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Early in the morning, long before dawn, Father Luxo, a newly ordained priest, knocked at our door to take us to Mass. We followed him, thinking we were going to the Church we have been going to for the rosary. To our surprise we went through the back gate down a rocky pathway, in the dark with a small flashlight. We assumed that he knew a shortcut and then we found ourselves going to an old gate that looked like ruins. We stopped for a moment realizing we are not going to the familiar church. We questioned where he was taking us. For a moment fear entered our beings, but we followed. Then we heard the familiar prayer of the rosary in Creole, and we knew we were safe. We could not see any people only hear them, with our flashlight and the candles on the altar we realized that this was church. After the Liturgy of the Word, the sun rose and filled the place. We realized we were in a beautiful church built into the side of the hill. This is to be the new cathedral in Jeremie, but right now the only space finished is this lower Church. About 50 people come for morning sunrise Mass. We are learning more and more not to make assumptions and not to judge by appearances.

Peace and all good! Our first Transitus in Haiti was celebrated in Jeremie with a simple service. We joined our prayer with all Franciscans, especially every Felician Sister throughout the world.

In the footprints of Christ Francis did what was his to do. Let us celebrate his gift and go forth in the footsteps of Francis, to do what is ours to do.

Blessed St. Francis Day from Jeremie, Haiti!
Sisters Inga and Marilyn

“See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. Be attentive to him and heed his voice.” Exodus 23:20-21

Even though we heard this beautiful Word this morning it didn’t seem like angels were being sent to us when the day began. It started at 3 a.m with someone preaching through the streets on a microphone. The only words we understood were “accept the Lord.” Then all the dogs in Jeremie began to bark along with everey rooster.

We understood that Mass was going to be in the Bishop’s chapel at 6 a.m. We got up at 5:20 a.m. to make our way to the chapel. We met someone to open the door and we waited until 7:15 a.m. No one came. We decided to go for breakfast and only after we finished we heard the bell that is rung for meals. Yesterday we had dinner at 1 p.m. and supper at 7:30 p.m. So we thought we knew the schedule. Today dinner was at 12:20 and supper was at 6:30 p.m. We have learned that whenever it is ready the bell rings.

After breakfast we returned to our room and had another adventure, the table which had our ptcher of water, glasses, and other things that we brought with us suddenly collapsed. Everything fell and shattered. Water was everywhere. This was not easy to clean without any needed cleaning supplies. The morning just begun and we were soaked from our sweat.

At 9 a.m. We went to see the Missionary Sisters of Charity who have a medical clinic for women, men and children. We had no way to tell the Sisters we were coming but they were very gracious and allowed us to see their place. We were very moved by the small sick children. They are not orphans but are brought to the clinic for medical attention especially from malnutrition. They stay in the clinic until they are well.

On the way back we stopped to buy some water and other needed items, especially bug spray, something we need everywhere we go. And we are not talking only about mosquitoes. We thanked God that we both befriended lizards during our past experinces because here in Haiti they are everywhere as well as in the house. We met the Good Shepherd Sisters in the store and were invited to visit with them on Thursday.

In the early afternoon we sat on the terrace, from which we have a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea, to study our Creole. Two otherr challenges of today was no water or electricity. During this time we wrote (the old fashioned way with pen and paper) the prayers for the rosary in Creole. Later we walked the streets continuing our novena to St. Francis to meet and greet the people in Jeremie. At 5:15 p.m. we went to the Cathedral to pray the rosary with the Legion of Mary. They seem to gather for the month of October to pray the rosary and a variety of other prayers. We are learning to say the rosary in Creole. At the end of the service everyone received a scripture qoute and we were assured through the passages we received that God had not forgotten us and desires us to walk in faith. They are: John 11:40 and Psalm 72:12, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” and “he will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed who have no one to defend them.”

Today is the feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, patron of missions, how appropriate for us to be on this mission journey today.

We began our journey when we arrived at the airport at 6:45 a.m. It is a small domestic flight airport. We checked in and got settled. A young woman was distributing brochures selling pre-fab houses. We thought this was interesting and useful for the future wherever our new mission house may be.

At first we thought the white plane marked with the logo Tortug’ Air was our plane, but then we learned the blue plane was ours to Jeremie. Notice where we sat, with the pilot, we felt like his co-pilots. ; ) St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

God bless you!

October 1-8 we will be in Jeremie, another diocese in Haiti. Tomorrow morning we will take a small plane from Port au Prince to get there. We will try our best to keep you posted.

Posted using Tinydesk Writer iPhone app

This weekend Yvon has a house guest, Monica Watkins, from New York.. She is a successful Ford model/artist/philanthropist. She nutures young, disadvantaged artists, allowing them to reach their potential and enhance the world around them by setting an example of giving hope and acheivement. Today Monica invited us to go with her to a group home for young girls in Delmas called Restavek Freedom. She spoke to the girls about her modeling career. Restavek Freedom is a Christian based orgnaization that works to end child slavery in Haiti. In Haiti everyone knows the word restavek, it is a modern type of child slavery. This organization helps young girls to get out of these abusive situations by creating a home, sending them to school, and building their self-esteem. They believe that love and education can uproot this cultural practice and create new futures.

