FUMC-Faben's Mission Site Blessed by Several UMC Churches

submitted by Frances Gonzalez
   

     Change the World Day definitely made a change at the First United Methodist Church in Fabens. This May we were blessed with making the final touches at our Fabens mission site "Dame Una Mano". Our help came from several mission groups: Western Hills UMC Missions Group, The Ridge UMC Missions Group, and Christ Community UMC Mission Group.

Because of their faithful service to the Lord's work and their servant's heart, much was accomplished at our mission house.                                               

     Our community food pantry was not only stocked by WHUMC but was also organized and 3 very important closets were painted and organized. We now have a children's room, and our bunk beds were sanded, painted and set up in our dorms. Every dorm has brand new curtains. Our brand new shower rooms, built previously by St. Paul's of Las Cruces Mission Team, was spruced up with window curtains, area rugs, additional shower curtains and a waste paper basket for every room.

     We are truly blessed by the response of the United Methodist Churches. I would like to extend an invitation to the other churches in our conferences to consider coming to Fabens with their mission group.

     For information contact: Rev. Frances Gonzalez at (915) 240-1783 or email her at: fgonza49@yahoo.com

There is a destiny that makes us brothers, no one goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own.

Susan Miller knows how it feels to live a gypsy's life. The wife of a corporate hotel executive, Miller moved 14 times in 25 years. The experience had a profound effect and led her to start Just Moved Ministry. The spiritually based non-profit reaches out to people who are frequently uprooted and equips them with tools to help them let go of the past and embrace new lives. She now leads relocation classes in churches, military installations and corporations, as well as trains motivators to guide families who are dealing with the stress of moving. Miller offers these suggestions.

Tips for pastors and their families making a move to a new church and community:

     1. Before you move, be sure you have closure with people and places. Take pictures to recall important memories. You might want to make a scrapbook or album with keepsakes representing your time in that church and community.

     2. Once you have moved, be aware of what your overload factors are. Watch for physical, emotional and spiritual strain.

     3. Try not to compare your last church and community with your new situation.

     4. Be careful of having unrealistic expectations. They can be the ruin of any new appointment.