Nothing compares to the sacred passages in our lives that mark who we
are, where we are coming from and where we are going. The ritual of
marriage was first of Christ’s miracles and baptism his own first choice
of passage. Thus, we can see that he knew depth in both of these most
sacred of rituals and asks of us to “follow him”.
Unfortunately, in our less then sacred lives, we get married for reasons
that are far from sacred and get baptized because our church, family or
friends think it is what we should do.
This is not so with those we find ourselves walking beside in the poor
villages of the Dominican Republic. Marriage is something they long
for within the depths of their hearts but, due to economics, they can
rarely afford to find such beauty and wholeness in their lives. Most
families consist of a man, a woman and children that are living together
but have never been able to officially marry. Without the support of
those that help us in this ministry husbands and wives would never be
able to experience the sacred ritual of marriage. Like most things in
their lives, they are excluded
are, where we are coming from and where we are going. The ritual of
marriage was first of Christ’s miracles and baptism his own first choice
of passage. Thus, we can see that he knew depth in both of these most
sacred of rituals and asks of us to “follow him”.
Unfortunately, in our less then sacred lives, we get married for reasons
that are far from sacred and get baptized because our church, family or
friends think it is what we should do.
This is not so with those we find ourselves walking beside in the poor
villages of the Dominican Republic. Marriage is something they long
for within the depths of their hearts but, due to economics, they can
rarely afford to find such beauty and wholeness in their lives. Most
families consist of a man, a woman and children that are living together
but have never been able to officially marry. Without the support of
those that help us in this ministry husbands and wives would never be
able to experience the sacred ritual of marriage. Like most things in
their lives, they are excluded
Most of us have heard or seen the story of Jesus coming out of the
water with the dove descending out of heaven and a voice announcing
the beloved of the Father upon his life. Few of us experience such
dynamic moments when we are baptized, but life does change, or
should.
water with the dove descending out of heaven and a voice announcing
the beloved of the Father upon his life. Few of us experience such
dynamic moments when we are baptized, but life does change, or
should.
Sacred Rituals
from the beauty and union that many of us take for granted.
Thus, this ministry was started, not only to participate in
such blessed unions, but to provide dignity within the family
unit. As many may know, some Christians speak easily of
hell for those that live in sin, unmarried in a house full of
children. The poorest of the poor do not choose to incur
Christian judgment, but once again, economics has taken its
toll within their disenfranchised lives.
Thus, this ministry was started, not only to participate in
such blessed unions, but to provide dignity within the family
unit. As many may know, some Christians speak easily of
hell for those that live in sin, unmarried in a house full of
children. The poorest of the poor do not choose to incur
Christian judgment, but once again, economics has taken its
toll within their disenfranchised lives.
To achieve solidarity with these poor, we provide a
beautiful dress, donated, a gold band, also donated, a cake,
church decorations, photos and bottle of wine! Amazing
things that they could never ever have without the help
of those that choose the side of the poor.
Please contact Donna Langman and have a look at her page, for she, like myself,
dreams and speaks for the poor and carried the torch to began this precious and
most beloved ritual.
beautiful dress, donated, a gold band, also donated, a cake,
church decorations, photos and bottle of wine! Amazing
things that they could never ever have without the help
of those that choose the side of the poor.
Please contact Donna Langman and have a look at her page, for she, like myself,
dreams and speaks for the poor and carried the torch to began this precious and
most beloved ritual.
Baptism
Baptisms in the Haitian villages are beautiful, mystical experiences that mark a
dramatic change in the life of the individual. They always occur as an early
morning service, everyone wearing white and walking down to the river,
singing, like only Africans can sing gospel. Then there is the standing by the
river with more singing and praying, testimonies by the one who has chosen to
be baptized. The testimonies always include a desire to leave Voodoo and walk
with the Lord. Tears, mixed with salt, more prayers and singing, thus it goes. As
they walk in their thread-bear, white garments, into the glistering morning river
water, it seems as if we are all walking into the water again, for the first time,
called apart from the world into the Kingdom of God here on earth.
dramatic change in the life of the individual. They always occur as an early
morning service, everyone wearing white and walking down to the river,
singing, like only Africans can sing gospel. Then there is the standing by the
river with more singing and praying, testimonies by the one who has chosen to
be baptized. The testimonies always include a desire to leave Voodoo and walk
with the Lord. Tears, mixed with salt, more prayers and singing, thus it goes. As
they walk in their thread-bear, white garments, into the glistering morning river
water, it seems as if we are all walking into the water again, for the first time,
called apart from the world into the Kingdom of God here on earth.
I always cry, overwhelmed with joy, for the mystical family has
expanded and my heart can not hold the heavenly joy in this earthen
vessel. All of the saints and angels gather round, wings beating,
encouraging, upholding and joining us until we are, once again, seated
by his side in Glory.
Thank you for joining us in this most important of passages, may you
be found in the river, or by its side, full of joy that the soul can not
hold.
expanded and my heart can not hold the heavenly joy in this earthen
vessel. All of the saints and angels gather round, wings beating,
encouraging, upholding and joining us until we are, once again, seated
by his side in Glory.
Thank you for joining us in this most important of passages, may you
be found in the river, or by its side, full of joy that the soul can not
hold.
