Resources & Archives Events & Registration Give Connect Search Who We Are What We Do News & StoriesCOVID-19 World Missions The World Missions Department seeks to engage every member and every church of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas in the work of evangelism and mission. We are working to be faithful to the Great Commission, Jesus Christ's command to "go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19), and His Great Commandment "to love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39) and to assist the Missionary People of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas in their call to "proclaim the word and example of the Good News of God in Christ" (Book of Common Prayer, pg. 305). THERE ARE THREE PRIMARY WAYS THAT INDIVIDUALS AND CHURCHES CAN PARTNER WITH WORLD MISSION: PRAY, GIVE, GO‍ ‍ Mission Partnerships ‍2020 Video Update from World Missions, produced by Charissa Fenton Fundraising Interviews with Local Mission Leaders, produced by World Missions Department (password: "missions") A number of teams from the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas have developed relationships in regions where they have worked for extended periods. There are ongoing ministries that continue to expand in scope and purpose. Below is a list of ministries which typically send teams annually, and most accept additional team members. NAVAJOLAND MEXICO HONDURAS GUATEMALA HAITI KENYA LAKOTA UGANDA PUERTO RICO COLOMBIA Navajoland NAVAJOLAND AREA MISSION The purpose of the mission with the Diocese of the Episcopal Church in Navajoland is to aid and partner with the Navajo people in building sustainable strategies for economic development and to facilitate healing of historic grievances in Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. To date, teams have funded and/or partnered in construction, irrigation, landscaping, painting, and education projects, all while developing lasting relationships with our Native American brothers and sisters. For more information, contact Dr. Marthe Curry. TEXAS WATER MISSION IN NAVAJOLAND Texas Water Mission works with local communities to find the best fit water solution for their unique circumstances, ranging from water wells to rain catchment systems and spring boxes. They are trained to maintain and operate each water system. Community members learn water safety and hygiene and become certified to train others and to ensure sustainability of the project. Bible stories, songs, and crafts are taught to village children by local teachers with support from team members. Contact Linda Stone, Executive Director, or visit www.texaswatermission.org. Mexico PIEDRAS NEGRAS: EL BUEN PASTOR AND RESURRECCIÓN Due to security along the border, the diocese does not sponsor youth teams to this area. However, ministry continues through generous gifts of our parishioners and adult teams. Mission activities include creative sewing projects for women, and support of El Buen Pastor and Church of the Resurrección's construction projects. More than twenty women have participated in sewing projects three times a year since 2008, learning to design and complete simple to ornate decorative items and garments. For information, contact Connie Bye. PIEDRAS NEGRAS: VBS, DIA DE GRACIAS, AND LAS POSADAS This ministry offers VBS to all children of the area. Dia de Gracias is celebrated during the Thanksgiving season and includes a feast, games and prizes, and distribution of food and clothing. Las Posadas is also celebrated at Christmastime with food, music, games, and gifts, while Mary and Joseph's quest for lodging in Bethlehem is reenacted. For more information, contact Amanda Hagy. ARROYO ZACATE, SOUTHEAST MEXICO This team sponsors micro-enterprise programs through a bakery and water filtration project established to produce much needed income for families in the region. Women's ministries offer topical conferences for women and craft sessions that highlight creativity and art. Vacation Bible School is conducted during summer missions in partnership with members of the local church. A fully-equipped clinic, partly funded by DWTX, serves the area and has provided opportunities for a medical intern. Senior clergy from DWTX share knowledge and experience with fellow clergy in Southeast Mexico. For more information, contact Rosine Carter. Honduras HILOS DE DIOS EMBROIDERY MISSION For seven years, the “Threads of God” team has worked with over 50 women from more than a dozen villages in the Copan, Santa Barbara, and Intibuca regions of Honduras. They are assisting them in creating a sustainable micro-enterprise. Team members teach design, technique, and marketability while returning all proceeds to participants. Contact Terry Koehler for more information. LOVE HONDURAS With a mission to provide holistic community health, Love Honduras veterinary teams vaccinate and treat parasites in large and small animals, vision teams provide vision testing and glasses for children, and public health initiatives including water cisterns and community development have been the hallmarks of this team for more than 30 years. Team veterinarians will train volunteers to be med-tech assistants. Updated rabies immunizations are required to join the team. Contact Dr. Riva Heron for more information. MANOS DE DIOS MINISTRY Teams have established four micro-enterprises with low income women, including sewing, baking, and school supplies. The Manos Scholarship Program has a total of 70 students, including 50 in grades 7-12, and 20 students in college. In addition, they have 11 college graduates. Teams have fitted nearly 5,000 pairs of glasses in the last 15 years and improved the living conditions of families through the Casitas Project that repairs or constructs homes for families. Contact Patricia Perea for more information. OWEN PROJECT (XO COMPUTERS) The Owen Project is part of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church's (Seguin) long-standing Honduras mission engagement. Laptop computers designed by MIT for rural Third World environments are taken to isolated mountain schools around Siguatepeque, Honduras, and other Latin American countries. The teams arrive in the country late in June or early in July and visit schools to train teachers and students in the use of the laptops that utilize curriculum developed by the Honduras Department of Education. Once students become adept at using the