Photos from the Hotel Montana — Haiti
Here are some photos I took of the Hotel Montana when I was there in 2002 with Compassion International. It was a beautiful, tropical hotel.
Entrance to the lobby
Lobby
Pool area
Dining Area
Finally, this is a view of Port-au-Prince from the rooftop of the hotel. We came out onto the roof to sing, worship, share and pray for the people of Haiti. I will never forget my days in this country among the wonderful Haitian people.
Port-au-Prince in 2002
Great Quotes — Ten
There has been so much encouragement and insight from the Lord in the last couple of weeks. He always brings just the right scriptures and thoughts when I need them. Here are some examples from my daily devotions in light of the recent earthquake in Haiti:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1 (ESV)
But He allows trouble to pursue us, as though He were indifferent to its overwhelming pressure, so we may be brought to the end of ourselves. Through the trial, we are led to discover the treasure of darkness and the immeasurable wealth of tribulation. – L. B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, 1/23
A sunset is proof that God colors outside the lines. — Beth Moore, Daniel Study, pg. 186
I thought of Wess Stafford’s book when I read this: ”Power is developed through resistance…tribulation is the door to triumph…the steps that lead to thrones are stained with spattered blood, and scars are the price for scepters. We will wrestle our crowns from the giants we conquer…every great book has been written with the author’s blood.” – L. B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, 1/21
For Compassion Haiti’s office staff: ”You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” – 2 Corinthians 3:3
This reminded me of Dan Woolley when I read it: ”I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. ’For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel…” – Daniel 6:26-27 (NIV)
Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart — Ecclesiastes 7:3 (NIV)
For Compassion International, and those who have lost loved ones in the Haitian earthquake: ”Sorrow, under the power of divine grace, performs various ministries in our lives. Sorrow reveals unknown depths of the soul, and unknown capacities for suffering and service… Sorrow is God’s tool to plow the depths of the soul, that it may yield richer harvests. If humankind were still in a glorified state, having never fallen, then the strong floods of divine joy would be the force God would use to reveal our soul’s capacities. But in a fallen world, sorrow yet with despair removed is the power chosen to reveal us to ourselves. Accordingly, it is sorrow that causes us to take the time to think deeply and seriously…and it makes us willing to set our capacities afloat on a limitless sea of service for God and for others…God never uses anyone to a great degree until He breaks the person completely. Joseph experienced more sorrow than the other sons of Jacob, and it led him into a ministry of food for all the nations.” – L. B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, 1/20
For Such a Time as This
Who can ignore the needs of the people in Haiti? When news stations and other aid organizations are gone from Haiti, Compassion will remain, as it has for four decades. The church exists “for such a time as this (Esther 4:14).” I participated in a conference call today with various Compassion leaders & church partners. It was amazing! Here are some of the highlights from the conversation:
1. Craig Groeschel — Senior Pastor of LifeChurch.tv :
Prayer: ”We pray that Your church, which is unshakeable, would shine.”
2. Wess Stafford — President and CEO of Compassion International:
“This is a dark, dark time in Haiti — and a perfect time for God’s people to shine.”
3. More notes from Wess Stafford:
Every day 500 children accept Christ at the knee of their Pastor; it’s time for the church to come alongside the pastors and churches in Haiti. Tens of thousands of people in Haiti are also formerly sponsored kids, since we’ve been there four decades. Pray for these church leaders. We have been born “for such a time as this.”
The church is being the church today; not waiting for outside aid. While aid & relief is getting snarled up at the airport and at the ports, the Haitian church is already inside and working actively, even out of their own sorrow & grief. Many staff members have lost family members; one in particular has lost all five children. But they have come out of the rubble and out of their own grief and gathered at a parking lot at the site of our former office. A number of graduates have also gathered with them to be of help. The Dominican Republic command post is on the border and their truck convoys ARE getting through.
“This is time for Haiti to have a rebirth.”
“Our job now is to get to them quickly, and encourage them.”
“The Church is God’s “Plan A,” and there is no “Plan B. This is time for the church to BE the church.”
