Week 29, post 1: Gumbo

I've been here a little over six months now. As adventure gives way to routine, certain themes emerge for me:
1 I have come to love these people, this culture, and this coastland (our Mother, the Earth). I don't know how long I will be allowed to stay, but I know this life here will always have a part of my heart.
2 I enjoy the work of the counselor. I'm old and tired, and I can feel it. I have to push myself. But I like to be productive and I enjoy helping people.
3 Bayou culture has its distinctives which must be appreciated and respected. But people are people anywhere, and I like the work.
4 Dolphins, alligators, shrimp boats, Cajun music and fishing are endlessly fascinating. I may get used to them, but I'll never get bored with them.
5 I can live a long time without television. But I hate not being able to get online at will.
6 I miss my wife, my family, my church and a few friends back home. I will not stop missing them. I haven't gotten used to that dimension of loneliness. But I can bear it. I am resolved to reflect very little on my "Oklahoma Life" in this blog. It's not appropriate. But the loneliness is there. The fine friends I'm making here do not take it away. And I also miss my beloved Canada.

The dolphins really were that close. And it is thrilling to encounter these wonderful creatures. Come and see for yourself.

Peace, Warren.

Week 28, post 2: testament

A friend of a client came up to me: “I don’t know what you’re doing with Brenda, but keep it up. She’s doing so much better!”

A middle-age client (in tears): “I’ve never had anyone just be here for me. I’ve always had to be there for everyone else. This is so good. I am so grateful.”

A client: “You’re not like a therapist. You’re like a friend.”
W: “How would a therapist be different with you?”
C: “A therapist would be more formal and more technical. Clinical. With you I can just talk. You’re so easy to talk to. And so relaxed.”

Exchanges over the course of a session with a 5 year-old boy:

B: When you left last time, I cried.
W: Were you sad?
B: Yes. I was sad.
W: Being with you means a lot to me, too.

B: Can I be your friend?

(a thunderstorm is building, with some lightning and thunder):
B: (looking up, and looking frightened)
W: Does that thunder make you scared?
B: Is there going to be a hurricane?
W: No. there won’t be any water in the yard, and you won’t have to leave.
B: (Looking toward thunder) I think that is my momma crying.
W: Oh. Do you miss her? Do you think of her up there?
B: Yeh. (pause) I don’t like God.
W: You mean because she went to be with God?
B: Yeh. (pause)
W: I was thinking that maybe God was sad, too, just like you. And maybe God wanted her to stay here with you. But she was too sick, and her illness made her have to go.
(we hug)

B: Are you going to come back?
W: Yes, I’m going to come back. I hope you want me to.
B: Next week?
W: No. It will be two weeks. I’ll be away next week.
B: That’s a long time…

With regard to the one client's comments regarding how I appear relaxed, and I am easy to talk to: This is something I've heard before but I've never understood about myself. Yes, I very much want to welcome people forth, and let them be themselves. But I've never tried to hide my tension, nor hide that a lot of the time I'm working hard -- not to accept someone, but to understand and to formulate/ask the right question(s)(good therapy is 95% asking the right questions, 5%(at most)telling the client wise things). Therapy is hard work; it is often intense. I do not perceive myself as easygoing. A blind spot.

Peace, Warren.

Week 28, post 1: Radical Women?

I recently had a home visit with a woman in her 60s. At one point, I mentioned to her that I thought her community needed a women's prayer and Bible study group. Would she be willing to help start one? She nearly burst into tears; this is what she had been praying for/about for some time. It was a deep longing for her. Soon after I contacted two other women in this same community to see if they wanted to begin. They'd been thinking of it for some time. One promised to contact the first lady. Each knew one or two women who might want to participate.

In Missouri or Oklahoma or wherever, women gathering to study and pray is not all that common, but it is not so rare, either. Here down the bayou, it is very rare. It is radical. The group is still just an idea in gestation. But it looks like it might just fly. This could be a big deal. Please pray for these sisters.

The men of the community are coming close to getting their own group going, too. Big.

I believe I am following the example of Jesus. We of Bayou Grace are freely willing to bless individuals, families and communities however we can, with what we can. There are no conditions or strings attached. But it doesn't stop there. There are many people we encounter and serve who also have gifts to share. At least 50% of our work is to notice and call forth those gifts. Many of these people, battered by storms of a multitude of sorts, still have a lot to give. Part of our role is to be giving; part of our role is to be demanding -- as did/does our Lord.

One thing we very much need is to maintain efficient contact with volunteers who've been here and left -- an e-newsletter to them. Our little Bayou Grace staff is overwhelmed right now. Could someone help us? I've been told by many that it's a simple task -- but it escapes me! Let us know.

We also need volunteers who can sew -- curtains -- for houses for families rebuilding after the flood. Can you help?

Some of these volunteer jobs could maybe be done remote.

Peace, Warren

week 26, post 2: "Didja catch any fish?"

Too late I saw the brake lights and stopped pickup ahead of me. Bang!

The driver ahead and I stood side by side, viewing the damage. C:"My truck's fine. Just bent the hitch a little. You're the loser (viewing fluids running all over the street from my speared radiator). Do you want to report this?" W:"I don't see a need to if you don't. Is your lady ok?" C:"Yeah, she's fine." Then he noticed the boat/trailer behind my truck. C:"Didja catch any fish?" W:"No, I didn't even go. The motor's sick and I was taking it to be worked on." C:"Oh man! I'm sure sorry about that!"

We shook hands and parted, with mutual expressions of goodwill and good fishing.

Cajuns. Gotta love 'em (at least some!).

Peace, Warren.

week 26, post 1: (bayou)Grace abounds

Our concept of Bayou Grace as a multidimensional community services ministry appears to be a sound one. We address body, mind and spirit -- individually, in couples, in families and throughout the communities. We meet physical needs by providing such necessities as bedding, furniture, medical equipment and other items to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the hurricanes. When appropriate, we assist families with filling out the necessary paperwork for FEMA reimbursement, etc. We attend to emotional and spiritual needs by providing counseling and by operating Camp Noahs for children who have been affected by the disasters. We are building health in the communities by working for coastal preservation and other crucial environmental concerns and by supporting existing community leaders. When Elaine, our family advocate, becomes aware of emotional needs in the process of doing her casework, she refers them to me or to other appropriate counselors. Elaine and the school counselors keep me busy. When I become aware of unmet physical needs and refer those problems to Elaine. We are working closely with Mennonite Disaster Services to restore families to healthy living conditions. We are building partnership with Teche clinics to meet medical needs. Courtney, our administrator, reaches out to the community, including volunteers from out of our area who are regularly here, to do education and development.

I'm pleased with Bayou Grace and the whole person, whole community work we're doing. It's Good News to the poor. It's Gospel. It's Grace.

Peace, Warren.