Pack the Backpack 2009

With a giving heart, this year the Christ Church Cathedral congregation continued to organize and donate school supplies for Indianapolis children needing assistance. The Adopt-A-Family committee organized and helped coordinate the project. The backpacks were already purchased late last year at a reduced rate to be used for this years' project. One hundred backpacks each containing a list of needed supplies were handed out to parishioners at Christ Church, St. Timothy's and St. Phillip's. In just two weeks, 12 empty backpacks were filled by St. Tomothy's and 36 packs by St. Philips. The remaining 52 were filled with school supplies by the cathedral parishioners.

This year's backpack program was a big success thanks to the generosity of our parishoners and the organizing skills of Barbie and Bryon Russell and Betty and Steve Whaley. Of the 52 backpacks that the cathedral filled, 22 were given to Better Indy Babies, who have been our sole recipients in past years. However, this year 30 were designated for children in our congregation who needed assistance. Plans for next year's project are already in place and we hope to continue to reach out in hospitality and charity with the many gifts that we receive.

From rural Africa all the way to urban Indianapolis, some words of wisdom come to us from Robin Denney, Episcopal missionary in Southern Sudan. On her blog Robin writes, "It is not the few and the powerful that change the world, it is each and every one of us. We each have the decision every day to love, to give, to serve. And our decisions inspire others." It's easy to think that mission is something that happens far away and in another world, but sharing God's love happens on our doorstep, in our homes, and sometimes with just a small gift.

Missions Committee hosts coffee hour

Missions Committee members helped host the Sunday coffee hour on August 2nd. To prepare cookies and scones and other goodies, several members met early on Saturday morning in the church kitchen to get baking. We also prepared a bulletin board with recent photographs of the Ecuador mission trip, the trip to Brazil and several parishioner involved missions. Everyone enjoyed the fellowship and the chance to show hospitality to the church.

Making banana bread and arranging fruit may seem like a trivial activity for mission work, but building companionship to one another in service and heartfelt giving is really at the heart of missions. Bishop Waynick once told me that the Latin root of the word companionship comes from companio - one who eats bread with another. Serving oatmeal cookies and a cup of coffee to anyone on the church's front lawn is indeed the kind of companionship that is at the center of mission work!

Friday: The last work day in Quito!

Let me start with a big thank you to those that helped make this blog happen! We have had some challenges this week. We have had to learn to type with keys that have no letters on them. We have had to find a place that had a good connection. We have had to put off the pictures until we get home. Sorry, they will be on here soon. We have had to walk up and down and up and down the streets here over and over. Our leg muscles will never be the same. We have had broken down buses, and strange cab rides. We have been lost. Through all of it though we have gained a relationship with wonderful people, God, and ourselves. We are going to continue our work today until we are done, sorry to be leaving this community, but happy we are knowing what we have accomplished.

We reflected on our time here this morning in our service and prayers. We were asked what we would do when Jesus calls us. The ladies today have had to go on without the men to Comite Del Pueblo to have the festival for the children, so as the men could complete the build. We miss the children but would like to thank them for the extra build time.

Saturday we head to Otavalo, where the worlds oldest existing market is held for some fellowship with each other, and some gifts for our friends and family at home. We will leave this place proud of what we have done. I must go now they are waiting on me to deliver an 80 lb bag of concrete down the hill again.

Love Brian

Day 5: Quito

It is lovely, I am once again watching the hummingbirds awaiting the one with the long tail like a bird of paradise. The flowers in the courtyard are wide open and full of color, as the bees dance about them. The sun is shining and all of God´'s rays light it all up. We all ache this morning, and I remind everyone that we feel this way because of the wonderful things we are doing. After we reflect in prayer together we shall journey back to the people of Reconciliation. We know that they will be awaiting us with open arms.

Smiles, Brian

June 24, 2009: Quito

We have worked hard. The people of Reconciliation have worked hard. We have framed two walls in upstairs. The door jamb in the back room is in. Another painful load of bricks has been delivered as well. Bishop Ramos even helped us load them in. The wall in the courtyard is taking shape. The Episcopal shield is all but done in the entry. The floor is being leveled in the back room. Today we were present for the feeding of Colombian refugees with the Bishop. We broke bread with them. It was a good day. We are exhausted and we miss our families, but we know they understand.

Peace, Brian

Day 4: Quito

It is beautiful here again, today the skies are clear. You can see for miles. We are once again eager to work and get started for the day. Transportation problems have made the group take different means to get to the church, but all is well.

The people of Reconciliation are working hard with us hand in hand. It is a great thing to see such pride from within the community. They are very grateful and proud of their church and what it is becoming. -- Brian

Day 3 cont'd: Quito

We have accomplished so much. What a great day it was! Supplies were delivered and everyone worked so hard. Supports are in for the courtyard wall. The shield is 75% painted in again. The first wall upstairs is laid out and the doors have been ordered. Window holes have been cut into the interior wall by George in the back room. The ladies from the church cooked us a feast to show their appreciation. I bought them 2 doz. roses in thanks.

The feast consisted of all native indigenous foods that are only prepared on very special occasions. This is where I cannot wait to be able to show you pictures!!!!! We had: Roasted cuy (coo eee, guinea pig), roasted chicken, plaintains, rice, broccoli, regional papas (potatos), choclo (a hominy type corn), a radish salad from the garden outside, bananas, melon.

The meal was incredible! Everyone was stuffed, and yes a few of us enjoyed the cuy! I ate an entire one. Bob Goyette ate half of one. Jackie and George each ate half of one. Marilyn, David, Father Drew, and Betty tried it as well!

If you would like to know where our hearts and minds are today please read: Math:5 versus 1-17 -- Peace, Brian.