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On January 12, 2010 there was a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the country of Haiti and hundreds of thousands of people died. Today, three years later the country struggles from the aftermath of such a natural disaster. There are many people who still do not have homes and living in very poor conditions.

Today we participated in the Celebration of the Eucharist with Bishop Launay Saturne in a small village called Light in the mountains. We remembered those who died in the earthquake and also celebrated the blessing of new homes that were built by Caritas funded by Ireland. Before the final blessing the people who received new homes presented gifts of gratitude and appreciation to the members of Caritas and to the Bishop, the gifts were the fruits of the earth. After Mass there was a ceremony where the homes were blest and people were given keys to their new homes. You will see in one of the photos a couple who now have a new home of their own. Being present for this was better than watching the Extreme Makeover!

This week all the priests in the Diocese of Jacmel are on their annual retreat. We have been on our own cooking our own meals. Until now neither of us have had many opportunities to cook. We are discovering our new talents for cooking with Haitian products and vegetables. It is challenging because we cannot always find the ingredients we are used to getting in a grocery store. But believe it or not, we are coming up with some good recipes.

The main vegetable we use and like is eggplant “berejèn”. Monday we had berejèn with pieces of chicken. On Tuesday we had berejèn and zucchini over fried brie cheese. On Wednesday we had potato pancakes topped with berejèn, carrots, peppers and onions. Today we will be cooking spaghetti with berejèn and tomato sauce.

We look forward to you coming to visit us and to share our healthy meals.

Living at Sacred Heart Parish we see and hear how people get involved in worship for the Sunday Masses. Everyday we hear a choir practice from different groups, the children, youth, or adults. Choir practices is very important, they usually last a few hours and so do the Masses.

Last Sunday we attended Mass in the Bishop’s chapel and a new choir was introduced, the first ever men’s chorale. After Mass, the Bishop invited the members of the choir, their sponsors, families and us to his house for a reception.

Claire and Gail are two young adults we met three weeks ago at St. Michael’s parish. Sunday we met them again and they expressed a desire to come and pray with us when we move into our new home. Even though where we are presently live our hosts are very gracious, we still cannot wait to have our own Felician home.

Our new teacher is Jacques Africot. He is married and has one daughter. Jacques is the director of an orphanage near Jacmel where there are 12 children. He says he has 13 children God has given him to take care of. He comes to us by taxi, this means by motorcycle, five days a week. We feel like little children back in school reading simple primary books and stories. This is a very good way to keep learning new words. “Unless you become like little children…”

During the earthquake on January 12, 2010 the Missionaries of Charities here in Jacmel lost their home. For three years they lived in a makeshift barricks. In a few days they will move into their new home that was built by a construction company from the Dominican Republic which uses different
materials and techniques that are earthquake resistant. We are learning from different religious communities what are the necessary things to have for your home in Haiti, like bars on the windows, water tanks, generator, and steel doors. Below are pictures from our visit with them.

Sometimes we have to stop our prayer or activities because by our feet we have unwelcome visitors. We don’t have enough knowledge yet which are dangerous which are friendly. For this reason he lost his life.

Last night we went to the building that is now the worship space of the Cathedral of Sts. James and Philip. The cathedral of Jacmel was severely damaged in the earthquake and cannot be used. We participated in 2 1/2 hours of charismatic prayer and Eucharistic adoration. We were moved by the faith of the people and the solemnity of the Eucharistic procession. Slowly but surely we are beginning to understand more of what is being prayed and preached.

We hear that these days are the most important days of celebration for Haitian people. But we would not know it if we only look for the external signs. We are used to seeing many large gatherings in the Church, people on the streets, fireworks, parties, and the media reporting all that goes on in bringing in the new year. Here in Haiti nothing like this is really present. We wonder if this is due to the country’s poverty and experience of much suffering.

We are learning that the religious communities bring to God’s people joy by organizing activities in the Church, such as Bingo, gathering the children, youth and adults for fun activities, games and dancing. The religious communities also gather among themselves to share a meal and dancing. We had the opportunity to participate in such a gathering with the Sisters of Loretto. They live in the mountains and the people in the villages depend on them. For example while we were there a small boy was brought to the sisters who had broken his leg. You could see he was in agony; he was semiconscious. The sisters knew he had to be taken to the hospital. So they put a makeshift splint on it and he was taken by motorcycle to town which is 45 minutes away on very bad roads. Then after dinner a young girl came to the door with a swollen hand. She had a burn that was infected. One of the sister’s was able to help her.

We were able to visit their school and their new dispensary that was just built by a group from Spain. We hope to keep learning and knowing what will be ours to do as we share the presence of Christ to all and meet him in His people.

The history of pumpkin soup begins with the celebration of Haitian Independence in 1804. On Jan. 1, 1804, Haitians worked together to create a unique soup to celebrate their independence from the French Colonists. Until that time, the Colonists believed that the blacks under their rule could never work together to create anything. Today, the traditional pumpkin soup known as “soup joumou,” is made and served to friends and family in Haiti in remembrance of their fight for freedom.

While under French Colonial rule, Haitians were limited to eating a bland bread soup. They would not have been permitted to eat such an extravagant meal comprised of pumpkin, beef stock and other vegetables. This unique soup was created as a symbol of unity in the face of adversity. It was served to everyone at the first Independence celebration and Haitians continue this tradition today.

Haitians believe the fight for equality isn’t over yet. They believe the pumpkin soup gives them courage to persevere over oppression, both now and in the future.

We look forward to joining in this tradition here in Haiti.