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When we arrived in Jèrèmie, Don had to meet with another co-worker from Madonna University who was participating in a mission with the Methodist Church community in Jèrèmie. Yvon took us to the Myriam Bethlehem Family, a religious community that we met last month while we were in Jèrèmie. We tried to contact the Sisters by phone but we never got an answer. We found out that their cell phone had been stolen. When we arrived at the convent we knocked on the door, when the Sisters saw us they yelled out our names and welcomed us. Here we experienced God’s tender loving care. The Sisters are known for their welcoming spirit and hospitality and we certainly experienced that the whole time we were with them.

They already had a houseful of guests. It is their mission to open the doors of their homes to receive persons wishing to be refreshed spiritually by participating in catechesis, prayer and community. This week they had 7 young adults sharing community and prayer.

We asked the Sisters if we could take a retreat day the next day. We had the opportunity for Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration and faith sharing. In the evening we shared recreation with the whole group. It was truly an international experience of Haitians, French Canadians, Polish, and American.

We were blest to receive the grace of a welcoming spirit from this community once again.

We realize more and more how God is leading us, taking care of our souls, and teaching us more and more what is ours to do in our Felician mission in Haiti.

On Wednesday, November 7 early in the morning we began one the most prayer-filled and faith-filled journeys of our lives. We went with Yvon, Don and his brother Dan to Jeremie by Land Cruiser. You may remember that a month ago we had to fly to Jeremie. To travel by car to Jeremie there is only one road. This road is paved halfway, the rest is just a path through the rocky mountains. Because the rivers cut through the mountains during the rainy season the roads are often not accessible. We traveled along the Caribbean Sea, that starts on one side of the peninsula to the other side. The people were always ready to guide and help us get through the water when needed. When you get hungry your rest stops are by the side of the road with people selling sugarcane, bananas, and other fresh fruits.In the middle of our journey we met up with a broken down “Tap, Tap,” Haitian public transportation, that had been stranded for three days. The people had no food or water so we gave them what food and water we had with us.

On Tuesday, November 6, we accompanied Dr. Donald Conrad, Associate Professor of the School of Business at Madonna University, Livonia, MI. Don met with students who are enrolled in the online courses given by the University. The meeting took place in Haiti Tech. We got to meet the students and hear their appreciation to be a part of this business program.

On Monday, November 5,  we went to visit the Deaf Camp in Cabaret. This was one of the places the Felician Sisters served after the earthquake  in 2010. It was a hope-filled visit when we saw the different conditions from living in tents to having a small three room house and small garden surrounding the house. However, they still do not have running water and have to carry it from a stream that is faraway from the camp. The joy was seeing friends we made in the summer of 2010, when we first met the people in the Deaf Camp community.They even remembered the songs we taught them.

Dan Conrad, from Madonna University, brought handmade dresses for little girls, as we distributed candy for all!. Even the simplest gift was appreciated.

It is our hope to visit the Deaf Camp at least once a month to continue our relationship with them.

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Notre Dame Church is the parish where we worship while we are in Port-au-Prince.

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On Friday, November 2 we went to the market to buy meat, vegetables and bread. This was a very interesting experience, especially in the meat section. Here you see and hear live animals, They are ready for the slaughter. The meat that Yvon purchased was goat, cow’s tongue, and chicken. We cannot find words to describe the smell of the place.

Then we went to the bakery where everyone buys their bread to sell on the streets, and the smell of the bread was a delight especially after being in the meat section of the market.

May God be known, loved and glorified everywhere we go!

“I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people and tongue.” Rev. 7:9

This morning we were blest to participate in the Eucharistic Liturgy in Notre Dame Church. It was a 2 hour magnificent celebration of prayer, praise and song that reminded us of the joyful celebration among the Saints in Heaven. It lasted for two hours. Here in Haiti it is a holiday, schools and public places are closed.

We continued our celebration with an international “manje midi,” lunch, of POLISH KIELBASA, ITALIAN PROVOLONE CHEESE, HAITIAN BREAD, AVOCADO, and BANANAS. All of this we bought in the Haitian supermarket. Put on our bread it made a great sandwich 🙂

On Wednesday, October 31 we met with the Apostolic Nuncio at his residence. He gave us his blessing on our new Felician mission in the Diocese of Jacmel.

As you recall on Saturday we reached out to Caritas and CRS to get assistance for displaced people in the Sarazin mountains because of the rains and flooding. On Sunday evening Caritas arrived with a truckload of personal hygiene and kitchen kits, and 100 tarps for those who lost their tents (their homes) due to the rains. Mildreade, who is director of communications for Caritas brought the goods herself with her crew of workers. She had beed traveling for two days getting these items for other people in great need.

This was a strong experience of how God hears the cry of the poor. We are grateful to Caritas and CRS who are great Catholic organizations working for the people of Haiti.

On Saturday we went with Yvon to Kaville, a camp for displaced persons since the earthquake, January, 2010. Twice a month Yvon delivers drinking water to the tent dwellers. From the moment we arrived we felt like we were in the right place and where we were needed.

Kaville is located on a public soccer field, located behind a gated community. They have no running water and depend on outside help. Many of the children suffer from malnutrition. When we first arrived we tried to introduce ourselves in our simple Creole, and walked around speaking to everyone. Very quickly we were accepted by everyone, especially the children. They took us by the hand and wanted to take us to their (home), they said: “vin lakay mwen.” Which means “come to my home.” The children led us carefully through the mud since this was the day after a week of heavy rain. Mostly women were in the tents who welcomed us with great joy. It was a moving experience of hospitality and simplicity.

There was an elderly woman who came up to us and said: “Mwen grangou!” Which means “I am hungry!” We did not have anything to give her.

In one of the tents we met a family who looked very happy. In the midst of them was a tiny new born baby, we felt like we were in Bethlehem. Next to the baby was a live chicken, pots and pans, and other simple necessities.

There is something moving us to do more…