We are resurrecting bits and pieces of the blog from the rubble.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Visiting a girls orphanage with our two visiting Nurse Practitioner’s Hilary & Kris
Breathe life, not death, into your words
We welcomed a group from The Ohio Wesleyan University today with 9 students and 2 staff advisors. They will be working at the Quad for two weeks. They did a great job cleaning out the luggage room and going through old containers and school supplies and evaluating what was in good condition and what wasn’t. A smaller group also spent the morning and early afternoon painting the grills for the new security bars for the finance office. Ohio Wesleyan rocks...! You did a great job everyone, thanks.
The wall is coming along fantastically; the guys are almost ready to begin making the bricks. The picture I took is of Dobie (the foreman for the work crew) and his wife and their baby daughter who was brought to the clinic today with stomach pain. She only has a little ‘grippe’ (cold), she’ll be fine.
The power of speech is not to be underestimated. It can bring life, and it can bring death. For God, “breathing” words results in life: water, animals, human beings, mercy, and compassion! Mary followed in God’s footsteps with a single word on her part that resulted in her bearing the Christ child in the world. On the other hand some of our words can be death-dealing. Saul, a persecutor of Jesus’ followers before his conversion, “breathed murderous threats” that resulted in much fear, injury, and death. How will you use your power of speech to nurture life? - Take Five For Faith
Today’s Readings: Acts 9:1-20; John 6:52-59
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Today’s Readings: Acts 9:1-20; John 6:52-59
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
We spent a good part of yesterday morning visiting “Centre de Reconfort”, an all girl’s orphanage with 30 girls. They had asked if the nurses could come by to pay them a visit and physically check a few of the girls for various medical conditions. Ringworm, head lice, scabies etc...are very common in the area. Both Hilary and Kris were pleased with who they saw and what treatments they provided. The girls are being very well taken care of. They are fed, clothed, educated and loved. They have room for a maximum of 50 girls; they are currently building a new school for the girls and the children in the surrounding neighbourhood. They’ve done a beautiful job painting the shipping containers and giving them a ‘homey’ and natural appeal.
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| Nice to see the stuffed toys |
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| Great art work on shipping containers |
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| Hillary and Kris with their first patient |
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| In the storage room after it's been cleaned |
The wall is coming along fantastically; the guys are almost ready to begin making the bricks. The picture I took is of Dobie (the foreman for the work crew) and his wife and their baby daughter who was brought to the clinic today with stomach pain. She only has a little ‘grippe’ (cold), she’ll be fine.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Babies, babies and more babies...
Christians who define their faith in limiting terms, “who’s out and who’s in,” for example, appear to have missed the memo from Christ that all are welcome at his table. Too often throughout history, and today as well, a desire for “religious purity” ends up hurting a lot of people who don’t fit the mould. Try avoiding exclusionary ideology; remember that everyone else doesn’t have to be wrong for you to be right with God. Christ is bigger than that, and we can be, too. Take Five For Faith!
Today’s Readings: Acts 8:1b-8; John 6:35-40 (275) “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.”
I met another baby today, little Adeline, the daughter of one of our local neighbours who is an employee of Pwoje Espwa. She’s seven months old and as cute as can be. The family was here to introduce me to Adeline. Who told him I liked babies? Jean Renoald Lamarre is a one-man grounds cleaning crew, lol. He’s responsible for collecting trash throughout the property which is not an easy task; the Haitian people who wander through throughout the day unfortunately set a bad example for our kids. Trash is a major issue inHaiti because they don’t have a government department responsible for collecting or recycling the mounds of garbage. Tomorrow my ‘twin’ Chad Scott (VP of Freethekids.org) will be working with Jean Renoald to see just how difficult his job is. Our kids have trash containers in the children’s village but we could use more throughout the entire property. Anyone have any oil drum cans?
Today’s Readings: Acts 8:1b-8; John 6:35-40 (275) “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.”
