Wednesday, July 7, 2021

"Lespwa" -- Hope for Haiti

Christ Church has a long-standing partnership with Haiti. Over the years, we've learned a word from our Haitian friends: lespwa, which means "hope."

After the devastating earthquake in 2011, we were called to help and so began a long and beautiful relationship the people of Haiti, specifically with St. Marc's Episcopal Church in Lilevoix and St. Simeon Church in Croix-des-Bouquets -- and the school and clinic there.  

We've sent mission teams, provided financial support, offered them up in continuous prayer, sponsored village-wide VBS, and even hosted their leaders here in Glen Allen.  

And we've never stopped hoping for the people of Haiti.

Christ Church missioners visiting Haiti in 2018.

Please join Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the Bishops of Virginia and the faithful around the world in prayer for the people of Haiti following the assassination this morning of President Jovenel Moïse. It is reported that martial law has been imposed and that Haiti’s borders and airport have been closed by the acting Prime Minister who has declared a “state of siege” in the country.

The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is the largest in The Episcopal Church, and we have many siblings in the faith there. Please lift them to God’s grace in this time of significant disruption, anxiety and uncertainty.  

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry offers pastoral word to the people and Diocese of Haiti
at this time of hardship and difficulty
  
My brothers and sisters, I greet you in the ancient apostolic words: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” As followers of Jesus, we stand fast and believe firmly in the power of prayer to help and to heal—to console and to strengthen—in this time of uncertainty.
 
As it says in the Epistle of James, “The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.” My brothers and sisters, we are praying for you. We are mindful of those simply trying to live their lives in peace and wholeness and to raise their children in safety. We are mindful of the needs of all the people in Haiti. My brothers and sisters, we are praying for you.
 
To all the people of The Episcopal Church, I beseech you, by the mercies of God, to continue to lift up the Haitian people in your prayers, both now and in the days to come.
 
I leave you with the words of the Psalmist:
 
“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved,
and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;
Though its waters rage and foam,
and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.”
 
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
 
Keep the faith,
 
The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church