Students from Wilmington College, led by WC Campus Minister Nancy McCormick, spent their Spring Break, March 8–15, in Belize at Belize Friends School, Centre, and Church, in Belize City. They volunteered in a number of capacities while there, including painting school rooms, leading games, and holding crafts sessions with children from the school’s neighborhood. Here are some of their reflections:
Read MoreFriends United Meeting’s Director of African Ministries, John Muhanji, will be on a three-month sabbatical leave from March through May. During this time he will be a scholar-in-residence at Pendle Hill Study and Retreat Center in Pennsylvania for ten weeks, during which he will be able to share in the daily rhythm of learning, work, and worship with other program leaders and scholars. His main objective is to showcase the African voice in Quaker theology. In his absence all office and farm operations will be taken care of by the able staff at the FUM Africa Ministries Office. We wish John well as he takes time away to re-energize and hope that the time spent at Pendle Hill will give him access to experiences he would never be able to come across within his area of jurisdiction, and that the knowledge acquired during the program will be shared through written journals for the Quaker audience.
Read MoreThe FUM Sustainability Committee together with FUM staff at large are pleased to welcome John Kibet Sitienei who is joining the team in the capacity of Farm Manager at the FUM Ambwere Farm in Kitale, Kenya. John comes in with vast experience in farm technical operations. He holds a Masters in Seed Science Technology from University of Eldoret and has been privileged to work with Kenya Seed Company among other prestigious seed production companies in Kenya. He has made various achievements in his career and has worked as a team player level as well as a manager. Apart from farm operations he enjoys spending time with his his wife and four children. We wish him well as he joins the team in this third season of planting at the FUM Ambwere Farm.
Read MoreDuring the recent gathering of the General Board, FUM’s General Secretary, Kelly Kellum announced the resignation of Oscar and Miriam Mmbali, who serve as our field-staff in Belize. Seven years ago, Oscar accepted the call to serve in Belize as FUM’s church planting pastor. When Oscar and Miriam were married, she joined him in the ministry. In 2024, Oscar became the director of FUM-Belize.
Read MoreIn recent weeks, the FUM E-news has reported on the impact the suspension of US foreign aid is having on ministries under the care of Friends United Meeting. We carry a burden of concern and responsibility for Ramallah Friends School and the Lugulu Friends Mission Hospital. For years, FUM has collaborated with USAID to oversee grants through the ASHA (American Schools and Hospitals Abroad) Program. Both the Lugulu Friends Mission Hospital and Ramallah Friends School have benefited from this program.
Read MoreThe FUM Living Letters service-learning trip to the Ramallah Friends School this summer will be June 13 to July 1, dates subject to slight change depending on flights. It will be led by Jane and Max Carter, of New Garden Friends Meeting, in North Carolina, who have led more than thirty trips to Palestine and Israel. During the 2½ week sojourn, the group will stay on the campus of the Friends School, do simple projects around the campus, meet with local leaders of Palestinian religious, cultural, and political society, and enjoy meals in the homes of families connected with the School. Travel away from Ramallah will include visits to Jerusalem, the Galilee, the Jordan Valley, Bethlehem, Hebron, and meeting with Israelis who are working with Palestinians towards a just peace. For information and an application, contact Jane Carter (click to send email).
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