4. Bill Hybels — Pastor of Willow Creek Church:
Within 24 hours, in the face of their own grief, the Haitian church had given away what they have, and were out on the streets to minister. Now, my job is to make sure that Willow Creek is being the church it’s supposed to be. We need to rise up — not to collect blankets or supplies (for that would only clog the collection ports further) — but simply, to give money. We need to keep this vision in front of our people long after the CNN crews leave — let’s keep replenishing this war chest.
“We need to keep a determination to stay in it until the local church is rebuilt in the Port-au-Prince area. Let the military rebuild the streets & the power grid; let’s route our money instead to the local pastors, working on the street levels.”
5. Edouard Lassegue — Vice President of Compassion’s Caribbean & Latin American area (and former Compassion Haiti Director):
Our staff is going from project to project to assess the needs.
30-50 projects are affected; we need to mobilize resources there.
200 others are not affected; we need to help them mobilize to start activities again as soon as possible.
Condition of the church in Haiti:
- a church under shock
- destruction is everywhere (if churches are not damaged; people are still afraid to go in them
- people are coming to worship near the churches
- fear and confusion (more aftershocks coming?)
- intense sadness
- questioning God
- a sense of generosity — collecting pennies to help others
- overwhelmed by the needs coming to their churches
- movement to mobilize & coordinate efforts with our other church partners — Compassion is one organization that has those contacts, networks, & credibility already in place
- last week’s sermon from a Haitian pastor — “If you have a potato, cut it in half and give it to someone who has none.”
- Note: Edouard is going to Haiti tomorrow to encourage the leaders — He will challenge them to show courage and leadership in this time
Needs of the Haitian church:
- prayer
- financial support — you can give here
- the Haitians need to feel they are not alone, not abandoned — churches giving support need to stay with it over the long haul
- leadership needs to come from within — and lead with integrity, service, responsibility, etc.
- construction — not only buildings, but rebuilding the lives of people especially
6. David Dahlin — Executive Vice President of Compassion International:
“My prayer is that Haiti get rebuilt in a way that it becomes better than before — that something new will come out of all this.” [by the way, this prayer came from his son, who recently made a commitment to Christ]
“CNN, NBC, BBC, and all the “C’s” will be leaving soon, but this will be a long-term effort. The “Big C” that remains is Compassion, the Church and Christ. We have the opportunity to shine a bright light in this dark hour.”
7. Andy Stanley — Senior Pastor of North Point Community Church:
“Give us Your eyes to see this nation as you see it…Lord, this is not too difficult for You, but it is WAY too difficult for us.”
8. To see how your church can be involved, click this link:
As you can see, it was an amazing and inspirational conference call. Compassion has been in Haiti for four decades, and will continue to serve the church and the poor for years to come. It is a company you can trust to operate in ways of integrity, responsibility and sensitivity. Please share this information with your pastors and see what your church can do to support the relief efforts. Keep in mind that it needs to be a sustained, continuing effort, for many months and years to come, until we see the Haitian churches and projects rebuilt and serving the needs of the children again for God’s glory.
Please — give and pray today.
I Had a Vision
A Dream
I dreamed I was back in Haiti — with the precious children I visited through Compassion International in 2002. As I wrote in my journal then, “I will never forget the sweet faces, the laughter, attempts to communicate, holding hands or hugging a preschooler on my lap. What an awesome day! But what extreme and desperate poverty!”
A Game
We played “Duck, Duck, Goose” — and used their language: “Kana, Kana, Zwa.”
I also remember the loving country office staff, and the sweet times of praise and worship we had with them: “Mwen pa ko ne, Kisa wap fe, Me mwen map lo ue, le signor Allelu, Allelu, Allelu, Allelu.”
A Young Man
Most of all, I remember meeting Josue for the first time, a boy I’d sponsored for 16 years. He was about to complete his sponsorship, and we were so excited to finally meet. We fell into each others’ arms easily, like long lost friends. Now, I fear he may have been in Port-au-Prince, where he was working previously.
A Group
I also recall each of the precious LDP students we met, already working in their communities in their chosen fields. What an impressive group! No doubt, they have been powerful leaders in many ways. I don’t know their names, but the vocations they chose are (left to right): a Diplomat, a School Administrator, a Medical Doctor, an Accountant. I wonder — where are they now, during this crisis? No doubt, they are helping the victims.
