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WORLD MISSIONS

Episcopal Diocese of West Texas  
June, 2015



 
TO HONDURAS WITH THE VET [MULTI-PURPOSE] TEAM
 
 

Kaitlin Reed and I were invited by Drs. Valerie Kirk and Bill Campaigne to go to Honduras with the Veterinary Team that has been working there for 29 years.  With a track record that long, you can imagine that they have had a huge impact.  Let me tell you about a few things we saw that were initiated by this remarkable group of missioners.

The Educational Arm of the Vet Team consists of Lynn Campaigne and Elisabeth and Peter Englefield.  Lynn worked with villagers to build a school in a remote area of the Honduran mountains.  Our team was there for the ribbon-cutting and celebration with the whole village.  One woman had prayed years for a school for her children, and one of the villagers gave property so this dream would become reality.  And we got to be there for the opening.

The COHORSIL Coffee Co-op generously gives the Vet Team a large warehouse space to sort and store medicines; provides trucks and drivers and animal handlers for the team; and throws a huge fiesta at the end of the mission.  Food, entertainment, and gifts are lavish, and missioners easily soak in the attitude of gratitude so readily apparent.

16 villages were served on this mission that had 30 missioners, including 7 vets and vet techs.  The final tally of animals treated or vaccinated were 5,862--dogs, horses, pigs, chickens, cats, cattle, goats, turkeys, assorted birds, rabbits, ducks, and sheep.  (Our DWTX clergy were fearless in their handling of all creatures, great and small, as is evidenced left.)

Elisabeth and Peter Englefield visited a number of schools that were using the XO computers (developed by MIT for emerging nations) distributed by Sally and Mark Keddal as part of the Owen Project.  At a special education school which will receive XOs in a couple of weeks, we saw 5th graders doing square root mathematics problems, and the periodic table was displayed on the wall of another classroom.

We were asked to visit the mountain village of Germania (pronounced Air-man-ya) where the villagers had pooled their money to buy a piece of land and had financed the drilling of a well.  They have never had water in the village.  They asked us if DWTX could help with a pump and distribution system.

Maria Cavazos and the Texas Water Mission will be networking with this deserving group of folks to help them get the water system they desperately need.

We met with the Association of Small Entrepreneurs, a group of women who make items for marketing to generate income for themselves and their families.  They have asked for the guidance of our Missions Program in developing their enterprise and thus becoming self-sustaining.

And then we saw the remarkable Birthing Center in Siguatepeque that was founded when the Vet Team realized that women with difficult pregnancies had to take a bus ride for at least an hour to receive proper medical attention.  Our visit coincided with the birth of one of the newest Honduranians, which made distribution of the Mommy Kits so much more relevant.  Already, the administration has plans for expansion.

By now you are seeing the broad reach of DWTX World Missions.  This is only a bird's eye view of the many areas touched by your fellow parishioners and parishes.  In Honduras alone, these ministries take place regularly in conjunction with DWTX outreach:
  • Scholarships for outstanding students
  • Soccer camps
  • Micro enterprise for women
  • Community gardening
  • Water well drilling
  • Health & hygiene programs
  • Children's ministries
  • Medical and dental missions
  • Vocational training
  • A new book club
  • Construction and repair work
  • Threads of Blessing
  • Tailoring classes

New ministries emerge regularly as our people answer the CALL TO SERVE and to tell the Good News.  How will you be part of this vital outreach to our brothers and sisters around the world?

 

Marthe Curry 

CALLING ALL FISHER-PEOPLE

This Friday night (June 12) and Saturday (June 13) St. Peter's (Rockport) will hold the annual Fishin' for Mission tournament to benefit world mission projects.  Registration and dinner is on the 12th.  For more information, go to http://www.fishinformission.org 


WE'RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD 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

WHAT:  Annual World Mission Symposium
WHEN:  Saturday, August 29, 2015
WHERE:  Bp. Jones Center, San Antonio
TIME:  9:00 a.m. -  3:30 p.m.
WHO:  Barbara Shantz, Global Fund Development
Liaison for TRANS WORLD RADIO
THEME:  ACCESSING GOD'S RESOURCES
CONTACT:  World Mission, 888/210-824-5387  



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

***NEW TRIPS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO OUR SCHEDULE***

DATES  PLACETEAM   DESCRIPTION
May 26-June 1 ***Dominican Republic Nate Bostian, Team leader TMI students will work with schools and service organizations 
TBAUgandaGinger GinesWork 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 5-11GuatemalaJorge & 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