FROM THE FIELD
In Today's Hotline:
UMCOR is helping the Arkansas Annual Conference get relief from a recent tornado that moved through Arkansas on April 3. The tornado, the latest in a string of storms to hit the state affected the Bryant and Benton areas in Southwest Pulaski County. Significant damage to several homes and businesses was reported. In Little Rock and Carnack Village, homes were damaged by fallen trees and there were more reports of damage in North Little Rock and Cabot in Lonoke County.
UMCOR is already on the ground with early response teams aiding in the clean-up following massive floods caused by earlier rainstorms. Over the past two months, Arkansas has been hit heavily enduring tornadoes, ice storms, torrential rains, and record flooding.
Severe flooding continues along the White River in the communities of Des Arc, DeValls Bluff, and Clarendon. Bryant UMC is serving as a shelter to help those in need. Please continue to lift up the Midwest in your prayers and help with your gifts to Domestic Disaster Response - Midwestern Floods, UMCOR Advance #901670.
Mr. Ngov, a farmer in the Democratic Republic of Congo, no longer has a problem feeding his family. Thanks to the Integrated Crop and Pest Management (ICPM) training provided by UMCOR's Sustainable Agriculture and Development program, there has been marked improvement in his life as well as the lives of 93 other participants.
In 2007, prior to acquiring the skills provided through the ICPM training, Mr. Ngov struggled to pay the school fees for his two children. After applying the farming techniques he learned, he significantly improved the yield of his crops and as a result, his income increased. Today, he can send all six of his children to school and feed his family.
You can help farmers like Mr. Ngov care for their families and provide a future for their children by sending your gifts to Sustainable Agriculture and Development Program, UMCOR Advance #982188.
UMCOR is helping the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference recover from massive floods caused by torrential rains throughout the Midwest over the past few weeks. In addition to providing immediate assistance, the organization is in contact with the conference to help with long-term recovery needs.
Downpours of 11 inches of rain and accumulated flooding occurred in several counties including Union, Jefferson and Saline - with additional spot flooding in Jackson, Franklin, Hamilton, Williamson, Johnson, Pope and Pulaski counties.
The Ohio and Wabash rivers have reached flood stage and are expected to crest with additional flooding occurring in areas not protected by a flood wall. You can help in the clean-up process by purchasing much-needed flood buckets which contain bleach, soap, gloves, scrub brushes and more. Please send your gifts to Material Resources, UMCOR Advance # 901440.
RESOURCES: AFRICA MALARIA DAYNEW CHURCH BULLETIN
In Africa, malaria is one of the biggest killers of children accounting for nearly one in five deaths throughout the continent. The Mozambique Initiative, a ministry of the Missouri Annual Conference, is on a mission to combat malaria. Originally a pilot project to inform the United Methodist Church about increasing efforts in malaria prevention and education, the initiative turned into a two-year assignment - educating and distributing nets to hospitals, orphanages, women shelters, churches and clinics throughout Mozambique.
Read the inspiring story and download our latest church bulletin to share with your local community or congregation. Observe Africa Malaria Day on April 25 and help save a life. You can also support programs like these by giving to Community-Based Malaria Control, UMCOR Advance # 982009.
UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online at givetomission.org. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.
United Methodist Committee on Relief
General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church
Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Voice Phone: 1-212-870-3816; FAX: 1-212-870-3624
Email: umcor@gbgm-umc.org
Web: http://www.umcor.org
UMCOR. Be There. Be Hope.
UMCOR's mission is to alleviate human suffering-whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster-with open minds and hearts to all people.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
