Christmas Day

Our response to God's Gift is simple is it not?

From Hymn 112

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a wise man, I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give him, give my heart.

Sunday Sermon.Headstones

Sunday’s sermon referenced these two headstones, found in Author’s Ridge, Concord. (My hometown).

I wonder what they tell us about Emerson and Thoreau.

 

 

 

 

 

B-Day: Why I was running today

Today is my birthday. Today while running with my neighbor, we talked about why we run. It started with the simple truth; we knew that exercise was important for good health and for clearing our heads. We also noted with a morning workout, our minds are much more alert at work. All good reasons to work out.  On the 2nd mile we talked about work and things. By the 3rd mile we were short a breath. Yet we were able arrived at the real reason to exercise: we want to be healthy enough to see our kids grow older - and God willing - meet our grandchildren. Once we claimed that truth, our pace quicken and the rest of the run was effortless. It is good to always know the real reason why we are doing something (or trying to do something).  I wonder what real reasons are for what we all do in our lives?

An extended family

Fr. Noe, his wife Shirley, daughter Noelly and twins Alex and Lexi (in their new Dover-Sherborn t-shirts) posed with us in front of the rectory. How privileged we were to spend a week with this generous and loving family!

Duvalier returns

Fr. Noe received the news that former president "Baby Doc" Duvalier returned to Haiti from two decades of exile Sunday night. This has thrown Haitian politics into turmoil and we could see the impact in the heavy UN presence around the airport in Port Au Prince.

Dancing

On Sunday afternoon we returned to the school where women from the church danced and sang for us. We were happily watching from the sidelines when Fr. Noe pulled Chris, Kathy and Roxanne into the midst of these dancers. Kathy showed some great moves! It was a joyous afternoon for all of us.

Church on Sunday

On Sunday Mark preached, Fr. Noe translated, and together they celebrated the Eucharist and blessed the congregation. We are one church, one faith, one body.

Main street in Cap Haitien

Day 7 - the Journey home

We woke up to sound of pounding corn in the kitchen at 3:45 am. We at a traditional breakfast of spaghetti and said our final goodbyes. From the plane we could see the Citadel and then the tent cities. We arrived safely at PAP airport - with increased UN military due to two exiled presidents flying in last night and today. Neither one was a good leader for the people ... I wonder if Haiti is headed for a constitutional crisis.

More photos forthcoming when we return to Boston.

Day 6: church

We are having technical difficulties sending updates. This morning we will worship with 400 members of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church. This afternoon a feast from the women of the church. We are sad we only have one day left here. This church is alive, growing and very engaged in growing community, education and hope. Praise be to God.

Day 5: housing project for earthquake refugees

This afternoon Pere Noe took us to a new housing community built by Food For The Poor, a project supported by the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti for the refugees from the earthquake. Leon invited us into his home and was proud to show us both his new home and his beautiful daughter. This afternoon we also visited St. Barnabas Agricultural School which was paid for by the Episcopal and Presbyterian churches of the U.S. We also also visited a trade school in the town of Trou de Nord that is being expanded with funds from St. Albans church in Maine. With the town growing with refugees the hope is to expand the educational facilities and build a church and a rectory for a full time priest. This evening the parish slaughtered a goat in our honor and we will eat it at a celebratory meal tomorrow.

Day 5: tourist and the Citadel

A thirty minute hike to walk through the huge fort on top of the mountain range. A world heritage site and one of "eight wonders of the world." Built by king Henri Christophe in the early eighteen hundreds and never completed or occupied. Our morning was spent seeing Haiti by foot and the back of the truck. The poverty was overwhelming. Not ready to post those photos.

Day 5: morning

Our two rooms complete: new paint and new benches. We are ready to learn more!

Day 4: Pere and Pere

Fr Noe and Rev Mark. A friendship is born from ministry for Christ.

Day 4 more soccer balls

kris is in heaven!

Day 4 morning

This morning we delivered some of the 60 soccer balls collected by Kris and Charlie through the Dover Sherborn soccer league. They were quite a hit!

