[3 minute read]

Hello EMCC,

Last year, World Partners shared with you about the founding of a senior home in the smaller city of Pignon, Haiti, and the unconventional concept it is for Haitians. In their culture, it is expected that the younger generation will care for the elderly and, for the most part, that works well. Family is very important. 

In the story below, you will read of a pastor and his family who opened the door to their home, and invited the elderly and people with disabilities to become part of their family. Living on the same property, they share life together and it’s hard to miss that it is the love of Jesus compelling the pastor and his wife to serve these folks well.

As we consider our theme verse again, we remember our calling to serve in love: 

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Gal 5:13-14, NIV)

May this challenge us to be open-handed with what God has richly blessed us and consider how we can serve others well, for his name. 

Mike ak Hadassah, Ones St Clair, John Minot Richard, Marcellus Desarme, Carius Calixte.

Pastor Abdon and his wife, Lumide, have lived in the parsonage on an AEM property for years. It was their family home. But there was still quite a bit of land. They proposed building a home for seniors in need of better care. World Partners affirmed their vision and initiative, and in collaboration with other churches, a home was built on the property. 

At last report, the residents are enjoying being in community.  Presently, there are 10 of them, with room for 14.  They are served by 9 staff – cooks, auxiliary nurses, and guards, along with Lumide who is a registered nurse and is the coordinator of the home. The strong bond established with the residents has become a gift to Pastor Abdon and his family. He did not know how his children would be impacted. Now, they have additional ‘grandparents’ looking out for them now and it provides such joy to the residents. 

“Yes, we are one big family living within this yard.  Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, one of the deacons from the AEM church in Pignon comes to pray with the seniors.  He goes from room to room to pray with them.  When he is finished in one room, that person joins him to go and pray for the next resident and they continue along as a group with the visiting and prayer. 

The children are still connecting with the seniors. Sometimes, I see the children riding on the tricycles that belong to the handicapped seniors or they jump on behind when the resident is riding around on his/her ‘tricycle.’ ”

One of the deacons had the amazing opportunity of leading a resident to Lord, who had only moved in two weeks earlier! This resident saw the love of God displayed through this man’s actions and it pointed him to Jesus. 

See the results and needs of this initiative when everyone moved in last yea.

World Partners invites you to join with us in an EMCC Connected Across the Globe event tomorrow morning (11 am EST/9 am MNT), as we connect with partners in South Asia and engage in prayer for the stories shared this week.

#IDW2024