Church mission team brings safe water to Ghana

By James Melchiorre*

Mission team member Ken Wood and Ghanaian children play in the water around a new well dug in their village with the support of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in York, Pa. A UMNS photo by Brian Wood

YORK, Pa. (UMNS)-Growing up in Ghana in Africa, Dr. Seth Quartey had one chore to complete each day before heading to school.

"We would usually fetch water," Quartey recalls of his childhood in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Today, as a physician specializing in infectious diseases, the 54-year-old Quartey realizes that the water he fetched as a boy was not only scarce, but probably unsafe.

So Quartey and his wife Grace, 40, also a Ghana native and a certified public accountant, founded the nonprofit Building Solid Foundations Inc., to ease the water crisis in their homeland, where their parents and most of their families still live.

The couple asked fellow members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in York to get involved.

"It's divine," says Grace Quartey of the resulting ministry. "I just believe God has his hand in this because how we all met and the group we have together is nothing more than a miracle."
Even a cynic would be struck by events that turned the Quarteys' dream into a $450,000 clean water project.

Grace and Seth Quartey

It began with a conversation between Grace Quartey and Dr. Bob Davis, a retired plastic surgeon and Aldersgate member who has traveled abroad on medical missions almost 50 times.

Davis, 69, wanted to go with a medical team to Ghana to perform surgeries to reverse disfiguring conditions such as cleft lip. When Grace mentioned the scarcity of clean water, Davis immediately understood the medical implications.

"The children and the women are scooping surface water, which is in puddles. It's in ponds, it's stagnant," Davis explained. "And the guinea worm and bacteria that harbor typhoid fever are rampant in places like that."

The Quarteys and Davis recruited volunteers from their church and community for a September 2006 trip to the West African nation.

The vision spreads
Meanwhile, in Denton, Md., about 90 miles southeast of York, Ken Wood was putting up a sign advertising a well-drilling rig for sale.

A Roman Catholic, he had never even heard of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. But a member of the congregation saw the sign, negotiated a price for the rig and invited Wood to travel with them to Ghana to help.

"I thought, take a trip, see what's going on," Wood remembers.

Then, while attending a seminar in South Carolina, he met a man from Ghana who told him "how he was a kid walking two miles twice every morning to get water out of a stagnant pool," Wood says. "So this is like God's talking to me."

Wood listened.
He joined his new United Methodist friends from York on an 18-member mission team and donated more than $100,000 in equipment. He has since made four other trips there to drill 98 wells in tiny villages in the remote Ketu District, east of Accra along the border with Togo.

Through their combined efforts, up to 100,000 people there now have safe water.

"I thought horses were my passion," says Wood, who has trained, driven and owned standardbred horses for harness racing. "But it's nothing compared to this."

The experience has been a transforming one for Wood, 63, who had suffered two heart attacks and underwent quadruple bypass surgery in June 2005. Fifteen months later, he was working outside, drilling wells and building concrete platforms in Ghana, where daytime temperatures reach 95 degrees-in the shade.

"I don't know if it was a higher power or what, but I felt like a young person, working 12 hours a day or more," he says.

Wood is so serious about his new passion that he sold land in Maryland-and his vintage Ford Thunderbird-to finance the well-drilling project.

"It's fun to think they're going to have spigots all over town," Wood says with a smile. "You're doing something worthwhile."

Work blessed by God
Seth Quartey is still amazed by the speed with which his family's dream has blossomed. As a physician, he realizes what the work means to the health of people in his homeland.

Studies show that introducing clean water to undeveloped areas can cut down on infectious diseases, including diarrhea, by about 50 percent, he says.

The dream continues. An Aldersgate church team of doctors, nurses and well-drillers plans to return to Ghana in September. So far, 35 volunteers have signed up.

"We believe that to whom much is given, much is expected," says Grace Quartey. "I go to bed every night just thanking the Lord for putting these people together."

