Ollivier Girard for LWR SUNDAY SCHOOL KICK-OFF

Transcription

1 Ollivier Girard for LWR SUNDAY SCHOOL KICK OFF! 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... LMI STORIES... 4 GOD IS CALLING POEM... 7 LETTER FROM TANZANIA... 9 SONGS...12 GAMES...14 CRAFTS INTRODUCTION Thank you for being a part of the Lutheran Malaria Initiative! Contained in this kit are activities and ideas to get your congregation s Sunday school excited and prepared to be part of this life- changing ministry. As you prepare to guide young and old alike through the Scriptures and following Jesus in their daily lives, these stories, skits, poems and songs will inspire all to bring others the promise of a better and healthy future. Read on to find out how! MARTIE MOSQUITO SKIT...20 POWER POINT DISCUSSION QUESTIONS...25 MISSION PROJECT PLANS...26 Jonathan Ernst for LWR 2

3 LMI RESOURCES Free resources from LMI will help you to spread the word that your congregation is joining the fight against malaria. To order, visit lutheranmalaria.org or call QUICK START GUIDE 1 ANNOUNCE YOUR KICK-OFF The activities in this kit are perfect for your congregation s Rally Day or first day of Sunday school. Let everyone know that this year you are joining the fight to end malaria. 2 PLAN YOUR KICK-OFF You will have everything you need to get your LMI mission project off to a big start with the Kick-Off Kit, free resources you can order from LMI, and the gifts and abilities of your congregation. 3 HOLD YOUR LMI KICK-OFF EVENT Kids will enjoy performing the skit and singing songs, and will go home sharing the news of the awesome impact they will make with LMI this Sunday school year. 4 CONTINUE YOUR LMI MISSION PROJECT Throughout the Sunday school year plan fun and engaging ways for all ages to give to the cause of life-saving malaria treatment. BRACELETS Use as a giveaway item during Sunday school. Available in orange. BOOKMARKS With four designs to choose from, these reminders of the fight against malaria can go to school with your congregation s children. BULLETIN INSERTS Share information about your congregation s life-saving work during worship. BALLOONS Decorate your KickOff with balloons in the LMI colors: orange, yellow and brown. PENS Keep these in the hands of children, youth and adults to remind them of your support of LMI. All available in both yellow and orange. POSTERS Decorate the walls of your church with words that restore health and inspire hope. SAMPLE BED NETS Display one of the most important tools in fighting malaria and help your congregation see how they are making a difference in the world. To order, visit lutheranmalaria.org or call

4 LMI STORIES Incorporate these stories into your Sunday school lessons, children s sermons, or sermons for the whole congregation and tell the story of how God is at work in the fight against malaria. Tanzania: Evelina s Story Evelina lives in Tanzania and she has a very important job. She is a nurse who helps people in her community stay healthy. Not too long ago she used to meet many people who were not healthy because they became sick from malaria. In some countries in Africa, like Tanzania, people can get malaria when they are bitten by a mosquito that carries the disease. Here in the U.S. mosquitoes don t have malaria (although getting bitten is still no fun). But in Tanzania, many people get really sick from malaria. Together the church and the Lutheran Malaria Initiative teach pastors, Sunday school teachers and others how to talk to people about malaria and let them know what to do to stay safe. And the message is spreading! Evelina says many people now go to the doctor when they get a fever or chills or other malaria symptoms. And many of them go before they get too sick to work or go to school. When people get malaria they can get a fever, chills and other bad symptoms. It is important for them to go to the doctor right away so they can get medicine. But many people did not know that. They also did not know you can keep from getting malaria by sleeping under a special kind of bed net that keeps mosquitoes away at night. Instead, many people tried to take care of themselves at home and that made things worse. So Evelina decided to do something about it. Whenever she talked to people about health, she would tell them how to stay safe from malaria. Now the Lutheran Church in Tanzania has teamed up with the Lutheran Malaria Initiative to let even more people know about malaria and how to prevent it. The Lutheran Malaria Initiative is made up of Lutherans in the U.S. who want to stop malaria from making people so sick. 4

5 LMI STORIES Uganda: Maurine s Story Maurine is from a country called Uganda in East Africa. She used to spend a lot of time caring for her sick children. They often got fevers, stomach aches and worse because they kept getting malaria. In some countries in Africa, like Uganda, people can get malaria when they are bitten by a mosquito that carries the disease. Here in the U.S. mosquitoes do not have malaria (although getting bitten is still no fun). But in Uganda, many people get really sick from malaria. When people get malaria they can get a fever, chills and other bad symptoms. It is important for them to go to the doctor right away so they can get medicine. But Maurine did not know that. She thought malaria came from eating mangoes or cold foods and being in the sun too long. So she did not take her children to the doctor for the proper medicine. Also, her family did not sleep under special bed nets that could protect them from mosquito bites while they were sleeping. In Uganda, through LMI, Maurine attended a class about malaria. She learned all sorts of things about malaria and how she could keep her family safe. She also got one of those special bed nets for her family to sleep under and someone even came to her house to show her how to use it. Many other families also took the classes and got bed nets of their own. Now Maurine spends a lot less time taking care of sick kids and more time working so that they can have food to eat and the children can go to school. With just a little bit of learning, Maurine s life changed. This Sunday school year we re also going to learn about malaria and how we can help keep people from getting sick by joining the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. But thanks to the Lutheran Malaria Initiative, now Maureen knows how to keep from getting malaria, how to recognize the symptoms and what to do when her children get sick. The Lutheran Malaria Initiative, or LMI for short, is made up of Lutherans in the U.S. who want to stop malaria from making people so sick. IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, A CHILD DIES EVERY 60 SECONDS OF MALARIA But with your congregation s help, we can STOP IT. 5

