It's Thursday afternoon, and I am just getting around to posting our
first "weblog" from this the second in a series of St. Michael's Mission
trips to Holy Cross Anglican School in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, BZE. I guess that's no wonder, as the daily schedule has been packed full with new challenges -- and new rewards -- ever since we arrived late Sunday afternoon.
That morning, we had attended services at the famous (oldest
Anglican Cathedral in Central America) Cathedral of Belize City.
Fr. Neal, Dean of the Cathedral, led the processional, but we soon noticed that his voice was weak and scratchy. Further, the Sunday bulletin stated that he was just returning after a seven week medical absence in the United States. I knew this meant he had been diagnosed with something serious.
As he stood in the pulpit, looking out over about 200 black faces and
13 white ones, he welcomed the team from North Carolina warmly. He explained how we were there to help the Anglican Diocese and the school in San Pedro, with which many in the congregration were familiar. He preached about how important the story of the apostle Thomas is to the post-Easter witness, and then gazed out at his congregation and proclaimed, "this team from North Carolina -- they too are a part of the resurrection story."
Almost immediately, it became clear that Fr. Neal was trying to help his own congregation reach out and accept us -- and I also realized that I had never heard a preacher do that when *I* was a part of the minority group! Indeed, it was a very powerful moment, one that many of us from St. Michael's experienced the same way: while we were familiar with welcoming culturally different persons to our parish, we were not so familiar with being the culturally different persons--and that is why Dean Neal's description of us as "part of the resurrection story" held such meaning in that moment.
As it turned out, Dean Neal's voice was so hoarse he had only reluctantly agreed to return to his role as Celebrant. However, when he realized that our priest Fr. John Gibson was with us, he gladly turned the Celebrant's role over to John, who read the Eucharistic prayer from the Prayer Book of the Church of the West Indies beautifully. After service, we learned that Dean Neal is suffering from prostate cancer (he is in his 40's) and had been in the US for treatments. We promised to keep him in our prayers -- and I know that all who read this indeed will.
As we started the day on Monday, it quickly became obvious that to fulfill our role as part of the resurrection story, we were going to have to adapt to a very different situation than the one we left just one year ago ... most importantly, the school has grown from 180 children to nearly 450 in that timespan. It has added 8 new classrooms, all the way up to 8th grade. Holy Cross Anglican School, which is a miracle in itself, is now the size of many elementary schools in Wake County, but it is packed into about 1/5th the physical space.
Because of this, student learning conditions are not ideal--the classrooms are noisy and hot, and some have more than 30 students per teacher. With all 450 kids there at the same time, it is often hotter on the inside than outside at the construction site. And despite the dedication of the teachers, they are mainly young (some just out of high school) and untrained (no formal teacher education): they are learning on the job. Fortunately, they have a warm, experienced and caring principal, and most importantly they are bathed in the love, commitment, skill, and determination of our missionary hosts Francis and Vernon Wilson.
Monday morning, as I was tending to helping our team get acquainted with the "newness" that every Monday morning on a mission trip brings, Francis mentioned that the eighth grade teacher was out sick, and they needed a substitute. Although I readily agreed, I wasn't so sure I was ready for this challenge--something that my pre-trip mental picture had not included!!
But when I walked into the classroom and sat down at the teacher's desk, I looked up at the colorful posters along the wall only to see the following sign: "It's a great day to learn something new!!" At that moment, I knew that God was standing ready -- not for me to "teach" these wonderful children, but for me to open myself up to this challenge--one that would allow me to become more deeply a part of God's worldwide resurrection story.
JohnnyMac
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Making a Difference = What Disciples of Jesus Do
Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets"
Friends, if we are disciples of Jesus Christ, then this passage from the Gospel of Luke is addressed to us. It really is as simple as that.
This passage is noteworthy because it does not say, ‘blessed are you who are poor in spirit.’ It simply says, ‘poor.’ Luke’s Gospel is focused on God’s special attention and care for the poor, the downtrodden, the oppressed and the forgotten by the world. Luke's focus represents a trend found throughout all of Scripture, in fact, the so-called ‘prophetic’ tradition which is very much addressed to questions of social inequity and social justice. This trend is so strong in all of Scripture that many theologians speak of God’s preference for the poor and the oppressed.
