Trina Rajsich, Christian Education Director for Trinity Heights UMC
Eliza Moyer (on left) and Zoe Schrag set a goal of raising $1,000 for Imagine No Malaria by selling art projects and playing their violins for donations.
Some of the younger members of our congregation who will be in 6th grade this fall have taken up the cause for Imagine No Malaria. Zoe Schragg, along with her parents Myles and Shelley Schragg, is a member of Trinity Heights UMC in Flagstaff. Zoe had learned about the Imagine No Malaria initiative at church and during a camping trip with her friend, Eliza they had a conversation about bugs. Zoe shared with her friend what she had heard about malaria at church. She explained that malaria is contracted by mosquito bites. Zoe also explained that although malaria kills children in Africa, their deaths could have been prevented. She explained that her church was raising money to buy mosquitos nets to save children from this awful disease by preventing the spread of malaria and providing medicine to heal those that have contracted the disease. She remembered that it only takes $10 to save a life.
Zoe and Eliza decided if it only takes $10 to save a life, they could make a life-saving difference. They decided that night that they were going to set a goal of raising $1,000.
When they returned home, Zoe approached the owner of a nearby farmers market and asked if she and her friend Eliza could play their violins there on the First Friday of the month as a fund raiser. They raised almost $200 in one day! When Trinity Heights UMC held their Vacation Bible School, the girls saw another opportunity to get closer to their goal. They made bracelets and sold them to children and adults alike. Although they are not yet done with their fund raising efforts, these two girls have raised almost $400 so far.
Sometimes we ask ourselves if one person really can make a difference. The answer is YES-may we all capture the vision from these young girls and answer Jesus’s call to be His hands and feet.
