Bon fèt Thanksgiving

Although today is Tuesday, I am going to work although I decided to go in a little later than usual.  I will do my Thursday therapy groups with the children today and my English students will come on Wednesday instead of Thursday this week.  

Agape Airlines, the organization we use to get mail from the United States, provides the missionaries using their service with food for Thanksgiving.  On Thursday I will prepare a Thanksgiving meal to share with the sisters.  If we had not been offered the food, it may not have occurred to me to celebrate Thanksgiving here, but am I actually feeling excited about it.  

Perhaps 'll write more late in the week. I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.  I have so very much to be grateful for.  Gratitude is something I experience so often in the lives of people here.  Haiti has greatly increased my sense of gratitude.  Always there is something or someone to be thankful for!

You who take the time to read this, my family, friends, community members know that I give thanks to God for the gift of you!

   The turkeys in our yard are very grateful that Thursday is not a Haitian holiday, and that our Thanksgiving bird was donated from the United States.

Happy Thanksgiving! Many blessings!

In a month the children will again go to visit their relatives during the school vacation.  Last week I had the opportunity to have a conversation with a relative of a child.  While I am not comfortable sharing details out of my ethical commitment to client confidentiality, I can say that hearing the story opened my eyes to the challenges faced especially by senior citizens who at the death of a loved one suddenly find themselves caring for children, often without adequate means to do so.  Elderly people who have suffered greatly, who care deeply, and give generously are the quiet often unnoticed heroes in our midst.  

Have a good week.  Take care.  Many blessings!    

    

      

Timoun Lekòl and Postulants

Timoun Lekòl

Last week the elementary school children did not have school at all because of teacher training.  Nobody had school on Friday because of protests in the city, which it seems are common (perhaps even expected) following announcements of election results.  Yesterday schools in the area were closed due to the fear that there would be protests, however to the best of my knowledge there were not any locally.  The days have a very different feel to them when they children do not have school.  The sisters make sure the children do not get behind on their lessons when school is closed by scheduling time each day for lessons and homework.    


Postulants
On Sunday the three young women who moved into this convent, entered the Sisters of Holy Cross as postulants.  There was a lovely prayer service here at our house that afternoon.  Each of the postulants had a chance to introduce herself to the congregation,by sharing her life story.  I would have liked to have understood more of what they said, (the prayers and sharing were primarily in French.)  Somehow, despite the language barrier I did manage to clearly understand when they spoke of their preferences of foods, colors and music during their talks.  The prayer service was followed by a celebration.  Even after all of the other sisters left those of us living here continued the fèt.  It is a truly a gift to celebrate new life in the family of Holy Cross.

Family of Holy Cross

This week provided me with ample opportunities to connect with and deepen my appreciation for the larger family of Holy Cross.

English Class

On Thursday morning I started teaching the three novices of the Congregation of Holy Cross (priests/brothers) and their novice director English.  Each of them had learned some basic English skills in school, so we were not starting at zero.  They seemed motivated to learn and I really enjoyed teaching them.  They will come each week.

Associates

The lay associates for the Sisters of Holy Cross gathered at the convent where I live over the weekend for a meeting.  It was enjoyable to chat with them while eating meals or washing dishes together.  On Saturday night, they filled the house with music and laughter.  There was a lovely liturgy here on Sunday morning during which two associates deepened their commitment to the associate program and  to the mission and spirituality of Holy Cross.  Some of the children from the orphanage came for the mass as well. I felt a sense of awe when considering how large the whole family of Holy Cross really is, especially when you consider all of the lay people who are associates or collaborators in our mission in all of the various places throughout the globe, where the four congregations strive to live out the mission and vision of our founder in today's world.    

All Soul's Day

Yesterday was All Soul's Day, which is a holiday here in Haiti.  There was a liturgy held at the men's high school.  After the liturgy we processed to the cemetery where one Marianite of Holy Cross, several Sisters of Holy Cross and several priests and brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross, as well as some St. Joseph Sisters are buried.  There was a blessing of the cemetery and flowers were placed on the graves.  After the prayers the men's congregation served breakfast.  During the meal I chatted with several people, including my new English students.

This is the tomb of the  Marianite sister who died while ministering in Haiti.  

From the cemetery and high school, there is a great view.
Have a good week.  Take care.