Today's Prayer Emphasis: August 6th

Please keep the Mission Trip participants, and the people they will be visiting, in your prayers. Each day, an excerpt from scripture and a different prayer topic related to our journey will be posted here.

Today's Prayer Emphasis: August 5th

Please keep the Mission Trip participants, and the people they will be visiting, in your prayers. Each day, an excerpt from scripture and a different prayer topic related to our journey will be posted here.

A project for the Mission Team’s involvement

The beginnings of the primary school at Urukundo Home, Rwanda. The Mission Team will most likely assist in its construction August 13 - 22.

  This photo was taken on August 1, 2012.

Introduction to Zimbabwe and St. Andrews United Methodist Church

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country surrounded by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest, and Mozambique to the east and north. Additional facts can be found at Zimbabwe-CIA-The World Factbook.

For nearly 15 years the Park Forest Village United Methodist Church, State College, PA has had a sister-church relationship with St. Andrews, arranged through the General Board of Global Ministries. This association has grown over the years through correspondence and reciprocated visits. We also collect an annual offering towards St. Andrews medical aid fund.

   St. Andrew's is part of the Seke North Circuit (20 Miles from Harare),
Chitungwiza-Marondera District, Zimbabwe East Conference, United Methodist Church

 

Below, their pastor, the Rev. Joseph Chimberengwa, points to St. Andrews UMC's ministries in photos. In a July 16 email he wrote: We are looking forward for you to teach on the following a) the role of small groups in church growth, b) it will be good to us if you could preach to us two sermons, and c) equipping children’s ministries teachers. We are going to show you how we conduct our services and our mission areas and activities from our junior church. All in three days, August 24-27! Your prayers are crucial!!

Background information about the Urukundo Home for Children…

The Home is located in Binunga village, the Cyeza Sector of Muhanga District, about 30 miles west of the capital city of Kigali, Rwanda (towards Gitarama in the map below).

Urukundo Home for Children was started in May of 2006 by Arlene Brown of Williamsport, PA, a woman with a vision of what could be, with God’s help. It began in a rented house with one abandoned little girl, a mama, a guard and a desire to make a difference in the lives of orphaned and abandoned children. In six years it has grown to become a family with 43 children ranging from 6 months to 18 years.

Over those years organizations throughout the world have supported “Mama Arlene” in developing a place for the physical and spiritual welfare of children and have provided the means to improve the conditions of those living in the surrounding community. For instance, the congregation I pastor, the Park Forest Village United Methodist Church of State College, PA, was instrumental in providing financial backing for a water-delivery project. Solar powered pumps, provided by the Rotary Foundation, now bring 8,800 gallons of water per day from a spring at the bottom of the mountain to several faucets along the road where women and children can tap closer to home, leaving more time for family and school.

Opening the spigot and feeling the splash of water from a system that my congregation helped to provide is one of my personal goals when I visit the Urukundo Home for Children the week of August 13 as a member of the mission team.

Preparations by an Ecumenical Team

Greg & his son, Dan, top off a large suitcase of school materials with shoes at a recent team meeting

   Individuals that make up the mission team represent a number of congregations: Carol Falke (leader), David Howell, Kira Hydock (Wesley Foundation) and Robin Shafer are from St. Paul’s United Methodist Church; Kevin Lloyd is a member of the State College Presbyterian Church; Greg and Dan Petrick are members of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church; and I represent the Park Forest Village United Methodist Church.

Paths of righteousness…

   The Rwanda-Zimbabwe mission trip is fast approaching (August 13-28) and more preparations are being completed. Below is a photo of one of the suitcases being packed at the July 2 team meeting.

  As I get ready for this endeavor spiritually and tangibly, I am filled with deep gratitude for the level of support that is being expressed by church members, friends, and family members! This encouragement provides a strong foundation for “doing the right thing”.

  “Right” is the first part of the word “righteousness,” the character of the path that we are led on for God’s sake (Psalm 23:3). This path is one that is filled with fitting expressions of justice, kindness, and humility (Micah 6:8).

  Helping others in the name of Jesus Christ, whether within one’s immediate family or within the international family, is the moral and decent thing to do, for by God’s grace, God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

Robin stuffs children's clogs & flip-flops in the suitcase – 50 lb. limit.