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BARBARA COWARD
UMCONNECTION CORRESPONDENT

In her job as a retirement plans specialist for an investment firm, Deb Englar of Bel Air UMC helps her clients achieve a more secure future. Lately, this active lay member is working to provide a more promising future for her brothers and sisters in need on the opposite side of the world.

As a member of her church missionary team, Englar is helping her church build a medical facility in Munyarari, Zimbabwe. 'It is our main missionary event in Africa,' said Englar. Bel Air UMC also supports a mission in Russia.

Healthcare is a top priority in the region due to the prevalence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and related illnesses, as well as malaria and tuberculosis. Other common diseases in the region include chronic diarrhea, skin disease, acute respiratory infections and malnutrition especially among orphans and small children.

The vision of the team is to build a permanent medical facility to provide sustainable healthcare for the 23 surrounding villages of Munyarari through a collaborative partnership with the Zimbabwe Conference. The United Methodist Church of Zimbabwe already owns and operates a mission center in the village, which is home to a church as well as primary and secondary schools.

The title of the project, 'Chabadza ? Healing Hands across Zimbabwe Mission,' reflects the importance of the partnership between the two conferences. 'It?s the Chabadza philosophy that means working together,' said Englar. 'When a visitor comes across people working in a field, you do not just pass by. You stop to give a helping hand.'

The new medical facility will provide the more than 1,300 students in the mission?s two schools (who are mostly AIDS orphans), and 20,000 surrounding area residences with access to doctor and nursing assistance for chronic diseases and much needed maternal and infant care. Presently, the inhabitants of the Munyarari region travel great distances, mostly by foot, to receive medical treatment.

The original idea for the mission came about when a member of Bel Air UMC had an idea to build a medical facility in Africa and approached the church?s pastor, the Rev. Barry Hidey.

'The Lord is listening to each one of us,' said Englar. 'Each one of us can make a difference.'

It so happened that long before the church mission was established, Englar had applied for the UM General Board of Global Ministries? 'Ubuntu eXplorers' mission trip to Zimbabwe. 'I?ve always had an interest in missions and this was a women?s trip to get involved and meet the women of Zimbabwe.'

The timing of the Ubuntu mission last March provided an ideal opportunity for Englar to take a three-hour side trip to the village of Munyarari where she was able to walk the site of the proposed facility. 'I began with an interest in world missions, and I returned with a heart for missions in Zimbabwe,' she said.

To fund the new building, Bel Air UMC has pledged $100,000 to the Baltimore Washington Conference Hope Fund, 'a conferencewide effort to raise $1 million in disaster relief around the world,' said Daryl Williams, director of planned giving and investments.

'One of the goals of the Hope Fund is to fortify the Zimbabwe partnership, and we felt certain we could raise $100,000,'said Englar.

'As one of our lead churches, it is encouraging that Bel Air UMC has stepped up to take the lead in this endeavor,' Williams said. 'Their participation is a testament to their seriousness to bring hope to a suffering world.'

As far as a timeline, the mission team doesn?t have a firm target. 'As soon as possible and as best as possible,' said Englar.

Meanwhile, the team remains excited about 'sharing our heart for Africa in our church' and is working on raising funds including a silent auction with goods that Bishop Nhiwatiwa?s wife recently brought from Zimbabwe to the United States. The church has also made a preliminary list of medical equipment and a church member has come forward to help obtain some of it.

As a side benefit, the missionary work brings personal rewards as well. 'I would have never thought I was going to Africa in my life,' said Englar. 'I?ve been in the corporate world for 35 years. It is so important to give your life to Christ. When you do that, it is hand-to-hand and face-to-face. There is no room to focus on ?I don?t have this.?'

As she approaches her last two months before retirement, Englar sees this mission as 'a wonderful way to look at the next portion of life and give to others.'

But most of all, the effort is about a local church working together to lend a helping hand to those far away.

'The world is getting smaller,' said Englar. 'These are our brothers and sisters in Christ.'

SIDEBAR:
Give to the Hope Fund ? Here?s how

All churches are invited to participate in the Hope Fund. The fund is looking to raise $1 million in disaster relief around the world: $600,000 for Zimbabwe; $200,000 for Global HIV/AIDS; and $200,000 for church rebuilding on the Gulf. For more information, contact the Rev. Daryl Williams at (410) 309-3480.