year for volunteer numbers! Some churches are choosing to do more local trips in addition to usually scheduled international and hurricane response missions. It isn’t that volunteers haven’t been touched by the economic decline—it is because they know it, too, they want to help others they see hurting around them. Yes, I am getting more frequent and urgent requests from churches and economically fragile communities here in California-Nevada Conference. They want to be UMVIM sites and receive volunteers help AND encouragement. Maybe you saw the Oprah show about the situation in Sacramento? Or, read the Sacramento Bee article about what Cameron Foothills UMC and others are doing to feed folks who have no option but to live in “tent cities”? This week I was assessing a site in Laton, CA and saw the orchards of older walnut trees that have been bulldozed and fields laying fallow because of drought in California—unemployment in Fresno County is 35% already. Those numbers include many of the agricultural workers who are at risk economically even in better times. It is such a time as this that we are called to true compassion that result in deeds, not just platitudes. Over the next few weeks, I encourage you to take frequent looks at our UMVIM website to see what new local project has been added. There will be new ones every day. Remember who you are.... and whose you are. We are not alone when we reach out to another.....in prayer, in word, in actions. In mission together, Sue * SRI LANKA:EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR THE DISPLACED UMCOR’s Sri Lanka office is working on the ground with other humanitarian aid organizations to provide emergency assistance to thousands who are being forced to flee from intense fighting in the northern region of Sri Lanka. Thanks to an umbrella grant from the US Agency of International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), UMCOR is reaching the most vulnerable to provide 60,000 emergency kits that include water, glucose, and biscuits as well as help build 4,400 emergency shelters and 800 duplex-toilets for displaced people fleeing to Vavuniya. In addition, UMCOR, working with the Ministry of Health and USAID/OFDA, provided World Health Organization standard emergency health kits and basic medical supplies to provide treatment to 50,000 hospitalized people in Vavuniya, Mannar and Padwiya where hospital resources are particularly strained. Support this effort to help displaced people in Sri Lanka by giving to Sri Lanka Relief and Development, UMCOR Advance # 3020630.

YOUTH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - YOUTH

Help Sierra Service Project (SSP) with a home renovation in South Los Angeles. In March and April, SSP volunteers began renovation on a house owned by the Vermont Square United Methodist Church. Starting in June the house will generate income for the church and be used as a non-profit office serving local youth. SSP will be hosting volunteer work days every Friday and Saturday in May to finish the house! Youth groups and adult volunteers are welcome. Come work for a day or bring your group for the weekend to work and stay at the church. Please contact Rick Eaton for more details and to RSVP: (916) 488-6441 or rickeaton@sierraserviceproject.org.

Honduras Service Opportunity for Youth and Young Adults

There is still space available in session one of Sierra Service Project’s Honduras service experience. Since 2003, Sierra Service Project has sent groups to Honduras every year and built 21 homes in total. Volunteers work alongside Honduran families and community members to build two simple, but safe, dry and secure brick homes. This is a cultural immersion program which offers insight into one of the poorest countries in the Americas to young people wishing to learn more about the area and selflessly serve. Project dates for session one to Talanga are June 21 – July 6. This trip will be led by Alan Cook. Alan is the director of Family Ministries and youth group leader at Central United Methodist Church in Stockton. Previously, Alan participated in a service trip to El Salvador and co-led a Southeast Asia mission experience as a student intern at Pacific School of Religion.

This service experience is open to mature youth and young adults. It is a great opportunity to meet other young people interested in social justice and service in Central America. Participants must be high school juniors and seniors, or college-age young adults. The trip cost is $1,995, which covers all expenses including airfare from Los Angeles. Limited financial assistance is available. The price of this trip will increase after May 1st due to an increase in airfare. Please visit the SSP website, www.sierraserviceproject.org or call the office, (916) 488- 6441, for more information.

News from the Ground: Individual Volunteer Experience in Georgia; Golden Cross Sunday; Volunteers Needed in Nicaragua, Nepal, & Guatamala & More

Photo: Children in Sierra Leon, courtesy creativevisions.org. To volunteer there read below>** STORIES FROM THE GROUND: NEWS FROM INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER IN GEORGIA



Greetings,
It is Monday, the day after Orthodox Easter and for many Georgians, it is cemetery day. People go to the cemetery and bring red eggs for their loved ones at the cemetery. When people get together they play a little game with the eggs, two people each hold an egg, bang them together, and whoever has the egg that cracks looses and has to give the egg to the winner. Many of our neighbors have stopped by and given us red eggs, precious gifts for Easter.


