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Missouri Conference News


November 11, 2011


A young woman collects bread for her family in this UMNS file photo from Turkey, taken in 2000 following an earth- quake in 1999.


UMCOR to aid Turkey On October 24 eastern Turkey


experienced a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. To date 535 people have been found deceased and more than 2,000 people were injured as a result. Search and rescue efforts continue while UMCOR partners with other agencies to provide relief. The United Methodist


Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is in conversation with partner International Blue Crescent (IBC) and is seeking to help meet some of these and other needs, such as blankets, plastic sheets, and hygiene kits for survivors. “As we received news of the


devastating earthquake in Turkey, the UMCOR staff went to work connecting with partners in the region,” said UMCOR head, the Rev. Cynthia Fierro Harvey. “Our prayers are with the people of Turkey at this difficult time.” According to IBC, the area


affected by the earthquake is populated principally by Kurdish communities and is among the poorest areas of Turkey. The epicenter was in the town


of Ercis, about 19 miles from the city of Van, capital of the province of the same name. News reports indicated that Ercis was hardest


hit and that there are dozens of small villages in this earthquake- prone region that were devastated in the disaster. According to those reports, at


least 55 buildings in Ercis were completely flattened in the quake. “Entire villages have [had]


huge losses of human life,” as well as agriculture and livestock losses, an IBC report indicated. Rescue efforts continued today


amid the logistical challenges posed by heavily damaged roads and the expected onset of heavy rain and even snow in coming days. Sunday night, temperatures hovered around freezing. More than 200 aftershocks kept survi- vors huddled outdoors. While the emergency response


continues, there also will be a need for recovery and recon- struction in the devastated area, as homes, health centers, and schools have experienced severe damages. Survivors traumatized in the event will require psycho- social support. Your support for International


Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450, is urgently needed to meet both immediate and long-term needs. Please give generously.


Conference communications receives awards


The Digital Edition of the


Missouri Conference Review received the Award of Excellence for digital publications from the United Methodist Association of Communicators on October 20 at the annual meeting in New Mexico. The judges commented that it is excellent example of a digital version of a print publica- tion with enhanced features mak-


ing it easy to read online. It can be read at www.moumethodist. org/Review. Net News also received the


Award of Excellence in the elec- tronic newsletter category, with judges noting that it is a very timely, concise news delivery pub- lication. Subscribe to both news sources at www.moumethodist. org/stayconnected.


Study tour to India planned for fall of 2012


Max Marble will lead a mis-


sion study tour to the Ludhiana Christian Medical College and Hospital, in India, next Fall. The group will spend most of the time with students, faculty and staff of the college and hospital


which is located in an urban area in Northwest India. There will also be the opportunity to go with nursing students on their village home visits. In country the group will travel by train and will see sights in Delhi and Agra. The


projected dates call for a depar- ture from St. Louis on September 19 returning on October 1. The cost of the study tour will depend upon airfares at the time but will be around $2,600.


Habitat House continued from page 1A Many commercial structures


in Joplin have been rebuilt and some homes have been repaired, but large parts of the town are now bare, vacant lots. There is a tremendous housing shortage, and many people have relocated. The city government is finding it challenging to keep up with the demand for building permits and the inspections and paperwork that goes along with new con- struction. Habitat for Humanity is in


high-gear throughout the process. In a typical year the organizations will build two to three homes in the Joplin area. At this time it has 15 homes scheduled to be built. Volunteers from Tulsa, Oklahoma are working on a “10 For Joplin” blitz build, which will rapidly


Lorri Hensley is shown here at her new home with her family.


build ten new homes. Although the house Christ Community is working on is not part of the “10 For Joplin” project, Christ


Community UMC did recently host a meet and greet for the future homeowners, volunteers and sponsors of “10 for Joplin”.


www.moumethodist.org


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