Seeds of Hope: Stories from Haiti (Sunday, April 25th)
Chris Singer
Haiti, Sunday, April 25, 3:00-4:45 at Lansing’s Central United
Methodist Church, 215 North Capitol.
The program will be followed by a simple supper. Your RSVP for the
supper is appreciated so we can plan appropriately (please call
517-487-3013). There is no charge for the program or the meal. We will
have a free-will offering for Haiti.
Join us for a special afternoon. Sharing their stories with us will
be:
* Kyle Martin, an MSU medical student who has made more than a dozen
trips to Haiti, where he assists with medical care and has raised more
than $10,000 single-handedly to support its earthquake victims. He
also has a long-term photography project with Haitian children,
providing cameras, film and developing for them to record their
lives. He will be sharing his experiences in a country and with the
people he loves, and showing the children's pictures.
* Valerie Mossman-Celestin, who is the volunteer U.S. Executive
Director for 'Haitian Artisans for Peace International,' a ministry
'encouraging creativity, promoting gender equality, creating economic
opportunity, and growing healthy communities,' in Mizak Haiti.
Valerie's passion for Haiti began in 1998, when she traveled to Haiti
with Aquinas College. Valerie felt called by God to return and live in
Haiti to more fully understand what 'help' looks like from the
perspective of the poor. Valerie had that opportunity in 2001, first
serving at Walls' International Guest House and later as a teacher at
Morning Star Christian Academy in PortauPrince.
* Pierre Balthazar, who is Haitian by birth and a cofounder of
Education for Prosperity, Inc., which serves students in Haiti. He
will be discussing his perceptions of Haiti's people, culture, needs,
and best next steps. He is currently a guidance counselor at Lansing’s
Eastern High School.
Dear Pastors: Please share our invitation to Seeds of Hope: Stories
from Haiti with your congregation. We are very pleased to present
three special individuals who generously plant seeds of hope in
Haiti. They will share their experiences and stories with us on
Sunday, April 25. I hope you and members of your church will join us.
If you have any questions, please call (517-487-3013).
Peace and blessings,
Penny Zago, Guiding Committee Chair
Shalom Center for Justice and Peace