December 2, 2008
Iowa Conference News
Alternative Christmas Ideas for your Nigerian Family!
Buy something for your family and then share something with your Nigerian family. For those hard-to-shop-for family and friends, choose from the Nigerian wish list and surprise them with a gift in their name for the project. Remember Christmas is not your birthday.
$1.50 will allow a child to have basic school supplies
$7 will purchase a Bible in Hausa
$15 will provide a one month stipend for a UMC teacher
$20 will help an illiterate Nigerian learn to read and write
$35 will provide one- term tuition for a high school student
$50 will purchase vaccines for the poultry program
$100 will stock the medicine cabinet at the church run clinics
$110 will purchase a treadle sewing machine
$130 will purchase a bicycle for a local pastor
$150 will allow a woman to attend the Women’s Training Center for one term
$500 will purchase a saw and planer for the furniture factory at Sibre Mission
$1,500 will purchase a solar refrigerator for the district medical clinics
$2,000 will built a round hut home for an evangelist to minister to unsaved people
$6,000 will sink a deep water borehole/well providing clear, pure water
Money may be given through your church and sent to the Conference Treasurer designated INP, #230 and choice of project.
A Thanksgiving Message from Nigeria
Happy Thankgiving! I've now been here in Jalingo for over three months and I thought it was time for a mass email update along with a Thanksgiving greeting! First of all I want to say thank you to all of you who have sent packages, emails, facebook messages, blog comments, prayers and positive thoughts! They have helped to make my time here thoroughly enjoyable! I feel incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful support system back home.
I came here to Jalingo, Nigeria really having very little knowledge of what I would find. Of course, I'd heard about the corrupt horror stories about the Niger Delta that are played on the news and all the swindling that takes place, but I wasn't sure what I personally would encounter. I found out that I'm in the least developed state in the entire country. Within the capital of Jalingo, there is no public water system and we receive city-based electricity a few hours a day...if we're lucky! (Everyone rejoices and sprints toward an outlet with their cell phone chargers when NEPA comes on!)
I thought I was coming here with the main purpose of bringing chemistry lab to the UMCN Junior Seminary School. I have been blessed with the opportunity to purchase some rudimentary chemicals, thanks to your support, and give the students some of their first hands-on laboratory experiences. I'm also working with the other science teachers to show them some simple activities that can be done with few materials. However, unexpectedly, I've had the honor of watching a staff of 24 teachers go from being scared to even touch a computer to them all being able to type their own exam papers. Many of them have started independent projects, typed up their resumes and have entered their grade sheets into Excel. It's been so exciting to see the transformation!
I have been so humbled by the kind welcome that I have received by the entirety of Jalingo. There are very few white people, or bature (bat-u-ray) that stay here in Jalingo (I've yet to encounter one) so I've had the rare honor and responsibility to be the first person from the US that many of them have known. Walking down my regular streets (really...sandy trails), I no longer pass gawking stares but friendly greetings and familiar faces.
As I approach Thankgiving, I am thankful for so many things many of which I never thought to be thankful for prior to living here in Nigeria...
-the electricity coming on at 12:30am so I could iron my clothes!
-hotmail opening on the first computer and first attempt!
-having an oven to bake with (my friends here have never tasted so many muffins, cookies, and cinnamon rolls!)
-running water (even if it is cold) in my house!
-cell phone connection that allow me to talk to friends and family back home!
Really, the list could go on and on but I want you to know that I'm really thankful for each of you. I hope that you all have a blessed Thanksgiving Day...eat an extra piece of turkey for me! :)
Carolyn
Simpson College’s Lessons and Carols marks holiday season
Simpson College’s annual musical worship service Lessons and Carols will be held Dec. 7 at 2 and 5 p.m. in Smith Chapel.
The event, which features traditional English carols and biblical readings that honor Advent and celebrate the Christmas season, is based on a service that began at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge in 1918.
The Women’s Chorale, the Simpson College Choir, the Madrigal Singers and the Simpson College Brass Ensemble will perform at the service.
This performance has marked the holiday season at Simpson College since the 1970s.
The event is a community celebration. It is free and open to the public.
Investment and Retirement Planning Seminar
The Investment and Retirement Planning seminar provides information on the investment strategy, the steps to take prior to retiring, income options from retirement programs, new catch-up provisions for those over 50, the new tax law, and a special section just for the women. The seminar deals with investment and retirement planning from a very early age through the retirement years. This seminar is a must for anyone wanting to retire and feel secure. Each participant will leave with a booklet covering the seminar topics. For information contact Dave Harner at 515-974-8928 or david.harner@iaumc.org.
Does Your Church Need a Loan?
The Iowa United Methodist Church Building Fund Trust makes loans to local churches for the purposes of building new buildings, renovating existing facilities, repairs, purchasing land or parsonage. The Trust will also refinance high-interest loans. The loan usually carries a better loan rate than commercial institutions offer.
To apply for a loan contact Dave Harner – 515-974-8928 or david.harner@iaumc.org.
mid-week update is a ministry of the Communications Ministry Team
of the Iowa Annual Conference