6 LMI STORIES Tanzania: Tukumbushe s Story Today Tukumbushe is a happy, healthy teenager living with her family in her homeland of Tanzania. But a few years ago she got really sick from malaria. In some countries in Africa, like Tanzania, people can get malaria when they are bitten by a mosquito that carries the disease. Here in the U.S. mosquitoes don t have malaria (although getting bitten is still no fun). But in Tanzania, many people get really sick from malaria. When people get malaria they can get a fever, chills and other bad symptoms. It is important for them to go to the doctor right away so they can get medicine. But many people did not know that. They also did not know you can keep from getting malaria by sleeping under a special kind of bed net that keeps mosquitoes away at night. That was the case for Tukumbushe s parents. But one day, when her father was out of town for business, she developed a fever and chills. Her mother was so worried she contacted Tukumbushe s father. Her father was so worried he walked all the way home from 50 miles away! And that was just the beginning of their journey. Both her parents went on to walk all night long to reach the nearest medical center to take Tukumbushe to the doctor. Thankfully, she got the medicine she needed to get better. Now her family sleeps under the special bed nets and they tell other people about malaria too. In fact, Tukumbushe s father told the entire church about what happened to her and how other families could stay safe from malaria. With help from the Lutheran Malaria Initiative pastors, Sunday school teachers and others in the church are spreading the word about malaria. The Lutheran Malaria Initiative, or LMI for short, is made up of Lutherans in the U.S. who want to stop malaria from making people so sick. LMI has trained lots of people to talk about malaria during church services, in the community and even in Sunday school! This year, we are also going to talk about malaria in Sunday school and how we can help people in Africa by joining the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. WHEN A PERSON GETS MALARIA, THEY CAN GET A FEVER, CHILLS AND OTHER BAD SYMPTOMS 6

7 LISTEN GOD IS CALLING POEM Invite your congregation into the lifesaving work of the Lutheran Malaria Initiative with this dramatic spoken word piece. This poem is meant to be read first from top to bottom then, after the text in bold, from the bottom to the top. One suggested reading is to have a team of readers at the beginning, with readers dropping out as you read down the poem. As you read back up, and the impact of LMI becomes clear, those readers can then rejoin the team. READ FORWARD FIRST Listen God is calling People are suffering Malaria kills more than 600,000 people a year Yet we know that Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease We re telling you this And we bet you re wondering why Malaria is no longer a threat to us in the U.S. Because we came together as a nation to focus on prevention and treatment That s a fact. And here s another: Malaria affects the poor more than anyone else Simply because protection and treatment cost too much for most families God s people continue to suffer How can it be That there s nothing we can do The problem is too big We can t believe that As children and future guardians of God s creation We can play a part in ending malaria deaths in Africa Is it crazy to believe that By doing simple things like praying, learning more, getting involved and giving 7

8 LISTEN GOD IS CALLING POEM continued We can make a big difference God has called us here to rediscover our love for Him and for our neighbors Do we know Who are our neighbors? We re asking ourselves and challenging you to ask yourself In this time of reflection and renewal How can you help? What can you do? We must stand up against malaria And because God teaches us to love and serve our neighbors Because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ We all have a choice We can become deaf to God s words Refusing to embrace that We re all a part of God s global family We can be so bold as to believe That what affects others in the world does not affect us It s simply not true NOW SWITCH DIRECTIONS But consider this By the time this poem is over, several children will have died from malaria. And children just like me will continue to suffer unless we do something about it, because 8

9 LETTER FROM TANZANIA INSTRUCTIONS Below are two letters to the children in your Sunday school from Mary, who works in a health clinic in Tanzania. Read the first letter within the first couple weeks of Sunday school. Read the second letter a few weeks later. In the first letter, Mary encourages the children to think of ways they can help to fight malaria and then write or draw their ideas on a piece of butcher paper or poster paper to hang on the wall of your classroom. She also has sent a stuffed animal to serve as your classroom s malaria mascot and to remind everyone to pray for those living with and fighting malaria each Sunday. If possible, choose a stuffed animal mascot native to Tanzania, such as elephants, lions, zebras, monkeys or giraffes. To most effectively use this letter, your Sunday school should also obtain at least one copy of Little Things Make Big Differences: A Story About Malaria (available at lutheranmalaria.org/ resources). Depending on the length of your malaria focus, you may only need one copy to share among classes of appropriate ages. 9

