Mission Volunteers, General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church 

Haiti Response Plan

Volume 4, Number 4

December 15, 2011

In This Issue
2011 Special Advent Message
With God, all things are possible
Looking from my side
HRP updates work sites' status
2011 Special Advent Message
Advent wreath
 

Mission Volunteers, teams, and individuals...thank you for all the passionate volunteer work you have been part of this year and for allowing God to use you by working with others using your amazing generosity, love, and faithfulness!

 

As we all know, Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. Therefore allow me to encourage all Mission Volunteers to spend this Advent season to evaluate our 2011 volunteer involvement and prepare our volunteer plans for 2012.

  

2012 is unpredictable, but we need to remain faithful in our volunteer spirit of giving. Giving is when we first give of ourselves to make a difference in God's mission around the world.

 

Merry Christmas and may God bless you during this special time of the year.

 

Una Jones

Mission Volunteers

Assistant General Secretary

 

 

Photo courtesy GBGM

 

 


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Please pray for the people of Haiti and the UMVIM teams who are traveling to work alongside the Methodist Church of Haiti in rebuilding. 

 

We give thanks for all the volunteers in mission who are called and sent.

Greetings!

Thank you for subscribing to the bi-weekly newsletter of the Haiti Response Plan, a program of the Mission Volunteers unit of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.

The UMVIM community and the staff of the Haiti Response Plan continue to work with the Eglise Methodiste d'Haiti (EMH) to host volunteer teams to address the humanitarian needs and priority projects of the Methodist Church of Haiti. 

 

We close 2011 on a high note, celebrating (since the beginning of our program in May 2010) the deployment of 223 UMVIM teams, representing nearly 2000 volunteers. We look forward to more great ministry in 2012.

 

Thank you for your prayers and support. We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!

 

The Staff of the Haiti Response Plan 

With God, all things are possible

AngelThese were the words of the angel Gabriel to a young woman who was told she was to conceive and have a child, one who would be called the Son of God. They were in response to her expressions of wonder, doubt, surprise, concern. Considering the circumstances and situation of her life, she asks, "How can this be?" And the response from Gabriel, "With God, all things are possible. "

 

As we enter this season of Advent we have also just passed the half-way point in the original 3-year Haiti Response Plan. Returning team members often have two observations as they travel around the area, go to new project sites, or re-visit places they have served: "Wow, so much has changed. It is great to see the progress." And then, "There is still so much to be done."

 

My wife Wendy and I were here during the earthquake in January 2010. We travelled the next days around the Petionville area and Port-au-Prince. It was overwhelming. How easy it would have been, looking at the history, the lack of infrastructure, the many allegations of corruption, to dismiss it all as, there is nothing that can be done. That this is an "impossible" situation. But people came, not only in response to the immediate emergency needs, but to be a part of the long-term relief and recovery efforts. I can't speak for others, but I believe that the church, our faith community, is here because we believe that with God all things are possible.

 

On the morning of January 12, 2010, at a meeting of EMH leaders and international mission partners, President Gesner Paul talked about the challenges facing not only the country, but the church. He acknowledged some of the struggles and mistakes that had been made in the past, and said, if there is to be renewal, if there is to be recovery, if there is to be hope, it must begin with the church. Remember, now -- this was the morning of January 12!

 

Those words are more true now than even then. I believe that is why we are all here. It is at the heart of our common mission, it is in the hearts of the people of Haiti and the volunteer team members. We believe that with God, all things are possible. With God, nothing is impossible.  

 

To a young woman, promised in marriage, an angel delivers a seemingly impossible message. Two thousand plus years later God delivers that same message to us in Haiti and throughout the world when faced with a seemingly overwhelming task: with God, all things are possible.

 

So much has happened in the past year and a half. It is remarkable. And yet, there is still much to do.

 

This Advent, may each of us come to know, believe and trust that where God is, there is always hope. Where God is, there is always a way. Where God is, all things are possible.

 

Rev. Tom Vencuss,

UMVIM Haiti Project Coordinator

 

Photo by Susan J. Meister

Looking from my side...

Available technology makes it possible me to be in touch with our staff and volunteers doing ministry in Haiti, and to communicate our  continuing progress. It is an honor and a blessing to be able to facilitate the generosity of volunteers and their churches and conferences through the Haiti Response Plan. It is well to pause at this most glorious time of year to remember the great joy we have in our Savior's birth and in the ministry we do in His Holy Name.

 

Merry Christmas from my side...

 

Susan Meister,

US-based Communications & Calendaring Coordinator

HRP updates work sites' status

UMVIM Haiti Response logo

Tom Vencuss and the Haiti Response Plan team have issued a year end report which details the status of all work sites opened since May 2011. The staff in Haiti will be on holiday break until the beginning of 2012, when they will prepare to host our first teams of the new year. At this time, nearly 130 teams are on the Master Calendar for 2012, with more scheduling for 2013.

 

If you are a team leader interested in bringing a team to Haiti, please be in touch with Susan Meister. If you are an individual who would like to serve, there are spaces on the following teams:

     February 2-10         February 9-18

            March 10-17            April 10-18

In addition, Susan can help individuals find a team that would fit their travel schedule.

 

 

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Matching 

Grants Available 

New!

Effective November 2011:  Teams of 4-6 persons who raise $2500 in project funds are eligible for a matching grant of $2500. Teams of 7-10 persons who raise $3500 in project funds are eligible for a matching grant of $3500. For more information on how to apply for matching funds, contact Susan Meister, US-based Communications & Calendaring Coordinator.