VIM recruiting teams for Nicaragua
Oklahoma Volunteers In Mission (VIMs) are preparing to expand their ministry into Nicaragua.
Larry Calderon of Nicaragua visited Oklahoma on May 4-6 and spoke about the witness of the Evangelical Methodist Church of Nicaragua. Calderon has been the VIM coordinator for the Church in Nicaragua for four months. He said the Church in Nicaragua typically welcomes three to five VIM teams each year from the United States. The denomination is 20 years old.
In its first decade, the Church consisted of two congregations. During the second decade, the faith community has increased by 14 congregations. Most of them meet in people’s homes. The Methodists in Nicaragua have two completed church buildings and one parsonage.
In that nation, 48 percent of the population, which totals 5.5 million people, live on $2 to $5 per day, according to statistics reported by Shannon Lemmons, Oklahoma VIM coordinator of International Missions. Forty-three percent of the population is younger than 15.
"Imagine trying to start a church in those conditions," Lemmons said. “In spite of the lack of buildings, outreach to the community and spiritual growth is occurring.”
She explained, "Each congregation has a feed program. In the past, food for the program has been donated by a non-profit organization. Policies have recently changed, and only churches with buildings or land can receive the food. Each congregation has been feeding about 100 children. Their dream is to feed that many children each day. Right now, they can only feed two or three times each week."
Lemmons first learned about the Nicaraguan needs when she met Calderon in Mexico City, at a consultation for VIM coordinators and bishops from Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Oklahoma VIM is recruiting teams for mission service in Nicaragua. Lemmons said a 10-day mission will cost about $1,400 to $1,600 per person, depending on the number of people on the team. Contact her at the United Methodist Ministry Center in Oklahoma City, 405-530-2031.
