Semilla celebrates this year of blessing to the ministry in the Greater Southwest District, made possible by the support of finances and volunteer donations of churches of the district. The challenges and adversities that the Hispanic/Latinx and migrant community face during these difficult times couldn’t stop the ministry and the advance of the gospel and mission of The United Methodist Church. Because for the Bilingual Worship Service on Sunday and the Prayer Service on Friday the attendance is mostly online, from 8 viewers to more than 100, reaching out to the southwest of Michigan; and we are still growing during the Advent/Christmas season.
We have served more than 1700 Hispanic/Migrant people in different programs and events during the year. Some of these events were: in July we delivered hygiene products to Migrant farmworkers families reaching out to more than 800 people. With the help of the Branch 4 churches, we delivered 300 backpacks filled with school supplies to the Migrant Students in August. And for 3 months, after the Bilingual Worship Service, we delivered meals to one of the Migrant Camps every Sunday, where we have the opportunity to bless the families and their children.
We are deeply thankful for the partnership with Hartford UMC, because we were able to develop two community classes: the sewing class with 10 students on Tuesdays, and the English Class with 10 students as well on Thursday. At the same time, we started a children ministry having 17 children receiving a Bible story and crafts. After the English class and children’s ministry, we had dinner because we discovered that all of the families came from work directly to the class. The families/students are from Benton Harbor, Bangor, Hartford, Lawrence, and Kalamazoo.
We know that the mission of Jesus Christ is never alone, that’s why we want to recognize your collaboration with the ministry of Semilla; and continue asking for your prayers and donations to establish the kingdom of God in the Greater Southwest District.
Feliz Navidad,
César & Miriam
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