In Today's Hotline:

• COLOMBIA: Bringing Hope and Life
• LIBERIA: Ganta United Methodist Hospital Needs Power Overhaul
• HAITI: Hot Lunches for Summer Bible School
• AZERBAIJAN: Realized Potential
• EVENT: Ginghamsburg UMC - Change the World Conference

COLOMBIA: BRINGING HOPE AND LIFE

For years, the residents of Brisas del Mar, a small community northeast of Colombia, were held in silence. Terrorized by a paramilitary group because of its strategic location near the sea, young men were sent to die in conflict and young women were kidnapped, raped and killed. Because of these horrors, the people were struck mute. Thanks to a collaborative church effort to restore hope in the community - Brisas del Mar will not be silent anymore.

UMCOR, Global Ministries, the Methodist Church of Colombia and the Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches in Latin America are helping Brisas del Mar residents restore their lives. In 2007, UMCOR through the Global Ministries' Mission Context and Relationships unit began exploring and assessing the community's most basic needs. In April a Volunteers in Mission team repaired a long-neglected well and installed a pump for easier access to clean water. Global Ministries' Health and Welfare unit will help implement a community health program and a health clinic will be constructed by volunteers to provide medical needs. Mission Volunteers will construct housing for doctors and community workers.

Help the people of Brisas del Mar reclaim their voices by helping their community live, prosper, and heal by giving to Hospital Revitalization, UMCOR Advance # 982168.

LIBERIA: GANTA UM HOSPITAL NEEDS POWER OVERHAUL

Imagine being a doctor and in the middle of surgery you lose all electrical power - the very life of your patient hangs in a balance as you wait for the generator to come back on. This is what is at risk at Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Liberia. Since the war in 2003, the hospital's electrical system has been in desperate need of repair. Patching and taping electrical wiring were the methods used to get the electricity to function properly. Ganta Hospital needs your help to keep its lights on and help defray the costs of a much-needed electrical renovation.

In addition to the hospital, Ganta's Mission Station projects are also interrupted due to frequent electrical shorts. Carpentry shop workers are forced to work at night to use available power to operate the large planers and saws. According to Suzanne Porter, a Global Ministries' missionary serving at the Ganta Medical Complex, the rising cost of fuel is another concern. Recently, the price of diesel went up from $4.75 to $5.30 in Ganta. The hospital's generator uses about eight gallons of fuel an hour for daily maintenance - a huge expense for the hospital.

Please help Ganta Hospital renovate their electrical system to help save the lives of those under their care and help the work of the mission station go on uninterrupted. Send your gifts to Hospital Revitalization, Ganta, UMCOR Advance #982168.

HAITI: HOT LUNCHES FOR SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL

In the US, children are filled with joy when school finally comes to an end and summer begins. For children in Haiti, when school ends it means they miss out on lunch - as the school meal is often the only food they receive each day. During the summer months of bible school, the Haiti Hot Lunch Program supported by UMCOR and operated through the Methodist Church of Haiti, plans to feed 9,000 children - many of who are in serious risk of illness and disease because of malnutrition.

For the last 10 years, the Haiti Hot Lunch Program has provided hot nutritious meals to nearly 17,000 school children every day. The program, which includes meals of rice, beans and other local produce, has resulted in increased academic scores and overall health for the children.

Please help the Methodist Church of Haiti provide three hot meals a day for children attending school this summer. Give to the Haiti Hot Lunch Program, UMCOR Advance #418790.

AZERBAIJAN: REALIZED POTENTIAL

In the Nursing House for Disabled People in the Ramana District of Azerbaijan, brightly-colored, floral dresses, blouses and pants decorate the room. Several young, women with disabilities are tapping into their unrealized talents and potential by learning how to sew.

Through sewing kit distribution and previous vocational training provided by UMCOR, these women are expressing their creativity through fashion and design. The sewing project empowers young women to create their very own spring and summer styles - while affording these women the opportunity to earn extra money to support themselves.

"Unfortunately, in our society the problems of disabled people are often less realized. I would like to record our thanks to UMCOR staff for their support," said Sara Abbasova, champion of the 2002 ParaOlympic games in Romania.

UMCOR has trained over a hundred women who are displaced or disabled in trades such as hairdressing, baking, sewing, and handicrafts so they can earn an income to support themselves and their families. You can help more women like these tap into their potential by giving to Azerbaijan Emergency, UMCOR Advance #250135.

EVENT: CHANGE THE WORLD CONFERENCE

UMCOR is a sponsor for the upcoming Change the World Conference at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, October 24-25, 2008 in Tipp City, Ohio.

The conference focuses on engaging the church in the world through mission and ministry. Adam Hamilton, pastor of Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan.; Brian McLauren, evangelist and preacher; Jim Wallis, author, speaker and international commentator on public life, faith and politics; and Mike Slaughter, pastor of Ginghamsbug United Methodist Church will be the keynote speakers at this two-day conference.

Nearly 30 "breakout sessions" or workshops will be available, including two led by UMCOR staff. A high school track and a Ministry by Strengths intensive are also available during the conference. Learn more and register at www.ginghamsburgglobal.org.

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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.