Kat Kat (four cards) Paper Recycling

A couple of years ago, on my day off I started taking pictures in the yard here, which inspired me to take photographs elsewhere as well. Realizing I had a lot of the pictures and not often knowing what I can give to family, community members and friends as gifts considering my limited budget and the reality that most of my family and friends in the US generally have everything they need, I started making cards with my pictures.  When in the US, I buy the blank cards from one the "big box" craft stores.  Recently I found myself wondering, especially since paper is not recycled here, if it would be possible to literally make the cards, by recycling paper by hand that would otherwise just be burned with all of the other burnable household rubbish.  

There are directions on the internet for just about everything these days, including how to recycle paper.  I mentioned my idea to the other American sister in the house; she had actually done this herself several years ago and even had the screen frame that is needed to form the new pieces of paper. She lent me them and a craft book about making paper.  

The process involves ripping up the old papers, soaking them, pounding them into a pulp, putting the pulp in water, stirring the water, catching the pulp in a screen frame, removing excess water, waiting for it start to dry, carefully taking the new paper from the screen and then waiting for it to dry completely. 

The process was a bit more involved than I would have expected when the idea first came into my mind.  It quickly went from being a challenge to see if it were possible to be an experience of metaphor.   The process spoke to me of true conversion, being made anew, transformation, reformation, the Paschal Mystery.  The old paper was destroyed, beyond recognition so that something new could be created.  What a perfect project for the season of Lent!  Actually, changing the old paper into new paper was relatively easy compared with processes of the changes involved in normal human development, moving from one phase of life to another.  Transforming paper is much easier than embracing the transformative call to change from my selfish perspectives to a become a more loving and just person.  How I wish transforming the currently unjust structures and systems in our world could be as easy as changing old paper into new paper!  

It may not really be practical for me to make all of the cards by hand that I like to give to family, community members, and friends.  I certainly like the idea of recycling as opposed to purchasing supplies from "big box" stores.  I spent much of Sunday working on this little project and I created a total of four cards, kat kat, (the Creole word for both the number "four" and for the word "card" is "kat.")  The first card will serve as a thank you note to the sister who lent me the screen and book that were used in the creation of these cards.  

Thank you to everyone who reads this and to all who are supportive and encouraging of me and of my work here in Haiti.  Mèsi anpil!    

  

  
        

Lenten Listening

Since we are now in the first full week, I thought it would be good to write something about Lent. After some reflection, I don't actually have anything new to say about the liturgical season at the moment. Currently, in my personal and spiritual life, I am sensing an invitation to listen, which at times requires that I say a little less. In that spirit, this week's update is brief. 

 Actually, if the old saying is correct,  then my update is not brief at all since a picture is worth a thousand words.  Here are photos of some new chicks and of a goofy guinea hen on top of the doghouse door in our backyard.   
   

     

All is well here. 
I hope that you are having a good week.  Many blessings!  Take care. 

Vizit Papa M (My Dad's Visit)

On Saturday afternoon, my dad arrived in Haiti.  It was the first time that a family member has come to visit.  I was happy that he came.  It was a pleasure to show him around the orphanage, two of the schools where I work, the grounds of San Souci Palace, the Citadelle, and a bit of downtown Cap-Haitian.  He enjoyed meeting the sisters and survived two two-hour long masses in languages that he does not understand (although I must confess we left as the announcements were beginning towards the end of Ash Wednesday mass this morning.)  I was grateful that I was able to spend time with him.  His presence caused me to remember what things looked like here when I saw them for the first time.  He commented on the beauty of Haiti several times, seemed to enjoy people he met, and got a glimpse of some of the challenges people face here as well.  He left this afternoon, arrived safely in the US and is in the car heading home as I write this.  Hopefully, his visit was as good of an experience for him as it was for me. Thanks, Dad! 

Here are a few new pictures of (or taken near)San Souci and the Citadelle, so you too can get a glimpse of the beauty of Haiti.   

Today is both Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday.  Some people have commented on the strangeness of celebrating these two holidays on the very same day.  On the surface, they may seem quite different, but really both are all about love.  Certainly, there are many forms of love worth celebrating.  I wish each of you a Happy St. Valentine's Day and a blessed beginning of Lent.  May love lead each of us into and through this Holy season.   


     

A busy but beautiful Sunday

On Sunday morning the newest children at the orphanage were baptized during a liturgy held in the orphanage chapel.  It was a joyous celebration.  I was happy to be able to attend. 

I did not stay for the party that followed but returned to the convent where I live for Sunday dinner.  The dining room was filled because a group of young women who are discerning the possibility of entering the Sisters of Holy Cross had spent the weekend here; they departed soon after the meal.  I was happy to have met them. 

After dinner and washing dishes, with the help of technology, I was able to participate in a  regional community meeting with some of the sisters in New Orleans.  It was good to connect and hear their voices.  Fortunately, they were flexible (thank you!) so that the most essential elements of the meeting could be discussed early allowing me to participate in another important event that day. 

I walked very quickly but did not run to the church knowing I was technically late but aware that it was unlikely that everyone would be fully ready to leave on time.  After a brief prayer in the churchyard, along with a group of children, one of the sisters I live with and a few other women from the parish I boarded a chartered tap-tap.  The parish priest and a couple from the parish followed soon after in a separate vehicle.  As we road through the streets of Cap-Haitian, the children sang, practicing the songs they intended to sing during the visit.  One of the songs they sang it their theme song for their group which is called Timoun Misyonè  (Missionary Children.)   

We arrived at the Azil, where there are homes for adults and children with disabilities, for children who have been orphaned or abandoned as well as a home for individuals living with HIV.  Many of the people seemed so happy to have visitors.  Our groups spent most of our time visiting the children who have significant disabilities.  At times our children sang, but most of the time we just interacted with the people we were visiting.  The image of one particular girl who is unable to walk or talk whose bright smile radiated with joy stays with me. The children of our parish seemed to have a good experience and interacted very well with the people they met. It was a new experience for them.   The Missionaries of the Poor who administer the Azil seem to be very compassionate and kind to the people they serve.  They are truly caring for people who are among the poorest and most vulnerable in our world.  The priests and brothers all speak English; I enjoyed chatting with them.  Although he is learning Creole, I was actually asked to translate for one of the priests when he was communicating with the children from our parish.  He thanked them and invited them to come visit again.   I hope that I will have the opportunity to visit again, too. 


One afternoon last week, after working at the school in the city, I went for a walk and took a few pictures by the sea in downtown Cap-Haitian. 

When I came across this shell I was intrigued by the spiral shape.  The shell seemed beautiful to me, although it was wedged in between a couple of rocks and it was obviously broken. I reflected on the image and on my thoughts about it.   If we can not recognize the beauty that often exists within brokenness then very little will be beautiful to us.  If beauty is synonymous with wholeness and perfection than our sense of beauty is limited at best and superficial at worst.   

May you recognize the beauty that surrounds you this week.  Take care. 
Many blessings!