XO’s, they are encouraged to take them home to share educational opportunities with their families. Contact Sally and Mark Keddal for more information. TEXAS WATER MISSION IN HONDURAS Texas Water Mission provides clean water solutions, offering clean drinking water to more than 50,000 Hondurans since 2003. The ministry also teaches water hygiene and conducts Bible classes with activities for children. Contact Linda Stone, or visit www.texaswatermission.org to learn more. Guatemala CONSTRUCTION & MEDICAL / DENTAL Since 2010, these mission teams have built houses for abused and widowed indigenous women and provided medical and dental care in the highlands of Guatemala. On the job training is provided for anyone with a giving and serving heart. Contact Dr. Lorena Rojas or Jorge Rojas for more information. Haiti CHAIN OF LOVE In 2009, St. George School and Church (San Antonio) began a relationship with St. Benoit Church and School in Mombin Crochu, Haiti. With assistance from the National Episcopal Church and St. George School’s Annual Chain of Love fundraising event, they have helped build a new school facility, a new kitchen, and made other capital improvements. The Chain of Love also helps fund students, teachers, meals, and other programs. Contact Keith Earle for more information. TEXAS WATER MISSION IN HAITI Texas Water Mission provides clean water solutions, ranging from water wells to rain catchment systems, or spring boxes. The ministry also provides water hygiene training and children’s spiritual formation classes with activities. See Texas Water Mission in Navajoland and Honduras. Contact Linda Stone, or visit www.texaswatermission.org to learn more. Kenya RAFIKI AIDS ORPHANAGE Since 2004, teams have worked with the Rafiki AIDS Orphanage outside Nairobi to fund and partner in various projects, including construction, micro-enterprise, farming, and various arts and educational events. Approximately eighty children live on the site that also has a school, barber shop, farm, bakery, and a small savings and loan office. Mission activities include Vacation Bible School, Youth Enrichment, and structural maintenance projects. Youth teams have participated in farming chores and built a tilapia farm. Contact Dr. Marthe Curry for more information. Lakota MESSIAH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WOUNDED KNEE, SOUTH DAKOTA Youth team projects include rebuilding deteriorating parts of the church building, establishing church gardens, and improving access to the church property. Other projects include building a food pantry and office/health screening addition, providing a weeklong Vacation Bible School, as well as building relationships with the Diocese of South Dakota. Contact Dawn McLendon for more information. Uganda BAND & BIBLE The Band & Bible Mission supports the brass band ministry of three Ugandan dioceses: Kampala, Bunyoro-Kitara, and Nebbi. Students learn to read music, musicianship, and instrument repair, in addition to spiritual formation rooted in scripture. A scholarship program overseen by members of the band has been established to assist students in completing their education and provides tutoring for students. This team is made up of experienced band teachers or members and travels in the summer. Contact the Rev. Eric Fenton for more information. THREADS OF BLESSING The Threads of Blessing ministry teaches embroidery and design, quality control, and marketability of tapestries, with more than 650 Ugandan women currently involved. Since 2005, the ministry has provided an annual workshop for women, encouraging positive self-esteem and spiritual growth. Threads of Blessing also provides instruction in basic business skills and explores and locates markets for the sale of tapestries. Contact Helen Schnelzer for more information, or visit threadsofblessing.org. Puerto Rico ANASCO Mission teams from Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in San Antonio partner with Mision San Jose de Arimatea in Anasco, Puerto Rico for fellowship, strengthening relationships and increasing cross-cultural competency. The team is planning a joint family camp for members of both congregations in the summer of 2021 to join together in fellowship, Bible study, and cultural exchanges. This ministry is relatively new, having been initiated in 2018, and is currently exploring ways to relate and partner for mutual growth. Contact Gene Dowdy for more information. Colombia HOUSE OF HOPE House of Hope connects missioners with local organizations supporting recovery, humanitarian aid, and development in and around Barichara, Colombia. House of Hope's mission focuses on strengthening missionaries and those they will work with in mind, body, and spirit through daily service opportunities, worship, and deep immersion in the culture of northern Colombia. Mission teams will spread the message of hope found in Jesus Christ in a local jail, nursing home, rural schools, children's ministries, and on-site service projects. Contact Mary Hayden Manning for more information. PRAY GIVE GO FAQ'S CONNECT MORE Connect Stay Connected to World Missions: ‍Click here to subscribe to the monthly World Missions E-Newsletter, featuring upcoming mission trips, events, and stories from mission teams. ‍Diocesan World Missions Staff ‍Director: Marthe Curry ‍Ministries Coordinator: Catherine Markette Upcoming Events World Missions World Missions November 4, 2021 Missions Café - November 2021: A Visit to the Episcopal Church in Navajoland READ MORE World Missions World Missions September 9, 2021 Missions Café - September 2021: A Visit to Uganda, Part Two READ MORE World Missions World Missions August 28, 2021 World Missions Symposium: "Where is Jesus in World Missions?" READ MORE World Missions World Missions July 1, 2021 Missions Café - July 2021: A Visit to Uganda, Part One READ MORE Contact Send us a message, give us a call, or sign up for our Newsletter. LET'S CONNECT THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF WEST TEXAS ‍ Who We Are About DWTX Churches & Schools Employment Opportunities Churches in Transition The Episcopal Church in America What We Do Children & Youth Adults Families Ministries Committees & Commissions Congregational Resources Faith Formation & Worship Resources for Ministry & Mission Church Office Administration Development & Stewardship Diocesan Resources Governance Transition Ministry Lay & Ordained Foundation Forms Archives