feeding the hungry
waiting for food
This is Tatiana. She is one of the children sponsored from our congregation. For $225 you can change a child's life forever.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Images from Haiti
2 1/2 miles straight up and then down!
Feeding the hungry
Jim on top of the mountain
Haiti - Reflection from Christy Jackson
And he told them many things in parables, saying “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matthew 13: 3-8
In Terrier Rouge seeds have been sown, and the soil is good.
Pere Bruno has faithfully tended his seeds and soil for many decades, and from his efforts have sprouted a school, Ecole Saint Barthelemy, and a medical clinic, Clinique Esperance et Vie, to serve the minds and bodies of Terrier Rouge while his ministry serves the souls.
Greater than 800 children attend Ecole Saint Barthelemy daily, receiving not just an education but an opportunity. Teachers at St. Barthelemy are certain that amongst their students is one who will someday emerge to lead Haiti. Imagine the perspective and vision a leader who has so intimately experienced opportunity in his own life could bring to this nation. At Ecole Saint Barthelemy the soil is good, and opportunity grows.
“Esperance” is the Haitian Creole word for hope, and in Clinique Esperance et Vie the people of Terrier Rouge have reason to hope. Not all who come to the clinic will be healed but many are, including the grandmother whose cataracts were removed by clinic doctors, allowing her to see her grandchild’s face for the first time. There is a correlation between successful healing and a patient’s expectation of healing, and such expectation requires hope. At Clinique Esperance et Vie the soil is good, and hope is growing.
In Terrier Rouge seeds have been sown - seeds are growing - and the soil indeed is good.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Reflecting on our trip - Marshall Family Blog
It is the small things that are most enjoyable. The smiles on people’s faces, the walks through town, sipping drinks at Madame Socretes’ store and watching kids play soccer in the streets. But the greatest simple pleasure is eating chilled, fresh-peeled sugarcane. The first time we had it we bought it from a small vender in Terrier Rouge, just beyond the school yard. The vendor was more like a small market on a raised stone platform. Mangos were lined up in rows. The sugarcane was piled high in a wheelbarrow and several men were gathered around it peeling it on site with machetes. One evening, walking back from Madame Socretes’, we picked up a stalk for five Haitian Goudes. This is one eighth of a U.S. dollar. Back at the school, Lanaud, peeled the sugarcane for us. We then enjoyed delicious chilled sugarcane! You have never tasted anything so fabulous.
Blog Entry - Karen Mitchell
NewYear’Day was the most meaningful day of our trip. If you have ever wondered how your donations to Haiti have been spent, I can guarantee that it is spent in a way to feed as many hungry families as possible. We fed about 600 families. A member from each family was given a card. They lined up and we passed out the bags of rice, spaghetti, and oil that we had prepared the day before. I felt tears coming as I handed out food to the elderly and the children that were the ages of the students that I taught for so many years. Then one of the last women in line at our first stop touched my life in a way that I will never forget. She was my age or a little older its hard to say. She was wearing a dirty yellow dress and she was missing some teeth. It wasn’t enough to hand her the bag of food and for her to say “Merci” She and I hugged. Then I had me a good cry. (Some of the men were even teary eyed and thankful for sunglasses.) I don’t know if it was the joy of sharing food, their joy of receiving food, the guilt of the inequality and injustice of what I have been blessed with compared to what little they have been blessed with that made me cry. But I am so thankful for this experience. Thank you for your donations that made this feed possible.
Today we hiked to the Citadel! I walk the Mall with Nan (Jane’s sister) whenever we can and chase two year olds everyday, but an athlete I am not. When they said it was a strenuous one hour hike, I have to admit that I was a little nervous, but I also didn’t want to miss the experience. We got up about 6:00 am, had breakfast, and packed our lunches. Our driver took us half way up a steep mountain. We climbed out and started off at a fast clip to get away from the street vendors. The trail was very steep and this “Mall walker” was soon panting and wondering if I was going to have to give in and pay the man to ride Toyota the horse to the top. But we slowed our pace and took a couple of breathers along the way. Christy and Trey kept a close watch on this grandma and I made it to the top It was an awesome sight. Our guide shared the history with us. Then we had a picnic lunch. The walk back was a piece of cake for me. Then the street vendors attacked us. Those of you who know me, know that I am not a wheeler dealer, so I was glad when we left the shopping area. But right now I am feeling pretty good. Leigh said I earned the right to do the Happy Dance.
I miss you all and can’t wait to get back home. But I have to admit the afternoon siestas are pretty nice. The stars that seem so close that you can touch them are breath taking, and sitting on the porch sipping an evening beverage with old and new friends will forever be remembered.
