The team meeting last night at Pam and Tony’s house attended to the agenda more quickly than usual last night. The main sticking point seemed to be the sign that will hang on the giving tree in the Narthex at St. Francis. We want everyone to take the ornament after they make their donation and remove the tab. The core committee has generously agreed to put $5 into the Haiti team account for every heart that is removed from the tree. Some people might take just the gift reminder from the ornament but leave the ornament on the tree. I believe it should be simple and direct: “When you pull the tab, you must take the ornament home!” To be kinder we might add, “We want your family to share thoughts about the people in Haiti during the Christmas season.” We decided on some wording or other, Gerry’s wife will make the sign and we will have a team member stand by the tree at every Mass to remind people to take the ornament.
Maybe, my diabolical little mind says, “after everybody leaves the narthex, we just need to remove any ornaments without tags. Won’t help the donor remember Haiti, but we get the money!!!”
Our team has really warmed up to one another and we are beginning to see personalities emerge that were hidden by shyness or caution. We were told that Father John had said that our group is, what, dynamic? Something good like that. I agree.
Pam has done a fantastic job of lettering on the hearts, adding hangers and bows! It takes a long time, I’m sure. She asked for some volunteers to help and got some. I mentioned earlier that the spray gun didn’t work, but the second day we made it work by pinning down the hearts. Gerry and I used latex flat white, painted with a spray gun, on almost all the hearts and then added red from about 5 spray cans. The spray gun saved money and time and did a very good job.
I had the privilege of saying the closing prayer last night. I puzzled over it for a while, and then realized I hadn’t done my homework from Saturday, which was to write a prayer for myself, a prayer for the team, and a prayer for Haiti. I did, sort of, but in the middle of doing that, I had a melody in my head from “Four strong winds.” Just before the meeting I re-wrote the prayers as a poem and put it to that melody—first one in many years. Didn’t get to practice it much before the meeting.
I brought a guitar and sang. Angela cried. Damn! That always happens when I sing. It grates on the ears. ;--)
Thanks, Angela.
Here’s a slightly revised version of what I wrote and sang.
THREE PRAYERS
Melody: Four strong winds
For Me:
Thank you God for the wisdom to join the Haiti team
Let my service be important to those along the way.
Our team is getting strong and helps me move along,
I’ll look for you and praise you as I pray…
For the Team:
The team is full of hope now; our mission has come clear,
But we still have so much doubt and fear.
Our faith is our stronghold; our hope is our guide,
Please bless us and our work as time draws near.
For the Haitians:
Bless our sisters and our brothers, who in Haiti bless us in turn
They give us more than we can bring
They’ve courage in their struggle and faith in you is strong
God bless their families and let their freedom ring.
Repeat For Me…
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Bon Fire!
Right now, I’m sitting in my new “recreation room,” re-living the events of the past 24 hours. I’m happy as a clam.
Yesterday (Saturday) was a big, full day for all of us. Four hours of the afternoon were spent in the Costello room of the Newman Center. Jess and Ryan couldn’t be with us all day and Andrea arrived just in time for Pè Andrés talk.
Father John presided and Dr. Charlene Alexander filled a number of roles. First she engaged us in a game called “Hurricane”—sort of a Musical Chair game, which always left one hapless soul standing sort of clueless in front of the group. If you were good, you almost always got a chair once the challenge was presented. I ended up being the first clueless person, and then, not fully understanding the game, the second. Also the fourth, sixth, eighth…you get the idea. It was a lot of fun and I found that Charlene throws a pretty good shoulder block. We had snacks selected by Father John. No pepperoni or beef jerky, hmmm.
She talked about cultures and concentrated on the differences among cultures in the Caribbean and the U.S. She was the perfect leader for this discussion because of her background, both personal and scholarly. She is a native of Trinidad, and was schooled in England and the U.S. Exploring and understanding culture differences is her area of research.
Then, to get us to open up about ourselves, Father John had a “slide show” of our past. Luckily we brought our slides. OK, there was no projector and you had to look closely at the blank screen to see the images that were formed there while each of us described important events in our lives. It was great fun. I had the most slides, having lived the most years. Angela was last, at her own request, and capped off the hour and a half of laughter and even some deeper emotions with her quickly-assembled set of slides.
I was amazed at how quickly we all became very good “actors.” I believe Father John’s description of the initial set of slides of his life set the tone. We all fell under his spell.
