Youth are Making a Difference through Ministry

St. Anne's wants to profile some of the brave and important ministry that some of our young members and friends are doing in today's world. 

Hillary Hanson

Peace Corps, Ukraine

Hillary was sent to the town of Boguslav (We have seen many spellings of this town on various maps.)  

It is here that she will spend five hours a day in an intensive Russian language training. She will also spend three hours a day teaching high school students English reading, under the guidance of another teacher. She says the classes are quite unruly and that the students may come and go as they please.

She feels blessed to have such a nice home family. She has a six-year old brother and a 15 year old sister. The father works in Kiev
and is home only on weekends and is a nice man. The mom is 38 years old and "a good cook" of the potatoes and bread that is now eaten every day. (Earlier in the season, it was beets and cabbage.)
She is learning Ukrainian from her "family" at home.

There is basically no email contact. The email computer that is available is a long walk across the river in a "sketchy" neighborhood,
requires her to walk home in the dark. The computer is old and slow and the keyboard is a challenge. There is no wireless available for her
laptop.

In December she will complete her training and leave Boguslav for her "post." We do not know where this will be. She will, most likely, lose
the company of fellow volunteers. She will definitely lose the company of her wonderful Russian instructor.

All Peace Corps workers cherish snail mail from home. A simple card telling local news, weather, sports, daily activities, pictures,
ANYTHING is greatly appreciated.

A business size envelope with up to six sheets of paper costs 84 cents postage. If you wish to write to her the address is:
 

Specialized English School #3
C/O Hillary Hanson
23 Zhovtneva St.
Starobelsk, Lugansk
Ukraine 92700


She needs prayers too! Her family is praying for her safety, of course, but also for the Good Lord to touch her ears, to understand the language quickly and for Him to touch her tongue so she learn to speak the language quickly. THAT will help a lot in safety, success and easing frustration.

 

Harper McConnell

HEAL Africa, Eastern Congo

One of St. Anne’s persons engaged in direct overseas ministry is HARPER MCCONNELL, daughter of Joyce Tripses and granddaughter of Kathy & Dick Tripses.  Harper graduated from the University of Minnesota last May.

Harper is currently in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa.  She is working with an agency called HEAL AFRICA (www.healafrica.org)  Heal Africa is dedicated to holistic healing, recognizing that the road to recovery encompasses much more than physical repair.  The hospital complex in Goma provides medical care and surgery for women who have been physically brutalized during the six year civil war.  Their injuries result in their being ostracized from their families and villages and they are left without means to support themselves and their children.  Their children often accompany them to the hospital. Also injured children may reside at the hospital complex while they are being treated.

Several projects are ongoing including the surgeries, HIV treatment, development of skills for support when women return to their villages, and development of agricultural skills and schooling for the children who may be at the hospital 5 to 6 months with their mothers or recovering from their injuries. 

Harper is involved in an educational program for the kids. Basic schooling will be provided for all the children at the hospital during their stay. A recent graduate from school has been hired at $100 per month.  When the kids and their mothers return home they will receive a scholarship so that they can go to school near their home village.

 Persons wanting to donate to Harper’s project can donate on the web at www.healafrica.org  or follow the instructions on the web site and send a check by mail.  Please specify “Healing Arts Program” to donate to Harper’s project. Heal Africa is a 501C3 organization or you may donate through St. Anne’s who will forward your donation.

For more information contact Kathy Tripses, Deacon at ktripses@msn.com

Please keep Harper, the HEAL Africa Staff and the patients in your prayers. 

Harper visited St Anne's in September 2007

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