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Mission Volunteers, General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church |
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Haiti Response Plan/UMVIM Haiti |
| Volume 5, Number 2 |
November 15, 2012 |
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Teams continue remarkable mission
Since the beginning of the Haiti Response Plan in April 2010, our UMVIM teams have done remarkable work in Haiti. Not only have team members worked on a variety of projects, they have formed deep relationships while sharing the love of Christ.
Claremore UMC, Oklahoma Conference, spent a week in Haiti in October, working on the rebuilding of the Eye Clinic in Petit Goave. Susan Gates sent along a video link. "We wanted to show our congregation a little about our trip and how they (at home) helped us," she said.
"The experience was amazing and life changing for me," she continued. "In all the need, all the tragedy, all the loss, the people long most for God's Word. In that moment, despite all the suffering I had seen, I was not only hopeful for my new friends, but I realized what a gift they had given to me - a look into eyes that clearly see what is needed to build and rebuild a life!
The Haiti Response Plan staff assigned this team to the Eye Clinic when they learned that it included two optometrists. They were even able to some work with the community! Read their story on ourNews page.
Earlier in the year, a team from Frankenmuth UMC, Michigan, spent a week on the island of LaGonave to help rebuild a church in Anse-a-Galets. You can also read more and see addtional photos from this team on the Haiti Response Plan News page.
Want to find out how to lead an UMVIM team to Haiti or join a team as an individual? Just email Susan Meister, haitivolunteers@yahoo.com.
Photos courtesy Susan Gates, Claremore FUMC & Connie Coulter, Frankenmuth UMC |
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Please pray for the people of Haiti and the UMVIM teams serving there.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the UMVIM program in Haiti and around the world. |
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Greetings!
 Thank you for subscribing to the 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 at the invitation of the Eglise Methodiste d'Haiti (EMH). The Haiti Response Plan hosts volunteer teams to address the humanitarian needs and priority projects of the Methodist Church of Haiti. During this time of year, when we are encouraged to count our blessings and give thanks for all that God provides, we are honored to thank our UMVIM teams and their churches and conferences for your continuing service and support. God bless you! |
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Accepting applications for Team Coordinator
Una Jones, Assistant General Secretary for Conference Relations & Volunteers in Mission, General Board of Global Ministries, has announced that applications will be accepted for the position of Haiti Response Plan Team Coordinator from November 15-30. This position, based in the HRP office in Haiti, is a six-month contractual position, with possibility of extension. The starting date is January 1 or 2, 2013.
For more information, click here to read the Job Description. The application for the position can be accessed here (in .pdf format); for a Word document, email haitivolunteers@yahoo.com. For more information, email volunteers@gbgm-umc.org. |
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Staff readying project sites for 2013 teams
At the same time that the staff in Haiti winds down projects in 2012, they are also preparing project sites for the 2013 UMVIM teams.
Danette Segroves, Team Coordinator, reports, "As we enter the final year of the Haiti Response Plan, many of our priority projects are reaching completion. A huge thank you to all of the teams who have made this possible!
"During the next several months many of the sites that need to be completed are in the areas of Petit Goave, La Gonave, and Miragoane. We have a few remaining projects in the Les Cayes area, but most will be in areas that will require a Guest House or pastor's home stay for teams. This is not the Guest House in Petion-Ville, but site-local Guest Houses," Danette explained.
"We understand that many team request to stay within local communities and directly on the worksites, but as we move forward this may not always be an option. Please take time to think through the special skills of your teams and how those skills could be used in mission to be involved in the local communities - ESL, music, working with children, computer training, skill transfer, etc.
"We can help you make deeper connections in communities by setting up programming in addition to the construction sites. Thank you for your flexibility as we serve in mission together!" |
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More important team news
This is the rainy season in Haiti, and there are alot of mosquitoes around. Teams should plan to bring nets, deet, and treat clothing with premetherin.
The Haiti staff has published a new document which lists many details that team leaders need to remember at their work site. Even if you are not a team leader, you might be interested in reading all the things that our hard-working UMVIM team leaders need to keep in mind! The document is also posted to the web page, www.umvimhaiti, on the Team Resource Page. |
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Keeping the needs of Haiti in mind
Foundry UMC, Baltimore-Washington Conference, an active partner in the Haiti ministry, has has sent us a document, Walking with Our Neighbors - 10 ways to commemorate the three year remembrance of the 2010 Haitian Earthquake, that highlights potential activities to commemorate the three year anniversary of the earthquake.
"We know that as we get further away from that day, the initial passion for this issue continues to wane and that's something we can't afford," Foundry team leader Ace Parsi said. "Our hope is that churches can use January 6 or 13 to reconnect and extend themselves in partnership with our brothers and sisters in Haiti."
One of the many fine suggestions in the document is direct service - through UMVIM team involvement. To learn more about how to join or lead a team, contact Susan Meister, US-based Communications & Calendaring Coordinator.
We've been notified that there are spaces available on two teams in 2013: Feb 16-23 and Mar 29 - Apr 6. Email Susan for more information.
Another way to be involved in mission in Haiti is through monetary giving. As readers of this newsletter are aware, we are seeking funds to finish the Guest House Annex. The Annex will serve as housing for members of the Guest House staff who lost their homes in the earthquake. Go to the special November 1 edition of the newsletter to get more information about how you can make a gift for this ministry. Thank you and God bless you.
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Matching
Grants Available |
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 . | |
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