May 5, 1997

SMU-RAW programs explore globe on four youth summer mission trips

By Ann Michelle Pfluger

embers of the United Methodist Campus Ministry will celebrate the third year of the Reaching Around the World (SMU-RAW) program by traveling to Kenya, Africa; Dublin, Ireland; Guyana, South America; and Nigeria, West Africa this summer.

First time exploratory trips to Dublin, Ireland and Nigeria, West Africa will be used to set up ministry and service programs.

Cheryl Rohloff, a junior who helped to establish a ministry in Guyana last summer said, "I went with love and the attitude of a servant, knowing that God would work through me."

The idea of working in The Lucin Youth Center, a youth camp in Dublin, inspired Sarah Gray, a first-year student, to sign up for the exploratory mission. Gray will work with students from Northern and Southern Ireland together, in one location.

"By setting out with the intent to act as a humble servant, you return with such fulfillment that you gain more than you give," said Kim Watts, a first-year student who went to Denver with SMU-RAW to serve the homeless community.

SMU-RAW not only sends students on mission trips in the summer, but, this past Christmas, a group of students went to New Mexico and every spring break a group goes to Denver.

As stated in the mission statement, SMU-RAW is committed to providing the SMU community with cross-cultural, educational, and ministerial experiences that encourage growth toward maturity in Christ and empowers students to better know and love God, others and self.

Both Watts and Rohloff felt as though they made an impact on the lives of others while the people they met through SMU-RAW changed their lives as well.

"If the people you serve actually receive as much as the enterprise gives to you, then you have truly done a great service," Watts said.

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