Ubuntu Journey - China 2008

2009-04-28T11:05:00.001-04:00

Dear Ubuntu Sisters,

The work for the rights and dignity of migrant workers in Hongkong continues, as we all well know. The Ecumenical News Service recently reported on a Palm Sunday (April 5, 2009) march in Hongkong by 6,000 migrant workers which urged the Hong Kong government to ensure that the rights of Filipinos and other ethnic minority groups in the territory are indelibly protected, and their contributions to society recognised.

Can't you just envision the streets where the march took place and the intensity, strength and vibrancy of that gathering, given what we experienced of the wonderful women and men we met in Hongkong??

Let's continue to pray for justice and equality for all migrants in Hongkong and world wide!

Diane

H. K. Christian leaders join Filipinos to reject race discrimination
By Francis Wong

Ecumenical News InternationalDaily News Service
9 April 2009 ENI-09-0290

Hong Kong, 9 April (ENI)--Christian leaders on Palm Sunday highlighted racial discrimination in Hong Kong at a rally that attracted 6000 Filipino migrants, where protestors said such practices should not be tolerated.While those present at the 5 April rally were predominately Filipinos, some Thais, Nepalis and Indonesians also marched to the government head office after a best-selling magazine columnist had described the Philippines as a "nation of servants".The protesters, many of whom waved palms in commemoration of the procession by Jesus a week before he died, as a peace sign, called for strict enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in Hong Kong, which is a Special Administrative Region of China.The rally was supported by Evangelicals, Methodists, Roman Catholics and the World Student Christian Federation (Asia and Pacific region) as well as Muslims.Members of the Catholic Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Filipinos joined the rally to complain at a "master-slave" treatment of domestic workers in Hong Kong. They urged the Hong Kong government to ensure that the rights of Filipinos and other ethnic minority groups in the territory are always protected, and their contributions to society duly recognisedControversy had erupted when Hong Kong columnist Chip Tsao wrote in HK Magazine on 27 March, in what he called a satirical piece, an article he said was making fun of the poor treatment by Hong Kong people of the Filipino domestic maids many of them have.In his article titled "The War at Home", Tsao said he was angered by the Philippines' claim on the disputed Spratly Islands, where China also claims sovereignty. He said that if there were a war between China and the Philippines, he would be forced to fire his Filipino maid.The article was however, seen to ridicule the 127 000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong. Tsao later apologised after he was banned from entering the Philippines for his "arrogance and disrespect".While protesting at the demeaning treatment at the hands of many of their employers, church leaders and domestic workers at the 5 April rally urged the Hong Kong government to ensure that the rights of Filipinos and other ethnic minority groups in the territory are protected and their contribution to the development of the area is recognised.

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A poem shared by Susan

2008-08-29T12:38:00.000-04:00

Sacred Journeys, A Womanʼs Book of Daily Prayer, Jan L. Richardson, p.35

Generation to Generation
From generation to generation
women meet in common spaces,
sharing sacred places
in the journeys of our lives.

From generation to generation
women call to women-kin,
yearning deep within
to be seen with Spirit-eyes.

From generation to generation
women risk, their fears confessing,
and seek out words of blessing
to melt away the scorn.

From generation to generation
women sing out of the shadows
and labor in the echoes for the holy to be born.

Nearing our journey

2008-08-26T10:41:00.002-04:00

As we near the time for us to begin our journey, I thought I would post this poem that our Ubuntu team sent out, from Jeanie:

My Sister sent this to me and I thought of each of you. It may be something we can share on Friday or Sunday with our new "sisters" in Hong Kong. Jeanie

