Wisconsin Seeks Health Volunteers for Peru Project

United Methodist International Volunteers in Mission

Peru Mission 2010 July 29 - August 12, 2010

The Wisconsin Conference Peru Mission has been confirmed for July 29 – August 12, 2010. Volunteer medical and construction personnel are needed. We will be staying at the La Angostura Hostel in Ica, Peru. There are double and triple rooms available with bathrooms, hot water and cable.

The medical team will be working in Pisco. There are four churches where we will set up a clinic. I will check on the transportation regarding a local bus vs. rental. I will also inquire about a clinic for Ica. The economic situation in Ica and Pisco has deteriorated since the earthquake in August 2007. There is minimal government aid. Many habitants have lost their jobs. The medical campaign will be coupled to provide Christian counselors to help affected persons.

This Methodist mission will accommodate up to 30 people for the team. We have an opportunity to work with the children for Bible School or other educational training. The schools will be closed for a national holiday for one week while we are there.

The construction team will be assisting a bricklayer and helpers to add a second story on an existing building. This building is a church that is also used as a school and community center.

Estimated costs are: $850 plus airfare. Recently, the Kayak website showed Delta and Continental flights for $525 from Chicago to Lima. Costs for the mission include room, food, ground transportation, sight- seeing weekend, insurance, project costs and miscellaneous fees. A trip to Machu Picchu can be arranged at the end of the mission and will require one or two extra days. Estimated cost will be $600. Please call or email Judy Bruun for questions or information. A site visit is being planned for January. More details later.

Click here to access the IVIM Brochure for 2009. Please use the registration form to sign up for the Peru mission. Your deposit of $100 is non-refundable, but is tax deductible. If you choose to join a different mission in the Wisconsin Conference, your deposit will be applied to that mission.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Nancy Carmichael and Judy Bruun, Team Leaders
United Methodist International Volunteers in Mission,
Wisconsin Conference

jrbruun@sbcglobal.net
262-786-4120
414-530-1448 (cell)

Ginghamsburg UMC Ministry in Dafur Continues

Watch the story, below, about the 5 year commitment that Ginghamsburg Church has made to people living in the Dafur region. This is what volunteers can do.

Remembering the World's Hungry

As we in the U.S. begin this season of feasting and gift giving, it is appropriate that we take time to consider our brothers and sisters in the world who struggle to survive each day.  Please take a moment to view the video, below and imagine ways that you can celebrate the holidays by supporting efforts to help those in need.

Missouri Conference UM Health Ministry in Ludhiana, India

 

Neglected Tropical Diseases of Poverty

Seven Most common Tropical Diseases as Identified by the Global Health Network:

1. Ascariasis - "Round worm" is an intestinal parasitic infection common in tropical and subtropical climates of the world.

2. Hookworm - an intestinal parasite found in tropical and sub-tropical Africa and Latin America.

3. Lymphatic Filiariasis - "Elephantiasis" is caused by a parasitic worm that invades the lymphatic system of humans causing extreme swelling of extremities and genitals. This condition is also found in tropical and sub-tropical areas.

4. Onchoceriasis "River Blindness" is common in sub-Saharan Africa. It is transmitted by Simuluim black flies that live near bodies of fast moving water. The flies carry larvae of a parasitic worm that multiplies in the skin of the host and travels throughout the body often causing blindness.

5. Schistosomiasis "Snail Fever" is caused by a parasite that lives within snails in streams. When the larvae are released from the snails into the water, they swim until they penetrate the skin of a host. Larvae may travel to body organs where they cause major pathology especially in the liver, kidneys, bladder, intestines, spleen and lungs.

6. Trachoma is caused by a bacteria, chlamydia trachomatis, and is transmitted from eye discharges of an infected person. It is common in poor communitieis in Africa and Asia.

7. Trichuriasis "Whip worm" is caused by the infestion of a parasite commonly found in humid, tropical climates. The worm lives in the intestinal tract of the host and results in anemia and stunted growth in children.

