Hope 4 South Sudan
Local missionary Whitney Smith rallies cause for African country
Submitted photo
Sending Sudan hope
Women in South Sudan pound produce to make meal. Fort Payne missionary Whitney Smith and her home church, Asbury United Methodist Church, are planning a fundraising event.
Whitney Smith is gearing up for another trip to South Sudan.
Smith is a missionary with World Gospel Mission and works as part of the Mango Ministries team.
She, along with her church, Asbury United Methodist Church, is organizing fundraising efforts to help her raise funds for her two-year trip and to raise awareness for missions and the newly independent South Sudan.
The fundraiser, Hope 4 South Sudan, is a 5K walk/run.
"I thought the race would be a good way to reach out to the community and hopefully gain a lot of awareness about Sudan and what I’m doing and how people in the States can help overseas," Smith said. "I want to let people know they can make a difference in South Sudan without actually going, because not everyone has the means to do that."
Smith said those who attend will have the opportunity to learn about the life of a South Sudan citizen and can enjoy South Sudanese refreshments.
The upcoming trip for Smith will have her living in South Sudan for two years.
"I will be part of a Holistic Community Development Team," Smith said. "We go into communities that have asked us for help and we’re there to be a partner and a resource. We hope to make it a more asset based focus rather than a needs focus. They have resources. We want to help them utilize those resources and help them become self-sufficient."
Smith said the group will also partner with local churches, so the transformation can come from a Christ-centered approach.
"Right now, about 15 percent of the population of South Sudan is Christian," Smith said. "The rest believe traditional African beliefs. We will also help them in areas of healthcare, agriculture, preventative measures and hygiene. In whatever ways they need help, we will be there for them."
The Hope 4 South Sudan 5K walk/run is Oct. 1 at 8 a.m. at the Wills Valley Recreation Center in Fort Payne.
Pre-registration is $20 and Race-Day Registration is $25.
All walkers and runners will receive a T-shirt.
Registration forms are available at Asbury UMC, Wills Valley Rec. Center and will be available at Boom Days Heritage Celebration on Sept. 18.
Registration can be completed online at racesonline.org.
For more information, email Smith at whitneysmith121 or call the Asbury office at 256-845-4169.
Ten percent of the proceeds will go to benefit the Red Cross.
http://times-journal.com/dekalb_living/article_54ba4c7a-dfd1-11e0-aee3-001cc4c03286.html
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