Dear Friends,

I know that many of you have had an opportunity to hear the story of how malaria has personally affected my life.  When I led that mission trip to Guyana, I had no idea what God was preparing me for – now I know.

Our district is among the first in the entire country to adopt Imagine No Malaria – a new program aimed at eliminating malaria in Africa by 2015.  I think that you will agree we were not selected to lead this campaign by mistake or chance.  Right here, in the Kerrville District, we are playing a role in God’s plan to bring healing to our brothers and sisters in Africa.

I’m proud to report that we have 18 churches in our district planning to participate, which is a great start! But, it is my hope and prayer that every church in our district will find a way to be involved.

Laura Meengs is our Field Coordinator for this initiative and will be with us through Christmas.  If you are thinking of participating or already have plans underway, please reach out to her!  As a pilot district, it is very important that she know what activities are planned and what goals churches are setting.  This will help to guide Laura’s – and the entire Imagine No Malaria team’s – efforts in other conferences. 

Remember, the goal that your church sets is not a pledge!  It can be an internal goal that will guide your activities.  If you don’t make it, you will not be required to raise any remaining balance on the goal, and if you surpass it – well thanks be to God! 

Give Laura a call.  She can be reached at 210-408-4520 (the San Antonio District Office) or at 616-403-5494.

If you missed the Mosquito Bytes newsletter last week, our churches in the Highland Lakes area were lifted up.  They are planning a golf outing to benefit Imagine No Malaria.  What can your congregation do?

I will never forget that Amer-indian, or holding his hand as he lost his life to malaria.  It’s preventable.  It’s treatable.  And, thanks be to God, we have been given an opportunity to eliminate it. 

God Bless,

Bob Allen

Dear Friends,

I hope that this e-mail finds you well rested from the celebrations of Christmas and enjoying a new year and decade.

While I was originally scheduled to be in Pittsburgh, I am very pleased to find myself back in San Antonio for the month of January with the opportunity to further the Imagine No Malaria ministry.  The people of Southwest Texas Conference, and specifically the Kerrville District, have been very welcoming and were the talk of UM Communications last week while I was visiting the ministry headquarters in Nashville.

I wanted to pass along some good news to you: a video featuring Bob Allen’s personal testimony supporting Imagine No Malaria has been completed and is available on YouTube.  Please feel free to download this video and share it with your congregations on a Sunday or during a missions team meeting.

The video can be found by following this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKivlQZH9fs

If there is any way that I can be a resource or a help to you as your churches plan for participation in Imagine No Malaria, please contact me!  I am in the area and available for planning meetings, Impact 100 receptions or just to share ideas.   I can best be reached via cell at 616-403-5494.

I am also very excited to be sharing Imagine No Malaria at the Equipping the Saints Training at First United Methodist Church, Kerrville on January the 16th.  I hope to see many of your representatives there.

Again, thank you for your support of this life-changing and life-saving ministry.

Luke 9:6 “So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.”  Isn’t it great that we can do the same?  Thanks be to God.

Blessings,

Laura


Laura Meengs
Field Director - Imagine No Malaria

P: 616-403-5494
E: lmeengs@umcom.org
www.imaginenomalaria.org