It was during the long flight from Los Angeles to New Zealand that I finally had a chance to catch up on some of the journals which had arrived during the fall, and I saw the little article in the National Cathedral's publication, Cathedral Age: Christchurch Cathedral, which had been destroyed in a December 2010 earthquake in that city, had sent a donation of $500 to the National Cathedral, which was itself heavily damaged by the August 2011 earthquake.  The Kiwis understood how painful it must have been for those in Washington to witness the devastation.

Only a few days later, I was in Christchurch, meeting with Julie Hintz, whose role there is "Anglican facilitator."  I was bringing our Capital Campaign brochure to her diocese, moved by that story of generous and heart-felt giving from one wounded cathedral to another.  It struck me that the destruction of our Haitian cathedral, convent and school, and the on-going commitment of the Society of St. Margaret to not only continue our mission work there, but to broaden and expand it in the greater Boston area, might also draw a response. 

Two weeks later, I was at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland, where I met with Dean Jo, brochure in hand, to explain our project.

I have no reason to think that these contacts, and others made during my travels in New Zealand, will result in tangible gifts to the Society of St. Margaret.  That is in God's hands.  But I have every reason to believe that reaching out in this way will create a web of prayer support from people on the other side of the globe, who understand and applaud the work that has been on-going since the Society was founded by John Mason Neale.  I love the notion that, perhaps as the first rays of the sun strike the planet (as they do, in Gisborne, New Zealand, which because of the placement of the international date line is the very first place on earth to witness each sunrise), there will be people of faith who are lifting up to God those who are devoting their lives to His service.  Who is to say that is not an equally precious gift?