Can You See God-Given Opportunities?

When Jesus sees the blind man begging (John 9), he sees an opportunity to do the works of God.  "We must do the works of the One who sent me while it is day."  He sees an economic outcast, a man trapped on the outskirts of life because of his blindness and its stigma.  Here is an opportunity to lift a person out of a pit.  The disciples don't see this.  They see a doctrinal dilemma: "Lord, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"  The neighbors and others in town don't even see the man.  They must've passed by him at least twice a day, day after day, after day, but now with his sight restored they can't quite agree on whether or not they had seen him before.

Jesus, open our eyes to all the magnificent opportunities around us to do the works of God!

Phil Harrington, Global Mission Action Team Chair

The observance, approved by the 1988 General Conference, is one of six special churchwide Sundays with offerings. Half of the offering is used to develop and strengthen Native American ministries within our Conference, and the other half is used to provide scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist and other approved schools of theology.

Worship resources are available at www.umcgiving.org/content/sundays/NAMS_nav/native.asp.

Please give generously.

The Methodist presence in White Swan, WA started in 1859 when the Reverend James Harvey Wilbur (1811-1887), a Methodist Episcopal minister, came to Fort Simcoe as a missionary. Better known as "Father Wilbur", he was a major influence within the Yakama Reservation, serving as pastor from 1859-1882. In January 1996, the General Board of Global Ministries reinstated Wilbur Memorial as a Native American Church site.

The mission on the reservation continues today as a collaborative venture. Children, kindergarten through seventh grade, participate in a six week program that provides a morning snack and a nutritious lunch through a partnership with WA State. In addition to healthy meals, children sharpen their skills in reading, writing, and math, to prevent loss of academic ability and interest during the summer break. Volunteers are vital in providing individual attention and modeling the unconditional love of Jesus Christ to children who live in unstructured settings. A large number of the children have special learning issues and other physical needs.

If you are looking for a mission and/or cultural immersion, White Swan on the Yakama Reservation could be a possibility for your group this summer. We are seeking youth groups with adult leaders who want to learn more about others and share God's love by giving of themselves as they mentor and lead Vacation Bible School for one week. We have facilities to house a group of at least twelve.  For more information call 509-874-2736, E-mail: wilburmemumc@yahoo.com or visit us at www.wilburmemorialumc.org.

The children on the Reservation continue to encounter more challenges than children outside the "Rez." Operating this vital ministry within an austere budget also continues to be a challenge. Your financial gifts will also help prevent these 30-35 children of Native American heritage from getting into serious trouble.

MarLu Primero Scott, Pastor, Wilbur Memorial UMC

(Editor's Note:  White Swan Native American Ministry is a Conference Advance Project, which is reviewed annually by Conference Global Mission Action Team for its financial accountability and if the project still meets the standards as one of  the highest mission priorities of the Conference. Please send your contribution earmarked for White Swan: Advance #207 through the Conference Treasurer.)

We felt God's call to return to White Swan again and serve side-by-side with our brothers and sisters at Wilbur UMC. Unlike previous years, we didn't have a clear idea what work projects lay in store for us; however, with a trust that God had a plan, we began our journey. As the week progressed, the needs of the church and the community became clear, and we remained very busy the entire week with the following projects:

§         Re-enforcing shelving for the church's community food bank

§         Installing new lighting fixtures in the sanctuary

§         Re-roofing a house for a member of Wilbur UMC

§         Weeding and laying pea gravel in the church's Memorial Garden

§         Repairing the handicap ramp for the Grange

§         Laying laminate flooring in the pastor's office

§         Networking the church's computers and adding an Ethernet connection

§         Laying wood chips around the basketball court

§         Installing a new garage door opener at the parsonage

There is something very rewarding about a good day's work shared with old and new friends. This was my first trip to White Swan, but it won't be my last. I took away many great memories, but the most indelible was a family of six, young and old, playing basketball together on the court we helped pour last year.

Chris Aakre, Chair Mission Committee, Bear Creek UMC

The following study books and supplemental materials are (or soon will be) available from the Mission Resource Center.  Place your order now by visiting www.missionresroucecenter.org/wdstore or calling 1-800-305-9857.

I Believe in Jesus - Stock #M3023; $7.00

Creo de Jesus (Spanish) - Stock #M3026; $7.00

I Believe in Jesus (Korean) - Stock #M3027; $7.00

Israel-Palestine - Stock #M3006; $8.50

Giving Our Hearts Away (adult study) - Stock #M3015; $10.00

Walking in These White Man Shoes (youth study) - Stock #M3022; $8.00

Creator Sang a Welcoming Song (children) - Stock #M3021; $8.00

North American Indian Reference Map - Stock #M3024; $12.00

"I Believe in Jesus," taught by Rev. Dr. Ron Hines, District Superintendent, will be the all-school study.   The study deals with four key components, namely (a) the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, (b) the meaning of faith in Jesus, (c) whose faith counts, and (d) faith in Jesus in a post-modern world. The early Christians had to find Jesus for themselves. Over the centuries, faith in Jesus has often been co-opted by the ruling authorities. As we enter into a new millennium, we again hear voices who challenge any notions of knowing Jesus other than through their particular ways. The issue of how we discern what is faithful to the Gospel message is an ongoing theological task of the church.

