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WORLD MISSIONS

Episcopal Diocese of West Texas  
April, 2015



 
HONDURAN PROMOTORAS HOLD FIRST CONFERENCE
submitted by Roxana Menes, Texas Water Mission Volunteer

The Texas Water Mission (TWM) Health and Hygiene Conference "Sal y Luz de Su Comunidad" took place in the picturesque municipality of Yuscaran, Honduras, located in the fertile and agricultural district of El Paraiso.  The Corral Quemado Conference Center, site of the gathering, is owned by the Episcopal Church of Honduras, offers sleeping accommodations, kitchen facilities, and a large conference room. 

38 participants from 28 villages attended the conference.  Each day began with morning prayer.  Almost all presentations were given by Honduran promotoras (trained by TWM Educational Director, Dr. Pamela Haines) and included interactive group exercises to demonstrate modes of transmission of food and water contamination as well as a robust workshop on different water purification methods.  Participants learned the importance of cleaning vegetables and healthy eating habits, including the necessity of quality versus quantity of food.  A session was presented on dental health and prevention of tooth diseases. 

A self-esteem workshop defined high, low, and inflated self-esteem and the consequences of low self-esteem, which include domestic violence.  Participants were drawn into the discussion with their personal stories and viewpoints about self-esteem. 

Guest presenters taught about prevention of the dengue virus, symptoms and prevention of malaria, and the importance of transforming communities by improving sanitation.  Valuable workshops on hepatitis and diabetes were directed at educating the women, particularly in an effort to confront the rising increase of diabetes.  A representative from World Vision, partner with Rotary International and TWM, explained the role of the partnership in bringing clean safe water to everyone.

Participants divided into small groups for purposes of evaluation through art and drama.  Group members were lively and energetic in recapping theories and methods they had learned throughout the conference. 

A special dinner celebrated the completion of the conference.  It would appear that the women achieved their purpose of solidifying a sense of camaraderie among attendees and stressing their identity as the "Sal y Luz" in their communities. 



FROM HAITI WITH LOVE
by Spencer Stocker, Youth Minister (St. Thomas, San Antonio)


 

Our team included Marthe Curry and Kaitlin Reed with the Diocese of West Texas, Dr. John Leininger, his granddaughter Natasha from Boerne, and myself. The purpose of the trip was to learn about the ministries, schools and orphanages and where we may be Called to Serve together.


 

We spent much of our time in Merci de Dieu, a village on the outskirts of Port Au Prince that was created after the earthquake in 2010 by Dr. Leininger. The village has 63 homes and provides shelter for over 300 people, many of whom had jobs and houses that were destroyed in the chaos and destruction of the earthquake. In Merci, we spent time with the children, youth, and families with newborns. We were able to pass out and use the blue indestructible soccer balls we'd purchased through the One World Play Project. The kids love them!


 

We also saw the recent Threads of Blessing sewing and were able to bring back their first items to sell in the United States. Ladies have learned quickly how to take local culture and scenery and incorporate that into beautiful hand sewn pieces.  


 

While at Merci, we visited Respire, a school where Cookie Harris (St. Luke's, San Antonio) is working. We learned about all their great programs including a new medical clinic that will open soon. We also learned about the restavek (child slave) problem in Haiti. It is estimated that there are over 300,000 restaveks living and even going to school and returning home each day to a family that they were sold to.


 


After a few days at Merci, we traveled deep into the mountains and met with villagers who lived even further from medical care, electricity, clean water, and other basic necessities. We were able to pass out medical supplies and direct people to the proper resources. We heard about typhoid, malaria, and cholera from "barefoot doctors" who are local ministers that Dr. Leininger has been training in basic public health. We spent time hiking and passing out medications and were able to install a water filter given to us by the St. Thomas World Mission Committee. What a blessing for the recipient and her neighbors!


 

I am still processing all that we experienced and when we will return to Haiti. But what sticks out are the smiles, children, beautiful mountains, clear water, and the Spirit of the Lord at work in a place that is so often written off as too dangerous to spend time in. Reflecting on the walk of Jesus, it is clear that we are called to take risks by exploring areas like Haiti where it may be uncomfortable and unpredictable. 