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| Adeline and I |
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| A sweetheart of a little girl |
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| Chad and family |
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Chad Scott (left), Vice-President of Free the Kids, standing with BrotherRobert-Anthony, our Guest House Manager. Do you see a resemblance? |
Fr. Marc posted this crazy photo of Chad and I (above) yesterday, I didn’t realize he had posted it to his blog until a few minutes ago. Mom...you got some s’plain to do, lol. They say you have a twin somewhere in the world, I guess I never thought I’d be working with him though. Chad is the Vice President of Free the Kids and is visiting and working with the kids, cars and our computer printers (which have decided to go on the fritz due to the heat and humidity).
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| Jean, family and I |
We sent the application in for our first major soccer tournament, beginning this weekend. It will run for a little over five days and is a major program. Please keep “Team Espwa” in your prayers. Activities and sporting events of this magnitude really pull the ‘family’ together and can be a great morale booster for the children. I’m still working on the new uniforms for the team and hope to pick them up from my Aunts in Florida. Hopefully, London’s ‘Source for Sports’ will be shipping them in time for my visit in June to America.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Fr. Marc's 61st. Birthday Bash
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| The Birthday Boy, Fr. Marc Boisvert |
I’ve included a photo of Shoopy, one of our house/building painters who is also one of our gifted residents. In this shot Shoopy is presenting me with a painting he did for me. I think it’s for helping to promote his art to our guests but when I tried to refuse it (telling him that it was my pleasure to help in whatever way I could) I was told I would insult him if I did so. Thanks Shoopy, it’s a beautiful painting and I will hang it in my room tonight.
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| Watching the show, eventually they were on our laps |
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Chad Scott VP of freethekids.org and the boys. Chad graciously provided the funding for the boys to record their music track in Les Cayes. And 'Yes'...it's Chad, not me. The boys started asking me right after he arrived if he was my brother because of our similar good tastes in barbers. |
I hope they bring their rain boots. The security wall is also coming along nicely. It’s being built to help control the number of people currently accessing our finance department offices at ‘La Madonne’ (the original sight of the orphanage in town) in Les Cayes. It will also provide a haven for our volunteers and visitors (and keep the pesky dogs out).
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| Our two youngest kids present Fr. Marc with his gift |
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| 'Slave' style folk dancers |
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| Miliste is also my Creole teacher |
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| Folk dancers |
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| These three were sitting at my feet...sweet non? |
Shoopy giving me a wonderful painting for helping him sell his Art. I tried to refuse but was told not too, lol. I love it anyway and I wouldn't want to upset the painter. Saturday, May 7, 2011
A beautiful reflection for Mother's Day - Forwarded by Fr. Vince Inghilterra FSD
In Canada, Mothers Day is the most popular festival after Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Just as in USA, Mothers Day in Canada is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May but unfortunately, I won’t be in St. Thomas to celebrate with my Mother on her special day. So Mom... this little letter will have to suffice and although it comes to you second hand please know that everything written here is everything I would say to you and more. You know that if I were anywhere else on the planet (other than an orphanage in Haiti), I’d already be on my way home to shower you with flowers and gifts for all the wonderful years I’ve been blessed to have you as my Mom and to cherish your love, support and prayers.
The disciples were so excited when they realized they had seen the risen Christ that they dashed back home, walking seven miles at dusk, to tell the others the good news. Good news is difficult to contain—it’s meant to be shared. Just ask mothers, whom we honour today, how hard it was to keep the secret of their pregnancy, and then how fast the news spread once their babies were born. Bringing new life into the world ranks as one of the most thrilling experiences there is. But without question the most astounding, awesome event we all experience is the good news that Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Go tell it on the mountain. Take Five For faithToday’s Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35 (46) -“The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”
“It's difficult to believe that we haven't always had Mother's Day celebrations. Telephone company records show that, on Mothers' Day, there are always a record number of phone calls across the country. One amazing statistic from the Pew Research Center found that, in a survey of over 3,000 adults, 42 percent see or talk with a parent every day, and it's usually mom.