We have started using an exciting new laundry product called “BINGO”. It promises to “ facilitate” my life. Thus far, I am still waiting for the facilitation to begin but at least I have clean clothes.


Saturday morning the running club participated in the Easter Bunny Mystery run. It was an 8K run and it was raining pretty hard during most of the run. They did a great job in spite of the rain and their parents said that they were amazed that the girls were willing to come out and run in the rain. They wouldn’t do it for their parents or for their Georgian teachers. I suppose it helped that they got some small prizes like those obnoxious Easter candy things called “Peeps”. The kids here love them.


A week ago I visited an orphanage a little ways outside of the city. The orphanage houses about 110 kids between the ages of 6 and 15. When kids turn 16 they are booted out and must care for themselves the best they can. Many of them end up in trouble. Most of the kids are not true orphans but live there because their parents are either too poor to care for them, are in jail, etc. The conditions are relatively good compared to many such places and although their food isn’t fancy, it is adequate and they have clothes to wear and a bed to sleep in.



However, the women who work there do almost nothing to stimulate the kids to learn or acquire new skills. In spite of sunny pleasant weather the kids were all glued to the television watching inappropriate programs with vacant expressions on their faces. I am going to talk to the director of the orphanage about doing some trainings with the staff to teach them how to interact with the kids and to help them emotionally. One little boy appointed himself to be our guide and showed us all around the orphanage grounds. It breaks my heart to see kids who don’t have anyone to love them.


We have had political demonstrations in Tbilisi since April 9 but they have been totally peaceful with no major problems except for rerouting of traffic in the demonstration area. It has had minimal impact on us and we are not worried about it.


We hope you are all doing well and that spring is bringing you some warm sunny days. Stay in touch. We are always anxious to hear from you.
Vic and Kathy





** NEWS FROM PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONFERENCE: GOLDEN CROSS SUNDAY



A Sunday in May is recommended for the Golden Cross offering in support of the Health and Welfare Ministries of our Conference. The offering is used to support a number of different needs in Districts and local churches. The primary focus is the support of the sick, older adults, children and youth, and persons with disabilities.


Here are some opportunities for Health and Welfare Ministries in our local churches: the sick can seek a Parish Nurse's recommendations for diagnosis or treatment by specialists or preventive actions to maintain healthy bodies and minds; older adults can be encouraged to continue participation in church activities and physical exercises; health and housing support organizations can be identified for those needing assistance; child safety and care can be subjects for general instruction and specific guidance -- such as a good car seat or how to deal with childhood diseases; mentoring youth in their physical, mental, and spiritual lives which can lead to their continued good health; and meeting the challenge of making provisions for those with disabilities to enjoy the benefits of our church programs.


Applications for Golden Cross grants should describe the need and amount requested in a letter to the Conference Office. Contact Jim Russell at jimrussell1@juno.com or 425-788-6869 if you have any questions. Last year the applicants were flood victims in the Vancouver District so the relatively meager funds were distributed there. If we could reach an average contribution of forty dollars per church, we would have over ten thousand dollars to apply to the significant health and welfare needs in our Conference.

**VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SERVE IN NEPAL

The church in Nepal is growing rapidly. If you feel called to serve in helping to build two churches in Nepal with an UMVIM team August 25 - September 13, 2009 then contact Jan & Kurt Kaiser at love2trvl.imbris.com.

** VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN WASHINGTON STATE

The UMVIM (Volunteers in Missions) program is accepting teams to assist with the clean up and continue the long term recovery of 2007 while needs are being assessed from the 2009 flood.

If you or your church is interested in sending a team, please contact Ronda Cordill UMVIM Annual Conference Coordinator (509-235-5466/509-993-6753 or r_cordill@hotmail.com) or Jim Truitt (253-630-1268 or jftruitt@comcast.net).

