Help us raise money to build houses in Haiti
Who is my neighbor? The question once asked of Jesus is now asked of us. Haiti and Jamaica are but a few hundred miles off U.S. shores, yet they seem a world away from our concern. Until, that is, Food for the Poor helped us see our neighbor's face. Christ the King's involvement with Food for the Poor, and the reason for taking part in FFP pilgrimages, has little to do with our desires and everything to do with Christ's leading. It has been a remarkable journey and an experience of growing in faith.
Ten of Christ the King's members recently went on a pilgrimage with Food for the Poor to walk with the poor of Jamaica. In and around Kingston, we met our neighbors - our brothers and sisters. Through the pilgrimages, and our ongoing relationships that grew from them, we have been changed and blessed. For we have seen the face of Christ.
Christ the King's mission statement is "Continuing Christ's Work through Worship, Service and Discipleship." A huge part of our mission has to do with stewardship, using well and sharing all of what God has abundantly entrusted to us, for the good of our neighbor. On a Food for the Poor pilgrimage to Haiti in October, 2008, Pastor Gaustad saw the need and suffering of our Haitian neighbors, especially following the storms of 2008. The people of Christ the King are responding to our neighbor's need by working in partnership with Food for the Poor to build safe and sustainable homes in Haiti's hard hit Cabaret region. Can you imagine the hope and dignity each of these houses will bring to each of the five families who'll call them home? That's why we're grateful to be partners with Food for the Poor- we are blessed even as our neighbors are blessed. We invite you join us as a partner in the Cabaret Project and discover with us the joy of making a remarkable difference in the life of one person and one family through the work of Food for the Poor.
One of our pilgrims, Karel, a middle school teacher, began this poem about her experiences while in Jamaica and completed it after a time of reflection back home:
Jamaica Visions
By Karel Rose-Sahlberg
Big Smiles,
Warm Eyes,
If you look deep
There is Jesus
Jumping and flying
Arm to arm
Warding off infection
Giggles and Hugs abound
There is Jesus
Huddled comfortably together
Shy and timid
Rough rope-burned hands
Fishing knowledge and community pride
spill forth
There is Jesus
Crooning movie tunes
Sweetly for all
We join in
There is Jesus
Hands ruffle small heads of hair
Arms gently squeeze shoulders
Eyes look straight into eyes
Each story shared
This is a Call not to go unanswered
There is Jesus
White amongst Black
Blinding the masses
Forget about fitting in
Just be
Observe
Listen
Pray
Sing
Love
Jamaica
Journal of Michael
These are excerpts from the journal of another of our pilgrims, Michael, a programmer with Microsoft:
…For myself it has been difficult to find the words to describe both the trip and how it has changed me, even to myself much less anybody else that has asked about the trip. Several times I have been asked if it was a good trip. The only answer I have been able to give is "Yes, it was a good trip." My answer feels like a pale shadow of how I want to answer. The only time I have felt the full depth of the answer has been understood is when I have been talking with my fellow travelers. One of my fellow travelers has come up with an answer that feels more complete to me. Her answer to the question If it was a good trip is, "it was an effective trip". While it doesn't give the questioner anymore detail, it does give a glimpse into the complexity and depth of the answer.
Who knows what or how I may make a difference. Maybe I will continue to write and share as I process my experiences. Maybe I will go talk with other congregations that are thinking about working with Food for the Poor. Maybe I will find a group here in the area to work with. Right now it is enough to help the group collect sheets for the infirmary we visited our first day in Jamaica.
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