Earthquake anniversary etc...

Anniversary of the Earthquake

Today is the sixth anniversary of the earthquake.  Please continue to pray for those who were affected, especially for those who continue to grieve losses and suffer the effects of this horrific tragedy.      

This morning as I sat down to pray, I found myself reflecting on how little I knew of Haiti before the Earthquake and of how since that terrible event, this nation has become such an integral aspect of my life. My prayer produced a poem:

Six years ago, you were virtually a stranger to me, Then,
When you were shaken
somehow in your suffering and misery, you caught my attention,
in the midst of my deepening desire to serve, my seeking and searching,
someone suggested our meeting.

In a spirit of accompaniment, I came
walking into your brokenness and pain,
discovering your beauty, your gifts, your language, your ways.
The dance of my spirit forever changed, influenced by the beat of your rhythmic drum.

Not sure that I've done anything to soothe your suffering,
Not convinced that my presence has ever eased your pain.
Certain though, that you have taught and truly transformed me.
Ever grateful that we have not only met,
we have intimately embraced.    

Weekend

On Saturday, at the cathedral in Cap-Haitian eleven men were ordained priests, two of whom are members of the Congregation of Holy Cross.  The liturgy was joyful and lovely (though quite long,) and I was glad to have attended.

On Sunday morning there was a mass and a graduation at Petits Mains (I visited this ministry last May:  http://kmnhaiti.blogspot.com/2015_05_01_archive.html.)  We celebrated that six women had completed their training in industrial sewing.  Since two of the sisters I live with work there, and since there were not therapy groups at the orphanage that day, I decided to attend. I was grateful that I did as I enjoyed the liturgy, ceremony and simple celebration.
       
That afternoon, I went to the orphanage so that I could welcome the children as they returned from their vacations.  As I opened the gate separating the school yard from the orphanage property, my heart was filled with joy as four children who had already arrived called my name while running to greet me.  Many of the children seem happy to have returned.  Many seemed to have enjoyed time with family.  Seeing the relative(s) they had spent three weeks with leave the orphanage was very difficult for a couple of the youngest children.  I held one little girl as she cried, trying to be present to her, in time her crying quieted a bit.  Then when it was time for me to leave, she resumed crying, but my departure was inevitable and I was determined to return to the convent before dark. I left that evening with a heavy heart.  (The next morning she was doing fine.)    

Community Update (and a little language story)

The two sisters who work at Petits Mains will soon leave for two months of training in Canada; I will miss them.  A young sister from Burkina Faso, Africa, has come to work at Petits Mains in their absence.  She will live here in this convent with us.  Although the African sister and I don't really have a common language, we have managed to communicate and I am enjoying her presence in community.

On the evening of her arrival I heard a sister talking to her about me.  In order to verify if I was understanding properly, I asked the Haitian sister in Creole, if she was telling the African sister that I understand a little French.  (I feel like I only randomly understand very little if the context is very clear and most of the words happen to be similar enough to either English or Creole.)  When the sister said that yes she had said that I understand a little French, I was tempted to disagree but realized I did not really have much of an argument, since after all they had been speaking French and I had in fact actually accurately understood.

While I was away on vacation a couple of goats were born on our property.  I am including photos of these new kids especially for those of you who prefer my updates when pictures are included. (Out of respect for confidentiality I don't post photos of the human kids, so enjoy these!)
Take care!  Many blessings!