** EDUCATION TEAM GOING TO SERVE IN NICARAGUA

Regina and Bob Elgin will be leading a team to Managua, Nicaragua fromJune 14-23, 2010 to do these tasks:. English Tutoring. Bible School . Preschool projects . Church Construction To receive more information on this trip and how to register, pleasecontact Bob or Regina, relgin@cinci.rr.com, 513-777-5660. This is aUMVIM team from the Ohio River Valley District, East Ohio Conferenceand endorsed by teachUM, UMVIM-NCJ.Submitted by Lorna Jost, Coordinator, UMVIM-NCJ

** TRAININGS, FUTURE TEAMS, ETC.

ROMANIA MISSION TEAM - July 13-27, 2009 – VBS and community service projects supporting Global Hope ministry in Arad, Romania. You are invited to join this team! Contact Global Hope at 720.887.4673 or Will Johnston at willjohnston@earthlink.net

UMVIM TEAM LEADER TRAINING - Wednesday, June 17, 1-4 pm, Redlands UMC, Grand Junction. Contact Ann Fort, annfort8269@comcast.net, 303-220-0840 to register.3)

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE TRAINING - Wednesday, June 17, 1-4 pm, Redlands UMC, Grand Junction. Learn how your church can prepare for a disaster and how the United Methodist Church responds to disasters through UMCOR and UMVIM. To register, contact Rev. Gary Haddock, pastor@rumcgj.com, 970-245-1478.

VIMShare - The Winter 2009 issue of our VIMShare newsletter is on our web site, www.rmcvim.org.

DEBEQUE, CO UMC would like a team to help with VBS. Contact Pastor Roberta Botkin, 970-285-7912, 970-216-8682.

LOUISIANA - Youth volunteers age 14 and up are needed to help with home repair from Hurricane Gustav. Contact Laurie Byland, 225-383-4777, X255. Web site is www.thebluetarp.com

YOUNG ADULTS - Age 20-30 - You are invited to participate in an exciting program called Living Justice, June 13-17, 2009 in New York City. The program focus will be Eradicating the Diseases of Poverty:Women, Children and the Struggle for Wholeness. APPLICATION DEADLINE is May 1. Please contact Darlene DiDomineck, ddidomin@gbgm-umc.org, 212-870-3850.

SIERRA LEONE - YOUTH - watch an awesome video on You Tube by two youth who went to Sierra Leone to help build a school. Web site is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rUMdLsLHGM.

GUATEMALA - Medical team in September 2009 from St. Luke's UMC urgently needs NURSES to participate. Contact Rev. Pam Rowley, pam@stlukeshr.com, 303-791-0659.

THANK YOU - to all along the Colorado Front Range who have donated books for the "40,000 books for Kenya" Project!

UMCOR DEPOT UTAH - invites volunteers to come and help prepare the depot and process relief supplies.For information, contact Rev. Brian Diggs, 801-973-7250, WestDepot@UMCOR.org.

Tornado Respose

Photo: Fire department volunteers help to clean-up a mobile home devastated by the tornado, courtesy FEMA/Leif Skoofgors

*TORNADO RESPONSE - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

UMCOR provided emergency assistance following the April 10 tornado which struck the southeast including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and the Carolinas.

The 136 mph twister, was part of a string of severe storms that destroyed 500 homes and structures throughout seven counties. In Mena, Arkansas, more than 150 homes were damaged. Murfreesboro, Tennessee was especially hard hit with an estimated 250 homes damaged. Three teams from the Tennessee Annual Conference have responded with clean up efforts and others from the Memphis Annual Conference are on standby.

While assessment is ongoing, volunteer teams are needed for clean up.Those interested in volunteering should call Don Weeks at 501-681-2909 or email dweeks@arumc.org. For general inquiries, call Maxine Allen at 501-539-0280 or email mallen@arumc.org. You can support this effort by giving to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670

ERT Training in Colorado; Laity & Clergy Training in Washington; UMCOR & Health Development

Photo: Gary Henderson, executive director of the UMC Global Health Initiative, responds to Bishop Ntambo of North Katanga Conference in the Democratice Republic of the Congo, courtesy UMC/Gary Henderson

* EARLY RESPONSE (ERT) TRAINING IN COLORADO APRIL 25, 2009, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This training is for people who would like to help with disaster relief soon after a disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane strikes. ERT members are self-sufficient, badged volunteers who help with tasks such as debris removal and making homes safe and secure. Training will be held at the Rocky Mountain Conference office in Greenwood Village, CO. To register, contact Betsy Keyack, bkeyack@att.net, 303-346-7057.

