18 Feb Progress on Dormitory at Regent College of the Caribbean

The work team from Union Chapel UB church (Fort Wayne, Ind.). Dwight and Patti Kuntz are standing in the middle.

The work team from Salem UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.).

Dwight Kuntz

Dwight and Patti Kuntz (right) are Global Ministries JumpStart staff serving in Jamaica. They filed this report on behalf of Regent College of the Caribbean. The school was formerly called Jamaica Bible College, but underwent a name change to appeal to a broader base of students throughout the Caribbean region.

Construction began in June 2012 on the new dining hall complex with the site preparation and the laying of the foundation in solid rock. We returned in January 2013 with a team of seven from the Union Chapel UB church in Fort Wayne, Ind. We began by laying block, starting at the ground floor level, and did backfill around the building foundation and in some rooms to bring them to floor level.

It was a great sight to watch the walls going up all around the building and getting a feel for just how big the building would be (126-by-80 feet). After two weeks, the building was really taking shape.

The Fort Wayne team was followed by a team of eight from Salem UB church in Chambersburg, Pa. They spent six days continuing the work by building and filling columns around the building and extending the height of a few short walls. Between the two teams and three Jamaican masons, over 3000 blocks, a ton of steel, tons of gravel, sand, marl, and cement were used, plus hundreds of gallons of water.

We are happy with what has been accomplished to this point, but sad to say that we have run out of funds for now. We do not know from where or from whom more funds will be coming, but our God does. So we ask for your prayers that hearts will be open to his voice and leading. We are in need of more teams to come in with working funds to help with the construction, or churches/individuals who can contribute any amount to the project.

If you would like more information about the project, please email me, Dwight Kuntz. Or you can send contributions through Global Ministries, 302 Lake St. Huntington, IN 46750, marked for RCC Dining Complex. We will be back in the States after March 20 for 2-3 months and I will be happy to speak to any group or church about the work at Regent College of the Caribbean, and how you can be a part of God’s work here in Jamaica.

13 Feb Meetings Begin Regarding Mattru Hospital’s Future

Dr. Dennis Marke, a United Brethren member and former Mattru surgeon , chairs a team developing a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) of the hospital finances.

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

The strategic planning meeting at Mattru UBC Hospital began today with the presence of hospital, conference, and regional leaders, including the Paramount Chief for the Bonthe district.

Bishop John Pessima opened our meetings, we heard a summary of an assessment done in November, and I led the strategic planning portion of the meeting.

Continue to remember our meetings in prayer.

Dr. Dennis Marke, former Mattru surgeon and UBC member, chairs a team developing a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) of the hospital finances.

12 Feb Death of Maritta Fiedler’s Father

Maritta Fiedler, a Global Ministries staffperson serving in Germany, is mourning the death of her father. Hansjakob Wiederhold, 83, passed away at 1:50 pm on Tuesday, February 12. He had struggled with cancer for several years.

Galen Fiedler wrote of his father-in-law, “During the morning he was aware of us but struggling with his breathing; he left quietly with a smile on his face and with us around him.” That would include his wife, Ruth Wiederhold.

Galen says his father-in-law was one of the early pioneer missionaries in both East Africa and Papua New Guinea. “In a time when he wasn’t even recognized as a ‘real’ missionary (because he worked in agriculture), he was serving the Lord whole-heartedly. There is much rejoicing in heaven today because of this humble man who made such an impact on those around him.”

Condolences can be sent to Maritta Fiedler at Galen’s email address: gmfiedler@yahoo.de.

12 Feb A Visit to the Danville Church in Sierra Leone

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

Jeff Bleijerveld is currently in Sierra Leone with Bishop Phil Whipple and associate director Donna Hollopeter.

We came through the Rutile mines and visited three churches. All three have a little more than 300 in attendance, operate schools, and support their own pastors. However, visiting Danville Church was probably the highlight of our day.

The Danville Church was the first United Brethren mission station, established in 1861. The original block house is still there and a church is located beside it. Quite a few gathered with us at the missionary cemetery a short walk through the bush. The first grave I saw was that of Betty Harvey. She arrived in 1861 and died in 1866. They told us the majority of missionaries died of malaria within a very short time. We also saw the grave of Dr. Dewitt Baker’s son who drowned when a barge overturned in the Mattru Jong River, which was their only route inland at that time.

Later we met Charlie Harvey. It was no coincidence that he bears the same name as Betty Harvey, whom I mentioned earlier. Her family took one of his ancestors into their family and gave him their name. Charlie, a layperson, was responsible for planting the Kissy Road Church in Freetown. He served there for 12 years until Bishop John Pessima became pastor.

Before we left, the members of the Danville congregation who joined us at the cemetery sang “Guide Me Oh Thou Great Jehovah” in the Mende language and with a local flair. It was a beautiful yet troubling time as we considered the incredible cost some paid to serve God, and the relative ease we face today. Can we ever take it so for granted?

Anyhow, it was a good day. Tomorrow (Wednesday) we meet to discuss and plan for the future of the Mattru Hospital. The paramount chief, local health officials, conference leaders and hospital board members will be present. Pray for me as I seek to lead them through this process, and that what we conclude and commit to will indeed take place. Half measures will not be enough. We need doctors, surgeons, administrators, and community health workers who will demonstrate the same passion to follow God wherever he leads and at whatever the cost.

11 Feb Progress on UB Dormitory in Nicaragua

The new dormitory under construction in Masaya, Nicaragua.

Here are a couple of photos of the dormitory project in Masaya, Nicaragua. While there are no teams there at this time, the conference continues construction on it own. More work teams will travel later this year.

The dormitory will eventually serve as housing for short-term teams visiting the country and as a training center for the conference’s more than 35 pastors and churches planters. The dormitory will house multiple classrooms and space to house 45 guests quite comfortably.