10 LETTER FROM TANZANIA DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT [YOUR CONGREGATION NAME], Greetings from Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania! Or, as we would say in my native language of Swahili, Hamjambo! My name is Mary and I work at a health clinic in Marangu, Tanzania. Our village is located on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. I hear it s very beautiful in [your city or state name]. My land is very beautiful too, with lush green trees and cool water streams that run throughout the village. But my village has a big problem. A horrible, life-threatening disease has been trying to take over. It s called malaria. Malaria is a disease people here can get when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. Your mosquitoes in the United States can t spread malaria, but many mosquitoes here in Tanzania can and it s making a lot of people sick tens of thousands of people every year, in fact. When people get malaria, they get a fever, headaches, chills and become sick to their stomach. Sometimes people think they have the flu and don t go to the doctor right away, thinking it will pass. But if people don t get treated for malaria in time, they can die. And this isn t just happening in my village. Many families across Africa are in danger of malaria infection. Sadly, many of those people are already poor and malaria makes it worse. When parents are sick, they cannot go to work and earn money to buy food. When children get sick, they can t go to school and learn. It s a big problem. But there is hope, my young brothers and sisters! It s my job to tell people how to stay safe from malaria infection and help them get better if they become sick. But that s only one part of stopping malaria. For the other part, I need your help. Over the next few weeks, your Sunday school teachers are going to talk to you about malaria. You ll learn more about how people get malaria, the problems it causes and you ll talk about what you can do right from your hometown to help. In a few weeks I ll write back to see how things are going. Can you do me a favor? As you are learning about malaria, can you try to think of ways you can help? [Adapt the following sentence to fit your activity] Your Sunday school teachers are going to have a poster hanging in your classroom for the next few weeks for you to write or draw the ways that you can help with the gifts God has given you. I know you ll come up with great ideas and I look forward to hearing them. [Adapt the following sentence to fit your activity] In the meantime I have sent a friend along to remind you to pray for your friends here in Tanzania. Thank you for learning more about malaria so that you can help us stay safe! God bless you always! Mary Village of Marangu, Tanzania 10

11 LETTER FROM TANZANIA The follow up letter to read a few weeks later. DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, Well, it s been a few weeks since my last letter. I hope you are well. Have you been taking good care of the [kind of animal] I sent you? I hear you ve been learning a lot about malaria. Your pastor tells me you ve learned about how people can get malaria at night while they are sleeping and that an insecticide-treated bed net can stop that from happening. You ve also learned that many people in Tanzania, and across Africa, don t know much about malaria like the symptoms or how important it is to go to the doctor when you are sick. And I also hear you ve read Little Things Make Big Differences and learned about Rehema and how she once got malaria. But you also learned that kids like you can make a big difference! By joining the Lutheran Malaria Initiative, you and your church can help families all across Africa get the bed nets and medication they need and let people know how to prevent themselves from getting malaria. Have you thought about things you and everyone else at [church name] can do to support the Lutheran Malaria Initiative? [Reader pauses to ask children how they can help people in Africa. Some good answers are: we can pray for people who are in danger of getting infected, we can give to help families get bed nets to sleep under, we can tell other people about malaria so that they can help too.] I know you ve come up with great ideas and that your prayers and gifts will help so many people. Remember, nobody has to get malaria and people certainly don t have to die from it! Together we can make a difference. I hope you ll join the Lutheran Malaria Initiative and help. Thank you for taking the last few weeks to learn more about malaria and thank you for praying for my village and my people. I look forward to hearing how you ve become malaria heroes in your community! May God continue to bless you, my young friends, so that you may be a blessing to others in the world. In God s eternal love, Mary Village of Marangu, Tanzania 11

12 SONGS Stand Up CHORUS G D Stand up, follow Jesus Em C Reach out, heal the sick G D Em C That s how we are called to live G D Stand up, follow Jesus Em C Live life in the Spirit G D G C-C-C That s how we are called to give LISTEN NOW! Download an MP3 of this song at lutheranmalaria.org/resources 1st VERSE G D Jesus calls us to serve Em C those who sleep.without a net G D Jesus calls us to work C C (stop) hand in hand with all God s children (CHORUS) 2nd VERSE G D Jesus calls us outside Em C to the world that He loves G D C C (stop) Jesus calls us to work, hand in hand with all God s children (CHORUS) Written by Simpkins/Carriker Used by permission 12

13 SONGS Send Me Out (Luke 5:17-26, John 5:1-17) Am-F-C-G LISTEN NOW! Download an MP3 of this song at lutheranmalaria.org/resources Am F C G I ve been waiting for my friends to lower me down Am F C G/B To see you, to see you, to see you Am F C G I ve been waiting for the healing that comes from you Am F C G/B Only you, only you, only you CHORUS F C G Send me out To share the good news F C G Send me out That healing has come F C G Send me out And hope is alive F Now send me out, send me out, send me out G Am F C G Sitting, waiting by this water so long Am F C G/B We didn t see, didn t see, didn t see Am F C G Lifted hands calling, heal me Am F C G/B Set us free, set us free, set us free (CHORUS) Written by Simpkins/Carriker Used by permission 13

