A Powerful Day In History for America and the World

I could not let today pass without speaking to the incredibly emotional and profound experience of witnessing the Inauguration of Barak Obama, the first African American President of the United States. As one who grew up in Washington, D.C. during the 60's and whose community based and spiritual work has taken me to many urban areas and international settings where racism and injustice pervade, I am not sure that I would have anticipated the U.S. being prepared to lovingly and longingly receive an Executive Officer of color in 2008. How thankful I am to have been wrong. The entire inaugural program was quite moving. However, I want to point to two places which were particularly significant to me.

The first was a section of President Obama's Inaugural speech, early in his remarks, where he says:

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom."

Recently, there has been discord and turmoil within a community that I love very dearly in the U.S. Their pain and woundedness runs deep. In addition, my daily walk here in Haiti makes me keenly aware of the daily struggles and challenges within this country and, consequently, my call to respond and stand side by side with the people to help address such challenges. President Obama's words therefore resonate with me at many levels- at the National level, the community level, the international level and the personal level. He has provided all of us with an inspirational mandate-"choose hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord". We have an opportunity to be a positive and effective force again.

The second touch point for me was Elizabeth Alexander's poem. I was not familiar with Elizabeth Alexander and obtained a little biographical information on her.

Elizabeth Alexander was born in 1962 in Harlem, New York, and grew up in Washington, D.C. She received a B.A. from Yale University, an M.A. from Boston University and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. Her collections of poetry include American Sublime (Graywolf Press, 2005), which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; Antebellum Dream Book (2001); Body of Life (1996); and The Venus Hottentot (1990). Alexander’s critical work appears in her essay collection, The Black Interior (Graywolf, 2004). She also edited The Essential Gwendolyn Brooks (Graywolf, 2005) and Love’s Instruments: Poems by Melvin Dixon (1995). Her poems, short stories, and critical writing have been widely published in such journals and periodicals as The Paris Review, American Poetry Review, The Kenyon Review, The Southern Review, Prairie Schooner, Callaloo, The Village Voice, The Women's Review of Books, and The Washington Post. Her work has been anthologized in over twenty collections, and in May of 1996, her verse play, Diva Studies, premiered at the Yale School of Drama.

One critique says that her "poems bristle with the irresistible quality of a world seen fresh," while another noted her "instinct for turning her profound cultural vision into one that illuminates universal experience."

Elizabeth Alexander's stirring Inaugural poem is as follows:

Praise song for the day.

Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others’ eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.

A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher says, “Take out your pencils. Begin.”

We encounter each other in words, Words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; Words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, “I need to see what’s on the other side; I know there’s something better down the road.”

We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.

Some live by “Love thy neighbor as thy self.”

Others by "first do no harm," or "take no more than you need."

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.

In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.

One of the common threads of the Inauguration ceremonies was the reference to light. America has a chance to return to the light and rediscover what it means to be a country of pride, unity and promise. Elizabeth also speaks to the "face" of America- it is the common man pursuing an every day existence. We are all an integral part of the change that Barak Obama has inspired throughout his campaign.

As I did on election night, I witness Barak Obama's Inauguration in the dining area of the Seminaire de Theologie, alongside the Seminarians and many clergy from the Diocese. Faculty and students from Union Seminary who are facilitating a two week class series on Pastoral Care and the Gospel of Mark were also part of the community of viewers. Simultaneously, I was receiving spirited text messages from Kenya. It was truly an international moment, one I will never forget.

Seminary Classes Resume and Bidding Farewell to Abiade

The Seminaire de Theologie was closed from December 20-January 4 for the Christmas holidays. Seminarians headed to the homes of their immediate family or split their time between friends and extended family. As a result, I was able to see a few of the Seminarians during the vacation, especially the 4th year students. Time with the "seniors" was particularly important to me, since they would not be returning to the Seminary. They would begin their final field work before ordination to the deaconate, scheduled for this summer. Some would be posted hours from Port au Prince. It was going to be very hard for me to experience such a lapse in time in being with them.

During my ten + weeks in Haiti, I have grown close to all of the Seminarians. However, the schedule of the 4th year students was more flexible than those of the underclassmen. Consequently, I had had the luxury of much more time with them. It was clear that they had formed a very close relationship during the past four years. They were like brothers. It was now time for that relationship to change, for them and for me.

The focus of attention was on Abiade Lozama, a 4th year student who had been awarded a two year scholarship for a Masters program and Virgina Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. This would be Abiade's first time out of the country and, actually first time on an airplane. I had helped with some of the paperwork and logistics for his departure. Now I felt we needed to do a Commissioning. Friday, January 2 was the last night that all the 4th year students were going to be together. They met at my apartment at 5:30 p.m. I lit a candle and explained the tradition of laying on of hands and anointing at my church, Trinity, Solebury. Since there are some differences in what is acceptable for laity to do in Haiti, I made sure that it was O.K. for me to anoint Abiade with oil. First, we read Luke 10:1-9, the Gospel that was read at my Commissioning. Part of the passage reads "...the Lord appointed seventy others and and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way.' " When Jean Fills finished reading the Gospel, I asked Abiade to sit in a chair and, and joining hands (kenbe), the rest of us surrounded him. I had encouraged everyone to offer prayers and I would close with the anointing. Sonley led with special prayers in French and then drew us into reciting the Lord's Prayer. It was wonderful. We concluded by anointing Abiade with oil.