It's a day to talk about moms because, well, moms are unique and very special. If you think about it, one word might summarize how you could describe "mother love." That word would be "nurturer." Consider this: From the moment of conception, a mother feeds the fetus and developing baby within her. After the birth, mothers nurse their infants, and they keep feeding them and other children for two decades or more. Yes, many mothers wash and clean, but providing food is what they do with the most love they have. In round numbers, cooking for 20 years (including Mother's Day, of course) means that moms prepare literally thousands of meals. And it is a common truth that, if you blindfold a woman's husband and children, they can pick out her potato salad, deviled eggs and baked beans from a table of 20 other moms' cooking. Mom's is the best.
I have always felt that if a mother could do one last thing on earth for her family, she would not preach a sermon to them; nor would she give them directions as to how to live their lives. I have a feeling that her last act, if she was capable, would be to say, "Listen, dear ones, just sit down at the table because I want to cook you the best meal you ever had." Nurture and feed: It's what moms do best.
I have always felt that if a mother could do one last thing on earth for her family, she would not preach a sermon to them; nor would she give them directions as to how to live their lives. I have a feeling that her last act, if she was capable, would be to say, "Listen, dear ones, just sit down at the table because I want to cook you the best meal you ever had." Nurture and feed: It's what moms do best.
The other thing mothers possess is healing power. A mother's kiss has healed more skinned knees and stubbed toes than you can count. Broken hearts are harder to heal, but the best chance you have is for Mom to hold you. She feels the hurt, too, and wants to take a little bit of it. I have very distinct memories when, as a young boy of six or seven in the 1940s, I had a bad head cold, chest cold and cough. My mom would put me to bed for the night and then begin her powerful medical care.She would take a big of jar Vick's VapoRub and lather my chest, throat and around my nose with it. And then she would take a flannel cloth that she had heated in the oven and put it on my chest. Next, she would button my flannel pyjamas right up to my neck and pull the covers up to my chin.
She would then kiss me and say, "Good night, Jimmy. Sleep tight." I would be left in my bedroom that was vaporized with Vicks and its magnificent odour. Even with a really bad cold, I felt so content and at peace. Talk about healing! I remember those occasions 70 years later as though they happened yesterday. Even today, when I smell Vick's, I'm again filled with those feelings of a seven-year-old boy. There's one thing I could never figure out, however: Mothers never seem to catch their kids' colds. Maybe they are immune.
The death of our moms (and grandmothers) is surely one of the saddest days of our lives. I've often said that, in life, we have a thousand images of our loved ones. At their death, we have 10,000 images of them. Long-forgotten incidents and events come to mind. They usually are not earth-shaking situations we remember; rather, it is just the little things that made our relationships with them so dear. Sometimes we feel a few regrets when we realize how much we loved them. We see so much more that we could have done. But moms would feel the same about themselves toward us.
Most wonderful, of course, is that our faith has a way of answering questions and helping us understand that their deaths and those of all our loved ones are not signs of an ending, but rather a new beginning for them. The separation is only physical, though that initially is very painful. Spiritually, we are never separated from them. That's because the God we believe in and who revealed to us the truth about life, death and life eternal never separates people who love one another. God is love. Why would he separate loving people? Actually, they are closer than ever. We can't see them, but they can see us. They can hear us and they still watch over us; that's what mothers do! And our faith reminds us that there is a reunion waiting for us when we have completed our journey on earth. What a reunion that will be" - Father Jim Van Vurst OFM
A blessed Mother's Day to you, Mom - you’re the best example of God's love here on earth.
She would then kiss me and say, "Good night, Jimmy. Sleep tight." I would be left in my bedroom that was vaporized with Vicks and its magnificent odour. Even with a really bad cold, I felt so content and at peace. Talk about healing! I remember those occasions 70 years later as though they happened yesterday. Even today, when I smell Vick's, I'm again filled with those feelings of a seven-year-old boy. There's one thing I could never figure out, however: Mothers never seem to catch their kids' colds. Maybe they are immune.
The death of our moms (and grandmothers) is surely one of the saddest days of our lives. I've often said that, in life, we have a thousand images of our loved ones. At their death, we have 10,000 images of them. Long-forgotten incidents and events come to mind. They usually are not earth-shaking situations we remember; rather, it is just the little things that made our relationships with them so dear. Sometimes we feel a few regrets when we realize how much we loved them. We see so much more that we could have done. But moms would feel the same about themselves toward us.
