May 2014 - Grace Missions, Inc.
Transcription
May 2014 - Grace Missions, Inc.
GraceNotes Chez Moi Orphelinate de la Grace Port-au-Prince, Haiti Grace Scholarship Fund Volume 3, Number 4 May 2014 Grace Missions, Inc. PO Box 590 Griffin, GA 30224 www.gracemissionsinc.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Patricia Mundt, President [email protected] Ellen Granum Karen Rider Martha Dansby Larry Schultz Sherri Greer Rev. Dr. Andrew Harnack Valerie Weigt Delette Matheus, Executive Director, Chez Moi Orphelinate de la Grace Rev. Odmanne Matheus, Chaplain/Advisor Information Contact Sherri Greer [email protected] GraceNotes Editors Karen Rider Sherri Greer To contribute online, go to our website and click on Donations. HAITIAN ART SALES SUPPORTING CHEZ MOI Two recent sales events have not only heightened awareness of beautiful Haitian art—both metal art and paintings—but they have also done much to help us support Chez Moi financially. On April 5, Ellen Granum and Patti Morrow, members of St. George Episcopal Church, Griffin, GA, set up tables at St. John Lutheran Church’s “Chicken Q” and sold over $350 of metal art works to enthusiastic purchasers. And a number of people placed orders for more art! Then on April 17, at the Concord Garden Club 90th Anniversary celebration, Ellen and Patti again set up tables to introduce over 200 people to Grace Missions’ ministries and sell Haitian metal art and paintings. Their effort was successful beyond expectations; Garden Club members bought over $650 of Haitian art. The success of these events is due in large measure to David McCabe, owner of Atlanta-based Le Primitif Galleries: The Best in Haitian Art (Helping Haiti through Art). When he learned of our ministry at Chez Moi, David offered to provide at wholesale prices all the Haitian art we can sell. Ellen and Patti bought many selected art pieces, both metal and paintings, and have since sought out opportunities to display and sell them—all for the sake of supporting the girls at Chez Moi. Many, like Jeanene Fitzgerald (holding her newly purchased garden sculpture), added their email addresses to our list of those receiving GraceNotes. Grace Missions, Inc. will now help anyone wishing to promote the sale of Haitian art as a way of supporting the orphanage. If you wish to join the effort to raise funds for Chez Moi, contact either Ellen (202-365-8081) or Patti (770-228 -6421), and they will make sure you too can represent Le Primitif Galleries to raise funds for Chez Moi. GRACE MISSIONS, INC. SUPPORTING CONGREGATIONS USE METAL ART TO ENHANCE THEIR WORSHIP Servants of Christ Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, commissioned Haitian metal artist, Jonas Belan, to create a pair of crosses to be made into a processional cross (at left). Board member, Karen Rider, picked up the crosses on her recent trip to Chez Moi in Port-au-Prince. Fellow board member, Andy Harnack, was so enthused about the idea that he purchased two painted crosses to be crafted into a processional cross for his congregation in Georgia. The processional cross used at Faith Lutheran Church, Lexington, KY was the inspiration for this design. Here you see each of the designs. Andy Harnack with artist, Jonas Belan If your congregation would be interested in creating your own processional cross, please contact Grace Missions contact person, Sherri Greer at [email protected] . Orders would be placed through Stevenson Dimanche, one of our scholarship students, who networks with artists. Proceeds from sales go to the Scholarship Fund. Faith Lutheran’s Cross HAITIAN METAL ART: A UNIQUE CRAFT Haitian metal art is a distinctive Haitian art enterprise. David McCabe, owner of Le Primitif Galleries in Atlanta, GA, describes it this way and suggests how we all might enjoy it: The designs are chalked out on flattened steel oil drums and then cut out with a mallet and chisel. This art form began in the late fifties with a blacksmith whose name was Georges Liataud. Many talented sculptors have since followed. These works are perhaps the most innovative in sculpture since Calder's Mobiles and grace such prestigious institutions as the Museums of Modern Art in Paris and New York. These sculptures are made to be displayed inside or outside. Outside they eventually do begin to turn a beautiful patina. Should your customers prefer the original finish, they may choose to take it down every 18 to 24 months and spray it with a clear gloss varnish. This can be found in any art store or hardware store. We recommend Krylon Crystal Clear. GIRLS OF CHEZ MOI AND THEIR STORIES “My name is Saradyne St. Victor. I am 13 years old. I came to Marie Major’s when I was two years old. My mother died after childbirth and I don’t know my dad. I would like to be an eye doctor.” Sara is the top student in her school class. “My name is Natacha Demas and I am 15 years old. My aunt brought me to Marie Major’s, my mother was not around and could not take care of me. I feel very well at Chez Moi and thank God to be here. I have everything I could ask for; what we need, we get. I want to be an ear doctor because lots of people in Haiti have ear problems. My favorite subject is math. I think Chez Moi should have more children so more could be taken care of.” “My name is Charlanday Francique and I am 9 years old. My mother did not know what to do with me, so she dropped me off. I was six years old. I love Marie Major, my teacher, Sophie, and being in this house. I enjoy learning French. I want to be an eye doctor to help other people who can’t see.” Sunday breakfast before going to church. Who says spaghetti doesn’t make a tasty breakfast? Each of the girls received Valentines and pictures from Grace Missions Board. Charlanday wanted her picture taken with her bag and pictures. Grace Missions Scholarship student, John Smith Deshommes, is planning to attend a Rotary International conference this summer in Washington, D.C. This experience will enhance his training in diplomacy. Although he is registered to attend the conference and has an appointment at the U.S. Consulate in July for his visa interview, he must still raise funds for his transportation and lodging in Washington, D.C. Perhaps you can help send John Smith to D.C.? Contributions toward this effort may be sent to Grace Missions, Inc. , PO Box 590, Griffin, GA 30224-0016. Mark “John Smith” on the memo line. Merci. Mesi. Thank you! CENTERING PRAYER GROUP PLEDGES TO SUPPORT Chez Moi On April 15, an ecumenical group of twenty-five who meet regularly on Tuesday mornings for Centering Prayer at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Griffin, GA, pledged $5,088 as their annual support of Grace Missions, Inc. Currently studying Martin Laird’s Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation, the group has been meeting every Tuesday for three years. Striving to live contemplative lives characterized by strong commitments to justice, peace, and the poor of the world, this Centering Prayer group has earmarked Chez Moi as its special opportunity to serve. Several in the group have volunteered to visit Chez Moi during the next scheduled mission trip. ROTARY INTERNATIONAL Grace Missions Scholarship recipient, Stevenson Dimanche, one of our three medical students at Quisqueya University, has been inducted into a local Haitian chapter of Rotary International. Being a member of Rotary will offer him the opportunity to work on various service projects as well as attending conferences. PROPERTY UPDATE The Board of Grace Missions, Inc. is diligently searching for property to purchase as the new, permanent home of Chez Moi Orphelinat de la Grace. We see that as the door on each option we investigate closes, a new door opens. Eventually it will be the right door for us. We will keep all informed on the progress, and on any plans for work teams to help with necessary renovations.