Wednesday, April 3
Africa, continued
Evangelical Church of Ethiopia Mekane Yesus members construct toilet facilities as part of a Community Health Evangelism program.
The most successful programs I have seen are those in which the community assesses its own needs and strengths, comes up with local solutions, and mobilizes its resources to respond to the need. Here are a few examples: the Presbyterian Church in South Sudan has begun a school staffed by volunteers for children who have fled to Akobo because of interethnic conflict; Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger evangelists are responding to adult illiteracy rates of 72 percent in a Christian population of less than 1 percent by conducting literacy classes in which the gospel is shared; the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Zambia is running community schools for street children; and Ethiopia Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus members are constructing toilets to combat hygiene-related diseases.
Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger evangelists teach community literacy.
PC(USA) World Mission is, with many of its Africa partners, supporting Community Health Evangelism (CHE), an approach that combines participatory community development with evangelism and discipleship. Twenty of our mission co-workers and scores of church leaders have been trained in CHE methodology. As those partners initiate CHE projects using their own knowledge, creativity, and resources, there are many opportunities for us all to add our “loaves and fishes.” Through our prayers, through responding to our partners’ requests for accompanying mission personnel, and through our financial support, all of God’s children may be spiritually and physically fed.
—Rev. Debbie Braaksma, area coordinator, Africa , World Mission
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Paula Evans, PMA/OGA
Michael Fallon, BOP
Let us pray
Gracious God, we thank you for our Presbyterian mission co-workers who are faithfully serving you. May they experience the tremendous joy of learning and serving with African Christians and learn to persevere when they encounter situations of extreme poverty, insecurity, and challenging living conditions. Grant them cross-cultural understanding and patience, a vibrant devotional life, close friendships, and effectiveness in ministry. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 99; 147:1-11
First Reading Micah 7:7-15
Second Reading Acts 3:1-10
Gospel Reading John 15:1-11
Evening Psalms 9; 118
