CH Global trip to Guatemala

I want to encourage you to check out Dave Petkua's Blog this morning (and other mornings too). Dave is presently in Guatemala with a CH team.

www.davesdistrictdash.blogspot.com/

Haiti Reflections #3

We were informed that we were going to a Thursday night church service after a long day of clinics, teaching and children’s programs. We climbed back into our very hot van and drove through some of the poorest areas I had seen yet. As we drove through some of the area, a few disparaging remarks were yelled at us, but many others were simply curious and children would point, smile and wave. It was apparently a strange site to see a van of Canadians bouncing through the ruts and rough terrain. After an hour or so of bouncing we turned onto this “road”, it reminded me more of tractor paths on the farm when I was a kid. On our return trip candlelight dotted the road side as small vendors, selling pretty much anything you can imagine that would fit in large weaved basket. We finally arrived and piled out of the vehicle and were greeted by the church leaders who were waiting for us. If your French is passable, you can communicate okay. My French is not anywhere close to passable. I’ve got a few phrases that I remember from the high school french classes I didn’t skip; Ca va? Bien – my other phrase is “La chien manage la poulet” – surprisingly, I did find a situation where the phrase was appropriate.
When entered the church it was still light, but when 6 pm comes, the light disappears very fast. It wasn't long till all was dark because the small generator had not yet arrived. There was a small gathering of mostly children – and they singing began. No instruments only voices – no books, completely by memory they sang hymn after hymn. The Pastor would quote a psalm, which the congregation joined in with, most by memory. As the evening wore on, the generator finally arrived and was fired up. It lit two light bulbs that dangled precariously from the stick rafters. They were having trouble keeping the generator running so the light came and went – along with the roar of the little engine.
The lights would go out, and then in a few minutes would come back on. Each time they cycled more people filled the room. Soon the little cement block church was filled to capacity with people standing outside the door. The few plastic chairs and rickety benches were packed. Their voices in beautiful Creole harmonies – I recognized most of the tunes so I knew what was being sung. Hands upraised, face toward heaven, children, women and men singing with all their being. The young worship leader leading as if he had a full orchestra.
Our Haitian leader had told us that this community was one of the poorest. Very few here had any kind of a job. Electricity didn’t reach here, and the people lived largely in makeshift living quarters – life was hard – and death a regular visitor and no respecter of age. Just a day earlier, a young boy had fallen and cracked his head open. They had no money for medical care. There was great concern about what was going to happen to this boy. And yet the people sang, and praised and called out to God.
I had to sit down and just let it all wash over me. I was truly ‘in church’. Simple, unpretentious, primitive – church. I waded in the conviction I felt. Our North American churches, my church – we want “need” good seating, professional sound, attractive surroundings – all the programs for our kids, teens – ourselves – we want to be ‘comfortable’ in church physically, emotionally and spiritually. As a Pastor in a church I struggle because people at times come into our church and will leave for another because we do not have ‘what they are looking for’. It is hard not to fall into the temptation of providing all the bells and whistles that people are looking for, so we can keep them. It’s easy to say “just let them go”, but it’s just not that simple – I don’t think.
But as I stood in the midst of this (and many others) basic, struggling congregation – I knew I was in the church. The church of God’s heart. I don’t mean to romanticize this church. It has really dark issues. The people here struggle with the pull and syncretism of Voodoo. It has a strangle hold on many and even many Christians are highly superstitious and find it hard to break free of its effects. But the church was a light – it was one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever entered. God was here – I could feel His presence.
I believe that my thoughts and ideas of church need to undergo a revolution – and they are. Honestly, I don’t know where this will lead me. In some respects I’m afraid – afraid of what it will demand of me. I will be honest. I’m struggling with an internal dissatisfaction, both of myself and of Western Christianity. Here we are one of the wealthiest nations on earth, and even in our economic downturn – we have – abundance. We must be careful that this fear for our economy does not force us not to be generous and faithful in giving. I wonder if I should find a little cement block building here in K/W area, with only a light bulb dangling from the ceiling (and a furnace – we do need that!) – and be the church – I wonder if anyone would come. However, I know this – God would.

Anyway I was just thinking

Neil

Post Script: the Canadian team collected an offering for the young boy. Our information is that he was able to access medical treatment as a result. We are unsure of the outcome at this point.

A weekend in Nicaragua

A broken reed He will not break, or a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, until he brings justice to victory (Matt 12:20)

I had the opportunity to travel with Michael to Nicaragua for a Pastor's conference. We arrived late Friday night (Feb 22^nd), and the conference began at 6 am the following morning. Over the next few hours about 125 Pastor's, Leaders and Parishioners arrived from up to 400 Km's away. Many had been travelling long hours by bus or by whatever means they could find, in order to attend. The focus of the day was helping the attendees to think differently about those with disabilities in their communities. The common beliefs are that those with disabilities are cursed or a judgment from God. We heard accounts of mothers having to hide their disable children away in fear and shame. There are bright spots however. We saw examples of inclusion as well. A traditional play/dance had been prepared for the visitors and the players were persons with exceptional needs. A small group of exceptional needs persons along with their leader attended the conference and were making crafts to sell.

