Today in a "Thursday Update" our team received the "FINAL FINAL phone tree" that was created to share communications about the team with our loved ones in the US. I think this must be a sign. We really are going to Cote d'voire to be on the front lines of the fight against malaria. We expectantly await the surprises that will surely come as we work together on behalf of God's kingdom.
One week from today, most of us will be engaged in final packing and preparations. What a privilege!
We also received word this morning that the nets are in Cote d'Ivoire and that the delivery to the actual distribution sites at churches across the region is in progress. Cynthia Harvey and Rick Goodrich will be meeting with the on the ground team in Cote d'Ivoire on Tuesday, November 4 to finalize last minute details. This is exciting! May God continue to bless our preparations on both sides of the globe.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Ten Days to Go
The pile in the closet is getting bigger. Added to the pile last night were insect wipes, soap (we were told that the soap in Cote d'Ivoire is a little harsh), wash cloths, several Astros hats to give to our hosts, and the prayer guide for our trip. Posts from the prayer guide, which was created by Josh Hale (Wesley Foundation Director at Lamar University), will start on Thursday, November 6, the day before we leave. In the meantime, please keep the entire team in your thoughts and prayers as we get ready. Cynthia Harvey and Rick Goodrich will be leaving for Cote d'Ivoire this Sunday, November 2 as our advance team. Please remember them!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Getting Ready
I have had my shots....I am taking malaria pills and creating a "pile" in my closet.
Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria!
That is the reason that thirty-five of us from the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church will be leaving as a team on Friday, November 7 for Cote d'Ivoire on the West Coast of Africa. Our mission is to represent the church and assist in the delivery of life-saving bed nets. This historic trip marks the first time that churches have participated in the on-the-ground delivery of nets. With our team we will hand deliver 855,000 nets to the neediest Ivory Coast residents as a part of a national measles vaccination campaign, led by the Cote d’Ivoire ministry of health, the Measles Initiative, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and other partners.
How does it work?
Bed nets work in two ways. They stop mosquitoes from biting during the night and spreading the disease, and the insecticide on the net kills the mosquitoes when they land on it.
There are medicines used to treat and prevent the disease, but often they are expensive and not widely available. Insecticide-treated bed nets have been identified as the most cost effective way to prevent the spread of malaria.
Treated bed nets cost $10. More often than not, entire families sleep under one net, and the nets are effective for approximately five years.
The people of the United Methodist Church are founding partners of Nothing But Nets, along with National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares and Sports Illustrated. The United Nations Foundation created the Nothing But Nets campaign in 2006. Other partners include VH1, The Mark J. Gordon Foundation, AOL Black Voices, The Wasserman Foundation, Major League Soccer’s MLS W.O.R.K.S., the Women’s National Basketball Association, and Rotarians’ Action Group on Malaria.
Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria!
That is the reason that thirty-five of us from the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church will be leaving as a team on Friday, November 7 for Cote d'Ivoire on the West Coast of Africa. Our mission is to represent the church and assist in the delivery of life-saving bed nets. This historic trip marks the first time that churches have participated in the on-the-ground delivery of nets. With our team we will hand deliver 855,000 nets to the neediest Ivory Coast residents as a part of a national measles vaccination campaign, led by the Cote d’Ivoire ministry of health, the Measles Initiative, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and other partners.
How does it work?
Bed nets work in two ways. They stop mosquitoes from biting during the night and spreading the disease, and the insecticide on the net kills the mosquitoes when they land on it.
There are medicines used to treat and prevent the disease, but often they are expensive and not widely available. Insecticide-treated bed nets have been identified as the most cost effective way to prevent the spread of malaria.
Treated bed nets cost $10. More often than not, entire families sleep under one net, and the nets are effective for approximately five years.
The people of the United Methodist Church are founding partners of Nothing But Nets, along with National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares and Sports Illustrated. The United Nations Foundation created the Nothing But Nets campaign in 2006. Other partners include VH1, The Mark J. Gordon Foundation, AOL Black Voices, The Wasserman Foundation, Major League Soccer’s MLS W.O.R.K.S., the Women’s National Basketball Association, and Rotarians’ Action Group on Malaria.
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