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!         

                     

Demolition of Dreams (a poem,) Pictures, and Updates

Recently there have been buildings in the city that have been marked for demolition because they were built on top of canals that were created for the flow of rain run-off.    Reflection on that image was the spring-board for the poem below.   The poem uses that idea as a metaphor and is in no way meant to express any kind of an opinion on the actual situation or the politics behind it, which I do not fully understand and are probably complex. 

   

Demolition of Dreams

A single spray-painted word on a concrete wall 

marks a dream for demolition.  

Destruction of dreams can take many forms: 

diminishment, divorce, deportation, disability, diagnosis, 

disaster (natural or not), death.  

Inevitably everything dies eventually 

and 

in actuality, nothing ever really dies completely.

What was carefully constructed can come crashing down

Cement crushed into concrete crumbs.

Perhaps where the structures once stood 

fresh water will freely flow

and its current can create and carry new dreams 

those previously unimaginable  or

once presumed to be impossible

now granted through grace disguised as destruction 

the potential to grow.  

 Here are a few pictures I took yesterday morning while waiting for a ride to a school.  

  

Updates: 
My days have been full.  In general, things are going well.  Each week I have such a variety of activities since each of the three schools and the orphanage where I serve as a social worker are all different.  My role is evolving in different ways as I try to best respond to the needs of the students and staff at each location. 

My English classes are going well, too.  I generally genuinely enjoy them.  Although I am still challenged in trying to figure out the best way to effectively teach 57 high school seniors conversational English at 7:00 in the morning in 45 minutes a week. 

On Sunday I had the opportunity to meet with a group of children in the parish who are called Timoun Misyonè (Missionary Children.)  I was helping to prepare them to go and visit a home for people with disabilities, which they will do as a service project soon.  It was enjoyable to meet the young people of the parish who want to be of service to the parish and larger community.  I also felt privileged to be able to share with them the positive experiences that I have had in my life when interacting with people who have disabilities.  I realize that when people with disabilities are excluded from schools and other sectors of society it is not only unfortunate for those who are disabled but equally for those who are not considered disabled who are then denied the possibility of interacting and forming friendships with those who are.  I pray that the children will have a good visit and a positive experience and I pray for all of those they will encounter and for their caregivers. 

Have a good week.  Many blessings!   

 

   

Seasons

There are no dramatic seasonal changes here as there are in the northeastern United States  where I grew up. The somewhat subtle changes are worth noticing and celebrating, like the return of this flower that fascinated me especially the first year I lived in Leocadie Convent.

As I sat down to write, I recalled that last year at this time, I wrote that I was wondering if I would still be in Haiti at this time this year.  I went back and reread that blog post, (here is the link.)   Well, here I am exactly one year after I posted that and yes, I am still in Haiti.   And, one year after that post,  I have at least as much uncertainty as I did last year as I wonder where I will be next year at this time.  Today, though in the midst of the uncertainty, and busyness I have been graced with a sense of peace.

 Last year's poem has not lost any relevance, so I share it again.

Unknowns abound
but so do the certainties
of seasons
and Paschal patterns,
For even if what seems the worst of all possibilities
one day arrives as reality,
Then from under the abandoned ashes
seeds will surely sprout
and rise from death’s decay
to flower and offer fruit,
proudly proclaiming the certitude
that hope cannot be killed.

This picture was taken last week among the ruins of the San Souci Palace.  

May you experience peace and hold onto hope wherever you are today, and wherever life may lead you.       

Thank you for taking time to read my updates.  Many blessings!   


     

Remembering and Response

Remembering 

A memorial to Sr. Maureen

Maureen 

On Saturday, we celebrated the life of Sister Maureen.  When I arrived in Haiti in September of 2014, she along with another Canadian sister of Holy Cross met me at the airport in Port-au-Prince and made the journey with me to Cap-Haitian.  English was her first language and she told me many stories and shared information about Haiti and her life here.  She had come as a young sister just after first vows to work in a hospital since she had studied to be a lab technician and there was a need for her skill set at that time.  Her stories included challenges as well as courageous acts during the difficult days of dictatorship in Haiti.  Later, she directed the construction at many of the sites where the Sisters of Holy Cross live and work.  There were times during the past few years when I saw her infrequently at regional gatherings and periods when I encountered her regularly like when she directed the construction of a room at the orphanage.  On more than one occasion during that time I was playing with the babies when Maureen’s pick-up truck pulled into the orphanage gate and the two-year-olds would literally jump with joy knowing she would come to greet them.  Maureen died in Canada on New Year’s Eve.  The official funeral took place in Canada last week, but on Saturday the sisters, and delegations of students and faculty from all of the sisters’ schools, and many others from Cap-Haitian gathered for what was described as “symbolic” (since the body is not here) funeral mass.  After the mass when all of the sisters gathered at a particular convent, I recalled that the previous time I was in that dining room for a celebration I had sat at the same table as Maureen and had enjoyed our conversation.  She is and will continue to be greatly missed.  The buildings she helped to construct will continue to stand for a long time to come; her kindness and spirit will continue to touch the Sisters of Holy Cross, the people of Haiti and many others. 