Then Pè André arrived. He and Charlene attempted to get us to understand the differences between Haitian and American culture. Is it appropriate to do this…say this…wear this…give this…etc.? How should we approach Haitians…how do they view us…”hygiene and us,”? …and on and on. They spoke about the Haitian way of life. Pè André was prepared with notes, while Charlene encouraged him. That was a meaningful hour of dialog. Thanks to all three of you.
We then went to Mass, with Pè André presiding. I was first reader, at the Ambo it was good to see the entire group in the congregation. My youngest daughter, Jaimie, came to mass with her 4 children. As mass ended we all “went in peace” from the church, gathered cars together in the parking lot and wagon-trained our way out to “the farm” and the bonfire. Jaimie went on ahead while Father John and Pè André arrived shortly after we all arrived.
Jaimie and Audrey had quickly set up the food in the “rec room” (I still don’t know what to call it…maybe “MY room?” But now that Audrey has had a chance to set it up her way, it might not be the right name. You think?) With the food that the group brought also, I was reminded of the Bible story of the “Loaves and fishes.” Afterwards, just as in that story, there was more left over than when we started.
I had started the fire at 10 in the morning, using trash as a starter, then some construction wood, and finally four very large logs from a recent blow-down of a dead cottonwood. I had hoped it would continue to burn slowly throughout the afternoon. As soon as I arrived, I threw more construction lumber on the remains of the fire, and encouraged it into large, warm flames with a cup of kerosene. Small explosions are fun! Bonfire has a curious etymology. It once meant bone fire but has also been described as “good fire.” We know that “bon” in kreyòl is “good.” It was good.
I gave a very quick tour of the house and the rest of the shop. Jerry and others helped set up food, I lit the charcoal grill and the rest of us began to get things to eat and drink. The conversation around the bonfire was relaxed, comfortable, funny, caring, informative and very much a team-building thing. I was supremely happy and content with so many friends around. I truly can’t express how much that meant to me. What a great bonfire!
The end of the evening came too soon, even though it was nearly 10 hours since we first gathered together. Jaimie’s kids were so tired, except for little Zoë. Poor Sophie, age 11, was feeling so sick and disappointed that she didn’t join in the fun. She would have been lots of help with little Eli Kunkle, who stayed out in the rec room with mom the whole, long time. She is such a good mother to Zoë and her younger brother. Eli and Hannah stayed out at the fire and seemed to enjoy themselves eating (Eli, with a grin, said, “THIS is my last ‘first plate.’”) I was grateful for Jaimie’s help and her 6 chairs, but mostly I was grateful that I could share some of my large family with the group. I think Jaimie and I have a special bond because she is our “baby” and I used to spend more time with her as she grew up than I did with the others. She hung out near me most of the evening, which I found comforting. Of course, I love and cherish each of my children and their families, and am at my happiest when I am in their company.
The group helped move some of the outdoor furniture back to winter storage. They helped clean up, just like families do, and said their fond farewells.
We’ll see each other again tonight, but this was special and unique, satisfying, and very rewarding.
Yesterday (Saturday) was a big, full day for all of us. Four hours of the afternoon were spent in the Costello room of the Newman Center. Jess and Ryan couldn’t be with us all day and Andrea arrived just in time for Pè Andrés talk.
Father John presided and Dr. Charlene Alexander filled a number of roles. First she engaged us in a game called “Hurricane”—sort of a Musical Chair game, which always left one hapless soul standing sort of clueless in front of the group. If you were good, you almost always got a chair once the challenge was presented. I ended up being the first clueless person, and then, not fully understanding the game, the second. Also the fourth, sixth, eighth…you get the idea. It was a lot of fun and I found that Charlene throws a pretty good shoulder block. We had snacks selected by Father John. No pepperoni or beef jerky, hmmm.
She talked about cultures and concentrated on the differences among cultures in the Caribbean and the U.S. She was the perfect leader for this discussion because of her background, both personal and scholarly. She is a native of Trinidad, and was schooled in England and the U.S. Exploring and understanding culture differences is her area of research.
Then, to get us to open up about ourselves, Father John had a “slide show” of our past. Luckily we brought our slides. OK, there was no projector and you had to look closely at the blank screen to see the images that were formed there while each of us described important events in our lives. It was great fun. I had the most slides, having lived the most years. Angela was last, at her own request, and capped off the hour and a half of laughter and even some deeper emotions with her quickly-assembled set of slides.
