Missions to South Africa, Cambodia, Russia and Alaska are some of the recent missions the church has undertaken. If you are interested in foreign missions, please contact Karen Stagg, Director of Missions at 225-383-4777, or karen@firstmethodist.org.

MEET OUR MISSIONARIES

Who: Jerri and Bill Savuto
Where: Kenya
Bill and Jerri serve at Maua Methodist Hospital where Bill works with the Information Technology Unit and serves as chairperson of the IT Committee. He facilitates work teams, assists the Hospital Administrator in overseeing construction projects, and helps with the AIDS Orphan Program. Jerri serves as the Quality Improvement and Staff Development Officer and is responsible for the Quality Improvement Program for the hospital. The dollar reimbursement to hospitals by the government is directly related to the quality of care the hospital provides.

 

Who: Maribel Calvo
Where: Kenner, LA
Maribel serves as the El Mesias United Methodist Church in Kenner, LA. Her primary responsibility is to proclaim Christ to the Hispanic community in their own tongue, which is not merely by language but also by cultural identity and family values. Maribel believes God's mission is being carried out in her work by this passage, "Then the King will say, 'For sure, I tell you because you did it to the least of my brothers and sisters, you have done it to me.' "

Maribel is married to Esteban, and they are the parents of Micah, who arrived in August 2003.

 

Who: Who:Nicholas and Esther Gitobu
Where: Cambodia
Esther Karimi Gitobu is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church assigned to Cambodia.

“I mostly deal with writing grants and fundraising for projects,” Esther explains. “My vision of Cambodia is to see hope in the midst of pain and despair...hope is when in the midst of uncertainty one keeps making the effort. I just want to be there as an agent of hope.”

Previously, Esther and her husband, Nicholas Gitobu Kithinji, also a GBGM missionary, served in the Southern Congo Annual Conference in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A native of Meru, Kenya, Esther is a member of Chimwemwe United Methodist Church in Kitwe, Zambia. She holds a diploma in business administration from Kenya Polytechnic Institute, and was chief cashier at the Central Bank of Kenya in Nairobi before entering the mission field in 1999. Esther and Nicholas have three daughters: Jeannette, Nicole and Michelle.

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The following is a thank you from Esther Gitobu, our Cambodian missionary. This thank you is to the United Methodist Women and the congregation of FUMC for helping provide support to Cambodian women by purchasing the items that we sell on Mission Sunday. A special word of thanks to Judy Foust and Cooky Coffey for their efforts in selling this merchandise.

Attached please find a picture of the young people supported by 10% of the funds raised from cambodian crafts sold at First Methodist. Two youth were not able to come as they had exams. They are so grateful for the opportunity to pursue higher education. It costs between $450-600 per year for college education but most families cannot afford to send their children to college. I am so glad that we have seven of them now pursuing their dreams. My target is to enroll 15 of them in College and then continue to raise funds to support them for the 4 year till they graduate. Thank you all for being God’s hands, feet, and arms around the world and for helping in strengthening the astounding work that God has began in Cambodia.
Love you all and be blessed!--Esther Gitobu

Nicholas and Esther Gitobu
Where: Cambodia
Esther Karimi Gitobu is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church assigned to Cambodia.

“I mostly deal with writing grants and fundraising for projects,” Esther explains. “My vision of Cambodia is to see hope in the midst of pain and despair...hope is when in the midst of uncertainty one keeps making the effort. I just want to be there as an agent of hope.”

Previously, Esther and her husband, Nicholas Gitobu Kithinji, also a GBGM missionary, served in the Southern Congo Annual Conference in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A native of Meru, Kenya, Esther is a member of Chimwemwe United Methodist Church in Kitwe, Zambia. She holds a diploma in business administration from Kenya Polytechnic Institute, and was chief cashier at the Central Bank of Kenya in Nairobi before entering the mission field in 1999. Esther and Nicholas have three daughters: Jeannette, Nicole and Michelle.