SHERRIE TAYLOR/The Register-MailTed and Kim Treadway are finalizing plans to join a missionary group and will be traveling to Guatemala by the first of December.
Couple readies for Guatemala mission work
Ted and Kim Treadway to leave next month
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Woodhull - A young area couple will leave for Guatemala by the first of December, where they will serve as missionaries.Ted and Kim (Bland) Treadway are finalizing plans to dedicate themselves to helping others and bring the love of Christ to people in a third world country.
Their vision statement says, in part, "The World Is Yours Ministries will provide guidance in the construction of the hospital and assist in its administration. God also has placed a desire in our hearts to form a Christian school, where students will not only be taught the basics, but also the Word of God. We also want to see a home built for abandoned and abused children, where they can be loved. God has also placed a burden upon our hearts to reach out to the families living in the local garbage dump."
The Treadways are members of Faith Christian Church in Woodhull. Ted is an AlWood High School graduate, Class of 1989, while Kim is the daughter of Richard and Janet Bland, New Windsor, and is a Winola HS graduate.
Their personal lives came together through an introduction promoted by former pastor of Faith Church, Donavin Calmer.
Ted saw a photo of Kim when she was missionary to Guatemala, and Calmer felt the two should meet. But that didn't happen until two years later when Calmer told Ted that Kim was at a conference in Tulsa, Okla.
The two met at a Christian conference, and said God had brought them together.
They were married a little over a year later and resided in Decatur.
They consider they have two home churches, Heartland Community Church in Decatur and Faith Christian Church in Woodhull.
Upon arrival in Guatemala, the couple will have what is considered an American-style home, made from concrete blocks - no air conditioning or running water - and concerns about security and possible illness.
"Our home will be an improvement over the stick huts many live in and we are still viewed as wealthy Americans. Not everyone wants us there, and not everyone is a Christian," Ted said.
"The most difficult part of being in Guatemala is clearly the heat and humidity, the temperature ranges from 95 upwards to 110-115," Kim said.
Ted, with a degree in Spanish literature, speaks the language well; Kim has learned it during previous visits to Guatemala.
"It will be difficult to leave family and friends, but we're committed to the sacrifices involved, a lifetime commitment for us," Ted said.
The couple will return home on occasion to visit family and friends and to continue fundraising for their work.
The couple is speaking to groups and area churches to raise additional funds for their needs, including a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach remote villages.
"Not everyone can go, but everyone can help send," Ted said.
"Many Guatemalans still worship Mayan gods; we will need to build their trust and be the hands and feet of Jesus," Ted said.
Faith Christian Church in Woodhull will host a chili and potato soup supper from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 11. The Treadways will be at the event to visit and answer questions.
All proceeds from the event will go to the World Is Yours Ministries to help with financial needs.
Did You Know?
- Guatemalans are paid in quetzals; 7.5 equal $1
- Day laborers are paid $6-$8 a day
<0xE0E4> A 16-oz. jar of peanut butter costs $10