I was amazed at how quickly we all became very good “actors.” I believe Father John’s description of the initial set of slides of his life set the tone. We all fell under his spell.
Then Pè André arrived. He and Charlene attempted to get us to understand the differences between Haitian and American culture. Is it appropriate to do this…say this…wear this…give this…etc.? How should we approach Haitians…how do they view us…”hygiene and us,”? …and on and on. They spoke about the Haitian way of life. Pè André was prepared with notes, while Charlene encouraged him. That was a meaningful hour of dialog. Thanks to all three of you.
We then went to Mass, with Pè André presiding. I was first reader, at the Ambo it was good to see the entire group in the congregation. My youngest daughter, Jaimie, came to mass with her 4 children. As mass ended we all “went in peace” from the church, gathered cars together in the parking lot and wagon-trained our way out to “the farm” and the bonfire. Jaimie went on ahead while Father John and Pè André arrived shortly after we all arrived.
Jaimie and Audrey had quickly set up the food in the “rec room” (I still don’t know what to call it…maybe “MY room?” But now that Audrey has had a chance to set it up her way, it might not be the right name. You think?) With the food that the group brought also, I was reminded of the Bible story of the “Loaves and fishes.” Afterwards, just as in that story, there was more left over than when we started.
I had started the fire at 10 in the morning, using trash as a starter, then some construction wood, and finally four very large logs from a recent blow-down of a dead cottonwood. I had hoped it would continue to burn slowly throughout the afternoon. As soon as I arrived, I threw more construction lumber on the remains of the fire, and encouraged it into large, warm flames with a cup of kerosene. Small explosions are fun! Bonfire has a curious etymology. It once meant bone fire but has also been described as “good fire.” We know that “bon” in kreyòl is “good.” It was good.
I gave a very quick tour of the house and the rest of the shop. Jerry and others helped set up food, I lit the charcoal grill and the rest of us began to get things to eat and drink. The conversation around the bonfire was relaxed, comfortable, funny, caring, informative and very much a team-building thing. I was supremely happy and content with so many friends around. I truly can’t express how much that meant to me. What a great bonfire!
The end of the evening came too soon, even though it was nearly 10 hours since we first gathered together. Jaimie’s kids were so tired, except for little Zoë. Poor Sophie, age 11, was feeling so sick and disappointed that she didn’t join in the fun. She would have been lots of help with little Eli Kunkle, who stayed out in the rec room with mom the whole, long time. She is such a good mother to Zoë and her younger brother. Eli and Hannah stayed out at the fire and seemed to enjoy themselves eating (Eli, with a grin, said, “THIS is my last ‘first plate.’”) I was grateful for Jaimie’s help and her 6 chairs, but mostly I was grateful that I could share some of my large family with the group. I think Jaimie and I have a special bond because she is our “baby” and I used to spend more time with her as she grew up than I did with the others. She hung out near me most of the evening, which I found comforting. Of course, I love and cherish each of my children and their families, and am at my happiest when I am in their company.
The group helped move some of the outdoor furniture back to winter storage. They helped clean up, just like families do, and said their fond farewells.
We’ll see each other again tonight, but this was special and unique, satisfying, and very rewarding.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Mike Pence responds
Great! A response from Mike Pence in less than one week.
One problem--he seemed to think that H.R. 351 (in the "subject" of my email to him) regarding Haiti was a House bill about Medicare, for heaven's sake! He thanked me for the opportunity to serve me and wrote a nice, "we're working for YOU" note, but it was all about Medicare and Me.
I re-wrote my note, beginning with a chastisement that he or his staff really need to READ the letters from constituents before they respond! I wonder if they'll even bother to respond to that?
His sloppy answering procedure makes me wonder if this is "Politics as Usual?" Hope not, but I'm really NOT hopeful.
Randall Robinson hasn't answered my email to him.
Regarding the task I volunteered for on the "Heart for Haiti Christmas Tree Ornament Project," Gerry and I spent two days drilling and painting. I'm really indebted to him for his enthusiasm and support as well as for help with the work directly on the hearts. I'll deliver them to Newman tomorrow morning, Pam will pick them up later to do her decorating things. I believe she has a committee to do that. I'm happy I could do something using some of my skills, because I have absolutely no talent for cursive writing, and no patience for tying on ribbons and wire. Thank goodness for others' talents!!!