Nicaragua is a very poor nation with a struggling and tentative economy. There are a few extremely rich, but the majority are simply trying to survive-- with the spectrum ranging from poor to extreme poverty. One night we left our hotel for a meal at restaurant a block away. Almost immediately we were surrounded by children. One stands out in my mind most of all. A small child, she could have been no more than 4. She was grabbing my hand, pleading for a few coins. I had been told not to travel with any money or wallet outside the hotel as it would make me a target, so my pockets were empty. Sully, one of our directors from Guatemala, pointed across the street to a woman who was trying hard not to being seen as 'attentive'. She stated that this child was most likely 'rented'. Any money that the child would gather from tourists would go directly to that woman, with the child seeing nothing. The money then would be used to purchase drugs. That little girl's face haunts me, what her life must be like? What does the future hold for her? It was a time in the evening that our young children would, should lovingly tucked in bed, not running and dodging cars across a crazy 4 lane road to get a few coins from tourists.

Resources are few and far between – The Pastors are working extremely hard to bring the message of hope into what would seemly be a hopeless situation. We were taken on a walking tour on Sunday afternoon through one of the worst and poorest areas in Managua the capital city. It was explained to us that the area that we were in was one of the primary cocaine and crack processing areas in Nicaragua. The Pastor's wife started to weep; I asked the translator what was wrong. She pointed to a group of young girls – ranging in age from 9 to 13, and told us that these young girls were prostitutes. It was the primary prospect for any girl – there is no other job option. She then stated that she knew that many of the little girls that were in their church were headed for this life.

The Pastor and his wife are living in the midst of this community, using their own limited resources to be a presence. This is where Christian Horizons might make a difference for those in and with exceptional need, and for those trying to stand in the gap. By standing alongside these pastors and empowering them to offer opportunities of hope by learning to read, to sew, or other potential life skill that could provide much needed income. These young girls, and boys – need to hear, learn and experience that they have value and worth, that there can be hope. We can be a part of that hope. It is a powerful part of the gospel. It is in both what we say and what we do (Acts 1:2)

I met our Christian Horizons leaders in Central America. Amazing, God filled, committed and competent people! As a ministry we need to be encouraged that we are making a difference. The need can seem overwhelming. Traveling through these communities you can feel the hopelessness, pain, despair and darkness – but you can also see in the faces of the children, and the people, a hunger for change – generousness in spite of poverty, and a belief that God is with them.

I returned even more convinced that we (Canadian Christians) have a deep responsibility to the Global community. We are wealthy beyond imagination for so many in the world. The Words of Jesus are ringing clearly in my ears "Too whom much is given, much is expected"

Pray: Jesus what do you expect from me? I already know, To love mercy, seek justice, and walk humble with my God.

Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil

Open letter from Michael Alemu VP of Global Ministries on his South Asia trip

Dear Colleagues:

I want to thank you all for praying and keeping me in your thoughts during my trip to India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. I arrived home last night August 6,/07, safe and sound (I think sound). This has been a very tiring trip both physically and emotionally. Since I had time on the long flight back home (Hong Kong to Toronto 14:30 hours) , I roughly calculated my activity times for the 17 days. Roughly, I was in the air for total flight time of 45 hours, waiting 28 hours at various airports, and 56 hours in vehicles traveling somewhere. I visited 19 projects, and attended 35 meetings (consultation and partnership). No, it was no vacation!

I am extremely grateful for Dr. Oommn Philip (volunteer from Mississauga for India), Benedict Gomez (Staff from Durham 9 for Sri Lanka), and Dorothy Klynstra (Missionary to Thailand and Occupational Therapist with OGAT, Thailand) who assisted me with logistics, meetings, and project supports. Thank you for those who emailed me to let me know that you were praying for me. You have no idea how much it meant.

Like all other trips in many countries, the South Asia trip has been both encouraging and heartbreaking. I was very encouraged with the active participation of partner churches reaching out in a very practical way to people with exceptional needs, opening their doors, becoming social agents for the marginalized. Churches like The Methodist Church of India and The Methodist Church of Sri Lanka, are pushing forward the disability ministry in ways that has challenged me, using their meager resources, their sanctuary building for day centers, opening their facilities to rescue children from death, and their bold vision to make a difference for Christ.

I visited CH initiated and supported projects that are at various stages in India and Sri Lanka. CH supported 93 children in India, new partnership projects with Community Outreach Project (CORP) of Methodist Church of India, child sponsorship, and September training for 85 church and agency leaders from 25 organizations and denominations across Sri Lanka, Meeting with Lanka Theological College, consultation for camp program for 500 children in Sri Lanka, and meeting with government directors of rehabilitation/residential institutes in Thailand were some of the highlights.

I come back with a huge burden as I witnessed the dimension and the volume of people with exceptional needs. It is beyond comprehension. As I traveled through the slumps of Mumbai (Bombay) with the extreme stench and abject poverty, listen staff tell stories of beautiful girls rescued from death, watched the tiny, mangled bodies of 100s of children waiting to die on the cement floors or shared cribs in Thailand institutions (housing some 2400 children), I felt ill prepared and inadequate. But I was also encouraged by the signs of hope, the human spirit and resilience to survive from watching children caring for each other within these “death factory” institutions, the determination of Christian leaders to be salt and light, and the encouragement a name such as Christian Horizons brings to many who are waiting for miracles. CH has such a huge responsibility to make a difference. We can do much better. The "call is great".

Thank you for allowing me to be your representative. I know your prayers and support mean a lot. If you want me to answer any question, or talk to you about a specific project, please feel free to call or email me. Your prayers for exceptional people in South Asia, is much appreciated.

God bless you.

Michael Alemu