Friends of Barnabas
The mission of Friends of Barnabas is to empower families in Honduras through healthcare and education. In 2004 and 2025, Bethlehem has been represented by caring members who have joined the team of care providing healthcare services to those without access, teaching preventative health education to children, youth and parents, and empowering and improving the capacity of local community members.
Guatamala
Bethlehem UMC sent a team of four to Guatemala. The team volunteered and lived on campus at the Mi Refugio School in the mountains near Guatemala City. Mi Refugio is an independent Christian school which has been serving poor families in the area for 27 years, providing education from preschool to 9th grade. Some support is available for students wishing to continue their education in trade school and beyond. There are currently 350 students enrolled.
The Bethlehem team joined others on the mission from around the US and provided enrichment classes for the students in sewing, arts and crafts, woodworking, computers and baking. Other team members undertook a construction project at the school; adding a retaining wall along a walkway between classroom buildings. Still others were part of the medical outreach mission to the local area seeing many patients who cannot afford medical care or basic medications. Plans are already being considered for future trips!
SZEGED HUNGARY
On Sunday June 13, 2021, we dedicated our Purple Leaf Plum tree that symbolizes our continuing partnership with our sister church Szeged United Methodist Church. There is a sister tree planted in the SUMC church yard in Hungary. Our Purple Leaf Plum tree is across the parking lot from the fellowship hall wing near our big sign. May we continue to be blessed by the support we give each other as we seek to be Outward Bound!