A Song
Yesterday morning, I was walking and listening to a song, thinking of all the personal losses that we, as an organization, will inevitably hear in weeks to come. These words spoke powerfully to me:
I Have a Shelter
by Steve & Vicki Cook , and Bob Kauflin
I have a shelter in the storm
When troubles pour upon me
Though fears are rising like a flood
My soul can rest securely
O Jesus, I will hide in You
My place of peace and solace
No trial is deeper than Your love
That comforts all my sorrows.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I have a shelter in the storm
When constant winds would break me
For in my weakness, I have learned
Your strength will not forsake me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
The One who bears my burdens
With faithful hands that cannot fail
You’ll bring me home to Heaven.
A Vision
When I heard that final chorus, it was as though I had a vision: I saw children in the rubble: some being rescued by relief workers, pulling them back into a “world of sorrows.” Others were being rescued by angels — bearing them gently away to Heavenly places. Next, I saw Compassion staff and children — those who had preceded them — welcoming them into that Safe Haven and taking them into their arms. What a great reunion it must be (and will be for us as well)! This truth can be our peace and comfort.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. – Psalm 116:15, NIV
A Word
Chris, of the Compassion blog, said that his word for the year is “Shine,” and I came across that word three times this week, in very timely devotions:
Onto the pages of every trial there are narrow shafts of light that shine. Thorns will not prick you until you lean against them, and not one will touch you without God knowing…He sympathizes as no one else can and watches to see if through it all, you will dare to trust Him completely. (L. B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert)
We have seen shafts of light this week — Dan Woolley’s rescue, the report that Wess’ lawyer friend is alive, news that Compassion Haiti’s President and 40+ staff members are well, the Canadian team getting out of the country safely, and the Dominican Republic sending in rescue teams quickly. God’s Spirit shines!
God’s voice demands the silence of the soul. Only in the quiet of the spirit could Isaac hear the garments of his God brush by him. His still night became his shining night. My soul, have you pondered these words: ”Be still, and know” (Psalm 46:10)? In the hour of distress, you cannot hear the answer to your prayers. How often has the answer seemed to come much later! The heart heard no reply during the moment of its crying, its thunder, its earthquake, and its fire. But once the crying stopped, once the stillness came, once your hand refrained from knocking on the iron gate, and once concern for other lives broke through the tragedy of your own life, the long-awaited reply appeared. You must rest, O soul, to receive your heart’s desire…His rainbow will extend across the subsiding flood and in your stillness you will hear the everlasting music. (L. B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert)
In the weeks and months ahead, we will have to face news of tragic losses. Compassion will have a heavy task to undertake. Many voices cry out for help and consolation. But we will also hear God’s inner voice of peace to our souls, if we listen. He is still in control; still on the throne, and we can trust Him. In the stillness, may we hear His voice like a light shining through the darkness!
One of the great themes of Christianity is triumphant hope. Not just hope as in a distant, vague dream, but triumphant hope, the kind of hope where all things end right. In the midst of the struggles and storms and the sufferings of life, we can advance our thoughts beyond today and see relief…triumph…victory. Because, in the end, God does indeed win…
You and I enter this world screaming…From the moment we’re born until our final breath, pain is our companion…Ultimately, no one sees the benefits of our pain clearer than Christ. He sees through the dark, winding tunnel of your Gethsemane all the way to the end. He sees beyond it into the shining light of eternity. (Charles R. Swindoll, Encouragement for Life, Pg. 171-173)
A Tree
Finally, Wess Stafford, President of Compassion International, mentioned that the only thing left standing at the Montana Hotel was a mahogany tree, under which he had proposed to his wife 31 years ago. God always leaves a remnant in the land, a “holy seed”:
And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land. — Isaiah 6:13, NIV
Well, in this case, God left not only a stump but an entire tree! Normally it would take a miracle to bring a stump back to life, but ours is already alive and well. Perhaps this is a symbol for us that He is still present in Haiti, and that He will raise up leaders out of the rubble — those whom He has chosen to continue the work of Christ in this precious, hurting country. May we have true comfort, unending trust, quiet rest, and triumphant hope — even in these difficult days — and may we know His presence, love, sovereignty and peace.