I continue to read Tracy Kidder's book on Paul Farmer. The latter chapters don't have as much to say about Haiti. However, Kidder and Farmer seem to agree strongly with the positions of Randall Robinson regarding the politics and poverty in Haiti. Paul Farmer is an unbelievable man who has dedicated his immense talents, 20-hour days, his life, and most of his money to the Haitians. God bless him!!!
One problem--he seemed to think that H.R. 351 (in the "subject" of my email to him) regarding Haiti was a House bill about Medicare, for heaven's sake! He thanked me for the opportunity to serve me and wrote a nice, "we're working for YOU" note, but it was all about Medicare and Me.
I re-wrote my note, beginning with a chastisement that he or his staff really need to READ the letters from constituents before they respond! I wonder if they'll even bother to respond to that?
His sloppy answering procedure makes me wonder if this is "Politics as Usual?" Hope not, but I'm really NOT hopeful.
Randall Robinson hasn't answered my email to him.
Regarding the task I volunteered for on the "Heart for Haiti Christmas Tree Ornament Project," Gerry and I spent two days drilling and painting. I'm really indebted to him for his enthusiasm and support as well as for help with the work directly on the hearts. I'll deliver them to Newman tomorrow morning, Pam will pick them up later to do her decorating things. I believe she has a committee to do that. I'm happy I could do something using some of my skills, because I have absolutely no talent for cursive writing, and no patience for tying on ribbons and wire. Thank goodness for others' talents!!!
I continue to read Tracy Kidder's book on Paul Farmer. The latter chapters don't have as much to say about Haiti. However, Kidder and Farmer seem to agree strongly with the positions of Randall Robinson regarding the politics and poverty in Haiti. Paul Farmer is an unbelievable man who has dedicated his immense talents, 20-hour days, his life, and most of his money to the Haitians. God bless him!!!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Sunday's meeting and Monday follow-up
First:
Today was t-shirt signing day. I was embarassed to stand still while small children, big adults, and people in between wrote all over my back, front and arms.
But it turned out OK. Enlightening and enjoyable even! I need to think more positively about personal interactions.
I held out the bag for donations, not expecting very many people to sign and even fewer to contribute. But people I knew, others I had only seen at Mass but never talked to, and people I was absolutely sure I had never seen before (an introvert's perspective and personal failing) began to sign. Person after person. Some took just a few seconds, others, such as one little blonde boy, took an inordinate amount of time. I checked out where Christopher (the little boy) had beautifully lettered his name in a sort of shadow printing. I'm glad he took his time even though I was getting a cramp trying to stand still.
Realize this: Some Haitian man or woman will wear that shirt with pride in the town of Plaiisance (Pleasant Place) Haiti for a long time! Christopher, you will be proud. I'm glad I stood there and that so many people signed.
Later, we counted the money from T-shirt signing. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but all together we collected more than $500! Thanks, St. Francis people! And thanks for all your kind comments, and promises of love and prayers for our group.
I prepared my Haiti folder for Sunday's meeting, put it in a small cloth bag, added a few things and put it where I'd find it when it was time to leave at 6PM. At 6:05 PM, realizing I had forgotten the time, I searched for the bag and for other things I wanted to take with me. Nowhere to be found! It seems that episodes like this become more common once a person hits a certain age.
Off to Newman Center, arriving 15 minutes late, no bag, and my hat on inside out. Embarassing for real, this time! Oh, and tonight I remembered to give Pam my check, unlike last week, when I said I turned it in, then, later at home found it in my pocket. See what I mean?.
I had spent some time this afternoon searching for my old "Ike" Army jacket, which was issued 50 years ago come next February 11. I put it on and found that it was a little loose. Hmm, another problem with getting old is the wasting away process that continues to make itself evident. But I wore it--my old Private First Class stripe and Artillery emblem--with pride. Also put my dog tags in my pocket.
Nobody seemed to notice, this Veterans' Day.
The meeting was mostly about fund-raising; the good news being that we are probably a little ahead of schedule.
Angela received the little wooden hearts that the group of us will make into Christmas ornaments as a fund-raising project. I took them home with me to do my job of drilling holes in the left and right atriums and painting them red and maybe some of them with some white. Jerry gave me his phone number so that he could help sometime this week when the weather was good.
Well, Monday turned out to be one of those fantastically warm November days. I called Jerry, made a fixture to hold the hearts on the drill press, and bought some flat white paint. Couldn't find any flat red...bummer. Jerry returned my calll about 2 pm and I asked him to find some flat red paint on his way over. He went to three stores, and no flat red paint.
