The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place the week of January 18 – 25, 2010.
The theme for the week is “You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:48). In 2010 the Christians of Scotland invite us to read chapter 24 of Luke’s gospel so we are led to an appreciation of the resurrection of Christ as the source of ecclesial communion.
The intrinsic link between mission and unity urges us all to renew our commitment to Christian unity. It was precisely this reciprocal demand for evangelism and for ecumenism that the pioneers of the ecumenical movement of the 20th century emphasized with such faith, strength and clarity.
Earlier this week my subliminal mind kept repeating and repeating in my subconscious, Pay it Forward – Pay it Forward! Why?
How many of you remember that movie in 2000? A 12-year-old schoolboy in Las Vegas, Nevada named Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) is given a class project to complete by his social studies teacher Eugene Simonet (Kevin Spacey), a man with terrible burn scars on his face and neck. His task is to come up with a plan that will change the world through direct action.
Why – why is it that I am recalling this particular movie now? Is it the memories I have of sitting in an oncologist’s office 19 years ago, when our lives were shattered with shocking news that gave us a gloomy prognosis! Could we beat this prediction – how strong was our faith in our loving God?! FAITH to live each day as a special God given gift – faith to accept whatever God willed for us…
Well we did beat the odds set out for us (Jack) – with health back and improving each year we decided that time had come to Pay it Forward – give back a little – be in Mission for Others.
In 1999 we answered God’s Call to Cameroon… they wanted a Pastor with electronic background – how specific could that be!? Here we are over 10 years down the road – we have served others for five years in N’gaoundéré, Cameroon in Africa and almost two years in Georgetown, Guyana in South America. God is great, God is good! – God has given us the drive and the strength to serve Him ‘outside the box’ – we have gained so much from these experiences. Yes, In Mission for Others but more so… what mission has done for us!
This past week – Tuesday evening…CNN became red with Breaking News!! The horrific 7.0 earthquake that immobilised Port-au-Prince in Haiti! The photos—the interviews—the reports of journalists (BBC, Aljazeera, CNN and our CBC via the internet is appalling!
Initially on Tuesday there was a Tsunami threat which would have hit even us in Guyana (Guyana is also on the fringe of the Caribbean fault line – people here have reported tremors in the past.) This threat was quickly cancelled.
Jack asked me on Wednesday, “would you go?” Yes… if I could be of assistance - but really, the better aid presently would be our PRAYERS and a donation.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is appealing to Canadians for financial support for relief operations underway to assist the people of Haiti following an earthquake on Tuesday, January 12. CLWR is working in partnership with other members of Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance to address people’s basic needs and support rehabilitation efforts.Donations to the appeal may be made through CLWR in the following ways:
Online at www.clwr.org/donate . In the process of completing the form, you will come across a pull-down menu that allows you to designate a specific project. Choose Haiti Earthquake.
Guyana, also a Third World poor country – a very small country of approximately 750,000 in population. They themselves have donated $1,000,000. US – we are proud of this country we are presently living in!
In the Stabroek News yesterday:
AFC leader Raphael Trotman says the Government of Guyana (GoG) should “seriously consider” offering to assist in the re-settlement of survivors in the wake of the devastating earthquake that has left a huge death toll in Haiti.
According to Trotman, the resettlement initiative could be spearheaded by the United Nations, with of Caricom and other friendly governments, like that of the United States. “I’m sure that would be welcomed, to give them a new start,” Trotman told Stabroek News yesterday, noting that the country has the land-space to accommodate such a programme.
Read more:
We have just received this news from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA:
Wartburg Theological Seminary Student, Ben Splichal Larson has died in the Haiti Earthquake. Two other students, Ben’s spouse, Renee Splichal Larson, and his cousin, Jonathan Larson, are safe at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti and will be returning to the states this week.
All three students were in the same building when the quake hit. Renee and Jonathan made it out, eventually found each other and then returned to the St. Joseph Guest House in Port au Prince, Haiti, where they were staying. They attempted to rescue Ben, to no avail.
Ben had served in the ELCG in Guyana in his student years. The church has fond memories of Ben, and so do the members and friends of the Ebenezer parish, ELCG pastors and a host of others in the ELCG. We ask that you pray for his wife, Renee, his parents, Pastors April and Judd Larson, his cousin Jon, and their families and friends and the WTS community.
The following students are presently in country for three weeks: Josh and Gail, Dana, Matt, and Scott. Do let them know that we are remembering them in our prayers. We continue to pray for you and your family and the ELCG. Together we pray...
Our time in mission has had its down times, lonely times, but so much more in fulfillment: serving churches that haven’t had a pastor in years – baptizing - confirming children and young people that would not have been - overseeing construction of church roofs – overseeing an orphan/abandoned children's program of 65 children – evangelizing through remote areas of Cameroon and Guyana - being part of a new mission in Recht Door Zee, to name just a few of our cherished experiences.My grandchildren ask “why are you continuing to do this ?” – Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference —Robert Frost says it all!
With God on your side and the desire to learn and be part of a new culture … you could also Walk the Walk – Pay it Forward.
With God on your side and the desire to learn and be part of a new culture … you could also Walk the Walk – Pay it Forward.
To our grandchildren – our family – our friends… keep us in your prayers
– we love you – Skype us.
Jack & Val (Nana/Koko & Papa)
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