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DONATIONS SENT TO GOOD SAM AS OF

June  2010

$100,150

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2010 Planned Tours

LINKS:

LA Romana Dreamin

Wallingford DR Team

Circle of 12

HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY

LAROMANA REFLECTIONS:

Why are we here?

Some years ago, I wrote a reflection for a musical presentation called "A Journey to Life Fullness". The central theme of the reflection concerned the concept of what exactly is a journey.  What I wrote then, still remains the same:  A journey means to go somewhere you have never gone before, do something that you have never done before, having no idea what to expect, nor when you will arrive.  It is only after one starts on a journey that its purpose and reasons begin to become clear.

How does one answer the question?  For some, the reason he or she goes on a Missionary trip is help build a building, or to provide medical care, or to teach, or do whatever the stated purpose of the trip is.  For them, the purpose of the mission seems clear.  But then, the real Journey begins.  One quickly learns that the stated tasks are secondary.  The truth of the Mission lies ahead.

The goal of this year's trip was (and still is ongoing) to rebuild the buildings in the Batey's that housed the Baptist Church / Medical Clinics that were destroyed or damaged from Hurricane George.  During our brief stay, three concrete buildings were completed.  Because the buildings are solid concrete, they now will also serve as refuge centers in the future.  Work on the main clinic would have to wait.  This would be the first time for most of us to spend any extended time in a Batey.  In addition, about half of the group worked on the medical team providing health care to those in the Bateys who would normally go without it.

Traditionally, we go to Sunday morning worship services that are held in the Bateys.  The group is split up as not to overtax the small church buildings.  This year was no different.  Quite often, one of our clergy members would co-celebrate with the local Haitian Baptist pastor. In our group, Alan Coe, who is the pastor of the Congregational Church in Leominster and who lives next to St. Francis, gave a teaching, and later consecrated the bread and wine (real).  The church was one of the unfinished buildings that we would complete later in the week.

The activity within the Batey is non-stop.  At one point, I got up and went to what would soon become a window and observe a few residents performing their daily chores.  A woman was hand washing her laundry; another was preparing a meal in a make shift kitchen.  I saw children who were either in Sunday School or playing with hand made toys.  And I saw much more.  While I watched, I heard the words of the Consecration being said.  I felt peace, but great sadness.

The next day we began our work. One person reflected that one of the Haitian woman asked why we were there.  When told that we were rebuilding "this" church, that person was corrected.  "This is OUR Church," she said.  With that, she left.  She returned shortly later with a number of others and informed the person that they are going to help rebuild THEIR Church.  What an incredible attitude. The question begins: why am I here?

During the week, I often observed four and five year olds arguing over a small pail that one of them would use to haul away rubble.  Ten year olds would fight over who would use a wheel barrow or a shovel,  often walking bare foot.  Teenagers ask your name and you theirs.  And very soon, "these people" are no longer strangers, but are brothers and sisters working for a common cause.

Upon reflection, the words of the Consecration rang in my head: "Do these things in memory of me."  I asked myself, "Do what?"   Then I was reminded of the words Jesus said, "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink.  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me."   And "when you do them to the least of these, you do them onto me."    And I remembered the last instructions Jesus gave to Peter: "Feed my sheep."  Again, the question: Why am I here?

My friend Michael tells of a nurse from the Bronx, NY.  As they were flying home, she told him of her experience one day while on medical rounds.   She was asked to do a house call to treat a sick child. While inside the home, the mother asked her to take her child home to the US so that he would have a better life.  Taken by the request, the nurse broke into tears.  "Before that", she said, "I didn't know why I was there.  Now, I know."

I went to the local Episcopal Church on Wednesday evening for the Lenten service.  I was surprised to see Caroline, the SAM missionary there. We had met two years ago just as she was finishing up her tour.  I was thrilled to see her again, as she had just been re-appointed to serve in LaRomana.  She invited me to the Friday evening service to which I said I would try to make.

I did get to go, bringing along one other person.  At one point, a member of the Congregation handed me a hymnal.  When told which hymn we were to sing, I noticed that the piece was in English (This is a Spanish speaking parish).   Shortly thereafter, we sang another song, again, in English.  After the service, I introduced my companion to Caroline. Among the many topics we spoke of, we mentioned how surprised we were with the hymns in English.  Caroline smiled and said that the congregation knew I was coming and wanted to sing English songs for my benefit.  I was taken back.  What compassion!

Time there goes by quickly. Before you know it, it's time to return home.  Knowing that a loving family and friends await your safe return, you are still very hesitant to leave.  No, you don't want to leave.  You have made new friends and are re-united with old ones. Those who must stay behind are now your extended family.  You have established tight bonds with others. You have been reminded that as you work and pray for others, others are working and praying for you.  Yet,  leave you must.  I wondered, is this how Jesus felt in the Garden?

The Journey continues.  Each step along the way is like starting on the Path anew.  I may not know what is going to happen along the way, but there is one thing for certain, I know why I go there.

Howie Gelles

M arch 1999