Pray for Chile on Sunday, April 24, 2016

Pray for Chile on Sunday, April 24, 2016

Chile_Elena_Huegel_04.jpegLectionary Selection: John 13:31-35

Prayers for Chile:

A new commandment: Love the local hospital and healthcare personnel who are stretched beyond their energy and resources by so many needs and demands.

A new commandment: Love the police, the carabineros, trusted by some, feared and despised by others as they struggle to clean up a history of abuse.

Chile_Elena_Huegel_01.jpegA new commandment: Love the politicians, left and right wing, who have been wallowing this year in a swamp of corruption and scandal.

A new commandment: Love the truck drivers who threaten to strike bringing the country to a standstill; no food in the supermarkets, no gas at the filling stations.

A new commandment: Love the school teachers  and administrators with overflowing classrooms and Chile_Elena_Huegel_02.jpegstandardized testing consuming their energy and attention.

A new commandment: Love the news media feasting on all the bad news.

How difficult it is, oh Lord, to love our enemies while longing for dignity, truth and justice. May everyone in Chile know that we are your disciples first because of the way we love those who know you, and then, because of the love we have for those who don’t. May the new gossip be “Those Christians sure do know how to love!”

 

 

Chile_Elena_Huegel_03.jpegMission Stewardship Moment from Chile:

“We want a tree house.” Montserrat, Sophia, and Rayen, all age four, were relentless. The girls were eloquent in their reasons.  “The bigger boys and girls go to camp at the Shalom Center and participate in the programs, but when we have to go because our parents are on the staff, we get bored.” “We need a place to play,” they insisted.

These girls are the future leaders of the Pentecostal Chile_Elena_Huegel_06.jpegChurch of Chile and the Shalom Center. They know the importance of making a covenant and keeping it. They know how to separate the garbage and take worms to the compost bin. They know all the songs and love to dress up and participate in talent night. So I helped build “The Woodpecker’s nest.”

“Tía Elena” Rayen whispered to me, “We want to invite you to a tea party.”  Before I can have access to the tree house, I have to call through a tin-can-and-string telephone. They then let down a basket on a rope for the cookies and tea things I have brought.  They set the table, pour the tea, ask how much sugar I want, and behave like little ladies until an accidental spill makes us giggle and choke.

I help the girls paint murals on the walls of the tree house. “This is me,” says Rayen putting the finishing touches on stick figures with wild hair, “and these are my friends. This is you.” A rainbow and bright sun embrace the painting. “I love you, Tía Elena,” Rayen whispers as she gives me a hug. “I love you, too, Rayen,” say as I hug her back.

May we be as persistent in our dreams and as free in our love as four-year-olds!

(Prayer and Mission Moment by Elena Huegel)

Mission Partners in Chile:

More information on Chile:
http://www.globalministries.org/chile

Global Ministries Missionary in Chile:
Elena Huegel serves with the Iglesia Pentecostal de Chile (IPC). Her appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Churches Wider Mission, and your special gifts.