Neighbors in Crisis — Again
Last night I dreamed I was in Haiti. I saw my precious friends once again.
No word has been received yet from Compassion’s country office staff in Haiti. Phone lines and electricity are down, as you know, and although a team of staff members from the Dominican Republic have gone to help, there is no report yet. It takes a long time even to travel through a country or area that has no infrastructure to begin with. These things could take weeks or months to assess, particularly if our Country Office (and possibly the staff as well) have been lost. We also had some office staff from Colorado Springs there during the earthquake, and have not heard any word from them. If our Haiti Country Office has been affected or lost, this will be the largest country crisis Compassion has ever faced.
Juli with Josue in 2002
I have two sponsored children in Haiti, and they are brothers — Josue and Enold. The first completed his sponsorship in 2002 when he reached the age of 20, and may have been working in Port-au-Prince. Enold is on the island of LaGonave, and I don’t think that area was heavily impacted, but it could take a long time to find out. I will write Enold to ask if Josue is OK, but consider how difficult it will be to get an answer. If the country office has been lost, how will communications be carried out? There may be no support base for these types of activities. In addition, it is not likely that Enold could even get information himself regarding his brother for a long time. Additionally, Enold may not get my letter for weeks or months.
In the meantime, what we all can do is pray and entrust them all to God’s hands. We truly are powerless, but He is mighty and strong. This will no doubt have a huge impact on Haiti’s future. Perhaps leadership will change enough that those in poverty will be cared for in the future. I have read in the news that many of the Parliament members were lost, as well as the President’s staff. Some of Compassion’s own Leadership Development students will certainly step up to take leadership roles in their communities, and we can pray that God will use this crisis to put godly men and women in place to affect this country in a mighty way.
In the meantime, check out these various sites to keep updated on any news from Compassion Haiti:
Compassion’s Crisis Updates Page
In addition, we can all give something here to help relief efforts — $35.00 will feed one family, but only for a week. Consider how much you can give in this huge time of need and don’t delay. It’s time to help our neighbors in crisis, once again.
Early Missionaries to Burma
Rev. Clarence E. Chaney
My grandpa’s brother, Clarence E. Chaney, was a remarkable man as well. Clarence Chaney was born June 5, 1878 in Rockford, Illinois and received his education at Mt. Hermon Boy’s School in Northfield, MA, Yale University and the Colgate-Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, NY. He received an honorary DD degree from Brown University in 1930.
When researching the Chaney family line, I discovered that Grandpa’s and Clarence’s ancestors included Ralph Hutchinson and Thomas Root, whose signatures are on the May 3, 1671 petition for the settlement of Northfield, MA (originally “Squakheag”). I saw the original documents when I visited the area a few years ago. 
It was exciting to see our ancestors’ signatures right beside those of the Native Americans, for they believed the land should be purchased from them in a legal manner. Sadly, many of the family members were later killed by natives — including Ralph’s son, Moses, and others of his family — killed at “Pascommuck” (or Easthampton) in May of 1704.
Native Signatures 1687
At this massacre, the daughter of Grandpa’s 5th great-grandfather, John Huggins — Margaret Huggins — was also taken captive to Canada by the French and Indians, and baptized into the Catholic faith. She later returned to find her father had died shortly after, perhaps from a broken heart or from injuries sustained in the battle. I stood on the very spot where this massacre occurred:
1704 site of the massacre in Easthampton, MA on the Hutchinson homestead
Rev. Clarence Chaney was ordained at Calvary Baptist Church in New Haven, CT. I don’t think he realized it, but Guilford, New Haven, CT was the site where his 5th and 6th great-grandfathers — both named Thomas Norton — disembarked from the ship St. John on September 10, 1639. The elder was one of the signers of the The Guilford Covenant, which was signed on the ship before the settlement began. His father, also Thomas Norton, had arrived from England to Salem, MA on the ship Talbot on June 29, 1629, ten years earlier, but joined his son and grandson upon their arrival.
Almira "Myra" Huggins Chaney
Uncle Clarence and Grandpa’s lives had many sorrows. Their mother died of tuberculosis when Clarence was nine and Grandpa was four. Almira Sophia Huggins (“Myra”) had married my great-grandfather, Edward Osborn Chaney, in December of 1870.
