Be a “Yes” to others!
The
Epiphany season celebrates Jesus as the Light to the nations, beginning with the celebration
of the magi, wise men from afar who followed the star to find the Christ child.
Many of us
use this season to focus on how the Light of the world is reflected in and
through our global work. As a new ELCA missionary, this global work together as
a church is now my passion and calling.
My work in
the Central African Republic includes developing educational programs for
Sunday schools and new elementary schools in remote villages. These programs existed before I arrived two
months ago, but the Lutheran church in the Central African Republic asked for
an educational adviser to help these programs improve and better serve the
people. They recognize, as we do, the importance of education — not only to
build leaders within the church, but also to have a better life overall.
In my
work, I recently visited one of our newest schools, the Peouri School, which
was just built as a permanent structure. It also has three open-air, straw-roof
structures and is building one more. The school, first built 10 miles away, had
to be moved because of civil unrest seven years ago. The people had fled to town,
but insisted that their Lutheran school follow them! After the doors re-opened,
others in town are now taking advantage of the Lutheran school’s reputation for
good teaching. It has become the largest of the 20 village schools supported by
the church, with 720 students enrolled.
My work
with this school and others happens only because of people like you. You make it possible for people like me to
preach, teach, build, grow, heal and strengthen the global church in over 40
countries. Thank you for the support.
Your
undesignated gift helps to support me plus our 240 missionaries around the
world — where it’s needed most.
In these
challenging economic times, we missionaries rely heavily on your generous gifts
to help keep our global mission programs running to share God’s grace and
blessings with all.
We are a
church that believes Jesus is God’s “Yes” to us. Our lives can be a “Yes” to
others. Will you join us in sharing the Light of the world through our global
work? Please give today!
Hand in
hand with you,
Susan Smith, ELCA
Missionary, Central African Republic
Christine Donahue
TLGCS Mission Interpreter Coordinator
cedonahue@gmail.com
TLGCS Mission Interpreter Coordinator
cedonahue@gmail.com
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