This pattern of giving also leaves
little possibility for the PC(USA) to properly respond to new
opportunities that are time constrained. Take for example one
of the recent requests from our partner church in the Democratic
Republic of Congo, a country gearing up for its first democratic
elections in 40 years.
The Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa (CPK) seeks to use its
moral authority and close connection with the population to help
ensure a peaceful and fair election process. It requested support
for a training program for community peace building, human rights,
and democratic principles. The leadership specifically requested
support for training church and community members to be observers
of the election process. Congolese have repeatedly asked U.S.
Presbyterians to lobby their congressional leaders and advocate
for the U.S. government to demonstrate strong support for free
and fair elections in their country. Our Congolese partners need
to be empowered to engage in activities to achieve that very goal.
It is time to act, but the PC(USA) finds its hands tied for lack
of available funds.
Another unmet priority of our Congolese partners is conflict
resolution and capacity building within the church toward that
end. To help individuals and communities resolve arguments in
healthy ways, the CPK would like to train people to mediate between
differing parties and help them find mutually agreed-upon solutions
for their arguments. Blessed are the peacemakers.
If you are concerned about PC(USA) worldwide missions, please
understand the need to increase rather than decrease shared (i.e.
unrestricted) giving to the mission of the denomination. Also,
as many mission committees draw up their budgets they need to
be aware that the Presbyterian missionary in the field depends
as much on their mission dollars as do itinerating missionaries
from other Christian organizations. If current trends continue,
and may God forbid that from happening, the future of Presbyterian
international missions is at risk. Please keep our denomination’s
witness strong and support Presbyterian missions and long-term
mission personnel!
On a personal note we feel we should share with you that in the
past three months our family has been affected by a couple of
tragic incidents. On December 5, the day our family normally celebrates
the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas, our son Matthias and his high
school junior peers witnessed in their classroom the horrific
slaying of one student by another. The resulting shock has been
felt throughout this small school with students from pre-kindergarden
through twelfth grade. A sense of normalcy appears to be returning
through the continuation of school programs, but students, teachers,
support staff, and parents are still in various levels of processing
this trauma. For many, painful memories surfaced from the school
bus accident in which the same class was involved four years ago,
when they lost their homeroom teacher and three friends.
The second upset for us came a month ago when we received news
that Christi’s brother passed away. He had not been ill,
and his sudden death at the age of 50 has shocked the family.
Christi was able to attend the funeral in The Netherlands and
to spend time with her sister-in-law, with whom she feels very
close. Though still grieving, we are through this all reminded
of how vulnerable life is and how precious is each moment we have
with each other.
Please pray with us for the future of PC(USA) missions and the
opportunities for us all to see how God is working in lives of
our Christian brothers and sisters around the world. May we recognize
that we are but one part of the Body of Christ, the Church Universal.
Peace be with you,
Jeff
The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 315 |
