A letter from Jo Ella Holman, regional liaison for the Caribbean region
August 2012
Dear Friends,
This long, hot summer is drawing to a close and we look forward to cooler temperatures in September and on into the fall. Of course hurricane season is still in full swing in the Caribbean and we watch each gathering storm with the question of what path it will take. Meanwhile a severe drought extends over much of the United States, causing crops to fail or to be in doubt. I am often reminded, as I watch so many things that are out of our control, of the gospel message that in life and in death, we belong to God, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. Whatever our situation, the changing circumstances of our lives, we can live with hope and be messengers of that hope.
I’ve had the opportunity so far this year to visit with a number of our sister church partners in the Caribbean and in each place I see the church struggling with the challenges of their places: with poverty and declining economic opportunities; with educating children; with providing health care; with rebuilding homes and lives; with renewing the worship and work of the church. It is humbling to witness their dedication and faithful service in very challenging circumstances.
In January I traveled to Cuba for the annual Synod meeting of the Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba and was, once again, struck with the breadth of their work in local communities—providing food and laundry services for the elderly; beginning gardens in their churchyards; some beginning small businesses for the good of the community, such as a small printing operation. And four Cuban women were able to participate in our Presbyterian Women’s Churchwide Gathering this summer in Orlando, thanks to the very hard work of members of the Cuba mission network!
In February I was in Haiti and saw the newly rebuilt Hopital Ste. Croix, a hospital that was built with Presbyterian and Episcopal efforts and funds many years ago, but that came tumbling down in the 2010 earthquake. That hospital is up and running with the help of the Medical Benevolence Foundation and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and was dedicated in July. I also saw some of the 3,000 small houses that were built through PDA/Action by Churches Together in the epicenter of the earthquake—hopeful news for the people of Haiti and our partners there.
In February and March in the Dominican Republic I met several groups of PC(USA) groups that were visiting and working with partners on everything from construction to education to music ministries to medical work. Also we welcomed Mark Hare and Jenny Bent as mission co-workers who are now living in the DR, Mark continuing his work in Haiti with agricultural development and Jenny working with our partner church’s health clinic in a primarily Haitian immigrant community.
In April it was a pleasure to make my first visit to our partner church, the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. And what a beautiful country and beautiful church! There are a few PC(USA) congregations that have had loving and fruitful sister church relationships for 20 years or more with our brothers and sisters in Jamaica as well as with two homes for children and numerous schools, a university and a theological seminary.
Despite all the travel, I had the wonderful opportunity of teaching a weekly course on mission theology (missiology) for the seminary of the Iglesia Evangelica Dominicana (IED) in the DR, from February through May! Eleven seminarians participated in the course that was set in the context of Latin America and focused on expanding local and regional mission by local churches. It was a challenge for me to design the course and then to lead it in Spanish! But it was a distinct pleasure for me and, I hope, for them.
In the months of June and July it was a pleasure and privilege to visit a number of PC(USA) churches to preach and to speak about ministry in the Caribbean: in South Louisiana, South Carolina and North Carolina. Everywhere folks welcomed me with gracious hospitality, good food, and an interest in hearing about what God is doing with and through our partner churches in the region. Thanks to each and every one of these congregations and the individuals who organized everything so well for my visits!
It is the time of year when sessions and Mission Committees are beginning to consider budgets for the coming year. I want to thank each of the congregations, presbyteries and individuals who have supported me so faithfully this year. Without your support, Presbyterian World Mission would not be able to send or keep me and others like me serving in mission around the world! THANK YOU for your continued prayers and your financial support this year.
I humbly ask you to please continue—or to begin—supporting my ministry in the Caribbean. The work I do with communities and congregations throughout the Caribbean region on behalf of the PC(USA) is only possible through gifts given by concerned individuals and congregations. Individuals can contribute to my sending and supporting needs through account number E200376 (you can give online using the link below), and congregations can send contributions to account D507535. Additionally, if you’d like to contribute to my ongoing travel expenses, individuals and congregations may contribute to my program fund account, E052335. This is the only budget for those costs. Congregations may send their donations through their normal receiving site, which is usually their presbytery. Individuals and congregations can mail also mail their contributions, marked with my name and the appropriate account number, to Presbyterian World Mission, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.
Thank you for partnership. It is invaluable to the people with whom we serve and to me.
Thank you for your prayers, your words of encouragement, and your financial support. It means everything to know that there are those “back home” who are supporting my efforts and multiplying them through their prayers and resource commitments.
May you continue to know the presence of God in your lives as the One whose love enfolds and upholds us, whatever life may bring our way.
In Christ,
Jo Ella
The 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 2
Write to Jo Ella Holman
Give to Jo Ella Holman's sending and support
