An Update from Katherine Parker
An Update from Katherine Parker
Dear Friends at Trinity UMC,
Pentecost is probably my favorite holiday in the Christian calendar. What a powerful message of the Spirit continuing to connect the church together in the Missio Dei and breaking down the barriers we create to separate us from one another. The UMC Global Ministries Theology of Mission statement concludes: The Spirit is always moving to sweep the Church into a new mission age. With openness and gratitude we await the leading of the Spirit in ways not yet seen as God continues to work God’s purposes out in our own day in a new way.
Red is the color of happiness in Nepal, worn for weddings, worship and other times of joy. As you don celebratory red clothing and read the scriptures in multiple languages this Sunday, remember your connection with us in Nepal and the wonderful ways in which we are united as the church global. Pray that we remain open to the movement of the Spirit leading us into this new mission age.
Your sister in service for Christ,
Katherine
Where in Nepal is Katherine?
My work with the United Mission to Nepal is primarily based in Rukum district in western Nepal, where I was from January to March of this year. I continued to work with our youth empowerment project in Khadi and surrounding villages and also traveled out to Timile village to monitor a multi-use water project supported by UMCOR. In March I joined in Total Sanitation workshops in Rangsi and Taksera villages to lead portions on community assessment of source and household management of drinking water quality.
April was a hectic month of travel first up to Pokhara for a conference of all missionaries serving in UMN (both hospitals and community development), then to Atlanta to join the board meeting of Global Ministries in my role as the chairperson of the United Methodist Missionary Association. I had a four day layover with my family in San Francisco before continuing on to Cambodia for the quadrennial gathering of UMC missionaries serving in Asia. This was a wonderful time to reconnect and be refreshed with signs of hope from the ministries taking place throughout the region. In May I returned to Rukum where we are re-focusing on completing our target activities for projects that are on a July to July annual planning schedule.
What work does United Mission to Nepal do?
Download the 2016-2017 Annual Report for UMN for an overview of our work in Nepal.
Several projects supported by the UMC are highlighted in the report. The birth preparedness program in Bajang is supported by a grant from Global Health (the new Imagine No Malaria). Gifts through The Advance #3021568 supported 65 Smokeless Stoves in Rukum (our 2016 Christmas appeal). Thank you!
Other News of Interest
Nepal suffers from the inglorious statistic of having the largest percent of the population without access to a toilet of any country in the world. There has been a push in recent years to motivate toilet construction and declare communities Open Defecation Free. In many communities, such as Takesera village in the Rukum-East district where we work, this was accomplished through a combination of household latrines and public latrines in the school and community square.
As with any major cultural shift, there are challenges in proper use of the new technology, and both the boys toilet at the school and the one in the public square were soon clogged with stones and not sufficiently hygienic for people to want to use them. Working with the local WASH Committee (water, sanitation & hygiene), the Health Mothers’ Group and the school Child Club, UMN and our partner NPAF re-taught and emphasized proper use, cleaning and maintenance of household and public toilets.
The Child Clubs took to the streets with dramatic demonstrations of how to clean a toilet. The WASH and Mothers’ Groups came together to clean and refurbish the public toilets. After donning plastic gloves to clean out the stone blockages, the mothers declared they didn’t want to do this again and discussed additional steps they could take to prevent further misuse. At their initiative, a sign was painted on the side of the toilet saying their will be a Rs. 500 ($5) fine for anyone caught improperly using the toilet.
Will anyone be fined? Hopefully not. But I was excited that the groups looked for creative, locally-initiated procedures to claim ownership of the public toilet and establish accountability to community standards.
Editor Note: How does Trinity support Katherine?
Katherine Parker is serving with the Health Team of the United Mission to Nepal and is sponsored in part by Chico Trinity UMC. She sends regular updates of her work and speaks to our congregation every few years. More information is on the bulletin board outside Hadley Hall.
If you wish to personally support her work you may:
- Add funds to our church donation to support Katherine Parker by making a note on your check or outside of a donation envelope. -or-
- You may also donate directly here:
Advance #3021568 Integrated Community Development Program of UMN Project Details
Advance #15187Z Salary support for Katherine Parker. Missionary Profile
Our Purpose is to ENGAGE people in joyful relationships with God and with each other, so we will GROW in Christ-like compassion, and SHARE the blessings of the Holy Spirit.