Most wonderful, of course, is that our faith has a way of answering questions and helping us understand that their deaths and those of all our loved ones are not signs of an ending, but rather a new beginning for them. The separation is only physical, though that initially is very painful. Spiritually, we are never separated from them. That's because the God we believe in and who revealed to us the truth about life, death and life eternal never separates people who love one another. God is love. Why would he separate loving people? Actually, they are closer than ever. We can't see them, but they can see us. They can hear us and they still watch over us; that's what mothers do! And our faith reminds us that there is a reunion waiting for us when we have completed our journey on earth. What a reunion that will be" - Father Jim Van Vurst OFM
A blessed Mother's Day to you, Mom - you’re the best example of God's love here on earth.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Mangos From The Sky and Two New Visitors
I've had the Haitian 'Flu'...the last few days so I've not been well (yesterday). I spent the day going between the bathroom, the bed and the quad staff who still needed my attention. I think working 7 days a week has caught up with me. I'm taking it easy for the next few days in the hopes that my body can relax and catch up on some needed rest. I also want to be well enough to attend the gala event that will take place on Sunday as we celebrate Father Marc's 60th birthday as well as Mother's Day. Hillary and Christine arrived last night for a week and they brought some 'girls' stuff. Perfect weekend to arrive...I will try to arrange an afternoon for the house mothers so they too can feel a little pampered this weekend.
Delince attended a funeral for Gedna's cousin last night. It's quite the affair here as people dress in their very best clothing. He looked a little too 'sexy' for a funeral by Canadian standards but that is the custom. After some kind hearted ribbing he, Gedna and two other boys were off to town looking like they were on their way to their Prom...
Delince attended a funeral for Gedna's cousin last night. It's quite the affair here as people dress in their very best clothing. He looked a little too 'sexy' for a funeral by Canadian standards but that is the custom. After some kind hearted ribbing he, Gedna and two other boys were off to town looking like they were on their way to their Prom...
Thursday, May 5, 2011
A Sign Worth Broadcasting
If Americans (or Canadians) can cite any scripture text, it might be John 3:16 (For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son . . .). A group in Alabama made a video of a bunch of guys noticing a sign with that Bible verse on it and looking it up on a smart phone to find out what it means. The video was rejected as a Super Bowl commercial because it promoted a particular religion, which may be true. But it would have been a good reminder. Sometimes we have to hold up a sign, make a phone call, visit a sick friend, or forgive a spouse in order to help one another see what and who is already among us. - Take Five For Faith
Yesterday's Readings: Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21 (269)
“God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him . . . might have eternal life.”
I’d also like to draw your attention to two of our many talented boys. Placid (on the right) is an amazing dancer and little Platel already has a music video (which he wrote by himself) that has been featured on YouTube (after he won a local talent contest). I’m posting their photos because the two had enough courage to come to me tonight to see if I (or the boys adoring public....you!) would be willing to help fund a music video track for them to record in town. The cost is about $250.00 USD for two songs and they will be performing them on Sunday night for Fr. Marc’s 60th birthday celebration and as an audition for me and hopefully all of you who are following the blog. I will video tape their performance (on Sunday) and let you be the judge. I hope it’s not too much to ask, I’ve seen and heard them both sing and dance and I know you’re going to be impressed. The link below is to Platel’s video on YouTube.http://youtu.be/QaKIQAbYyZ8 Enjoy!
Yesterday's Readings: Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21 (269)
“God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him . . . might have eternal life.”
The rainy season has begun and the mangos are falling out of the trees like hail stones from hell, lol. These things weigh 3 to 5 lbs and have blinded one of the children and rendered several kids unconscious. Not to mention the damage to cars, trucks and a few roofs. Please forgive my choice of expletives but in my own defence, I was horrified to watch the boys darting in and out trying to grab the mangos before the next one fell. It’s a common treat in Haiti and I’m always wiping someone’s face because he’s covered in the orange pieces it leaves behind. Sadly, eating them before they are ripe can result in excruciating stomach pain. It’s very sad to be reminded that I am living in the poorest nation in the western hemisphere not 690 miles off the coast of the wealthiest country on the planet and I have kids eating raw fruit to subsidize their diets. Very sad indeed! I’m not really blaming anyone, the kids do enjoy them at the time...until someone gets ‘bonked’ with one or is hit by a flying rock as another child tries to bring one down too soon. The video says it all, lol. Sorry but it won't load, grrrrr! We are also experiencing more storms on a daily basis and flooding has begun in several areas of the property.
