Friday, January 14, 2011
Today is our day to experience a different side of Haiti! We are going to the Baptist Mission at the top of a mountain near PAP. It is much cooler up here, maybe in the 70s...beautiful! It is impossible to reconcile the abject poverty and systemic trash that literally surrounds most of PAP with these lush green hillsides. Haiti is such a study in paradox, and it remains so amazing how most people keep the faith in such desperation and remain hopeful in such hopelessness.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Day that Shook Haiti Forever...
Too much to say about today. It was much anticipated, maybe even feared, but with it came joy and a celebration of life. Two memorial services – one morning (6.00am) and one evening (4.00 pm), but between the two, a full day with UMCOR (Melissa Crutchfield, Jim Gulley, and Nancy Gulley). Three inspiring people, each with amazing life stories. However, I must let Jim tell his own story of being trapped under rubble for 55 hours, his survival and rescue. Check it out at…
http://outsideonline.com/travel/travel-ta-201010-earthquake-james-gulley-sidwcmdev_151849.html
“Shaken” -
When minister and aid specialist James Gulley came home alive from the Haitian earthquake—barely, after an incredible survival ordeal in Port-au-Prince—he turned right around and went back. His son went, too, discovering the true power of a faith he’d never shared.
More later,
Rev. Cayce
http://outsideonline.com/travel/travel-ta-201010-earthquake-james-gulley-sidwcmdev_151849.html
“Shaken” -
When minister and aid specialist James Gulley came home alive from the Haitian earthquake—barely, after an incredible survival ordeal in Port-au-Prince—he turned right around and went back. His son went, too, discovering the true power of a faith he’d never shared.
More later,
Rev. Cayce
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
As the sun went down today, we reflected on the hard work and diligence of Pastor Gesner Paul, president of the Methodist Church of Haiti and the many Haitian Methodists who have kept the faith in the weeks and months following the earthquake. As teams from Texas and Ireland poured back into the Methodist Guest House, we heard again and again the first-hand Good News of what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ with our Haitian brothers and sisters. We were also able to get a small glimpse into a day of hard work by the UMVIM staff here in Haiti (including Resurrection's own Beth G)! Walking from meeting to meeting on the Frere School campus, we also saw the smiling faces and heard the laughter of the children and families we serve with...so worth it! To God be the glory,
Cayce
Cayce
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Friday, August 14, 2009
Applying for DMin
I have no excuses for not keeping my blog more active. As we all know life moves fast (to see it in the flesh, check out the profile pic of me with my YOUNGEST). Do you ever feel that sometimes you would simply rather read than write? This summer has felt that way for me... I have read A LOT... Lately however, much of my time has gone into prayer and discernment about a DMin program that has simply captured my imagination (George Fox Evangelical Seminary - GML Track). One of the first books for the program is The Rebel Sell, check it out!
For those of you I have asked to pray for me and the decision to apply for this DMin, the link is below. I have decided to apply, the local church where I serve is 100% behind me (thanks!), and most importantly my better half is TOTALLY on board ('nuf said, right?) God is good...all the time...all the time...God is good. More later!
Peace out,
Cayce
For those of you I have asked to pray for me and the decision to apply for this DMin, the link is below. I have decided to apply, the local church where I serve is 100% behind me (thanks!), and most importantly my better half is TOTALLY on board ('nuf said, right?) God is good...all the time...all the time...God is good. More later!
Peace out,
Cayce
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Food for thought...(I don't usually share these)
To all my family & friends, I want to
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
ONCE YOU'VE READ THIS YOU'LL UNDERSTAND!
A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.
"The box is gone," he said
"What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk.. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom.."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago.. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most was...my time"
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.
"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
ONCE YOU'VE READ THIS YOU'LL UNDERSTAND!
A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.
"The box is gone," he said
"What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk.. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom.."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago.. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most was...my time"
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.
"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Funeral and Revelation 19 - the complexity of ministry...the grace of God.
Today, as I prepare for the funeral of a dear congregation member tomorrow, I cannot get the song Blessed Assurance out of my head...but I don't really want to either. Blessed assurance - a gift of God's unfailing grace. Funerals have become for me a sacred time of sharing with the family in their time of crossroads - crossroads that are permeated by God's presence, God's tangible presence.
God's tangible presence in preparing for a funeral (1 Peter 1), in preparing a sermon (Revelation 19), in harvest...
- the harvest referred to in a UM graveside prayer adapted from 1 Peter 1:3-9 saying, "As the harvest of your faith you reap the salvation of your souls."
- the harvest referred to in Revelation 19 as "the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings..."
Blessed assurance - there is much I do not know, but I do know that God will provide, has provided, is providing...God is good ... all the time, all the time ... God is good.
Just ask Miss Virginia, I will when I see her.
God's tangible presence in preparing for a funeral (1 Peter 1), in preparing a sermon (Revelation 19), in harvest...
- the harvest referred to in a UM graveside prayer adapted from 1 Peter 1:3-9 saying, "As the harvest of your faith you reap the salvation of your souls."
- the harvest referred to in Revelation 19 as "the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings..."
Blessed assurance - there is much I do not know, but I do know that God will provide, has provided, is providing...God is good ... all the time, all the time ... God is good.
Just ask Miss Virginia, I will when I see her.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Passion and purpose in a new DMin...
The new Global Missional Leadership Doctor of Ministry program: http://bit.ly/VngV9 - launches Jan 2010...one word - Wow!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Meaningful Moments from Syria
There have been some internet availability issues recently, so with my wife's help, I am trying a new strategy. Hopefully, you will enjoy just a few memories from some of us. Please check back for your loved one...