The One Flaw In Women
By the time the Lord made woman,
He was into his sixth day of working overtime.
An angel appeared and said,
'Why are you spending so much time on this one? '
And the Lord answered, ' Have you seen my spec sheet on her?
She has to be completely washable, but not plastic,
have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable
and able to run on diet coke and leftovers,
have a lap that can hold four children at one time,
have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart
-and she will do everything
with only two hands. '
The angel was astounded at the requirements.
'Only two hands!? No way!
And that ' s just on the standard model?
That ' s too much work for one day.
Wait until tomorrow to finish. '
'But I won ' t, ' the Lord protested.
'I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart.
She already heals herself when she is sick
AND can work 18 hour days. '
The angel moved closer and touched the woman.
'But you have made her so soft, Lord. '
'She is soft, ' the Lord agreed,
'but I have also made her tough.
You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish. '
'Will she be able to think? ' , asked the angel.
The Lord replied,
'Not only will she be able to think,
she will be able to reason and negotiate. '
The angel then noticed something,
and reaching out, touched the woman ' s cheek.
'Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model.
I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one. '
'That ' s not a leak, '
the Lord corrected,
'that ' s a tear! '
'What ' s the tear for? ' the angel asked.
The Lord said, ' The tear is her way of expressing her joy,
her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love,
her loneliness, her grief and her pride. '
The angel was impressed.
'You are a genius, Lord.
You thought of everything!
Woman is truly amazing. '
And she is!
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness,
love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don ' t take ' no ' for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They ' ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE TINY FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Isaiah 40:27-31

2008-08-05T10:18:00.003-04:00

from the Old Testament, Isaiah 40:27–31

O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired or worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Stay strong! We are in the home stretch and will be leaving for CHINA
soon! From Jeanie: In order to be informed and prepared for that visit, I encourage you to read the two documents that were emailed to you. The first is a one-page summary of the (village clinic) project and the second, a seven-page detailed in-process proposal. This information will be most helpful too, when we return and begin the final phase of our Ubuntu Journey - telling our story! I hope you've already lined up a speaking engagement or two with your local church and/or United Methodist Women's groups within your District. Carol will provide more on this when we are in Hong Kong.

My refuge

2008-07-30T21:01:00.002-04:00

The summer seems to be quickly winding to an end, and that means that our journey to China is quickly approaching. We should each be encouraged to pray for one another, to pray for our group leader, Jeanie; to pray for all of friends and family and churches that have been so supportive of our trip. And to pray for the people of China, for the many friends we have yet to meet, and for our sisters in Christ.

Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.
Psalms 25:20

Less then a month to go

2008-07-25T14:38:00.002-04:00

With less then a month before we leave for our journey, the excitement is starting to build. So many last minute details... Visas, room assignments, gathering photos... Let's make sure we make plenty of time for prayer. Pray for China. Pray for our group. Pray for our supporters. Be blessed as you continue to prepare for our Ubuntu Journey.

Sending Forth Service

2008-07-08T13:28:00.001-04:00

From Jeanie:

Ladies, On the Sunday prior to departure of United Methodist Volunteers In Mission teams, a church service of Sending Forth is generally held. This service acknowledges that your service is recognized and supported in prayer by church members.You are encouraged to speak with your pastor right away to ask that your church conduct a service of sending forth for you as an Ubuntu Journey sister. A copy of the sending forth service that is included in the UMVIM Training Manual, with a slight revision for our mission service, is provided in via email. If desired, your pastor has access to other sending forth services in the Book of worship.
Blessings,
Jeanie

A poem shared by Diane Allen....

2008-07-01T09:38:00.000-04:00

As the Ubuntu eXplorers group strives to promote contact, partnership and mutual understanding with Christians in China, here's a prayer that can be used asking God to bless China and its people.

God bless China
its cities, towns and countryside:
with fertility for the land
clean air to breathe
a stable, just economy
fair shares for all
respect for differences
support of the weak.

Grant to the young, mature and old alike:
healthy bodies
lively minds
safe living and working conditions
freedom to question, change and grow.

Bless the authorities with wisdom:
officials with gentle sensitivity
the church with confidence and joy
the people with happiness and love.

With peace, friendship and co-operation
at home and abroad:
God, bless China!

© Friends of the Church in China, 2008
(used with permission, no reprint without permission)

Our Connection in China

2008-06-09T13:45:00.002-04:00

Diane A., who works with the United Methodist China Program, General Board of Global Ministries for the United Methodist Church, is one of our team memebers for the Ubuntu trip. Since Diane knows about our connection with Amity Foundation, she thought it would be a great idea to put some of the information here on our blog. Amity will be our host when we are on mainland China. Here is the website for Amity, where you can learn all about what this wonderful organization is doing in China:

http://www.amityfoundation.org/

The Journey Begins....

