Mission and Service

Jim and Carol arrived in Recife, Brazil on Sat. January 23rd, 2010.  We spent a couple of days on the beach at Boa Viagem.  On Monday we went to the MCC office which is comprised of a house a yard and another building which houses the offices.  We were greeted with a smile and a big hug from Helen Davis the new Country Representative there. We ate a yummy lunch with the workers. 

Jim Janzen and Carol Knieriem left the U.S. on Friday Jan. 22, 2010 heading for Recife, Brazil via Omaha, Chicago, and San Paolo.  For one week Jim and Carol will be visiting old and new friends in Recife and in some of the smaller communities further inland.  We are overwhelmed and humbled by the support of family and friends.  We are your ambassadors, and we hope we represent you well.  Check back here for news/articles/photos of our trip.

Peace to all. 

First Mennonite Church joins people of good will everywhere in responding to the grief and struggle of the Hatian people following the January 12 earthquake.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has a 50-year history of working in Haiti and a long tradition of responding to disasters, wherever they occur.  Immediately after the disaster MCC released emergency assistance resources and dispatched an assessment team.  Complete information is available on the MCC Haiti response pages.

First Mennonite Church is receiving cash donations to help MCC with a multiyear recovery effort.  Contributions may be made at any time and should be designated, "Haiti."  Online donations may be made directly to MCC.  DONATE

In addition MCC has requested 20,000 relief kits, 10,000 new heavy comforters (single/twin size preferred), and 10,000 new flat sheets (double,queen or king-size).  Light colors are requested as sheets will also be used as mosquito netting and light colors are less attractive to mosquitoes.

Contributions may be delivered to First Mennonite Church on Sunday mornings or telephone 402-467-1526 to arrange a time. 

First Mennonite members Carol Knieriem & Jim Janzen traveled to Feria Nova, Brazil on January 22 to join a team of volunteers with Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program. They worked side-by-side with people who need a decent place to live, helping to build simple, affordable houses.

OVER THE TOP!

Thanks for helping to provide a Thanksgiving meal for those in need. Your generous donations of sweet yams and stuffing mix enabled us to exceed our goal of 300 of each. 

Donations have been delivered.   People's City Mission will distribute them to needy families, along with turkeys and other Thanksgiving food items.

Volunteers are needed to shingle the roof of the Habitat for Humanity House at 1221 N 44th St. on Thursday, August 13.  Work begins at 4:00 p.m. or whenever you can come.

Krishnendu B. is the latest Global Family student to be sponsored by First Mennonite Church.  He is 21 years old and lives with his family in India.  He is studying mechanical engineering so he can work and help support his parents and two sisters.

The Junior Youth group spent Halloween Night collecting non-perishable food donations for People's City Mission.  The thirteen group members and younger siblings went door-to-door in the neighborhood around the church.