Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti

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!

Missionary life never has a regular schedule because at anytime someone can come to the door, and your plans change in an instant. As we journey through the Advent season 💫 and the coming of Christmas, 🎄the Lord had another surprise for us to embrace this day.

Meet Marline (l) and Melinda (r). As you can see, they are not identical twins. They are 11 months old. We had met them when they were just a few months old, when their mother came to us needing some help with diapers and baby formula. As each month passed, we took care of these small needs.

But life has not been easy for them. Their mom cannot take care of them, feed them, and clothe them without assistance. She told us a few weeks ago that she wants to place them in an orphanage that would give them better care. Also, the father of these two beautiful girls wanted to sell them for money. Our hearts ache when we hear such stories.

Today, their mother brought them again. The mother is desperate, so we called our friends at Hands of Hope, the place where we brought Roseamita last Christmas. It was about this time last year that we brought her to her new home. We are waiting to hear back whether they can take in Melinda and Marline. Please keep them in your prayers that we can find a safe and healthy environment for them and a way to help their mother.

On this feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we pray for her intercession to give them life and a safe home with love and care.

O God, Father of mercies, who placed your people under the singular protection of your Son’s most holy Mother, grant that all who invoke the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe may seek with ever more lively faith the progress of peoples in the ways of justice and of peace.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity

of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

On Saturday, December 9, we had our first Advent retreat day for those we have prepared for the sacraments. It was a mixture of teens and some smaller children. The day started with Praise and Worship, a short three-minute video, sharing of the Word of God in light of the video, and faith sharing. Lunch was followed by Adoration and preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We ended the day with Mass. The readings were perfect for the Second Sunday of Advent, calling all of us to be messengers of Christ, preparing the way for the Lord in ourselves and for others. Each participant was given a bag filled with soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, which they were asked to give to someone who is poor. Now you know our kids, all coming from very poor families, but they were asked to seek someone out on the streets. Someone poorer than them.

RACHEL is a computer program, under the guise of Kahn Academy. With the help of a very dear friend, we have been blessed to offer this computer program for our kids and teens. Everyday our kids get time to work on the computer with math, science, history, and other exciting learning materials. We have trained some of our teens to be instructors with the computer and the program.

On Tuesday, November 7, Mike Edgar, Director of Properties and Ancillary Services for the Felician Sisters of North America, came for his on-site visit of the construction site. Things are moving along but, as always, not as quickly as we would wish. Now we are told that December 22 will be the day the site will be completed. However, for the past few days, we have been having heavy rain that lasts all day. 😞 Please keep praying. 🙏🏾

On Friday, November 3, Sr. Suzanne helped us get one of the containers ready for the next one to arrive…

Orevwa Sè Suzanne. Nou pral sonje ou…Goodbye Sr. Suzanne. We will miss you…😢