Meaningful Moments from Syria:
Cayce -
In Maaloula, Syria, we had the opportunity to go a Geek Orthodox Church and visit the shrine to St. Thecla. To get there, we had to walk through a crevice through a "mountain pass" that lead to a beautiful church and shrine tucked away in the hillside. It was unbelieveable! When we arrived, I became so enamored with the chapel that I spent too much time there to adequately visit the shrine, but Jillian said, you have to see the shrine and the nun making bracelets in the shrine. So, I ran up there think it would be a "drive-by" moment, rushed and quick. Fortunately for me, God had other plans. I ran up the stairs, took off my shoes and darted in the shrine only to be stopped in my tracks. It was such a sacred space - worshipful and holy. I immediately knew that prayer was integral to this place, and that I wanted (or maybe needed) to participate and engage in that tradition of prayer. The nun spoke no English and I only know a couple words of Arabic, but I KNEW that I needed to ask the nun to pray with me, so I simpy kneeled down in front of her with my headed bowed and waited. THen the beauty of God's presence intervened. God's presence was so clearly there. Without any words, the nun took a piece of cotton with some fragrant oil and annointed my forehead and cheeks witht the sign of the cross. SHe then took my hand and placed her hand on my head and began to pray for me in a foreign tongue. Although I have no idea what she said, I know she was praying for ma and with me as I prayed for her - her people, her monastery, her land. SHe repeated the prayer a few times, and then she handed me a bracelet she had made which I will wear in honor of her, our God, and our prayers. May you pray with me and her for the remainder of this journey.
All my love to Amy, Amma Kate, Cullom, and Izzy...Peace to you all!
Shalom out,
Cayce
Meaningful Moments from Syria:
Cayce -
In Maaloula, Syria, we had the opportunity to go a Geek Orthodox Church and visit the shrine to St. Thecla. To get there, we had to walk through a crevice through a "mountain pass" that lead to a beautiful church and shrine tucked away in the hillside. It was unbelieveable! When we arrived, I became so enamored with the chapel that I spent too much time there to adequately visit the shrine, but Jillian said, you have to see the shrine and the nun making bracelets in the shrine. So, I ran up there think it would be a "drive-by" moment, rushed and quick. Fortunately for me, God had other plans. I ran up the stairs, took off my shoes and darted in the shrine only to be stopped in my tracks. It was such a sacred space - worshipful and holy. I immediately knew that prayer was integral to this place, and that I wanted (or maybe needed) to participate and engage in that tradition of prayer. The nun spoke no English and I only know a couple words of Arabic, but I KNEW that I needed to ask the nun to pray with me, so I simpy kneeled down in front of her with my headed bowed and waited. THen the beauty of God's presence intervened. God's presence was so clearly there. Without any words, the nun took a piece of cotton with some fragrant oil and annointed my forehead and cheeks witht the sign of the cross. SHe then took my hand and placed her hand on my head and began to pray for me in a foreign tongue. Although I have no idea what she said, I know she was praying for ma and with me as I prayed for her - her people, her monastery, her land. SHe repeated the prayer a few times, and then she handed me a bracelet she had made which I will wear in honor of her, our God, and our prayers. May you pray with me and her for the remainder of this journey.
All my love to Amy, Amma Kate, Cullom, and Izzy...Peace to you all!
Shalom out,
Cayce
Friday, May 23, 2008
Happy Birthday, Cullom! (Meeting the People of Hama, Syria)
Today was my son Cullom's birthday, and so I was missing him pretty bad. So I decided to try and meet a few people in order to honor Cullom in that way. It was beautiful. There was a lovely familiy by the waterwheel that spoke almost no English, but I eventually understood a few things, like, "I am so happy now to meet you," said in a way that was so genuine that it literally warmed my heart. What a beautiful moment that transcended the language barrier.
Later, we decided to take to take some sunset photos from an amazing park above the city, and we were able to see for miles and also to take in a church and a mosque in te same view - a great reminder that we are all human, all God's children.
love to all....shalom out,
Cayce
Later, we decided to take to take some sunset photos from an amazing park above the city, and we were able to see for miles and also to take in a church and a mosque in te same view - a great reminder that we are all human, all God's children.
love to all....shalom out,
Cayce
Three Pictures on the way
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Picture
1 - Holding on by our fingertips at Crak de Chevalier
1 - Holding on by our fingertips at Crak de ChevalierPicture 2 - Ruins at Apemea
Picture 3: Waterwheel in Hama, Syria at night
We have had some internet difficulties in the past 36 hours, but all is well...We have visited the most amazing Crusader Castle and thoroughly enjoyed Syria. It truly is an amazing and wonderful place where today means this decade, and recent means this century, and ALL history is relevant. We went to Maalola where they still speak Aramaic (the language Jesus spoke) and we heard the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic. We also went to a Monastery and the shrine of St. Thecla where went through a mountian path that led to a beautiful Church.
Shalom out,
Cayce
Shalom out,
Cayce
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Pictures of Damascus
Picture 3 - Ananias' house - now a church, read ths Biblical story of Saul
Picture 2 - National Museum - truly amazzing, first alphabet, 3000 BC artifacts
Picture 1 - Public Toilet (aka Squattie Pottie) at the National Museum (yes, those are my feet for perspective and a hose to the right to rinse off the floor...)
Amazing Day in Damascus
Long days, lots of walking (Ananias' house, mosque with John the Baptist's head, National Museum, shopping, etc.), late night, great meals (except for Sue, who has not been keeping food down well)....We're all safe and sound in our beds. Will talk more later...
Shalom out,
Cayce
Shalom out,
Cayce
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