Monthly Archives: January 2015

Today we left Jacmel at 7:00 a.m. to return to the States for two weeks. Our flight from Port au Prince was scheduled to depart at 1:00 p.m. for Miami, FL; then we were to depart at 6:30 p.m. from Miami to Newark, NJ.

After settling some business in Port au Prince, we were by the gate at 11:00 a.m. Everything was on time. We rejoiced because the last time we left Port au Prince we had been delayed six hours, because a flock of birds had hit the engine. We already started to plan what we would get to eat at the Mexican Restaurant in the airport. We boarded the plane at 12:20 p.m., and then it was announced that there was engine problem so we had to de-board. We were delayed four hours this time, but we knew that we would not make our connecting flight again. We finally left at 4:50 p.m. and arrived in Miami at 7:00 p.m. Here we go again…We need to get a flight back to NJ. We were scheduled for the 9:00 p.m. flight to Newark. We were happy to get flight, but we did not get a voucher to get something to eat. The 9:00 p.m. flight was on time. We boarded the plane, ready to go, as we were eating some Greek yogurt. And then came an announcement. There was no flight crew. We needed to wait for a new crew that was coming from La Guardia, which meant we had to de-plane again and wait another hour. Looks like we will not get back until after 1:00 a.m.

We hope this is the end of the story…😴

“Fanm Dlo,” translated means “Water Woman.” A “Water Woman” is responsible to share clean filtered water with people in her neighborhood, at least three families. We realize how difficult it is for these women to even get a bucket of dirty water. They need to walk two miles to the river or buy a bucket of dirty water from someone’s cistern for 5 cents. Can you imagine? Even for a bucket of dirty water, the poor have to pay. We see more and more what a blessing it is for them to have the water filters from “Water with Blessing.”

Every Time we go to visit our neighborhood, we learn something new about their situations. We learned that Francine, in her one-room shack, has more young people living with her. She went to see her family in the mountains and brought back two more of her children–a 15-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son. She has one more child in the mountains, living with her other family members. The daughter is sleeping in a neighbor’s house, and the three boys are sleeping on the floor in Francine’s shack.

We visited a new area where we were told a very young father of three children had died before Christmas. He was only 30 years old. There were children everywhere, as well as elders. There was one teenage girl not feeling well, so we got her to see our Dr. Juanita in the Manman Angela clinic.

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On January 13, our first group of women, who had participated in our “Water with Blessing” programs, signed their covenants and committed to be “Water Women,” agreeing to share filtered clean water with their neighbors.

Our first group of women seem to be be very serious about their mission. Let us pray that they may be faithful to their covenant.

This was our first experience in taking one of our kids to the dentist. For a long time, Mona has suffered with her teeth, which had been hurting. It was a very interesting experience. She has 12 cavities and infections in some of her teeth. To get the fillings done, we needed to go to the pharmacy around the corner in order to get the materials needed for the dentist. Tomorrow at 8 a.m., Mona will begin her dental work.

Mona is being raised by her aunt, and she would never be able to afford to have her teeth done.

How appropriate it was that today, January 12, on the anniversary of the devastating earthquake, we began the formation of “Water Women” with 11 women. It was a very good meeting. The women want to learn how to use the filter and to share the pure water willingly. Tomorrow the formation process will continue with the second part.

Today, January 12, all of Haiti remembered the 5th anniversary of the earthquake that nearly destroyed their country. Many lives were lost; and people were crippled physically, psychologically, and socially.

We began the day with Mass and prayers for those who died and for those who survived and are still trying to rebuild their lives. In the evening, we invited our kids and teens who wanted to pray and to share what they had experienced on January 12, 2010, telling about where they were and what they felt.

The most moving story was from Deborah, whose story was shared by her mother. Deborah’s best friend was in her house at about 4:45 p.m. When the earthquake struck, her house fell on top of her, and she was buried alive. For two days, she was yelling for her mother and father. They could hear her cries, but they could not get her out. After two days, she died under the rubble.

The evening was a beautiful experience of songs, prayers, and sharing of stories. The kids asked us to share where we were that day. We assured them we were in solidarity with them, and that is why we are with them today. At the end of the service, one of our teenage boys thanked us for giving them the opportunity to share their stories and for wanting to listen to them. He thanked God for sending us to be with them. They all wanted us to thank the Felician Sisters for sending us here to Jacmel.

On Saturday, January 10, as we celebrated the vigil Mass for Sunday, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we had our house blessing.

A few weeks ago, Franswa asked us about having her three children baptized. We asked Fr. Elicien what is the procedure, and he said that first they need their birth certificates. This is not an easy document to get when you are poor; the older the child is, the more expensive the document gets. Another woman, Natalie, also came to us seeking Baptism for her child. She, too, needed her daughter’s birth certificate. It is difficult for the poor to receive the sacraments in the church because, if you do not have the money, you cannot receive the sacraments.

Today these women came to our chapel for Mass on the feast of the Baptism of Jesus in order to begin their preparation and to model their faith to their children. We hope to be the church for the poor.

In our chapel, we will have the four children baptized in February. Now the mothers are receiving catechesis with Father. The four children are Snyder, Michelet, Jolandes, and Natlissa. They are 6, 4, 2, and 3 years old. Please remember them in your prayers as we welcome them into our Church.

On Thursday, January 8, we took Wilnor to the clinic to get his cast off. It was interesting to watch them saw and pry off the cast. Wilnor very calmly watched.

During our last visit to the States, we attended a Mission Conference in Alexandria, Virginia. We met Sr. Larraine who introduced us to “Water with Blessing.” This is a program that gives pure drinking water to people who don’t have access to clean water. The program is especially for women with children. The women are invited to enter the program and learn what it means to be a “Water Woman” for their neighborhood. The bucket and filter provide families with clean drinking water. It is all about sharing the filtered water with others. This program is spiritual, educational, and life-giving for all those who participate. This water cannot be sold; it is to be shared.

We have begun with our women in the Kizin Manman Angela, sharing with them the formation and purpose of being a “Water Woman.” We now share clean drinking water with all our kids in the Kizin Manman Angela.