March Team Updates

Puerto Rico

The Jurisdiction Coordinator meeting in Puerto Rico was very productive. We were there to re-connect with the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico and Rehace, the mission arm of the church there (similar to our Global Ministries). We learned that Rehace has been serving the island for over 20 years. So much work is being done beyond rebuilding homes after Hurricanes Maria and Fiona. People are being fed. Services for mental health and children’s services are available. 

We visited with Rehace case manager and supervisor at Lydia’s home. Lydia got a new roof after Hurricane Maria. That roof was destroyed by Hurricane Fiona. Her new roof was being replaced the day we were there. In the midst of the damage from the hurricanes. Lydia also received support from Rehace following the death of her son. 

The impact of Rahace is evidenced in the video shared during our conversations.

The recent Discover…Mission team to Puerto Rico served with Camp Coroson. We learned about the camp and the many ways to serve at the camp and in the surrounding communities.

Rehace is ready for teams to serve on the island. The relationships formed as we serve with our neighbors reveal the grace of God and the commitment to serve with all that we have and all that we are. 

Cal-Nevada

Mission team from Woodland UMC and Centenary UMC in Modesto. Location: Panajachel, Guatemala to work with Porch de Salomon.

Guatemala

In November 2023, a mission team from Woodland UMC and Centenary UMC in Modesto, traveled to Panajachel, Guatemala to work with Porch de Salomon. Porch de Salomon is a Panajachel based ministry that focuses on serving Indigenous Mayan people of the Lake Atitlan basin. The ministry focuses on home construction for indigenous families, a school scholarship program, substance abuse recovery, medical clinics, and providing nutrition and clean water. The team worked alongside local builders and contractors to break ground on a new home for a family of six. Their new home will be completed soon.

For more information about the return trip in November 2024 contact Hanna Widlund.

Prayers for Philippines and Kyrgyzstan

Registration for the trips to the Philippines (February 26th-March 11th) and Kyrgyzstan (February 28th-March 12th) have closed, but we are invited to pray for and with these teams as they focus on partnership opportunities, learning about the challenges of the ministries in the Philippines and human rights issues and visit UMC churches in Bishkek and vicinity to support their ongoing ministry, respectively.