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TRANSFORMING LIVES
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WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WE GOING? THANKS TO YOU...
WORLD MISSIONS
Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
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UPDATE FROM THE RUSSIAN TRANSITIONAL HOME shared by Greg Sethness (Christ Church, San Antonio)
Dear Friends, Our country is getting ready for the great date of 70 years of the Victory in the Second World War, May 9. It is very patriotic event. We invited a group of boys from the orphanage to make special cards for veterans so that they can give it as a personal gift . It was a good opportunity to talk about important things. We asked them if they could push a button and any desire would come true, what would that be? Most of them said they want peace all over the earth. We told them only if we love each other, but this kind of love can live only if God is in the heart. So it was a good conversation.
Please pray for the seminar where [a colleague] and I are invited to speak. There will be people from different churches to learn how to start orphan ministries at church or on a personal level. My only goal is to encourage people to focus on just one child, not to save all the orphans of Russia, just one child. [Pray that they will] understand it is a great honor to minister to an orphan because God is the Father of orphans. My friend Vera will tell about all the kids who lived in her Family Home-- the way they came, what they learned, and the difficulties they and the family faced. I think our Christians are in a kind of hibernating form of spiritual existence toward orphans. They exercise different spiritual gifts but do not care about thousands of lonely kids who need a family or just a friend. It is like a cloud on the eyes covering the truth. Please pray for this seminar and for the people to be open. Thank you for your prayers, concerns, and support! May God bless you. Love you all. Marina.
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STRETCHING
When DWTX missioners go into the field, they go with open eyes, ears, and hearts. The initial goal
may be one thing; its implementation may lead into something of which they'd never dreamed. That's what we call God-work.
For instance, the Honduras Vet Team discovered that women with at-risk pregnancies had to board a bus and ride for more than an hour to the nearest clinic. The team got together, raised funds, and helped with constructing what is now a state-of-the-art birthing center in Siguatepeque.
A twisted ankle deterred one missioner from her original task in Nebbi Diocese (Uganda) but allowed her to sit with the women. They told her about their needs for income to pay school fees, start micro enterprises, buy medications, and purchase more seeds for their farms. Out of this came an expansion of Threads of Blessing, a sewing ministry that teaches special skills to women. All the profits from sale of their items go back to the women. As the Threads ministry grew, workshops were added including color, design, marketability, and then diabetes training with public health classes. It just keeps growing.
When teens and their sponsors worked in "the troublemakers'" orphanage in St. Petersburg, they put their heads together to see how they could help. Out of that difficult situation emerged an art studio and training for the youngsters. So much enthusiasm and creative talent bubbled up that what was once a dreaded destination is now known as "the artists' orphanage."
In Mexico, a contractor who was helping with various building projects, was approached by the local priest with an appeal. Nowhere in the region was there a battered women's shelter to accommodate the many women and their children who flee from unsafe domestic environments. Together, with other missioners and local church folk as well as generous donors, the church has a beautiful, comfortable, secure haven for women to receive healing and rebuilding of their lives.
The Manos de Dios began years ago going door to door in a Honduran barrio sharing Christ's love. Out of that came a church plant which is now the second largest Anglican church in Honduras. As the need for vocational training and scholarships became evident, team members established new programs, which included soccer camps, woodworking projects, sewing classes, and micro enterprise. Now the church is becoming its own mission team and taking Good News to other areas.
Youth who have gone on summer mission trips have returned touched and changed. In fact, some of those young people have been so impressed by the people they met and their cultures that they have focused their lives on ministries that would make a difference to those they've come to love.
World Mission changes everything. We go as obedient servants of the Lord; we touch lives and minister in the name of Christ; and we come back transformed. If you've not been part of world outreach, contact DWTX World Missions (1-888/210-824-5387). There really is something for everyone. You will never be the same.
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NEPAL DISASTER RELIEF
Our prayers and thoughts go out to the people of Nepal who have been devastated by the recent earthquake. To make a contribution, go online to Samaritan's Purse.org or send your check to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Samaritan's Purse is a 501(c)3 organization, and your donations are tax deductible.
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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).
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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]).
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PRAYER GUIDE & TEAM LIST
***NEW TRIPS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO OUR SCHEDULE***
DATES | PLACE | TEAM | DESCRIPTION | May 16-22 | Honduras | Bill Campaigne & Valerie Kirk, Team Leaders. Marthe Curry, Kaitlin Reed | Veterinary & public health | May 23-31 *** | Honduras | Elisabeth & Peter Englefield, Team Leaders | Medical | May 25-29 *** | New Orleans | TMI Middle School | Community service | May 26-June 1 *** | Dominican Republic | Nate Bostian, Team leader | TMI students will work with schools and service organizations | TBA | Uganda | Ginger Gines | Work at Rafiki Orphanage | June 15-25 *** | Honduras | Sally & Mark Keddal | Owen Project (XO computers) | 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 5-11 | Guatemala | Jorge & 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 11-24 | Uganda | Eric Fenton (Christ Church, SA) Team Leader, Richard Wallace, Michael Behan | Band & Bible mission | July (TBA) | Kenya | Sam Regonini, Kaitlin Reed, Gavin Rogers, Team Leaders | Youth team VBS | July 13-17 | Mexico (Piedras) | Amanda Hagy, Team Leader | VBS | July 14-22 | Croix des Bouquets, Haiti | Youth, Mary Hayden Manning 15 youth with adults | VBS, painting of children's home facilities | August (TBA) | Uganda | Marthe Curry, Team Leader Kaitlin Reed, John Hill | Micro enterprise for men | August 2-8 | Guatemala | Jorge & Lorena Rojas, Team Leaders, Nancy Springer | Construction mission (St. John's, McAllen) | November 1-7 | Guatemala | Jorge & Lorena Rojas, Team Leaders, Nancy Springer | Medical/dental mission (St. John's, McAllen) |
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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.
VISIT US ON FACEBOOK:
Episcopal Diocese of West Texas World Mission
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