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News from other places Lightening the load: providing relief and hope in Syria ~ Emily Loewen Every morning, before Samer al Laham goes to work, he checks to make sure it’s safe to go outside. That’s because in Syria there are some days when “people wake up in the morning and then see that there are a lot of mortars falling,” says al Laham, country and program director with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) partner Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). But mornings like that don’t halt work for long. “Maybe after a few hours when things become much more stable people begin going out and really doing their business,” he says. That’s the unpredictable reality of life in Syria after more than four years of conflict. In Daraa, where one of MECC’s offices is located, they might only get water once or twice a week. Unreliable electricity means they need generators to charge computers and cell phones, and deliveries of relief supplies are more expensive because of high gas prices. And yet hours after mortars have fallen, MCC’s local partners head back to work. In this difficult context, MECC continues to provide much needed humanitarian relief to both internally displaced people and the communities hosting them. “We know that we are working in a risky situation, but at the same time keeping our presence in difficult places like Daraa gives an indirect A DFATD-funded project with MCC’s partner organization Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) provides non-food items for internally displaced people and vulnerable host communities in Syria’s Daraa Governorate. A MECC staff person shows the contents of an aid kit to a recipient who was randomly selected to give her opinion about the items being distributed. Names are not used for security reason. hope to people who are still living there,” says al Laham. Since 2012 MCC has partnered with MECC in Syria to distribute items such as hygiene supplies, blankets, winter clothing and heaters. In Daraa Gonoverate from June to September MECC provided hygiene kits, children’s clothing and feminine hygiene supplies to 4,300 households. These distributions were done with a $1.5 million grant from the Government of Canada. Those items help to lighten the load for people who fled the conflict and have been living for years with limited resources. “Children are growing up every year and they need new clothing, and clothing becomes very expensive and this [distribution] can alleviate the economic burden,” says al Laham. In countries like Syria it’s only through Mecc Photo/Jalal al-eid partnerships with local organizations that MCC is able to do this work. Local partners understand and work within security constraints, and also have longstanding connections in communities like Daraa. “We have good relations with everybody,” says al Laham. “The added value we provide to our beneficiaries is really the trust we built over the last few years.” Part of that relationship is getting input from people receiving the supplies. MECC has an extensive database documenting the needs of each family registered with them. They also have volunteers who are displaced themselves that consult with others and report back about what the needs are. This makes sure that MCC’s programs with MECC are providing what people actually need, says al Laham, “the cornerstone of our program is to depend on people who are really living in the hardship conditions, and really to know exactly what kind of support they need.” Those needs continue to grow faster than the resources are available. You can support MCC’s local partners in this important work; the Government of Canada will match donations from individual Canadians to relief work in Syria made before December 31. Donate online to MCC’s Syria and Iraq crisis response, or call toll-free 1-888-622-6337. 34 The Recorder, November / December 2015, Volume 52, Number 6 www.gomission.ca
In Search of ... BAGOT COMMUNITY CHAPEL (EMMC) located in Bagot, Manitoba is in search of an ASSOCIATE PASTOR. We are a small rural church with a lot of young families, and an average Sunday attendance of 125 to 150. For a complete job description, visit www.bagotchapel.com or for more information, please contact: Pastoral Search Committee chair Doug Buhler: 204-252-2678 email: bagotchapel@gmail.com By mail: Bagot Community Chapel Pastoral Search Committee Box 68 Bagot MB R0H 0E0 MORDEN EMM CHURCH, located in southern Manitoba is prayerfully seeking a FULL TIME YOUTH PASTOR who has a heart for God, a love for people and a passion to advance youth in their spiritual growth. The successful Youth Pastor Candidate will be gifted with an ability to connect with youth and provide them sound Biblical teaching. Our church family’s average attendance is approximately 225. For more information about our church, please visit our website at www. mordenemmc.ca If you feel God is calling you to this position, please send resume to: memmc@mymts.net or mail to Morden EMMC 610-1st Street Morden, MB R6M 1V7 EMC = Evangelical Mennonite Conference EMMC = Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference SPANISH LOOKOUT EMMC in Belize, Central America is in search of FULL-TIME PASTOR, COACH, MENTOR or PART-TIME BIBLE TEACHER. We are a congregation of approximately 250 and are looking for an experienced pastor, coach, mentor or Bible teacher. His main duty would be preaching (approximately half-time) and mentoring a team of lay leaders in giving pastoral care to our young and growing congregation. Our public services are primarily in English but an understanding of Mennonite culture and Low German language would be helpful. A fully furnished residence is available. This position would be a perfect fit for a semi-retired couple; or for a pastor desiring a new cross-cultural experience. For more information, contact: Norman Dueck Ph: 011-501-610-2238 email normanbz@gmail.com TREESBANK COMMUNITY CHURCH (EMC) is a small rural church in southwest Manitoba that is seeking someone to LEAD our congregation and outreach in our community. This could be on a full or part-time basis. It could be on a flexible schedule to allow a student to do some practicum while still in college, or to allow someone to transition to retirement on a part-time flexible schedule. If you are interested in church leadership and outreach, and feel God calling you to this type of ministry please contact: Leonard Plett Ph: 204-824-2475 email lplett@mts.net Did you know ... There are a variety of ways to make a donation to EMMC/ Go Mission! Cheques, cash and money orders are always welcome. To donate online, go to www.gomission.ca and click on the “donate” button on the home page. Regular monthly contributions through bank transfers can be arranged. Just call EMMC/Go Mission! Home Office at 204.253.7929 and we will be happy to assist. Mailing address: EMMC / Go Mission! 757 St. Anne’s Road Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA R2N 4G6 p 204.253.7927 | f 204.256.7384 www.gomission.ca Counselling for children, adolescents, and their families is now available with experienced clinicians at Recovery of Hope, (Winnipeg, Portage and Winkler offices). To learn more, call 204-477-4673, 866-493-6202 or visit www.edenhealthcare.ca. Christian, not-for-profit counselling organization. www.gomission.ca November / December 2015, Volume 52, Number 6 The Recorder 35
Page 1 and 2: The RECORDER November / December 20
Page 3 and 4: Table of Contents Features 4 A Case
Page 5 and 6: Jesus’s nonviolent journey to the
Page 7 and 8: Christmas in East Africa We like to
Page 9 and 10: Region 3- Manitoba South Bergfeld M
Page 11 and 12: Region 3- Manitoba South Morden EMM
Page 13 and 14: Mennonite Gospel Church, Vauxhall A
Page 15 and 16: Putting learning into action SBC st
Page 17 and 18: Ministries and workers Thanks to ou
Page 19 and 20: Ministries and workers Diedrich and
Page 21 and 22: Ministries and workers Wes and Caro
Page 23 and 24: General Board / Council Meetings No
Page 25 and 26: Council members Michael Krahn and J
Page 27 and 28: News from other places Foodgrains B
Page 29 and 30: ... if you don’t understand the p
Page 31 and 32: News from other places Tri-Conferen
Page 33: and go for walks. It is important t

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