Meeting Mary

Yesterday, Mary, the sister I will be staying with in Haiti celebrated her jubilee in Yardley PA.  I went to her congregation's mother house this morning to meet her.  She in an amazing woman!  At 77 years of age she is doing great work in Haiti.  At this point, when in Haiti she is still sleeping in a tent as she has since the January earth quake. Mary expects to be back in the house by the time I arrive; if not that is okay, after all I do have a tent.  

I met a couple who worked with her in Haiti for a few years until they returned to the US in March.  It was enjoyable to hear their perspectives on the situation there. Many of Mary's relatives were there as well; I enjoyed meeting them.  It was nice to be with a bunch of New Englanders.  Mary is originally from Massachusetts (the same town where my cousin Caroline lives.)  Coincidentally, Mary had an identical twin sister.

Since meeting Mary, I am even more enthusiastic about going to Haiti, more certain that my skills can be used well there, but as unsure as ever as to exactly how.             

Attempt to attend Creole liturgy

There is a nearby parish, which according to the Archdiocesan Catholic Directory and the parish web-site has a liturgy in Creole on Sunday evening at 5:30.  Coincidentally, it is the parish where I taught second grade for two years, ten years ago.  I decided that one Sunday evening I would go there for liturgy, to familiarize myself with liturgy in the Haitian language.  This seemed like a good Sunday to go, since this weekend was not busy.  The only down side is that as a local community we eat together on Sunday evenings at 6:00.  I let the sisters know I would not be home in time for dinner.    I arrived at Incarnation, with minutes to spare.  I walked to the doors to the upper church, they were locked.  I checked the doors of the lower church, they were locked (many churches in Philadelphia have an upper and a lower church.)  There were not very many people around.  I wondered if I had the wrong time.  I walked to the side of the church.  The doors were locked and as far as I could tell the lights were off.  Finally I saw a gentleman, whom I asked about the 5:30 pm mass.  He said that this week the schedule is changed, next week regular schedule.  I think he was Haitian.  I am glad he knows more English than I know Creole, because despite listening to cds and mp3, using flashcards, a computer program, and participating in an online class, I would not have known how to ask about the 5:30 liturgy.  I'll try again another time.  At least I was home in time for a delicious dinner.
 

Preparation continues

Since I last wrote, I have: 

• Begun participating in a free on-line Haitian Creole class.  It meets for an hour a for eight weeks via skype.  Each week we independently study the vocabulary and concepts of two chapters of a book entiled, Creole Made Easy (by Wally Turnbull).  It is very helpful and quite fun (even though I almost fell asleep one night; it meets from 9:30-10:30 pm).  Here is the website for the class: http://www.haitihub.com

• I called the program in Miami, to check on the status of my application.  They do not turn many people away, however they do not send out an acceptance letters until May.  So... I guess I can almost assume I will be accepted.       

• Completed Part II training of EMDR.  Before going to Haiti I'll be able to participate in the required consultations via conference calls required for completing the training.   The training was interesting and enjoyable.  I believe that EMDR will really be useful in Haiti.  The training took place in the Bronx NY.  I am grateful that I was able to stay that weekend with my friend Helene and her community; she is an IHM sister who lives in Manhattan.     

•   I contacted the pediatric rehab program at Holy Redeemer Health System, at the suggestions of Dr. Coletta who has been to Haiti.  The hope is that the physical and occupational therapists there will be able to give me some basic suggestions on how to best work with children I'm likely to encounter who have amputations or other injuries for which they are not be receiving any rehabilitation services at all.

  There is still much to do.  What I dread is the process of packing everything up in my bedroom, and of getting everything in order before leaving work.  It will all come together; it always does. I look forward to meeting Mary, the sister I will be staying with when I go to Haiti.  She will be in the states later this month for her jubilee celebration.