Pray with Mexico on Sunday, December 24, 2017

Lectionary Selection: Luke 1:26-38

Prayers for Mexico:

There I was: small, defenseless, alone
without any understanding of the magnitude of the damage.

There You were: powerful, loving, and in a strange, incomprehensible way,
full of compassion.

You saw me, You loved me, years went by… and, today, You keep loving me.

There I was: growing in pain, in sadness, in anger;
clinging to You, to your mercy, to your grace.

There You were: gently tending to me, healing me, restoring me.

I ran away, terrified.

You kept close, chasing me, wrapping me in love.

Me, unknowing. You, knowing all.

Me, without understanding. You giving me purpose.

There I was: with my story…
my trampled dignity, my loneliness, my absurd existence.

There You were: with your story…
your dignity, your company, your true being.

You gave me life, a new story, a dream, a hope, a vision.

You changed my existence, readjusted my world.

Here I am and here you are, present.

I am always yours, and You, You infinite You, oh joy! You will always be mine!

(Prayer by Pastora Noemí Santiago Anzueto, México, 2017)

Mission Stewardship Moment from Mexico:

An angel came to Mary. She was the very first to know that the long awaited Messiah was on the way. Pastora Noemí Santiago Anzueto survived the September 2017 earthquakes in Mexico. During the Retoños en las ruinas: esperanza en el trauma program (Roots in the ruins: hope in trauma), she wrote the above prayer which reflects the intimate relationship between mother and child. Pastora Noemí reached out to God, like a child to her mother, as her house come crashing around her and her family. Today, she continues to accompany the members of her congregation, most of whom not only lost their homes, but also their place of worship, schools, hospitals and jobs.

(Mission Moment by Elena Huegel)

Mission Partners in Mexico:

More information on Mexico: http://www.globalministries.org/mexico

Global Ministries Mission Coworker in Mexico:
Elena Huegel serves with the Intercultural Research and Studies Institute (INESIN) in Chiapas, Mexico. She serves as a consultant for peace (conflict transformation) and environmental education. Her appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and your special gifts.