United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries (MAM) was built and is sustained
by the generosity of individuals and churches throughout Kansas West Conference
and beyond its boundaries! Our “most distant” regular financial
donor lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.
We have prayer partners in Kansas, Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Florida, and Arizona.
All are a blessing to our staff and the families we serve.
We are especially blessed by generous in-kind giving…and some donors
have extremely creative ways of giving. One of these is The Reverend Cynthia
Weems, pastor at Rose Hill United Methodist Church. For her daughter Mariana’s
first birthday, Cynthia hosted a birthday party at the church, then donated
ALL of the gifts to children served by MAM! Helen, our German interpreter,
took two of the beautiful dresses to an 18-month old girl who has nine older
siblings and has never had anything new.
Annual Conference is May 23-25 in Hutchinson. We are delighted that there will
be an Ingathering of canned/staple food for United Methodist Mexican-American
Ministries and United Methodist Urban Ministries. Please, encourage your congregation
to contribute either food or money designated for food. Lay and clergy representatives
will also have the opportunity to support hunger relief efforts by signing
up for the “Un-Meal” on the Conference Registration Form. Both
projects help feed many needy families. Be sure and stop by our booth, as well,
and see other ways you are in mission partnership with MAM!
Lydia M. Child says “An effort made for the happiness of others lifts
us above ourselves.” It’s so true! Thank you for the happiness
you give to MAM families
.
With love,
Penney Schwab
Executive Director
They say confession is good for the soul. With that said…I
have a few of my own to make. In sharing them I hope to perhaps better my spiritual
growth. The recent cold weather made my usually cheery outlook dormant. It
was during one of these incredibly cold days that I saw a “fancy pickup” pull
up and a well dressed gentlemen walk up the steps. I thought to myself “He
doesn’t look like he needs help.” Shame on me.
The phone rang and I became distracted, but could see into the waiting area
as he conversed with Elda (the assistant community developer). Mr. J spent
some time with her and I noticed her face change and become sadder. When he
left she told me the sad story. He was needing to apply for health insurance
for his children as his wife had lost her job. The gentleman is in his fifties
and disabled and Mrs J worked the knives at the local beef packing plant. They
have a teenage girl and 7 year old boy.
Mrs. J had been experiencing stomach problems in November and
December. She was suddenly diagnosed with advanced cancer. It had spread quickly,
and the Thursday he had walked into our office for assistance with health insurance
paperwork, the doctors had sent her home from the hospital with three weeks
to live. He had been given the task of watching his wife pass away and trying
to set family matters in order.
I was embarrassed at my own preconceived notions, and maybe my attitude with
him that day might have shown through. God made sure Elda was the kind face
he saw that day. Much to my dismay that following Monday evening I opened the
newspaper to see her obituary. She had passed away the day after he had been
in the office. Her funeral and burial had taken place that Monday morning.
Later that week I saw the same gentleman pull up. This time I saw him through
different eyes. He entered and I was available to assist him. As we conversed
over a cup of warm coffee he recounted his wife’s death and family’s
turmoil over it.
THANKS TO GENEROUS DONORS LIKE YOURSELVES….we were able to assist with
utilities, food, blankets, mental health referrals (UMMAM behavioral health
specialist, the school district and other entities) for the whole family, but
most importantly he left knowing God is with him always. He knows this because
of the assistance he received, only by the grace of God are these things possible.
Before he left he did share his own perception of UMMAM. In those moments that
I was watching him walk up those steps, he remembered thinking “How can
anyone in this old decrepit building help me with anything?” But he left
with much more than he bargained for. Mostly the peace that only Christ can
give. Please pray for this family and that I may see past what my eyes see
and instead act on faith.
NEXT NEWLETTER: More confessions, more lessons.
Consuelo Sandoval
Community Developer, Garden Cit
Juan is a 14 year old boy who was diagnosed with a tumor in his stomach over
a year ago. His parents came to our office scared and unsure of his future.
