Online donation option

Village Schools International has now made it possible for support to be donated online. This is done securely through Paypal.
1) Click "Donate to a Missionary"
2) enter the amount you would like to donate
3) enter your credit card information, or sign into your Paypal account
4) Click "Enter the missionary you wish to support," and enter Matt and Emily, or the
Sroka's

If you would prefer to send support via mail, print the donation form found here, and mail to:
Village Schools International
Box 1929
Tomball, TX 77377

Thanks alot!

Workin at the car wash....

Mark your calendars. We want to wash YOUR car!

Car wash to benefit the Sroka's Mission to Tanzania Fund
@ Broadneck EP Church, Bay Dale Drive, Arnold
Saturday, May 22nd, 9am-1pm
Want to help? email me! emilyesroka@gmail.com

(rain date TBA)

so what about HIV

We all know HIV is a growing, global issue. Worldwide, the number of people living with HIV has risen from around 8 million in 1990 to 33 million today, and is still growing. Around 67% of people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa. This tragic virus, yes a VIRUS. Normally, when you and I contract a virus, our immune system will fight it off. However, the HIV virus attacks the human immune system itself, the very thing that would normally get rid of a virus.

This epidemic has created a unique situation in regards to orphans and education. Africa has over 14 million AIDS orphans. AIDS is creating a tragedy of momentuous proportions all across Tanzania. There are today more than 1,100,000 orphans, in Tanzania, the vast majority of whom have no hope of ever going to school.

I am a nurse, alot of you know. I see patients with HIV/AIDS more OFTEN than you would think. Sometimes its shocking. In Tanzania, I imagine it will become less shocking, and more the norm. Village Schools has joined with Tanzania providing HIV testing and anti-retrovirals. See what they've been doing....

http://www.villageschools.org/videos/aids_presentation.html

Beautiful Feet

"How then will they call on him in

whom they have not believed?

And how are they to believe in him

of whom they have never heard?

And how are they to hear without

someone preaching? And how are

they to preach unless they

are sent? As it is written,

"How beautiful are the feet of those

who preach the good news!"

Romans 10:14-15

Well, Matt and I would like to have beautiful feet, and we would like for YOU to make our beautiful feet possible. We have decided that the Lord wants us to be "goers." We want to give you the opportunity to be "senders."

We have thought alot about ways to get others excited about our impending trip. We really desire to share with as many people as possible what we are getting ready to do.

So, if you live in the area and would like either host or come to dinnner/dessert and let us share with you our excitement for our journey, please email us! We would like to open our home to our friends and family in order to share with you our prayer and support needs. (and who doesn't want a free meal!) If you would like to host us, and invite some of your own friends that would be wonderful as well.

If you don't live in the area, but would like to know what we are up to, visit the other pages of our blog, or email us! We would love to send you our support letter!

Emily Sroka

The Beginning...

So, we've started a blog. We want to share all the things we are doing to get ready to make the move to Africa come September. We've come to a unique time in our lives where, with no mortgage, kids, or anything else really tying us down, it is completely feasible and makes sense to take this step. Just the two of us, picking up, so we can serve in Tanzania. So you might ask..."what is it that one must do to prepare when moving to Africa?" Well, I really have no idea. It a learning process. It is a huge blessing that Matt has been before! Although, when asked what he would pack differently, he says, "less." Not exactly what I want to hear, or maybe, it means more room for me?

So, please come back and visit, you will not only know what you can help with, but know what to pray for as we continue preparing for this new chapter in our lives.

Emily