This was my second visit to our sister parish St. Jude. It was a rich
and satisfying feeling to be able to see progress and to experience
gratitude from the parishioners of St. Jude. This was expressed by the
woman at the 7:00 a.m. Mass coming up smiling, embracing and giving me
the kiss of peace greeting on both cheeks. On my last trip they stood
at a respectful distance and nodded or raised a hand in greeting. The
St. Jude parishioners are growing in trust, I think, because Gesu
parishioners continue to visit. Gesu shows a personal interest by going
to see and ask about their needs. Parishioners took us to see a few
homes with roofs still off, indicating how they are sharing other's
homes until theirs can be fixed. Supplies have been purchased and
indications were the repair would start the next week.
We worked side by side to clean the clinic. We needed masks as the
dust, critter vermin and dirt from 4 hurricanes flew into the air. When
we went out for a walk around the church grounds children ran up to us
and wanted to play. To my amazement the children remembered the
apparent universal language of “itsy bitsy spider”
and the “hokey pokey” from previous Gesu trips.
Father Brené said Mass mixing part in English and part in
Kreyol. The choir sang in English and Kreyol and we were able to sing
Apoche‟ with them in Kreyol. We felt included and as one at Mass.
Also, let me share my personal special gift that I received this trip.
Before we left for Haiti the mission team was thinking of a way to show
the people that we cared and respected them. Lynn Connolly taught us
how to massage feet. So Saturday morning, we invited the older women
from the weekly food program, asked their permission and then sat down
with our oil, aprons and gloves and massaged their feet. Two ladies
came in late so two of us volun-teered to do them. I remembered
thinking this second lady had strong perfect feet. When we finished and
took off our gloves I reached into my pocket and pulled out my two year
old photo of my prayer partner. I showed it to the lady whose feet I
had just massaged. She looked then pointed to herself. I looked at her
face and was thrilled to see the face of the woman I have prayed for
the past two years. She reached out and embraced me in a bear hug. We
both had a few tears of joy on our cheeks. The next morning at Sunday
Mass my prayer partner gave me another bear hug. Then she talked to
other people to get in line to be a prayer partner. We signed up 24 new
St. Jude parishioners who now need a Gesu partner to share prayer. I
encourage all of Gesu to take the small yet satisfying risk of becoming
a prayer partner with someone from St. Jude.
It will help you to grow in love of the world.
- Kathy McCormack
There is always something to learn in Haiti. Each visit presents new
pictures, new faces, and new themes. This visit was no exception. We
met Fr. Brené at the rectory after a bumpy ride up the
mountain. His graciousness and welcome continued through the next
several days. Through meals and Masses and mingling, a feeling of
welcome prevailed. On my last visit in 2006, I was hugged by one
elderly lady, this time a dozen or more. Each of us visitors felt more
accepted and appreciated.
In Haiti, help comes and goes, but Gesu’s help has been
consistent, and there-fore the trust continues to grow. A big THANK YOU
to all at Gesu!
At the end of our visit we reflected with the help of two facilitators,
one named Jalucki and the other Coleen. I was impressed by both of
these people and their dedication to the people of Haiti. I write about
one of them in the following verse called
- Mike McCormack
In November 2008 I made my second visit to Haiti with seven other
members of Gesu. When I traveled there the first time in 2006, I went
because I felt strongly that the people of Haiti should not be
forgotten - and I should consider the call to witness and
respond to their
struggles. But I learned another important reason to be part of a
mission trip.
One afternoon at Norwich Mission House, our home away from home, our
mission team was fortunate to listen to a presentation from two
speakers, Djakoli Dessables, a native Haitian man who is a
non-denominational minister, and his friend Coleen, a Caucasian woman,
who works for Beyond Borders and lives in Port-au-Prince with her
partner and their 5 year old daughter. They spoke to us about Haitian
culture, customs, vodou, and the oppression Haitians experienced which
began when African men, women, and children were forced onto ships to
travel to the Caribbean to become slaves. Djakoli said “The
land (Haiti) trembles when the blan (white visitors) come.”
He said that whether we are conscious of this or not we carry the years
of their oppression on our backs. This can often get in the way of
building relationships. However, Djakoli also said that Haitian people
can recognize our true intentions and it is our intentions that matter.
Making the effort to engage with the people of Haiti means as much if
not more than all the financial support we can offer. Taking the time
to get to know one another means you value the other person, especially
when you learn their language.
On this visit, we made a decision to engage in different ways. Since
healthcare is limited for the people on Mon Opital and the St. Jude
community, the women of our team offered to do foot massages to eight
elder women. They said “yes” and we reached out in
a more personal way. We were delighted when one woman described the
experience as “feeling lighter”. In addition, we
offered to help clean and reorganize the clinic and add the supplies we
bought from Milwaukee. With brooms, gloves, rags, soap & water,
and a collaborative effort with Olivia, the auxilliar
(nurse’s helper), and others, we prepared the clinic for the
hiring of a new nurse. Pè Brené, the Pastor of
St. Jude said this was a
significant effort for the people to take part in and witness
– a “hands on together” effort.
So I learned that witnessing, responding, AND recognizing the value of
another person are all important reasons to visit Haiti. My next goal
is to speak and understand more Kreyol.
- M. Lynn Connolly
This was my second trip to Haiti. It was good to see some familiar
faces again and to meet new people. Many of St. Jude's parishioners
were eager to become prayer partners. I met with some established
prayer partners individually (with the help of our interpreter). One
woman stated she and her family could no longer live in her home after
the hurricanes. She and her 6 children were living with a friend as she
had no siblings. What an amazing gesture of generosity of that friend!
And what an example for us. They work hard just to live their daily
lives. (Imagine living without electricity.) Their willingness to help
each other is part of who they are. A guest speaker we heard at Norwich
Mission House explained that in Haiti, if you are my friend, you will
know what my needs are and help as you can. Many Haitians who live in
the US continue this tradition by frequently sending money to family
and friends in Haiti. It's an expectation on both sides. The speaker
also suggested that a way to strengthen our relationship with the
people of St. Jude Parish would be to be thankful for how they give to
us. This example of generosity and community is one thing I am thankful
for. We are blessed to have them remind us that we are called to care
for each other. To build relationships above and beyond a monetary
basis is where we can strive to grow. Praying for each other
establishes some of our connectedness. Learning some Haitian Kreyol has
also helped me to interact more and show my interest of getting to know
them better. I pray that we can continue to bless and be blessed by our
expanding relationship with our family in Haiti.
- Jean Kowalski
“How was your trip to Haiti?” This is a question
I’ve heard countless times since returning from the November
mission trip. I’ve been asked this question by my parents, my
friends, my coworkers and my classmates, and yet, a month later I still
don’t think I know how best to answer it. My feeble attempt
to explain the experience is to tell them that it is a beautiful
country it is and it is full of wonderful people. However, the
population and our community at Saint Jude face countless challenges
and are in desperate need of our help. It can be frustrating at times.
The cause can feel hopeless. But then there is God, and through him all
things are possible. If you need any convincing, simply look at the
faces of our Haitian brothers and sisters and you will see him at work,
giving them strength and giving them fortitude.
When I turned in my application last year, I wasn’t exactly
sure what I was getting into. I didn’t know any of our fellow
parishioners going on the trip. I certainly didn’t know the
people we would be going to help. I didn’t speak any Haitian
Kreyol and I’d never been to a third world country. All I can
say now is that it has been a truly profound experience and I encourage
everyone to consider taking the time out of your life to help the
neediest.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you
gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed
me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”
(Mathew 25:35)
- Paul Kaiser
