Views from Volunteers

Additional links to VIM stories:

Martinsville, Virginia UMVIM Team Returns

Charity UMC of Virginia Beach
VIM Team in Ahuachapán (January 2002)

Kansas West UMVIM Team
in Ahuachapán (January - February 2002)

	Huge Increase of Mission Volunteers Celebrated and Evaluated In 2005, more than 135,000 United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIMs) served in 70 countries and in 48 U.S. states, making it the busiest year ever for short-term mission volunteers. Kathleen Enzminger, a directors of the General Board of Global Ministries reported the explosive growth of mission volunteers at a semi-annual board meeting held in Stamford, Connecticut in early April. Source: GBGM Press Releases More about: Christian love \| GBGM programs \| International affairs \| Mission opportunities \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| World \| Date posted: Apr 17, 2006
	At Fairfield Orphanage, A Baby Lost and a Baby Named In her journal, Melissa Maher wrote: It is my third day here, and today we attended the funeral of a small baby (less than two months old), named Canada. The coffin was small, too small for a full life to have existed. The important thing here at the orphanage is that every life is remembered and honored, no matter how short or how long. Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Children \| Christian love \| Communities \| Family \| Health \| International affairs \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Zimbabwe \| Date posted: Nov 22, 2005
	Asking the Tough Questions For three months, Heather Sevrens of Rohnert Park, CA is serving with two other young adults as a “Global Justice Volunteer” with the Projeto Meninos e Meninas de Rua (“Street Children’s Project”) in Brazil. Below are some reflections from Heather on serving in mission. Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Children \| Christian love \| Communities \| GBGM programs \| Justice \| Mission opportunities \| Missionaries \| Prayers \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Youth \| Urban \| Methodism \| Children \| Christian love \| Communities \| GBGM programs \| Justice \| Mission opportunities \| Missionaries \| Prayers \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Youth \| Urban \| Methodism \| Brazil \| Date posted: Nov 21, 2005
	Words from a sister serving in Chile The days that have passed during this Lenten period have brought me into His Presence in very unexpected ways...none which could be properly expressed to you in my native tongue Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Christian love \| Easter \| Lent \| Missionaries \| Volunteers \| Chile \| Date posted: Mar 27, 2005
	Individual volunteers program offers chance to do more The Rev. David Barkley had been "reading and watching and praying about the terrible suffering going on around the world" and decided he wanted to assist in some tangible way. Source: United Methodist News Service More about: GBGM programs \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Estonia \| Grenada \| Mexico \| South Central U.S. \| United States \| Date posted: Mar 23, 2005
	Volunteer service begins with application process Individual mission volunteers often can choose where they want to serve - as long as they have an invitation. "We do not place anybody where it is not requested," said Greg Forrester, who is national coordinator of the individual volunteers program for the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. Source: United Methodist News Service More about: GBGM programs \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| World \| Date posted: Mar 23, 2005
	North Central New York Volunteer Team Does Mission Work in New York City Recently nineteen youth and adults from North Central New York Annual Conference traveled to New York City to serve people who are poor, hungry and homeless. Several churches in the Northern Flow District participated in the trip, which was organized by Dr. Sylvia Reimer, a retired obstetrician-gynecologist. Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Christian love \| Hunger \| Mission opportunities \| Poverty \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Youth \| North Eastern U.S. \| United States \| Date posted: Mar 08, 2005
	Pulling for better schools in DR Congo How often does an individual or a church get the opportunity to help transform the education system of an entire country? Such an opportunity now presents itself in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is a critical moment for Congolese education. Source: Advance More about: Children \| Christian love \| Communities \| Education \| GBGM programs \| Mission opportunities \| Missionaries \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Advance \| Children \| Christian love \| Communities \| Education \| GBGM programs \| Mission opportunities \| Missionaries \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Advance \| Congo DR \| Date posted: Mar 07, 2005
	NOMADS travel far, wide to help those in need Nomads are, by definition, wanderers. But some nomads have a purpose in their wandering: reaching out to help communities and families along the way. Source: United Methodist News Service More about: Christian love \| Communities \| GBGM programs \| Mission opportunities \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| United States \| Date posted: Mar 02, 2005
