Truly Blessed

Blessed to be a blessing has been the theme for our stewardship season this year.  As we approach stewardship Sunday I have been reflecting on how blessed I am and we are as a church.  After the recent storm I heard so many encouraging stories of neighbor helping neighbor.  Our church building had power so members came by and sat in the library to use their computers, charge their phones, and just warm up.  The narthex was packed with items needed by those who lost everything in Long Beach.  At the same time our colorful Haiti house in the Great Hall symbolized our partnership with the people of Haiti.  This church really knows how to share its blessings.
So as we prepare to fill our our pledge cards for 2013 we should count our blessings.  Remember the old gospel song, "Count your blessings, name them one by one.  Count your blessings, see what God has done." That song is in now in my head and as I count my blessings I keep coming back to the privilege of being your pastor.  I am blessed.  We are blessed.  Now we have the opportunity to be a blessing to others.
See you in Church

From Hot to Cold

Whew!  What a week it has been since we returned from Haiti.  The experience in Haiti was amazing and we wrote several entries to this blog while we were away.  But we were also able to watch the news about the hurricane that was pounding everyone back home (it had already passed through Haiti).  We were working in 90 degree weather looking for shade whenever we could and then we came home to the aftermath of the hurricane and then my first Nor'easter.  I don't think I have felt this cold since growing up in Alberta, Canada.
Fortunately the manse and church had power so Elisabeth was busy hosting families for meals and hot showers.  It's hard to believe there are still many families in our church who have no power almost two weeks after the storm.  How ironic, the intermittent power supply in Haiti was more than what thousands of folks have here in Westchester.
I have been pleased to see how much people have reached out to one another during this difficult time.  We have shared homes and donated clothes.  In the meantime some of our members have been in hospital and through it all I keep hearing about how much we appreciate our PCMK family--especially in times of need.
This Sunday will be a special reporting time from the Haitian team.  There will even be special food after worship on a Haitian theme.  Come hear stories and see pictures of all we saw and learned on this mission outreach to a beautiful, but struggling country.
Pastor Dale

Invitation to Soup at the Manse

If the events of the last week have gotten you down, what could be better than a pot of soup and good company with PCMK friends?  Everyone is invited to come to the manse after church this Sunday for a simple hot soup lunch.  If your house is without heat or power, come on over and warm up.  We've had power and heat, and we would love to share it.
Pastor Dale and Elisabeth

Last Day Celebrations

Today was our last day of rebuilding at the Lambi site and I am happy to report that we finished and presented all six homes to brand new homeowners at about 4:30 pm.  We started the day off with a short trip to Grace International Village. Here about 7,000 families still live in tents and hopefully wait for a chance to move into better living spaces. Also we visited the boys and girls homes (orphanages) where residents ages range from infants to adults. The village also run elementary school program for kids living in tents and the homes. We were privileged to visit temporary classrooms and visit briefly with the kids.  Grace village, in addition, runs "The Lord's Kitchen", a feeding program for the families living in the tents. Then we scrambled back to the work site where all hands were on deck to finish painting the last two homes. That was group work at its best!  Ours was an outstanding team! This was my first international service trip and I had the great pleasure of working alongside such great wonderful, hardworking and caring people.  After a long week of construction, it was rewarding to watch the six blessed and beautiful families graciously, with tears of joy and relief, receive the keys to their new homes. From Leogane, Haiti Mesi anpil - Lami Adebayo

A Little Beach Time

Maybe we shouldn't tell you this, but we went to the beach this afternoon.  We want you to think we are all working hard serving the people of Haiti.  You wouldn't want to see us laying around on a Caribbean vacation.  Well, today was a little of both.  We worked hard--really hard.  It was very hot today and we were all working towards our goals of completing various projects.  Tomorrow we will dedicate three homes for six families who are living in tents.  It will be a wonderful celebration.  But we still have work to do putting on roofs, painting, building railings and window screens.
So I think we earned a couple hours at the beach.  It was a beach club, Haitian style.  The water was warm and the music was lively.  We even had a live band that came and played to our tables.
The week is winding down and we can't wait to get back to all of you.  Our hearts are grieving with those who lost so much in the storm.  We feel so disconnected from all of it and you.
We'll see you in church on the 4th and then our special reporting Sunday on the 11th.  We have great plans for that day to tell you about our trip and to thank you for all your support!
See you in church
Pastor Dale