I gotta tell ya about my latest CCD experience.
One of the families we have been working with is that family I have written about before with the grandparents taking care of a large number of grandchildren while the parents of these kids work in Nassau. This family has very little and things are tight, and at times I can imagine they get a little desperate. They are happy, but when we visit usually the children have no shoes (shoes are for school and church), the clothes we see them wear at home are worn quite thin (but their school uniforms are always clean and neat), and when they go fishing, its not for sport - but for food (snacks are things they find growing in the bush, like coconuts or sapadillies). Suffice it to say they live a hard life and if we had any extra we'd give it to them, and we have.
Well, we have enrolled these kids in our Religious Ed class and this past week the topic was freedom. The books we use talked about the Exodus and Israel's freedom from slavery. Then the book had an exercise that explained there are a variety of types of slavery. There is slavery from racism, sexism, addiction, poverty, etc. The exercise they had to do was to describe something they would do to battle slavery to each of these types.
So the first one was freedom from addiction and they all struggled with that one. I said to one boy who has an older brother in Nassau. "What if you went to Nassau and found out your brother was addicted to drugs - what would you do?" He replied "I'd try to get him into rehab." Perfect, so with a pretty good understanding of the exercise they all get to work writing ideas on how to overcome these various forms of slavery.
It is then that one of the girls from this family raises her hand and asks, "What's poverty?" Just about knocked me off my chair. She doesn't know she's poor, life is what it is. I explained that poor people have no money, they may be homeless and might have to beg for food - and she understood that, AND that I wasn't talking about her. But I gotta tell ya, at that moment, when this particular girl asked me "What's poverty?" you could have knocked me over with a feather. She doesn't feel poor. She has a house that is just fine with her, she has a family that loves her, she has food that she's happy with.
What a lesson for me!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Here's the latest
So much to say and so little time to type.
Well, here is the big one. Ginni went home to do some nursing (and earn the money we need to pay for international health insurance). To go from the Bahamas to Boston weather is a challenge, but she did it and, right before the 10" of snow, she slipped on some ice in the driveway and broke her arm. Yup, broke it.
So, she is home, in alot of pain, and I'm trying to adapt. The break is about 2" from the shoulder so they can't put it in a cast. The bone is cracked in a V shape and they immobilized it, and put it in a sling. Bone pain is tough and she's dealing with it, but being so far away it is tough for both of us. Simple things like taking off her blouse are incredibly painful and there's not much I can do from here but sympathize. Thank God the kids bought us the internet telephone service. Skype has been a god-send for us. We can talk as if she's next door and deal with all the questions about her care and how she's feeling, which is a big help for both of us.
Not much more to tell you on that front, other than its not clear when she'll be back. I am trying to wrap my head around getting all we did together done by myself, but it will happen.
On the ministry front so much happens at this time of year I'd be scrambling even if Gin was here. During Lent there are special liturgical services for all those who we have been preparing to become Catholic. Ginni and I have been teaching weekly classes ever since we arrived here and this Easter we have 4 people that will become Catholics. This week, for example, was the Rite of Election. Our Catechumens will become members of the Elect. (Actually, since I am writing this on Sunday evening they HAVE become members of the Elect.)
Traditionally, this service is performed by the Bishop, as they present themselves before him and write their name in the Book of the Elect, indicating their desire to be Baptized, recieve the Eucharist and Confirmation. In Boston we have so many candidates we fill the Cathedral twice, for two different services (I just read that Boston had 600 this year). In Nassau, the Cathedral is filled as well, but island life gets in the way of everyone being able to fly to Nassau, then spend the night, then fly home. It is just too expensive and impractical for that to be possible. There is an option in the Rite for this situation where the local pastor can perform the Rite. Since they can't write their name in the Book of the Elect, they still proclaim thier intent before the parish and I will enter their name on my next trip to Nassau.
For me, this is extremely rewarding. Every week these people have been meeting to learn about the dogmas of the church, and study the scriptures. To do this, every week, for what will be 2 years when we are finished is a testament to their fidelity. The Holy Spirit is alive on Andros.
On another front, I did my first Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Service. Ash Wednesday is a challenge here since I have 3 churches and only 1 me. I did a 9AM service in Cargill Creek which was poorly attended since people have jobs. There were a few retired people there and one child who had been kept home due to his asthma. From there I went to AUTEC and did another service from 12 to 130 so that the sailors and the Bahamian employees could come to the Base chapel as their lunch breaks occurred. There were several Cargill Creek folks that dropped in then, as well as US Base employees. Finally, at 6PM the good folks from St. Stephen Anglican Church joined St. John's for an Ecumenical Ash Wed Service. I hosted at St. John's so Rev Furguson of the Anglican Church preached. Next year the roles will be reversed. Suffice it to say it was a stressful event for me. For starters, my keyboard player from Cargill Creek who swore he'd come to play, didn't show up. The Anglican choir, who I had thought would lead us in song, let me know they were only planning to do 1 song. Then Rev Furguson didn't show up until 6:10 for the 6PM service. Once we got rolling, the program I had planned went off just fine, but I was ready for a drink by the time they all left. ( BUT ITS LENT SO I COULDN'T HAVE ONE)
One last story for you. I had heard that the High School had created a Christian Choir and they were looking for places to perform. So I called the High School and arranged a time to meet with the director. On the day of the meeting I put on my only clerical shirt with the Roman Collar (I've learned that for official meetings wearing the collar is expected) and I get ready to go. I knew I needed to get some diesel fuel so I go to the local man who syphons diesel into my van (the gas station in town has diesel but their pump has been broken for months). Well, I get to Phil's house and there's nobody home. The van is running on fumes so its back to the church where I now keep a 10 gallon container filled with diesel for emergencies. Naturally, since I am all dressed in my 'go-to-meeting' clothes, while filling the van this is when I spill diesel fuel all over my shoes.
