Ubuntu Explorers Trip to Sierra Leone
The Sierra Leone community of United Methodist Women is concerned about the needs of women, children and youth that impact life for all in Africa. We invite you to join United Methodist Women on the Ubuntu Journey to Sierra Leone, December 1-14, 2012. We will have the unique opportunity to join with our sisters in worship, workshops, daily life, mission outreach and fellowship at their Annual Women’s Convention to be held upcountry in Lunsar, participate in the Ubuntu day, and visit several mission outreach program areas. Applications Closed.
Theme
“Faith, Hope, Love in Action!”
Bible Verse
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
~ Jeremiah 29:11
Purpose
- We will be a community of United Methodist Women, from North America to Africa, celebrating our mission and ministry during the annual convention of Sierra Leone UMW, which includes the Young Women’s Network.
- We will come to know God through the daily lives of Sierra Leone women, identifying the challenges they face with hope and faith.
- We will develop a creative, supportive fellowship and friendship through Bible study and worship, offering simple skills.
- We will expand our concepts of mission by helping to map out better strategies for a stronger global United Methodist Women organization; together, we will make a difference!
Itinerary (may vary slightly)
December 1:
Depart U.S. Layover in either London or Brussels.
December 2:
Arrival day in Sierra Leone.
December 3-9:
Visit with Bishop John Yambasu, church/community leaders, Women’s Training Centers at Kono Musu and Kissy. Visit and share with Harford Girls School, visit Kissy UM Hospital, Sunday worship at Brown UM church. (Women’s Training Centers and Harford Girls School are United Methodist Women mission institutions)
December 10- 13:
Join with over 200 United Methodist Women of Sierra Leone in their Annual Convention in Lunsar. Participate in their Ubuntu day of mission service in the village. Lead in worship and Bible study.
December 14:
Departure day
Team Leader/Host in Sierra Leone: Beatrice Fofanah
Beatrice is the Women's Coordinator for the United Methodist Women's Organization, Sierra Leone Annual Conference, United Methodist Church and president of the West Africa Central Conference Women's Network. She authored the 2011 Women’s Division Lenten devotion for Day 16 and says that one of her favorite hymns is, "It is Well with My Soul”. Beatrice is a guiding factor in the women of the church signing the 2011 declaration condemning tribalism as unjust and detrimental to Sierra Leone’s national cohesion. She said the women will use the Women’s Forum -- a powerful organization in Sierra Leone -- to reach out to government, institutional heads and politicians. “We know it is not going to be easy to make this change ... but we believe empowered by God, guided by the Holy Spirit, we are going to make a very positive impact in our country as far as ethnicity is concerned,” Fofanah said.
Team Leaders from US: Vickie Newkirk and Alice Belton
Vickie Newkirk has been blessed to serve Christ through her United Methodist Women’s local unit in New Palestine, IN; as District President; as Conference President; National Seminar participant; is currently serving on the North Central Jurisdiction Leadership Team, Chair of Committee on Nominations; Board of Directors of Lucille Raines Residence (owned and operated by United Methodist Women of Indiana); and Silent Retreat facilitator.
From kitchen aprons to nail aprons, her United Methodist Volunteers In Mission team experience includes the Rio Grande Conference, Alaska Missionary Conference, Redbird Missionary Conference, and Sierra Leone Conference in West Africa! Vickie says, “What a JOY it will be to journey together, to experience Jesus in the midst of our sisters in Africa! We will have the unique opportunity this December to join with the women in worship, workshops, mission outreach and fellowship during their Conference Annual meeting!” Let’s live out our purpose of United Methodist Women – together - on this Sierra Leone Ubuntu journey!
Alice Belton lives in Hercules, CA and is a former Women’s Division and General Board of Global Ministries’ director. As a Women’s Division director she served as President of the Western Jurisdiction Core Planning Group and Chairperson on the Section of Finance. On the General Board of Global Ministries she served on the Executive Committee. She is currently serving as a director on the United Methodist Development Fund.
She has served in several capacities with United Methodist Women (UMW) at local, district, jurisdiction and Women’s Division. She has served in many areas of the church: Finance – chairperson; Church Council- secretary; lay speaker and leader; and lay leader to annual conference.
She earned a BS degree in Business Administration and a Teaching Credential in Business. She is a retired Computer Analyst, a former High School computer teacher and was a part-time computer instructor at Laney Community College. She has traveled extensively throughout the world and has worked in the mission field for many years with UMW, serving as an advocate for women, children and youth. This has brought many spiritual blessings into her life. She is the mother of two adult children and considers herself as a servant of God.
For additional information and Team Member Application contact Vickie Newkirk, Team Leader, at bvnewkirk@iquest.net or (317) 861-1525.