14 GAMES Malaria Dodgeball Age Grades 5 and up Set-up Divide students into four equal groups. Three groups represent African countries and the fourth group represents U.S. Lutherans. Do not tell students which countries they represent until the first round is played. Place the three African countries on one team and the U.S. Lutherans on another team. Assign 3-4 counselors or staff to be doctors. The doctors stay behind the end line to treat players who contract malaria. The African team starts out with only one doctor while the rest join the U.S. Lutherans team. Round One The ball represents a malariacarrying mosquito. The goal of the game is to avoid getting malaria. Players on the African country team contract malaria if a ball hits them, if they catch a ball or if a ball they throw is caught by someone on the other team. Players on the U.S. Lutherans team contract malaria only if they are hit by a ball thrown by the other team. Players on the U.S. Lutheran team get bed nets the ability to block balls without contracting malaria. If the ball hits the ground before hitting a player, the ball is dead and no one is eliminated. When players contract malaria, they must visit the doctor to get back in the game. Doctors treat their patients (see Doctors Roles). Doctors Roles Doctors for the U.S. Lutherans have hospitals that are wellsupplied and easily accessible. These doctors give their patients simple tasks that will treat their malaria like reciting the Lord s Prayer or hopping on one foot 10 times. Be creative but keep it simple. The players do not need to complete their tasks before the doctors treat the next patient. Doctors for the African countries have hospitals that are undersupplied and hard to reach. These doctors give their patients more difficult tasks like counting to 500 or jogging 10 laps around the gym. These tasks should be creative as well as tough. These doctors can only serve one patient at a time and they can only treat the next patient after the previous patient has completed his or her treatment. No head shots. The game ends when the entire African country team is eliminated. 14

15 GAMES Malaria Dodgeball continued Processing Questions What did you notice about the game? How did you feel? Sample explanation of the game: The side with fewer people represents us, U.S. Lutherans, who can afford treatment and where doctors and hospitals are well staffed with adequate supplies and technology. That team could block the ball with their hands because they had access to bed nets to keep them safe from malaria-carrying mosquitoes. The side with more people represents African countries, where many hospitals are underequipped, hard to reach and where people can t easily access doctors, afford treatment or access things like bed nets to keep them from getting sick in the first place. Follow up with more questions: How can we make the game more fair? How can we share what U.S. Lutherans have with those living with malaria? Round Two Send one of the doctors from the U.S. Lutherans side to the African countries side. All doctors now can treat more than one patient at a time and give them easy tasks to be healed. Allow both teams to play by the same rules. Blocking balls with their hands to represent the protection of bed nets, getting someone out by catching a ball thrown at you, etc. Play until time is up, leaving time for a final round of processing. Processing Questions What did you notice this time? Why did the game even out? How did the treatments help? What did you learn? For Younger Ages Round One Split the group up into two teams. Only give one team doctors. After round one ask: Did you think this was fair? How could we make it more fair? Round Two Let the team that started without doctors choose whether they want to have doctors or bed nets (the ability to block the ball with their hands). Allow the team that started with doctors to also have bed nets (the ability to block the ball with their hands). After round two ask: Did you think this was fair? How could we make it more fair? Round Three Give both teams doctors and bed nets. After round three ask: Did you think this was fair? How could we make it more fair? 15

16 GAMES Age Malaria Tag Set-up Rules Grades 3 and up Roles Mosquitoes: People who are it LMI Staff: People who maintain the nets and the hospitals (teachers and adults) Villagers: Everyone else Supplies Nets: At least two to begin with, but you can add more as the game progresses. You can use whatever you have available to represent a net. Medicine: Stickers or clothespins work best, but you can use anything that signifies being healed. Choose at least two Mosquitos who will have the power to tag everyone else. If you have a large group you can choose more. Define a boundary that Villagers and Mosquitoes must stay within. Choose at least three LMI staff. They will maintain the nets throughout the game and dispense medicine from the hospital. Set up the nets on the field and a hospital far away from the playing field. Mosquitoes tag Villagers as they run around inside the boundaries. When Villagers are tagged the first time they have to walk. If they are tagged a second time they freeze completely and cannot move. To be unfrozen, Villagers must have someone bring them medicine from the hospital. To begin, the LMI person at the hospital should only dispense one medicine at a time. Once the frozen Villager receives medicine the frozen Villager can jump back into the game. Nets are places where Villagers are safe from being tagged, but they can only stay on the nets for five seconds. Additions as Game Goes On Slowly begin to introduce more nets onto the field giving Villagers more places to stay safe. You can also start with the nets folded up and then unfold them as the game goes on so there is more room for Villagers to stay safe. Move the Hospital closer to the center of the playing field so it is more easily accessible. LMI staff can also introduce more medicine by allowing Villagers to take more than one medicine per visit. The game can go on as long as you want. It would be helpful for illustrative purposes for the game to end either when everyone is sick or a large percentage of the group is staying healthy regularly. 16

