Volunteers In Mission

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Acting on faith strengthens disciples. Volunteers In Mission turn their faith into action, helping people in need.

Projects include basic building maintenance and repair, construction, teaching Bible school and working at United Methodist missions in Kansas and around the world.

The VIM Voice newsletter has articles and photos from the mission trips taken by volunteers from the Kansas West Conference. It lists opportunities to participate in group VIM trips or to sign-up for the Individual Volunteers In Mission program through the General Board of Global Ministries.

Read the latest issue of the VIM Voice from the e-newsletter archive.

Haiti Team Possibilities
Once the initial crisis in Haiti has settled, there will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild for many years to come. At this time, it is not safe or even possible for volunteers to go to Haiti. UMCOR has sent a team to Haiti and they are assessing the relief needs and will be developing a plan for future VIM teams. A special disaster specific training is being developed by the KS West Conference for Haiti Response teams. Additional information will be provided in future updates as we recieve additional information. Please remember that search, rescue and recovery efforts must be completed prior to any response teams being scheduled.

How to Set Up a VIM Team for Hurricane Relief
By Martin Holler
The Kansas West Conference has limited grants available to assist local church teams taking Volunteer Teams for Hurricane relief only. These funds come from the Hurricane Disaster Worker offering taken after Hurricane Katrina. Requests for assistance need to be made in advance of the trip. Send requests to Martin Holler, 342 N Chautauqua, Wichita, KS 67214, martinholler@att.net.

If you need assistance organizing a team, you may contact Judy Harper, Kansas West National VIM Coordinator at jmharp@havilandtelco.com or 620-456-2844. You may also contact Marlin Brown, Kansas West VIM RV coordinator, at 316-634-0479, or Martin Holler, VIM chairperson, martinholler@att.net.

Thank you to all who have given offerings to help with Hurricane recovery, and who have sent teams to help. This is a long term need which will take several years. If you are taking any VIM Team from your church, please notify either Maria Miranda at the conference office or Martin Holler so that your church can be given credit on our annual report to the South Central Jurisdiction VIM Committee.

If you have people in your congregation who want to form a volunteer team to help with the Gulf Coast areas hit by hurricanes, the following is a list of people to contact.

MISSISSIPPI:
Mississippi Conference Storm Center:
1-866-435-7091, 7092 or 7093

TEXAS:
Katie Beran: 1-409-225-3136
(UMCOR Volunteer)
Methodist Center: 1-877-774-2700

LOUISIANA:
Volunteer Center: 1-877-345-5193.
E-mail: stormrelief@bellsouth.net

ALABAMA:
Volunteer Response Center: 1-877-273-5018

ALABAMA/WEST FLORIDA:
Conference Call Center: 1-866-340-1956
Ron Baughman: RBaughman@awfumc.org, Website: www.awfumc.org

NORTHWEST FLORIDA:
John Richardson: 1-850-777-8663
Email: umvim@hotmail.com