I am excited to make you
aware of a special evangelistic opportunity the Lord has blessed me with. I
have been invited to teach in a Vacation Bible School in Gambella, Ethiopia
this summer. I will be teaching 25-30 third and/or fourth grade South Sudanese
Refugee Children. I will be working with Brother Tyrone Mynhier and other
Christians in the Southern Sudan Mission, a mission work sponsored by Woodland
Oaks Church of Christ and Porter Church of Christ..
Brother Mynhier has been doing
mission work in Africa since 2005. In 2008 he began teaching Sudanese Refugees
in the Sunset International Bible Institute Extension School in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia. In 2011 the School of Biblical Studies was relocated to
Gambella, Ethiopia to be centrally located between the Ethiopian Refugee Camps.
Last year Brother Mynhier, planned a
Vacation Bible School for 100 South Sudan Refugee Children (first -fourth
graders) in Gambella. Brother Mynhier's wife and other ladies from the Houston
area accepted the challenge to teach.. The teachers made preparations for100
students, but much to everyone's surprise 250 plus children showed up at 6AM
Monday Morning although the class did not start until 8:30AM.
Unfortunately Brother Mynhier had only rented four class rooms to accommodate
100 students and the teachers only had materials for the same.
Consequently 150 plus children were unable to attend class; however the
children stood outside the classrooms and heard the lessons and learned the
songs as well. Every child registered showed up for class every morning between
6 and 6:30AM.
Everyone was excited to see the
zealousness of the children to learn and the desire of the parents to
encourage their children. The children were very discipline and realized it was
a privilege to attend the school. Not one of the 100 registered missed a day of
the school. Additionally, everyday unregistered children with their
parents showed up at the school to see if there were any vacancy. As one
can imagine it was a heart breaking experience to turn them away. This year
plans are made to teach 200 students realizing there will be children turned
away, but 200is all that can be accommodated, due to a shortage of
teachers.
As mentioned this is a mission
effort and requires each individual to arrange for their own financial
support. The cost of the trip will be $4,000.00. I would appreciate
your prayers and consideration of helping me financially.
The team will depart from the states
Tuesday, July 22nd and return Wednesday, August
6th.