	A Journey to Flood Ravaged Guyana A waterline high on a red picket fence dramatically shows the height the floodwater reached at the New Hope Community just east of Georgetown. Georgetown is the capital of Guyana on the northeast cost of South America. Weeks after the late January flood, water still remains in this hardest hit area. As it slowly recedes, an awful odor comes up from the wet, soggy ground. Garbage is in piles on the ground along with the occasional bloated remains of a dead animal. Stray cattle pick at the rubbish. Source: Mission Volunteers More about: AIDS/HIV \| Children \| Christian love \| Communities \| GBGM programs \| Missionaries \| Natural disasters \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Water \| Partners/partnerships \| Methodism \| Guyana \| Date posted: Feb 28, 2005
	California-Nevada Conference UMVIM Team in the Kingdom of Tonga "Malo e lelei..." The UMVIM team to the South Pacific island of Tongatapu from July 6-22, 2004, experienced wonderful hope in serving with the people of the Kingdom of Tonga "where time begins." We are grateful to the staff and the students at Tupou High School, Vaololoa campus, who helped us accomplish twin goals of friendship building and repair of a classroom there. Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Christian love \| Education \| Health \| Volunteers \| Asia and the Pacific Islands \| Tonga \| Date posted: Dec 07, 2004
	Exploring Your Faith with Lewis and Clark - A Primetimers Event The Primetimers program of GBGM offered an event entitled “Exploring Your Faith with Lewis and Clark” for older adults to explore how their own faith journey parallels that of Lewis & Clark on this 200th anniversary of the Corps of Discovery. The event took place August 29 - September 3, 2004 at the Alton Collins United Methodist Retreat Center in Eagle Creek, Oregon. Thirty-four older adults gathered together for an event, including Ron and Hazel Clark of North Little Rock, AR, who share their reflection on the event: Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Communities \| Education \| GBGM programs \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| United States \| Date posted: Nov 23, 2004
	Service & Surprises In Stavropol On the last day of June 2004, twenty three people bound for Stavropol, Russia and led by Pastor John Speight met at Dulles airport. Most of these Volunteers In Mission members were from Christ Church in nearby Fairfax Station, Virginia, though others came from North Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky as well other parts of Virginia. Source: UMC Annual Conferences/Jurisdictions More about: Christian love \| Communities \| GBGM programs \| Mission opportunities \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Partners/partnerships \| Russia \| Date posted: Nov 19, 2004
	Those Who Mourn We came to this community of Chicuque in Inhambane Province, Mozambique as a sixteen member Volunteer-in-Mission Team from Troy Conference (eastern New York and Vermont). We’d been prepared to launch a new construction project for Chicuque Rural Hospital: a building to house a diagnostic center with X-ray equipment promised through the World Health Organization. Sometimes the “mission” one prepares for and the “mission” God requires takes two different paths! Source: Missionary stories More about: Christian love \| Communities \| Family \| Global connections \| Jesus Christ \| Missionaries \| Prayers \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Methodism \| Mozambique \| North Eastern U.S. \| United States \| Date posted: Oct 29, 2004
	Reflections of Two Global Justice Volunteers Serving in Hong Kong Through the Global Justice Volunteers program of the Mission Volunteers Program Area, two young adults are currently serving in mission in Hong Kong. Erika Larson of South Colby, Washington and Andee Cooper of Morrilton, Arkansas are working with the Bethune House: Migrant Women’s Refuge, a temporary shelter for migrant workers who are in distress. Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Christian love \| GBGM programs \| Human rights \| Justice \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Youth \| Hong Kong \| Date posted: Jul 08, 2004
	Individual Volunteer Program and Orientation/Training in Dulac, Louisiana An individual volunteer is an uncommon sort. Participating in the United Methodist Individual Volunteer program means a commitment of from two months to a year, raising funds for one's own support, and the fortitude to serve by oneself or with one's spouse, often in a far-away place. Of the tens of thousands of United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM), the vast majority go in teams; only a few hundred are long-term individual volunteers, but they serve in scores of countries as well as in the United States. Source: Mission Volunteers More about: GBGM events \| Volunteers \| United States \| Date posted: Apr 04, 2004
	Churches put faith into action with ramp-building ministry Al Smith, a retired American League baseball umpire, was having difficulty getting up and down the front steps of his house in Bossier City, La. The effects of knee surgery had forced Smith - who once shared the baseball diamond with legendary players like Mickey Mantle - to use a walker and a wheelchair to get around. Source: United Methodist News Service More about: GBGM programs \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| United States \| Date posted: Mar 29, 2004
	There Is Always a Way: No Team for This Individual Volunteer in Mission Sandra Entenman has served as an individual volunteer in Armenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Her first assignment was to teach English in Armenia during four months in 2000. "These children are excited, intelligent, and from educated families. I fell in love with these children and couldn't wait to see them each day," she said. Source: UMC Annual Conferences/Jurisdictions More about: Children \| Education \| Emergencies \| Mission opportunities \| UMCOR \| Volunteers \| Women \| Older adults \| Armenia \| Asia and the Pacific Islands \| Bosnia-Herzegovina \| Europe \| Date posted: Mar 17, 2004
