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WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WE GOING?  THANKS TO YOU...


WORLD MISSIONS

Episcopal Diocese of West Texas  
December, 2015



 
La Esperanza de Gloria, The Hope of Glory 

from Dr. Valerie Kirk (St. Francis, Canyon Lake)

This year is our third annual veterinary mission to the Anglican Diocese of Southeast Mexico. Each year we see more and more animals; this time we topped 2,400 animals seen in 5 work days. Our first year we saw just under 1,000.
             
The weather was much more of a challenge this time, with two work days of heat and humidity followed by three straight days of rain. We forded streams and scrambled up and down slippery, muddy trails to reach some of the cattle we treated. We stood ankle deep in mud to treat horses, whose owners wait patiently in the rain for their turn. We caught and restrained hundreds of squealing pigs and vaccinated over 1,000 chickens. Children brought scores of dogs (and a few cats) for vaccinations and played games in the shelter of the open air parish halls. An American grandfather played with the little boys, who just like his own grandchildren love a game of chase and tickle. Women's voices joined together in song, English words blending with Chinanteco.
             
Generosity was evident everywhere, from the homemade lunches provided by the church women, complete with pollo asada and tortillas cooked on a comal over a wood fire, to the gentlemanly courtesy exhibited when la doctora was given a piggyback ride across knee-deep streams created by excessive rain. A man even carried a large, heavy wooden box of animal supplies on his back, using a strap running across his forehead, keeping well ahead of the group along a very muddy trail through the tropical forest.
             
The profusion of wild flora and fauna combined with the absence of city sounds provided a soothing balm for harried Americans. Amazon parrots announced their presence at the end of a work day, taking flight at dusk as we hiked back to town after working the cattle. As we trekked back to town in near darkness, we passed a huge La Ceiba tree, an important part of the Mayan creation story. Its roots run deep into the underworld, and its branches reach all the way to heaven. From the heart of the great tree came the People; it is their Genesis story.
             
The relationships first formed three years ago continue to develop, the friendships deepen. The bonds within the mission team are deepened too, new friendships fostered by work toward a common goal. All together we are God's community. We share the Eucharist together on Sunday morning and in the afternoon mud and rain discuss plans for partnerships to organize the community to treat the animals and learn how to provide for their preventive health care.
             
The people are very appreciative of all that is being done to care for the animals. But beyond animal health are the pressing needs for the human family. Together we discussed the need for a dentist, for a general health care practitioner, and the special needs of women's health care. Most communities have no health care provider of any description.
             
On our trips back to home base at night and over our meals, the mission team excitedly talked about expanding the ministry of animal care to encourage fuller participation in the ministry, including the people ministering to each other and taking on the responsibility of organization and execution of their own "roundups" for animal care. We brainstormed about how to encourage farmers to come to class for preventive animal health care education and using it as the ticket for being able to participate in the "roundups" . We look forward to expanding the ministry in the communities to include human health care and are already thinking of who to contact for a human health care team to assess the needs in the communities.
             
The work we do here is an answer to God's call to love our neighbors. And the love is mutual. Our friends are generous and give to us with open hearts. In return, we give of ourselves to work together with them to fill the needs. It is a coming together of time and talent provided by all of us, blending together even as our mingled voices, Spanish and English, sing "Amazing Grace" together on Sunday morning in the village so appropriately named La Esperanza de Gloria, the Hope of Glory.

 
I AM A GOER:  Bill Campaigne (Seguin)
 

In writing a reflection of my journey in World Missions I sat down, prayed, and thought, "What have I done?" I am not sure how much I accomplished, but I learned a lot.  With my wife as my guide, I have learned to pray, listen for God's direction, and trust that He is working.    As a result, we have learned how God wants us to help all of God's children, especially, the poorest of the poor. Bishop Frade's invitation to come to Honduras, Oscar Ochoa's idea to build a birthing center, Bishop Juarez's desire for support for the farmers in Mexico, etc., etc.  None of this would have happened if each of us had not been listening for God's guidance.  It all happened so easily and joyfully.  Come and see God's people at work.  Experience the pilgrimage.       

