Want to be involved?

Have you ever wanted to be involved in mission work without the travel, preparation shots (ouch!), etc.? With Partners 4 Africa, they are always looking for help in different areas that does not require a lot of your time, but a heart that desires to help. When Dorian Flynn was with us, he shared a list of things that we can do to help his mission work. Today I would like to share that list with you.

• Make teaching materials: flip charts, posters (bible songs, bible facts, verses, etc.)
• Collect bible class supplies: paper, pens, pencils, stickers, bible coloring books and pages, easy to read bibles, composition notebooks, folders
• Soles for Souls: shoe drive
• Collect money to buy Zulu Bibles
• Make adult and children's items: crochet, knit, sew, etc.
• Have a Missions Day: every class has a missionary come tell them about the country where they work, the people, how they share Jesus, etc. A potluck that includes foods from other countries, as well as, from the U.S.
• Provide medical supplies: For clinics and hospitals, birthing kits, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, Tylenol, vitamins for adults and children, band aids, gauze, used glasses, etc.
• Adopt a hospital ward: provide sheets, blankets, and pillowcases
• Tie-Raid: gather all of the men's ties you can to ship to Africa
• Challenge to dig a well: Use the big water bottles and have one in the lobby at your building, make a cardboard "well" to put up front in the auditorium and after kids collect money in class, let them all come forward one Sunday and pour their money in the well.
• Feed a Family: individuals can give $25 to feed a family of 4 for one month in Zimbabwe. Includes cornmeal, oil and beans - their staple food
• Feed an orphan one meal for $0.50
• Support the sewing center at Nketa9 by collecting fabric, thread, buttons, zippers, etc.
• Buy needed items at yard sales for cheaper
• Pack banana boxes full of good used clothing to ship and involve the congregation
• Children can make book markers, teens can gather soccer equipment and uniforms, write notes of encouragement to your missionaries

I challenge you to find one thing on this list that you can do and start a movement locally to help our foreign missionaries. Our youth group will begin collecting $.50 to buy orphan meals, that is a project we plan to begin being a part of. If each student donates $.50 each week, we will have enough money for 15-20 meals for orphans each week. If we do that, in a year we will have provided between 700 - 1,050 meals to orphans in Africa. It is so simple to help, it just takes some initiative. 

For more information about Partners4Africa and Dorian Flynn, visit www.partners4africa.com