We spent an hour or two unwrapping the hearts, drilling, sanding and stacking them. They looked pretty good.
We went out to the barn to paint them white; we'd just have to do the red another time but the spray gun just blew the hearts off the cardboard backing board! So we cleaned up and will try to paint them with spray cans (Pam's original thought) tomorrow or Wednesday.
All of which brings me back to why we are doing this. Yes, why ARE we doing this? Seriously.
If we are doing this to somehow rectify the "Savage Inequalities," to use Jonathon Kozol's title phrase, (No, the treatment of HAITIANS is SAVAGELY unequal--Kozol better find another term) between American wealth and power and the lack of same for the poor in Haiti we should fnd a better way. Like selling my house, moving to a small apartment and buying a dormitory for Haitian children.
Why don't I do that? Seriously.
I don't have an answer...yet.
A friend I respect kindly reviewed my blog so far because I asked him to. He's a Professor of English, and as such makes a credible critic. He said that I seemed to be unitentionally negative, particularly when noting that I've been having bad dreams about the trip to Haiti. Therefore, let me state that I am NOT negative about the upcoming experience. I look forward to it, I believe that we will make a difference, that the Haitian community will welcome us, and that we will return with a brand-new outlook on life, one that will change most of us for the rest of our lives. But yet, I do fear it. Not because of danger, but because I will come closer to the lives of people in utter poverty than I have ever done so before. That's gives me awe and wonder.
The recognition that the savage inequlity between my life and the average person at St. Michael's is partly my fault weighs on me heavily.
I know, I know, every journey starts with the first step, and one of those first steps is making some heart ornaments to earn money for the trip and for the people we meet there. But still, it nags me...bites me.
Somebody comment, please. Hell, if you read all this long post, have a heart and write something...!
Today was t-shirt signing day. I was embarassed to stand still while small children, big adults, and people in between wrote all over my back, front and arms.
But it turned out OK. Enlightening and enjoyable even! I need to think more positively about personal interactions.
I held out the bag for donations, not expecting very many people to sign and even fewer to contribute. But people I knew, others I had only seen at Mass but never talked to, and people I was absolutely sure I had never seen before (an introvert's perspective and personal failing) began to sign. Person after person. Some took just a few seconds, others, such as one little blonde boy, took an inordinate amount of time. I checked out where Christopher (the little boy) had beautifully lettered his name in a sort of shadow printing. I'm glad he took his time even though I was getting a cramp trying to stand still.
Realize this: Some Haitian man or woman will wear that shirt with pride in the town of Plaiisance (Pleasant Place) Haiti for a long time! Christopher, you will be proud. I'm glad I stood there and that so many people signed.
Later, we counted the money from T-shirt signing. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but all together we collected more than $500! Thanks, St. Francis people! And thanks for all your kind comments, and promises of love and prayers for our group.
I prepared my Haiti folder for Sunday's meeting, put it in a small cloth bag, added a few things and put it where I'd find it when it was time to leave at 6PM. At 6:05 PM, realizing I had forgotten the time, I searched for the bag and for other things I wanted to take with me. Nowhere to be found! It seems that episodes like this become more common once a person hits a certain age.
Off to Newman Center, arriving 15 minutes late, no bag, and my hat on inside out. Embarassing for real, this time! Oh, and tonight I remembered to give Pam my check, unlike last week, when I said I turned it in, then, later at home found it in my pocket. See what I mean?.
I had spent some time this afternoon searching for my old "Ike" Army jacket, which was issued 50 years ago come next February 11. I put it on and found that it was a little loose. Hmm, another problem with getting old is the wasting away process that continues to make itself evident. But I wore it--my old Private First Class stripe and Artillery emblem--with pride. Also put my dog tags in my pocket.
Nobody seemed to notice, this Veterans' Day.
The meeting was mostly about fund-raising; the good news being that we are probably a little ahead of schedule.
Angela received the little wooden hearts that the group of us will make into Christmas ornaments as a fund-raising project. I took them home with me to do my job of drilling holes in the left and right atriums and painting them red and maybe some of them with some white. Jerry gave me his phone number so that he could help sometime this week when the weather was good.