2008-06-05T09:07:00.003-04:00

Last year a group of women, scattered around the country, made the decision to journey to China with the United Methodist Ubuntu Journey Program. The Ubuntu Journeys are supported by Mission Volunteers and the Women’s Division of The United Methodist Church and Global Ministries Our team is scheduled to leave for China in September, 2008. This blog is to document our journey.

Here are brief bios of our team members:

Diane A. lives in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom. She has dual citizenship, is a GBGM missionary and is an Associate with the China Program of United Methodist Global Ministries. Among other things, she recruits volunteers for the Amity Program. An article by Diane and the work in China was featured in the Nov/Dec 2007 issue of New World Outlook. You will even see a picture of Diane in action with some of Amity’s Summer English Language Program teachers! She has traveled to China, The Philippines, India, Nepal, and many other countries. Photography is part of her work and she enjoys gardening, agricultural issues and cooking. She has enthusiasm for China and will be a great resource for us.

Paula C. is from Birmingham, Alabama and was the first to share her enthusiasm for the Ubuntu, Hong Kong & China Journey. Paula has led mission trips to Henderson Settlement in Kentucky and to UMCOR Sager-Brown for many years. She has traveled to Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and Ireland. She has had photographs published in New World Outlook. Paula says she has a great curiosity about other countries and particularly enjoys learning about different cultures. She is retired and enjoys reading and walking when not engaged in all her other activities. She has found that in spite of fewer material possessions, persons in other cultures often had values superior to our own.

Jordan J. lives with her mother and father in Rising Sun, Maryland. She is a thirteen year old student whose interests include church, reading, entomology and Chinese. Jordan is currently taking a course in Chinese and has started a list of common phrases/expressions for us to learn and practice before we travel! She has traveled to Mexico, Canada & Belize and participates in local mission projects through her church. She can dance, sing, play the piano, is trained in CPR, and is prepared to give a devotional and pray. Our hostess in Hong Kong feels that Jordan will be able to relate well with the Bethune Home clients as some of them are as young as 16. Her mother and grandmother are also part of this Ubuntu Journey. A three-generation family affair!

Tracy J. lives in Rising Sun, Maryland and is Jordan’s mother. She has traveled to Mexico, Canada, Italy, UK, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Hungary, Japan, Belize and is scheduled to travel with a church mission trip to Kenya in August of 2008. Tracy is a media specialist at the University of Delaware, speaks French and enjoys photography, writing and her family. She is trained in CPR, can sing with small groups, work with youth, plays the flute, currently publishes many newsletters, and has a friend who lives in the Guizhou Province we will visit in China. Tracy is excited about the possibility of giving post-trip talks and slide presentations to UMW groups within her annual conference and helping to build enthusiasm for UMW within her own church & community.

Peggy K. lives in Hilton Head, South Carolina. She says the initial information regarding this trip caught her attention immediately and has always felt the desire to serve God where she can. She and her husband have served on a mission trip to Russia and have visited China on a tour. She is retired, speaks a little French and enjoys reading, knitting, needlepoint, sewing, and music. Peggy is active in her local UMW group and currently serves as Vice President, developing and leading programs. She enjoys teaching crafts to youth can sing and can lead devotionals. She has taught Adult Sunday School classes and religious education to elementary children, directed choirs and is a Stephen Minister.

Gloria L., who resides in Hilton Head, South Carolina, approached me with a big smile saying, “I’m going with you to China!” Gloria has a beautiful granddaughter who was adopted from China 7 years ago and she says, “This is an opportunity to learn about the country of her birth.” She is active in her church and enjoys doing mission work, has done so with the youth many years, and is going on the church mission trip to Belize this summer. A realtor, Gloria enjoys music and exercise. She sings soprano in the choir, plays the flute, hand bells, and piano. She is very proficient in computer technology, including PowerPoint presentations. Gloria likes the idea of smaller groups and especially women’s groups.

