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The Rev. Pam Gardner, pastor of Slippery Rock UMC, set a goal for the Western PA Cooperative School of Christian Mission (CSCM) she coordinated last week at Grove City College in Grove City, PA: Raise funds for 70 mosquito nets in 7 days. But, the School’s weekday and weekend participants had other ideas.

 

Over the course of the week, United Methodist Women and other CSCM participants came together to raise $1,680 – enough for 168 nets, 336 rounds of treatment for malaria or 840 Rapid Diagnostic Tests used to diagnose the disease in the field.

“These people just responded to the call!” said Gardner.

 

Evening worship on Tuesday featured guest speakers Sandra Matoushaya, coordinator for the Conference’s Zimbabwe Partnership and Laura Meengs, field coordinator for Imagine No Malaria. Meengs spoke again at the weekend school on  Saturday evening.

 

Following worship, an Imagine No Malaria Festival offered fun, fellowship and a little bit of fundraising. The women were treated to “bug juice” complete with plastic bugs frozen into the ice cubes, mosquito-shaped cookies, and plenty of activities facilitated by the School of Mission’s children and youth participants. Purchased tickets brought the opportunities to make pipe cleaner mosquitoes, play beanbag toss games or broomball or “buy” refreshments.

 

Members of the Acts 29 praise band from Slippery Rock UMC provided spirit-filled music to accompany the festivities.

 

“It’s so encouraging to see everyone getting involved! We are blessed to have the support of the United Methodist Women in Western Pennsylvania and can’t wait to see how they bring the Imagine No Malaria message – and fun – back to their churches,” said Meengs.

 

Following the first festivals, the youth and women took the fun to the next level. Using a borrowed bed net, friends could make a donation to have unsuspecting participants “netted” during the School.  Anyone concerned with messed hair from having the giant net tossed over them could “purchase insurance” with a donation.  The “official netters”, however, weren’t above accepting a bribe in the form of a larger donation to invalidate the “insurance.” 

 

Even study leader Dr. Steve Tuell of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary wasn’t immune. He was netted in the middle of leading Bible study during the weekday school and while finishing his lunch on Saturday.

 

All in all, participants had a great time coming together in service and stewardship to further the kingdom of God. Their blessings will make a difference in lives of many sisters and brothers in Christ in Africa.