| e-Mission Lines December 2012 |
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Touching Haiti with the Love of Christ |
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Dear Generous Friends,
It will soon be Christmas, a time to celebrate the birth of our Savior. The only gift Jesus asks of us is a gift to the least of his people. The Haitian people have experienced storms, floods, loss of homes, and disease as a result of natural disasters in 2012.
Many of you have given financially, sponsored a child and been part of the over 30 teams that traveled to Haitian Christian Mission's campus this year. You have labored and loved and prayed and given, and God is working!
The hope of Christ is preached, churches built, medical needs faithfully provided, children educated, food and Bibles distributed, and the list continues to grow. These victories in the lives of people could not be realized without God's daily strength and the gifts from you, our faithful friends. So we ask that you would please consider blessing HCM with a end of the year gift.
May your heart be filled with joy this Christmas season, knowing you have given to our Lord Jesus by giving help and hope to the people in Haiti.
Gratefully,
Edwens Prophete, HCM Executive Director
and the rest of the HCM Staff |
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Grand Celebration
By Wendy Zehner
On November 11th, First Christian Church of Port-au-Prince had their 30th anniversary service. The building was filled to overflowing. As our vans approached the church, the streets were lined with people who could not even enter the building. We made our way up the steps, shaking hands and greeting our brothers and sisters in Christ. We were given seats of honor at the very front. What a view! As I looked around at all the worshipers I couldn't help but see the open door in the back that framed a view of a broken and crumbled nation. Inside, we experienced music, laughter, and tears. Outside, the picture was one still showing remains from the earthquake. We were packed together as though we were in the midst of a giant bear hug. "Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together." We were overflowing with the spirit of joy and love that was being poured out through Christians praising the name of Jesus. 
Pastor Etienne Prophete brought the sermon directing us to the message Paul gave to the church at Philippi. He took us down memory lane as he talked about the beginning of the church and all of the people it had reached. From that first church, 56 more churches were born with the 57th being dedicated this December 2, 2012! That small ripple has become a tidal wave for Jesus in Haiti. Churches, schools, nutrition programs, clinics, athletic programs, a translation school, and people saved from the bondage of sin now lay in the wake of this mighty work.
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Etienne Prophete preaching with Ysmel Lubain interpreting |
The service continued with the presentation of new elders and then the congregation reaching out hands as they prayed over their leaders. They honored members who were dedicated volunteers in the church and community with certificates of recognition. They recognized Pastor Prophete with a beautiful plaque and then we were dismissed to enjoy a celebration reception. Hugs, handshakes and reunions of old friends surrounded the homecoming event. As we made our way out of the back of the church, we
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Praying for the church's longtime pastors, Rosicler and Ronaldo |
passed the children's church for preschool-aged students. I have never seen a room more packed with tiny faces. You could not even walk through the sea of smiles. We were looking at the future of Christ's church in Port-au-Prince.
I am grateful to have been a part of such a beautiful day. As I reflected, I could not get the image of the open doorway from my mind. When we give ourselves to Jesus, it is as though we are given a place of safety, one where we can embrace the fellowship of other believers and refuel before we reenter the battlefield of a broken world. Mesi Senye, thank you Lord, for every good and perfect gift. |
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Inauguration of our Newest Church
First Christan Church of Kissimmee, Florida and Crosspoint Christian Church of Conyers, Georgia, and several private donors made a dream come true December 2, 2012. HCM had a dedication service for its 57th church. Pastor Dieudon and his staff celebrated the answered prayers of a people needing a building. This was a church plant that was meeting under a tarp with sticks and cinder blocks, but now has an open door in the community. Choirs, Professionals Club, visiting pastors and other visitors came to offer thanks and praise for the new building. Jim Book, senior minister at First Christian in Kissimmee, gave the inauguration message. Betty Prophete thanked all those involved in the planning, funding and construction. Jonas Dorlus, Director of Evangelism, charged the people with a commitment to being a light in the community. There were awards and speeches, singing and prayers all lifted to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pastor Dieudon announced a weeklong revival that would kick off that evening. Bibles from Tim Taylor and his team were presented to the church. The benches, built in HCM's woodshop, were paid for by Kingsway Christian Church, a longtime supporter and friend to HCM.
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Prayer Requests
Pastor Monace, longtime HCM pastor in the village of Simonette, suffered a stroke in late November and then another one this week. Edwens has taken him over into the Dominican Republic to have surgery performed. Join us in praying for complete healing for him. His mobility is very limited at this time.
Comfort for Pastor Brousseau and his family following the passing of his mother.
Rich blessings on the new church in Meyer and Pastor Dieudon.
Praise God for a baby girl born to Pastor Dorlus and wife, Bruny. Lordanie Rapha Dorlus was born November 22.
And praise God for a baby boy, Andy Ryan, born to Vangine (VJ) Yrguens and his wife.
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