They did not understand the health insurance forms that needed to be processed
and their bills were piling up. Aside from their financial problems, Juan was
referred to a hospital in Kansas City for treatment.
Throughout the year, Juan's parents would frequently visit me so that I could
read for them their insurance statements and they could give me updates on
Juan's progress. Their faith in God is what got them through this terrible
situation. They are so gratefeul to live in a country were they could receive
the best health care available for their son. Juan is progressing very well
and his future looks bright. He came to the office the other day and I did
not recognize him! He is 5'10" and is a happy, healthy teenager with lots
of curyl hair! This family feels very blessed that Juan is on the road to recovery
and I feel blessed to have been there in their time of need.
Elva Dominquez
Community Developer, Dodge City
Your generosity and gratitude lets us continue working in this ministry. I
have always believed in Jesus Christ, I see him in every person who comes to
our agency looking for meals, clothing, and other kinds of help. I see many
miracles happen every day. When our food and clothing bank and emergency funds
are low, I pray to our Lord to send lovely people like you to support us. We
always see response from Him and from you. THANK YOU.
Now we are experiencing an uncertain and worrisome future in the Liberal community.
The worry is due to the raids conducted by the immigration service in Colorado,
Missouri, Texas and other states. Many people, businesses, schools, and churches
are working to create a community-wide action plan in case raids are conducted
in Liberal. We especially worry about the children of the immigrants. We are
working hard to provide these people information from attorneys about how to
protect their children if a parent is not available to care for a child. Please
pray for these families.
My best wishes to you during this lovely spring and summer season as we see
God’s earth green with life and hope.
God Bless you today and always
Dora Ponce
Community Developer, Dodge City
Greetings from Jose:
I am so glad that you pray for us because this really helps me help others
even when I do not know exactly what to do. Let me share just a couple of
incidents in which I was not sure what to do. One Sunday afternoon I was
at home watching TV when the Sheriff called me and he asked if I could go
with him to interpret for a family whose family member had been in a fatal
car accident. I was not sure if I wanted to go and what I would say. I believe
because of my own prayers and yours I was able to do this, and I was able
to ask the question. “Do you have a pastor or priest we could call?” They
did have a pastor, and he came over immediately after our call to him.
Another incident occurred when I received a call from our High School principal
to come over and help with a student who was in trouble at school. We went
right over and visited with the student. Again because of your prayers we were
able to encourage this student to be positive and keep him in school. We are
still working with this student. Please continue to keep us in your prayers
so that we are able to help others in need.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
Jose Olivas,
Community Developer
Ulysses, Satanta & Johnson
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your
freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves
to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You
shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14
United Methodist Mexican American Ministries continues to see growth in all
of our programs. It seems that as we serve families and individuals, meeting
their needs for food, clothing, medical services, and spiritual support, more
persons find their way to our care centers and clinics.
The Dodge City Clinic is seeing an increase in the number of patients seen.
Our Board Chair emeritus Mr. Bob Dennis always believed that the need existed
in Dodge City for a full time physician. And he was right. The clinic is very
busy most days. The Board of Directors also saw a need for additional physician
services in Liberal and now Dr. McDonald is serving patients at the Liberal
Medical Clinic across from the church.
The Care Center and Clinic in Garden City is the hub for many of the auxiliary
services which are offered throughout this ministry. Immunizations, the diabetes
control program, Parents as Teachers, Early Detection Works and other programs
are headquartered there but serve all of western Kansas.
Ulysses is the home for our food program for child and adult care centers.
This is a program which serves several counties in southwest Kansas and allows
home day cares to serve thousands of healthful and nutritious meals to children
and adults in care.
United Methodist Mexican American Ministries continues to grow and to serve
through the gifts and support of countless people, many, many UMW units, and
hosts of churches in the conference. Please keep our clients in your thoughts
and prayers.
Mia S. Korbelik
Director of Development