Well, Monday turned out to be one of those fantastically warm November days. I called Jerry, made a fixture to hold the hearts on the drill press, and bought some flat white paint. Couldn't find any flat red...bummer. Jerry returned my calll about 2 pm and I asked him to find some flat red paint on his way over. He went to three stores, and no flat red paint.
We spent an hour or two unwrapping the hearts, drilling, sanding and stacking them. They looked pretty good.
We went out to the barn to paint them white; we'd just have to do the red another time but the spray gun just blew the hearts off the cardboard backing board! So we cleaned up and will try to paint them with spray cans (Pam's original thought) tomorrow or Wednesday.
All of which brings me back to why we are doing this. Yes, why ARE we doing this? Seriously.
If we are doing this to somehow rectify the "Savage Inequalities," to use Jonathon Kozol's title phrase, (No, the treatment of HAITIANS is SAVAGELY unequal--Kozol better find another term) between American wealth and power and the lack of same for the poor in Haiti we should fnd a better way. Like selling my house, moving to a small apartment and buying a dormitory for Haitian children.
Why don't I do that? Seriously.
I don't have an answer...yet.
A friend I respect kindly reviewed my blog so far because I asked him to. He's a Professor of English, and as such makes a credible critic. He said that I seemed to be unitentionally negative, particularly when noting that I've been having bad dreams about the trip to Haiti. Therefore, let me state that I am NOT negative about the upcoming experience. I look forward to it, I believe that we will make a difference, that the Haitian community will welcome us, and that we will return with a brand-new outlook on life, one that will change most of us for the rest of our lives. But yet, I do fear it. Not because of danger, but because I will come closer to the lives of people in utter poverty than I have ever done so before. That's gives me awe and wonder.
The recognition that the savage inequlity between my life and the average person at St. Michael's is partly my fault weighs on me heavily.
I know, I know, every journey starts with the first step, and one of those first steps is making some heart ornaments to earn money for the trip and for the people we meet there. But still, it nags me...bites me.
Somebody comment, please. Hell, if you read all this long post, have a heart and write something...!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Kote yo kanpe
One more message from today. No more, promise!
Just got an email from Ron Voss. He was talking about traveling 10 hours on roads under water--the kinds of floods that the police warn Hoosiers not to cross. Here's what he said:
"Its all relative!! As are points of view, of course. Moun we, kote yo kanpe.......a Haitian proverb that reveals a universal truth....that a person sees from where they stand. And genrally a person stands at the place where his or hers experience has led them......Enter the Grace of God...and that viewpoint becomes more compassionate, more equitable, more loving, and thus more joyous. In my view....thats a matter of choosing. Don't want to write a dissertation on this....but in my next life, intend to!!!!"
My take on this, as a way to improve our experience, is that we need to "choose to" vicariously (for now) experience what we can through other people, such as Father Andre', and through reading and discussing.
Just got an email from Ron Voss. He was talking about traveling 10 hours on roads under water--the kinds of floods that the police warn Hoosiers not to cross. Here's what he said:
"Its all relative!! As are points of view, of course. Moun we, kote yo kanpe.......a Haitian proverb that reveals a universal truth....that a person sees from where they stand. And genrally a person stands at the place where his or hers experience has led them......Enter the Grace of God...and that viewpoint becomes more compassionate, more equitable, more loving, and thus more joyous. In my view....thats a matter of choosing. Don't want to write a dissertation on this....but in my next life, intend to!!!!"
My take on this, as a way to improve our experience, is that we need to "choose to" vicariously (for now) experience what we can through other people, such as Father Andre', and through reading and discussing.
H.R. 351
Representative Barbara Lee of California has submitted HR 351, calling for the establishment of a commission "to examine and evaluate the role of the United States Government in the February 2004 coup d'etat in the Republic of Haiti." Today I emailed Mike Pence, who is on the House Foreign Affairs committee, to which the bill will be sent, encouraging his support. We'll see if I get any response and am curious as to what his answer will be. I found reference to this bill on page 262 of Robinson's book, "An unspoken agony."
I'm still not sure that Robinson has all the right arguments, although he provides documentation of facts or circumstances or attitudes that form what he believes about Haiti. I just completed another book about Haiti, entitled, "Seven days in Haiti,' by Michael Barrick. I found it full of religious expression one would not hear in a Catholic church. In it he has been told by the person who recommended him to make this one-week trip to a mission in Haiti that he would be "broken open and poured out" while there. This and other platitudinous statements, coupled with his belief that Aristide allowed Voodoo ceremonies to take place in the Presidential Palace and that Haiti was dedicated to the devil in the 1800-something coup, make me want to disregard his entire book.
