I was talking to some people last night about the upcoming mission trip to Africa. They want to donate and asked me if I had a PayPal account. I told them yes and gave them my account. Then they told me that I really needed post this up on my website to get other people involved. So, I am going to try this out and see what happens. Here is the email that I sent them today:
Angie and Tom,
I am going to D.R. Of Congo, Africa on June 19th returning July 4th. The purpose of this mission trip is to support a Methodist Seminary in Mulungwishi. Here is a piece from a document that I received from our team leader, Roland McGregor. He was my childhood pastor growing up in Hobbs, NM.
The church in Congo has grown through civil crisis.
War destroyed airports, gov¹t buildings, homes, churches, schools,
clinics. Many of the churches lost their chairs, tables, pews, piano,
organs, church files. AIDS has claimed the lives of thousands, leaving too
many street children.
Yet, today there are over 300,000 United Methodists in Congo!!
Why?
They focus on people. When the musical instruments, tables and pews
were gone, people still had each other. They cared for one another, they
prayed for one another. The church focused on the people who were
hurting, dislocated or lost. Their faith grew in spite of the fact they had
no electricity or running water.
Even today, at times all they can do is pray and read scriptures.
They gather in homes or under trees. But every time they gather they
focus on their strength: the salvation of the living and loving GOD. When
they gather, they begin with these words:
“God is good. All the Time! And All the Time, God is good!”
Congo has only begun to recover from the crises of war and the AIDS epidemic,
but the church is leading the way to healing, with overflowing worship services,
educational and health services, feeding programs for street children and new
construction of all types.
The United Methodist Church is providing opportunities for their future!
What makes a church grow - even during crisis?
The people of Congo respond:
“ God is Good. All the time! And All the time, God is Good.”
What Roland McGregor has done is he helps support the Seminary. A team goes there at least once a year. My task on this mission trip is to setup a computer lab for the seminary students. The cost for me to go on this mission trip is going to be around $3200.00. This amount does not include the extras that I have to do, like my medical and the clothing I need to get. I was told I needed to get fishing clothes because they have sun screen and bug repellent in them. I have to have $2600.00 by April 1st and I already have $2100.00 so far. Myself and Melanie, my wife, have put in $1400.00 of our own money and have had a few other people that have donated. I have come under the realization that I cannot do this all myself. I am not very good at asking for money so I hope that you guys can help me out. You asked what my paypal account is and it is joe@suprajoe.com. I am not only asking for financial help, which is just a small piece of the pie, but the whole team and I need spiritual help, prayers! Thank you so much!
http://www.apmethodist.org/congo/index.htm – this is the seminary website
http://www.suprajoe.com – this is my personal website
God Bless Your Day,
Joe D. Barnes
If you would like to donate you can send money via paypal at joe@suprajoe.com or if you have another way you would like to donate then please send me an email and we can discuss. Now, to let you know that if for some reason I cannot go then the money raised, including the money I have put into this, will go to the person that will take my spot. I do not for see me not going, but you never know. I just want you to know your money will be used for this mission.
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