Her own mother, Abigail Fleming Huggins, had died when Myra was only three, and her father,
Rev. Morrison Huggins
Rev. Morrison Huggins, had died when she was nine, leaving her an orphan.
Myra Huggins Chaney was raised by various aunts and uncles, including Jeptha and Susannah (Fleming) Wade — one of the founders of the American commercial telegraph system, and a resident and benefactor of Cleveland, Ohio. Uncle Clarence later wrote of his mother’s death, and of the sorrow it had been in his young life. She died in 1887, at the age of 38, a mother of six, having been been taken to Rockford, Illinois, to be nursed at her childhood home by relatives for over a year. From Clarence’s journal:
Sorrow is an experience of life that very few can both live and escape very long, and none of us can fully understand. It has the dimensions of length, breadth and depth that may strip one of the self-centeredness usually exercised, and leaves an unforgettable scar within. In my ninth year, word came to the Chicago home that Mother had passed away and we were all taken to the funeral at Rockford, Ill. Some of us felt sort of stupified. We sat by the car window looking at the scenery, but our thoughts were racing ahead to aunty Gids home where we last saw Mother. Mark and I could not forget how we had knelt on both sides of her bed while she prayed for us and committed us to the Heavenly Father’s care and blessing…For days and weeks and months, yes and years no matter how hard we worked at school, or played on the athletic field or gathered about the family circle for games or story reading or other entertainment, retirement brought us to prayers and thoughts of God and life and the mother we loved and could never forget and missed unceasingly in spite of the abounding care and loving concern of others, who cared for us. Time healed the wounds of sorrow in a measure. Faith and Hope have answered the unsolveable questions of life, by putting a “Father’s Plan of Life” at the heart of the whole of His creation and its redemption. – Rev. Clarence E. Chaney
Almira ("Myra") Huggins Chaney
Edward Osborn Chaney
Two days before his ordination, on May 19, 1909, Clarence Chaney was married to Louise Hinds Eastman of Holyoke, MA. That fall, they sailed from Boston to Burma, for he had been appointed by the American Baptist Foreign Missions Society to serve at the boarding school in Maubin, Burma (now Myanmar). He took these small photos of his parents with him. Following the steps of missionary Adoniram Judson, Clarence began as an advisor among the Pwa Karen people to churches in the lower areas of Burma. He also directed the English Middle School for five hundred boys and girls, and supervised churches in an area of 1600 square miles. Uncle Clarence worked in the Burmese mission fields until the start of World War II, when all foreign missionaries were evacuated from the region. In fact, I believe he was the last American missionary to leave all of Asia — but that will be the subject of a later post.
Eastman Chaney
A child was born nearly a year after the marriage, but sadly, Louise (Eastman) Chaney died there in Burma two weeks after his birth, just short of their first wedding anniversary. Although Clarence did his best to care for the child, it did not seem best to keep him there, due to the baby’s weakness and the unsuitable climate. Eastman — for that was his first name — was sent home with a nurse to be raised by his grandparents, William and Emma Hinds Eastman, of Holyoke, Massachusetts.
I will continue the story of Uncle Clarence’s life in a future post, for there is much more to share. For now, we will pause to consider how very difficult it must have been to continue the mission work among thousands of Burmese, with his wife of less than a year in the grave, and his new baby having been shipped off to America for the rest of his young life.
From Newspapers to Sermons
Roy O. Chaney 1921
This is the text of the news article on my Grandpa, regarding the reason he switched occupations from a newspaper reporter to a Pastor. It’s hilarious! Unfortunately, I have not yet located the source of this article, but would guess it’s either in The Kansas City Star or The Belton Herald between August 1921-December 1922. He may have written the article himself.
How a K.C. Evangelist Discovered His Ability to Prepare Sermons
A converted newspaper man is the Rev. Roy Osborne Chaney, pastor of the Baptist church at Belton, Mo., who is conducting a revival at the West Side Baptist branch here, of which the Rev. A. J. Haggett is pastor. For 10 years Mr. Chaney knew the smell of printer’s ink.