We invite you to visit their website where the girls wrote to President Martelly to end Restavek in Haiti.

www.restavekfreedom.org

Makenson Nosthe, is a young Haitian adult man in whom Yvon recognizes a God given talent for painting. He spends his days in Yvon’s yard creating and painting one picture after another. He loves to paint and Yvon is having him show his paintings next month in an exposition during a fund raiser for Haiti in New York. Yvon is encouraging and empowering this young man who would never have a chance to share his gift publically.

Makenson has a sad story, His mother who was pregnant with him was not accepted by her family and had to run away and live on the streets. He learned about his father on the day of his funeral. Makenson lived in extreme poverty, at the age of 17 his mother kicked him out of the house. After the earthquake, Mackenson lost everything but as God would have it, he was led to Yvon who showed him kindness, trust and encouragement to use his talent. Yvon provided the means for Mackenson to paint. When someone is recognized, loved, and respected the door of the heart is opened and the gifts and talents begin to flow like a river. Below take a look at Mackenson’s art work. We have asked Mackenson to paint for us a picture of St. Felix of Cantalice. If you or someone you know would be interested in purchasing one of Mackenson’s paintings please let us know.See below some of his work.

“…they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News…” Luke 9:6

On September 24 Yvon needed to go back to the hospital to speak with the Administrator; we went along to keep learning our way around Port au Prince. Yoland, the household cook went with us and we dropped her off at the market. After our visit to the hospital we did some shopping with Yvon to one of the famous street market’s where they sell everything. There we picked up Yolande. This took most of the afternoon. Yolande is known for her cooking, everything is fresh and cooked from scratch. So this day she did not start cooking until 4:30 p.m. we did not eat until 8:30 p.m

Today September 25 begins our novena to St. Francis of Assisi. Following his example we decided to walk everyday through the streets and use our few Creole words when necessary! : )

We are continuing and taking serious our “inculturation” in Haiti. In the afternoon Yvon wanted to take us to Mirebalais. This is north of Port au Prince and it takes about two hours to get there. On the way Yvon showed us a housing project that is underway to accommodate those who were affected by the earthquake and lived in tents since 2010.

It is another beautiful ride up and through the mountains. In Mirebalais they have a sanctuary at the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Tradition has it that Mary appeared on a large leaf of a palm tree and left her image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The people have great devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and on July 16 they have an annual feast that hundreds of people come.

This year, President Michel Martelly, who is from this area, participated in the celebration and feast. We met the Pastor and asked him to give us Holy Communion, he was not too willing at first. He explained to us that he only gives communion during the Mass and to those who are sick in their homes.Then he realized that we did not have Eucharist today due to our living circumstances, and reconsidered our request after showing us all his achievements on the grounds of the parish. They include a gathering place for people, an outside altar with stone tables that have etched in the stone all the dioceses in Haiti, their cathedral churches, Government Palace, and other national events that make up the history of Haiti. Many of these cathedrals were destroyed during the earthquake. The parish has begun a fresh water fish hatchery. This is in the beginning stages, but a great idea to feed the people in the town. After our little tour he brought us back to the Church and gave us Holy Communion. When we finished our prayer he invited us to have the Felician community minister in his parish. We smiled and said we will pray over this. : )

After this we went to the waterfalls, what a beautiful natural site. We were greeted by some young boys who escorted us to the falls. They surprised us by knowing some English. Of course they wanted some money for their kindness. You can’t imagine how cool and refreshing the water is.

On the way back we watched people returning from the market, some walking and others riding on donkeys and sometime horses. We praised the Lord watching another beautiful Haitian sunset.

Some faces of Haiti…

” I lift up my eyes to the mountains from where from shall come my help? My help comes from the Lord maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121: 1-2

On Saturday, September 22 we journeyed to Jacmel to have our meeting with the Bishop of the Diocese of Jacmel.. We left the house at 7:30 a.m. to pick up a spare tire. This was very interesting, the purchase of the tire was done on the street from a man that Yvon knew. We waited in the car as the tire was prepared, but this was not wasted time on our part, we watched the people busy about their business. Close to us was a boy who shined shoes. He had many customers. He took his shoe shining very seriously. People left small change for his work.

We finally got on the road to Jacmel at 9: 00 a.m. The trip to Jacmel should take a little more than an hour, but due to traffic in Port au Prince it can take as long as 4 hours, but we made it in about 2 1/2 hours. The ride to Jacmel is up and through the mountains. It is absolutely beautiful. This part of Haiti is the greenest. Jacamel is located by the Caribbean Sea, and it is a bit cooler than Port au Prince. In this area hurricanes are not gentle with Jacmel. They never avoid Jacmel. : (  On the way there are many markets on the side of the road. The fruits and vegetables are fresh and much cheaper than in Port au Prince. The city of Jacmel is quiet and peaceful, and safe. On the way back we recieved two siigns the first was the rainbow in the mountains right after we left Jacmel and our meeting with the Bishop, and then on one of the buildings as we were driiving back we saw the following scripture quote from Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know what my plans for you are, plans to save you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and to give you hope.”

Below, enjoy our journey to Jacmel… : )

“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” Mark 9:37

During this time in the market we watched Yvon negotiate and learned how do our shopping on the streets. When you hear the first price you propose half the price, then usually it ends up that you pay somehwere in between the first price given. It is a great way to meet and get to know the people. Our role at this time was to greet the people in Creole with “Bondye beni ou.”