17 GAMES Processing Questions Malaria Tag continued For Younger Ages How did the game change after you had been tagged once? How did the game change when more nets were added? How did the game change after the medicine was easier to get? What role in this game is Jesus calling us to be in our lives? What are some ways we can do that? The game also can be played as a basic game of freeze tag. Play one round without any LMI staff (no doctors or nets) so participants cannot be cured of malaria if they get tagged. For the second round, add one doctor who can heal people by having them do something (recite the Lord s Prayer, sing the alphabet, etc.). After the second round ask the group what could be done to make the game easier? (Adding more doctors!) Play a third round starting with two doctors, but gradually turn more participants into doctors. This represents the way LMI is working to fight malaria through education. After the third round ask what made this round easier. Were they surprised when there were more doctors showing up in the game? Share that LMI is working in areas where malaria exists to educate people about the causes and ways to fight malaria. Just like in our game their lives can be easier and more fun! CRAFTS My Own Ages Grades 3 5 Materials Clothes pins; yellow, brown and orange pipe cleaners; glue Directions Carefully wrap one pipe cleaner around the three middle fingers (do not wrap tightly). Remove from fingers and squish together to make body of mosquito. Using another pipe cleaner create wings. Glue or use another pipe cleaner to affix to a clothes pin. 17

18 CRAFTS Beaded Crosses Ages Pattern 1 Pattern 2 Grades 6 12 Materials Photo-copies of the pattern; yellow, orange, and brown pony beads (or seed beads); cord or gimp; key chain hoop or hook; super glue; scissors; wire (for variation) Directions Using the pattern, start with key chain hoop or hook, and create a beaded cross with yellow, orange, and brown pony beads. Glue ends with super glue when finished. Let dry completely before cutting ends. Materials 18 beads (various yellow, brown and orange) 1 yard cord (for pony beads) or ½ yard beading wire (for seed beads) 1 lanyard hook Directions Fold the cord or wire in half to find center. Tie cord or twist the wire to secure the lanyard hook in the center. Lace beads using the pattern below as a guide. Tie off with double knot for the cord or twisting the wire. Materials 10 orange beads 10 yellow beads 10 brown beads 1 yard cord (for pony beads) or ½ yard beading wire (for seed beads) 1 lanyard hook Directions Fold the cord or wire in half to find center. Tie cord or twist the wire to secure the lanyard hook in the center. Lace beads using the pattern below as a guide. Tie off with double knot for the cord or twisting the wire. Variation for older students: Using the pattern, start with key chain hoop or hook, and create a beaded cross with yellow, orange, and brown seed beads (or smaller beads) on wire. Glue ends with super glue when finished. Let dry completely before cutting ends. Students can make multiple crosses for a charm bracelet or use cross as a part of a necklace. B Y O B Y B O Y O Y Yellow Brown Orange B O Y B O Y B O Y B O Y B O Y B Orange Yellow Brown O Y B B Y O B Y O B O Y B O Y B O Y B O Y B 18

19 CRAFTS Mosquito Prayer Bank Ages All (especially good for families) Materials Shoeboxes, paint, construction paper, tissue paper, glue, paint brushes, scissors Directions Decorate a shoebox with construction paper, tissue paper or paint. Cut a slit in the lid of the box (can be done before decorating or after). Throughout a given time period, invite students to write prayers on pieces of paper to put in box. Prayers for the paper: Yellow People living with malaria Orange Doctors and health workers fighting malaria Brown U.S. Lutherans giving to support the fight against malaria Also encourage students to put monetary offerings in their banks to go toward the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. The box also can be decorated with facts and figures about LMI and malaria to give students and families things to lift up in prayer when they take their banks home. I m A Malaria Fighting Super Hero Ages Directions Grades K 2 Materials Netting pre-cut into capes, half sheets construction paper, markers, safety pins, permanent markers Using pre-cut super hero capes, invite students to make up their own super hero names. Write each student s super hero name on a half sheet of construction paper and safety pin the construction paper to the back of the cape, or use a thick permanent marker to write the name directly onto the cape. Be sure to place paper under the net when writing because the permanent marker will bleed through. Allow a few minutes for the marker to dry before giving the cape to the student to wear. Be creative in cutting the capes out of netting. Netting in all colors can be found at most fabric stores. Students will need help with most of this craft, but will be able to give their input in creating their cape. Find ways throughout the year that these Malaria Fighting Super Heroes can help spread the word about the Lutheran Malaria Initiative and the superpowers we all have been given by God to bring health and healing to others. 19

20 SKIT The Adventures of Martie the Mosquito Teach students about the Lutheran Malaria Initiative through the eyes of a mosquito. This funny skit involves people, and can be performed by students, adults, or a mixture of both! The skit takes minutes to perform. Roles Supplies Pastor Congregation (2-5 people) Tall Grass (2-5 people) Person #1 (Grass cutter) Standing Water (2-5 people) Person #2 (Landscaper) Sleeper Doctor Patient A pretend machete (or some grass cutting implement) A pretend shovel A bed net Signs that say PRAY, LEARN, GET INVOLVED and GIVE. The Story [MARTIE MOSQUITO COMES BUZZING ONTO THE STAGE, MAKES A COUPLE OF PASSES IN FRONT OF THE AUDIENCE, AND THEN SETTLES DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STAGE, CONTINUING TO HOVER.] Oh hello! My name is. I m so glad you all could meet me here in Tanzania! It s a long way from where you are in (city and state) but it is not all that much different. One small difference is that I have something that mosquitoes over in the United States do not have MALARIA! Now, I am cool with malaria it doesn t bother me. But when I bite humans which by the way is just about the most delicious thing, if you haven t tried it you really should when I bite humans I can pass malaria on to them, and it makes them very sick. Malaria might just look like the flu to you all, but here it slows people down, and makes it impossible for them to work and support their families. I ve even heard that people die from it. I don t want to hurt them, but it s not my fault if you humans (point out to the audience) can t handle it. Malaria has always been my little secret, but recently things have been changing. That s why I m glad you all are here, because maybe you can help! Do you think you could help me figure out what is changing? (wait for response) Now before I take you on a tour of where I live, remind me, you all are Episcopalians, right? (wait for the group to say, No, Lutherans! ) What?! Lutherans?! Oh no. You all are part of the problem! Just wait and see 20

