Operacion HOGAR VIM Team Prepares for October Trip

Once again the Lafayette Park UMC Volunteer In Mission team is gearing up for a trip to Juarez Mexico. The team will head south to work with our friends at Operacion HOGAR to build safe housing for a family in Juarez.

For more details contact Nancy Thuer or Jim Wilder.

To read more about last years mission, check out this post . . .

Roast Beef Dinner - Saturday Feb 27th

You will not want to miss the Sprint Roast Beef dinner. This Spring's dinner is a fundraiser for this Fall's Mission trip to Juarez. Enjoy roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and desert; as well as great fellowship. See you in Fellowship Hall on Saturday February 27th, from noon to 7 pm.

Operacion HOGAR VIM Team Returns!

Our Volunteers in Mission (VIM) team from Lafayette Park U.M.C. just returned from building a house in Juarez, Mexico for Operacion HOGAR. It was a wonderful week of sharing with our neighbors in Mexico. Despite all of the media blitzes reporting escalating violence in Mexico, we experienced the same warmth, hospitality and feeling of security and safety that we have always known in our travels there.

As we planned our trip, we considered the dangers and risks that we are sure many of you have also considered. We contacted our host, Jose Ramos. He assured us that the problems in Mexico occur with drugs and gangs, but that there would be no risk in the area where we were working or at the mission house. We did have a wonderful trip and a very meaningful experience during our week. We walked to and from the marketplace, the ice cream shop and bakery just as always.

When we were first introduced to the family for whom we were building a house, my first feeling was one of joy that we had gone forth with our planning. Jose informed us that we were only the 4th team that had come to Juarez this year. Normally he greets 40 teams each year. It was difficult to know that Jose and our maestros have had almost no work this year, and that the families waiting for safe shelter have been put on hold indefinitely.

My purpose for writing this letter is to inform you of our experience in Juarez last week and hopefully encourage your church to consider taking a team to Operacion HOGAR or sending funding to have a house built by the maestros. The future of Operacion HOGAR is at serious risk. It is too valuable a ministry to ignore on account of fear generated by sensationalism by the media.

Please prayerfully consider your continued support to Volunteers in Mission and Operacion HOGAR. I would be happy to assist your team or any interested individuals with planning for a trip or answer any questions that you might have.

In Christ,

Nancy Thuer
Missouri Project Coordinator, Operacion HOGAR

Operation HOGAR - Juarez Mexico October 2009

Mission to Mexico - October 3-9, 2009

Are you interested in a volunteer opportunity to help build a home for a family in Mexico? Contact Team Leader Nancy Thuer . The trip is sponsored by the Missouri Office of Creative Ministries UMC and Lafayette Park United Methodist Church. This effort is part of the ministry of the Missouri United Methodist Conference.

VIM to Juarez Mexico - Oct 11-17

Volunteer's In Mission to Juarez, Mexico - Lafayette Park UMC will be returning to Juarez, Mexico to build a home for a family who presently is living in a shelter consisting of wood pallets covered with cardboard.

The team will be working the week of October 11-17. Although we are not leaving for 4 months, We need to secure airline tickets as soon as possible. Cost for friends and members of Lafayette Park is $450 which includes airfare and food/lodging. Please contact Nancy Thuer (or 314-965-9231, team leader) if you are interested in attending this year's mission event. No experience necessary!

This is a wonderful way to share Christ's love with our neighbors in other countries. You can learn more about Operation HOGAR by clicking on the following link:

http://www.youtube.%20com/v/9Rg7_%20stsmWE