Update From Indigenous Mayan Organization in Guatemala

Dear Friends,
As the year draws to a close, we are planning the 2010 projects for the Organization for the Development of Indigenous Mayans (ODIM). Guatemalans are feeling the same economic crunch that is felt worldwide. For the Tzu'tujil and Quiche' people we work with along the southwest border of Lake Atitlan, it is manifested in no jobs and no food for the family. The need for the clinic in San Juan has been obvious as we have had 1150 patient visits since we opened April 13. This represents 511 families, mostly from San Juan La Laguna and San Pablo La Laguna. Majority of our patients are women and children. On Tuesday, Nov 3 in San Pablo the medical team from Colorado saw Veronica, a seriously dehydrated and malnourished 2-year-old girl who weighed 15 pounds. On Monday morning the mother followed up at the clinic in San Juan, bringing all 4 of her children (ages 2-11) because she is afraid to leave them at home with their abusive father. We provided money for transportation, vitamins and shoes for all 5 of them, and more Carnation Instant Breakfast for Veronica. Mom will be coming back to the clinic to ensure health for her children. Please help us to continue the necessary services we are providing through ODIM by making a contribution. There are lots of Veronicas here who depend on us.

We believe that by working together, we can make a difference in the 2 small villages of San Juan and San Pablo La Laguna. You may send your check, payable to Interfaith Action International to Dale Conger-Cross Interfaith Action International 2850 Skyline Dr. Lemon Grove, CA 91945. Thank you in advance for your support..........and your prayers. With deep gratitude, JoAn Dwyer, Mary Micikas, Individual Volunteers in Mission United Methodist Church working in Guatemala.

News from UM Senegal Mission

We send you greetings on behalf of the Senegal UMC

Links to Website, E-mail, and Missionary Paul Messer’s Blog
A new website for the Senegal Mission is available at www.senegalumc.com . Senegal consultant, Tony Fuller has moved to Senegal. He may be contacted at tony@yahoo.com for mail concerning the Senegal Mission. Missionary Paul Messer has started a Blog at http://revpaulmesser.wordpress.com . You can get up to date information about what is happening in the Senegal church at this site.

2010 Senegal Consultation
It is confirmed! The 2010 Senegal Consultation will be held at the Roscoe United Methodist
Church, in Roscoe, IL on November 12 and 13, 2010. Roscoe is about 10 minutes south of the Wisconsin -Illinois border on Interstate 90/39. This Consultation promises to be the best ever, so please plan to come and be inspired and hear first hand reports from our Senegal missionaries
Paul and Kittie, and a Senegalize pastor; In Mission Together Director, Patrick Friday, Dr. Carol Meynen, and the Roscoe Church folk who will visit Senegal this January. Please put
this event on your calendars now - November 12-13, 2010, Roscoe, IL.

Senegal Worship Blues - Update
Around August 21 a complaint was made to the Dakar police stating that the folks worshipping at Nord Foire were too loud. The police came and told worshippers to stop, confiscating the church's drums and microphones. The worship resumed the following Sunday anyway. Next Friday the police returned with another complaint filed by a neighbor about the noise. The police have stated that the church should not be in a residential area, but in their own church building in a commercial area. The saga continues. It appears that other residential area churches
have been subject to this “new Policy” also. UP-DATE! After much discussion between church representatives and various levels of government, a compromise has been reached. Worship can resume in the Nord Foire Church when the room is sound proofed. For now, members of the
Nord Foire congregation worship with the Grand Yoff folks at the Grand Yoff church (another
neighborhood in Dakar).

Illinois Rainbow Covenant White Band - Senegal Partnership
The Rainbow Covenant program has added another band to its rainbow of giving
for missions. It is our hope that you might consider a partnership with the Senegal Mission as your way of fulfilling the requirements for this White Band. $900 per year over three years will provide funds for pastoral support and church rent - a need of around $62,000 per year in Senegal for 10 pastors and 17 churches. Your help is needed in Senegal and much appreciated. Please let your mission committee know about this possibility
and help it along! Thanks.