Messages of Support Continue to Arrive

Telephone calls and email messages have been received from Africans in the Congo Church (CEUM) asking if everyone in the Covenant is okay. "Each of them has said they are holding prayer services for those suffering in America and for peace," a Department of World Mission spokesperson said.

Keith Gustafson, Covenant missionary in Central African Republic, shared an email from a pastor in Kinshasa, Pastor Barry Kpalafio Mbembo. "All of your brothers and sisters in the CEUM in Kinshasa and my family send you and all of our brothers and sisters in the U.S. our condolences," the pastor writes. "You have all suffered because of this big accident in New York and Washington. May God encourage you all and give strength to the families of all those who have lost someone. We are praying much for you all. Please let us know if any missionaries or their families have been directly touched by this. God bless you all."

"We send our condolences for what happened," said Wilfrido Velásquez, president emeritus of CIPE, the Confraternity of Latin American Covenant Churches. He resides in Ecuador. "We really do not understand how there are people who would do such evil, who don't respect their own life or that of others. But, we know that we have a just God, full of love, who will know how to heal this great suffering of the people of the United States and the whole world, because people of the whole world live there.

"The government and country of Ecuador passed a resolution, condemning this terrorist act so full of evil, supporting all of the people of the United States," he continued. "May God will that there be no more evil, and may He give wisdom to the government of the U.S. We are praying."

Bertil Svensson forwarded to President Glenn Palmberg a message of support from the Presbyterian Church in Havana. "I know that Krister Andersson and you already have had contacts after the terrible attack to your country," he said. "I would like to underline our concern and our prayers for you.

"I suppose you have got several letters these days from all over the world, but still, I would like to forward this, which I got from the Presbyterian Church of Havana, with whom we have had some contacts, especially their leader, Rev. Hector Mendez," he continued.

"The Presbytery of Havana would like to express its message of fraternity and compassion to the North American people," the message begins. "For many years the Presbyterian Churches in the USA and Cuba have been sharing its mission of preaching the gospel and serving our people. In the last years our churches have become bridges of love and fellowship between our two countries. In this moment, we also feel united to the churches and the North American people. We pray God for the victims of this criminal act, their relatives, the governors and all the people in the United States. We are accompanying you like the Bible says, 'crying with those who cry'. We trust that God will give you peace and strength."

Condolences on behalf of ministries in Spain came from David and Leonor Aís. David is the coordinator-emeritus of the FIEIDE. "They wanted us to know that they were suffering with us in the midst of this terrible tragedy," said Nancy Reed of the Department of World Mission, who received the telephone call.

Ministry partners in the Czech Republic also sent a message of concern and prayerful support. "Many warm greetings and prayers from Prague in the time, which is so difficult for the U.S. and for all people around the globe who suffer together with their dear friends," writes Pavel and Hana Cerny. "We are just shocked seeing terrible damage in New York City and Washington D.C. We pray that the Lord would comfort all people who lost their dear ones. We do pray also for the U.S. government and for all international communities struggling to stop such terrorist's war acts. We have asked all of our churches in the Czech Republic to pray for this situation. May the Lord bless you all."

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