OIMC Volunteers In Mission
Our Time To Be In Mission!
| Lindsey Factor, Andrew Baer, Robin Williams, Miko Wildcat and John Wilson repair homes in Dulac, La. |
For over fifty years the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference has been recipient of numerous Volunteer in Mission teams. Not only have these teams come to work, build, clean, repair but also to build lasting friendships. They not only shared their talents but shared in the culture of the OIMC whether in tribal singing or eating an Indian Taco. What a blessing these teams have been to the churches and the people of OIMC!
Now it is our time to be in mission! The conference began responding to the mission project at Dulac, Louisiana after the campus ministry team coordinated by Rev. David Wilson, Conference Superintendent, returned stating there was a great need for VIM teams in Dulac. Therefore, in the spring of 2009 a call went out from the Conference Council on Local Church Ministries that we, the OIMC, needed to respond and be in mission. The conference has responded since then by sending three teams to Dulac, Louisiana to work with the Houma Indians. One team went in the late summer of 2009 and two teams responded in 2010.
Colleen Argue when asked about her experience said “It meant that I could be in service to someone else and help wherever it was needed. It meant a fellowship with people I didn't know and sharing the word of God.”
Rev. Michael Eddy states, “Our mission trip to Dulac was for sure a very memorable experience! We had an opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of the two families’ we served. I think they will always remember fondly what we accomplished in the Name of Jesus Christ! May God Bless Us All!”
The OIMC has been blessed to have a campus ministry that has laid the groundwork in being in mission. Rev. Wilson shares of his experience with the campus ministry team:
“Students representing the OIMC campus ministries have gone on a mission trip each spring for the past three years. It has been a great experience for the students and I am impressed with their willingness to give up their break to go and help others.
| The Rev. July Tecumseh, the Rev. Michael Eddy and Colleen Argue help with hurricane clean up in Dulac, La. |
This year we went to the Clinton Church and Community Center to help work on their building and to have afternoon activities with the children. We had a small group that went this year, but the students worked hard in helping to reorganize the building, clean and to liven up the building. I know the highlight of the students was the opportunity to interact with the children each afternoon. They made crafts, taught songs and had games each afternoon. The students also cooked and prepared the meal each night.
I was impressed with their desire to serve the children at this center and they were anxious to share of their love for Christ and for the Church. Our group was very talented and I also believe the children enjoyed their presence. It was also important for the children to see Native American students attending college. The students were good role models and inspired the children and parents who came on our last day there.”
Because of the desire to be in mission and to prepare our people to respond in other places a Volunteer in Mission Leader Training was held. It is through this training and future trainings that the people of OIMC will be in mission throughout other parts of the country; that we too will be able to share in not only in the cleaning, building, and repair but in lasting friendships. To share our love of God, what he is doing in and through us and build relationships.
“It was such a spiritual blessing,” said Fran Cady, “I didn’t realize when I signed up to be on this team how God was going to change my life – what a blessing!” These statements are what we continue to hear from VIM team participants.
Volunteer in Mission Training Set
Have you wanted to participate in one of the VIM projects but were just not sure of what would be expected of you? On August 28 Richard Norman, Oklahoma Conference Coordinator of Disaster Response and Jeremy Bassett, Director of Volunteers in Mission will present a training for those that would consider participating in a VIM project. This training will be held at the conference office. More details will be available as time draws near. For more information on the conference VIM you may contact Josephine Deere at 405-632-2006.
Tools Needed for Dulac Community Center
Each year at annual conference your assistance is usually asked in providing kits for UMCOR. However this year n lieu of kits the VIM Ministry Team of the Council on Local Church Ministries is seeking your assistance in restocking needed tools and equipment for the Dulac Community Center, Dulac, Louisiana. Items needed or could be used are: Reciprocating saw; ladders (8', 6'); air compressor; flat pry bars; cordless screwguns w/extra batteries; extension cords (25', 50', 100') speed squares; electric stapler guns and staples; wrecking bars; jigsaw; jigsaw blades; electric drill and drill bits; levels, measuring tapes or any type of building material/tools that you feel would be needed in rebuilding.
Conference VIM Team Assists in Rebuilding
On March 22nd a Volunteer In Mission team traveled to Dulac, Louisiana to assist with recovery efforts from destruction from several hurricanes. This team consisted of: July Tecumseh, Michael Eddy, Colleen Argue, Harold King, Sam White and Josephine Deere. While they were there, they were able to work on three projects. They were able to divide into two teams of three and worked on two homes, repairing steps and porches, installing insulation and taking out a ceiling in the old community center that is in the process of being repaired.
The Louisiana Conference is no longer deeming Dulac as a disaster site therefore they have removed the disaster site coordinator that was assigned there and have also retrieved tools. Therefore the Council on Local Church Ministries VIM Ministry is seeking assistance from our churches in replacing or restocking needed tools and equipment for the Dulac Community Center's tool shed so that teams will have the necessary items to work with when they arrive. In lieu of UMCOR kits, would you consider the donation of any of the following to assist our native brothers and sisters in Dulac.
Reciprocating saw; ladders (8', 6'); air compressor; flat pry bars; cordless screw guns w/extra batteries; extension cords (25', 50', 100') speed squares; electric stapler guns and staples; wrecking bars; jigsaw blades; jigsaw; electric drill and drill bits; levels; measuring tapes or any type of building material/tools that you feel would be needed in rebuilding.
Plans are to take teams to Dulac once every six months. The next team will be going September 22 - 26, 2010. For those who would like to participate in a VIM team, a VIM team Training will be held August 28th, place to be determined. Richard Norman and Jeremy Basset, VIM Coordinators for the Oklahoma Conference will lead the training. If you are interested in participating, contact: Josephine Deere at 405-632-2006 or jdeere@oimc.org
The COLCM VIM Ministry team is also recommending that the OIMC establish Dulac Community Center (DCC) as a mission project for the remainder of the quadrenium. Besides sending teams is twice a year, the ministry team will look at other ways of supporting this mission throughout the quadrenium.
UMCOR in need of Cleaning Buckets
Spring and summer storms in the U.S. South and Midwest have nearly depleted the UMCOR Relief Supply Network of cleaning buckets. The buckets contain items such as bleach, disinfectant soap, and latex gloves that help those affected by floods or hurricanes tackle the overwhelming task of cleanup. The UMCOR Relief Supply Network now includes depots in six locations: Eastbrook Mission Barn (New Castle, Pa.), MERCI (Goldsboro, N.C.), Mission Response Center (Terrell, N.C.), UMCOR Sager Brown (Baldwin, La.), UMCOR West (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Midwest Mission Distribution Center (Chatham, Ill.). Cleaning buckets and other relief supplies may be shipped to any depot in the UMCOR Relief Supply Network. To get a complete list of supplies for the bucket you may contact the conference office or go on line at new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor.