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October 2009

After two decades, a modest message of peace endures Small MCC peace button spreads its message from southern Ontario, where it got its start, to well beyond Canada's borders.
MCC increases Asia Disasters response to $250,000 Flooding relief in India and Cambodia, permanent housing in Indonesia added to campaign.
On site: MCC reps bid farewell, return home to request long-term aid Oct. 8, Part 4 — By Dan and Jeanne Jantzi
On site: Figuring out the challenges of disaster response in Indonesia Oct. 8, Part 3 — By Dan and Jeanne Jantzi
On site: Church fears for its Sunday school building, members’ homes and jobs Oct. 8, Part 2 — By Dan and Jeanne Jantzi
On site: MCC reps learn that entire Indonesian villages are declared mass graves Oct. 8, Part 1 — By Dan and Jeanne Jantzi
MCC Washington Office kicks off high school essay contest The Washington Office of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) U.S. is inviting submissions for its 11th annual high school essay contest.
Call to prayer and action for Colombia Mennonite Central Committee partner Justapaz, a ministry of the Mennonite Church of Colombia, is calling on churches to pray and take action for Colombia.
On site: Relief underway in Indonesian village where 95 percent of houses destroyed Oct. 7, Part 2 — By Dan and Jeanne Jantzi
On site: Teachers, volunteers help Indonesian students start to heal from earthquake trauma Oct. 7, Part 1 — By Dan and Jeanne Jantzi
Canners begin 2009-2010 season Mennonite Central Committee's (MCC's) annual mobile meat canning project, an initiative that provides meat to communities impacted by war, disaster and malnutrition, begins this month and continues through April.
On site: MCC reps view Indonesian earthquake damage, talk to survivors Oct. 6 — By Dan and Jeanne Jantzi
MCC appeals for donations for Asia disasters Mennonite Central Committee is appealing for an initial $100,000 to assist people in Asia whose homes and lives were devastated by recent earthquakes and flooding.
Call to prayer and action for Honduras Given the political turmoil in Honduras, the Latin America and the Caribbean program department of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) urgently asks that people everywhere pray for true justice and peace for the Honduran people, and call on their own governments to pressure Honduran authorities to act in ways that will bring peace.

September 2009

Volunteers give fabric a second life in earth-friendly bags Paper or plastic? Neither choice of bag often offered at grocery stores is the right choice for Mary Martin, a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) East Coast worker.
MCC initiative gives hope to deaf Nigerians Patricia Gyang, a mother of three, cannot hear an alarm but often rises by 4 a.m. to start her bread dough. She supplies shops around Jos, Nigeria, with pastries and meat pies and bakes and decorates custom-made cakes for all occasions.
Bridge building between cultures begins at MCC orientation Lydette Assefa of the United States and Hiwot of Ethiopia started building a cultural bridge between their two countries as soon as they were assigned to be roommates at Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC’s) August orientation for young adult volunteers.
Battle zone's lethal harvest I love the Obama family's White House garden. It's a great way to promote the value of fresh, home-grown food, and I hope many will follow the example that the president and first lady have set. But today I am urging President Obama to pick up a pen instead of a garden hoe, because hidden in the garden's onions and tomatoes is a connection to international humanitarian law that deserves his immediate attention.
Refugee sponsorship marks start of 30-year friendship Thirty years ago Thanh and Te Trinh and their young children risked their lives to escape the harsh economic conditions in Vietnam with the hope of rebuilding their lives in a new country.
Surprise flooding in Burkina Faso destroys homes of the poorest When Levy Madjibe visits victims of flooding in the capital of Burkina Faso, he hears the same story repeatedly – "I was surprised by the water, and I've lost everything."
Recent flooding in Burkina Faso Recent flooding in Burkina Faso, West Africa, has forced 150,000 people from their homes, predominantly in the capital, Ouagodougou, where MCC workers are based.
More poverty, hunger in developing world as recession takes hold Although the worldwide recession appears to be letting up in the U.S. and Canada, in many developing countries it has barely begun and the impact will be devastating, says an MCC spokesperson.
Camp nurtures friendships, spiritual growth in Quebec The relaxing sounds of a small river cascading over rocks at Camp Peniel in the Laurentians north of Montreal create a perfect setting for Nathan Giroux to feel inner peace.

August 2009

Fifty workers begin assignments with MCC Fifty new workers were commissioned for service after participating in an orientation at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) offices in Akron, July 7-17. Nine are serving in Canada or the United States, and 41 are serving in other countries.
MCC names new director for Ottawa office Paul Heidebrecht of southern Ontario has been appointed director of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada’s Ottawa office.
MCC partner in Haiti reports to U.N. council A Haitian partner organization of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), presented a human rights report on June 17 to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
New MCC U.S. resources on cluster bombs available Documentary and study guide provide new advocacy tools.

July 2009

Youth participate in cycle of sharing in Montreal Summer program provides opportunity to learn about effects of poverty and marginalization.
MCC promotes sustainable farming in North Korea New project aims to help farmers increase grain harvests.
Honduran Mennonites call for dialogue after coup The Honduran Evangelical Mennonite Church is calling for peaceful dialogue and respect for human rights in Honduras in the wake of the June 28 coup.