We’re all back safe and sound from Guatemala ready to tell you all our adventures and the way God has moved us in the past week!

We got through customs and immigration fairly quickly but got to the gate to find the flight delayed for 1/2 an hour. I’ll send another note just before we actually take off from Houston.

All of us are anxious to see or families and sleep in our own beds.

“We had a great breakfast al fresco (all 22 of us) next to the winding river pool complex at Amatique Bay resort before piling in the trucks to go to work. We stopped at a bunch of hardware stores looking for plywood — never could find what we needed. They were interesting: completely open to the street with stools pulled up to the counter so shoppers could have their wares brought to them.

The teachers group hosted 5 Guatemalan elementary school teachers from the three rural neighborhood schools for a teaching symposium. One of the biggest problems right now is the 40 day long teachers stile and the lack of support for rural education. We will continue to meet tomorrow to share ideas. We’re really excited because our Guatemalan colleagues have promised to teach us the Mayan numbering system as well as how to multiply and divide using the pre-Columbian Mayan method.

“The construction team has been doing all kinds of electrical tasks. Mike is chuffed because he learned to wire an electrical box all by himself! All of the light switches are done. 75% of the wiring is completed. We’re going to work on crafting shutters tomorrow to protect the work until windows and grilles can be installed.”

Once they arrived in La Sarita village, they split into several groups to begin work. The construction team worked on the electrical system for a health clinic. They installed a circuit box, ran conduit for the building, and began the process of wiring lighting and outlets. Ralph says he is working hard but having a great time.

A second team worked with approximately 60 children in bible school, teaching them about the 23rd psalm and making crafts. The pipe-cleaner sheep were a big hit.

The final group worked in the dental clinic filling and cleaning teeth. Angela has found her new career as a top-notch dental assistant!

When I spoke to them tonight, they were enjoying a gourmet meal of roasted pork, yucca, potatoes, and veggies. Everyone was tired but enjoying the food.

Please let me know if I can pass along any information for you.

RE: Update on NEST Greetings to you and every good wish.

 We had to postpone the seminars (for Iraqi leaders) till July when we have our Continuing Education Seminar for our former students, and when Dr. Bailey will be the speaker. We hope funds by the PC(USA) will be secured by July. We continue all our activities as normal as possible. Early February we had a special consultation with a group of German scholars (13) for four days discussing the theme of “Teaching Religion in the Presence of Others”. The consultation ended with a celebration of our (11th) Anniversary of the special Program for European Students. Thursday January 20th we had a public event to discuss “Family Values in Christianity and Islam”. And last Thursday we discussed “Monotheism and Political Order”. Tomorrow we will discuss the Gospel of Barnabas; “Authentic or Apocryphal?”. As you may know that (some?) claim it as authentic. So we will clarify. As for the Lebanese situation, we are still with a “care taker government”. May God Almighty give peace and stability. Much love! Mary ————————-

Mary Mikhael, Ed. D.

President Near East School of Theology 

website: www.theonest.edu.lb

Dear Colleagues in Ministry,

 A few of you have inquired about the availability of PDA assistance in responding to the needs of the Haitian communities in the US in the wake of last week’s devastating earthquake. 

 PDA considers this both a domestic and an international disaster.  The role of the domestic response is to provide, where possible, spiritual support for Haitians living in this country who have been affected by the events in Haiti.  At this point our approach will be to develop information about Haitian culture and guidance about pastoral care for those grieving the loss of loved ones from a distance.  If the way is clear PDA may be able to develop regional gatherings for those who wish to be active in this ministry of care for those in our midst. 

 At this point returning to Haiti is not advisable for family members.  The international humanitarian assistance programs are working diligently to develop the relief structures necessary to provide safe, sanitary housing, food supplies and medical care.  PDA will be involved on the ground with partners with whom we have worked previously.  Funds will not be made available for transportation for family.

 We are awaiting word from the US government as to the plans for offering temporary status for Haitians with ties to the US to come to this country and under what conditions. So far this seems to be very limited and restricted to those with overwhelming vulnerability such as those with life threatening medical conditions and orphans whose orphanages were so badly damaged that remaining in place constituted an unreasonable risk to their health and welfare.  If some limited evacuation becomes a reality PDA will work with Presbyteries, existing aid organizations and with those funded by the government to provide case management and financial support.

 So far those evacuated from Haiti have been those with US or dual US/Haitian citizenship.  Many of these families are returning to the US without resources to support themselves.  Unless funding from FEMA is forthcoming it is likely that these families will be in need of hospitality and support as well as spiritual care during their evacuation. 

 At this time PDA does not have a plan for distributing funds to Presbyteries for support of the Haitian community in the US, aside from the Care for Caregiver training and information on culturally appropriate ways of assisting those dealing with the grief in the loss and injury of family and friends in Haiti.

We are still in the early days of responding to this crisis.  The areas struck by the earthquake are not yet secure, the systems of providing aid are not yet completely in place and the plans even for the foreseeable future are not clear from either out government or the United Nations and other international aid agencies.  Care must be taken neither to destroy the Haitian agricultural sector nor to replace employment opportunities for Haitian by foreigners as the Haitian people work to get their own economy working again.

 This will be a long process.  We all need to be careful to respond to the immediate needs within our resources without seeming to offer more than is possible to give.  Local ecumenical and non-profit collaboration can guard against duplication of services and exposure of one organization to be overwhelmed.  In long term disaster recovery it is important for those affected by the disaster to be encouraged to make choices for themselves and reconnect with their own means of coping and resilience.  Providing support through prayer services, listening sessions and fellowship can be as important as the provision of physical needs. 

 As we move forward with the involvement of PDA domestically with the response to this overwhelming tragedy, I will do my best to keep you in the loop.  In the meantime, if you know of those who could help in developing culturally appropriate information for those seeking to provide hospitality to Haitians during this crisis, please send the contact information to janet.nunez@pcusa.org.  In addition,  it would be helpful to know whether there are other Haitian community or faith communities within your Presbytery.

 Grace and Peace,

John