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Left to right: LaVere Webster, Zola Webster, Dick Michel, Susan Miller,
George Hilborn, Dianne Hilborn, John Hilborn, Pastor Alena Prochazkova,
Bob Pierce, Martha Michel, Jim Miller, Julie Eggleston, Donna Haymond,
Wil Cantrell, Superintendent Josef Cerenak.
Work Accomplished During This Trip
- Helped pay for 42 new windows in "Castle Bldg A".
- Sealed and painted wall in front of church.
- Removed and replaced wooden fence on church wall.
- Cleared ground and planted memorial garden at church entrance.
- Removed metal bars from all windows in Bldg A.
- Cleared area for children's playground.
- Spread dirt for children's playground.
- Set cement steps for play ground.
- Front garden - stone border, weeded, planted and spread mulch.
- Reset stone patio.
- Repaired stucco brick wall along walkway.
- Scraped inside basement wall preparing for new stucco and paint.
- Mowed and trimmed lawns.
- Leveled areas were waterline had been run through lawn.
- Trimmed trees and bushes.
- Cultivated around scrubs.
- Held party for staff and friends.
- Produced children program for all clients and guests, Jonah.
- Participated in Sunday morning worship - Sermon, communion, songs
- Helped build swing set for children's playground.
- Helped deliver meals to shut-ins.
- Transplanted perennials in front of church.
- Sprayed and trimmed rose garden.
- Mowed overgrown areas with big VARI mower.
- Attended Jecna church Sunday service with District Superintendent preaching - sang hymn, met with congregation after church.
- Met with Jana Krizova from Bron, Czech missions liaison.
- Met with pastor of Jecna church, Alena Prochazkova lunch, plan special Sunday program.
- Attended special music concert benefit for new Jecna youth program facility.
- Supplied materials for 3 new benches in play area.
- Supplied materials for new sandbox
Photos of the Trip
The Czech Initiative has partnered Birmingham First UMC with the Nove
Mesto, "Central" Methodist Church in downtown Prague 2. Some of the
financial gift we send annually, as a partner church, was used in the
remodeling project of the basement of the church. This area is being
used for the new youth outreach program being developed at the downtown
church. The remodeling has been a two-year project. Upon our visit
in June of 2002, the VIM team was thrilled to see the results.
Another view of the youth room.
Money from our VIM Team trip to the Christian Help Center in June, 2001,
was used to help lease this automobile that is used for "meals on wheels"
deliveries for seniors in Horni Pocernice.
Jiri Cerny, his wife Venuse, and their daughter Katerina.
They are members of the Horni Pocernice UMC and Jiri (George) is now
the help center's handyman. Our VIM team worked closely with George
during our two weeks at the center.
Pastor Pavel Janousek and some of the church children
sing a song for the group.
The team ate their meals at the center during the two weeks they were
there. The dining room is open to the public for lunch and in addition
approximately 50 meals are delivered to seniors in the area each day.
Zola Webster and Donna Haymond paint the wall in front of the
UMC/Parsonage. The Birmingham VIM team helped repair
the wall when we were there in June, 2001.
Thank You Note
I am sending you greetings and thanks from all of us here in the Christian Help Centre in Horni Pocernice. Your VIM team was a great encouragement for us. All of the members of the team sacrificed a lot and they completed a lot of work. They worked hard in the garden, painted the fence, built the playground and did a lot of other small but important things. They ministered at Sunday service, prepared a wonderful program for our children ... and gave out plenty of smiles and joy.
Together we were rejoicing over our building that had absolutely changed. The windows were replaced and the building regained its original historical look. But the most important thing is our hearts were joined through our shared faith. I'm very thankful for your cooperation. All the brothers and sisters you ever send will be our welcomed guests. You are helping us in a great way to build our Christian Help Centre to help those in need. Thank you again for sending the VIM team and for all your support.
Jan Harbacek
Prague 9, Czech Republic
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