May 2012 - The Texas District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

happenings
in Texas
F TEXAS DISTRICT
Answering the call
SAN ANTONIO—Shown are volunteers for mission outreach
in Haiti from Shepherd of the Hills, San Antonio.
May God bless this outreach.
As a result of much prayer, the people of Shepherd
of the Hills in San Antonio have gradually been venturing
outside the walls of the church. Their latest
venture is an ambitious one as 16 people have joined
a team that will go to Haiti in July.
In addition to participating in a sampling of the
different kinds of work that Food for the Poor does
in Haiti, this team will investigate the possibility of
establishing a permanent base in Haiti that the congregation
will continue to support with gifts of money
and workers.
Alice Klement, team leader and director of
Equipping Ministry at Shepherd of the Hills, observes,
“It’s hard not to notice the number of young people
who have joined the team. We look forward expectantly
to how God will use the entire team but especially
these young folks who are positioned for vast
Kingdom influence well into the future.”
‘Hope Totes’
packing party
Along with volunteers of all ages around the country,
members of Messiah Lutheran Church, Plano, responded
to the appeal by Basket of Hope Ministries to
assist in a special Pre-Super Bowl event on Saturday,
Jan. 21. In alliance with the National Football League,
which had players at the various event sites, Thrivent
Financial for Lutherans provided toys, games and
crafts that were put into “Hope Totes” backpacks to
be delivered to hospitals for distribution to children
affected by cancer or other serious illnesses.
In Dallas, volunteers gathered at Lutheran High
School for a few hours of service, fun and interaction
with sports heroes. The completed totes were then
delivered to the children’s hospital at Medical City
Dallas.
Basket of Hope’s mission is to give the hope that
comes from Jesus to these children and their families
with baskets of toys, games and inspirational material
to nourish them mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
More information can be found at its website
basketofhope.org.
PLANO—Present at Messiah, Plano’s Basket of Hope
packing party, “Hope Totes,” were, among others, from
left, Bo Hughes, Thrivent representative; Dawn Johnson,
coordinator of Messiah’s Social and Outreach Ministries;
Laurent Robinson, wide receiver of Dallas Cowboys;
Messiah member Nancy Huett with grandchildren
Tori and Taylor Cole and their friend Sidney Blackwell.