Day 3: working hard: painting and building benches.

Day 3: singing and dancing at school.

Day 3 school

Four years after being built, 600 students and 150 teachers. Amazing!

Breakfast at the recto

Fr Noe and his wife Shirley fed us in their kitchen! Spaghetti is the main course!

Day 2 : morning at rectory

No sooner did we arrive was Cathy asked to play piano with Fr Noe's daughter. This compound includes a hospital for disabled and trade school. Soon we will be a walking tour of town, visit to schools, worship of remembrance.

Day One Port Au Prince

We arrived to the warm welcome of Fr Noe at the airport as the sun was setting. We drove to a local hotel for a safe lodging for the night. It was dark so we have yet to see the truth.

Tomorrow the country will gather at churches for a day of remembrance. The one year anniversary. We fly to Cap Haitien at 7am. We will worship at Fr Noe's parish at 3pm. Please join us in prayer.

We also hope to purchase our materials for our work and begin to emerge ourselves in this country. Charlie asked Fr Noe what were the biggest challenges facing Haiti: political stability; economic equality; access to education; access to health care; and food for all. For example, in a city of 1 million people (Cap Haitien) there are a total of 50 doctors. Fr Noe reflected that on Sunday, after mass, he is often uncertain if his parishioners will eat.

A sobering truth. We prayed compline tonight and gave thanks for our families and parish who have sent us here.

The Rev. Mark C. McKone-Sweet
Sent from my phone.

Half way there. Miami

We left Boston with out a hitch ... Delayed going into Miami (landed in Orlando) two phone calls and AA rebooked us and Fr Noe learned of our change. Amen.

The Rev. Mark C. McKone-Sweet
Sent from my phone.

12 Hours to Go!

Today is the day most missioners anticipate with comes with a sense of anxiety.  12 hours before our departure! Re-packing bags, finding your passport for the 4th time today, checking the weight of your bags, and trying to remember if you forgot something. And of course checking the flight status. Our departure tomorrow is5:30am. 

Yesterday, we celebrated the 1st Sunday of Epiphany and Feast Day for the Baptism of our Lord. What a fitting liturgy for our mission team. We were commissioned and we renewed our baptismal vows with the entire parish. "Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself" and we all shouted "We will with God's help!". 

With God's help! The people of Haiti have be claiming this truth for generations and especially in the past year. The people of Saint Dunstan's have been claiming this truth too.  Indeed, claiming God's love and grace in the extreme loss the world experiences daily AND in our own lives of loss is rooted in the cross: "Lift High the Cross - the Cross of Love Proclaimed -
for the all world"  

How do you claim the cross in your life, in your family, in your work? We are prepared to learn so much about claiming the Cross of the Good News from the people of Haiti. We pray that upon our return we will share with each other how God is calling us to do the same here at home! 



The Rev. Mark C. McKone-Sweet

Sent from my phone. 

Haiti: Prayers grew into a mission team

Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church’s mission team leaves for Haiti on Tuesday (January 11^th).  A day before the one year anniversary of the tragic earthquake took aim at a country already struggling to pull itself out of desperate poverty, political unrest and economic renewal. Indeed, the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti was hard at work growing hope in every community they served.  Today, with 85% of the diocese buildings, churches and school destroyed, with over 60,000 members and 28 priests and three Sisters they continue to care, love and grow hope for the people of God.

As I recall, Saint Dunstan’s first response was prayer, followed by fundraising. And in February of 2010 we donated over $11,000 to the Sister’s of Saint Margaret, Haiti to assist their ministry and rebuilding effort.

We have been praying for the people of Haiti and Diocese of Haiti every Sunday since. In the summer of 2010, we were invited to pray about forming a Mission Team. In November eight members of the our parish answered the ‘call’  to travel to Haiti, witness the ministry of the church to the people of Haiti and open their hearts to be transformed.  As we are able, we will post updates to this blog.  Please keep our team, the people Haiti, Fr Noe (our host) and the Parish of the Holy Spirit in Cap Haitien in your prayers.