	Virginia Methodists connect with Russian deaf school A United Methodist pastor's reluctant trip to Russia has led to a continuing relationship with a school for deaf children in the city of Stavropol. "I'm passionate about this now," said the Rev. John Speight, pastor of Christ Church, a United Methodist congregation in Fairfax Station, Va. Source: United Methodist News Service More about: Children \| Disabilities \| Education \| GBGM programs \| Health \| Mission opportunities \| Volunteers \| Partners/partnerships \| Russia \| South Eastern U.S. \| United States \| Date posted: Feb 02, 2004
	Brothers and Sisters in Christ - A Volunteer in Mission Experiences the UM connection Would I have ever chosen to fly 5783+ miles and sit on a plane for 15+ hours? Would I just choose to spend 1 ½ weeks on my knees in sawdust, wood chips and bent nails, hammering paneling onto a concrete wall? Would I choose to be interrupted by a noisy bunch of children who wanted to try out their skill at hammering a nail? Would I have ever chosen to take only six showers in two weeks? And then spend another 16 ½ hours flying back home? Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Christian love \| GBGM programs \| Mission opportunities \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Mexico \| Russia \| Date posted: Nov 19, 2003
	'Doers of the Word': Report from VIMs after a trip to North Carolina "Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only." James 1:22. North Carolina has opportunities to hammer, pray, paint, cook, lift, install drywall, and help out in many important ways, to be a doer for people in need. We were from Vermont and Northeastern New York, members of a Troy Conference team of 20, who have been doing just that. Source: United Methodist Churches More about: Christian love \| Emergencies \| GBGM programs \| Volunteers \| United States \| Date posted: Nov 18, 2003
	Primetimers in the Heart of the Blue Ridge Hinton Rural Life Center, a mission agency of the United Methodist Church, is nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains on a picturesque lake in western North Carolina, a few miles from Georgia. Source: United Methodist Churches More about: Christian love \| GBGM programs \| Volunteers \| Older adults \| United States \| Date posted: Nov 18, 2003
	Primetimers Program goes to Sondernach, France The Primetimers program of GBGM held it second event in 2003 in Sondernach, France. Through the Primetimers program, United Methodists over the age of 50 come together for a time of education, mission service, and faith-filled reflection. The France event took place September 15-26 at the Landersen Retreat Center. Twenty-four older adults gathered together for an event entitled “The France Your Never Knew – Faith, History, Cuisine, and Culture.” Dot Savage attended the event and shared her reflections from her time on this Primetimers event: Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Christian love \| Communities \| GBGM programs \| Volunteers \| Christian love \| Communities \| GBGM programs \| Volunteers \| France \| Date posted: Nov 14, 2003
	Experiences and Insights of Individual Volunteers We invite you to read the following writings that have come from many different individual volunteers. We hope that these excerpts will help you get an insight into their experiences, and will be an inspiration for you. -- Walt and Betty Whitehurst, Consultants for Individual Volunteers Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Volunteers \| Bolivia \| Bosnia-Herzegovina \| France \| Honduras \| India \| Nepal \| Philippines \| Vietnam \| Date posted: Sep 25, 2003
	Kingswood UM Camp Take-Down Service Event Put together from land donated as well as purchased, and owned by the New York Annual Conference, despite the difficult financial times all around Kingswood manages to stay in the black not only from fees but even more due to the work of its dedicated volunteers who staff, maintain and improve it, striving to keep the rustic nature of this 766-acre haven. Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Children \| Environment \| Rural \| Volunteers \| North Eastern U.S. \| United States \| Date posted: Sep 10, 2003
	Global Justice Volunteers in South Africa: 'Accompanying Mission Work in South Africa' Shea Freese, J.J. Wicke, and Jerad Morey served as GJVs with the Uniting Christian Students’ Association (UCSA) in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The GJV program is open to young adults ages 18-25 who are interested in exploring the links between faith and justice, by partnering with people of faith around the world who are working for change in their community. Source: Mission Volunteers More about: Christian love \| Mission opportunities \| Volunteers \| Youth \| South Africa \| Date posted: Aug 27, 2003
	A Lesson in Faith: Providing Medical Assistance in Nicaragua Dr. Sylvia Reimer is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries serving as a medical consultant for the GBGM Wellness Program in Atlanta, GA. In her previous assignment, Dr. Reimer, an obstetrician and gynecologist, served as a physician with an emphasis on care of women in Zimbabwe. She has also worked to train nurses, midwives, and community health workers in the southeast African country. Dr. Reimer is married to Dr. Marvin Reimer, who has also served as a GBGM missionary in Africa. Source: Missionary stories More about: Children \| Christian love \| GBGM programs \| Health \| Missionaries \| Volunteers \| Nicaragua \| Date posted: Aug 19, 2003