 

There are many tangible opportunities for us all to help moving forward. I saw the need for  micro-lending, vacation Bible schools, youth sports, medical, and dental teams, family coaching, and financial counseling. But, Haiti is a beautiful mess ravaged by natural disasters and corruption, so follow up and local buy-in is critical.


 

If we work together with experienced missioners such as Dr. Leininger, we have the opportunity to model and teach the message and forgiveness in Christ that is so desperately needed. 


 

I look forward to telling you about the next step in this journey.

 


JEANNE LOVING'S (missionary to Honduras) SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS:  

Instructors are teaching folks at San Lorenzo about better farming practices to avoid hunger and the meager crops they have experienced the last few years. Pray they will apply the lessons.
Pray for rain for Valle de Jamastran.  The springs and lagoon are drying up. Cows are watering from the lagoon, and the women come to wash there. Hand dug wells are going dry.
CALLING ALL MISSIONERS

The Rev. Nancy Springer (St. John's, McAllen, [email protected]) announces three new mission trips.  Team members are needed for all three. Please contact designated persons (below) if you are called to serve on any or all of these:

  

July 5-11: Surgical Mission

We need general surgeons, CRNAs, anesthesiologists, OR nurses and  technicians, recovery room nurses, circulating nurses, and non-medical support people.   We will work at a hospital in Chichicastenango.  If you are interested, please contact Jim Chase [email protected].  The cost for the trip is $1300 per person (a definite cost will be available in the next few weeks).  Full payment, a copy of your medical license, and a copy of your passport must be received by May 15, 2015. 


 

August 2-8: Construction Mission

We build cinder block houses for widows and install ONIL stoves in homes in the indigenous Mayan region of Guatemala.  We need folks with and without construction experience.  For more information, contact Lorena Rojas [email protected].  The estimated cost for the trip is $1300 per person (a more definite cost and commitment deadlines will be available as the trip draws closer). 


 

November 1-7: Medical Dental Mission

We provide dental and basic medical care for people in the indigenous Mayan regions of Guatemala, setting up temporary clinics in churches and schools.  We need dentists, dental assistants, doctors, nurses, and non-medical people.  If you are interested please contact Lorena Rojas [email protected] or Jim Chase [email protected].  The estimated cost for the trip is $1300 per person (a more definite cost and commitment deadlines will be available as the trip draws closer).



SAVE THE DATE:  April 16, 3rd Annual Honduras Night at Beto's, 5:30 - 9:00, 8142 Broadway, San Antonio.  Raffle tickets can be purchased at the diocese (or call 888/824-5387 for other locations) with great prizes - 55" HD TV, 3 day waterfront getaway, $500 VISA card.
 


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
Apr. 21-May 5 Uganda Helen & Garry Schnelzer Threads of Blessing 
May 16-22HondurasBill Campaigne & Valerie Kirk, Team Leaders.  Marthe Curry, Kaitlin Reed Veterinary & public health
TBAUgandaGinger GinesWork at Rafiki Orphanage
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 
June 29-July 12 Guatemala Gavin Rogers, Team Leader Christ Church (SA) & St. Peter's (Kerrville) youth teams 
July 5-11GuatemalaJorge & Lorena Rojas, Team Leaders
Nancy Springer
Surgical mission (St. John's, McAllen)
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 6-11 Honduras Terry & Brien Koehler, Team Leaders Sewing & embroidery training  
July 11-24UgandaEric Fenton (Christ Church, SA) Team Leader, Richard Wallace, Michael BehanBand & Bible mission
July (TBA)KenyaSam Regonini, Kaitlin Reed, Gavin Rogers, Team LeadersYouth team VBS
July 13-17 Mexico (Piedras) Amanda Hagy, Team Leader VBS 
July 14-22Croix des Bouquets, HaitiYouth, Mary Hayden
Manning
15 youth with adults
VBS, painting of children's home facilities
August (TBA)UgandaMarthe Curry, Team Leader
Kaitlin Reed, John Hill
Micro enterprise for men
August 2-8GuatemalaJorge & Lorena Rojas, Team Leaders, Nancy SpringerConstruction mission (St. John's, McAllen)
November 1-7GuatemalaJorge & Lorena Rojas, Team Leaders, Nancy SpringerMedical/dental mission (St. John's, McAllen)
 
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