Like Magi, You Have Come . . .
By Sandra Lynn Price
First we waited &
Waited for the waters to recede and highways to be cleaned,
Waited for ice and water and MREs,
Waited for gasoline and electricity,
for toilets that flush,
for fresh water from a glass
right out of our own taps.
We waited . . .
Surrounded by huge fallen trees blocking our flooded houses,
Or shocked by lonely slabs where house and trees once stood,
Sickened by the stench of sardine cans, burst open,
standing in Gulf water,
our favorite jeans reeking of mold,
our precious books soaked, rotting,
the stash of shrimp in the freezer reeking.
Fearing snakes, the squatters in our homes.
Our little girl’s baby dolls and our little boys’ silver trucks
washed into the Gulf.
Stunned, grieving, helpless, we waited _
never before helpless, helpless now.
Then you came.
Like Magi you came,
Journeying far,
Bringing gifts to the One who said,
Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these,
you have done it unto me.
A steady stream, you came.
Bringing gold and frankincense and myrrh
In the form of ice and water and casseroles,
Gasoline, generators, baby wipes, diapers,
Charged power lines and blue electric boxes
White pipe and purple plumber’s glue.
You sent hand-made quilts and shawls, tea towels and purple bath towels, sheets and Birkenstocks, jeans and tennis shoes,
coats of many colors, washers and dryers, treasured books,
chairs and sofas, money and food and gift cards to refurnish our lives, art works created in love.
Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these,
you have done it unto me.
Still you come, bringing gifts to the Carpenter,
Wearing masks and gloves and boots,
Wielding crow bars, hammers, screw drivers, and love.
Tearing out walls and insulation, cabinets and carpets.
You’ve demolished our rotting houses,
Hauling to the debris piles on the street
our beds, chairs, sofas, fridges, stoves, freezers,
washers, dryers, clothes, and endless papers of our lives.
You’ve replaced our walls and roofs, changed our wiring,
painted our walls,
Hearing the words of the Teacher beating the drums of your hearts:
Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these,
you have done it unto me.
You’ve come with gloved hands and tender vigilant eyes,
Searching diligently for our treasures amid the rubble and debris.
Reverently you have brought your finds to us,
Knowing each shard of our lives is precious, sacred treasure.
You’ve sanitized our dishes and our wooden furniture;
Carefully packed what could be saved.
You’ve restored our wicker.
You’ve planted flowers to bring us joy.
You’ve looked at us with looks of love.
You’ve hugged us with affection,
Serving the Shepherd who cares for His flock.
Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these,
you have done it unto me.
Like Magi you’ve come bearing gifts
To the strong and the weak,
To the rich and the poor,
To the virile and the frail,
To the educated and the wise,
To the fearful and the brave,
To the numb and the confused,
To all of us brought to our knees
in tearful gratitude,
The words of the Healer echoing in your hearts:
Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these,
you have done it unto me.
You’ve brought the Hope of Advent,
The loving works of the Carpenter,
The living lessons of the Teacher,
The gentle care of the Shepherd
The transforming Grace of our Healer,
The looks of love of Christ.
You have brought Resurrection.
Freely you have given; may you freely receive.
May you know the depth of gratitude we feel.
May you overflow with the Grace, Hope, Joy, Love,
you have brought to us.
Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these,
you have done it unto me.
By Sandra Lynn Price, Ed.D, Katrina Survivor
Professor Emerita of Curriculum and Instruction, Mississippi State University
Retired Clergy, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Seeks Long-Term Volunteers: Make Work a Witness Volunteer teams from across the nation continue to travel to Mississippi and Louisiana to put in hours of work reconstructing the homes laid waste by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. During mission trips that last from two to six days, these volunteers are housed at six villages that have been set up along the Gulf Coast by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and its long-term volunteers. (Teams from WPC have used this housing as recently as March 2008).
Long-term volunteers come predominantly from the ranks of the retired, students on break, new college graduates and other young people seeking a meaningful way to volunteer. There are also business owners who put business on hold for a few months; workers whose employers provide leave time for service work others who find this kind of volunteerism rewarding. These individuals spend from two months to two years managing/maintaining the villages, directing the work of short-term volunteers, and meeting with homeowners who need help rebuilding.
Currently, PDA is seeking applicants to serve two or more months as Village Managers and Work Site Assignment Managers. Volunteers are provided a place to live, meals, and a small per diem. Transportation costs to and from the Gulf Coast are reimbursed. To find out more about these opportunities, go to: www.pcusa.org/pda/help.htm and scroll down to: Make Work a Witness.