Earthquake 

Friday was the eighth anniversary of the Earthquake.  Yesterday, I heard someone who was living in the capital eight years ago spontaneously share with me and others about her earthquake experiences.  I am reminded that healing takes time.

  Here is a link to a beautiful memorial video that was created for the earthquake anniversary last year.  Since I found it to be very touching and powerful I decided to share it.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=yDOO55vctD4&app=desktop

May we continue to remember and pray for those who were affected.  

Response

On Friday morning, which happened to be the anniversary of the earthquake, the other American sister that I live with brought to my attention that she had heard a quick blurb on a French language news program, that the president of the country of our birth had spoken in a vulgar fashion about the country in which we are residing (as well as about African nations and El Salvador.)    When the school day was over and I was waiting to eat lunch at the school convent where I work on Fridays, I was actually able to get a good enough internet signal on my intelligent telephone to find an article and learn more details about the situation.

It is a strange and even embarrassing time to be an American living in Haiti.   It took a couple of days before it became the topic at the dinner table.  The following day, a driver asked me about it; I was glad that during a previous Monday morning commute when he brought up American politics, I had mentioned that I am not a fan of the current US president.  This morning on my way home from teaching an English class in the city, I heard a radio commentator in a mixture of Creole and French, tell the whole story in great detail about what the President of the United States said.   It was at times painful to listen.  It is one thing to read about it online in English and another to hear it spoken of in the presence of Haitians in their language.   When the commentator many minutes into his monologue explained that Donald Trump had stated that he has a good relationship with the Haitian people, it seemed especially humorous.  Overall, though the situation for me has brought many more tears than laughter.  My hope is that my presence will somehow through the grace of God, communicate to people that there are Americans who are in complete disagreement with the words spoken by the president, that there are American people who value them and appreciate their country and culture.  

 I want to believe that the world is moving in the direction of being less racist, less systemically unjust, and more equal and inclusive.  Evidence to the contrary can at times feel discouraging, but I will not allow myself to truly become discouraged.  There are many people who have directly experienced constant racism, systemic injustice, inequality, and exclusion in ways that I can’t even begin to accurately imagine who have not lost heart; they inspire me to have hope and courage.

Everday I encounter, hardworking, kind, good, resilient people.   Very recently I have been touched by the kindness of strangers here in Haiti.  On Friday morning, when a woman I don’t know saw that I did not have the exact change for the tap-tap, without my asking she offered to exchange a 10 goud bill for two 5 goud coins.  Recently, a stranger helped me to get across a puddle that was as wide as the road, without my falling in. Of course, there are a variety of people here and in every country, of varied temperaments and motivations.  I am not trying to romanticize or deny the challenges of living in Haiti, or pretend that people are perfect, but certainly, it is not as the president supposedly described.  During the past eight years, I have come to deeply love this country, I have an ever-growing appreciation for the people of Haiti who are living here as well as for Haitians living in the US, like those who I got to know in New Orleans when I attended the Creole liturgy regularly.  Certainly, this can not be easy for Haitians in the US. Kenbe la zanmi mwen yo!  

 Just over a year ago I had the pleasure of visiting Burkina Faso, and about ten years ago I had the privilege of visiting Tanzania.  They too are beautiful places where I met many wonderful people.  How sad to think that someone, who would appear to have everything (in terms of power, possessions, prestige) might actually be so lacking in vision and wisdom that he is unable to recognize the beauty of these countries and the gifts of their people. 

Many blessings!

Florida Photos, a Fèt, and Fun Facts

Happy New Year!  

Photos: 

Here are a few photos taken during my time in Florida for you to enjoy.  

After an enjoyable vacation, on Friday, I returned to Haiti.  

Fèt

On Sunday the Sisters of Holy Cross and the people of Pilat celebrated the 50th anniversary since the hospital in Pilat was founded.  What is now the hospital, started as a dispensary 50 years ago; during the celebration, it was mentioned that the Marianites, served there when it began.  Later the Sisters of Holy Cross continued the mission which has expanded during the years to meet the needs of the people.  The joyous mass was well attended and was followed by a delicious meal.  I was happy to see that some work has been done on the road to Pilat.  It cut travel time by about 30 minutes in each direction and made the round trip journey not as exhausting as it would have been when the roads were in terrible shape.  I was grateful that I was able to attend and happy to celebrate an important ministry.  