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| Darting in and out under the mangos tree and trying to keep from being hit |
I’d also like to draw your attention to two of our many talented boys. Placid (on the right) is an amazing dancer and little Platel already has a music video (which he wrote by himself) that has been featured on YouTube (after he won a local talent contest). I’m posting their photos because the two had enough courage to come to me tonight to see if I (or the boys adoring public....you!) would be willing to help fund a music video track for them to record in town. The cost is about $250.00 USD for two songs and they will be performing them on Sunday night for Fr. Marc’s 60th birthday celebration and as an audition for me and hopefully all of you who are following the blog. I will video tape their performance (on Sunday) and let you be the judge. I hope it’s not too much to ask, I’ve seen and heard them both sing and dance and I know you’re going to be impressed. The link below is to Platel’s video on YouTube.http://youtu.be/QaKIQAbYyZ8 Enjoy!Monday, May 2, 2011
Believing is not always seeing!
The first two photos are for those who didn’t understand my comment about ‘all the little faces’ pressed up to the screen in Ezekiel’s room watching the movie on the wall.
Poor Saint Thomas the Apostle! He’s held up as the poster child of doubt, the one who had to see and touch the wounds of the risen Jesus before he would believe in the resurrection and he’s also the straw man for Jesus’ words, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?” But give Thomas a break: He was only asking for what the other apostles had, they believed because they had seen the Lord already! Thomas is also the set-up man for an even more important teaching: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Only the first generation of Christ’s followers would know him in the flesh. The rest of us believe through hearing the good news about him. Take Five for Faith!
Today’s readings: Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
“Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet you believe in him.”
“Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet you believe in him.”
Fr. Marc’s sermon today was something to this effect...I think, lol. It’s going to be weird to attend an English mass back in Canada or the US; I may have to find a Haitian community to spend my Sunday mornings with when I’m home. Happily, I’m at the point that I don’t think about the meaning anymore, I’ve stopped trying to translate it back into English and vice versa, I just know what I’m saying is the correct response as I pray along with all the kids during each section of the mass. Morning Prayer is also in Haitian Creole, although Fr. Marc does celebrate the mass in French and in English (partially) on a rotating basis.
Today’s big lunch (Brunch) was an all-out coronary waiting to happen. I prepared deep fried chicken with deep fried onion rings and home fries, lol. Unfortunately, everything here in Haiti is cooked well past its prime to prevent bacteria or cholera infestations. Thankfully, I remembered all those cooking lessons from Fanshawe College in London, ON (cheap plug...I know). When you deep fry food the high degree of temperature kills everything... sadly that includes us too, lol. I won’t do it too often (Fr. Marc’s doctor will be after me) but it was real nice to have some moist and tender chicken for a change. The onion rings could have been crunchier but they were still good. The staff in the kitchen (Sonya and Adeline) did a great job learning how to add milk and spices to the flour and egg-wash the chicken. And even though I made a ‘hell of a mess’ in the kitchen, they shooed me out when lunch was ready and cleaned the mess themselves...thanks Ladies!
This little guys name is Philippe Juste (11) who came to me yesterday because of a rash he has on the inside of his thigh and his shoulder. I forgot about him until he came back today so I did the best I could and will send him to the clinic tomorrow morning for a follow up...did I choose the wrong profession? Sorry the picture is out of focus but Ezekiel wanted a Kodak moment. I still don’t know why they are coming to me; our clinic is 24/7. As Ezekiel stood by I cleaned and dressed Philippe’s rash and he (Ezekiel) later asked me why I wasn’t working at the clinic. I think he was a bit offended thinking that I was only babysitting him when I should be working as his personal physician, lol. As Fr. Marc told me this morning, “He needs to be weaned from the Quad”, Hahaha so true!