Daily Archives: September 27, 2012

“…they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News…” Luke 9:6

On September 24 Yvon needed to go back to the hospital to speak with the Administrator; we went along to keep learning our way around Port au Prince. Yoland, the household cook went with us and we dropped her off at the market. After our visit to the hospital we did some shopping with Yvon to one of the famous street market’s where they sell everything. There we picked up Yolande. This took most of the afternoon. Yolande is known for her cooking, everything is fresh and cooked from scratch. So this day she did not start cooking until 4:30 p.m. we did not eat until 8:30 p.m

Today September 25 begins our novena to St. Francis of Assisi. Following his example we decided to walk everyday through the streets and use our few Creole words when necessary! : )

We are continuing and taking serious our “inculturation” in Haiti. In the afternoon Yvon wanted to take us to Mirebalais. This is north of Port au Prince and it takes about two hours to get there. On the way Yvon showed us a housing project that is underway to accommodate those who were affected by the earthquake and lived in tents since 2010.

It is another beautiful ride up and through the mountains. In Mirebalais they have a sanctuary at the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Tradition has it that Mary appeared on a large leaf of a palm tree and left her image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The people have great devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and on July 16 they have an annual feast that hundreds of people come.

This year, President Michel Martelly, who is from this area, participated in the celebration and feast. We met the Pastor and asked him to give us Holy Communion, he was not too willing at first. He explained to us that he only gives communion during the Mass and to those who are sick in their homes.Then he realized that we did not have Eucharist today due to our living circumstances, and reconsidered our request after showing us all his achievements on the grounds of the parish. They include a gathering place for people, an outside altar with stone tables that have etched in the stone all the dioceses in Haiti, their cathedral churches, Government Palace, and other national events that make up the history of Haiti. Many of these cathedrals were destroyed during the earthquake. The parish has begun a fresh water fish hatchery. This is in the beginning stages, but a great idea to feed the people in the town. After our little tour he brought us back to the Church and gave us Holy Communion. When we finished our prayer he invited us to have the Felician community minister in his parish. We smiled and said we will pray over this. : )

After this we went to the waterfalls, what a beautiful natural site. We were greeted by some young boys who escorted us to the falls. They surprised us by knowing some English. Of course they wanted some money for their kindness. You can’t imagine how cool and refreshing the water is.

On the way back we watched people returning from the market, some walking and others riding on donkeys and sometime horses. We praised the Lord watching another beautiful Haitian sunset.

Some faces of Haiti…