Delegates to the 51st annual meeting of MCC Manitoba got a chance to hear about some of the work the relief organization is doing at home and abroad and it appears the organization has a full plate.

About 125 representatives churches members from around the province gathered at the Charleswood Mennonite Church in Winnipeg on Friday, June 12 to hear some of the latest reports on MCC's relief projects.

Delegates were told about the worsening situation in Syria which has created a wave of refugees in that part of the world; a situation that MCC is trying to address through its church constituency.

"Particularly our work in Manitoba with connecting church groups and sponsoring groups to refugee sponsorship is something that is connecting us in a very vital way to MCC's international program which is now facing this great challenge with over 50 million people displaced worldwide," said Ron Janzen, MCC Manitoba's executive director. "We are very actively connecting with our churches and looking for sponsors for refugees. We discussed how, as an MCC system across Canada, we are gearing up for a major call to action for all of our churches to increase their support and their vision for refugee sponsorships in the coming years."

Meanwhile, the situation in Nepal following a devastating earthquake in late April was also discussed and a report was provided to update delegates on MCC's efforts in that country.

"We have raised over $2 million dollars across the MCC system with over half a million of that coming from right here in Manitoba so I am very pleased and blessed by the response of our constituents."

Janzen says MCC's operations also continues to receive good support from its constituents in the work of providing relief to the disadvantaged around the world.

"In fact, in Manitoba we had a small surplus and the shared international program is also finishing the year with a small surplus," stated Janzen. "We're very appreciative to our constituents for their very strong support."