Daily Practice-- Saturday, March 9

“The truly poor are happy—I used to think I was detached from everything, but now… I realize how imperfect I am.  If I ask for something, I am only acting like the poor, who hold out their hand and are not surprised if they are refused because nobody owes them anything.  What peace floods a soul when it soars above natural feelings! The joy of the truly poor in spirit is beyond all compare” St.Therese

Jwi kounye a  -- enjoy now!  Joy in the day. 

We wanted to continue working today, but they wouldn’t let us-- for it was the weekend.  Instead, we were nudged to simply enjoy ourselves and their company. 

Persistence in Prayer-- Friday, March 8

“Prayer uplifts the world… we will run, indeed, all of us, for souls on fire with love cannot remain inactive…. Prayer enkindles the fire of love.  Though I have only these brothers and sisters, my days are not long enough to detail all their needs, and I would probably forget something really important… Jesus taught me this simple method:  it is quite enough to say simply: Draw me… by the very fact of being drawn to you herself, she draws all the souls she loves after her.” St. Therese

Grace and I are struck today by the need to be persistent in our prayer.  We have started to become attached to the new zamni-- friends-- we have made here, and we pledge to keep up our daily prayers for this little school and all who grace its' walls.  Our 25th year on earth, we dedicate a prayer a day for all those we meet this week.  

Yet, it doesn't seem enough.  The barriers are many, the politics confusing, the history hard to hear, the work seemingly too much.  There is still only one Rose window in the Cathedral in Port-au-Prince.

 

So, we learn from Therese that it is enough.  It is enough simply to be drawn close to to fire of love ourselves.  From there, we cannot help but bring everyone else along with us.  Sak Pase?  (What's up?)  N'ap boule!  (literally-- We're burning!).  We teach the kids, This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!  All around Petit-Goave, we're gonna let it shine!

  
 

The songs of prayer we hear once again at the shelter for the poor today-- We are convinced they are what makes the world go around.  Their raw, powerful praises remind us we are in the Lenten journey of renewal--- God can and does make all things new.  

Tranquil Trust-- Thursday, March 7

“Our God, our heart’s guest knows it well, so He comes within us in the intent of finding a dwelling place, and empty tent, in the midst of the world’s battlefield… he asks no more than that… how great a soul must be to be able to contain a God!” St. Therese

 We are planting the seeds that one day will grow into the kingdom. We are inspired by the drawing a child gave us, and we design the gate painting from this drawing.  Truly, these children are the kingdom of God-- "Timoun yo se avni peyi nou"-- a new Haitian phrase I learned-- Children are the future of our country. 

 We trust that if we plant the seeds today... if we continue to care for the garden, watering, and tilling as it needs, that this little act will bear much fruit.  We find our new Haitian friends express this quite simply, as "Si Dye vle!"  If God wants!  We offer up our broken lives, our broken moments, to God, trusting that He will make it into a beautiful garden that he delights in.  We walk with our hearts held high, for we truly walk together. 

Mario, one of the teachers, shares his artwork with us as gifts:  

 

And I create a couple paintings in response to my time in Haiti:

Bold Confidence-- Wednesday, March 6

“I was launched full sail on upon that sea of confidence and love which had attracted me so much, but on which I had never dared to set out.  He told me my faults did not cause God sorrow, and added that God is very satisfied with my soul.” St. Therese.

As we pilgrim around the town of Petit-Goave this afternoon, we stop in the road for the trumpet-led funeral procession, we chant the rosary with friends at the St. Jean Shelter for the Poor, and we come back to the school to find the friends of Jesus singing—each of them bringing their own chair, and each singing from their soul.  We dance in the rain tonight…  once again, song and dance, are breaking down barriers.

 

 We are honored to hear and witness an account of the day of the hurricane three years ago.  As Jean shares about the day that all Haiti went dark, we cry with him.  We cannot begin to comprehend the disaster that left so many without family, friends, and home.  He tells us the song of Haiti during that time became, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."  There simply were no other words.  