 

I AM A GIVER:  Sally Morehouse (St. Mark's, San Antonio)  

 

Jesus told us we must be servants of all.  The World Mission program is the very model of being servants.  The people who go on the mission trips are the "goers."  But they need backup.  That is what the "prayer-ers" and the "senders" do.  I am a "prayer-er" who offers daily prayers for all the mission trips from DWTX.  And I am a "sender."  I cannot go on the trips, but I can donate so that trips can be planned and executed.  I am a cheerful giver, because this is such a worthy project.   

 


I AM A PRAY-ER: Pennie Curry (St. Francis,
Canyon Lake)

Jesus teaches us to go out into the world spreading his love for ALL people.  Praying for our mission teams and those they serve allows me to be with them day by day and uphold their mission and  pray specifically for their daily needs.  I am grateful for the discipline given me by the Holy Spirit to draw nearer to those we are called to love and serve.
 







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]). 
HERBERT WHEELER HILL, SR.

Last month we reported a large number of memorials received honoring Herb Hill, Sr.  Some of our mission supporters did not know Herb, and we were asked to write something about him.  Herb graduated from the University of Texas  and earned his law degree from St. Mary's University.  He was married 43 years to Josephine Spencer, and they were members of St Luke's (San Antonio).  Josie and Herb have four children:  Mary Catherine Higgins, Herb Hill, Jr. and his wife Linda, Sarah Hill Ferguson and her husband, Gary, and John Spencer Hill and his wife, Holly.
 

 PRAYER GUIDE & TEAM LIST    
DATES  PLACETEAM   DESCRIPTION
December TBA Mexico  Bobby Hausser & Amanda Hagy (Team Leaders)   Las Posadas 
December 28 -January 10   Kenya  Kaitlin Reed & Gavin Rogers (Team Leaders)   Young Professionals to Rafiki AIDS Orphanage  
January 13-21 Honduras Patricia Perea (Team Leader)  Manos Team 
January 21-28 Honduras Maria Valdez (Team Leader) Jack Robertson (spiritual director), Dr. John Barrett (Rotary grant sponsor), Bruce Flohr, Alan Kight, Art Meier, Bill Myers Texas Water Mission 
March 4-16 India Marthe Curry (Team Leader)Exploratory trip to Diocese of Durgapur 
May TBA Honduras Elisabeth & Peter Englefield Eye glasses mission 
May 21-27 Honduras  Bill Campaigne (Team Leader)Veterinary mission 
May TBA SE Mexico Rosine Carter (Team Leader)


Holistic




 PRAYER REQUESTS FROM ETHIOPIAN MISSIONARY PARTNER, GETACHEW BEZABIH

Please pray for the heavy downpour forecast for the northern region of Kenya.
Pray for the emerging leaders mission follow up in northern Kenya before the end of the year.
Pray for peace in Isiolo, Kinna, and Garbatula area among the communities and traveling mercies for the students after the school is closed.
Pray for the success of the southern Ethiopian mission and divine connections.
Pray for our ministry and personal support and God's provision.
Please pray for my family and me.

Thank you so much for your prayers, generous gifts and encouragements 
   
                MEMORIALS AND HONORS                            

MEMORIAL
DONOR
Billy Chumney
Susan Hardaway
Edith Downing
Susan Hardaway
Herbert W. Hill, Sr.
Dr. & Mrs. Gerald V. O'Gorman
Herbert W. Hill, Sr.
Mays Family Foundation
 


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
 
 CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

Goats for young Kenyan converts....................................... $80
Water filter for one family in Haiti.....................................$50
XO laptop computer for a student in Uganda or Honduras.............$90
One year of secondary school for Uganda student.....................$250
Fabric for sewing classes in N. Mexico.................................$100
One ONIL cement block stove for a Guatemalan home.................$90