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


WORLD MISSIONS

Episcopal Diocese of West Texas  
February, 2016



THANK YOU, FROM CRISTO SALVADOR, CHALMECA
from Terry Koehler (Christ Church, San Antonio)

Approximately 8� years ago, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge, and the Koehlers became involved in the Episcopal Deanery of Cop�n, Honduras.  An immediate need presented itself as a proper church building for the parish of Cristo Salvador, Chalmeca, Cop�n.  The congregation was in a "borrowed" building, which looked to be in very poor condition.  After many years of searching for a new location, it was determined that they should stay put on the hillside property they occupied.  They were able to get ownership of the building, and with the help of Louisiana parishes, the additional property next to the church was purchased.  A decision was made to repurpose the old building into a "conference center," and build a new church.
 
Mission teams from both Louisiana and Christ Church, San Antonio, worked to build the new building and refurbish the old - paint, electricity, roofing, doors, windows, tile, and more.  Finally, in a partnership between the DWTX World Mission Department and Christ Church, SA, the conference center came to life, and the new church was completed.
 
In January, 2016, the first conference was held.  DWTX funds provided a propane stove for cooking meals, new toilets, showers, a pila, chairs, tables, and bedding for conference attendees.  Christ Church helped to replace the leaking roof, upgrade the electricity, put screens on the windows, and more.  Trenching was done behind the building to prevent the foundation from staying wet. 
 
35 women attended a 3� day embroidery workshop (an outgrowth of Threads of Blessing).  Meals were cooked, prayers were said, songs were sung, and there was a great deal of laughter.  Being able to stay together under one roof away from home and children provided the women with an excellent retreat.
 
There was a great deal of discussion with the lay leader of Cristo Salvador on how to use the "conference center."  We explained such things as deposits, who should be allowed to use the stove, and inventory of the equipment.  He stated that they would be the only facility in the area that could house groups and that he expected that the congregation would greatly benefit from the rental of the building for retreats or even festive occasions. So, a dream of almost a decade has come true.  Cristo Salvador is happy on its hillside, and they have buildings that should not only serve them, the deanery, and the community, but also provide them with some much needed income. 

Thank you, DWTX World Mission Department and Christ Church, San Antonio, for being a part of this good thing.

A BUSY TIME IN PIEDRAS from Connie Bye (St. Luke's, Cypress Mills)

We had two full sewing  classes with some new women, continued construction at Resurrection, art time for the children, shared lunches at El Buen Pastor, and hanging art work in the Women's Shelter.

The Lord continues to guide us in our mission providing direction and energy to complete what we are called to do. Plus our relationships with each other and our friends at El Buen Pastor are enriched each time we have mission. Many thanks to our Canadian friends who winter with us and go to mission with us.

 
WE ARE GOERS:  Lorena and Jorge Rojas, St. John's (McAllen)


I was invited to participate in a mission trip in 2002. That trip changed my complete prospective of what being a Christian is all about.  God grants me talents and gifts, and it is my responsibility to share them with others. I am so blessed  to have the opportunity to go, serve, and literally become God's hands and feet, His light of hope, and love. This is the most awesome feeling I've experienced. I can't wait to go again! 
Lorena 
 
While sitting at church listening to a Sunday sermon, I heard the call to go and serve. I felt it was not necessary to go far--the poor live amongst us--so I decided alongside my wife to plan our first trip as leaders. I just simply love serving and the children. We've learned to follow God's guidance, and in return we have received the blessings of relationships and love.  Jorge
 

 I AM A GIVER: 
Carol Hester


It is important to support those going on mission trips and those who receive the gifts of love and service that the missionaries bring to them.  Every donation, big or small, brings hope and joy to others.
    
 

WE ARE PRAY-ERS: St. Andrew's by the Sea, Port Isabel (Mother Beverly Patterson) 
 
Five years ago, Fr. Eric Fenton (then Interim) with the support of members like Ralph and Kitty Ayers who understood how transforming mission experiences can be for individuals, invited Marthe Curry and her team to share their stories with St. Andrew's.  When I arrived, I was asked if we could "do it again."  We have just held our fifth "World Mission Week-end." Friendships began to be formed. Individuals like Marthe, Kaitlin Reed, Duane Miller became not just missionaries, but an extension of our parish family and ministry through our prayers, their stories and updates, and the grace of the Holy Spirit.  We have since connected with many others in the mission field through personal visits, newsletters, Facebook and other networking experiences and have enjoyed getting to hear their stories as well and in some way, make them our own.
 
 

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
February 23-38 SE Mexico Tony & Beth Price (Team Leaders), Don & Joyce Richey St. Andrew's (Seguin) to develop Santa Maria Virgen Church's mission church in the mountain 
March 4-16 India Marthe Curry (Team Leader)  Connie Bye, Kaitlin Reed, Rod Clark, David Chalk, Valerie Kirk, Patricia Perea, Dusty Hoecker, Kathryn & Tudor Uhlhorn, David Spencer  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




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