26 Mar Update from Bridger Fetters in Macau

At the time of this writing, I have now finished the first day of my second week at Pui Va school. Things have been great so far. In week one, I got to meet the 200 students, spread across four classes, that I will work with for the final 10 weeks of the semester.

I shared a bit of my story and experiences with the class to give them a chance to get used to the way I speak English. After a few questions to confirm comprehension, I conducted a survey so that I could get a sense of their English level along with some suggestions for what they might be interested to study. The school has given me freedom to teach however I choose, as long as the students are learning conversational English. I wanted some feedback so that I could create engaging and valuable lessons.

On each of my last two trips to Macau, I have had the chance to spend a day walking around the old parts of town with Living Stone members Jeffrey, Carolina, and Tyrone. All three of these friends have spent parts of their lives living in more Western cultures. Jeffrey attended high school and university in Canada, Carolina lived in England for a number of years, and Tyrone is from the Philippines and has traveled a lot of places for work.

This past Saturday, the four of us decided to head out on the town again, talking in our usual jumble of Cantonese and English. We ate at a Mexican restaurant (surprisingly good) and then walked around Taipa for several hours. Finally, we stopped to get something to drink and ended up sitting and talking about culture and language (including a small competition on who knew the most world capitals) until after 2 am!

Even though it took me a few days to catch up on my rest, it was a wonderful opportunity to build friendships with people at Living Stone Church. While I am attending Living Water Church on Sunday mornings, I am happy to be able to connect with the people of Living Stone during the week.

26 Mar Roger Reeck Undergoes Knee Surgery

On March 16, Roger Reeck had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in Mobile, Alabama. Marilyn reports that it was successful.

The orthopedic surgeon feels that there is only a 40% probability that he will need the second surgery. He will remain in the US for a month doing heavy exercises to strengthen the muscles, and after that a decision will be made. In the meantime Marilyn will remain in Honduras working on projects involving the Garifuna language.

17 Mar Training Session with Honduran Leaders

Juanita Chavez and pastors during a prayer time.

Juanita Chavez climbing the hill to the church.

A small group session on the mountain.

Juanita Chavez, Superintendent of Honduras Conference

Our trip to the remote region of Cañada Galana was extremely interesting. It was very healthy to conduct a training session with the 13 pastors of District No. 1, experience meeting new brothers, and be together praising the Lord in an open-air service. The service began at 6 pm and concluded at 10 pm. It was held against a background of beautiful mountains, sky, and moon.

The beauty of this is that the places where the Lord is allowing us to visit are enthusiastically embracing the agenda of the “Vision of the Church” (church planting). God willing, on April 23-24 we’ll conduct another training workshop with all of the pastors and two leaders from each congregation.

We are always reviewing and enjoying UBCentral. It’s great to see all photos from General Conference, and we pray that we remain a blessing around the world. May God bless all those who have contributed support for Haiti.

16 Mar Jamaica National Conference

L-r: Scott Hughes (from Mainstreet Church, Walbridge, Ohio, Dr. Owen Gordon (Western District superintendent), Rev. Isaac Nuggent (Central Distrist superintendent), Rev. Lebert Thompson (Eastern District superintendent), Bishop Winston Smith, Rev. Jeff Bleijerveld (Director of Global Ministries).

UB members from all across Jamaica gather at Kendal Camp to fellowship in the Lord

The message on "Godly Leadership" by Bishop Winston Smith.

The prayer for the pastors and their families.

Written by Deon McLennon

Jamaica National Conference concluded its 59th annual conference on Sunday, March 14. UB members from all across Jamaica gather at Kendal Camp for the event.

The worship service began with praise and worship being led by the Burnt Savannah praise team, after which Rev. Courtney Morgan opened in prayer. This was followed by the welcome by welcome by Dr. Owen Gordon the western district superintendent. The scripture reading was taken from Ezekiel 34:1-16.

The songs “We will Remember” and “A New Hallelujah” were sung by the combined senior choir and combined junior choir respectively. Jeff Bleijerveld brought greetings from Global Ministries.

Bishop Winston Smith delivered a sterling sermon on godly Leadership which inspired us all to aspire to be godly leaders. After the sermon, the congregation sang “Sound the Battle Cry.” We then had a communion service.

The evening session included the best of youth rally 2010 and was highlighted by the charge from Rev. Dr. Lloyd Spencer and the ordination of Pastor Baldwin Peterkin. The resolution was read by Sister Carolyn Johnson, which was followed by a prayer for the pastors and their families, followed by the close of the conference.

12 Mar Jamaica Conference’s Financial Model

I’ve been attending Jamaica’s annual conference this week. I don’t usually report on finances when I visit a national conference, but Jamaica Conference deserves special recognition.

Until 2004, Jamaica Conference was receiving an appropriation of about $20,000 from Global Ministries. But the practice of giving appropriations for conference operations ended that year.

The follow year, Jamaica ended the year with a deficit of approximately $23,500 US. However this situation has improved steadily. In 2008 they finished the year with a surplus of $8600 US.

In 2009 they ended the year with a surplus of $11,300 US. But note that last year they also paid off debts on three properties (Malvern, Hazard, and Iterboreale) and raised $24,000 for missions for a total of $11,400 in spending beyond what they had budgeted. All this during a time of recession.

In 2010 they plan to continue improving their pastors’ pensions and provide life insurance. They also hope to hire an administrative bishop to free Bishop Winston Smith to spend more time coaching pastors and encouraging the growth of the conference. All this while maintaining their commitment to raise funds for missions.

What a tremendous model for other conferences! Congratulations to Bishop Smith and his team.

10 Mar Renovating Mattru Hospital

Much progress has been made in renovating Mattru Hospital in Sierra Leone. After attending a meeting of the Mattru Hospital Medical Board, the United Nations representative was so impressed that she went back to Freetown and wrote a check for the balance of the renovations.

Some of the work that has been done:

• The maternity ward has been renovated with a new roof, new ceiling, and new delivery rooms.
• The laboratory has new shelving and new tile work.
• The surgery room is renovated
• Housing area for two Nigerian mid-wives has been completely renovated.
• The Danke Koroma Foundation will completely renovate another building at their expense.
• The nation’s First Lady has chosen to renovate the doctor’s residence.

10 Mar Kline Family Back in the States

David and Melissa Kline and children arrived back in the States after the long flight from Macau. They stopped in the Healthy Ministry Resources office briefly yesterday.

They’ll spend a week in Huntington, then head to Florida for a couple weeks of vacation. After that, they’ll be visiting a number of supporting churches and doing other traveling.

10 Mar Jeff Bleijerveld in Jamaica

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries, is currently attending Jamaica National Conference. He will speak during the Thursday night service on March 11. He’ll fly back to the States on Monday, March 15.

10 Mar 7 Beautiful Family Children Need Sponsors

About 135 children in India are being sponsored through the Beautiful Family ministry. These are children whose parents (or they themselves) have leprosy or whose parents are HIV positive (or have died from AIDS). The sponsors include United Brethren individuals, churches, WMF groups, and Sunday school classes.

Global Ministries has information about seven more children who need sponsors.

$20 per month supplies one child with all school supplies, books, clothing, food, and medical needs. They stay in a “hostel” which is like a dorm, and only go home periodically for holidays. They are taught Bible stories, songs and Bible verses, so they are receiving a Christian religious background as well as their regular education through this support.
Contact Darlene in the Global Ministries Office for more information and a pledge sheet.

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Email: [email protected]