	In El Salvador, Volunteers Build Homes and Offer Vacation Bible School Asbury United Methodist Church from Maitland, Florida sent a mission team to Jayaque, El Salvador from May 31 to June 7, 2003. Our mission was to build homes for victims of the 2001 earthquakes, offer Vacation Bible School for the local children, and to build relationships with the people of El Salvador. This was a return trip for our church as we sent a team to Jayaque in 2002. We were very excited to return and once again serve in Jayaque. Source: United Methodist Churches More about: Natural disasters \| UMCOR \| Volunteers \| Latin America \| El Salvador \| Date posted: Jul 05, 2003
	Young Adults Serve in Mission Through the Global Justice Volunteers Program “I have trusted the words of Apostle Paul in Hebrews 10:23 [as] I have experienced and nurtured the dream of a future with more dignity, which is more just, for my nation and for the world. ‘Let us hold unswerving to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful,’” Diana Fernandes dos Santos reflected in her application to participate in the Global Justice Volunteers program. Source: Mission Volunteers More about: GBGM programs \| Mission opportunities \| Volunteers \| Youth \| Brazil \| Nicaragua \| South Africa \| Date posted: Jun 18, 2003
	Thoughts from a Mozambican VIM team member after trip to the US After a recent VIM trip to Troy Annual Conference in Vermont and Northeastern New York, Rev. Morais G. Quissico sent the following message. He and several others United Methodists from Mozambique participated in the second Volunteers in Mission trip from Mozambique to the US. This has been an inspiring experience for the hosting Annual Conference as well as the VIM team. Source: Missionary stories More about: Christian love \| Communities \| Evangelization \| GBGM programs \| Global connections \| Jesus Christ \| John Wesley \| Missionaries \| United Methodist Church \| Violence \| Mozambique \| United States \| Date posted: Jun 16, 2003
	Mozambique team brings ministry to U.S. Teams of Volunteers in Mission frequently go to African nations, helping build churches or homes. Now, for only the second time, a Volunteer in Mission team has come from the African nation of Mozambique to the United States – to build relationships, unity and faith. Source: United Methodist News Service More about: Christian love \| Communities \| Family \| International affairs \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Partners/partnerships \| Christian love \| Communities \| Family \| International affairs \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Partners/partnerships \| United States \| Date posted: May 15, 2003
	The spirit of love and hospitality in Mozambique Rev. Janice Beadleston, a registered nurse and pastor of the walnut United Methodist Church in Springfield, Missouri, shares account of a visit to Mozambique as a mission volunteer; and tells how simple acts of caring have a powerful way of touching lives. Source: Missionary stories More about: Christian love \| Communities \| Family \| Health \| Mission opportunities \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Partners/partnerships \| Mozambique \| Date posted: May 06, 2003
	Albany Area leaders take aid to Cuba following hurricane A Volunteers in Mission team led by United Methodist Bishop Susan M. Morrison brought supplies and support to the Methodist Church in Cuba immediately after Hurricane Lili struck the island. Source: United Methodist News Service More about: Christian love \| Communities \| Donations \| Emergencies \| GBGM programs \| Health \| Human rights \| Hunger \| International affairs \| Mission opportunities \| Natural disasters \| Peace \| Poverty \| United Methodist Church \| Volunteers \| Cuba \| Date posted: Oct 17, 2002
	Faith into Action Judy Atwood, a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries assigned to the Ogden Friendship House in Kansas, shares how young Christian volunteers are spending their summer involved in church and community work. Source: Missionary stories More about: Children \| Christian love \| Communities \| GBGM programs \| Mission opportunities \| Missionaries \| Volunteers \| United States \| Date posted: Sep 23, 2002
	United Methodist Youths and Volunteer Service in Summer of 2002 As summer draws to an end and young people return to school and college, there is likely to be discussion among them about how their summer was spent. While much of their conversation will be about travel, parties, and other fun and recreational activity, there will also be those who have stories to tell of service given to church and community. Source: Missionary stories More about: Christian love \| Communities \| Health \| Mission opportunities \| Poverty \| Volunteers \| Urban \| United States \| Date posted: Sep 13, 2002
	United Methodist students share Peru mission experience Thirty students and leaders from three United Methodist colleges joined forces this summer to work, live and witness among the people of Chincha, Peru. Source: United Methodist News Service Peru \| Date posted: Sep 05, 2002
	Volunteers Return from Mexico With Mexico as the geographical mission study theme of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church for 2002-2003, many groups are traveling to Mexico to work on mission projects and learn about the struggles of people in this region. Source: Missionary stories More about: Christian love \| Communities \| Mission opportunities \| Missionaries \| Volunteers \| Mexico \| Date posted: Jul 16, 2002
	Volunteers Offer Vital Support at Red Bird Mission Dr. Steve and Mary Hieronymous are among the thousands of United Methodists across the country combining their faith with professional skills as they volunteer time to programs and projects related to the church. Source: Missionary stories More about: Children \| Christian love \| Communities \| Health \| Missionaries