Why would God pay special attention the poor and oppressed of this World? Because it is not God’s plan that some have too much and some too little. It is not God’s plan that some starve while others get fat. It is not God’s plan that some die of preventable causes while others live to extreme old age for their own sake. It is God’s plan for all people is that we live together in peace, loving God and neighbor, and enjoying God’s creation. Those who believe in Jesus Christ are called to be a part of that plan.
It is for this reason that the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and numerous other denominations (Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, to name a few) have taken ahold of the United Nation’s Millenium Development Goals in our Gospel-based efforts to help the poor and suffering of this world. This is not some kind of whacky left-wing utopian fantasy here. This is about feeding the poor, teaching the children, offering healing services, and bringing freedom to all people. It is also about being mindful that those who suffer most are typically women and children.
My wife and I served Christ in Honduras directly in country between 1994-1997. We spent many years afterwards returning on yearly mission trips. The facts on the ground are these: women and children suffer the most in the Third World. They suffer from things which they shouldn’t have to suffer from: hunger, thirst, ignorance, preventable disease, outright abuse and near-slavery.
Christians who believe that we are called to actually Follow Jesus need to help them. This basic conviction of Christianity is why St. Michael’s has been ramping up its mission and outreach work over the past few years, and why we hope to continue to do so.
The Episcopal Relief and Development agency (ER-D) is a fine agent of the Church, and St. Michael's has contributed significantly to ER-D in recent years. Especially in the wake of Katrina and the Tsunami disasters.
ER-D explains the MDG's and what they are doing about them here:
The MDGs and You
Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education for Children
Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality
Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases
Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Goal 8: Create a Global Partnership for Development
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets"
Friends, if we are disciples of Jesus Christ, then this passage from the Gospel of Luke is addressed to us. It really is as simple as that.
This passage is noteworthy because it does not say, ‘blessed are you who are poor in spirit.’ It simply says, ‘poor.’ Luke’s Gospel is focused on God’s special attention and care for the poor, the downtrodden, the oppressed and the forgotten by the world. Luke's focus represents a trend found throughout all of Scripture, in fact, the so-called ‘prophetic’ tradition which is very much addressed to questions of social inequity and social justice. This trend is so strong in all of Scripture that many theologians speak of God’s preference for the poor and the oppressed.
Why would God pay special attention the poor and oppressed of this World? Because it is not God’s plan that some have too much and some too little. It is not God’s plan that some starve while others get fat. It is not God’s plan that some die of preventable causes while others live to extreme old age for their own sake. It is God’s plan for all people is that we live together in peace, loving God and neighbor, and enjoying God’s creation. Those who believe in Jesus Christ are called to be a part of that plan.
It is for this reason that the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and numerous other denominations (Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, to name a few) have taken ahold of the United Nation’s Millenium Development Goals in our Gospel-based efforts to help the poor and suffering of this world. This is not some kind of whacky left-wing utopian fantasy here. This is about feeding the poor, teaching the children, offering healing services, and bringing freedom to all people. It is also about being mindful that those who suffer most are typically women and children.
My wife and I served Christ in Honduras directly in country between 1994-1997. We spent many years afterwards returning on yearly mission trips. The facts on the ground are these: women and children suffer the most in the Third World. They suffer from things which they shouldn’t have to suffer from: hunger, thirst, ignorance, preventable disease, outright abuse and near-slavery.
Christians who believe that we are called to actually Follow Jesus need to help them. This basic conviction of Christianity is why St. Michael’s has been ramping up its mission and outreach work over the past few years, and why we hope to continue to do so.
The Episcopal Relief and Development agency (ER-D) is a fine agent of the Church, and St. Michael's has contributed significantly to ER-D in recent years. Especially in the wake of Katrina and the Tsunami disasters.
ER-D explains the MDG's and what they are doing about them here:
The MDGs and You
Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education for Children
Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality
Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases
Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Goal 8: Create a Global Partnership for Development
Friday, October 19, 2007
Short week, long memories
Hey once again from Louisiana--It's been such a short week. Seems like the days have flown way by,
and we are near the end of another wonderful mission trip experience.
But as time as flown by, significant, deep memories have been etched
in our spirits--and will last a lifetime. Like the memory of helping
to reopen the fire station that was near one of the major dike breaks
and that captured the entire break on video -- showing water coming from
under/within the structure, not over its top. Like the memory of helping
clear and landscape homes that are unoccupied as part of the impressive
Beacon of Hope project (http://www.lakewoodbeacon.org/), and all of
the friends and stories that have resulted. And, like the memory of
Rusty, the *impressive* lead home-builder from "Crossroads Missions"
that has partnered with the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.
