Pray for Haiti on Sunday, May 31, 2015

Lectionary Text: John 3: 1-17

Prayers for Haiti:
Generous God, we are humbled by the gift of your love which knows no limit. It is in that love – in your Son Jesus Christ – that we have the promise of eternal life in your peaceable kingdom.

We believe your desire is for your people to have peace on earth as well and it is for that reason we lift up to you the nation of Haiti. Please hear our prayers for her overall well-being; for her people to be able to vote safely in this year’s national elections; for her citizens to feel secure in their homes, businesses, and schools; and for possibilities to grow into realities for the people of this Caribbean country. We remember, too, the leaders of our partner CONASPEH who ask for wisdom as they manage limited resources and attempt to serve as many students as possible; who seek a clear understanding of your vision; and who embody courage as they move forward despite daily challenges.

Generous God, we are humbled by the gift of your love which knows no limit. It is in that love – in your Son Jesus Christ – that we find rest and hope.

In Christ, Amen.

Mission Stewardship Moment from Haiti:
Like most capital cities, Port-au-Prince is a hub of noisy activity. But hidden away in a school located in the community of Tabarre is a haven of soothing sounds. As we sit at our desks, it is not unusual to hear voices singing along with the Christian music CD playing on one of our colleague’s computers or with songs emanating from the receptionist’s radio. When the Bishops gather for their meetings in the conference room or when seminarians begin their classes, we hear their rich voices offering a song before prayers. On occasion mission teams are invited to enjoy the sound of sweetly singing children from the Classical Studies (Pre-K to Grade 12) program.

Francoise St. Vil Villier, CONASPEH’s only female bishop, has long had a heart for creating a music program within the school and recently members from the Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis joined her in that dream as a short-term mission team brought numerous musical instruments for the project. Included among the more traditional instruments were two sets of children’s hand bells with sheet music/CDs and no sooner had the “klòch a men” (hand bells) been placed in the young one’s hands than we were treated to their dulcet tones.

CONASPEH’s leaders are convinced that education is the key to Haiti’s social and economic development and are eager for all students to have a well-rounded schooling experience. The young people’s music program is one more component in this ministry’s vision to transform lives and the future of the nation and to have fun in the process.

God bless our music loving partners!

(Prayer and Mission Moment by Tim and Diane Fonderlin)

Mission Partners in Haiti:

More information on Haiti:
http://globalministries.org/lac/countries/haiti/

Global Ministries Missionary in Haiti:
Timothy Fonderlin, a member of Howland Community Church, Warren, Ohio, is serving a 4-year term with the National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti (CONASPEH), beginning July 1, 2012. He works as a Sustainable Community Development and Micro-Credit Consultant with CONASPEH.

Diane Fonderlin, a member of Howland Community Church, Warren, Ohio, is serving a 4-year term with the National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti (CONASPEH), beginning July 1, 2012. She is teaching theology at St. Andrew Theological Seminary and is also Co-Administrator of the Seminary.