Homewood Couple Follows Passion to Serve--to Kenya

A Homewood couple will pursue their passion to help with a trip to Kenya this June.

Rick and Laura Walter will join others from Parkview Christian Church of Orland Park on the trip to Turkana, Kenya June 11–23. will fly into Kenya before embarking into the desert land Turkana as part of Missions of Hope International, a group that helps erect schools in and around Kenya. The pair is currently raising funds for the mission, during which they will train teachers at the schools, and conduct a vacation bible school.

They’ll work with Laura’s 9-year-old sponsor son John and 8-year-old sponsor daughter Joan, and spend time with their people in their surroundings of grass huts and sandy landscapes.

It will be Laura’s third trip to the region and Rick’s second, as well as their second trip there together. But first, they must raise the necessary funds. Two efforts are underway. First, Walter is collecting clothing donations at her Walter Raines realty office, 1820 Ridge in Homewood. The clothes go to a company that pays nonprofits per pound of clothes that they donate.

The pair is also selling raffle tickets, which can be purchased for $20, with prizes of $500, $200 and $100. Tickets can also be purchased at the realty office. The deadline for both is April 15.

“These people, they have absolutely nothing,” Walter said. “No electricity, no running water.

“And they are the happiest, warmest people I’ve ever met in my life.”

The Turkana people want to better themselves, Walter said.

“They want to learn how to support themselves. So training these teachers—it translates to all other Mission of Hope schools.”

If You Can Help:

• Drop off clothes donations at Walter Raines office, 1820 Ridge Rd., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Buy raffle tickets ($20 each), also at office, or call for pickup: 708-218-4645

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