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WORLD MISSIONS

Episcopal Diocese of West Texas  
February, 2015


PETs GIVE MOBILITY TO DISABLED IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 
from Ferol Senter, Resurrection, San Antonio   



A highlight of Resurrection's Alternative Gift Market was the PET (Personal Energy Transportation), a three-wheeled, off-road wheelchair operated by hand power.  The PET is designed for people who have lost the use of their legs due to birth defects, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, polio, land mines, and war.  These rugged wheelchairs have succeeded in rural locations on unpaved terrain where conventional wheelchairs have failed. 

Parishioners at Resurrection had a good time test driving the PET while raising money for a good cause.  Fr. Chris Cole (above) was one of the participants.  Ferol Senter says they may have a relay race for next year's Christmas Fair.

The event, which raised $2,823, featured the Texas Ramp Project, Meals on Wheels, Aid to the Diocese of Western Tanganyika (Tanzania), and the PET.  Beautiful Christmas cards designed by Peter and Elisabeth Englefield's granddaughter Emma were available to send by donors to honorees.

Alternative Gift Markets are becoming more popular with people who are looking for the perfect gift for someone who has everything.
 


GOD WRITES OUT OUR DAYS from Aylin Ortiz, Advent, Brownsville

Being in Costa Rica for ten days was a wonderful experience.  Yes, my faith was strengthened throughout my journey.  You see, God works in many miraculous ways.  I may think I have my plans set for tomorrow and that there will be no flaws or accidents.  In reality, God is the only one who knows what will happen.

When I set foot at Todos Los Santos, the church the youth and I were going to help rebuild, I thought that immediately we were going to execute the plans we had made at home - paint this, paint that, build this and help with that.  How could we with drizzle and rain all day long?  It's not that our plans went to waste; they were simply modified by God.

We were extremely limited in our working time to just 1-2 hours per day.  We asked the people of the church what they wanted us to do, what they wanted for the church.  Together, with the youth of Todos Los Santos, we were able to repaint the tall fence of the church as well as the window frames.  For the children, we were able to rebuild a foosball table, which was part of their entertainment.  With these bits of contributions, we were able to provide very big smiles, and that's what mattered.

Every night during devotion time, we would talk about our day and something that impacted us.  We were also able to relate our day to the Bible verse we had read in the morning.  There was such a connection.  It was obvious that God had written out our day.  Instead of following the plans we had prepared at home, I made cement, sanded and repaired walls, and even painted a mural.  None of it was part of our plans, and so there was only one way I could have made it through the week - that's God's way whose words provided light for my feet. 

From visiting Earth University to learn about sustainable farming to watching the last match of the World Cup in a screen as big as one can imagine to visiting the sandy beaches on the Pacific, I was able to find faith and love for my God.  Nothing can relate to it, and I can't really put it in words.

I enjoyed meeting new faces and worshiping God every day and night.  I enjoyed my stay at the big house with the people who showed so much care and love.  I enjoyed the sight of the mountains and their surroundings displaying all sorts of colors.  Most of all, I enjoyed smiling at the adults and children at Todos Los Santos.  I know we have marked their hearts with our names because they have marked mine.  God's lamp was glowing, and my faith was growing.  I couldn't be more grateful.  


    MISSION FOR YOUTH GRADES 5-12 IN SAN ANTONIO THIS SUMMER


St. Luke's Episcopal Church, San Antonio, will be hosting a mission opportunity entitled Mission City Missions July 6-11 for the youth of the diocese as well as many other churches in South Texas! The cost has been lowered to accommodate families who would otherwise be unable to attend. The cost is now $100 per person which covers the cost of administration and food. The deadline to register is April 15, 2015. Registration after that date is subject to availability so sign up early! Here is some information about the event:

Students (this academic year 2014-15) in grades 5-12, are welcome to come serve.  

This is what we will be doing: 
      
  • Hosting a family VBS for Haven for Hope (Homeless Shelter for San Antonio) children and their families
  • Training your students to teach VBS
  • Running a VBS at The Episcopal Church of the Reconciliation in San Antonio and providing support for their summer community enrichment program
  • Working and serving at The Good Samaritan Center on the West Side of San Antonio
  • Doing minor home repairs for those in need
  • Training your high school students in leadership principles

Take a look at the website http://missioncitymissions.org/ to see the schedule for the week which will include morning devotionals, worship, and evening talks as well as participating in activities around town.


 

Please email Suzanna Frey ([email protected]) or call the church office at 210-828-6425 to let her know you are interested or have questions concerning this great opportunity to serve God.  We would also appreciate a youth contact name that you can send Suzanna as well. 


