Blogs

On Wednesday, Dec.8,  the headquarters of Haiti's ruling party was set afire in the capital and demonstrators took to the streets to dispute election results. See NPR story. A Volunteers in Mission Team from Western PA whose members planned to stay in Port au Prince before flying home are instead remaining at a Methodist guest house outside the city. Team leaders Diane Miller and Jim Bickford sent this update. They ask for prayers for the people of Haiti. UPDATE: The team hoped to be able to leave the airport for home Friday, Dec. 10.

Volunteers in Mission from Western PA are all around the globe this month. Diane Miller requests prayer for them and provides updates of VIM activity as she prepares to travel to Thailand.

 Greg Forrester, the Northeastern coordinator for United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, came to Western PA in late April to train volunteers to coordinate ramp-building projects and lead VIM teams. As a key organizer of United Methodist UMVIM procedures and policies in Haiti, Greg offered insight into the situation and how to connect with projects there. As part of the training weekend, 20 volunteers assembled a 62-foot handicap ramp at a home near Grove City in 4.5 hours.

Western PA Mission/Volunteers in Mission Director Diane Miller details ways to help relief efforts in Haiti. UMCOR emergency kits needed!