There is much to digest about Haiti, only a small portion of which is useful to me in our mission trip. But I feel the need to better understand the Haitians--those in Haiti and those I know in the Bahamas. I should have known all this much earlier, just as I should have learned more about the language to better communicate with those with whom I worked and socialized, sang and shared Mass.
It might be said about me that I have too much time on my hands to become this intensely interested and enthusiastic about the upcoming trip. But almost everything I have ever done I have done with this level of intensity. And I know that this disturbs the more equanimous people around me. I apologize for my attitudes only to the extent that they bother someone enough to dismiss me. I'm encouraged by the fact that being interested in many things and being enthusiastic in what I'm engaged are characteristics often ascribed to outstanding teachers. There, I said it without apology.
I'm still not sure that Robinson has all the right arguments, although he provides documentation of facts or circumstances or attitudes that form what he believes about Haiti. I just completed another book about Haiti, entitled, "Seven days in Haiti,' by Michael Barrick. I found it full of religious expression one would not hear in a Catholic church. In it he has been told by the person who recommended him to make this one-week trip to a mission in Haiti that he would be "broken open and poured out" while there. This and other platitudinous statements, coupled with his belief that Aristide allowed Voodoo ceremonies to take place in the Presidential Palace and that Haiti was dedicated to the devil in the 1800-something coup, make me want to disregard his entire book.
There is much to digest about Haiti, only a small portion of which is useful to me in our mission trip. But I feel the need to better understand the Haitians--those in Haiti and those I know in the Bahamas. I should have known all this much earlier, just as I should have learned more about the language to better communicate with those with whom I worked and socialized, sang and shared Mass.
It might be said about me that I have too much time on my hands to become this intensely interested and enthusiastic about the upcoming trip. But almost everything I have ever done I have done with this level of intensity. And I know that this disturbs the more equanimous people around me. I apologize for my attitudes only to the extent that they bother someone enough to dismiss me. I'm encouraged by the fact that being interested in many things and being enthusiastic in what I'm engaged are characteristics often ascribed to outstanding teachers. There, I said it without apology.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Ministry
From today's Henri Nouwen Daily Meditation:
"How does the Church witness to Christ in the world? First and foremost by giving visibility to Jesus' love for the poor and the weak. In a world so hungry for healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, and most of all unconditional love, the Church must alleviate that hunger through its ministry. Wherever we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the lonely, listen to those who are rejected, and bring unity and peace to those who are divided, we proclaim the living Christ, whether we speak about him or not.
"It is important that whatever we do and wherever we go, we remain in the Name of Jesus, who sent us. Outside his Name our ministry will lose its divine energy."
OK, how can I do this? The trip to Haiti is an obvious opportunity to do Christ's work. Yet, I don't yet know what we will do there, nor how we can help other than visiting the sick and listening to the needy. Maybe, now that I write this, that might be enough. I'll have to think about this; I'm a cautious visitor and and an impatient listener.
My dreams are often filled with thoughts of Haiti and the trip. I'm really surprised that it seems to weigh so heavily on me.
The trip will last just a meager 8 days. We are, however, concentrating a large portion of our energies now in preparation. Perhaps we are leading our lives in a Christ-like manner as we prepare...? I hope this is true, because since I retired from teaching, my life does not have much of a focus on other people; I'm living a selfish life.
The funding is a problem. Laura mentioned that she has asked that at least some of the gifts she will receive for Christmas should be a check to the Haiti trip. I've mentioned that to two of my children and they seemed receptive. Maybe I WILL send a letter to them, explaining how that might work!
"How does the Church witness to Christ in the world? First and foremost by giving visibility to Jesus' love for the poor and the weak. In a world so hungry for healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, and most of all unconditional love, the Church must alleviate that hunger through its ministry. Wherever we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the lonely, listen to those who are rejected, and bring unity and peace to those who are divided, we proclaim the living Christ, whether we speak about him or not.
"It is important that whatever we do and wherever we go, we remain in the Name of Jesus, who sent us. Outside his Name our ministry will lose its divine energy."
OK, how can I do this? The trip to Haiti is an obvious opportunity to do Christ's work. Yet, I don't yet know what we will do there, nor how we can help other than visiting the sick and listening to the needy. Maybe, now that I write this, that might be enough. I'll have to think about this; I'm a cautious visitor and and an impatient listener.
