July 2018 Issue

In the past two weeks, protests roiled the country of Haiti due to a 50% fuel price increase proposed by the Prime Minister who was attempting to comply with requirements from the International Monetary Fund.  Many mission teams from the U.S. were unable to get through unofficial checkpoints or get safely to the airport for scheduled return flights.  As of July 14, Prime Minister Lafontant has resigned and the fuel price increases have not gone into effect.  

We do not know if the unrest will continue or abate.  We do know that a new Prime Minister will be named and that political transitions in Haiti are often accompanied by unrest.

In the meantime, UMVIM-NEJ advises any teams planning to travel to Haiti to stay in close contact with your hosts in Haiti about security concerns.  Teams should also consult the State Department's Travel Advisory for Haiti.  Whenever teams travel to Haiti, we also recommend registering with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to alert embassy staff of your presence in case there is a need for evacuation.

In Prayer Together With You,

Tom

40 people from the Western PA and East Ohio conferences have just returned from doing long-term recovery work in Puerto Rico.

Here is an excerpt from an article about the experience: "Bishops Cynthia Moore-Koikoi (Western PA) and Tracy S. Malone (East Ohio) responded to the report Ortiz gave to the Council of Bishops in November 2017, updating them on the condition of the island territory of the United States.

“As I was sitting there, I was moved with compassion and I said immediately in that moment, ‘I must go.’  I felt that God was calling me to be part of the recovery effort in Puerto Rico,” Malone said.

“We looked at each other and immediately had a connection and both of us knew that we had to come to Puerto Rico,” Moore-Koikoi added.  “It has been a wonderful experience.  We have seen God move in so many ways!”

The two bishops invited clergy and laity to join them on the joint mission team that brought together two conferences from two different United Methodist Church jurisdictions for one cause – to help the people of Puerto Rico."

For more information about the experience, you can contact Sandra Matoushaya at sandra.matoushaya@wpaumc.org.  Below, you can see some pictures she took of the meals the team was served while working on the island. 

All of the areas affected by the 2017 hurricanes are still in dire need of volunteers for rebuilding.  West Virginia is scheduling teams to help with recovery from the June 2016 flooding.  California is seeking teams to help with their effort to rebuild following the wildfires and mudslides.  Please organize within your conferences to help meet the need!  Follow the links below to register or get more information:

Puerto Rico - ERT and Long-Term Recovery

St. Croix

Rio Texas - ERT and Long-Term Recovery

California-Nevada

West Virginia

The Western Pennsylvania Conference has a new director of Missional Engagement - Sandra Matoushaya.  She is a native of Zimbabwe who has been managing the Western PA partnership with Zimbabwe for the past several years.  She has a Masters in International Development from the University of Pittsburgh.  Part of her job description is to coordinate UMVIM for the conference.  Welcome, Sandra!

The Missionary Service Unit is excited to announce Natalia Daies Senior Program Associate; Mission Volunteers Office. Natalia stated her journey with Global Ministries on Monday, July 9, 2018.

Natalia recently graduated from the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University with a Master of Divinity concentrated in Global Christianity. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Georgia Southern University. Originally from Houston, Texas, Natalia has participated in immersion opportunities in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Indonesia as well as various domestic development and justice-oriented programs. She has been in ministry working primarily with youth and young adults for over six years.

Natalia will work under the leadership of Una Jones, the Mission Volunteer Director at Global Ministries.  You can welcome Natalia at ndaies@umcmission.org.

Each issue of The Servant's Journey will be archived at http://umvimnej.org/news_events/newsletters.html.  Go back and see what you missed!