In the geographic study "Israel/Palestine," one of the two electives, we will try to understand the complexity of issues that keep the Holy Land in turmoil. Two leaders who have visited Israel/Palestine, retired Pastor Paul Graves and Lay Volunteer in Ministry, Mark Wendle, will share their passion for the peoples of this troubled land. The study will challenge participants to move through tolerance and respect to achieve a just peace.

Mission study "Giving Our Hearts Away:  Native American Survival," the other elective, will be led by Rev. Barry Moffett and professional teachers JaNet Crouse and Alicia Coleman-Clark. Nowhere else in the theology and praxis of mission has there been more change than in the ways in which the UMC relates to Native American Peoples. From a history of collaboration with war on native peoples and the attempt to eliminate native religion and culture, the UMC has moved to a spirit that strives for understanding and acceptance. The study will search for appropriate ways for United Methodists to be engaged in mission with Native Americans. What are contemporary needs and how best can those needs be met?  How do we cooperate with tribal structures and be sensitive to cultural issues?

Janet Wolfer, Dean

Youth Shares Her Experience at School of Mission

Last summer I attended the School of Mission with my mom and learned about globalization. I was not sure what to expect, or if I would enjoy myself.  Usually kids don't enjoy learning during their time away from school. The first morning I noticed I was the only one there in my age group. I came to the conclusion that it was going to be a very long week. 

We started out as a large group and heard about what to expect over the next few days.  We did some singing and then shuffled off to our classes. As the week progressed I found myself really enjoying my time at the school.  The class on globalization taught me things I had not known before. There were ideas about how to make changes to help save the environment. After my first day there, I never brought a disposable water bottle to class again. 

The adults were friendly and welcoming.They were happy to see a youth attend the School of Missions. I enjoyed visiting with new people and got to know women from our church better as we ate lunch together. The food was good and we had free time to walk, or read, or just sit in the sun. When the School came to a close, I was actually disappointed to leave the campus. On the beautiful ride home from Issaquah, I thought about all the things I had done during the past week.

Because I experienced the School of Mission, I was able to talk to friends at my church about it. We have now formed a UMW Teen group which meets twice a month. Things have been going well. We have helped around our church by cleaning up the grounds, cooked and served dinners for Tent City 4, helped with a program at our church which provides supplies for infants and toddlers from low income families, and we made and distributed Valentines to a local retirement home. We are happy to say that on our list of things to do this upcoming summer is the School of Mission. See you there!

Blair Lowman, Bothell United Methodist Church

Nepal UMC Centre Dedicated

The Nepal UMC Centre dedication service was held on February 3, 2008. Rev. Devi Bhujel, indigenous missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries, reported they waited a long time for this historic moment for UMC people in Nepal. The building, purchased nearly one year ago, has been remodeled and furnished. It is now ready to be used for worship services, pastoral training, and other activities.

Devi and his late wife Karuna played a major role in the establishment of the first United Methodist Church in 2003 in this predominantly Hindu country. Despite the political unrest and economic hardships, United Methodist churches and their ministries are growing. Now there are 35 congregations in different parts of Nepal.

Devi describes the situation in Nepal as still very bad. Their work on the computer is limited due to lack of light and a changing work schedule. There is a great fuel shortage and transportation is almost at a stand still. Every now and then there is a strike so they can't travel from one place to another. Almost everyday, new kinds of problems are arising and there is no solution in sight.

Let us keep Devi, the churches, and the country in our prayers.

Hope for the Children of Africa: Containers Update

Congo Containers 2007:  Have you ever wondered if it was worthwhile to send the cargo containers to our friends in the Democratic Republic of the Congo? Please read the following excerpts from Rev. Maleka Kayombo:

I and our department of Evangelism in the Southern Congo Conference are thrilled to thank you for your praiseworthy acts in the name of our Lord. Through Mama Mbombo and the others who worked to receive the containers, we received all of the packages listed for our department. May the Lord bless you with all his benedictions.

We are ready to go into the world to make disciples for Jesus Christ, as written in Matthew 28:19-20.

Congo Container 2008: Last year the Hope for the Children of Africa Task Force intended to send one cargo container to the DRC. Because of the generous donations from our PNW Conference we sent two and we still had some items left over! Mike and Terrie Hobbs have kindly committed to coordinating the shipping of another container this spring. We have urgent needs:

1.  Monetary Donations - the cost of shipping a container is nearly $20,000.  (If each church could send $50, we'd have most of what we need.)

2.  Volunteers to help with sorting, packing, loading.

3.  A staging location

Please spread the word to your churches. Contact Terrie & Mike Hobbs at miketerriehobbs@gmail.com to volunteer.

We will soon have complete information posted on our website:  www.hopeforthechildrenofafrica.com.

Jan Kreidler, Hope for Children of Africa Task Force Co-Coordinator

Mike & Terrie Hobbs, Hope for Children of Africa Task Force

How are you engaging in mission?  Have you had an invaluable UMVIM or NOMAD experience lately?  Do you have openings on your UMVIM team that other church members can join?  How do you get youth and children involved in mission?  Does your church have a great community outreach program -- a food bank, after-school program, etc.?  What joys does the Covenant Relationship with a missionary bring to your congregation?  Do you have exciting and enjoyable ways to raise funds for mission?

Please share your mission stories with the readers of H.A.I.L.  Send your article of about 250 words in length to the editor at norikolao@cs.com.  Send the picture (in JPEG format) separately.  H.A.I.L. is published as needed, that is, whenever there is enough news.  So, there is no specific deadline, except for timed materials.  To keep the H.A.I.L. going, please send in your article.