21 SKIT - THE ADVENTURES OF MARTIE THE MOSQUITO continued [MARTIE BEGINS TO BUZZ AROUND THE STAGE AS THE PASTOR AND THE CONGREGATION MOVES INTO PLACE. PASTOR HAS A NET IN HIS HANDS AND IS TALKING EXCITEDLY TO THE CONGREGATION. MARTIE LANDS OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE CONGREGATION, TRYING NOT TO BE NOTICED BY THE PASTOR.] Pastor [LOUDLY WHISPERING] Now here is what I m talking about! You Lutherans are nothing but trouble! Malaria used to be my little secret. Not everyone knew why they were getting sick. Not everyone knew that it was me that made them sick. And most importantly, not everyone knew how to keep me from making them sick! But now these loudmouths [POINTS TO THE PASTOR] are talking about it all over the place. It s all Jesus this, and malaria that, and mercy everywhere you go now! Just listen [MARTIE SLIDES AWAY] [WHILE PASTOR PREACHES, RANDOM MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION CAN THROW IN AMEN!, ALLELUIA!, PREACH IT! OR THE SWAHILI PHRASE BWANA YESU ASIFIWE! WHICH MEANS PRAISE JESUS! ] God gives us so many gifts, and the most precious is our life and health! He also gives us the gift of being able to keep healthy! We do not have to suffer from malaria if we do some simple things! Then our community can be a stronger one! Who s ready to fight malaria?! Congregation WE ARE! [CONGREGATION begins to sing and dance as MARTIE slips back onto the stage.] Aw, I can t take anymore of this. I ve heard enough. You Lutherans are killing me! Literally! Well I know when I m not wanted. Let me take you all to some of the places where it s still safe to be a mosquito around here! [MARTIE BEGINS TO BUZZ AROUND THE STAGE AS THE PASTOR AND THE CONGREGATION, STILL SINGING AND DANCING, MOVE OFF STAGE. THE TALL GRASS COMES ON THE STAGE AND MARTIE HIDES IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. THE TALL GRASS PRETENDS TO BEND AND SWAY IN THE WIND.] Now this is more like it. None of that noisy singing, and I don t have to listen to that pastor go on and on about how great Jesus is and how bad malaria is. See, this high grass right next to some homes is somewhere that I like to hang out, and as long as no one knows that and doesn t come to cut it down, I ve got a perfect place to hide from you [POINT OUT AT THE AUDIENCE] Lutherans and all your meddling! I can just kick back and relax [MARTIE CAN PLAY WITH THE TALL GRASS WHILE TRYING TO GET COMFORTABLE. A FEW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TALL GRASS START TO GET NERVOUS AS PERSON #1 COMES ON STAGE WITH A FAKE MACHETE AND BEGINS TO CHOP 21

22 SKIT - THE ADVENTURES OF MARTIE THE MOSQUITO continued DOWN THE TALL GRASS. THE TALL GRASS FALLS TO THE GROUND, LETS OUT YELPS AND SCREAMS NO! AS IT IS CHOPPED DOWN, LEAVING MARTIE STANDING ALL BY HERSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STAGE. MARTIE AND PERSON #1 EXCHANGE AWKWARD GLANCES AND PAUSE.] [LOOKING OUT AT THE AUDIENCE] YOU LUTHERANS! [MARTIE BUZZES AROUND THE STAGE AS PERSON #1 CHASES HER AND THEN RUNS OFF STAGE. MARTIE ENDS UP IN THE CENTER OF THE STAGE.] [VISIBLY UPSET] So first I don t feel welcome around the church, then my tall grass hangout gets chopped down. Well at least there is still standing water. That s going back to my roots, because that s where I was born and my whole family, too! [THE PEOPLE PLAYING STANDING WATER COME FLOWING ONTO THE STAGE AND MARTIE HIDES IN-BETWEEN THEM. MARTIE RELAXES WITH THE STANDING WATER.] This stuff has been sitting here for years. No one remembers what life was like without it, and that is great for me and my family. That just means there will be more of us to love. [A FEW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE STANDING WATER START TO GET NERVOUS AS PERSON #2 COMES ON STAGE WITH A FAKE SHOVEL AND BEGINS TO FILL IN THE GROUND AROUND THE STANDING WATER. THE STANDING WATER STARTS TO FLOW OFF THE STAGE, LETTING OUT YELPS AND NO! LEAVING MARTIE STANDING ALL BY HERSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STAGE. MARTIE AND PERSON #2 EXCHANGE AWKWARD GLANCES AND PAUSE.] [LOOKING OUT AT THE AUDIENCE] YOU LUTHERANS! [MARTIE BUZZES AROUND THE STAGE AS PERSON #2 CHASES HER AND THEN RUNS OFF STAGE. MARTIE ENDS UP IN THE CENTER OF THE STAGE.] [VISIBLY UPSET] So first I don t feel welcome around the church, then my tall grass hangout gets chopped down, then my standing water dries up. Well at least there is still the nighttime, when it s cooler and people aren t looking out for me. That s where I really shine! [THE PERSON/PEOPLE PLAYING THE SLEEPER COME ON STAGE AND LIE DOWN UNDERNEATH THE NET. THE NET CAN BE HELD UP BY TWO OTHER PEOPLE. THE SLEEPER IS SNORING LOUDLY.] Wow, that s louder than that annoying pastor! 22