Under God's call, Rusty has moved his family *to* New Orleans,
including his three children and lovely wife, to work full-time
for Crossroads in the rebuilding effort. As Rusty told me today,
God has fully provided for them as Rusty's potential role became
clarified and funding came in -- including a substantial amount
from the Episcopal Church here. Imagine moving your whole family
to a storm ravaged area to do this kind of ministry...... for
Rusty, mission *is* his vocation.
At the end of the day today (Friday), some the group that has been steadily
working the four new homes at Jericho Road gathered for a picture
(above). Rusty is pictured to the left with his son Zach. We will
have many more pictures, stories, and experiences to share with each
and every one of you when we get home. Thank you so much for your
prayers and support while we have been here. JohnnyMac
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Another Perspective from New Orleans
The amount of work remaining to be done in the city, even 2 years after what is locally call "The Storm," continues to boggle my mind, but the faith-based volunteer effort that is continuing in the area is even more awesome!!! I occasionally stop and try to strike up a conversation with local folks that I meet on the street. Sometimes the stories are "downers" like the lady that pointed to a vacant lot and told me that it was where her grandmother's house used to be - the house that her mom, and her, and her kids had lived in until "The Storm" took it away. She was not a happy person, and wasn't even willing to talk much - just saying that her family was struggling to make it from day and telling me that sometimes you just "gotta do what you have to do to keep something in your belly." Her life had been changed drastically, and she did not see a future for her to get out of her misery.
Sometimes the stories are uplifting, like the 60 year old fellow whose front yard looked like it could come from the TV series "Sanford and Son." He was separating some scrap metal stuff that he had collected to recycle for a few dollars. He told me that he had worked for the school system for about 30 years, but with so few schools open after "The Storm" he had been laid off, but with a promise that as soon as he turned 60 he would be officially retired from the school system and get his pension. Well, turns out he had turned 60 a couple weeks ago, and he had a big smile on his face as he talked about fishing, and rocking on the porch, and playing with his grandchildren. His house had been damaged, but was repairable and had been pretty much repaired he told me. He had "kept alive" with the money he had made from recycling the scrap metal, and commented that for him life had pretty much returned to normal. But, in the next breath, he kinda got a faraway look on his face and said, "You know, this neighborhood ain't never gonna be the same." A real mixed bag of triumph and tragedy and emotions.
I'm sure their stories have hundreds of thousands of parallel ones all over the area - and that's why we are here. That's why we are called by God to be "our brother's keeper," and why we are challenged over and over to live our faith through our actions, more than just through our words. I am grateful for each of the mission team members that gave of their time and money and talent to come and help make a difference. I am grateful for the support from the St. Michael's family that makes trips like these possible. I am grateful that there are groups like the Episcopal Office of Disaster Relief that can so effectively coordinate the efforts of such a diverse group as all the volunteers. But most of all I am grateful to the loving and omnipotent God of the universe who has shown us through His son, Jesus Christ, how we should live in this world, even in the midst of sorrow and misery, and that, yes you can make a difference.
Sometimes the stories are uplifting, like the 60 year old fellow whose front yard looked like it could come from the TV series "Sanford and Son." He was separating some scrap metal stuff that he had collected to recycle for a few dollars. He told me that he had worked for the school system for about 30 years, but with so few schools open after "The Storm" he had been laid off, but with a promise that as soon as he turned 60 he would be officially retired from the school system and get his pension. Well, turns out he had turned 60 a couple weeks ago, and he had a big smile on his face as he talked about fishing, and rocking on the porch, and playing with his grandchildren. His house had been damaged, but was repairable and had been pretty much repaired he told me. He had "kept alive" with the money he had made from recycling the scrap metal, and commented that for him life had pretty much returned to normal. But, in the next breath, he kinda got a faraway look on his face and said, "You know, this neighborhood ain't never gonna be the same." A real mixed bag of triumph and tragedy and emotions.
