INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Russia

For about a dozen years Stanwich has sent a group of youth and adults

to Sortavala in the Karelia region of Western Russia to host a week-long summer Bible camp.  Activities include Bible lessons, music, crafts, games and refreshments.  The camp is hugely popular among the children of the region, where economic and social conditions are extremely poor.  Over 500 students attend the camp, with some traveling in dilapidated buses up to

two hours over primitive roads to attend.   View photos from recent trips>>

Kenya

The Njaaga Child Hope Home and Farm in Nairobi cares for children whose parents died of AIDS.  Stanwich has financially supported this ministry for several years, providing funding for irrigation equipment and a down payment on a permanent home.  In recent years Stanwich has sent groups of volunteers to the Home to teach HIV/AIDS education in the community, make building repairs, help with daily chores, provide clothing and school supplies, and share God's love with the children and staff who are struggling to survive.

Read article from Greenwich Time about the Dec.'07 trip>>   View photos>>

Ethiopia

Stanwich has supported the Egzibar Gubae Church for the past three decades through its association with Dr. Betta Mengistu.  As a young man Dr. Mengistu was mentored by the late Stanwich pastor Rev. Nate Adams.  Dr. Mengistu subsequently developed churches comprising more than 10,000 worshippers in his native country.  Over the past three decades Stanwich has contributed over $500,000 to support translation of the Bible into Ethiopian languages. 

In early 2004 a mission group from Stanwich traveled to Ethiopia to tour with Dr. Mengistu and explore how Stanwich could be more involved in teaching about Christ in the country.  As part of that trip, the group took about a dozen huge duffel bags stuffed with shoes contributed by Stanwich members.  The country is so poor that shoes are a luxury for many citizens.  As children grow out of shoes, they often cut out the backs and continue to wear them like flip-flops.  In 2005 another group was sent to explore further opportunities for mission work, including the possibility for developing wells to produce clean water, which is a pressing need.     View photos>>

Stanwich also works with Betta’s sister, Atu Bekele, to sponsor over 180 children from Mission of Mercy, an inner-city day shelter for some of the capital’s poorest children.  The shelter aims to provide spiritual as well as physical needs in an effort to teach the next generation about God’s love and righteousness.   

Global - Operation Christmas Child

Every year the congregation donates shoeboxes full of children’s toys, treats and supplies for Operation Christmas Child, a program of Samaritan’s Purse.  The boxes are shipped overseas to impoverished communities all over the world.

Other

Many members of Stanwich participate in diverse missions throughout

the world, including ongoing efforts in Africa, South America, China, and

India among other places.