23 SKIT - THE ADVENTURES OF MARTIE THE MOSQUITO continued [MARTIE BEGINS TO TIP-TOE CLOSER TO THE SLEEPER, TURNING BACK TO THE AUDIENCE PUTTING A FINGER UP TO HER LIPS TO SHUSH THE AUDIENCE. MARTIE GETS READY TO TAKE A BIG BITE OUT OF THE SLEEPER WHEN SUDDENLY MARTIE GETS TANGLED UP IN THE NET AND CANNOT GET OUT.] [SURPRISED AND CONFUSED] What!? How!? What is this!?! YOU LUTHERANS! [THE SLEEPER JUMPS OUT OF BED AND SHARES A LONG AWKWARD STARE DOWN WITH MARTIE. THE SLEEPER CHASES MARTIE AND RUNS OFF STAGE AS MARTIE RETURNS TO THE MIDDLE OF THE STAGE, SHAKING OFF THE NET.] [EVEN MORE VISIBLY UPSET] So first I don t feel welcome around the church, then my tall grass hangout gets chopped down, then my standing water dries up, then people start sleeping under these nets so I can t get them at night. Well at least there is the work my family and I have already done spreading malaria. I ve heard that there is medicine that can treat malaria, but I haven t seen a lot of it around here. [THE DOCTOR AND THE PATIENT ENTER THE STAGE BEHIND MARTIE AND BEGIN TO ADMINISTER THE MALARIA MEDICINE.] There is nooooooo way that anyone around here who already has malaria is getting over it. [THE DOCTOR AND THE PATIENT WALK UP BEHIND MARTIE AND TAP HIM ON THE SHOULDER. MARTIE TURNS AROUND AND SEES THE MEDICINE, AND SEES THE PATIENT HEALTHIER. THE PATIENT GIVES A THUMBS-UP AND MARTIE BEGINS TO DRAMATICALLY FAINT TO THE GROUND.] [WHILE FAINTING] You.Lutherans. [THE ENTIRE CAST COMES ON STAGE AND STARTS MOVING AROUND DOING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES (WORKING, DANCING, PLAYING GAMES, ETC.) AND MARTIE HOPS BACK UP AND LOOKS AROUND IN AMAZEMENT. THE PASTOR STARTS TO MAKE HIS WAY OVER TO MARTIE, WHO LOOKS EVEN MORE CONFUSED AND DISORIENTED. THE PASTOR PUTS HIS ARM AROUND MARTIE. THE ACTION KEEPS GOING ON AROUND THEM AS THEY TALK.] Pastor [LOOKING AROUND AT ALL THE ACTION AROUND HER] Pastor, what is going on? People are able to work to support their families, the sick are being healed, children are playing. Something is really changing here, what are you Lutherans doing? It s not what we are doing, Martie, it s what God is doing through us to help make sure no one dies anymore from malaria by the year With education and medicine we are helping our communities. And along with Lutherans in the United States we are already making a big difference. We have trained nearly 2,000 leaders in Tanzania to teach others about the use of treated nets. In 2009, only 55 23

24 SKIT - THE ADVENTURES OF MARTIE THE MOSQUITO continued percent of families in this village owned nets. In 2010, 87 percent of families owned nets! Do you want me to go on? Pastor No, no, no, that s enough numbers, and I can see what is going on around us. I guess with something this exciting there s only one question I can ask? What s that, Martie? Can I be a part of this Lutheran Malaria Initiative? [THE PASTOR STEPS BACK IN SURPRISE, GIVING A LONG HARD LOOK AT MARTIE. MARTIE LOOKS BACK SHEEPISHLY.] Pastor Well [LONG PAUSE] sure, why not. Jesus does teach us to love our enemies, so as long as you promise not to bite anyone, we would love to have you as a part of spreading God s mercy! [EXCITED] Well, I can t speak for all mosquitoes everywhere, but I m gonna do what I can. How can we [POINTING OUT TO THE AUDIENCE] all do our part? [MEMBERS OF THE CAST FROM EARLIER BEGIN TO STEP OUT FROM THE ACTIVE CROWD TO THE FRONT OF THE STAGE. WHEN EACH PERSON SAYS THEIR ACTION, THE PASTOR HOLDS UP A SIGN THAT HAS THE ACCOMPANYING WORD ON IT: PRAY, LEARN, GET INVOLVED AND GIVE. ] Person #1 Person #2 Sleeper Patient Pastor You can PRAY for those who suffer from malaria, and for those who are working to prevent, treat and contain the disease. You can LEARN more about malaria and inform your family, friends, congregation and community. You can GET INVOLVED by inspiring your congregation, school or ministry to participate. You can GIVE, making a commitment to the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. Your generous gift will enable us to respond to this great need and increase our ability to serve even more people. So, Martie, are you with us? You Lutherans! [MARTIE AND THE PASTOR SHAKE HANDS AND THE REST OF THE GROUP CIRCLES AROUND THEM AND STARTS SINGING AND DANCING.] THE END 24

