OPPORTUNITIES FOR MISSIONS      

This has been a cold, harsh winter. Storms continue to plague us, tornadoes in south U.S.A. or ice storms in south Missouri. Zero temperatures!! We in St. Joseph are most fortunate and blessed.

1. Emergency:  The Salvation Army has issued a plea for blankets and sleeping bags for the homeless people. Yes, we do have homeless people right here in St. Joseph, with the zero temperatures we have been having; life is difficult for them, so a blanket or sleeping bag would be most helpful. If you have an extra one you would be willing to share, bring it to church. If you wish to give dollars you may also do that, just be sure to specify it is for blankets or sleeping bags.

2. Urgent:  Our servicemen in the Middle East see all kinds of wars. They also see the innocent local people who suffer from the effects of war, especially the children. One such serviceman is Andy, the nephew of Bob Maker, who along with his shipmates in Kabul, Afghanistan, founded a school, the Quabael Baji School. It has 2700 students and 77 teachers.  It has no electricity or heat in two buildings with nine classrooms and 14 tents! Students come in two shifts. They are always closed during winter because of the cold winter weather.

Andy and his friends would be most willing to receive and distribute school kits to those children and teachers. 

Each student kit needs:

• 3 ball point pens
• 4 pencils and a pencil sharpener
• 12 inch ruler with metric
• Eraser
• composition note book (no spirals)
• 1 small toy like you would get in a Happy Meal (No war toys!!)
• small bag of hard candy

All of these items (except ruler) need to fit in a one gallon plastic zip lock bag.

Each Teacher needs:

• 1 box white chalk
• 1 composition note book
• 1 small calculator (solar powered is best)
• 10 pencils
• 10 pens

All of these items should fit in a one gallon plastic zip lock bag. These must be exact and compact to fit into a box for shipping.  Contents of the student bags cost approximately $4.00. 

If you would rather give money to Mary Maker or me designated for Afghanistan school supplies, we will put them together for you. There will be a box in the Narthex for your contributions.

3.  Up-Coming:  Many third world countries have a shortage of food. Some of these countries aren't too far from our own "back door". So, during Lent, we will be selling bunny rabbits!  Watch future newsletters for more information.

 The Mission Team with Nadine Meyer as chair

If you have questions about ministry opportunities, please contact Rev. Bruce Jacobs at 816-233-0239.