*Melchiorre is a freelance producer based in New York City.

UMCOR, Muslim Aid to sign partnership agreement

United Methodist Committee on Relief vehicles deliver boats to communities in Sri Lanka following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that devastated coastal communities of South Asia and East Africa. UMCOR is joining with Muslim Aid, a British Muslim charity, on relief projects around the world in a partnership being announced June 26 in London. A UMNS photo courtesy of UMCOR.

NEW YORK (UMNS) - The United Methodist Committee on Relief is teaming up with one of Britain's most influential Muslim charities to assist millions of people across the globe.

On June 26, UMCOR and Muslim Aid will sign a partnership agreement in London that could result in nearly $15 million in direct relief to disaster, war and conflict-ridden areas of the world, including Sri Lanka and Indonesia. This is in addition to $9.8 million already applied in Sri Lanka, for a total of $25 million.

Organizers of the partnership say it will mean maximum response to global disasters, enhanced economic and social development and, they hope, a new peace-building model based on cross-cultural understanding.

"We want to create a model for other religious and non-religious organizations to follow-to demonstrate that people of very different and sometimes conflicting backgrounds, faiths and cultures can work together to help humanity," said the Rev. R. Randy Day, chief executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the parent organization of UMCOR.

"The world desperately needs that kind of hope, and this is a chance to create a new peace-building paradigm."

UMCOR, part of the 13 million-member United Methodist Church, is active in more than 80 countries. Muslim Aid's influence is felt across 50 of the world's poorest countries.

"Our partnership with UMCOR reaches out beyond our own religious communities to benefit people in need, no matter what their religious faith," said Farooq Murad, chairman of Muslim Aid. "Muslim Aid and UMCOR have already proven that we can work together and will continue to work to establish healthy, open communities where trust and faith can flourish."

Common ground
The two organizations first worked together in Sri Lanka after the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami, providing emergency relief and, later, helping people fleeing from heavy fighting between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan military.

Despite the ongoing conflict, UMCOR repaired houses and covered reconstruction costs for refugees returning to their wrecked homes. Muslim Aid cleaned wells and provided livelihood projects for the residents.

"We worked side by side in Sri Lanka, identifying local partners for materials distribution and solving problems that cropped up in the predominantly Muslim town of Mutur. Our shared success has led us to this new ground-breaking partnership," Day said.

Both groups acknowledge that religious barriers exist, and that those may have hindered past relief efforts in communities that practiced a different faith from either organization. Now, with Muslims and Christians working in unison, they hope to overcome that roadblock.

The aid organizations expect their partnership will lead to better access into communities where aid is needed most, such as in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country. Both Muslim Aid and UMCOR can tap ties to local faith leaders to better identify problems and provide aid directly on the grassroots level.

"We are proof that it is possible for Muslims and Christians to come together for a common good," Day said. "Alone we are only so strong, but together we can save more lives and provide relief and dignity to millions more."

For more information, visit http://www.umcormuslimaid.org/.

Twenty-dollar gift grows to $500,000 for Nets

By Eleanor L. Colvin*

HOUSTON (UMNS)-In a modern-day "loaves and fishes" story, a $20 gift to the Nothing But Nets campaign multiplied into $500,000 in gifts and pledges by members and churches of the Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

The story began with a May 29 presentation to annual conference delegates about the United Methodist-supported fund-raising campaign to end mosquito-borne malaria in Africa by sending insecticide-treated nets for children to sleep under.

The Rev. Bert Bagley of Galveston promptly responded by approaching the microphone during the business session presided over by Bishop Janice Riggle Huie.

"Bishop Huie, I think we need to take some action now," said the senior pastor of Moody Memorial United Methodist Church, issuing a challenge to the other delegates.

"I have a $20 bill here in my hand," said Bagley as he placed it on the altar.

