In honor of International Migrants Day, today's prayer for Christmas comes from Juan, an undocumented Guatemalan working in the United States and a friend of returned missioner Kathy Snider:
"This Christmas I am thankful to God for all his benefits, especially for my good health and the fact that I am working. I ask God to help and strengthen me to withstand the hardships and difficulties in order to do God’s will and go forward.”
The United Nations created International Migrants Day in 2000 in celebration of the ten-year anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Since then, December 18 has become a day to celebrate and emphasize human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants.
One of FMS' core values is the belief in the absolute and fundamental dignity of each individual and creation. We are excited to have our missioners promote this dignity through their presence, accompaniment, and advocacy around the world.
In Kenya, a community of Franciscans has asked newly-commissioned FMS missioner Susan Salvin to come to work in their human rights education office and to set up a free legal clinic. "I am especially looking forward to working with unrepresented IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) who lost their homes as a result of regional conflicts and political unrest, especially during the post-election violence of 2008," says Susan. She will begin her two-year mission to Nairobi starting in January.
To support Susan and the rest of our missioners as they promote human rights, please consider making a donation this Christmas.
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