Twice in the 1990s I went to Haiti for a short-term mission project. I will never forget the church services there. People who wore rags during the week, put on their one nice set of clothes, a suit or colorful dress. They came to the service singing in the streets, prayed for daily bread, sang praises to God, gave thanks for their blessings, and listened to a sermon that offered them hope in the midst of their hardship.

When it came time for the offering, these people who had nothing, came forward, dancing. They danced down the center aisle, music playing, their money held high in their hands, arms waving rhythmically back and forth. Some brought paper money or a penny they had found in the dirt streets. Some brought a painting they had made or various wood carvings that could be sold for money.

The money and crafts were placed in, or beside, a “Poor Box” that sat on their communion table at the front of the church. Everyone in this church was poor but they still remembered that there were those in their fellowship and community that were poorer than they were. And so with thanksgiving, they danced forward with joy, giving what they had to help other people in need. The picture of their joyful generosity in the midst of their total poverty still brings tears to my eyes.

America is one of the wealthiest nations in the world but we lag far behind poorer countries in happiness surveys. It seems that people who have more often want more, and then become discontented, even in the midst of their prosperity. The Haitian Christians reminded me that money can’t buy happiness, that you should bring to God what you have, and that there is joy in giving, even if your gift is a simple whistle carved from wood that can be sold to help the poor.

Paul expresses the key to finding happiness in Philippians 3:12-13: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

As we move into 2009, I am believing that Emmanuel can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. We will all need strength and faith to face the days ahead.

These are very difficult financial times. There is much economic uncertainty in America and around the world. Some of our members are dealing with an uncertain financial future due to unemployment, debt issues or the downturn in the stock market that has affected the investments they live on. Many of our members live on a fixed income and are struggling to pay for their prescriptions and health care premiums. Some of our members are raising children and dealing with rising college tuition costs. We are all affected by rising food costs and utility bills. Despite these changes and difficulties, our members continue to give generously and faithfully.

Emmanuel has a long history of generous giving. Since 2001, we have given an average of $426,000 each year to our general fund and missions. Based on giving through early November, we project that giving to our general fund in 2008 may be down around 1.7% with a projected total giving of $407,000. There is still time to turn this projection around. Our mission giving since 2001 has averaged 19% of total giving. Giving to missions in 2008 is around 16% of our budget. On top of this, since 2004, we have given $522,509 to our Capital Campaign. This generosity will need to continue as we finish the project and convert the construction loan to a mortgage and begin to make monthly payments in 2009. Please look at our web site, www.ebcwv.com, under the “Programs” header, for the most current financial summaries and capital campaign information and updates.

In Haiti, they made their giving public by dancing down the aisle. This practice was different for me and caused me to reflect. On the one hand, Jesus said when you give, don’t make a show of it- Matthew 6: 1-4. But there are also examples in the Bible where people made a public commitment of their giving, like the “wave offerings” in the temple mentioned in Exodus 29:24.

The way we make our giving “public” is by prayerfully filling out a “2009 Financial Pledge Card.” By putting a number on paper, we are going public and saying, “I’ve been blessed by God and I want to give to the ministry of Emmanuel.” This process also forces us to reflect on our current giving and to seek God’s will and direction for our giving into the future.

God has blessed Emmanuel for 54 years. Join me in praying that God will continue to bless our ministry as we give freely for God’s glory and offer our lives fully to God’s service.

Serving with you, Pastor Kurt Busiek