* Training Seminar for Laity & Clergy in Pacific Northwest Annual Conference

Over the years of my ministry, district training events have been the most consistently helpful and practical learning experiences available to me. Here in the Inland District, Rocks and Ripples 2009 promises to be such an event. I remember that in seminary, when a certain professor wanted to introduce us to a new idea, he'd say, "I want to drop a pebble in your pond." I spent a lot of happy hours as a kid skipping rocks across various North Central Washington lakes, and that professor's words brought a great picture to mind of rocks touching down on smooth lake waters and sending ripples out in every direction. I believe that this year's Rocks and Ripples will have a similar powerful effect on your leadership in your local church!

This year, in an attempt to bring that impact closer to where you live, we are offering two nearly identical sessions, the first starting at 8:30 a.m. at Simpson UMC in Pullman; the second starting at 2:30 at Spokane Valley UMC. Both sessions will feature our bishop, Grant Hagiya, speaking on "Sparking the Leader Within!" Our new bishop's passion is leadership; he's made a life-long study of the topic and has much to share. In addition, each session offers your choice of two workshops from many options. Whatever leadership role you have in your local church, whatever committee or team you serve on, you will find something of great help to you.

Thank you to those of you who have already made your choices and submitted your registration to the district office. If you are one who is still considering, I invite you to look over the options and sign up today! In order to have a fairly accurate count for the meals, we need your registrations by this Friday, April 17. So contact the district office by phone 509-838-3085, 800-549-1945, or by e-mail inland@pnwumc.org. You may register for your workshop then pay at the door. I’m looking forward to sharing this experience with you.

Dale Cockrum
Inland District Superintendent

* UMCOR & HEALTH DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

A recent meeting of bishops and United Methodist health care leaders in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, has led to major capacity-building efforts throughout the Central Conferences in Africa through the assistance and support of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Bishop Janice Huie, of UMCOR board president and residing bishop of the Texas Annual Conference, chaired the meeting.
Ten of the 12 African Central Conferences were represented at the gathering, which was also attended by representatives from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and the United Nations Foundation, all key partners in The United Methodist Church's Global Health Initiative (GHI). The week-long meeting focused on creating a plan to help African Central Conferences and communities access resources so that their ministries can save more lives. The meeting included dialog and training sessions about ways each conference can build upon and improve existing health ministries; increase their partnerships and sustainability; and decrease dependence on the Church and US donations for health program support.

"This gathering laid the foundation for our ongoing cooperative work with the United Methodist health ministries in Africa," said Sam Dixon, Global Ministries' deputy general secretary for UMCOR and Global Health. "Working together, we can make a real impact on the health of the millions of people United Methodist hospitals and clinics serve, aiming to reduce maternal and child mortality and combat the devastating effect of diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS on African communities."

The meeting, also attended by United Methodist Communications, focused on assisting the conferences to build the capacity of local United Methodist hospitals and clinics, starting with developing health boards to coordinate their efforts. These health boards are the starting point for increasing capacity and effectiveness of the health ministries of each conference. This is especially important because across Africa, United Methodist hospitals and community based health care programs provide services to people and in remote villages where no other entity operates. These hospitals and programs need the consistent support and resources of the Central Conference structure to become more effective and save more lives. The aim of developing African Conference Health Boards is to provide oversight and backing to these critical health care ministries.To support United Methodist hospitals and clinics in their critical ministries of healing and health please give to Hospital Revitalization, UMCOR Advance #982168.

Volunteer in Ganta, Liberia, Toberman House Wins Humanitarian Award, Hope in the Sudan

Photo: Teresa Juan gathers water from the contaminated river prior to the UMCOR ministry, courtesy, UMCOR NGO

*VOLUNTEER IN GANTA, LIBERIA

Operation Classroom is planning a teachers workshop July 25 to August 10 at the Ganta UM School, in Ganta, Liberia. They have requested workshops in :a. lesson planning, b. lesson presentation, c. classroom management,d. teaching methods for reading, math and science. Certificates will be given each participating teacher. The cost per teammember will be around $3,000 (depending on the price of the tickets whenthey are ordered.) The team will fly to Monrovia, spend one evening in Monrovia and then travelto Ganta. At Ganta they will be staying in a guest house. Time will begivento visit the hospital and the rehab center. Rev. Priscillaa Jaiah is theprincipal at the Ganta school. For more information and an application,contact Carolyn Wagner, PO Box 246, Colfax, IN 46035, orccwagner@hotmail.com. For more information about Operation Classroom, check the website:www.operationclassroom.org.

