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A letter from Mary Nebelsick in the U.S., on Interpretation Assignment from the Philippines

late fall 2014 - Central church, louisville

Dear Friends,

Mary and Pastor Irma at Central Presbyterian Church

 

Olive Ortiz and the Children of UCCP Greenbreeze at the Greenbreeze Children's Ministry Program

 

Pastor Irma and members of Central serving food

 

UCCP Greenbreeze Lunch

 

UCCP Greenbreeze Children’s program preparation with Drew Garcia, Olive Ortiz, JoveLyn Mojado, Christine Ramacula, Phoda Gallamora and Careen Joy Ollos

 

Paul and Mary, Sharing Conference 2014

We are having a great time visiting the churches in the Mid-Kentucky Presbytery. Our visits to churches have taken us from the East End to downtown Louisville and Central Presbyterian Church. Central Presbyterian Church's stately Greek Revival Façade houses a church full of wonderfully caring people. The pastors Mark Baridon and Ann Deibert have fostered a vibrant community that combines social justice with warmth, humor and serious, well-planned, caring ministry. We spoke at the adult Sunday School class to members whose knowledge of world concerns reflected a deep engagement with the worldwide church. Their concern for justice, both here in Louisville and in the world, was reflected in their valiant commitment to the ideals fostered by the Old Testament prophets and the reflected in Jesus’ statement in Matthew 25, “What you have done to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done to me.” Commitment to this vision of a truly Christian world guides Central Presbyterian Church and we feel privileged to have been embraced by it.

Yesterday we joined the members of Central Presbyterian Church in their ministry to Louisville’s homeless women and men. As we entered the church basement we saw several young men gathering around the church doors. We welcomed them and invited them to join us in the basement. The scene in the basement was warm and comfortable. The fellowship hall was filled with the aroma of cornbread, turnip greens and beans liberally laced with pieces of succulent ham. Little Debbie cakes were piled on a tray for dessert. Our guests came in, first singly and then in groups of two or three. Pastor Mark began with a short worship and prayer service. We all prayed for each other and as we prayed we were woven into one community. Our prayers were capped with sharing the Peace of Christ with each other. Everyone had something to give. Everyone was able to bless the other person. It did not matter who we were or where we came from. The Peace of Christ was something we all could give. Following the prayers we ate the lunch that had been prepared by loving hands and had been simmering in the church's ovens. Everyone ate to his or her heart’s content. Words of comfort and grace were shared as the steaming food was ladled out and eaten. There was enough for seconds and thirds. Abundance was the password and joy the consequence. Jesus truly joined us in our feast. Although some of us served, some washed and dried dishes, and others arranged the meal, we were all joined together in blessing each other and serving God. The Kingdom of God was present!

This is the same type of generosity that is experienced at every fellowship dinner in the Philippines. During one of my Children’s Ministry sessions we noticed that three hungry little boys in ragged clothes peered through the church windows at the children inside. We called out to them and asked them to join us but they shook their heads sadly. They looked at each other and asked, “Did they really invite us?” We smiled at them and brought the food to them. First they sat in the grass outside the church and ate ravenously. Finally they joined us inside for dessert. After lunch we sang, laughed and told Bible stories. They experienced the love of God through food and the kindness of those who invited them to share it. They blessed us and we blessed them.

Our ministry is to feed God’s sheep. We do it wherever and whenever we can. We feed homeless children who beg on the streets, children who come to the church, and children who ask us for food in the villages. We feed, and as we feed others we are mysteriously fed. As we continue our ministry of feeding we ask for your prayers for all the children of the Philippines who are hungry. We also ask that you continue to journey with us through prayers, correspondence, visits, advocacy for human rights, and financial support as we continue to feed God's sheep in the Philippines.

In Christ,

Mary and Paul

The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 238
Read more about Paul Matheny and Mary Nebelsick's ministry

Write to Paul Matheny
Write to Mary Nebelsick
Individuals: Give online to E200382 for Paul Matheny and Mary Nebelsick's sending and support
Congregations: Give to D506706 for Paul Matheny and Mary Nebelsick's sending and support
Churches are asked to send donations through your congregation’s normal receiving site (this is usually your presbytery).

Double Your Impact!
A group of committed donors has pledged to match all gifts sent by individuals for mission personnel support now through December 31, 2014, up to $137,480.  This means your gift today will be matched by a gift to support mission personnel around the world, wherever the need is greatest. We invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to double the impact of your gift. Thank you!

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