I Have Been Blessed

Each trip to the St. Marc’s community in Trouin, Haiti has given me insights which have enriched my understanding and hopefully as I have shared the story, listeners have gotten excited. This 4^th trip was different.

The team members were the Rev. Kate Bryant (St. James, Leesburg, Virginia), John Mark Parker (Mercer Canterbury Club advisor), Will Crews (Mercer senior French major and Canterbury member) and I. From the very beginning a spark drew us together. Through out our visit different levels of spiritual movement seemed to take place among the team, Père Michaud, his community and the environment we were in . It seemed to be fueled through relationship building, each person’s love of the Lord and the intense action to serve. The HH (Haitian Hope) team talked constantly about this spiritual movement; and we were in awe of the Holy Spirit’s presence.

We started each day with worship.  The 70 + people present listened and asked God to support and guide us that day. Friday was supposed to be a home study day for the students for they had a huge exam on Monday.  Père Michaud asked them all to be present so we could see the work of the teachers and students. There are 432 students at the school.

Our first goal was to finalize the building plans for the 8 classrooms. Kate and Will used their French to help ensure complete understanding during our questions and answer periods. Will wanted to translate as much as he could, so he took every possible opportunity to work with country French, Creole and his classic French. We all said he was having his French exam during this trip.  He and Kate were a blessing.

Another goal was to learn more about the number of students in the classes, materials, teacher numbers and general educational information.  We learned facts, but we also learned more about teachers' needs. They felt left behind in new methodology, new skills and getting the latest materials. They thought the Haiti Department of Education was doing more in Port-au-Prince then in the rural areas at this time.  We had good conversations about developing a training program together.

I attended the Daughters of the King meeting, and they shared about Haiti’s first National DOK Assembly that we all attended last November.  Georgette Duversaint is the directress and also the assistant treasurer for the Haiti National DOK. There are 298 Daughters in Haiti.

Saturday the gospel and chancel choirs practiced, the band rehearsed and the 6^th graders had Saturday morning study class for their big exam on Monday.  The Holy Spirit was present and the St. Marc’s people were acting.

Sunday's 2 hour service brought our time at St. Marc’s to a close. Père Michaud graciously shared the Holy Table with the Rev. Kate, Will read part of the Prayers of the People, John Mark took lots of pictures and I got to sit with my Sisters in Christ (DOK daughters). Since St. Marc’s day is coming we got to hear more music from the choirs (82) .The choir director is on loan, since the earthquake destroyed the music department at Trinity Cathedral School. With my eyes closed, the 4 part harmony from the church choir could have been any choir in the world.  Haitians are blessed with the gift of music.

Back to PAP on dirty and dusty roads to the Hotel Oloffson.  It’s the first shower and hair washing since leaving.  What blessings!

 It is also a time to reflect on what a gift we have been given in Père Michaud and St. Marc’s. I watched Père minister to his people and to each of us as we continued to feel led by the Holy Spirit in all that we did.  I watched counseling being done as we looked at our own ministry and the steps that will follow.  We shared, had supporting hugs as challenges came to light that we were not expecting. In each call we realized we could not do everything, but seemed open to hear the call God wants for us.

May you find your call.

Gail Moulton

 Haitian Hope

Team 10 leader

Haitian Hope Catch-up

          Not meeting in March does not mean nothing is happening with Haitian Hope.  Below is a summary of the events that have transpired and the projects soon to take place involving our friends and members of Haitian Hope.

            1) The Brunswick stew netted approximately $4,000.  Way to go Elizabeth Dunn and crew!!!!

2) Surprises from Ranny's trip in February:

·        The Canadians are building a hospital in Trouin.

·        Clean water, thanks to a Luxembourg group, is available for $.10/gallon to all those in the Trouin area.

·        Temporary classrooms have been erected by the Episcopal Education Department of Haiti.

·        ERD repaired Georgette's house and erected a small shelter for Pere Michaud. (Georgette is the hostess for our groups who visit)

·        The Chinese provided materials to erect a shelter for St. Marc School's principal, Salien Wilner.

·        A latrine was built accommodating four individuals.

3)      HH (Haitian Hope) continues to provide a hot lunch for 400 students@$1700/month.

4)      HH continues to provide salaries for 12 secondary teachers@$100/month.  They have asked for a raise which we will consider.

5)      The Haiti Education Fund provides salaries for the primary school teachers@90/month.

6)      The Rebuilding and Restoration sub-committee has asked approval from Bishop Duracin, Pere Michaud, Pere Kesner Ajax (Partnership director) for the construction of school classrooms using concepts from Erecta, based in Arkansas.

7)      Gail Moulton will lead a group to Trouin April 7-11.  Accompanying her will be

a.       the Reverend Kate Bryant, asst rector at St. James, Leesburg, Va.

b.      John Mark Parker, beloved leader of the Mercer Canterbury Club

c.       Will Crew, Canterbury Club member and French major

d.      Noah Maier, Canterbury Club member and photographer

                  Please pray for their safe and fruitful journey

           

8)      Saturday, March 26, marked the day of an extraordinary meeting in Atlanta of 17 partners of Pere Michaud's churches.  From 10-3 we shared common experiences and goals for our continued mission to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.  The extraordinary nature of the gathering was evident from the quiet and intentional passion palpable throughout the entire five hours of discussion.  We are deeply indebted to the expertise shared by the Outlook Haiti group from Lookout Mountain, TN.  They have been in partnership since 1996 and have accomplished great things.  Our meeting would not have been nearly as successful without them.   Not to be minimized in any way was the distance traveled by everyone whose one goal was, "how can I help our brothers and sisters in Haiti?"  Jim Hudson left from Florida at 4:00 AM.  Ann Aiken and Charles Mahan traveled from Chattanooga.  Henry Stribling and Mary Frances LeMat flew in from Virginia.  Marietta Choyce, Katherine Cornell, and the Reverend Katharine Armentrout came from Jasper to set up the room and provide nourishment.  And, of course, several HH members drove from Macon—Brant and Jan Frost, Steve Marlow, James Caldwell, Ranny and Gail Moulton, and Preston and I.  My hope is that all of you will come next time.  Below follows a brief description of the structure of the group:

                         Partners in relationship with Pere Michaud

 Outlook Haiti partners with St. John the Evangelist School, Petit Harpon

Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain, TN

Church of the Nativity, Ft. Oglethorpe, GA

St. Stephen's, Oak Ridge, TN

St. Martin's, Chattanooga, TN

Presbyterians in Florida with Jim Hudson

            Haitian Hope partners with St. Marc, Trouin:

                        Church of the Holy Family, Jasper, GA

                        St. Francis, Macon, GA

                        

            Independent partners with St. Marc, Trouin:

                        St. James, Leesburg, VA

                        Trinity Church, Washington, VA

9)      The First Annual Haitian Hope Golf Tournament has 20 sponsors as of this writing.  More sponsors and players are wanted and needed.  Last week, you should have received information from Preston about this event to be held Tuesday, June 14^th at Healy Point Country Club, Macon.  

10)  Next meeting of Haitian Hope: Sunday, May 1^st at 1:30 in the library.

Peace,

Marcia