 

We are touched by the bold confidence that these friends of ours, have continued their journey of trust as they travel through the struggles of this life.  We are reminded that no matter what may come, we offer it up to Jesus:  "Mesi, mesi, mesi, Papa, jodia en pou tou tan"  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Papa, today and for all time.

We are filled with confidence that God could be this good.  God certainly rewards us simply for letting him reward us.  Story by story, person by person, God is creating all of us to be people that are capable of trust, presence, and unveiled faces, reflecting like mirrors the brightness of the Lord.  

Joyful Humility-- Tuesday, March 5th

“It is Jesus who does everything in me; I do nothing except remain little and weak.”  St. Therese

We woke up an hour early today (set our watch too many hours ahead) and so had our first lesson in joyful humility by wandering around the grounds, trying to communicate, but mostly just being able to smile and laugh and sit joyfully, until Fr. Vidal got up and was able to translate a little better.  Our first nicknames came from this extra time, though.  Willy and I were able to communicate about domni (sleep) and somehow it was determined that Grace was a snorer—ronfle-- which wasn't really true, but she graciously accepted the nickname the rest of the week.  We also learn, for the rest of the week, to just rely on the roosters to wake us up, following the rhythm of Haiti time, rather than our failed attempts to be "on time." 

When we really reflect on joyful humility, though, it is the children who we meet in the morning, that teach us what it is all about.  Today, and every day, they march to school, peer around the hallways, just to share with us a "hello, how are you?", or a game of clapping hands, or a smile for a picture, or their favorite candy, dousmakos.  

 We are also grateful to the teachers--Raynold, Michelle, Rosela, Raymonde, Mario, and Malabar-- at the school, for letting us come into their classrooms, and share some of our passions with them.  We see the teachers' own passions, and are so inspired by their ability to teach this joyful spirit to the kids.  

This is so apparent on days when all the kids are assembled together, and all of sudden, the teachers are encouraging each child to share a talent-- song, dance, or poetry-- for an impromptu talent show.  We are caught up in the joy and can't help but smile and sing along.  Jodia nou kontan lagras bondye avek nou!!  Today we are happy because God is with us!

Travel Day-- Monday, March 4th

“Little by little, through the preparation of this trip, I concluded that the two of you did not decide to go to Haiti.  The two of you are merely answering God's invitation to walk closer with Him. God has been providing with all you need and will continue to do so. Therefore, go in peace, trust and listen to God's voice as you have been doing. Keep yourself focused in the things you need to prepare and prayers.

My wish is that your time in Haiti will liberate you to live your life here in freedom. That you will be able to see beyond the physical sufferings and see the beauty, simplicity & joy they have in their hearts. That you will be changed inside. That through them, you will see your own true beauty.”— words of blessing from our good friend, sister, and mentor Susi

 

God is indeed good.  We get up at 4am in St. Louis, soar above twinkling lights and vast waters, and by sundown that night, we are riding in the taxi prepared for us, travelling through marshes and mountains, looking for the Child Jesus school in Petit-Goave.  Not all goes according to our plans, but, sure enough, we arrive safely, and are greeted warmly by our companions--

 

 

--Fr. Magloire, Theodore, Jean Wener, Willy, Marcel, Cadneer, and others--who we will grow to know and love throughout the week, with a multitude of stars blanketing the sky overhead.  Could you be here, Jesus, in this little town, at this little school?

Bondye bene ou (God bless you!)

“It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

It is the night before we head out for this little school, in this little town, to visit the little ones, in order to know more fully the little way.  We have spent-- wasted, you might say-- much time preparing for this mission, meeting so many beautiful people along the way, in response to a call last year.  Those moments are what makes it so important, so beautiful. 

As we stuffed the last things we will share into our suitcases, we reflected on how incredibly loved we felt.  Many have sent their prayers and hugs and love... we are surrounded with support... and we feel this presence profoundly today... ready to go share and witness.  So, to use a couple phrases we have learned:

Gras a Dye (thanks be to God!) and Bondye bene ou (God bless you!)