With much joy, the Mission of Hope (#S-00281) short term mission teams plan to return to Rotifunk Hospital in Sierra Leone in November 2015. Team member applications are being accepted for two teams: a medical team and a general spiritual/social team focused on building relationships. Teams will be limited to seven persons each.
The Mission of Hope, Inc. grew out of Wrightsville UMC and the personal relationship between Rev. Edie Gleaves and Bishop John Yambasu. Since 2013, several teams have gone to Sierra Leone; the Mission of Hope was formed for the new partnership with Rotifunk Hospital; and plans were developed for a multi-year partnership to support the hospital, newly reopened and rededicated in May 2014. See companion articles, Rotifunk Hospital – Our Newest NC Advance and Clean Water & Healthcare. The Ebola crisis suspended plans to send additional teams – until now.
Bishop Yambasu, guest preacher at the NC Annual Conference 2015, passionately shared how the Sierra Leone Conference of the UMC, with support from NCC, helped address the desperate needs of a nation ravaged by Ebola. Dale Smith and Rev. Edie Gleaves also led a breakout session about the exciting work being done by God through the Mission of Hope in Sierra Leone (see Annual Conference Presentation).
You have an opportunity to be part of this exciting ministry, in partnership with fellow United Methodists in Sierra Leone. Prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to go. Contact Dale Smith at dulan@ec.it.com or 910-617-0277 for more information.