My dreams are often filled with thoughts of Haiti and the trip. I'm really surprised that it seems to weigh so heavily on me.
The trip will last just a meager 8 days. We are, however, concentrating a large portion of our energies now in preparation. Perhaps we are leading our lives in a Christ-like manner as we prepare...? I hope this is true, because since I retired from teaching, my life does not have much of a focus on other people; I'm living a selfish life.
The funding is a problem. Laura mentioned that she has asked that at least some of the gifts she will receive for Christmas should be a check to the Haiti trip. I've mentioned that to two of my children and they seemed receptive. Maybe I WILL send a letter to them, explaining how that might work!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Fourth meeting
Everyone was at the meeting except for Joe. We went through the agenda. Most of the information was about fund-raising. I guess that's the necessary evil and once it is out of the way, Pam seemed to say, we can go on to other things. I stayed after to show Karen and Pam some of my old church books from Abaco and lent one or two to Karen.
Sunday's mass focused on the person. I'm reading Robinson's book now and a quotation from Aristide related strongly to the message that Fr. John was focused on. He said "Tout moun se moun," meaning "Every human being is a human being." In Haiti, that is hard to understand because I saw a dim reflection of that in the disjoint between the rich tourists and the poor Haitians in Abaco.
One day, teaching my 5th graders in the remodeled construction shack that was my classroom, I noticed that the kids had been throwing pop cans, candy and food wrappers, etc., on the ground outside. I assigned them to go out and "police" the area, meaning to clean up after themselves. One chubby blonde boy just wouldn't work.
His statement to me was: "Get a 'aitian to do it, Mr. Jim!"
This little over-privileged kid wanted some grown man with a family to support to clean up after him. Apparently he didn't understand Tout moun se moun. Many people don't.
I'm looking for my old Kreyol songbook from Abaco, but apparently in a very uncharacteristic move for me, I tossed it out. I do have--somewhere--some reel-to-reel tapes of our singing there.
Sunday's mass focused on the person. I'm reading Robinson's book now and a quotation from Aristide related strongly to the message that Fr. John was focused on. He said "Tout moun se moun," meaning "Every human being is a human being." In Haiti, that is hard to understand because I saw a dim reflection of that in the disjoint between the rich tourists and the poor Haitians in Abaco.
One day, teaching my 5th graders in the remodeled construction shack that was my classroom, I noticed that the kids had been throwing pop cans, candy and food wrappers, etc., on the ground outside. I assigned them to go out and "police" the area, meaning to clean up after themselves. One chubby blonde boy just wouldn't work.
His statement to me was: "Get a 'aitian to do it, Mr. Jim!"
This little over-privileged kid wanted some grown man with a family to support to clean up after him. Apparently he didn't understand Tout moun se moun. Many people don't.
I'm looking for my old Kreyol songbook from Abaco, but apparently in a very uncharacteristic move for me, I tossed it out. I do have--somewhere--some reel-to-reel tapes of our singing there.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
The Church and the poor
I didn't want to lose this, from Henri Nouwen society:
Going to the Margins of the Church
Those who are marginal in the world are central in the Church, and that is how it is supposed to be! Thus we are called as members of the Church to keep going to the margins of our society. The homeless, the starving, parentless children, people with AIDS, our emotionally disturbed brothers and sisters - they require our first attention.
We can trust that when we reach out with all our energy to the margins of our society we will discover that petty disagreements, fruitless debates, and paralysing rivalries will recede and gradually vanish. The Church will always be renewed when our attention shifts from ourselves to those who need our care. The blessing of Jesus always comes to us through the poor. The most remarkable experience of those who work with the poor is that, in the end, the poor give more than they receive. They give food to us.
Going to the Margins of the Church
Those who are marginal in the world are central in the Church, and that is how it is supposed to be! Thus we are called as members of the Church to keep going to the margins of our society. The homeless, the starving, parentless children, people with AIDS, our emotionally disturbed brothers and sisters - they require our first attention.
We can trust that when we reach out with all our energy to the margins of our society we will discover that petty disagreements, fruitless debates, and paralysing rivalries will recede and gradually vanish. The Church will always be renewed when our attention shifts from ourselves to those who need our care. The blessing of Jesus always comes to us through the poor. The most remarkable experience of those who work with the poor is that, in the end, the poor give more than they receive. They give food to us.
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