Love, Karen
PS Wayne Scott, you know that I am not a violent person, but I am in complete agreement with you about the crazy roosters who crow all night. HAHA
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
You feed them
The disciples said to Jesus, there are so many people, send them away so they can eat. Jesus said to them, "You feed them."
January 1 - Post from Mike and Daphne Nash
Be still and know that I am God. [Psalm 14:10] has always been one of our favorite verses. Never has this been more evident than in our experiences immersing ourselves in the Hatian culture. This environment has allowed us to slow down and focus on God’s work. Simplicity rules the day. Today, thoughts and ideas were shared without Texting and Facebooking Instead, we gathered around the dining table and on the front porch, to exchange thoughts, feelings, and experiences —- all done-face-to face.
We saw children playing and running in the streets—-again simplicity. We watched as these children tirelessly pulled homemade toy cars, (fashioned from empty motor oil bottles with bottle caps for wheels.) Here everyone knows their neighbors. We saw women walking with buckets to and from the well in the center of town and livestock roaming freely. In the evenings, we heard voices floating on the breeze, from porch gatherings all over town, and above, the starriest sky we’ve ever seen.
Today we delivered food packages. In addition to deliveries in and around Terrier Rough, we ventured to the the very isolated communities of Phaeton and Paulette. We thought we were coming to Haiti to shine the light of Christ’s love (reinforced by Father Bruno’s sermon last Sunday). What we found was that light shining back at us from the faces of the grateful elderly and the children of those village. The food packages seem so little to us, but so very much to those in need. As we drove through Terrier Rouge, one of the food packages fell from the truck and partially spilled on the dirt road. All was recovered except a cup-full of rice. When we returned to town a little later and passed over that spot, not a grain of rice remained a stark reminder that here, there is never enough.
We ended the year and ushered in the new year in Pere Bruno’s church. The service began about 11:00 pm with carols, (in English and Creole) and ended at 1:00 am. We now know there is no better way to celebrate “New Years”, than in worship and prayer. As we begin this new year, we pray for wisdom to recognize our gifts and seek opportunities to use them in God’s service. We See God’s presence in our life. We will treasure these memories and ponder these experiences in our hearts forever.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Put your back into it! Monday, Dec. 30th
Our morning began with a nice 5 mile walk (some did take the car), to see how the jatropha plants and the other farming operations work. The scope of all that they have done here is amazing. The scope of all that are doing is inspiring. We spent our evening packing food for the food distribution that we will be doing tomorrow. It is work that can tax one’s back, but wonderful work. Someone said, “This is why we are here.”
The scope of the food distribution is difficult to explain. We began with 30, 50 Kg bags of rice (5 of which were bought by Peachtree Academy - THANK YOU - Peachtree!!). The others were bought through donations of all who supported our trip - Thank you to each and every person who gave. You are making a huge difference in the lives of people who are desperately poor. 3300 pounds of rice - something around 1.6 tons of food. This New Year’s Day, they will have something to eat.
Can you imagine celebrating New Year’s hungry? Not knowing when or how you will get food for the new year? Who will survive the year because hunger makes the littlest ones more vulnerable to disease? We poured rice into large bins and scooped the rice in large cans and measured it into black bags. We added two sleeves of pasta and oil and tied the bags up. We packed the individual bags into the large rice bags and dragged them around to stack them for storage until tomorrow.
I will try to post pictures tomorrow. This is a case where a picture is a worth a thousand words. This is why we are here.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Sunday, December 29 - Part 2 - Abundant Love
Sunday, December 29, - Abundant Love
I think that God’s love is abundant and it is a joy to share more about how that love moves and works in us and through us. Our day today which began with worship continued as we went out to several farms. We saw firsthand how the projects of Bethlehem Ministry are teaching people how to farm in ways that deal with the difficult soil and the desperate need for food. We stopped by Father Bruno’s farm and enjoyed moments of peace and fresh mangos picked directly from the trees.
One of the beauties of the day was the pace of life in Haiti and the opportunities for fellowship, not just among our group but with our Haitian brothers and sisters. Anna Scott said today something to the extent of - she thinks many of the world’s problems could be addressed if there were one big front porch or maybe she said it was if everyone had a front porch (don’t want to misquote). There is much wisdom in the idea, however she said it.
Time spent on our front porch here is sacred time. Time laughing and sharing and building relationship with whomever comes by to sit. Other sacred time is around the table. It is not the rushed, hectic kind of dinner we may be accustomed to in the states. It is time to share our thoughts about the day and share in a wonderful meal.