In a matter of minutes, delegates began to patiently negotiate the packed pews and crowded aisles to make their way down and drop in their own bills and checks. Underscored by the assembly's a cappella rendition of "Amazing Grace," the scene in The Woodlands United Methodist Church sanctuary was informal, impromptu and inspired.

By the time everyone had returned to their seats, the office supply box serving as an offering basket was overflowing with $8,400 in donations to Nothing But Nets.

"I think the spirit was moving among the clergy and laity of the Texas Annual Conference in a powerful way," Huie said later.

Only the beginning
The next day, as delegates gathered for the fourth day of the five-day meeting, the outpouring of generosity repeated itself following a report by a delegation that visited Cote d'Ivoire in March to establish a partner relationship between the two United Methodist conferences.

The Rev. K. Noel Dennison, who was part of the delegation, presented a $100,000 check for Nothing But Nets on behalf of Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston.

That was followed by pledges of $100,000 each from St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston, Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston and The Woodlands United Methodist Church in The Woodlands.

Representatives from First United Methodist Church of Longview pledged $25,000 and encouraged churches of all sizes to give what they could.

In less than five minutes, the generosity of the people of the Texas Annual Conference netted another 40,000 nets for the people of Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa.

"We saw what a vision of making a difference in lives of children in Cote d'Ivoire could mean," Huie said. "People are excited to be a part of changing lives and reshaping futures for Jesus Christ."

Huie said another large-church pastor approached her the next day after talking with his church's lay people and committed another $100,000.

Send a net, save a life
The $425,000 in pledges moved the annual conference beyond the $500,000 mark. Additional offerings during conference brought in another $129,000, including $13,000 from the auctions of an autographed photo of Huie throwing out the first pitch at a Houston Astros baseball game and the game ball autographed by Astros relief pitcher Brad Lidge.

It costs $10 to send a net to Africa and provide community-health workers to show residents how to use them. Using the promotion "Send a net, save a life," Nothing But Nets has raised almost $6.5 million. Partners in the campaign are the people of The United Methodist Church, the United Nations Foundation, the National Basketball Association's NBA Cares, Sports Illustrated magazine and Major League Soccer's MLS W.O.R.K.S.

Bagley did not anticipate the ripple effect of his initial donation at annual conference. He said later he only was just thinking about the two families he could help with the $20 in his pocket. "I never thought 'It's just $20.' I was thinking (about) two lives," he said later.

"I had a $10 bill and a $20 bill in my pocket. I was thinking $10 is one; might as well do two. I didn't really think, didn't really ask the bishop. I just thought it would be a good thing to do to move the conference forward and to get buy-in. Leaders cast the vision, but it takes every one to buy-in."

*Colvin is the director of communications for the Texas Annual Conference.

Prayer shawls needed for Katrina celebration

Ever since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast nearly two years ago, United Methodist Communications has worked with the conferences in that region to raise funds, recruit volunteers and share stories of the church in action and response.

A celebration is slated for Sept. 6-7 in New Orleans to mark the second anniversary of the hurricanes and—more importantly—to:

.Thank volunteers who sacrificed time and money to make a difference
.Recruit additional volunteers, particularly skilled laborers
.Establish partnerships between Gulf Coast churches and congregations across the United Methodist connection
.Raise funds for the Bishops’ Katrina Church Recovery Appeal

Bishop Hope Morgan Ward of the Mississippi Area wants to honor approximately 200 special volunteers from across the connection who have given greatly of their time and talents to the recovery effort. Reflecting on the Isaiah 61:3 reference to “mantles of praise,” she—and her colleague bishops—would like to present each volunteer with a prayer shawl.

The challenge now is to find individuals and church groups willing to knit or crochet prayer shawls for this celebration. Barbara Dunlap-Berg, creative resources editor for the Connectional Giving Team, is spearheading the prayer-shawl drive. She has spoken with several Tennessee Conference churches and has some commitments. However, more help is needed.

