Some thoughts

It's been almost six months since I last blogged for Missions. It seems like yesterday. It's hard to get information from people on a regular basis, but we do what we can.

Even though it may seem that little is "happening", that is simply not true. It just looks like it on the outside, but when you peel away the layers you find little enclaves of work being done.

During the winter several groups from our District traveled to Haiti. I didn't know until the last minute, but they went and did a fine work.

Our annual trip to Haiti was canceled amid the troubles there. Pastor Geordany just did not feel the area was safe for eleven women to travel at the time we were scheduled to go. Unfortunately, the doctor scheduled to go with us had no other time he could go.

One group went to Haiti with the Disaster Missions. My husband went on that trip. He stated it was rough land where we are putting a Church of the Brethren, but those people deserve a meeting house as well as those in the lowlands.

In my travels I've learned a that a number have been planning for Disaster Trips to the newly opened location in Tennessee, others made recent trips to Haiti and other countries. Life in Missions in Shenandoah District is not quiet.

Mt. Zion, Linville, had a fund raiser for Haiti recently. Mt. Pleasant had their twice yearly steak dinner to benefit Haiti. Others have had events to benefit the island and other disaster work.

In just a few weeks (my birthday weekend), ShenCob will host their annual Disaster Ministries Auction. I look forward to that event each year! This is the one area of Brethren Ministries that everyone rally's around. It causes little dissension in the ranks and few people, if any, are opposed to Disaster relief. It's refreshing! On the same day the Haiti Advisory Team meets once again in Miami to talk about the work going on there. I am sorry to miss that meeting.

In a few weeks Pastor Georges Cadet from the Church of the Brethren in Bohoc Haiti will be in our area. Frankly, I'm not sure of the dates, but he's been in contact with us about staying here for a time. We look forward to it.

Pastor Geordany's orphanage continues to need funding for the children. Sometimes I think folks forget that children need to eat every day, not just a few times a year.

Of course, Haiti has a new President ~ "Sweet Micky" Martelli. No political experience, 68% of the vote with a slogan of "together we can". I am hoping he "can", but I can't help but look at him with a jaundiced eye. Nevertheless, perhaps he will be the shining star that Haiti needs to begin pulling out of their poverty and despair. No matter who had won the election, it's to be an uphill battle all the way. "Sweet Micky" would do well to look carefully at his neighbors in Petionville, Haiti and see how quickly one can fall from grace....

Continue to lift up prayers for Haiti and also for the many, many nations that suffer and look for a savior to take them out of their state.

With Easter almost upon us, I am praying for those with less personal wealth, but rejoicing that many have a stronger faith than the average American. Praying with joy... and sorrow .... Mark 11:9-10