Voices From Around The world

Voices From Around The World
Vignettes that can be used in a variety of ways
Submitted by UMVIM, WJ

I lost my left arm deflecting a sword aimed at my head. Covered in blood, I was left for dead by my INKARTA captors. Today, with one arm I am a brick mason, and I worked side-by-side with you as a volunteer to build a new day care facility in a South Africa refugee camp.

Samuel: South Africa 2003
…A voice from around the world

I was so excited, it was my first UMVIM trip, and I had so much to give. Funny thing, I received so much more than I could ever give.

Tony: South Carolina 2000
… A voice from around the world

I watched you hold little children orphaned by AIDS. I do all I can, but their numbers have overwhelmed me; and there is no money for additional paid workers. I watched you make these children laugh and smile, and respond to your antics. You gave them the love and attention they deserve, but which I have not the time to give. And yet you walked away thinking you made no difference.

Elena: Zimbabwe 1996
... A voice from around the world

For 6 months I had no place to go to acquire the food and clothes my family depended on because Hurricane Gilbert destroyed the pantry at the Methodist Church. You rebuilt that facility.

Angela: Jamaica 1988
… A voice from around the world

I met you near Johannesburg. You were 20; I was 8. You are Japanese and I am South African. I had never heard of Japan. You taught me origami art. You gave me a larger world.

Anderson: South Africa 2003
... A voice from around the world

I never received a formal education. That is different now for my children. You came to my island and renovated an old school and made it a nice place to be. You brought us books. You brought us supplies.

Sifa: Tonga 2002...
A voice from around the world

When I met the widows in Bosnia, we were able to understand each others pain for I too, am a widow. Even with the language barrier, we found strength in each other.

Sandy: W. Virginia 2003
... A voice from around the world

My people are native to this land. Ours is a story of deprivation and abandonment. You have helped us to build affordable homes.

Jewell: The Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma 1995
... A voice from around the world

In my war torn city you built a youth center to help kids like me have a safe place to go to for play, to study, to hang-out. You opened the door to a better place, a safer life, and a future of hope and promise.

Nicoli: Bosnia 2000
... A voice from around the world

We thought the world had forgotten us. For months we lived with a badly damaged house, no electricity or running water. You showed up one morning and began building us a new life.

Candice: Kansas 2003
... A voice from around the world

When I was 8 years old I lost my family in the war. I walked 70 kilometers, alone, to try and find unknown relatives in Luanda. Eventually I was able to enroll in the Methodist school program for street kids. I learned as best I could, and today I am a teacher.

Augustinho: Angola 2004
…A voice from around the world

In my country, the church is severely restricted, yet UMVIM volunteers come year after year to help us renovate our old buildings and build a new camp. Because of your efforts, United Methodism is growing 25% per year among my people.

Juan: Cuba 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
... A voice from around the world