Mr. Chaney’s entrance into the ministry was dramatic. As a reporter for the Rochester, N. Y., Herald he was sent out to cover the sermon of the Rev. C. C. Albertson, now pastor of Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian church in Brooklyn.
Mr. Albertson felt that his sermon had not been so eloquent as usual and declined to give the reporter more than a bare outline of three sentences. ”Take this, fill in and say anything you please,” exclaimed the preacher.
“Give me three-quarters of a column of that Albertson sermon stuff,” commanded the city editor on Mr. Chaney’s return, “and be quick about it.”
Young Chaney, more fluent in police station stories than in the dialect of the pulpit, went to work like a man. After an hour of suffering the reporter brought out Mr. Albertson’s alleged sermon. But he had tasted the milk of the gospel and liked it. Thus was the thrust into the ministry.
The Rev. Frank W. Daisley, pastor of Independence Boulevard Baptist church, weights 98 pounds and used to brag about his lightness of avoirdupois. He boasts no more. ”If you start anything like that, I will take your runners away,” threatened the former reporter. The scales showed that Mr. Chaney weighed 91 pounds.
But when you hear the little man preach, you forget his resemblance to Zaccheus of old. Spiritual enthusiasm seems to come snapping from his vigorous and virile personality.
“Climb like goats, go like greyhounds, fight like lions,” he thundered to an audience, many of whom were boys. And six boys with serious faces came to the altar.
The boys take him for one of their own number. Thus does he get his marvelous hold on the young.
“The newspaper man,” says Mr. Chaney, “sees much father [sic] into human life than does the preacher.”
“He sees life as it is with all its lights and shadows.
“Life is concealed from the preacher. Even the encrusted sinner puts on lamb’s fleece when the preacher is present.”
Mr. Chaney was born in Chicago in 1883. He was educated at Ottawa, Kas., academy; Shurtleff college, Upper Alton, Ill., and Kansas City university.
He was telegraph editor of the Rochester Herald, reporting at times for that paper. He was city editor of the Rochester Post-Express. He was a reporter for the Rocky Mountain News, Denver.
We have often speculated about his demeanor and passion (I think he left the pulpit once to discipline my father as a child), but I remember him only as a gentle, loving Grandpa who told personal stories to us at bedtime, had a great sense of humor, and delightfully played informal games with us, such as “grocery store,” “restaurant,”and “where is the feather?” He was blind from glaucoma shortly after my birth, but continued to type, read braille and listen to many “talking books” on records. I loved my Grandma and Grandpa very much, but both passed away by 1971. Here is an Easter photo of my sister and me with these precious grandparents. Can’t imagine why I was squirming, unless it was to get started on the Easter egg hunt.
Grandpa’s Sermons Ring in the New Year
I recently read some newspaper articles about my grandpa’s Baptist Church in Belton, MO. He was only there from August of 1921 to December 1922, but he published articles in the paper about the church events often. Rev. Roy Osborn Chaney started out as a newspaper reporter in Rochester, NY and then wrote for the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, CO. His account of why he changed from a news reporter to a Pastor is interesting (see the post here). He helped operate an implement business in Mound Valley, KS, with his brother-in-law for a while.
it gets more interesting
Later he became a Baptist minister but then switched to the Congregational denomination for some reason. No one seems to know why, but both churches were strong in his ancestry, especially the latter. He came, literally, from Pilgrim stock.
the Mayflower
Some of his ancestors came on the Mayflower in 1620 — John Alden; William, Alice and Priscilla Mullins; Thomas and Joseph Rogers; and Richard Warren. Many others were in Plymouth Colony as well, having come on other early ships. In particular, George Morton and his family were members of the Leiden, Holland, pilgrims, and had attempted to sail with the Mayflower on the Speedwell, but had been turned back. This group came in 1623 on the Anne.
early missionaries in Burma
My grandfather’s brother, Rev. Clarence E. Chaney, was a Baptist missionary in Burma (now Myanmar) from 1909-1944. He became the head of all missionary operations in that region, and had quite a story to share (the subject of a later post). My grandparents raised Clarence’s son, Eastman Chaney, until his early death at the age of fifteen in 1925.
