Day 7: one journey ends and another begins

We are all home, safe and sound, healthy and full of joy, ready for
snow and not missing the flies. It's been a long journey today, a good
way to leave a piece of our hearts in Haiti and embrace our hearts
desires here at home, in our ministries at Saint Dunstan's and the
Epiphany School.

After an early morning flight from Cap Haitien to Port Au Prince (25
minutes vs 6 hours with Noe at the wheel) we were greeted by Shirley
(Noe's wife) at the local airport. She was so kind to pick us up, an
upon learning of our long lay over before our afternoon flights, she
took us to be tourists for a few hours. And so we sat in traffic jams
for over an hour until we arrived at the National History Museum. The
guide was good - having Regine and Isabele bring the history to light
was a blessing to us all.

The guide mentioned that slavery in Haiti was worse than it ever was
in the United States. After he explained why, it was hard for any of
us to argue with graphic details of horror, disembodiment, torture ...

I continue to find it amazing what evil humankind can impose on other
humans and the world appears helpless to stop it. As I prepare for
Martin Luther King weekend, may we never forget our own history of
sin, slavery, discrimination, racism ... Call it what ever you wish.
And may our truth set us free.

At the airport, Regine was introducing Isabelle to what she might
expect if she is able to study at BC this fall, all the while
informing me too: as she mentioned a critical book she is deep into,
Pedagogy of the Oppressed.

In the waiting area, I met a Methodist Minister finishing up his own
mission work and returning to his parish in Pennsylvania. We spoke of
the transformation that happens when our parishioners and others join
us on mission. He noted that young adults gravitate to mission before
organized church. Haiti, he offered, was a "Laboratory for
discipleship". When I asked him to repeat it again, he reminded me it
was not his words.

Regine, Isabelle, London and Christine, along with our previous
mission teams to Haiti and youth missioners who went to Belize and/or
New Orleans - all are amazing disciples in Christ. I am proud of them
all for taking personal and literal risks, being open to having their
hearts and minds changed, and truly embracing their baptisms.

Pere Noe and so many other church leaders are daily on the front lines
and have proven they are great shepherds of The Lord.

I wonder whee this will lead us all? I pray we all will continue to
have open hearts and seek God's calling ... Where ever it takes us
tomorrow.

Amen.
Mark+

Sent from my Phone
Rev. Mark C. McKone-Sweet