And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[f] you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 ESV
Last week, twenty six people, youth and adults, left Houston for a week-long medical mission in the Dominican Republic. Let me first of all say thank you to the people of St. Dunstan’s for allowing Fr. Roman and I the time to be away and for the financial support you provided for this mission. Our group consisted of folks from St. Dunstan’s, St. Mary’s, Good Shepherd in Tomball, Trinity in The Woodlands, and a couple from other non-Episcopal churches. It also included four Episcopal priests and one Methodist minister (who wishes she was an Episcopalian). While this was my first mission trip, I have been involved with many diverse groups (Cursillo, summer camp, etc.) over the years, and I can say with no reservation that this group was truly remarkable and one of the finest I have been involved with. Not only did they provide excellent and effective ministry during the week, but I did not hear a single complaint or cross word from anyone. None. We were truly united in purpose and vision. That fact alone is amazing for such a large and diverse group.
Bonnie asked me several times before we left if I was excited. I was, but not in the same way I am before a vacation to a new place or even before a trip to the Holy Land (which I have done many times). I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the experience was almost beyond description. One surprise came as we were waiting to board. Henry, one of the group leaders, asked me for my seat assignment. It seems he had been bumped up to first class and wanted to trade seats with me. The irony that I flew first class to minister to people in a third world country is not lost on me.
There is not enough space in this blog to recount all the remarkable encounters and happenings of the week, but allow me to tell you about a few. First was our worship on Sunday at Batey 80. It was Pentecost, the celebration of the birth of the Church and the coming of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:4-6). We worshipped together in English, Spanish, and Creole. Instead of being separated by language, we were united in the sharing of Christ’s Body and Blood.
My assignment as we began our work in the bateys was to offer prayers for those who needed or requested it. My translator, Anna, was truly amazing. Not only was she fluent in English, Spanish, and Creole, she was fearless in approaching people to offer prayer as they awaited treatment in the clinic, often taking babies from their mother and bring them to the prayer station. As she translated for me, there was no doubt she was also adding her own petitions. People were so grateful for our prayers.
We were cautioned about giving children gifts, because they would go and bring their family members so they might get a gift, too. We had small “prayer patches,” a fabric pocket with a cross sewed inside (A 95 year old member of St. Mary’s had made over a hundred for the mission). In a weak moment I had given one to a little girl with a sweet face and pleading eyes. Of course, she soon reappeared with three friends. I asked Anna to tell them that these were for the people who were here for prayer. A moment later, Anna said, “Look” and pointed to the three children. They were standing there with their heads bowed and hands folded in prayer. It touched me so that I would probably have given them anything they wanted. Of course, I gave each of them a prayer pocket.
Interestingly, almost all of those asking for prayer during the week sought prayer for family members, instead of themselves. Many of those in the bateys were illegal immigrants from Haiti and asked for protection. Others asked for protection from spousal abuse. My heart was touched by these people who had nothing, lived in conditions most of us would consider primitive, yet had hearts filled with joy, faith, and thanksgiving. Even though we were there to minister to them, we were the ones who were blessed.
Another notable moment happened in the dental clinic, which itself was an amazing endeavor. Trish, our dentist, and Carmen, her dental assistant used a portable dental chair made, of all things, cardboard, a portable dental unit powered by a generator, and dental instruments sterilized in a pressure cooker on a propane stove—all outside under a tree. Many of the patients had had little or no previous dental work. One particular woman had broken and stained front teeth to the point that she held her hand over her mouth when she talked. Trish and Carmen worked on her for a very long time. When they finished and handed the patient a mirror, she cried at the dramatic transformation, then smiled with a beautiful new smile.
There are so many more “God moments” that I could share, but space does not permit. At our last team meeting, which was on the roof of Casa Pastorale overlooking the city, we were asked to share our greatest “high” and our lowest “low” of the week. When my turn came, I shared my “low” first, saying that, in over thirty years of ordained ministry, this was my first mission trip. My “high” was that, in over thirty years of ministry, this was my first mission trip—but it will not be my last. I ask that each of you prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to share your talents, your faith, and your love with those of another culture. You will be blessed!
Blessings,
Steve+
