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Global Partnerships
Members from 38 congregations conduct ministries in Cuba, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Hungary, Korea, Mexico and the Ukraine.
RETURN TO CUBA
(Excerpts from the Presbytery of Long Island Cuba Newsletter)
Written by: Steve Howarth
It is one thing to sing:
“In Christ there is no east or west,
in Him no south or north;
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.”
It is quite another to experience firsthand the reality of that “fellowship of love” we share with Christians everywhere. I learned this anew as we visited our partner church in Guines. Our lives and our histories are vastly different from those of our Cuban hosts and yet we were able to quickly discover and meet on the common ground of our faith.
Our group of travelers and Pastor of Guines church, Ismael Madruga, shared together in Bible Study most mornings. We took turns leading the study as we wrestled with the question of “what gets in the way of our following Jesus?” We found no cultural divide here!
We joined members of the congregation as they gathered in homes for “evangelistic meetings” — informal gatherings to which neighbors and friends are invited. These are a holdover from the days when Cuban citizens were afraid of being seen entering a church. Elders led the Bible study at these gatherings and, of course, refreshments were offered.
We visited five other Presbyterian churches ranging from First Presbyterian of Havana — a large, active congregation in the heart of the city — to the church in San Nicholas — a small church in the country. We saw how each is reaching out into its community.
Worship was a highlight of our time. I had the opportunity to preach in our partner church on our first Sunday and Rob Stuart preached the second. I was heartened by the applause following my sermon (Rob received the same) but I was all the more delighted when over the following days, men of the church stopped by to speak with me about my sermon and to express their appreciation.
No sights, however, stay in our minds more clearly than the images of friends we left behind. In a small yet significant way, we experienced firsthand that “one great fellowship of love” that is ours in Jesus Christ.
CUBA PARTNERSHIP
The Presbytery of Long Island and the presbytery of Havana have been in partnership for 20 + years. It began with correspondence and Bible Study in the early 1980s and in 1989 a formal partnership agreement was established. Over 200 people have visited Cuba and 70 + Cubans have visited Long Island.
Sister Churches: Bellmore/San Nicholas de Bara; East Moriches/Luyano; Northport/Nueva Paz; Southampton/Los Palos and Vegas; Montauk & Malverne/Guines; Old First Huntington/First Havana;Setauket/San Antonio de Los Banos.
Some of the mission projects include: providing tuition/room & board for seminary students; leadership training; hot lunch program at First Havana; roof repair at Vegas church; rebuild Nueva Paz; 2nd floor addition to Christian Education building in Guines; missionary extension at Marianao and El Cerro missions; transportation for pastors and church leaders; repairs for cars;repair and reconstruction for Guanabacoa, etc.
For more information please go to: www. cubaworkgroup.org
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HAITI NEWS
FIVE MEMBERS OF THE THE MATTITUCK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TRAVELED TO HAITI ON NOVEMBER 9-19, 2007.
Rev. Gaffga reported back that he was able to fly in a little cessna over the the little village in Nansema where the church was built and the water is flowing thanks to a grant from Rotary International - a good organization. A lot of dental work was done on this trip. We are sending students to high school, and 350 children are being sent to primary school. The weather is warm and sunny. The crops are growing but the folks are so impoverished...pray for Haiti. In December an international gathering with the Haitian president, Mr. Preval, will take place to discuss getting water to all parts of Haiti.
For more information please contact: The Rev. George Gaffga at 631-298-4145.
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EL SALVADOR PARTNERSHIP
THE PEOPLE OF EL SALVADOR
Communion in San Salvador
SHARING OF LOVE
SHARING OF FELLOWSHIP
COMMUNION REQUIRES FELLOWSHIP
Kelly Marsh (Deer Park)
Lois Delong acting out the Bible story Daniel and the Lion - April 2008
Anthony Sinacore (Deer Park) painting a mural on the community center in El Escobal, El Salvador with youth from the community.
These people are waiting to see the doctor...many for the very first time. Your mission dollars help provide the doctors and medications that they receive. Mission trips take place each year.
Five doctors (three of them from U.S.)worked with the team for one week and a total of 1800 people were treated for various illnessess ranging from respiratory infections, parasites, penumonia, broken bones, etc.
Dr. Christina, an El Salvadoran doctor, (see below) has worked with the team for the last few years.
For More Info: PLEASE CALL
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HAITI
The Mattituck Presbyterian Church has sent a team to Haiti every year since 1984.
The fundamental goal of the church's effort in Haiti is to bring Haitians into a a personal and life changing relationship with Jesus Christ, and to demonstrate the love and concern the church has for their physical well being through a variety of social programs.
The programs undertaken are designed to help the Haitians help themselves. The church's efforts are focused in the sea side town of Anse a Galets and in the mountain community of Nan Sema; both on the isalnd of LaGonave.
A few of the projects that are ongoing are:
A fluoride/dental hygiene program started in 1998 - over 386 kids are in the program;
Scholarship Program which currently has over 200 children and the church's goal is 300. This includes 13 different schools of which the average cost is $50.00 per year. Also a literacy program for adults is in place.
Water Projects - work with World Vision to tap into and extend pipeline to NanSema. Also work with WISH to repair 2 hand pump wells a year. The cost is $800 for pump and well repair supplies.
Goat Program - 85 young people in the program.
The Mattituck congregation also built a church in the mountains for their brothers and sisters in faith.
In NanSema over 100 people came to faith.
If you need more information or wish to help please contact the Mattituck Presbyterian Church at 631-298-4145.
JESUS SAID, WHAT YOU DO FOR THE LEAST OF THESE YOU DO FOR ME. Matthew 25:40
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The First Presbyterian Church of Southampton started doing mission work in the Dominican Republic in the last few years. The work includes medical, construction, teaching and Vacation Bible School.
For more information please call:
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