* HUMANITARIAN AWARD GIVEN TO TOBERMAN HOUSE

At the Toberman Neighborhood Center Gala Dinner Auction, “A Lifetime of Helping,” held recently in Long Beach, it was clear that, even in a down economy, the spirit of giving and volunteerism still prevails.

Toberman’s President and CEO Gloria Lockhart presented three “2009 Humanitarian of the Year” awards to recognize the outstanding dedication and work done by its top volunteers and donors over the past year.

Award recipients included Bill and Joyce Sharman of Redondo Beach; Becky Noble of Chadwick School and the Village (K-6) division students at Chadwick, based in Palos Verdes; and Paul Freese of Public Counsel, Los Angeles.

Emceed by former NBA star and well-known LA sports figure Keith Erickson, the event played host to more than 250 guests and raised much-needed funds for Toberman’s social service programs. Among these programs are family counseling, emergency food and clothing, and an after-school safe haven where students come for homework completion, tutoring, reading development, a computer lab and recreation.

Toberman, a 106-year-old non-profit organization based in San Pedro,CA helps people break the cycle of poverty by orchestrating a myriad of social services for 15,000 financially struggling children, families and seniors every year. Toberman is situated on a brand-new, 36,000 square-foot campus completed in 2007.

Toberman Neighborhood Center, founded in 1903, is a Mission Project of the United Methodist Church: General Board of Global Ministries, Women’s Division and United Methodist Women. The organization was named “Non-Profit of the Year” by the United Way of Greater Los Angeles in 2006. Visit http://www.toberman.org/ for more information.

*HOPE IN THE SUDAN

Teresa Juan spent 20 years as a refugee in Uganda, fleeing the civil conflict that wreaked havoc across southern Sudan for more than two decades, leaving more than one and a half million people dead. After the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, refugees began feeling safe enough to go back to their native land. Now in her mid-fifties, Teresa recently returned to her country with her husband and eight children. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) was there -- providing the tools Teresa needed to help her family make a fresh start.

Jobs, Water and Education
While Teresa felt safe for the first time in years, life remained difficult for Teresa and her family after returning to their village. Teresa, like countless other women across south Sudan, bears the heaviest cost of the legacy of war. Life as a refugee took a devastating physical toll on her husband, who can no longer work to sustain their family. Now, in addition to caring for her family and shouldering the burden of household chores, Teresa must find work to support her husband and children. While employment opportunities for women abound, most women lack the skills, tools, and capital to take advantage of those opportunities. UMCOR trains women in activities such as tailoring, vegetable gardening, catering, marketing and establishing small businesses.

Before UMCOR constructed a well in Teresa's village, Teresa's family relied on untreated water from a distant stream. "My family suffered greatly from drinking contaminated water," Teresa recalled. Like many other families without access to clean water, Teresa's family experienced diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and other side effects of waterborne illness. Not only did Teresa have to care for her often sick family, she had to walk 20 miles a day to gather the contaminated water. Now Teresa's water gathering activities can be measured in minutes rather than hours, allowing her to invest time in economic projects.
In that past, Teresa's children had few learning opportunities. Classes had been held under a tree large enough to provide shade from the hot sun but offered no protection from the rain. Schools canceled classes at the first sign of dark clouds. Primary school children now attend UMCOR constructed schools in Mankaro and Kenyi.

About UMCOR South Sudan
In countless villages across south Sudan the only education children have comes in the form of sporadic lessons under trees. Families still endure illness from contaminated water. Women continue to labor to provide sustenance and care to their families. UMCOR continues to work, village by village, to improve conditions for the people of south Sudan.

UMCOR began working in Sudan in February 2005 after assessment teams determined that UMCOR's experience could add to the humanitarian effort to alleviate suffering in South Darfur. Initial programs focused on providing essential non-food items to displaced people living in camps. UMCOR Sudan has since expanded its programs to include education, agriculture, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects. A second office was opened in South Sudan, a region with low levels of infrastructure and high levels of need. Programs in South Sudan focus on reintegration of the population by providing water and sanitation programs and school reconstruction after years of war.

