Dear sisters and brothers in Christ:

Grace and peace to you these summer days!  I’ve returned from the heat and humidity of South Carolina, where 21 youth and 8 adults experienced a safe and successful mission trip.  I always enjoy the chance to be a “doer” rather than “speaker” of the Word.  We were on the islands of James and Johns – mostly poor African American people who speak a Creole dialect of English

called Gullah.

Besides painting, siding, roofing, screening, caulking, etc. we enjoyed some time at the ocean, and we toured the historic Charleston market (even dining at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company).  Perhaps most notable, however, was the two-hour United Methodist worship service, complete with hand clapping, foot stomping, drums banging, and even an “alter call” . . . which drew someof our young people forward!

At one point, during announcements, an elderly woman rose to address the congregation.  She began to testify about her brief hospitalization stay during the prior week, and her deep gratitude that things turned out all right.  Before we knew it, she was leading everybody in a sung “call and response” improvisation, the tagline of which everybody sang out loud and clear: “Cause it could have gone the other way!”  Sometime the most elementary faith, the simplest belief – that God works for good in our lives – is extraordinarily powerful.  These were folks who had so little, yet their faith is “front and center” each and every day.

One evening as I returned back to our sleeping accommodations I picked up a book about the sea island “low country” people.  Theirs is a rich history of basket weaving & storytelling, farming & fishing, cornbread & fried chicken.  The pictures were telling (Henry Wagner has the book if you’re interested).  At one point there is a very compelling quote:  “We don’t fix the poor; they fix us.”  It’s true – what we have to offer (money, time, skill) is small compared to the gift of waking up once again to our abundance and realizing that the only real security in this life is that of God’s grace, and ultimately God’s eternal keeping.

Time and time again I feel blessed to have the opportunity to experience the peace and contentment of people who have so little, yet seem to know what matters most – a living faith and a joyful spirit.   This is the point Rabbi Harold Kushner made so prominently in his book, “When Everything You’ve Always Wanted Isn’t Enough.”  Why are so many people who have so much, so miserable? And why are so many people with so little, so happy?  It must something to do with the “hidden treasure” Jesus talks about in the 13^th chapter of Matthew!

Savor the simple things this August . . . ripe tomatoes and sweet corn!