Missionaries

First Methodist Grapevine supports a number of missionaries on a regular basis. The majority of our missionary funding goes to Kenya and Costa Rica.

Latest Update - January 2012 (pdf)	The Peifer Family Africa Inland Mission - Kenya Kids Can Steve Peifer has a vision. He sees a Kenya where children have enough to eat and stay in school. In Steve’s vision, these same high-achieving students go on to become Microsoft certified and get professional, well-paying jobs. Through education, today’s children can lift Kenya out of poverty and build the next high-tech economy. We have made a special effort to help Steve Peifer's ministry to feed the school children in Kenya.  Typically, it costs $1.50 to feed a child for a month. This term, it will cost us $6.00 per child each month. That is a 400% increase in a very short time. Kenya is experiencing intense inflation while the U.S. dollar is also declining in value. We need your help to make up the difference. You can give to Feed the Kids Kenya any time by indicating "Feed the Kids Kenya" in the memo portion of your check (please be sure to include "Kenya" so as not to be confused with local feed the kids programs).
The Savutos arrived safely home in early December. They will be with us at First Methodist Grapevine on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012.	Bill and Jerri Savuto Maua, Kenya Bill and Jerri Savuto are missionaries with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, serving at Maua Methodist Hospital in Maua, Kenya. Bill works with work teams, hospital construction, Street Boy's Ministry, and works closely with the AIDS Orphan Program of Maua Methodist Hospital. Jerri tutors in the hospital RN program. Her responsibilities include teaching nursing students in the areas of anatomy, physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, medical and surgical nursing, pediatrics, and community health. Jerri & Bill Savuto Phone (from USA): 011-254-728-451-643 Maua Methodist Hospital PO Box 63-60600 Maua, Igembe, Kenya www.mckmauahospital.org
	Ashley West Athletes In Action Ashley West is from Dallas, Texas, where she played soccer with the Sting Soccer Club for ten years. This sport took her to the University of Miami, where her twin sister, Laura, and she both played soccer on scholarship. Ashley graduated with a degree in Communications and majors in Advertising and Religious Studies. As an athlete at the University of Miami, the Athletes in Action ministry played a major role in her college career. While in Miami, Ashley developed a passion to reach the world for Christ. As a member of the Athletes in Action Staff at Miami and now at the University of Virginia, Ashley has played an essential role in developing Christ-like leaders on the sports teams by developing relationships with athletes and coaches, addressing their spiritual needs, speaking at pre-game chapels, and leading Bible studies.
	Ray and Lidia Zirkel Costa Rica In 1995, the Zirkels were invited by Dr. Luis Palomo, Bishop, to minister with the Methodist Church in Costa Rica. Ray is an ordained elder in the Methodist Church and serves as a professor at the Evangelical Methodist Seminary. In addition, Ray is a member of the Board of Directors of the Methodist High School and Elementary School; and, he helps to plant and develop local congregations. We are currently working with the child welfare agency and the Methodist Church to build a children’s home in San José. We host 20 to 25 short-term Missionary Teams each year who work on a variety of church related projects. Today our call and vision for the people of Costa Rica continues to grow. It is our prayer that you would become Partner’s in Ministry with us through your prayers, financial gifts, and coming to minister on a short-term Missionary Team. J.B.C. SJO #1441 P.O. Box 025240 Miami, FL 33102-5240 Tel./Fax: 011-506-297-0071
	Kenyan Missionaries When Bishop Muriuki originally visited us, he expressed the great need for sponsorships for native Kenyan missionaries. Since then, we have sponsored a number of missionaries for three year periods.