With the van fueled up, I now smell like a gas station so I run into the house change my shoes and sox, putting on new sox and changing into black Crocks (the only other black shoes I have). So off I go to meet the choir director, smelling less like a diesel gas station, but retaining a bit of that aroma.
At the High School the kids were between classes, moving from one to the other and seeing me I got more than one "Hi Deac" as they filed past me. It actually made me feel quite welcome. So I meet the Choir Director, a very nice guy, and we put together a plan for them to visit us during the 5th Sunday of Lent. They will visit both Bahamian Churches and might even be able to have some liturgical dance as part of the service. If Ginni is back by then maybe we can get some pics or maybe even a video!
Meanwhile, I am now trying to figure out if I can ever wear those shoes again - anybody have ideas on how to get the gasoline smell out of leather?
Till next time
Well, here is the big one. Ginni went home to do some nursing (and earn the money we need to pay for international health insurance). To go from the Bahamas to Boston weather is a challenge, but she did it and, right before the 10" of snow, she slipped on some ice in the driveway and broke her arm. Yup, broke it.
So, she is home, in alot of pain, and I'm trying to adapt. The break is about 2" from the shoulder so they can't put it in a cast. The bone is cracked in a V shape and they immobilized it, and put it in a sling. Bone pain is tough and she's dealing with it, but being so far away it is tough for both of us. Simple things like taking off her blouse are incredibly painful and there's not much I can do from here but sympathize. Thank God the kids bought us the internet telephone service. Skype has been a god-send for us. We can talk as if she's next door and deal with all the questions about her care and how she's feeling, which is a big help for both of us.
Not much more to tell you on that front, other than its not clear when she'll be back. I am trying to wrap my head around getting all we did together done by myself, but it will happen.
On the ministry front so much happens at this time of year I'd be scrambling even if Gin was here. During Lent there are special liturgical services for all those who we have been preparing to become Catholic. Ginni and I have been teaching weekly classes ever since we arrived here and this Easter we have 4 people that will become Catholics. This week, for example, was the Rite of Election. Our Catechumens will become members of the Elect. (Actually, since I am writing this on Sunday evening they HAVE become members of the Elect.)
Traditionally, this service is performed by the Bishop, as they present themselves before him and write their name in the Book of the Elect, indicating their desire to be Baptized, recieve the Eucharist and Confirmation. In Boston we have so many candidates we fill the Cathedral twice, for two different services (I just read that Boston had 600 this year). In Nassau, the Cathedral is filled as well, but island life gets in the way of everyone being able to fly to Nassau, then spend the night, then fly home. It is just too expensive and impractical for that to be possible. There is an option in the Rite for this situation where the local pastor can perform the Rite. Since they can't write their name in the Book of the Elect, they still proclaim thier intent before the parish and I will enter their name on my next trip to Nassau.
For me, this is extremely rewarding. Every week these people have been meeting to learn about the dogmas of the church, and study the scriptures. To do this, every week, for what will be 2 years when we are finished is a testament to their fidelity. The Holy Spirit is alive on Andros.
On another front, I did my first Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Service. Ash Wednesday is a challenge here since I have 3 churches and only 1 me. I did a 9AM service in Cargill Creek which was poorly attended since people have jobs. There were a few retired people there and one child who had been kept home due to his asthma. From there I went to AUTEC and did another service from 12 to 130 so that the sailors and the Bahamian employees could come to the Base chapel as their lunch breaks occurred. There were several Cargill Creek folks that dropped in then, as well as US Base employees. Finally, at 6PM the good folks from St. Stephen Anglican Church joined St. John's for an Ecumenical Ash Wed Service. I hosted at St. John's so Rev Furguson of the Anglican Church preached. Next year the roles will be reversed. Suffice it to say it was a stressful event for me. For starters, my keyboard player from Cargill Creek who swore he'd come to play, didn't show up. The Anglican choir, who I had thought would lead us in song, let me know they were only planning to do 1 song. Then Rev Furguson didn't show up until 6:10 for the 6PM service. Once we got rolling, the program I had planned went off just fine, but I was ready for a drink by the time they all left. ( BUT ITS LENT SO I COULDN'T HAVE ONE)
One last story for you. I had heard that the High School had created a Christian Choir and they were looking for places to perform. So I called the High School and arranged a time to meet with the director. On the day of the meeting I put on my only clerical shirt with the Roman Collar (I've learned that for official meetings wearing the collar is expected) and I get ready to go. I knew I needed to get some diesel fuel so I go to the local man who syphons diesel into my van (the gas station in town has diesel but their pump has been broken for months). Well, I get to Phil's house and there's nobody home. The van is running on fumes so its back to the church where I now keep a 10 gallon container filled with diesel for emergencies. Naturally, since I am all dressed in my 'go-to-meeting' clothes, while filling the van this is when I spill diesel fuel all over my shoes.
With the van fueled up, I now smell like a gas station so I run into the house change my shoes and sox, putting on new sox and changing into black Crocks (the only other black shoes I have). So off I go to meet the choir director, smelling less like a diesel gas station, but retaining a bit of that aroma.
At the High School the kids were between classes, moving from one to the other and seeing me I got more than one "Hi Deac" as they filed past me. It actually made me feel quite welcome. So I meet the Choir Director, a very nice guy, and we put together a plan for them to visit us during the 5th Sunday of Lent. They will visit both Bahamian Churches and might even be able to have some liturgical dance as part of the service. If Ginni is back by then maybe we can get some pics or maybe even a video!
Meanwhile, I am now trying to figure out if I can ever wear those shoes again - anybody have ideas on how to get the gasoline smell out of leather?
Till next time
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