Two Fun Facts:  

Before pregnancy tests were readily available,  frogs were used in hospital laboratories for determining if women were pregnant.  A reference was made to this during the celebration in Pilat, where this was the common practice in the early days of the hospital's laboratory.  Having never heard of such a thing, I asked an American sister who worked at the hospital many years ago and she explained how it worked.  Here is a link about this that I found on-line if you want to learn more.  

If one were to wear a pedometer or a fitness watch when traveling by car on unpaved or very bumpy roads, every bump may be counted as a step.  On Sunday according to my new fitness watch, I walked 21,305 steps or almost 10 miles.   In reality, that day, I spent about five hours sitting in a pick-up truck and at least three hours in church and did not formally exercise.             

Have a good week! Many blessings! 

Happy New Year!

As the year draws to a close I want to express my gratitude to all those who have been so supportive of my ministry in Haiti this year and to each of you who take time to read this.  Thank you!  

May  your New Year be filled with love, peace, joy and many blessings!  

Tomorrow is Haitian Independence Day.  Although I am in Florida at the moment, I intend to make a traditional Pot of Soup Joumou tomorrow.  Pumpkin soup is the food eaten in Haiti to celebrate Independence Day, and one of my favorite foods.    I will share it with my parents (dad probably won't eat it)  and cousins visiting from Ireland.  

I will write a better update soon.  

Happy New Year!  

Jwaye Nwèl! Merry Christmas!

Christmas greetings from Rhode Island.

This Christmas I found myself reflecting upon the mystery of the Incarnation, the idea that God would chose to become human and enter the world as a dependent little baby, born into humble conditions.  As a human being, Jesus experienced all the human emotions and sensations, the joys as well as the suffering that are simply part of the human condition.  What a mystery to celebrate! 

  

Since my last update I have traveled a bit.  First I visited sisters in my congregation in New Orleans and now visiting my family in Rhode Island.  It is wonderful to be able to connect with so many people, in person.  I am grateful for the people in my life and that this year I am able  celebrate this feast with family. There have been good times, important conversations, tasty food, and pleasant surprises.  

Although I was not really dreaming of it, we actually had a white Christmas!  While I was at church with my parents this morning, it started to snow.    It was not enough snow to create problems with travel plans, just enough to be pretty.  It started to melt soon after the short storm passed.  I snapped a few pictures to share.    (I had every intention of uploading a few of those pictures and wasted a lot of time attempting to do so, but despite seemingly flawless wifi, and constant reliable electricity, I am having technical difficulties uploading the pictures from my camera.)  What a contrast from the climate I was in last week at this time! 

The hardest part of being here in the US at Christmas, especially as I am aware that last year at this time I was in Burkina Faso, is the amount of stuff!  Today I was at first quite happy to see very young relatives opening gifts,  because the children seemed to be enjoying themselves so much.  Some of the toys they received are pretty cool and the clothing was adorable. The gifts kept coming and coming.  After a while I felt a bit of ambivalence as I thought of the children at the orphanage and those in Haiti and elsewhere in the world who are even less fortunate than them. For Christmas last week, at the orphanage each child was given a gift, typically an article of clothing and maybe a simple toy like a jump rope.  Generally the children at the orphanage were quite happy with their simple gifts.   In reality most of the children at the orphanage probably received more than many of their  young neighbors and relatives who do not reside at the orphanage. According to a statistic that I heard very recently, "3.1% of the world's children live in America, but they own 40% of the toys consumed globally (UCLA.)"    

It is a beautiful concept that in honor of the gift of Jesus, we exchange gifts with those we love.  Yet, I am uncomfortable when I look at the great surplus of goods that some of us have (myself included) and the lack of basic necessities experienced by so many of our brothers and sisters in the world.   I wonder, how Jesus would react to the way that many of us in mainstream US culture (myself included) now celebrate the incarnation?  My challenge to myself, in celebration of God taking on human form, is to do my best, to embody the  attributes of God.  I desire to en-flesh in concrete ways, God's love, hope, peace, justice, inclusivity, truth, humility, and mercy.  Without a doubt I will fall short thousands of times each day, but I intend to try.  Let us all try; that may be what the world is truly hungering for.


I wish each of you Love, Peace and Joy and all of the graces of this Christmas season.  Many blessings!