UMW sends over $2,100 to Chris in Swaziland!

Thank you, church members, for your generous support of the UMW Mission Spring Projects. With the help of the Methodist Men, we served 177 plates of barbeque out under the Council Oak tree at the Bluebonnet Picnic. We especially like this picnic arrangement with the men, for they do all the cooking! UMW Circles worked the opening weeks of the Twin Oaks Café that has created a fellowship spot where church members can gather over coffee, donuts, and breakfast tacos. On Mother’s Day we sold and delivered over 800 chocolate covered strawberries to deserving moms and their families.

All the proceeds from these events, over $2,100, have been placed in the Chris in Swaziland Fund with First Church Round Rock. These funds help support Chris McLain in her work as a Methodist Volunteer in Mission in Africa. Here are a few examples of how these mission dollars are spent. Chris’s car has become a real asset for her because she can take the church women places they would not be able to go otherwise. Recently she took two women to a city where they bought sewing machines and fabric to make school uniforms. She transported other ladies to visit a family with a handicapped child. Chris took groceries and because she had a car, the ladies were able to take blankets and clothing as well. On foot, the ladies would have had to travel more than two hours one way after the cost of a taxi ride. Chris got them there in 45 minutes. They would not have been able to carry the blankets and clothing if they had walked.

She took ladies to a carepoint (school site) about 55 miles from St. Paul’s where she distributed Beanie Babies that a First Church member had sent her. She also brought coloring books, crayons, soccer balls, a lollipop, and fruit for each child. The Manyano ladies went there to pay the school’s teacher who had not been paid since last year. The teacher gets $26 a month if there is funding. At another carepoint, they visited that day, Chris observed a teacher using skills she had taught at one of her “One Heart at a Time” workshops last year. Chris strives to help her African friends learn to help themselves.

Chris has also become their master photographer. As the women report on their work, they are now able to use photographs that Chris prints for them. They have started a scrapbook that is shared with others, and it helps bring recognition for the work they do. Though all these expenses are small, Chris says the assistance is priceless for the people she is working with. She continues to look for ways to improve the running water situation where she lives. Many days there is none. If you know of an engineer/architect/builder that would be willing to spend six months of service in her area, please let her know.

Chris has not only affected the lives of women and children in her area, but she has also been noticed by the church officials of Swaziland. She recently gave a report on the status of the schools in two districts to the Bishop of High Veld and Swaziland. She was asked to come back to the June meeting of the Education Synod with pictures and reports on her schools and projects. In April she was invited to the Deacon’s Convocation in Durban, South Africa. You can read more about Chris’s work on her blog, chrisinswaziland.blogspot.com.

UMW is focused on improving the lives of women and children around the world. Because of your support of these spring activities at First Church, you have helped Chris McLain make a difference in Swaziland. Thank you!