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HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY

Reflections on the 1996 LaRomana Mission Tour

by Howie Gelles

                 In the mid-1960's, Paul Quinlan, S.J., wrote a song based upon esus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane that has the following refrain:

Father, bless this Work that I have begun.

Father, bless them that they may all be one,

just as I in You and Father You in me,

in the Love of God made one for all to see.

These words are at the very heart of those who are part of the LaRomana Mission Tour.  Once again, answering a call to go on the Mission tour, I presented myself as one who would carry the banner of Christ to help build a hospital, bring needed medicines and clothing, and perhaps even teach the people a thing or two about the "real" World.  It doesn't take long to discover that we "missionaries" are the ones that get "missioned".

Each tour group consists of about 40 or so people from various Church affiliations, many of whom  met for the first time.  In essence, we are strangers. The call to be "One in the Body" begins as soon as the group arrived at the airport.  Unloading and moving over a hundred pieces of 60 - 70 pound baggage is no small task.  We learn to work together.

Sunday morning Church services are held in the Batey.  For many,  this is the first time that they have come in contact with true poverty.The sight is depressing. Yet despite this, the people are very cheerful, they worship the Lord with numerous joyful hymns and listen intently during the readings and the lessons.  Although they have very little money, they do contribute to the cost of the church.  It is a clear reminder of the Widow's mite story (Mk 12:41-44).

After the service, the children of the Batey demonstrate one  constant of the universe:  Kids are kids are kids. They see a camera and all want you to take their picture.  You hear the children's familiar chorus of "hey you!", as they hope for a ball or a piece of candy. You are taken by the playfulness and cleverness of the children. Smiles and tears come to you as you see their innocence merging with the harsh reality of their life.

Once at the work site, the concept of "cheerful service" becomes a reality.  We joke among ourselves that only "Fools" for the Lord would actually pay to work daily 6 to 8 hours in the hot brutal sun, shoveling sand and stones, pouring tons of concrete, moving cinder blocks, pulling wires and more. It is not unusual for a  person to get a warning from someone about over-working themselves, or the need to get out of the sun.

       We become our brother and sister's keeper.

A mid-week medical trip to the Batey is a real eye opener.  Gone are the "Sunday best" clothing.  Instead, one sees the barefooted children wearing underpants and perhaps a shirt,  some even less.  A close look reveals conditions of scabies, improper diets, infections, and more.  One sees young mothers struggling to care for their children without understanding many of the most common healthcare practices that we take for granted.  The few gifts of vitamins, antibiotics, formula, and clothing mean a great deal to these people.  They trust that we can cure their medical problems. But due to insufficient materials, we knew that we could not; and that just cut into our inner Souls.  It reminded us of how fortunate and blessed we are.

Work continues on the Clinic.  A new wall was poured that will become part of the new Chapel. It is of worthy note that Prayer is an active part of the medical practice within this community. Columns for the next floor are being poured, there is electric power inside the building,the terrazzo floor is nearing completion, and more. In short, the Clinic is nearly ready to open for limited services. This is a very exciting time.

The end of the week soon arrives, and with it a sense of accomplishment and sadness.  We are no longer strangers.  We have lived in a Christ-filled Community that brings within itself a sense of inner Peace and Fellowship that reaches far beyond our respective churches. We have been taken out of our comfort zones with hardly a notice. We have witnessed the Power of God move among His people. But now, it was time to return home, knowing that we would be back hopefully for a longer stay.

As we look upon the unfinished building for one last time, several questions come to mind. Can it be that the real mission is not the building of a Clinic, but rather the building of our own communities?   As the bus drives past the small one-car sized homes, can it be the Lord trying to teach us what is really important?  Are we so caught up with our time driven, consumer oriented, God-when convenient, high stressed society, that the Voice in the Wilderness has been replaced by video games, computers,micro-waves and Ricki Lake?  Have we, as a society, lost contact with the teachings of Christ?

When we said good-bye to our host and our new and old friends, we were reminded that the Body of Christ is wherever His name is being proclaimed, whether be it in LaRomana, in Holden, Massachusetts, or wherever. That is the True Mission.

Again, the lyric to the song comes to mind, but with a slight change:

Father, Bless this work that YOU have begun.

Father, bless US that WE may all be one, ...

       Gelles Family

        Jefferson MA  01522, USA