If you can provide prayer shawls for this ministry, Barbara would love to hear from you. The shawls are needed by Aug. 1. Please call (742-5489) or e-mail (bdunlap-berg@umcom.org) Barbara if you wish to get involved with this project.

Pastor brings Katrina aid to Hispanic-Latino community

The Rev. Sally Bevill, pastor of Beauvoir United Methodist Church in Biloxi, Miss., felt God calling her to the Gulf Coast to assist the Hispanic-Latino community after Hurricane Katrina. UMNS photos by Kathy L. Gilbert

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

BILOXI, Miss. UMNS) - Hurricane Katrina took a lot from Maria Castillo.

"Because of the hurricane, I lost my mother," she says, tears streaming down her face, recalling her mother's death only days after Katrina hit in 2005.

"After Sept. 12, she just couldn't bear any more suffering."

Castillo's father died in December 2006, and she lost all her possessions when Katrina's waters flooded her apartment. She shares a mobile home with a friend and is caring for her ailing grandmother.

The one place she found help and a new family was at Beauvoir United Methodist Church.

"Here, when a person is in need like I was, they know that they can go to the church for help with things like rent and food," said Castillo, a Cuban immigrant who came to Biloxi in 1998. "I don't have the words to describe what they've done to help me. I appreciate it as much as possible. But I don't have the words to describe it."

The Rev. Sally Bevill and her assistant Mary Townsend, a case worker for United Methodist Committee on Relief, spend a lot of time finding help for people like Castillo. Bevill came to the Gulf Coast in July 2006 because she knew God was calling her to help the area's Hispanic-Latino community.

"People just think because they may be undocumented or they don't speak the language that they can just abuse them," says Bevill about the Hispanic-Latino community. "And we're here to tell them they can't."

Before Katrina, the local Hispanic-Latino population was about 15,000; it has since grown to well over 50,000, according to Bevill.

"I think one of the great problems with our Hispanic-Latino community is that they were the rental community," she says. "And a lot of the help that's offered out there, from Red Cross, FEMA, UMCOR and other agencies, are for homeowners. We have a whole other community."

Another common characteristic of the Hispanic-Latino community is that its members typically live in situations that most people would find intolerable.

"You will have them working day shift, night shift, 15 in an apartment, and they'll trade out their beds to do the work. They'll live in houses that are deemed unlivable," she says.

New creation
Bevill says the Gulf Coast is being transformed.

"We're watching a new creation along the coast-a new community, a place where God is taking what was so devastating and making something hopeful and new out of it. And to be a part of that is life-changing."

Bevill and Townsend have two young assistants, Linda Miranda, a full-time volunteer, and Elly Lehnert, on staff with Hands On USA and assigned to Hispanic-Latino outreach. Together, they are making a difference.

"We're very tired, but we're very driven women," Bevill says with a laugh. "I can't say how thankful I am to The United Methodist Church and UMCOR because they're the ones who heard our plea."

Bevill is coordinator of Hispanic ministries and pastor of the Beauvoir church. She is also in partnership with Rev. Elijah Mitchell at Seashore Mission Church, both non-Spanish speaking congregations.

Townsend and Miranda teach English as Second Language classes at the Beauvoir church twice a week. The four women are also in high demand as translators when someone needs to go to a doctor, apply for a job, find a place to live or navigate organizations like Red Cross and FEMA.

"We're desperately seeking someone who can come help with the spiritual aspect," Bevill says. "We need congregational development. We need to start faith communities and Bible study and all kinds of stuff-because apart with the physical rebuilding, there is the rebuilding of the lives."

While Hurricane Katrina blew through the coast quickly, the people left behind are on a long journey.

"We cannot do it alone," says Bevill. "When one suffers in the body, we all suffer."

Economic assistance is a huge need, but the gift of prayers, presence and partners are even more needed, according to Bevill, who has found great purpose in her work.

"Every day we make a difference," she says. "You wake up every day and know that no matter what you enter into, it's going to really matter in somebody's life."

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.