Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer and Our Redeemer Preschool are partnering with the Lutheran Malaria Initiative to pray, learn, and to raise money to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.
I had read about malaria in history books but it didn’t become real to me until this past October at our pastors’ conference. What shocked me most was the statistic that every 45 seconds a child dies from malaria, a disease that is both preventable and treatable. When I learned that our church body, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, had partnered with Lutheran World Relief with the support of the United Nations Foundation to work to teach people to recognize the symptoms of malaria, promote prevention, and to provide treatment, I knew that we as a church and school family needed to be involved.
Each student in our Sunday School and Preschool received a “helping kit.” Included is a bookmark and a pencil and also an empty prescription bottle. Between now and Easter (April 8, 2012) the children are asked to collect 40 quarters in their bottle. This $10 can provide one family with a treated bed net and education on its use. (A sample bed net is on display in the hallway.) While this is primarily a project for our children, I think it is of great importance that we all as a congregation participate in some way—prayer or financial. There is a donation canister at the hallway display. Or you can take your own prescription bottle and fill it. Please, put your name on the bottle so we can provide you with a receipt. If you would like a receipt for any other donations, please, let me know. You can also donate online at http://www.lutheranmalaria.org or by check payable to “LCMS Lutheran Malaria Initiative” with “LMI” in the memo line.
Checks can be sent to: Lutheran Malaria Initiative
c/o The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
1333 South Kirkwood Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63122.
If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I thank you in advance for helping the children of Africa by giving from your blessings to save their lives!
Pastor Coons
Lutheran Church of our Redeemer 