Moscow First United Methodist Church

Missions

Moscow First UMC supports a variety of mission projects.  They include:

Moscow Food Bank:
Donations can be brought to the church at any time, but particular emphasis is on the first Sunday of the month.

Shalom Zone: 
This is a ministry of Spokane Central UMC reaching out to the homeless in downtown Spokane.  Throughout the year, Moscow First collects small toiletry items (such as those provided in motels) for Shalom Zone, and during the month of October, we collect specific items such as laundry soap, bar soap, shampoo, and other items useful for the homeless.

Jamaa Letu: 
This is an orphanage for girls located in the Congo and is a project of the Pacific Northwest conference.  These children have been orphaned due to war, AIDS, and other problems in the Congo.  Moscow First sponsors one girl at the orphanage.  Our donation of $320 per year provides for her clothing, food, medical expenses and education. 

On August 11, 2005, Jan Kaiser (Co-chair of the Bishop's Task Force of Hope for the Children of Africa) informed us that Veronica Aendela (the orphan child who we have been sponsoring for the past four years) and her sister (who was in the same orphanage) were reunited with their father.  According to Jan, it was a very happy reunion.  They had been separated because of the political unrest of the country, and the father was presumed dead. 
We will now be sponsoring a new child.  She is a 12-year-old fourth grader, named Patience Ekanda Akambo.  The Missions Committee thanks all who contribute economic support which permits our church to provide a young girl with basic care and shelter at this orphanage.

Africa University:
The only United Methodist institution of higher education on the continent of Africa,  Africa University offers degrees in such fields as agricultural, education, religion, and health sciences.  The Mission Committee sponsors Africa Day each year in January to help support Africa University.

Volunteers in Mission: 
This program of the Pacific Northwest Conference sends teams of people on short term missions to do building projects, provide medical care, and help communities recover from disasters. 

Habitat for Humanity:
The Palouse Chapter of Habitat is currently building a home in Moscow for a family with a handicapped child.  The house will be accessible and keep him in the Moscow School District where he has had good relations with his teachers.