You can support this work by giving to Sudan Emergency, UMCOR Advance 184385.

Easter Greetings from Cambodia & the Country of Georgia; Mission News & Early Response Training; Volunteers Needed

Photo: Cambodian mother & daughters, courtesy, battembang.net

EASTER GREETINGS FROM CAMBODIA: by Katherine Parker, missionary

This is a special year when Easter coincides with the three day Khmer New Year festival. It will be quite a celebration. The rains are just starting to bless us with some cooling in the early evenings. In Cambodia we call this time of year when the rains return as the New Year because it marks that the time to begin growing rice is here. Farmers are out harrowing the fields and those with some irrigation are already starting to flood the paddies with the little remaining water in the ponds.Community Health and Agricultural Development (CHAD) just had a major evaluation with our partners from the Methodist Church in Finland. Lots of good feedback!

On my blog, a new story about prison outreach ministry is available. Thanks for reading. Thanks, also, for your continued support through prayers, visits and financial contributions .Happy Khmer New Year! Happy Passover! and Happy Easter!

*EASTER GREETINGS FROM THE COUNTRY OF GEORGIA by Kathy Starostka, Individual Volunteer

Happy Easter. I hope you are all well and that you have a wonderful Easter. The Georgian Orthodox Church goes by the old calendar so Easter will not be celebrated here until April 19. On Friday before Easter, parents will color many many eggs red to represent the blood of Christ. They do it only on good Friday and the children do not help. On Saturday night people go to church and spend the entire night there praying and the priests take turns reading scriptures. On Easter families break the fast of the last week six weeks during which many devout Georgians do not eat any animal products. They finally can eat animal products again so it is a happy time for them. They believe that fasting is a way to bring people closer to God. On the day after Easter people go to the cemetery to bring flowers and to leave food. They bring the colored eggs and two people each hold an egg, click them together and the person who breaks the other person’s egg will have good fortune. No Easter bunny here.

I have been busily setting up an instructional program in one of the small villages for several hundred refugees from the conflict last August. I have made arrangements for three of my students of English to go to the village two times a week and teach Georgian, English, and health and first aid.

April 9 was the day to remember the tragedy of when Russian troops came into Tbilisi about 20 years ago and shot down peaceful young people demonstrating in the streets. Tiko and I went down to that area where demonstrations were taking place yesterday. There were many people but it was totally peaceful. The people want changes in the government or at least they want the president of Georgia to acknowledge their problems and concerns.

My students at the Youth House are preparing songs, plays, and little poems for our end of the school year program. The little kids are doing Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. They are memorizing everything in English which is quite an accomplishment for five year olds.

So life goes on in Georgia. We are doing fine, spring is here and we are waiting for strawberries to appear in the market.
Happy Happy Easter.

*EARLY RESPONSE TRAINING (ERT) APRIL 25TH IN COLORADO

EARLY RESPONSE TEAM (ERT) Training - Saturday, April 25, 9:00 - 5:00 pm. This training is for people who would like to help with disaster relief soon after a disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane strikes. ERT members are self-sufficient, badged volunteers who help with tasks such as debris removal and making homes safe and secure. Training will be held at the Rocky Mountain Conference office in Greenwood Village, CO. To register, contact Betsy Keyack, bkeyack@att.net, 303-346-7057.

*VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN FOR GUATAMALA MEDICAL TEAM

St. Luke's UMC 2009 Guatemala surgical team will be providing surgeries in Guatemala the week of September 11 - 20, 2009. We still need more nurses for this trip. Please contact Mark Ely, marcos@puravida.org if you are a nurse who would like to participate in this amazing trip. Please spread the word to nurses at your church and place of business!

*VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN NEW MEXICO

McCURDY SCHOOL MISSION TRIP, New Mexico - You are invited to join a team from Salt Lake City on this mission trip, August 9-14. Contact Marilyn and Hugh Douglas, 801-571-4870.

*VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR UTE NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATION

UTE MOUNTAIN NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATION, Tawaoc, CO - You are invited to join a team from Salt Lake City on this mission trip, July 6-10. Contact Marilyn and Hugh Douglas, 801-571-4870.