St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church
  • Home
  • Belong Believe Become
  • About Us
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Getting Started
    • Meet the Staff
    • Keeping in Touch
  • Worship
    • Order of Service
    • Recent Sermons
    • Live Streaming via YouTube
  • Financial Giving
    • Make a Pledge
    • Online Giving
    • Legacy Society
  • All the News
  • Making God Connections
    • Wednesday Bible Study
    • Circles of Grace
    • Monthly Musings from a Deacon on the Way
    • Inspire Labyrinth and Gardens
    • Prayer Ministry
  • Reflections on the Way
  • Making a Difference in Our World
    • Outreach Grants
    • East Valley Men's Center
    • Habitat for Humanity
    • Haiti Ministry
    • Healthy Packs
    • Make a Difference Day
    • Needlecrafts for Needs
  • Making Social Connections
    • The Arts Council
    • Avid Readers
    • The Blessings of Belonging
    • Seasoned Saints
  • On the Way Moments Podcast
  • Childrens Ministry
    • Registration for Children
    • Children's Safety
    • Sunshine Acres Outreach
    • Feed My Starving Children
  • Youth (6th-12th Graders)
    • Registration for Youth
  • Pastoral Care
  • Photo Album
  • Major Life Events
    • Baptism
    • Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation
    • Death of a Loved One
    • Weddings
  • Walking the Mourner's Path
  • Blessing of the Animals
#stanthonydesert

Connections

7/22/2014

2 Comments

 
Cyndi Sax
Haiti Mission Team
Imagine a Norman Rockwell-esque portrait of a young father, dressed in dark, tailored slacks, a clean, starched white-collared shirt and impeccably knotted necktie. He is well-groomed, his hair closely cropped, head held high. In his left arm, he holds a young child, hair in pigtails and dressed in a frilly pink dress. Her arm is wrapped tightly around his neck, and she looks pleased and confident to be viewing the world from this elevated position. Holding his right hand is a slightly older child, similarly dressed in pastel, with white Mary Jane’s on her feet and what appears to be a Bible tucked under her free arm. She swings her arms as she walks, skips a step, and smiles up at her father. In Rockwell’s world, the backdrop would be a serene, suburban neighborhood with green grass, manicured yards, a family dog happily frolicking at their side.

Now change the color of the trio’s skin from fair to rich ebony. The girls’ pigtails are not blonde, but black; tied not with two silken bows, but tens of colorful, plastic barrettes. The three walk down a hilly, rocky dirt path between rows of shanties roughly constructed of cinder blocks, rock, sheets of metal, tarps, cardboard and an assortment of other odd materials. Although a family pet is not immediately visible, I note two chickens hopping alongside and a goat tied to a post not far away.

To continue reading, click Read More
It is Sunday morning in Port-au-Prince. Like families in our homeland and around the world, this family appears to be on their way to church. They capture my attention as we quickly drive past, one vehicle in the chaotic mass of motos, tap-taps and pedestrians that make the way through the bustling city streets and alleys. 

I keep the three in sight for as long as I am able, which is not long enough, for I am curious; and they are walking in the opposite direction from which we are driving. I want to know them. I want to know what their daily life is like, what is important to them, what makes them happy, what are their needs. And yet, they have answered some of my questions without me ever needed to speak to them. The physical connection between this young man and the girls expresses love and tenderness. Their step is light, their facial expressions relaxed and content. Do they call one of the shacks their home? Do they have enough food to eat? Where is the woman they call wife and mother? What are their prayers? What do they know that I could learn?  

I feel connection with this young family. I recognize that regardless of whether we live in poverty or affluence, in a third world or first world country; regardless of the color of our skin or size of our home, we all crave connection and closeness with each other and with the Creator.  I say a prayer of gratitude for my family and those to whom I am closest.  I pray that this young family in Haiti will be blessed with the love, support and comfort that I have received from my family and community. And I pray that we will all learn to look past our differences and to see our shared humanness with compassion, kindness and love.
2 Comments
Stretch Cole
7/22/2014 11:29:11 am

Thank you Cyndi for affirmation that the human heart and love of family is universal and unchanged by the environment.

Reply
Kathy Phillips
8/3/2014 05:43:18 am

Beautifully written, so heartfelt and we appreciate your sharing your thoughts and experience!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Authors

    Various voices from the community of St. Anthony

    Archives

    July 2016
    January 2016
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Categories

    All
    Anxiety
    Conflict
    Forgiveness
    Friendships
    Haiti Mission
    Hope
    St. Luke
    Storytelling
    Worry
    Youth Ministry

    RSS Feed

Saint Anthony on the Desert ~ 12990 E. Shea Boulevard ~ Scottsdale, AZ 85259
480.451.0860 ~ email: communications@st-anthony.net