Helen M. lives in Boones Mill, Virginia, is the biological mother of Tracy J. and is Jordan’s grandmother! She and her husband have recently joined a new UM church, she’s already involved in Bible Study class, plans to take Lay Speaker class and is a Stephens Minister. Helen enjoys sewing, reading, travel, people, and of course, church. She is comfortable working with youth in storytelling and crafts, leading in prayer and devotionals and keeping a daily log. She has been a tour director/representative for the Smithsonian Journey’s Program since 1982, having directed over 75 tours all over the world. Helen says she has very good people skills and is “Happy and willing to do what ever I can.”

Jennifer M. lives in Cortland, Illinois. She works with special needs children, participated on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic last year and believes a new path has been created for her. One of the reasons she liked the mission trip so much was that, “We were learning and sharing with the people, not going in to change their way of life.” She’s honored to be a part of the Ubuntu trip. Jennifer enjoys reading, being outdoors and walking. She also enjoys interacting with youth in recreation and craft activities. Jennifer says, “I believe that I am an active listener and go into situations with an open mind.” Jennifer’s pastor, who traveled with the team to the Dominican Republic, wrote that Jennifer was an asset to the team and highly recommended her!

Marilyn M. resides in Ninety Six, South Carolina and said she knew she was interested from the first sentence in an article that included, “I am human because you are human.” Then when reading the mission statement’s “quiet Christian presence,” she knew she was being called by God. Marilyn is a hospice volunteer and enjoys volunteering in community organizations. She is the board chairman of the SC Advocate, has worked with Habitat for Humanity, can lead devotionals, and enjoys working with youth. She’s an athletic woman, running 2-8 miles 3 days a week, works out on fitness equipment 2 days a week and practices yoga 5 days a week! Marilyn says she is a listener and contributor, an adaptable person with whatever is happening.

Susan S. lives in Mineola, Texas and says, “I believe it was God’s hand which placed me, the UMW President of a very small rural church, at the same table of the Women’s Division president.” She learned of the Ubuntu Journey that day and wanted to know more. Having traveled lived in Japan for four years, she realized this trip would reach “…the very core of who I am, the Christian woman.” Susan is a retired teacher who enjoys music, quilting, computers, and reading. She is trained in First-Aid and CPR, can sing, play the piano and organ, and is competent in using digital camera and processing on PC. She has done presentations for state, local and national education organizations. She wants to provide the opportunity for God to work through her.

Paula W. lives in Statesboro, GA where she is a very active member of her local church. She has served on United Methodist Volunteers In Mission teams to El Salvador and Jamaica, helping to build churches and conduct Vacation Bible School. Over Christmas she took a riverboat cruise down the Danube River, stopping in four countries. Paula is a retired FedEx employee who enjoys square dancing as a hobby. She can sing in large groups and is comfortable teaching crafts to youth. Paula is dedicated to her church, is an usher, has served as secretary of the local UMW executive committee and is an active member of the Agape Circle. Able to lead in devotionals and prayer related needs, Paula is known as a “quiet doer and giver”.

Carol V. spends her time between Schroon Lake, NY and NYC, is a newly named executive of the Women’s Division and as of January 2008, the division’s program coordinator for the Ubuntu Journey program. Prior to joining the Women’s Division full-time, Carol served as the liaison between Mission Volunteers and UMCOR-NGO, identifying potential sites for UM Individual Volunteers and UMVIM teams. Her work originated in Europe then branched to parts of Africa and the Caribbean. She also works with women and children’s issues with the Women’s Division. Carol brings years of experience from working with numerous first-hand international contacts as well as a strong UMW background.

Jeanie B. lives in Hilton Head, SC and is team leader. She retired Aug. 2006 as Assistant General Secretary for Mission Volunteers-Global Ministries, and then served as a consultant, supervising the Individual Volunteers program. She continues work with the Ubuntu Program and Women’s Division. She helped “birth” the Ubuntu program and has conducted the team leader trainings for Ubuntu team leaders. She has traveled to numerous countries on behalf of the UMC, led team leader trainings, enjoys reading, yard work, Pilates, and connecting people across our connectional system. She serves on Mission Outreach, sings in the choir, advises a newly formed ecumenical volunteer group, and writes “Our UM Connection” articles for the church newsletter.