25 LMI DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH & ADULTS Lead a discussion with high school age youth and adults in your congregation after presenting the LMI PowerPoint, which can be downloaded from lutheranmalaria.org/resources (located in the Featured Resources section). 1 At the beginning of this presentation we learned many facts about malaria what it is and how many people it affects in the world. Which of these facts surprised you the most? Which do you think would be most helpful in motivating others to get involved with us in the Lutheran Malaria Initiative? 2 In this presentation we heard quotes and stories from three different people involved in LMI s work in Africa (Godfrey, Maurine and Evelin). With which of these stories did you most closely connect? Whose story are you going to tell when telling others about the importance of this work? 3 Today we learned that Lutherans should get involved in the fight against malaria because of Christ s example of unconditional mercy. Where do we see that unconditional mercy in the Scriptures? And how do those examples of mercy motivate you to live by example by supporting the Lutheran Malaria Initiative? 4 We heard about LMI s work to create a lasting impact in countries affected by malaria. Jesus life, death and resurrection have made a lasting impact on our lives and on the whole world. How does the act of making a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve fit with Jesus call to share the Good News? 5 At the end of the presentation we heard four specific ways we can all take action today with LMI: pray, tell others, be good stewards and learn. What specific gifts do you have that will help our congregation live out all four of these actions as we work with the Lutheran Malaria Initiative? (Have each person in the group name at least one gift that connects with an action, but encourage them to name one gift they have for each action. Make sure to encourage the rest of the group to point out gifts that they see in each other which are valuable in this lifechanging work.) 25

26 MISSION PROJECT Throughout the Sunday school year, remind your entire congregation that the mission to fight malaria is a lasting promise! Plan easy and fun opportunities so that everyone can support LMI and learn to become good stewards of the gifts God has given us! Set up your Mission Project 1 Set a goal for your Sunday school at the beginning of the year. Update everyone on the progress and challenge children and youth to go above and beyond your goal. 2 Make sure each of your Sunday school classes have specifically marked containers for LMI gifts. Use the Mosquito Prayer Banks your children and families design during your Kick-Off or use our LMI Offering Canister Wrapper, available for download at lutheranmalaria.org/resources. 3 Challenge the adults of your congregation to match the gifts given by the youth Sunday school classes. Children will see the incredible difference our gifts make when we all work together. Courtesy Holy Cross Lutheran Church & School 4 Give to LMI monthly. Important life-changing work is happening right now and your gifts make a difference! 26

27 CALENDAR OF GIVING We ve put together creative ideas to help your children and youth raise funds for LMI all year long. SEPTEMBER - Mark the beginning of a new school year with a performance of the Martie Mosquito Skit. Your Sunday school students will have the opportunity to show off their acting talents and teach the congregation how they can make a difference in the fight against malaria. OCTOBER - Create mosquito costumes for Halloween. One Sunday, have the mosquitoes buzz through the congregation in the middle of worship or coffee hour. To get rid of the pesky mosquitoes, people must donate $10 for a $20 donation, they can have the mosquito bug someone else! NOVEMBER - Celebrate Thanksgiving and all that your congregation has been able to accomplish for LMI. Ask your Sunday school students to design and write thank-you notes for members of the congregation, Sunday school teachers and all who have donated to LMI. DECEMBER Decorate a Christmas tree with ornaments made from mosquito nets. Encourage members of congregation to sponsor an ornament for $10 and witness to life-changing malaria work on their own Christmas tree. FEBRUARY Design LMI-themed Valentines. Offer to design and deliver Valentines to other members of the congregation for the cost of a $10 life-saving net. MARCH Cut mosquito shapes out of purple construction paper to sell for at least $1 each at Wednesday night Lenten services. Then, cover the walls of your church with the mosquitoes. See how purple you can turn the walls of your church by the end of the Lenten season. APRIL Turn those purple mosquitoes into beautiful butterflies as your congregation celebrates the new life found in Jesus resurrection. Organize a Malaria Easter Egg Hunt! For every egg found, ask congregation members to make a donation. Offer a grand prize for the child who finds the plastic egg with a mosquito net stuffed inside. MAY As the school year comes to a close, celebrate all that you have accomplished for LMI with a pool party or carnival. For a $5 donation, give people an opportunity to dunk the pastor! You could also have a water balloon fight (using yellow, orange and brown balloons). JANUARY Throw a New Year s party to celebrate the awesome work of your children and youth. Make a New Year s resolution to meet and move beyond your goal. 27

28 lutheranmalaria.org The Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI) is a partnership of Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) to mobilize U.S. Lutherans in the global effort to eliminate malaria deaths in Africa. LMI has been made possible through support from the United Nations Foundation. LMIKOK-2K-0712