So what does the descendant of Mayflower pilgrims speak about in sermons of 1921? Here is the intriguing list (many dates are missing unfortunately):
sermon titles
- 8/14/21 — “Missouri’s Centennial”
- 8/21/21 (AM) — “The Unpardonable Sin”
- 8/28/21 (AM) — “Making Friends by Means of Mammon”
- 8/28/21 (PM) — “The Call to the Right”
- 9/4/21 (AM) — “Beholding the Unseen”
- 9/4/21 (PM) — “Why Go to School?”
- 9/11/21 (AM) — “Is it Ever Right to Do Wrong?”
- 9/11/21 (PM) — “Felicitous and Foolish Fighting”
Sermons for 1922:
- 1/15/22 (AM) — “The Business of Jesus”
- 1/15/22 (PM) — “The Christian January”
- 2/5/22 (AM) — “Reforms”
- 2/5/22 (PM) — “The February of the Christian”
- 2/20/22 — ”The Pastor and His Publicity” (Address to the Baptist Ministerial Alliance)
- 5/21/22 (AM) — “Rainbows”
- 5/21/22 (PM) — “The Christian Month of May”
- 7/23/22 (AM) — “One Year in Belton”
- 7/30/22 (PM) — Guest speaker Rev. Clarence E. Chaney and wife Elsie, missionaries to Burma
- 9/10/22 (AM) — “Vacation Days” (reflections of three weeks in the Ozarks)
- 9/10/22 (PM) — “School Days”
- 10/29/22 (AM) — “The Secret of Hilarity”
- 11/19/22 (AM) — “A Prophet’s Song”
- 11/19/22 (PM) — “The Superman”
fascinating KC connections
After a year in Belton, my Grandpa went on to serve as a Baptist, and then a Congregational, Pastor in Kansas City, MO. He chaired many organizations — the Anti-Vice League, The Christian League, The Union of Christian Endeavors, The Association of Congregational Churches, The Professional Men’s Club, The Kansas City Ministerial Alliance; and was Editor of The Christian Reveille. I understand that Grandpa had a great tenor singing voice, he was a big fan of Baseball and of Reverend Billy Sunday, and my dad even recalls having Madame Chiang Kai-Shek (1st Lady of the Republic of China) stay in their home (imagine that!). Here is a poster from a revival around 1924 (he’s the shorter man on the right).
no nut
Grandpa was less than five feet in height and weighed only 91 pounds, but it did not deter him one bit from making a huge impact on society. He once said of himself, “About as big as a peanut, but he is no ‘nut.’” He worked tirelessly to provide jobs for men suffering from the depression of the 20′s and 30′s. He was involved in the founding of the City Union Mission of Kansas City. He spoke out strongly against the Pendergast Machine, to the point of receiving numerous threats by phone. He teamed up often to give side-by-side sermons with Rabbi Samuel S. Mayerberg. No wonder I am passionately involved with the ministry of Compassion International — serving children in poverty and great need throughout the world. No wonder I play piano for numerous choirs, church and community events. No wonder I love to write about my faith.
100 years
I want to honor my Grandpa and Grandma, Delia Wilson Chaney, today because their wedding was on January 1, 1910. Wow. That’s 100 years ago today — I hadn’t made that connection until this very moment. In light of this, I would welcome requests to sponsor a child in honor of this momentous anniversary!
Delia and Roy Chaney -- January 1910
I vaguely recall their 50th Wedding Anniversay at our home in 1960. Here are some scenes from that occasion as well (you might even spot me here — the youngest of two granddaughters):
Roy and Delia Chaney -- January 1960
Grandpa may have lost his eyesight, but never his sense of humor -- he couldn't let Grandma cut that piece of cake without a little ornery resistance!
…a meaningful legacy…
Thank you, Grandpa, for a legacy of Faith, Humor, Writing, Music and Advocacy. I believe I have taken up your torch, and will continue to do so, as God allows, as long as I live! I also clearly remember the wonderful “Penny Stories” told at my bedside in those years. Priceless!
Update: I made a quick trip down to the bank vault yesterday afternoon, to retrieve Grandma’s wedding ring from our lock box. Amazingly, it fits perfectly (I believe a size 4)! I’m wearing it today in honor of Grandma and Grandpa’s wedding day.
Sheep Fold