8A In recent years we have high-


lighted international Heifer proj- ects at the Festival of Sharing that were located in far away places. In 2009 we supported, “Goats for Uganda,” and last year we raised money for a goat project in Nepal. However there are many who live much closer who are also in great need. In recognition of those needs the Heifer International project we are supporting this year is located in the Central American country of Guatemala. To fully appreciate the needs


of the people in this country, it is helpful to know something about their more recent history. From 1960 to 1996, Guatemala was embroiled in a bitter civil war. Unspeakable atrocities were committed against the indigenous Mayan people and many were killed. It is estimated that 150,000 fled their homes and went to Mexico. Families who were par- ticipating in Heifer projects dur- ing those years lost their livestock when the military stole or killed the animals. But the war is over and Heifer is back, helping to restore health and hope. The project we are supporting


this year is called the, “Peasant Farmer Alternatives for Food Project in San Carlos Alzatate, Jalapa.” Jalapa is a department (similar to our state) located just 1,700 miles to our south in south- eastern Guatemala. We will sup-


Office of Creative Ministries News


April 1, 2011 Heifer Project for Festival of Sharing is closer to home


port this effort by funding rabbits. The people of Jalapa are strug-


gling now, not only because of residual effects from the civil war but because of desertification, due in part to indiscriminate tree cutting and also because of lack of rain. In addition, the practice of monoculture, planting only one crop (coffee) year after year has degraded the soil. Not sur- prisingly, coffee production has diminished markedly. When water is in the shortest supply, families collect water from distant streams or wells for drinking and wash clothing in nearby rivers, polluting them with soaps and detergents. Malnutrition of children and high illiteracy rates are also very seri- ous problems. Heifer staff will provide exten-


sive education at this project site. In addition to training in rabbit handling and management, men, women and children will learn about water storage, reforestation, marketing, food preparation and handling and nutrition. They will also be trained in sustainable agri- culture including use of the milpa system in which a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs are planted together on a plot. After hutches have been con-


structed and project partners have been trained, each family will receive 2 female rabbits and 1 male rabbit. Manure from the rabbits (which is one of the best


This young girl holding radishes from the garden is taking part in one of the first Heifer projects in Jalapa.


for composting) will be collected and used on gardens, greatly improving their productivity. With access to healthy food from their fertile gardens and the addi- tion of protein in their diets from the rabbits, the families will have greatly improved nutrition. They will also have a wonderful source of high quality food to sell, thus


improving their income. Perhaps most important of all, they will have hope for the future! Our goal is to improve the


nutrition and income and to provide hope for these strug- gling families by providing them with rabbits. In thanksgiving for our blessings, we challenge each church to fund 2 trios of rabbits


at $120.00 ($60.00/trio), or more if you have been granted greater abundance. For additional information


about the “Rabbits for Guatemala Project,” please contact Carol Oliver at 573-474-7155 or at oli- ver@umocm.com.


Health Ministry workshop planned for Cape Girardeau What do parent and teen rela-


tionship building meetings, yoga classes, providing meals for needy families and a church hosted investment seminar all have in common? All are examples of things churches may do that


reflect healthy congregations. If this sounds interesting to you, please plan to attend the, “Health Ministry Through Clustering and Collaboration” workshop that is scheduled for Saturday, April 30th at the Southeast District Office in


Applications sought for justice award


The Social Justice Team seeks


nominations for our annual Justice Award for this Annual Conference. Do you know of an individual or a congregation who 1) Serves a population outside the local church; 2) Challenges and holds accountable societal struc- tures in performing acts of justice;


3) Creates sustainable change by developing life skills and/or restor- ing health and wholeness? We want to know them and recognize them! Please send your nomina- tions to Margie Briggs (briggs66@ fairpoint.net) by May 1.


Cape Girardeau. The hours for the workshop are from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The registration fee is $15 for the first participant and $5 for each additional participant from the same church. Lunch is included in this fee. This is the


last workshop that is currently scheduled for the Conference. A brochure for the program


and the option to register on-line are available at www.umocm.com. You may also register by contact- ing Dora Thackery at thackery@


umocm.com or at 573-474-7155. For additional information about program content, please contact Julie Taylor at fcnjulie@gmail. com or at 417-833-2921.


Visit the Office of Creative Ministries website at


www.umocm.com.


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