Last evening at 7:30 p.m. the missionaries, along with family members and friends, gathered at Holy Sacrament for the Holy Eucharist and Service of Prayer for the Missionaries traveling to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic this coming Saturday, June 11.  The air was buzzing with excitement and anticipation of the mission. The readings for the service were for “Mission” – Isaiah 2:2-4, Ephesians 2:13-22, and Luke 10: 1-9.
I gave a short homily on the Gospel text (Luke 10:1-9) outlining three areas in which Jesus prepared His disciples ready for mission:
1. There is a great deal of work in the mission field but the persons to do such work are few (“The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” – Luke 10:2).
2. Engaging in missionary work can often be a dangerous exercise and very frightening but God strengthens and protects us in the midst of it all (“See, I am sending you out like lambs in the midst of wolves” – Luke 10:3).
3. Being receptive and appreciative of the hospitality we receive from the people we visit or meet and do good in return (“Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there…” (Luke 10:8-9).

Immediately after the service, the missionaries for the Jamaica trip, family, and friends, met in the MacDonald Building to pack for the mission trip. The MacDonald Building is a multi-purpose building on the church’s campus named in honor and memory of Canon Kenneth MacDonald, who served as an Associate Priest for many years. He was well-loved by the people in the parish.

Tonight, the missionaries for the Dominican Republic Mission will meet in the same building to pack for our trip…Stay tuned!