Guess Who’s Coming To Haiti?!

Immediately following the Tabasamu program, I received a visit from Rev. Lauren Stanley, an Episcopal priest who hails from the Diocese of Virginia and serves as a Missioner through the Episcopal Church Center. She has spent the past four years in the Sudan, teaching English and a number of courses at the Episcopal Seminary there. She endured relentless heat, living in a mud hut with no running water, no electricity and, given the significant political unrest, prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. As with those truly called to Mission, Lauren immersed herself in the daily life and culture of the Sudan. She is fluent in Arabic, speaks some Dinka and embraces many of the traditions of the Sudanese.

Lauren recently returned home from this assignment and wanted to consider Haiti for her next post. I invited her to stay with me not only as an extension of hospitality by a fellow Missioner but also to provide her with an opportunity to ask questions about my experience and share some time with the Seminarians.

As part of my Missioner training last summer, I attended an Episcopal Mission world conference called Everyone Everywhere. I heard Lauren speak at the conference and was very moved by her experience in the Sudan. Little did I know that our paths would cross again so soon and that she would be considering an assignment in Haiti!

Lauren is a ball of fire, passionate about service as a Missioner. We exchanged a few e-mails before her arrival. She was eager to learn about Haiti and, in particular, my perspective on the country and the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti. I took full advantage of her visit, asking her to bring a guitar and recorder and some hand made book bags with school supplies for St. Vincent school for Handicapped Children. She did so willingly and eagerly.

Lauren’s stay in Haiti allowed me to meet another priest in the Diocese, Pere Ajax Kesner. As with all the priests of the Diocese of Haiti, Pere Ajax carries many responsibilities. A primary duty is the management of the Partnership Program. This initiative involves oversight of all partnerships between schools administered by the Diocese of Haiti and their U.S. sponsors. There is a keen interest in growing the number and scope of partnerships, so much so, that it is a goal included in a special resolution to be presented at the National Convention this July. Though Lauren certainly spent individual time with Pere Ajax, I was also able to join them for a number of meals and help to share some of the culture and traditions of Haiti.

One of the highlights of her stay was when she co-celebrated Eucharist with Rev. Fernand, the only ordained woman in the Diocese of Haiti. They led the Wednesday morning liturgy at the Seminaire de Theologie. What a great example for all the Seminarians and an inspiration for Margarette and Carmel, the first, and to date, the only two female Seminarians.

Lauren met with Bishop Jean Zache Duracin last Wednesday and was formerly invited to serve in the Diocese of Haiti. She will be situated in Petionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, and live in an apartment over St. James the Just Church. In addition to focusing on the Partnership Program, she will also help with communications, and serve at the English-language 8 a.m. service on Sundays. Many expatriates, including a lot of AID and embassy personnel, attend this service. Lauren hopes to foster deeper relationships with them.

About a month after I arrived in Haiti, I spoke with David Copley, the Mission Personnel Officer for the Episcopal Church, and urged him to begin considering who might follow me when I departed in November. I could never have imagined that a Missioner with Lauren’s experience would choose to serve here. I am additionally blessed to be able to work with her for two months before I head home. God has truly provided abundance in ministry for the Diocese of Haiti.