During a particularly rough stretch in my life, my brother Kenn was very supportive of me. He was the prim and proper one, always polished, and very successful in real estate. He took a real interest in my life and helped me transition through this troubled time.

As the months passed, I found it difficult to come to terms with the death of my brother. Christmas was soon upon us and we all saw those moving pictures of the children of Africa. I felt a gentle nudge toward going on the trip and began to contemplate it. Maybe I could move forward and help the children of Africa, since I could not do much to help my brothers.

The journey to Africa was difficult for me spiritually. Kenn’s death and Ron’s illness still troubled me and was compounded by the suffering and misery I saw in the people of Africa. Several nights I would lie awake and weep for my brothers and the people of Africa. One day on our long journey by bus from Choma to Mapanza, I sat in the front of the bus and quietly wept for the people of Africa and my brothers.

I can never express enough to our team members my gratitude for their love, comfort, and openness while on this journey. Many of them spent time talking and listening to me talk about my brothers, while offering their own comforting thoughts. We opened ourselves to each other and shared ourselves at the deepest level. We engaged each other from the depths of true humanity.

At the end of a very long day in Mapanza after Stacy Grove and I had buried a quartz heart of light, I stood and prayed for each of the people of Africa and for my brothers. On that dry grassy, dusty, plain eight thousand miles from my home the burden of Kenn’s death and Ron’s illness began to lift. I felt a greater sense of peace than I had in months.

As I reflect back on this particular event in my life’s spiritual journey some important ideas come to mind. I believe we must go forth while opening ourselves to God and to others so we can find strength and peace, so that our spirits can be lifted again. God is calling us to move forward and open ourselves to Him and others. God provides a gentle nudge but does not force us to move. We must be willing to share and move forward.

By opening ourselves to God and to each other we can be what God intended. Creation in its true perspective not only has creature in right relationship with God, but also has creature in right relationship with creature - human beings in right relationships with each other. We all experience pain, suffering, and heavy burdens deep within ourselves, which we are afraid to reveal. These burdens are paralyzing, they prevent us from moving forward, they depress our spirit, but we can overcome them. One of the lessons I learned in Africa was that even in midst of suffering and agony these people praise God and worship together. They share their pain and joys in the midst of a community. They move forward together, they do not let themselves be paralyzed by fear or their burdens. Their spirits are not held down by their burdens, their spirits soar toward the worship of God and communion with each other.

Should we at HBUMC not be the same? I have felt the grace and love of God through my fellow team members and the congregation through their profound support of this journey. These encounters have allowed me to experience God’s grace, strength, and peace and let go of my heavy burden and allow my spirit to soar again. I am grateful for your love, compassion, prayers, and support. You see, to be free of the burden we must take a chance, we must open ourselves to God and others. Take the chance, the grace awaits! Your neighbor in the pew is your fellow sojourner. Find strength and comfort in each other. Embrace one another in the love of Christ as brothers and sisters. When you feel that gentle nudge, let go, move forward, I think you will be glad you did. Let your spirit soar!!

Blessings,




Ed Kuczynski