Vol 3, Issue 12

No Present Like The Time
When Ben and Jock founded The Haven over twenty years ago their vision was based on core values of Curiosity, Self-responsibility, Communication, Relationship, Experiential Learning, Personal Fulfillment, and Inclusiveness.  These values have spawned a spirit that continues to flourish to this day, with people like you—who care about the quality of life—coming together to examine, explore, engage and express in the spirit of growth.

This year, more than ever before, we are aware of an energy we believe is growing and is based on the belief that individually and collectively we can be and do more—and that there is no time like the present.  Through simple generous acts of care and connection we see people contributing to creating the kind of world many have only dreamed or hoped for.  As more of us become aware of what we can do, and are doing, dreams and hopes become reality.  We are excited and encouraged, and we believe this is just the beginning.

It is in this spirit that we want to share with you just one story of the extraordinary work done by "ordinary" people every day.  Ian McLachlan has contributed to The Haven spirit in many ways, and after reading about his involvement with the people of Kapasseni village in Mozambique we asked him to tell us more.  This is part of what he wrote:

I sing in the Gettin' Higher Choir, a heartfelt Victoria community choir founded on the belief that everyone can sing. Through this choir I became involved in the Kapasseni Project in 1999, and found the joys not only of singing, but of being able to make a difference to people in great need.  When our choir director, Shivon Robinsong, asked for a volunteer, I did not know what I would or could do, I just felt a strong urge to help. When I engaged, though, extraordinary things came together. The Catholic cathedral let us hold a large fundraising concert there, and Ann Mortifee generously came to perform as a special guest.  I worked hard organizing the concert, and felt incredibly good when that night of beautiful music and singing raised over $10,000.

With those funds, Canadian volunteers and the villagers built a temporary school.  Every year since then the choir has held fundraising concerts and volunteers have returned to Kapasseni. Today, there is a permanent brick school, a breakfast program, water wells, a health  centre, a food orchard, and a budding community economy.  There is an energy and hope. The children, who were withdrawn and fearful, are now bright, engaging, and playful.  But with increased traffic to the village, there is now a serious threat of HIV/AIDS.  A nearby town has an infection rate of 26%.  One of our key assistants has died of AIDS, the village development officer lost his wife to AIDS and has resigned, and the Mozambican sister of our project coordinator has HIV.  I feel so sad about such suffering and death.  And, consistent with the spirit of this project, our team is responding by arranging for HIV/AIDS education and looking into testing and treatment possibilities.

I said that I had come forward in 1999 without knowing how I could help, but since then I have been happily surprised at what I have been able to do.  Besides helping with concerts, publicity, project planning, and working with a diverse team, my principal role has been to edit the Kapasseni Project newsletter.  I like doing the newsletter because it is about people, by people, and it reaches out and touches people.

I recently reflected on why I find such fulfillment and joy in this work.  I have a strong internal sense that I want to be connected with others and to be helping to make the world better. The Kapasseni Project offers me many opportunities to move beyond my sometimes narrow (even obsessive!) focus on my personal concerns and difficulties, and to be part of an effort of help and healing in the wider world and community.  Somehow, I know that I am singing a small harmony part in the song of that Spirit that connects and nurtures all of us - and that my part in things is helping to make a difference!

You can read Ian's Newsletters and other information about the project at www.kapasseni.org

Thoughts, and Feelings, in Closing...
Ian's story offers an insight into the heart and desire of one person contributing.  As this year draws to a close we are moved to stand forward and speak what we believe is living in many of our hearts, and waiting on the tips of many of our tongues.  We believe this because we are surrounded by nodding heads whenever we are engaged in conversations with others about what is possible when we live with kindness, consideration, and care.

It is this yearning, so familiar to all of us, that has been at the core of everything The Haven is about since the very beginning.  It is this common resonance that makes so many of our "learnings" somehow seem very familiar.  The challenge doesn't seem to be so much about our differences, rather it seems the challenge is opening to, and truly living, a full and satisfying life.  Our spirits are already here, joining in our life-learning human lessons, and just waiting for us to accept that we are fine the way we are.  The final pieces of the "5 A's" are action and appreciation...

So let's consider this...what if we began one simple act of kindness at a time; and what if we made a conscious choice to look for the kindnesses around us; and what if we acknowledged the giver of the kindness... what then?  And what if we then began to share with each other the delight we find in little kindnesses, and the unbridled joy we find in larger kindnesses, and it became so common and abundant we couldn't distinguish between giving and receiving kindness... what then?  And what if we all stopped waiting for others and just started living kindness; even better, what if we all started the same day... say... December 25, 2004... what then?

My heart has been pounding as I write this, and I have thought more than once about stopping, hitting delete, and re-writing a nice safe wish that all of you have a warm, loving and joyous holiday season... and I didn't... what now?

Take good care all, we look forward to shared kindnesses with you, now and always.

With loving,
Ernie McNally, Cathy McNally, and all the remarkable people who make The Haven Come Alive!

                  ----------------------------------------------------

Top of Page   |   Sub/Unsubscribe   |   Past Issues