Pulled in a Hundred Directions

It seems like life is pretty much defined by the experience of being pulled in at least two different directions at once. As children, we want to grow up quickly and yet we have a sentimental desire to retain our youth. As adults we are pulled between the need to make a living and to provide care and nurture for loved ones. In Haiti churches are constantly pulled between the poles of proclaiming the Gospel and providing for the physical needs poor and suffering. The Cayes Jacmel Christian Reformed church is a textbook example. In the midst of the reconstruction of the church building destroyed by the earthquake (above right), the church undertook a project to rebuild damaged houses in the neighborhood by giving grants of building materials to affected persons. Recently, the church has begun a project to provide micro-loans (small loans designed to recapitalize small businesses which buy and sell in the local market) at a favorable interest rate for needy businesspeople in the community. Andrenord, the pastor of the Cayes Jacmel church, was forced to take leave from his work of ship-building a few weeks ago to participate with the gathering of micro-loan beneficiaries (above left). In the midst of all of this activity, the church must still proclaim the Gospel, do evangelism, educate its youth, and carve out space for prayer and worship. Talk about being pulled in a hundred different directions! Please pray that the church construction project (funded through SON-BEAM International) could be brought to completion. Pray also for the microcredit project (funded by CRWRC Disaster Response). Pray also that church leaders won't get too tired to faithfully proclaim the Gospel by actions...and words when necessary!