|
Mission Opportunities
Overseas Missions
Kenya. Starfish Kenya, Inc. began in April of 2001 as a response to the cry for help from the Body of Christ in Kenya for the orphaned and abandoned children of that country. During their first visit to Kenya, co-founders Roy and Pam Newberry were overcome by the staggering number of two million children stigmatized by the ravages of the AIDS virus.Click Here for More Information.
Mexico. Carboneras is a small fishing village on the Gulf Coast of Mexico located approximately two hours southeast of Reynosa at the Texas-Mexican border. The village is home to about 3000 people who use fishing as their primary means of livelihood. The village is a family friendly locale with comfortable accommodations and cooking facilities. In the past, through Gateway member efforts, the village has received several hundred donated school backpacks of supplies for the school children there. In addition, recent medical mission trips in 2007 benefitted hundreds of residents via eye exams and ophthalmic surgeries. Assistance in the construction of homes, schools, computer lab, and sewing school have all been part of several trips to Carboneras.
Costs for construction are relatively inexpensive ranging from $4,000. for a modest home to $25,000. for a school. Depending on construction funds and the availability of medical professionals, future trips are being planned on an ongoing basis. There are numerous opportunities for volunteers in Carboneras, including medical trips, home and school construction, sewing training, children’s programs, and computer training, to name a few. This is a great opportunity to get involved in a mission abroad that is affordable and easily accessible.
Join us on our next medical mission trip June 10-14, 2008!
Honduras. Mission Trip April 17-27, 2008. Travel to Central America to minister to children in an orphanage, a women’s shelter, and a small community. Contact trip leader, Bud Guthrie, budguthrie@comcast.net for more details, or Christie Tee, 4uchristee@sbcglobal.net, regarding listed items.
The following is a list of resources needed for the trip:
- Prayer Partners to pray for the team
- Girls/teen jeans, sizes 0-12
- Girls’ underwear, sizes 6-14 (S,M,L)
- Boy’s underwear, sizes S,M,L
- T-shirts – children’s sizes small, medium
- Modest length shorts for boys & girls, all sizes
- Light sweaters/jackets for children, all sizes
- Women’s jeans, sizes 3-12
- Hygiene products for women (Sanitary napkins only)
- Small personal hygiene bags for women
- Children’s flip flops/sandals - all sizes
- Children’s tennis shoes – all sizes
- School supplies - crayons, coloring books, etc.
- Sports equipment, such as deflated soccer balls, basketballs,volleyballs, baseballs, gloves,
- bats, jump ropes
- 100 small toy cars
- 100 small dolls
- 200 regular size toothbrushes, toothpaste
- 50 mosquito nets (for over the bed)
- Over-the-Counter Meds: Neosporin, Hydrocortisone spray, anti-diarrheal meds for children,
- anti-nausea meds for children, Children’s Liquid Tylenol
- Monetary donations to buy building and bakery supplies
Goal: To build hope into the lives of the children and staff at House of Hope and St. Anna’s through fellowship, education, skills training and working side by side on various work projects.
- Cost:Estimated costs are as follows:
Airfare: $2300.00
Expenses in Kenya, Visa, Emergency Medical Insurance : $750.00
Immunizations: $500-$700.00
- Contact: Roy or Pam Newberry, royandpam@aol.com, 281-474-4464 or 281-435-5793.
Local Missions
Generation One. Generation One is a backyard ministry located in the Third Ward of Houston. It is committed to the spiritual growth and physical rebuilding of impoverished areas in this inner city area. Generation One is working in partnership with Gateway Community Church and other area churches and businesses to organize the response of those who have a heart to serve and volunteer their prayers, talents, resources, and sweat to improving the quality of life in this part of Houston. One objective of this ministry is the Next Generation and will focus efforts on “…making sure that the Next Generation knows what their potential is and believes that they can achieve it!” Plans to help accomplish this objective include organizing afterschool programs, mentoring, urban camps, and outings.
A second objective is to improve the overall quality of life for residents in this poverty-stricken area of the Third Ward. Our goal is to tear down dilapidated homes and abandoned buildings and rehabilitate existing homes. There are ample opportunities for volunteers at the corporate, group, and individual levels to make a significant difference in the lives of others and the community overall. There is a great need for volunteers in the areas of mentoring, restoration, job training, and urban camp as well as prayer partners, financial partners, and sponsors. For more information check out www.generationone.net.
Homeless Ministry. Join us as we partner with 1000 Hills Ministry twice a month in their homeless ministry. Church Under the Bridge is the night time ministry that meets the 3rd Friday night of each month. Meet at Gateway at 8:00pm to carpool to Pierce Elevated in downtown Houston and return to Gateway at approximately 11:30pm. Church In the Park is the day time opportunity to serve the homeless every 2nd Saturday morning in James Bute Park in Houston. Meet at Gateway to carpool at 8:00am and return to Gateway by about 12:00 noon.
Both Church Under the Bridge and Church In the Park invite volunteers of all ages to come and share with people who have had a bad turn in life and are facing various struggles. It is an opportunity to mingle with people, pray with them, and serve them. Each time we meet we have praise & worship time, share a message, and serve a meal to a crowd of 50-100+ people. Volunteers are needed to share a message, help with praise & worship, organize or help with meal preparation, help set up & tear down, and donate to meal costs.
Day of Service. Join Gateway as we routinely schedule days of service. Previous community service projects have included renovating a ranch for at risk youth in Dickinson, retrofitting a container for a workroom, electrical work, building animal pens, intense yard work and detail, roofing, construction with Habitat for Humanity, organizing a construction warehouse, painting, building a home, and maintenance for our neighbors in need.
Come out for our next Days of Service - March 1st - Whitcomb Elementary School
May 18th - K.E. Little Elementary School in Bacliff
Food Distribution. Assist with food distribution to needy individuals in the Third Ward Area. Christian Alliance and Windsor Village United Methodist Church conduct monthly food distribution every other Saturday in the lot adjacent to Trinity East United Methodist Church, 2418 McGowen St. Contact Geri Shelton of Trinity East UMC, geris@ymcahouston.org. Alternatively, contact Mike Malkemes, or Eva Go.
Food Drive. Food drives are conducted seasonally and on an as needed basis. Volunteers help in restocking area food pantries for those struggling to meet basic needs.
The Missions & Outreach Ministry is dedicated to serving the community and making an impact both in our backyard and abroad. In the Bible the verses found in 1 John 3:16-18 read: “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us – and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. If any man possesses the world’s riches and sees his brother or sister in need and closes his heart to them, how does he or she have this love? Little children, do not let us love in word and tongue, but in truth and in deed.” In serving others not only are we being a blessing to them, but it is truly we that walk away changed.
Step out and make an impact on the lives of others!
Mike Malkemes, or Eva Go.
|
|
