Local sisters prepare for humanitarian trip to China

NARROWSBURG, NY — On May 19, Narrowsburg residents Kimberly and Jessica Weyandt, 23 and 18 years old respectively, will depart on a two-week humanitarian mission to China. The girls will work at the Philip Hayden Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization established for helping children in China.

The Weyandts learned of the foundation through members of their congregation at the Beach Lake United Methodist Church. Philip Hayden, after whom the organization is named, was an American teacher who went to China in 1991 and began volunteering his spare time and efforts to help China’s orphans. When he died unexpectedly at 28 as the result of a rare heart defect, his teammates Tim and Pam Baker established the foundation in his memory. The foundation, which is run by American volunteers, continues to take in special needs and orphaned children to help them to get the operations they need and arrange for adoption.

In China, the Weyandts will be working alongside other American volunteers who come from all around the country, doing whatever needs to be done. That could include anything from helping with the daily activities of the orphans to painting a neglected wall or fence. Although the Chinese government does not allow the girls to talk about religion, they are hoping to inspire others through their actions.

“It’s difficult to tell them about God, to tell them about God’s love, but we hope to show them. I also would like to gain a deeper insight [while overseas] and a deeper love for God,” Jessica said.

“I just really want to help people,” said Kimberly, “but I’m sure that the people we meet will have a much bigger impact on our lives than we could ever hope to make in theirs.”

“There are probably a lot of things I should be worried about, but I feel that God is telling me to do this; he will protect me and everything will be fine,” Jessica said.

The total cost for the trip is $3,000 per person, to be paid by the participants. The sisters’ ingenuity has been tested in coming up with fundraising ideas for their fares. In addition to sending out letters to friends and family, they have arranged for a penny social at the Tusten Town Hall at 1 p.m. on April 22 and a pancake breakfast at Beach Lake Methodist Church on Easter Sunday.

Tax-deductible donations may be made payable to the Beach Lake United Methodist Church. On the notes portion of the check, write: “Mission trip,” and mail to Weyandt Family, 7890 State Route 52, Narrowsburg, NY 12764.

“I had been thinking about doing a missions trip, and when the opportunity came up, I prayed about it and decided to do it,” Jessica said.

“I’m just tired of wishing the world were a better place,” said Kimberly. “I think if we want the world to be a better place we have to make it one.”

For more information call 845/252-3552 or email kimberly_why@hotmail.com.