St. Luke’s has a long standing commitment to serving God and fellow Christians outside our borders. Piedras Negras is a border town the Diocese of West Texas has been involved with for many years in various ministries. We felt that choosing a country that we had easy access to, consisting of approximately a four hour drive, would make it possible for many parishoners to be patrticipate in. Through the years, we have made many long lasting friendships with people from both churches and look forward to gathering with them.
The diocesan World Mission Department has always emphasized that mission is three fold:
St. Luke’s has people on the ground, people giving time and money, and there is always a prayer team at home praying for those who are on mission.
PIEDRAS NEGRAS
Sewing Tutorial for "It's Sew Simple, McCall's pattern Style L9404"
Sewing
St. Luke’s Cypress Mill has been working with El Buen Pastor Anglican Church for many years in a sewing ministry. Beginning in 2008, our church participated in completing the sewing room set aside for projects and also purchased sewing machines, tables, and some chairs. The sewing room has seventeen sewing machines, two large cutting tables and various donated fabrics, threads etc.
Projects began with making book bags and hand bags from donated upholstery fabric which were sold at Bishop’s Council and other places. The proceeds went back to the church and individual women who made bags that were sold.
Recently sewing projects have consisted of clothing to be made by the women for their own personal use. Women from our church cut out patterns beforehand so projects can be completed while our sewing team, usually three to five women, are in Piedras Negras to assist in the sewing projects. Women from El Buen Pastor and Church of the Resurrection who attend the sewing mission vary from those who have never sewn at all to more experienced sewers. The women always seemed very pleased with the clothing they have made.
Purchase of fabrics, pattern, sewing notions etc. are made possible by an annual grant from the Diocese of West Texas and private donations.
Construction Mission
Men at St. Luke’s have participated in many construction projects through the years. Initially construction consisted of improving very crude housing along the railroad tracks of families Father Miguel had directed our team to. The team also participated in building a single family home for a family from El Buen Pastor and and also added a room onto an existing house for a new mother. A second story was built onto the parish hall of El Buen to house a Women’s Shelter and consists of three bedrooms, two baths along with living room and full kitchen. It is the first and only women’s shelter in Piedras Negras. Our construction team participated in that project also. Another project we have participated in is adding a kitchen and meeting area to the Church of the Resurrection.
These important construction projects were all made possible by ma grant from the Diocese of West Texas and private contributions.
Medical Mission
St Luke’s has had one medical mission in Piedras Negras. Our volunteers received people at El Buen Pastor to draw blood to test their glucose, took their blood pressure and provided a film for instruction of breast exams. Those people that had abnormal testing were later referred to a local hospital for follow up.
Christmas Mission
St. Luke’s participates in a Christmas mission delivering food and clothing to El Buen Pastor to be distributed to 125 families. Grocery bags are filled with food for a Christmas celebration, clothing is available for families to pick from and a toy for every child is given. Often over five hundred toys are given out and the women have each received a piece of jewelry for themselves. The children enjoy hitting the piñata with anticipation of candy to be had.
This mission is made possible by individual contributions from Chuck and Nancy Kinzler and St. Luke’s parishioners.
If you are interested in joining or learning more about this ministry, let us know here!
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