What's Your Mission?

UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission)

I had the opportunity to meet some of the district UMVIM representatives at the meeting held Saturday, Dec.13 at St. Matthew’s UMC in Madison. It was a time of sharing, learning and planning … One thing became obviously clear and that is that this world is becoming increasingly complicated, but thank goodness we have people in places who are always ready to help. At this meeting I met D.J. Walker of Travel Pro of Mississippi who is very adept at helping Mississippi volunteer teams traveling overseas; she mentioned the ever changing nature of immigration requirements from all countries throughout the world as well as the ever changing requirements of the Homeland Security at airports as well as the new baggage and other restrictions created by the airlines themselves.

Robert Sharp of Disaster Response reported that to date there have been over 155,000 volunteers come work with the Mississippi UMCOR Disaster Response group down on the Coast; Robert coordinates the work and the logistics of the three camps and warehouses located there as well as the work of the volunteers; did you know that Pennsylvania is the leading state, followed by Indiana, sending volunteers for hurricane recovery. If you would like to partner on building a home call the Disaster Response Team at 866-435-7091 or email (whole house sponsorships are $51,000 – the house is built on the hurricane impacted lot). If you would like to make a donation of any amount please make your check payable to Mississippi United Methodist Disaster Response, Inc., and forward to 1400 Leggett Drive, Biloxi, MS 39530. If you would like a copy of he volunteer recruitment package which contains a four-minute DVD and PowerPoint presentation, posters, broadcast and print advertising materials, please call them at the same number.

Foreign Missions, anyone?
If you or your church are interested in taking volunteer teams in mission you may want to contact the following individuals who can provide you all kinds of information about doing Methodist mission at the particular countries listed by their names …

o For Nicaragua Covenant: David Newton
o For Russian Initiative: Danny Dabbs
o For Mexico missions: Rayford Woodrick
o For Beans and Rice missions (Costa Rica) Marie & Fred Curry
o For Chabadza Covenant to Zimbabwe: Michelle Shrader
o For Liberia, Africa: Nelda Thomas

Please be aware that David Newton listed as the Nicaragua contact is also the Mississippi Conference UMVIM Coordinator and he can give you additional advice about insurance through the United Methodist Church; even if you and your team already have insurance you may want to call him anyway to let him know you are going and he can find prayer partners to pray for your team while they are out of the country.

If you have any questions please call me.

Merry Christmas!!!

Jorge.