One of the profound traits of the Haitians that makes it such a joy to be here is their hospitality. It is a biblical mandate - to show hospitality, especially to travelers and this is one of the many things that Haitians can teach us about. Their faith and joy in being with one another and their guests is another. Abundant words for this day, for it was a day of sharing in God’s abundant love.
Sunday, Dec. 29 - Glory to God
We began our day and our first full day here as we should, with worship. It was a joyful, glorious day and time to gather as the one body of Christ. Worship is my favorite part of the trip. It says so much about who we are and what our collective goal is. We gather to give thanks and praise to God and to seek how we can serve Christ, not as different people from different places, but as brothers and sisters.
We opened with the hymn, Angels We have Heard On High, in creole. But, when we got to the chorus, it was the most beautiful sound as all voices lifted strongly in unison, praising God in this holy season. It is much fun to sing Christmas songs in bright sunshine, with warm breezes drifting through the open-air auditorium where we gather for worship! The words may be in a different language, but they are the same words and we serve the same Lord.
Communion is particularly powerful for me: The Table unites us all. We prayed the Lord’s Prayer together, creole, Baptists, and Presbyterians (so at one point, there was trespasses, debtors, and creole going on), but it is not our prayer, it is Christ’s. I love the ritual of the Episcopalian service and was humbled when Father Bruno asked me to preside with him. It is a privilege to stand at the Table with him, who has served Christ in such amazing ways. It is a privilege to minister to all who gathered to worship, through serving communion.
Father Bruno preached a magnificent sermon, which was translated by his daughter for us. I haven’t told him this, but I thought it was a wonderful “Baptist” sermon which challenged us all to shine the light of Christ into the world. It is a sermon that the congregation I serve and I think all congregations should hear. Maybe I can talk him into visiting us and preaching it!
Life here is at a different pace and it is a challenge for me, who is usually so busy, to be comfortable with it. I know more what to expect this trip, but it is still challenging! Yet, how can we not pause and admire God’s handiwork in the midst of beautiful land, beautiful people, and the faith that unites us all?
Sunday, Dec. 29 - Glory to God
We began our day and our first full day here as we should, with worship. It was a joyful, glorious day and time to gather as the one body of Christ. Worship is my favorite part of the trip. It says so much about who we are and what our collective goal is. We gather to give thanks and praise to God and to seek how we can serve Christ, not as different people from different places, but as brothers and sisters.
We opened with the hymn, Angels We have Heard On High, in creole. But, when we got to the chorus, it was the most beautiful sound as all voices lifted strongly in unison, praising God in this holy season. It is much fun to sing Christmas songs in bright sunshine, with warm breezes drifting through the open-air auditorium where we gather for worship! The words may be in a different language, but they are the same words and we serve the same Lord.
Communion is particularly powerful for me: The Table unites us all. We prayed the Lord’s Prayer together, creole, Baptists, and Presbyterians (so at one point, there was trespasses, debtors, and creole going on), but it is not our prayer, it is Christ’s. I love the ritual of the Episcopalian service and was humbled when Father Bruno asked me to preside with him. It is a privilege to stand at the Table with him, who has served Christ in such amazing ways. It is a privilege to minister to all who gathered to worship, through serving communion.
Father Bruno preached a magnificent sermon, which was translated by his daughter for us. I haven’t told him this, but I thought it was a wonderful “Baptist” sermon which challenged us all to shine the light of Christ into the world. It is a sermon that the congregation I serve and I think all congregations should hear. Maybe I can talk him into visiting us and preaching it!
Life here is at a different pace and it is a challenge for me, who is usually so busy, to be comfortable with it. I know more what to expect this trip, but it is still challenging! Yet, how can we not pause and admire God’s handiwork in the midst of beautiful land, beautiful people, and the faith that unites us all?
A Day of Ten Thousand Senses - Sat. Dec. 28
Even as tired as I am, I still recall that there are only 5 senses: sight, sound, touch, hearing, taste. But, on this travel day, I think we have all been overwhelmed by our senses. The fact that this is my second trip makes it no less stark to experience it all again. My first thought as we landed was “Thank God” (I don’t like to fly), but my second was, “This is something you just experience.”
