Monthly Archives: July 2018

Agnieszka, a professor from Warsaw, Poland, and a friend of Felician Sisters, came to Jacmel, Haiti, for three weeks to help in the mission. The first week of her stay was busy with the normal events of life in the mission: teaching kids and playing with them; taking them to see the doctor; cooking; visiting kids homes, etc. It was normal mission life. Frequent heavy rains at night did not disturb much mission life, but it provided a lot of water to our cistern. This was the end of quiet mission life for us and our guest, Agnieszka.

At the beginning of last week, we noticed that a number of the kids who come everyday to our Mother Angela Kitchen had a rash or scabs on their heads and other parts of the body. It did not look good, so we asked our Doctor Wanitha for help. On Wednesday, after her work, she arrived to see the kids and examined a few of them, discovering two contagious diseases. After that discovery, we decided that Doctor Wanitha and two of our nurses would come the next morning to see the rest of our kids. We asked them to come with their mothers. Early that afternoon, they had an hour break and came back at 3 p.m. to see the rest of the kids. Doctor Wanitha asked for their mothers to come with them and, in some cases, she sent for their siblings to be sure that all in the household would be healed. We knew we could not continue them having the kids come and spread the disease. Our Kitchen needed to be closed for some time.

Next day while still treating some kids in the clinic, we received messages to get ready for another cyclone. The weather did not look like anything was happening, but we were obedient and put away tables, chairs, pictures, etc. Right now it starts raining….

While we were still preparing for the cyclone, we received another message. Someone recorded from the radio and sent it in WhatsApp. They asked to prepare not to leave houses for few days because demonstrations would happen in the whole country. We were asked to buy food, gas for generators and all that would be needed to survive at home without leaving the place. This was supposed to start this weekend. As for now, Jacmel, at least around us, is quiet.

Additionally, bees appeared by our house, maybe looking for a place to hide before the rain…

It seems like a story from the book of Job, but I can do all this through Him who gives me strength…

Our kids have learned the game UNO. Interesting how we learn strategy, critical thinking, team work and how not to cheat the other.

Yes, we are seeking and being peace!

“God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness.

Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way, may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division,” “hatred,” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!”

—Pope Francis, invocation for peace, June 8, 2014

The US Embassy in Haiti warned its citizens Saturday to stay inside amid continued demonstrations in the capital of Port-au-Prince and a northern city following a fuel price hike. Protesters have been demonstrating this week against a sharp rise in fuel prices ordered by the government.

Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant on Saturday announced a temporary stop to the price increases and appealed for calm. Prices for gasoline were to rise 38% while diesel prices were to go up 47% and kerosene 57%.

After the Prime Minister’s announcement, late last night, the situation calmed down. We are still told to stay inside. “Do not attempt to travel at this time. Avoid protests and any large gathering of people. Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks,” a State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs official said.

There are no reports of US citizens in Haiti being injured, the embassy said.

In Jacmel we had demonstrations, market was closed down and no electricity for two days. This is very difficult for our poor people who live literally one day at a time.

Please pray for Haiti!

According to Wikipedia: Mentorship is a relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. The mentor may be older or younger than the person being mentored, but he or she must have a certain area of expertise.

We have been so blessed with mentors who have come to the Haiti mission, sharing their expertise with our young people. Here is a perfect example of Jean Philip taking what he has learned from Peter, one of our past visitors, about chair repairing!

On Monday, July 2, the kids were invited to come and celebrate…Sr. Marilyn’s birthday, their birthdays, and all those who had passed their classes and had the highest report card! There was rice and beans, chicken, cake and soda for all. The kids brought cards and lollipops for Sr. Marilyn.

The event began as always with a prayer of blessing.

Then the announcement was made about who had the highest passing report card. The ones who made this distinction received special gifts and recognition.

After everyone enjoyed their food and cake and soda, it was time for everyone to receive a gift. When all had walked in, they received a number. When their number was called, they were able to choose a gift. Of course, the soccer balls went first. Everyone received a pair of sandals, and the girls received a famous “pillow dress.”

Thank you to everyone who made this day possible by your generous donations. May the Lord bless you, shine His face upon you, and give you peace.

On Saturday, June 30, Sr. Marilyn celebrated her birthday and feast day. We decided to use our new grill, and Sr. Inga made Sr. Marilyn’s favorite cake–homemade carrot cake with cream cheese icing.