DWTX WORLD MISSIONS COMMITTEE
     
Bp. Gary Lillibridge has announced the 2015 members of the Diocesan World Missions Committee.  The committee exercises oversight of and participates in the World Missions ministries of the diocese.  They will meet this year on Thursday, March 12, and Thursday, October 8, at the Bishop Jones Center.

Andrews, Dr. JohnDenney, Mr. Steve H.Maddox, Mrs. Sylvia
Beitel, Mrs. AnnEngelfield, Mrs. ElisabethMoore, Dr. Henry (ex-officio)
Bridges, Mrs. HyacinthEngelfield, Mr. PeterMowen, Mr. Curt
Bye, Mrs. ConnieFenton, The Rev. Eric DenisPerea, Mrs. Patricia
Caddell, The Rev. ChrisFischer, Mrs. Alice AnnReed, Ms. Kaitlin (youth liaison)
Campaigne, Dr. WilliamHarrison, Mr. JohnRickey, Mr. Tom
Carter, Mrs. RosineHausser, Jr., Mr. RobertSchnelzer, Gen. Garry A.
Chalk, The Rev. David P.Holmes, Mr. DougSchnelzer, Mrs. Helen
Chumney, Mrs. Betty (CFO)Keddal, Mr. MarkStocker, Mr. Spencer
Clark, The Rev. Wm. RoderickKingery, Mrs. BrendaTempleton, Ms. Libby
Crittenden, Ms. MagdalenaKirk, Dr. Valerie A.Thompson, Mr. Robert
Curry, Dr. Marthe (Dir.)Knipp, Mrs. VickiValdez, Ms. Maria J.
de los Santos, Ms. AngieLillibridge, Mrs. Catherine


PERSPECTIVES CLASSES
submitted by Melynda Gulley, Chair of World Missions, Christ Church, San Antonio
 
 
Perspectives.org will be offered this spring 2015 at Oak Hills Church, 3:30-6:30 pm, starting Sunday, January 11, and going to May 10th.  You can preregister.  Also, you can go to  San Antonio Perspectives which is the local website.The Facilitator training for Multiplying Disciple Groups is by need, so you can call to register for that class. 

Perspectives is a fifteen week course designed around four vantage points or "perspectives" - Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic. Each one highlights different aspects of God's global purpose.  The Biblical and Historical sections reveal why our confidence is based on the historic fact of God's relentless work from the dawn of history until this day. The Cultural and Strategic sections underscore that we are in the midst of a costly, but very "do-able" task, confirming the Biblical and Historical hope.


DID YOU KNOW...
      
There are THREE components to world mission:  GOING, GIVING, PRAYING.  
  
You know about GOING AND GIVING, but did you know that Virtual Mission is a group of PRAY-ERS who participate in team trips by attending team meetings, reading the team devotional books, staying connected with the team as they go, and PRAYING daily for the team?  If you'd like to be part of Virtual Mission, contact Libby Templeton for more information ([email protected]).  
PRAYER GUIDE & TEAM LIST

DATES  PLACETEAM   DESCRIPTION
Feb. 4-6 Piedras Negras, Mexico Connie Bye, Team Leader Sewing & construction 
Feb. 4-14  Haiti  Marthe Curry & Dr. John Leininger, Team Leaders; Kaitlin Reed, Spencer Stocker, Suzette Harris  Review of current ministries; exploration for future opportunities  
Feb. 19-23  Honduras  Maria Cavazos, Team Leader  Texas Water Mission  
Apr. 21-May 5 Uganda Helen & Garry Schnelzer Threads of Blessing 
June 21-28  Belize  Spencer Stocker, (St. Thomas, SA) Team Leader
20 youth, 5 sponsors 
Mahogany Heights - English literacy program; Holy Cross Anglican School - VBS, math & science tutoring, repairs 
July 6-11 San Antonio Glenn Meschko (St. Luke's, SA), Team Leader & Organizer; Youth of the diocese Mission City Missions, sponsored by St. Luke's, San Antonio 
July 14-22Croix des Bouquets, HaitiYouth, Mary Hayden
Manning
VBS, painting of children's home facilities
July (tba) Uganda Eric Fenton,  (Christ Church, SA) Team Leader Band & Bible Camp 
 
TO MAKE A DONATION TO WORLD MISSIONS:  
(You may give to specific designations or "Where Most Needed.")
 
 
Or make checks payable to DWTX and note "MISSIONS" on the 
memo line.  Mail to DWTX, PO Box 6885, San Antonio, TX  78209.

Or call Betty Chumney 888/210-824-5387.


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Episcopal Diocese of West Texas World Mission