On the morning of Friday, December 30, Dr. Yves Derisier shared with the Madonna University visitors the ways of rural medicine practiced through the Mother Angela Clinic. Everyone was captivated by his knowledge and dedication to the people of Haiti.
On Friday, December 29, our friends from Madonna University led a dental hygiene presentation for our children. They learned how to brush and care for their teeth. Each child received a new toothbrush and toothpaste. They also learned how to floss their teeth.
On Wednesday, December 27, Sr. Victoria and 9 Madonna University student nurses, staff and alumni arrived in Jacmel for their mission experience at our Haiti Mission. They will be with us for ten days, sharing in different activities, visiting homes, and sharing faith and friendship with our community.
Jwaye Nwel! Merry Christmas! As the month of December was moving quickly and the Advent prayers were preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus and the celebration of His birth, as well as our preparing many gifts for our children, we were now ready for the big day! It was also a time for baking and cooking. The day arrived and preparation for Jesus’ party was full of activities. The decorations, cooking, then the pageant, Mass, food, and gift giving. Before they received their gifts, all the children came to the chapel in groups to adore Jesus and wish Him a Happy Birthday. Then received a gift from Him. They were delighted with the choice of toys they received. Our children are so poor and do not have a Christmas morning full of gifts, but that certainly has taken on new meaning here as we make this day holy and fun for them. Thank you all for helping us make this a joyous day of praising Jesus, celebrating His birth, and making children very happy!
It was with great joy we could celebrate our traditional wigilia here in Haiti with a few friends, Melinda, Jean-Philip and Kalo. We welcomed Christ the poor one to our table of love and friendship as we welcomed the first star of the night and broke the oplatek wafer with one another. Then little Kalo placed baby Jesus in the manger. Sr. Inga explained the meaning of our wigilia and the sharing of the wafer. After dinner they watched received a small gift. It was a beautiful Christmas Eve.
In the stillness of this Friday Advent night, as we sit after Evening Prayer and reflect on the day that has come to an end, our hearts are filled with mixed feelings. Today, we took our twins, Melinda and Marline, to Children’s Hope Home. After two days, their mother returned with the girls. They were in the same clothes we had given them a few days ago, and they were very hungry. We changed them and put clean diapers on them. The Mother was ready and needed to send them where they could get care and, yes, hope. We thank all those who have donated baby clothes, diapers and milk. You can’t imagine how grateful we are.
This mom really loves her girls, but she cannot care for them. As we pondered this whole event, we wondered what this all means as we we wait in joyful hope for the coming of the Lord. We trust this home where the children are so cared for and loved. As we waited for the papers to be signed, we watched this mom’s eyes fill up as she said again and again how she would miss them. She can visit every 15 days, which we will help her to do.
We then went to see Roseamita, and she was a bit shy; but we see she is at peace. We heard that her father does come every month to see her, too. She is walking and talking and seems to bring joy to all she meets.
The meaning of Christmas is indeed hope and saving grace no matter how hard the circumstances are and to what they lead us. We know and this mother knows that her little girls are safe, cared for, and loved. Merry Christmas, Melinda and Marline.
The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all within us that is not yet Christ.
—Thomas Merton
On Thursday, December 14, our kids met for their faith formation class as usual. But this time, it would be a little different. Each one was given a gift to wrap and to give to someone who is poor. The following short video explains what they had to do, translation: “Go to the someone who is poor and tell them: ‘God loves you, Merry Christmas!'”
Each group was given different gifts to share–t-shirt, candy, soap and toothpaste. Now this is not as easy as it sounds. Each of these little children is poor, and for them it was difficult to GIVE AWAY something they want and, yes, they need. But don’t worry…this Christmas, because of your generosity and donations sent in the container, these children will receive many things they need.
So, after they finished wrapping their different gifts, they were sent…
After they finished preparing their small gifts to give to the poor, they were sent to proclaim: “God loves you! Merry Christmas!” As they followed their teacher, they all were singing: “Go, go, go, people; go with Jesus. Go, go, go, people, together with Jesus!”
On Friday evening, December 8, Mike Edgar, returned to Jacmel to see the progress of the mission complex construction. We are moving along but of course not as quickly as hoped. We continue to trust in God’s timing and plans. Keep praying!
Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti 