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News & Links > News
Archive > Mission Trips 2007
Mission Trips: Lots
going on in 2007
W hether you are looking outside the country or just wanting to stay
inside the United States, there are lots of different mission trip opportunities
lined up for the 2007 year.
The First Congregational/UCC Church in Boulder has happily sent one
and will be sending one more team to continue its work on Rebuilding
New
Orleans after Katrina in March and April.
The first team of 18 was there March 18-24, staying at the Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance Workcamp in Luling, Louisiana. Four people on this
trip returned after November's workcamp.
Then later this month, from April 28-May 6, 20 more people (including
6 returning team members) will be staying at the Little Farms UCC Church
in River Ridge, Louisiana. Linda Woods of Boulder and her husband will
be two of the returning members.
"
I am excited to see if there have been positive changes in the New Orleans
area since November," she said. "We plan to go see the houses
we worked on last time and look for any signs of rebuilding. It would
be wonderful to see people living there now!
"
Also, reading in the newspapers about the crime wave in the city, it
will be interesting to note any changes in the feeling of safety we had
the first time we worked there. Crime goes along with lack of money,
frustration and uncertainties, and the separation of family members that
color New Orleans right now. Our team wants to be able to rebuild this
time, instead of "gut" the houses, but that is up to the local
churches to decide, based on our skill level and what is available when
we are there."
A worthwhile and satisfying experience that changed lives last year,
the trips this year promise to be delivering the same results.
"
Rebuilding has such a positive sound to it, compared to 'gutting' a house,
but both are necessary," Woods said. "We are also excited that
the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is being held while we are
there and we plan to enjoy the sounds of New Orleans music and sample
the wonderful food! Helping the New Orleans economy is encouraged by
everyone in New Orleans."
Cuba Caravan
Christ Congregational UCC (CUCC) in Pueblo will host one of the Cuba
Friendship Caravans on July 8th. The Caravan will be the focus of the
morning worship during which the purpose and mission of providing assistance
to our Cuban neighbors will be interpreted. The Cuba Caravan is part
of the Pastors for Peace mission to take humanitarian aid to the poor
but proud folks of Cuba. Despite the US imposed Trade Embargo, Pastors
for Peace has made these trips for 15 years.
CUCC, under the leadership of The Rev Faye Gallegos, is collecting money and
supplies to contribute to the effort. Participants in the mission itself are
also being recruited. The Caravan will travel to McAllen, Texas where, after
an orientation, it will cross the Mexican border, travel to Tampico, Mexico
and from there to Havana. Caravanistas (people who travel with the Caravan)
will be in Cuba through July 26th after which they will return to the US.
The Ecumenical Distribution Committee made up of Cuban religious leaders will
receive and distribute the aid to a variety of Cuban organizations and institutions
serving the Cuban people, on the basis of need.
Contributions are tax deductible and should be payable to Christ Congregational
UCC and marked Cuba. We also welcome sources to which we can apply for medical
and other humanitarian supplies. The emphasis this year is on care for the
elderly.
The total aid delivered in last year's caravan was over 60 tons. The folks
in Pueblo, with your help, intend to do our part. It's not too late to catch
the bus-to Cuba.
The US/Cuba Friendship Caravan campaign is sponsored by Pastors for Peace,
a project of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization, an ecumenical
agency whose mission is to help forward the struggle of oppressed people for
justice and self-determination. The first Friendship Caravan traveled to Cuba
in 1992 as an active nonviolent attempt to challenge the US economic blockade
of Cuba. That caravan carried 15 tons of simple humanitarian aid-powdered milk,
medicines, Bibles, bicycles, and school supplies. The US government had never
before seen a direct grassroots challenge to the blockade, and they responded
with force. However due to the efforts of an emergency response network, the
caravan was allowed to cross the border into Mexico from which the supplies
were transported into Cuba. There have been 17 successful Caravans since then.
The 17th Cuba Caravan crossed back into the United States via Hidalgo, Texas
on Monday morning July 17, after delivering 60 tons of humanitarian aid to
Cuba, followed by an informative and exciting eight-day educational visit to
the island.
News of the latest caravan as well as more information about IFCO and Pastors
for Peace may be found at: www.ifconews.org/Cuba/caravan17/press_releases.htmFor
any other information email Max Hale at
fromtheporch@comcast.net.
One New Orleans Trip
From August 19-28, a Rocky Mountain Area DOC/UCC "Celebration '07
Team" has again been invited to travel one time to Venezuela to
join the Evangelical Pentecostal Union of Venezuela (UEPV) church members
from 80+ congregations in honoring an important milestone in the church's
history. In 2007, our Venezuelan Partners of the UEPV are celebrating
their 50th Anniversary as a denomination, thus modifying the usual three
trips per year.
The team will include our Conference and Regional Ministers, Rev. Tom
Rehling and Rev. Ron Parker, a small Youth Team lead by Rev. Tim Bobbitt,
DOC, a small Medical Team lead by Kathryn Rodriguez and Jan Beezley,
UCC, and a group of Rocky Mountain UCC and DOC folks who have participated
in previous mission trips to Venezuela. Team leaders for the entire group
are Merv and Danni Bangert.
In 2008, the three trips per year plan will resume with a Spring Construction
Trip, a July Youth Trip, and a Fall Medical Mission Trip. Watch for 2008
trip details at Annual Meeting.
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