Immediately following the Commissioning, we went down the street to a wonderful little cafe and all had rum punches and fish dinner. It was one of the best dinners I have had here. At the end of the evening, Abiade, Jean Fills and Sonley walked me to my door and each gave me a hug. Hugs are a rare occurance here (Haitian greeting and farewell is usually represented by a hand shake and a kiss on the cheek), so I was particularly touched. Abiade said he had not known what to expect and was truly moved by the Commissioning. .

The following Wednesday, January 7, we dedicated the morning service to Abaide and offered special prayers. I cried a little during the liturgy, which was probably better than doing so in front of Abiade. Then Pere Oge and I drove to St. Vincent School for the Handicapped to pick up Sonley and Abiade. Sonley was first on the scene, carrying Abiade's suitcase. Then Abiade came down the long metal stairs in the atrium of the school in a gorgeous new suit. He looked so handsome and completely ready to begin this new chapter in his life.

When we arrived at the airport, we parked the car and walked him to the security area. Then it was a final goodbye. He was on his way.

The Seminarians have become very dear to me. Saying goodbye to Abiade was like sending one of my own sons of to a new and strange land filled with opportunity and, undoubtedly, challenges. We have stayed in close touch since his departure. As I suspected, he is thriving at VTS. I feel privileged to have shared in this wonderful part of his training as a priest and I look forward to seeing what God does in His life during these next two years.

January 1-Independence Day in Haiti, A Celebration of Freedom

Independence Day in Haiti is January 1, the same day as New Year's. You could certainly experience the spirit and celebration in Port au Prince. The festivities didn’t quiet until about 5 a.m. this morning!

On January 1, 1804, Saint-Domingue ceased to exist and modern Haiti was born. 500,000 slaves achieved their freedom under the leadership of General Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Toussaint L'Ouverture, Francois Capois and other great heroes. Many of the generals died while fighting for independence never seeing the first day of freedom. They were brave and zealous servants of their country, hoping that one day they would truly be unfettered. Haiti became the first Black Country to gain its independence.

When the French were in control, they established a law stipulating that they were the only ones to eat soup. In fact, a New Year's Day tradition was to eat soup. When Haiti proclaimed its independence, all Haitians started to eat soup. It was a way to demonstrate that everyone was equal. The custom of eating soup on Independence Day continues today.

Ayibobo! (Alleluia in Creole) to all free Haitians and cultures who claim the Haitian revolution’s great legacy and triumph over tyranny. It is an example of the human race’s universal thirst for freedom and Haiti’s great triumph against empire and slavery ever.

A Trip To A Reforestation Project In Arcahaie

Timote Georges serves as the Field Representative in Haiti for Trees for the Future (www.treeftf.org), a non-profit reforestation organization headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland. Timote and I found each other through Kathleen McLaughlin-a member of the BuildaBridge staff-about eight months ago while planning the Diaspora of Hope art camp. Timote and Kathleen were both graduates of the University of Peace and Kathleen had made all alumni aware of the art program in Port au Prince. Though Timote was not an artist himself, he believed in the project and was solely responsible for recruiting all the Haitian artists.

I was eager to learn more about Timote’s work, not only because of its importance to Haiti’s future, but also because the Youth and Young Adult Summer Mission Program had identified reforestation as one of its projects. Haiti was once a beautiful island covered with trees. Beginning with colonization, the country was gradually stripped of its many resources including trees. Charcoal has remained the primary cooking fuel through the ages further depleting the trees. In 1929, 60% of Haiti was forested. By 2004, 2% remained wooded.

Trees are an integral part of the ecosytem and environmental health of the planet. Some of their contributions include: the preservation of water sources, the critically important retention of soil, a reduced threat of landslides and increased population of flora and fauna. It therefore goes without saying that the work of Trees for the Future and similar organizations is vital to Haiti.

Trees for the Future is engaged in work throughout Haiti. However, in the interest of time and easy access, Timote decided to take me to their operation in Arcahaie. Arcahaie is a small village along the Northern coast of the gulf and about two hours from Port au Prince. This community is very active in charcoal trading. As a point of historical interest, Arcahaie is also the birthplace of the Haitian flag. On May 18, 1803, members of the revolutionary army, led by General Jean-Jacques Dessalines, ripped the white section out of the French flag and introduced the blue and red Haitian flag during the final months of the slave rebellion.

It was a beautiful drive, especially since the ocean was in view most of the time. Surprisingly, I had not yet had a chance to visit the ocean, so this was a treat. First, we viewed the after effects of the four hurricanes that had struck Haiti in Fall 2008. This effected access for the local inhabitants as well as the farming industry. We then visited the primary nursery for the area. A major planting of 10,000 trees had recently occurred. Nevertheless, the small grouping of seedlings and remaining section of palm structure used for shading, gave me a sense of the program. A hand made irrigation trough had been created near the nursery, servicing it and the many banana trees in the area.














Following our time in the nursery, we headed north to Mitan, where we visited a dear friend of Timote. Alex and his wife greeted us warmly and we enjoyed a couple hours of relaxed time with them. Alex and his family spent about 40 years in the Chicago area. He worked for the Transit Authority and also had his own business that took him to both North and South Chicago. Once retired, Alex returned to Haiti where he uses his pension to serve his community. Though he has six of his own children, he has sponsored countless others in education. He also dreams of completing a clinic just down the road from his home.













The day had deepened my understanding of the challenges of deforestation and the exciting way that Trees for the Future was engaging the local community in effecting positive change. Timote’s goal is to plant 1 million trees in 2009. I hope that the Summer Mission helps significantly in moving him toward that goal.