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Mission opportunities

Church construction, Puerto Rico: Two groups from the Minnesota Annual Conference are traveling to Puerto Rico to help construct a building for the Los Angeles Methodist Church in Carolina, Puerto Rico, and paint a day-care center. There is room for three more people on the first trip (Jan. 21-Feb. 4, 2009) and four people on the second trip (Feb. 11-25). A local foreman and some local workers will assist. First-time volunteers may be eligible for a $200 scholarship. If you are interested, contact Barbara Glad immediately.

Neil Vander Linden is leading a team to Cuba during Summer 2009. Several volunteers are still needed. The dates are June 27 to July 10, 2009. Total cost should be about $2100. They will be doing construction work at a yet undetermined site. Volunteers must be Methodists and cannot hold a commercial pilot's license or a top secret government clearance nor can they be active military. For further information contact Neil Vander Linden or 864-859-3652 home, 843-297-0673 cell.

VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED IN NW INDIANA
The Volunteer Center, including United Methodist pastors and their congregations, needs to assist more than 80 families waiting to have soggy drywall, floors and mold removed. A major push by United Methodists and other volunteers can get this done before the end of the year. Morale has taken a dive and the flood relief team needs VOLUNTEERS NOW. Please consider sending a team of volunteers from your church to help in Northwest Indiana. United Way, a partner with Ridge UMC and other area churches, help operate two United Way Volunteer Reception Centers at:
· Lake Business Center at 9200 Calumet Avenue in Suite N202 in Munster (Between Pepsi and Charlie’s Ale House). Phone 219-836-5390.
· Old Dollar General building at 6270 Central Avenue in Portage. This site will be closing by the end of November.
· Volunteer groups to assist in recovery efforts, need to direct calls to Chris Eller Esparza at 219-836-5390, cell 773-968-8600 or 219-923-2302 ext 311 for an assignment to work with a family. Volunteer work applications and information plus assignments can be faxed or e-mailed in advance.
· Any volunteers under 18 need to be accompanied by parents.
· The center will not be open the week of Thanksgiving. In December, the center will be open on Saturdays.
· Center hours and work days are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Volunteer Case Managers also are needed.

VIM - Cuba: Team Members Needed!
April 14-26, 2009. Experience a vibrant and emerging Christian community while helping to provide much needed spiritual support. Troy Annual Conference is sponsoring this team that will work to build and/or repair church facilities with a local congregation in Cuba. The team also will participate in worship and Bible study with that local church. Biggest qualification? Willingness to help! Two team members are urgently needed. Contact team leaders Tom and Judy Bonds, Jonesville UMC, at (518)371-1547.

Upcoming trips to Liberia
• Dec. 27 to Jan. 8, 2009: College Age Mission Work Trip. Project: Conference Youth Center in Monrovia.
• Jan. 8-19, 2009: LaMoine River District work team (open to other districts). Project: A.B. Anderson UMC in Tubmanburg, St. Paul River District.
Cost for each trip: $3,700, but project funds of $10,000 to $15,000 will be needed for each project. Cost includes airfare, travel insurance, Liberia visa, meals, lodging and transportation in Liberia. Airfare is subject to fuel surcharge increase, which may raise the total cost of the trip if necessary to meet all expenses while in Liberia.
Inquiries should be directed to Bunny Wolfe. A total of 15 to 20 seats have already been reserved on airlines for each of the above projects. If interested, people need to register and send a $500 deposit (non refundable) as soon as possible. These seats will fill up quickly. If additional people wish to participate, the cost will be adjusted according to the new flight prices at the time of registration.