I'm sure their stories have hundreds of thousands of parallel ones all over the area - and that's why we are here. That's why we are called by God to be "our brother's keeper," and why we are challenged over and over to live our faith through our actions, more than just through our words. I am grateful for each of the mission team members that gave of their time and money and talent to come and help make a difference. I am grateful for the support from the St. Michael's family that makes trips like these possible. I am grateful that there are groups like the Episcopal Office of Disaster Relief that can so effectively coordinate the efforts of such a diverse group as all the volunteers. But most of all I am grateful to the loving and omnipotent God of the universe who has shown us through His son, Jesus Christ, how we should live in this world, even in the midst of sorrow and misery, and that, yes you can make a difference.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Hungry Ya'll: First Reflections from New Orleans
Greetings to all back at St. Michael's:
Hungry Ya'll? That was the question asked out the door of the Loaves and Fishes Mobile Feeding Program pick-up truck today as we drove through the neighborhood immediately behind Christ Cathedral Church on the near east side of New Orleans. This is one of the neighborhoods that has been chosen by the Jericho Road project that many from our St. Michael's team have been working on these first two days. The two of us from St. Michael's that were volunteering with Loaves and Fishes had just stopped to offer lunch to the many volunteers at Jericho (first 3 pictures below), and there was extra left over. The out-of-work folks on the street looked somewhat surprised that a truck with free lunch food and other personal hygiene supplies would simply stop in the middle of the neighborhood and ask if they were hungry...but that reminded me of Jesus' feeding of the 5000 and how surprised and overwhelmed the crowd must have been. As we quickly handed out about 10 lunches consisting of ham and cheese sandwiches, fresh fruit, cold water, chips, and chocolate chip cookies, personal shampoo, and a small sewing kit, the look of surprise turned to gratitude as we shook hands with those that were the recipients of what, to them, must have seemed like a miracle.
But this was not the greatest mircale of the day. Not only is St. Michael's providing volunteers to Jericho, but so are several other Christian groups including a large group of youth and adults from Columbus Ohio, and a group of about 12 from St. Stephen's (Episcopal) in Richmond. We have all bonded together to accomplish more than we ever thought possible as individual groups, with 25-30 of us under the direction of skilled house-builder "Rusty" and his colleagues Cliff and Emily from Crossroads Mission -- the organization that has teamed up with the Episcopal Relief effort here to provide an important long-range new home building program similar to Habitat for Humanity. And with all these Christians from different churches and backgrounds working together, denominational and parish differences have been quickly put aside to complete wrapping a house in TYVEK, complete hoisting and setting forty roof trusses, accomplish most of a roof shingling job, paint several rooms, install plumbing and electrical components, ceiling fans, and many other jobs on the way t0ward finishing construction on the first six of a planned 150 new homes!!!
And, that doesn't even tell the story of the crew that has been working on the yard and home clean-up phase of this years mission trip to NOLA!!
As we packed up the van and headed back to St. Augustine's Episcopal where we are living, we witnessed this beautiful rainbow over the Superdome (picture below). It was as if God was using this sign of the covenant to bless His ongoing work of renewal and redemption in New Orleans, and in particular that small part of it we have partaken of these first two days. Hungry Ya'll? God is ready to provide His feast! JohnnyMac
Hungry Ya'll? That was the question asked out the door of the Loaves and Fishes Mobile Feeding Program pick-up truck today as we drove through the neighborhood immediately behind Christ Cathedral Church on the near east side of New Orleans. This is one of the neighborhoods that has been chosen by the Jericho Road project that many from our St. Michael's team have been working on these first two days. The two of us from St. Michael's that were volunteering with Loaves and Fishes had just stopped to offer lunch to the many volunteers at Jericho (first 3 pictures below), and there was extra left over. The out-of-work folks on the street looked somewhat surprised that a truck with free lunch food and other personal hygiene supplies would simply stop in the middle of the neighborhood and ask if they were hungry...but that reminded me of Jesus' feeding of the 5000 and how surprised and overwhelmed the crowd must have been. As we quickly handed out about 10 lunches consisting of ham and cheese sandwiches, fresh fruit, cold water, chips, and chocolate chip cookies, personal shampoo, and a small sewing kit, the look of surprise turned to gratitude as we shook hands with those that were the recipients of what, to them, must have seemed like a miracle.
