Arrangements are being finalized for UMVIM Teams from the PNW to start serving in Haiti in response to ‘Operation Resurrection’.  The mission trips are from 7 to 9 days with both demolition and construction as the major activity for 2010.

Teams are also helping with feeding, Bible School and educational programs. The approximate cost from Seattle is just under $2000 with the team flying to Miami, where they will stay overnight before going into Port Au Prince.  Housing in Haiti will be provided at various United Methodist guest houses depending on the work site.  The conditions are very difficult and training regarding the Haitian Culture and how to serve in a disaster area are mandatory.  This training will be provided by the Conference Volunteers in Missions.

UMCOR has set several new additional requirements for VIM teams serving in Haiti:

1. Each team must have a Haiti experienced VIM trained Team Leader.  The Haitian experience must have been within the past 6 months.  Ronda Cordill, the UMVIM Conference Coordinator has identified several opportunities for PNW Team Leaders to obtain that Haitian experience by either going to Haiti with another team or a trained team leader from outside of the conference will take a PNW team to Haiti.  If you are a trained VIM Team Leader and are interested in getting the Haitian experience please let Ronda know.  Before a team will be scheduled, the team leader with Haiti experience must be identified.
2. There is ‘mandatory’ team training on Haitian culture and how to serve in an disaster area which the Conference will provide
3. Each team is to bring $3500 project money which will be matched by UMCOR.  This money will be used to buy building supplies, to feed the Haitians, or to pay our Haitian partners a salary who are working on the UMCOR projects.  There must be a minimum of 2 Haitian workers for each VIM team member on the project.  Providing work is one way that we can contribute directly to the Haitian economy.
4. To send a team to Haiti, the team must register with the Ronda Cordill, the UMVIM Conference Coordinator and then to the Haitian Team Scheduler.

Contact Ronda Cordill, UMVIM Annual Conference Coordinator, if you are interested in serving on a team to Haiti, your church would like to send a team, you want to be a VIM Team Leader, or if you have questions.  Her phone number is (509) 235-5466 (home) (509) 993-6753 (cell) or r_cordill@hotmail.com.