Global Ministries missionaries Ted and Carla Warnock both work in the health field.
Ted and Carla Warnock

By Ted Warnock*

Recently, I had an opportunity to share how we as United Methodists are acting upon our faith through UMCOR. Yes, I went to church dressed in my UMCOR vest, boots, and cargo pants. And I carried a backpack filled with all the normal items, such as: my personal mosquito net, miscellaneous power plugs, an international cell phone, a spare copy of my passport, flashlight, and even anti-malaria medication. For good measure, I also included the artificial limb that we use in our program in Sierra Leone and a copy of my travel book, Just Enough Portuguese. The time with my fellow Sunday school class members was great, as was the sharing where and how we serve; they reminded me of how much we truly have to be thankful for.

As I was preparing for that presentation, I found the greeting my wife, Carla, and I had written for our missionary newsletter in Advent 2002. The words seem to still fit our world today:

Somehow, during this past year, the mood of the nation and our world seems to have changed. Have you noticed? There is no escaping the reality of corporate greed and irresponsibility. Television and radio programs are constantly reminding us of what we are doing wrong and headlines such as “War on Terror” and “America Prepares for War” are all too commonplace.

We know that death, hunger, and severe poverty are part of our world. Still, in the midst of these overwhelming reports, good things happen every day. People’s lives are changed and their faith challenged by serving in mission—locally and internationally. Jesus said: “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” As loving Christians, may we all embrace our neighbors and share the gifts God has entrusted to us.

May this holiday season be a time of sharing and giving.

*Ted and Carla Warnock are missionaries with the General Board of Global Ministries. Ted serves as missionary for Special Projects of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), while Carla is assigned as nurse/coordinator of Global Ministries' Missionary Health Ministry Wellness Program.