Words do little justice for it. And for those who are able, I would say, “make a point to do something like this.” The sights are stark: Piles of garbage in the streets, stick, one-room houses, poverty which makes anything you would see in the states look luxurious. There is the strong smell of waste and you can taste the pollution. The feel of the wind as it whips around our faces as we climbed into the back of the truck to drive from the airport in Cap Haitian to Terrier Rouge. The sounds of motorcycles and the trucks, many of them serving as public transport overflowing with people. The roads from Cap to Terrier Rouge are now paved and we watch as people walk, donkeys carry people and goods, goats and bulls wander in and around the road, and our truck maneuvers through it all.
The most beautiful sense of all is the sense of welcome and gracious hospitality we receive when we arrive at the place which we will call home. We stay in “cubes”, camp-ground like rooms which are around the school, but we can see the medical clinic, a short walk away, and we experience the bounty of the agriculture project on the table. This evening, we walked around the school. The first room we visited was one for three-year-olds, where they school 70 three-year olds in one room, with three teachers.
Then we walked through the elementary school, and upstairs to the auditorium where we will have church tomorrow. I was thrilled to see that there is a communion table that has been lovingly carved and is gorgeous. It stood proudly in the room where all eyes are drawn to it proclaiming that this is a place where God is at the center. That is the most powerful statement of what goes on here: God is at the center and people strive to listen for God’s guidance and live out God’s will.
We learned about how there is now a middle class developing in this community, as a result of the efforts of Bethlehem Ministry and other similar organizations. Bethlehem Ministry employs 100 Haitians total here: teachers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists. They pay living wages and teach the children so that they may take hold of their own destinies. The only way to affect change is to empower the young to claim it for themselves.
So often we define community as those in our immediate geographic area or worse yet, those like us, but neither is God’s definition of community. God’s community is every place and every child and as a community, we seek to share God’s love with one another.
Friday, December 27, 2013
By another road
I have always loved reflecting on Matthew's account of the wise men because it ends with a seemingly innocuous statement: "Having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road."
I think that statement can have profound spiritual implications for our lives. What does it mean to go by another road, another way, a different way? Wise men are open to going by another road. As our mission group gathered tonight in West Palm Beach, and met to talk about everything to prepare for going to Haiti tomorrow, I thought about how I was celebrating Christmas by another road this year.
Usually, my "12 days of Christmas" are spent really enjoying Christmas after the hectic run-up to Christmas Eve. I spend the days after Christmas relaxing, spending time with my family, sorting out my kids' clothes between those they have outgrown and those that they still wear. This Christmas, I, along with all of us on our Mission team are going by another road. Immediately after Christmas, instead of packing up decorations or old clothes, we packed our bags and are on our way. But God calls us all to go by another road sometimes.
The wise men encountered the Christ child. Then, they went another way. Isn't that what Christ does for us all? We encounter Christ in many different times and ways, but each time, and each way, we are changed. In Christ we are a new creation. Each and every time we meet him, whether we meet him in the hospital, in worship, in the school in the eyes of a child, a hand reached out in support, a hug, or in our brothers and sisters in Haiti, we are inexorably changed, and we go another way.
The other road we are taking is one that leads us through Haiti. We appreciate your prayers as we set off.
I think that statement can have profound spiritual implications for our lives. What does it mean to go by another road, another way, a different way? Wise men are open to going by another road. As our mission group gathered tonight in West Palm Beach, and met to talk about everything to prepare for going to Haiti tomorrow, I thought about how I was celebrating Christmas by another road this year.
Usually, my "12 days of Christmas" are spent really enjoying Christmas after the hectic run-up to Christmas Eve. I spend the days after Christmas relaxing, spending time with my family, sorting out my kids' clothes between those they have outgrown and those that they still wear. This Christmas, I, along with all of us on our Mission team are going by another road. Immediately after Christmas, instead of packing up decorations or old clothes, we packed our bags and are on our way. But God calls us all to go by another road sometimes.
The wise men encountered the Christ child. Then, they went another way. Isn't that what Christ does for us all? We encounter Christ in many different times and ways, but each time, and each way, we are changed. In Christ we are a new creation. Each and every time we meet him, whether we meet him in the hospital, in worship, in the school in the eyes of a child, a hand reached out in support, a hug, or in our brothers and sisters in Haiti, we are inexorably changed, and we go another way.
The other road we are taking is one that leads us through Haiti. We appreciate your prayers as we set off.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Bridge the Chasm - Sermon, Sept. 29, 2013
Several people have asked for an audio copy of this sermon. The challenge posed at the end is for each person to do one thing to bridge the chasm in the next two weeks. Then write down what you were able to do and come to worship on Sunday, October 13, 2013 and place the slip that has what you did written on it into the offering plate. We offer to God what we do every day in service to our Risen Lord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)