March 5,
2012
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue
San
Diego, CA 92116
(619)
284-9205
Pastorgraphs: “My Joy and
My Crown”
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the
church at Philippi, a congregation he helped establish, he called them “my joy
and my crown”. (Philippians 4:1)
I
had that sentiment last night as I preached for our Haitian Methodist Mission.
It
was almost exactly three years ago a dozen Haitians came to me seeking a church
home. That was the same time I was desperately seeking to connect with the
church in Russia. Having just completed cancer surgery and radiation, I asked
the Lord to guide me – knowing I would have limited time, energy and resources.
Following that meeting, it was no longer a matter of either Haiti or Russia: it
was both!
It
was an honor to be the establishing pastor for the Diamondhead United Methodist
Church on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It has been an humbling experience to
have given the nudge that is resulting in a thriving Haitian Church.
The
picture from our security cameras shows the Chapel filled. What you don’t see
are about a dozen more Haitians sitting or standing along the rear wall of the
Chapel or outside the door.
I
shared with them that from day one, we have shared a Pentecost relationship
where the Holy Spirit transcended the language barriers. And while my Creole
has not improved a bit, over half the Haitian congregation is now bilingual.
(Thanks Becky for interpreting for me!)
My
message was there are two things that surpass language. Love and music. From
day one, I have experienced a loving relationship with them all. And their
beautiful music and rejoicing worship reminds me of genuine praise and
joyfulness.
That
is what Paul said later in Philippians 4: “Rejoice in the Lord. And while you
are at it, rejoice some more!” (Jenkins translation). He said that from prison.
No
matter what befalls us, in good times and bad, if God is with us, we have
reason to rejoice (times two).
The
Haitians came to us as strangers, and we took them in. We raised over $20,000
for Haiti earthquake relief. We have provided food, clothes and shelter for
over 200 Haitian asylees/refugees right here in San Diego.
Over
the last two weeks, I have looked up daily from my desk at the church to see
two beautiful eyes staring at me. She is one of the Haitian children living in
“The Loft” as an outreach of our Haitian Emigrant and Refugee Team (HEART)
Ministry. She is barely taller than my desk, and barely able to walk. Once she
has my attention, she smiles like an angel, and my heart melts. Then her sister
comes in, apologizes, and they head off to the nursery to play or to Christ
Kitchen to eat.
I
know what we are providing are the bare essentials for two families at a time:
a roof over their head, a bed to sleep in, a bathroom and shower, nutritious
meals, and most importantly, love and care. But I think how many more in Haiti
still live in tents and squalor.
Our
“joy and crown” is that from these humble efforts, God has blessed us with a
growing family, filled with love and rejoicing.
Devotedly,
Brother
Bill
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