Trip to Sumba

The following is the letter we passed out to everyone in church - it explains some more about our trip:

Dear Friends,

We want to share with you a mission opportunity that has opened up for us. From mid-July to mid-August we are planning a trip to Sumba, Indonesia, the Lord willing, to help out at the Pengharapan Children’s Home that Bill and Marion Sommer opened.

The island of Sumba covers an area of 11,150 square kilometers and is populated by 350,000 people. On this island there is a small village called Tana Mbanas where the home of Bill and Marion Sommer is located along with their staff and the Pengharapan Children’s Home. Pengharapan, meaning hope, is home for many children who were homeless and sick. The children’s home opened its doors in 2002 giving hope to many children on the island of Sumba. Bill and Marion Sommer are often called by parents with sick children to extend help by transporting them to the hospital or offering medication, proper nutrition and care. Many of the children have serious diseases or disabilities. Parents will often leave their children at Pengharapan as the children’s home offers far superior care and opportunity for their children. There are more than 65 children in the home with 15 Indonesian aid workers that help by caring for and teaching the children, cooking and cleaning.

As we finalize our plans and preparations for this trip, we would appreciate your support, thoughts and prayers. Please pray that God will prepare us for our visit and bless our efforts.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27

Thank you for letting us share with you what may be one of the most meaningful experiences in our lives. We look forward to helping the Sommers out in Indonesia and letting you know about our experiences when we return in August.

God Bless,

Irene Roth & Esther Vandenberg