But this was not the greatest mircale of the day. Not only is St. Michael's providing volunteers to Jericho, but so are several other Christian groups including a large group of youth and adults from Columbus Ohio, and a group of about 12 from St. Stephen's (Episcopal) in Richmond. We have all bonded together to accomplish more than we ever thought possible as individual groups, with 25-30 of us under the direction of skilled house-builder "Rusty" and his colleagues Cliff and Emily from Crossroads Mission -- the organization that has teamed up with the Episcopal Relief effort here to provide an important long-range new home building program similar to Habitat for Humanity. And with all these Christians from different churches and backgrounds working together, denominational and parish differences have been quickly put aside to complete wrapping a house in TYVEK, complete hoisting and setting forty roof trusses, accomplish most of a roof shingling job, paint several rooms, install plumbing and electrical components, ceiling fans, and many other jobs on the way t0ward finishing construction on the first six of a planned 150 new homes!!!
And, that doesn't even tell the story of the crew that has been working on the yard and home clean-up phase of this years mission trip to NOLA!!
As we packed up the van and headed back to St. Augustine's Episcopal where we are living, we witnessed this beautiful rainbow over the Superdome (picture below). It was as if God was using this sign of the covenant to bless His ongoing work of renewal and redemption in New Orleans, and in particular that small part of it we have partaken of these first two days. Hungry Ya'll? God is ready to provide His feast! JohnnyMac
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Adult Missions Prepares for NOLA '07
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ on
this Thursday evening, October 11, 2007:
As our newest team of about 20 St. Michael's adults prepares to
head for New Orleans to continue our ongoing work in Katrina
recovery, I am reminded of the awesome responsibility and great
gifts we have been given by the Lord. As ambassadors for Christ,
we are called to witness to the love that Jesus Christ has shown
each one of us and to our whole St. Michael's community. And,
through the gifts we offer to share with the people of New Orleans,
we are called to become earthen vessels filled with the Grace
that only He can give.
Using this Michael's Missions blog, we plan to make regular posts
throughout the week to keep all of you informed and up to date about
our work and daily life in serving those affected by Katrina. And, in
so doing, we invite and ask your prayers that we might live into the
ambassadorial role to which we have been called.
God's continued blessings,
JohnnyMac
this Thursday evening, October 11, 2007:
As our newest team of about 20 St. Michael's adults prepares to
head for New Orleans to continue our ongoing work in Katrina
recovery, I am reminded of the awesome responsibility and great
gifts we have been given by the Lord. As ambassadors for Christ,
we are called to witness to the love that Jesus Christ has shown
each one of us and to our whole St. Michael's community. And,
through the gifts we offer to share with the people of New Orleans,
we are called to become earthen vessels filled with the Grace
that only He can give.
Using this Michael's Missions blog, we plan to make regular posts
throughout the week to keep all of you informed and up to date about
our work and daily life in serving those affected by Katrina. And, in
so doing, we invite and ask your prayers that we might live into the
ambassadorial role to which we have been called.
God's continued blessings,
JohnnyMac
Monday, May 14, 2007
Some closing thoughts and images.... I have chosen just a few images among so many good ones that team members took while on the trip.... from top to bottom, they are: (1) team members pose in front of the school entrance sign in honor of the school's opening on June 14, 2006; (2) kids from Vacation Bible School gather in front of their Good Friday Prayer Cross in the dining hall/chapel during Good Friday service; (3) JohnnyMac leads singing during VBS: (4) Youth from St. Michael's sing with VBS kids; (5) Rev. John Gibson and Dean Neal from the Anglican Cathedral lead Easter services on Easter morning in Belize City; (6) Rev. John Gibson reads the Easter Gospel, Anglican Cathedral of Belize, Belize City, on Easter morning; (7) Easter Sunrise from the Guest House, Anglican Diocese of Belize, Belize City.As we anticipate our team reunion this coming weekend (May 19), we can only be grateful that this year, our Holy Week journey was lived in mission with Holy Cross Anglican school, Francis and Vernon Wilson, Dean Neal, and the Anglican Diocese of Belize. We truly experienced the "Church catholic" in a way, I think, unique to all of our Christian lives to this point in time, and have been forever deepened in grace and love as a result. For this, we are truly thankful to God.
Finally, we are so grateful to announce that St. Michael's Adult Mission committee has made a commitment to return to Holy Cross next spring!! Thus, we will keep this blog post going as we make plans and continue to support the mission and ministry of the Anglican church in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
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