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Zetland Park Methodist Church Pastoral Letters
February 2013

"Three years on"

The day I am writing this is the 3rd anniversary of the 2010 earthquake which devastated so much of Haiti, killing 316,000 people, injuring another 300,000 people and leaving over 1 million people living in temporary tent encampments - with many still living in the same conditions even today.

Three years on my brother and sister-in-law, who are working out there, report that there is now a mood of hope for the future. Despite so much of the rebuilding still yet waiting to be started there is hope that this third anniversary will mark the start of abundant growth rising from the ashes - well, the rubble to be accurate! And this despite electricity shortages, all drinking water still having to be brought in in bottles from abroad, a lack of proper sanitation in many places and many basic foods often being in short supply. Of course, there only needs to be a rumour of another earthquake to fill the locals with a sense of fear and foreboding, and there have been other set-backs, hurricanes Isaac and Sandy caused major disruption to food supply and rebuilding work, and the accidental re-introduction of cholera into the country by United Nations aid workers has not helped either!

But the feeling of optimism has risen as locals see new homes, schools and churches being build and put into use. It will take many years more before all the tent encampments are removed, and all the health, education and utility services are fully re-established - but everyone can see that things are beginning to look more hopeful - new growth rising from the ashes.

In Lent, which starts in the middle of February this year, there is the opportunity to examine our own lives and see whether there is potential for new growth, spiritually. I am no fan of just "giving something up for Lent" as if some penance is all that is required to placate a vengeful God - our salvation was bought at a far greater cost than that by our Saviour Jesus Christ's death on the cross. Rather, I would suggest that Lent is the time for us to see where, in the debris of our lives, new growth can be encouraged and brought to blossom, yes, pruning out "dead wood" from our old 'religious' habits but focusing on improving our discipleship and faith - being re-created and renewed for the glory of God and the expansion of His reign in His Kingdom here on earth. Plenty of opportunity will exist to help you in this through Lenten Studies and specially focussed services - just look out for the details.

All blessings
Arthur

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