Reflections from the visit May 4-9
1.
appreciation
to the donors and sponsors has yielded more energy, greater support and renewed
interest in the mission through out the community
2.
Haitian
Hope committee members sure know how to host fantastic events!
3.
feeding
the Haitian kids is essential and includes feeding the teachers and the poor
who come to the village because they are hungry; your money goes a long way
feeding many who are in need
4.
the
ministry has opened the heart of many at St. Francis and beyond who want to
serve God by serving the poor
5.
scripture
comes alive when we live beyond our self-interest and beyond our anxieties,
depending upon God to direct us
6.
many
American proposals for "fixing" the Haitians do not work because we
don't know all the facts and misunderstand cultural differences
7.
American
example of above: "goats could provide milk for the children at school.
Let's buy goats." Problem: goats only provide small amounts of milk.
Haitians like cow's milk. What they drink at school is Carnation milk in a can.
8.
Powdered
milk, nutritionally more sound that canned milk, is not possible where water is
contaminated.
9.
sometimes
the only meal these children get is at school
10. trust in a relationship takes a long time and must
go through rocky times, especially when crossing cultural lines; long
discussions with Père Michaud provide increased understanding for both
parties and deepens the relationship
11. St. Marc's Trouin is a magnet for children who want
a good education (they can pass the state test!)
12. tuition for one year = 300 gourdes ($7 per year)
13. some children walk 3-4 hours ONE WAY to school;
teachers also travel hours to get to the school in Trouin; some teachers live
at school during the week
14. balanced meals as we know them in America are not found in the school lunches; however, they eat a healthy diet:
rice, beans, a little chicken, fruit-in-season, and milk twice a week—that's
all they can do with the money we send ($1700/month)
15. about 400 students, faculty and others are fed daily
during the school year—at least they are no longer starving
16. a vegetable garden has been started
17. coconut is basic to their diet
18. Region 13 Virginia has donated 9 computers for the classroom and 1 for Père Michaud
19. Church of the Holy Family has adopted a teacher,
Salien Wilner (principal) and corresponds regularly
20. solar energy provides lights in the classroom—a
first
21. we received a grant from YOUTHS' FRIENDS to give the
teachers a raise to approximately $1800 per year
22. Christ Church is anxious to become involved; has adopted a teacher since last August;
has asked Irene Marxsen to be the liaison between Haitian Hope and Christ Church; has at least three people interested in going to Haiti in January 2014: Janet Tidwell, deacon; Bryan Hinson, youth
director; Father Joseph Shippen, assistant rector.
23. The French students at First Presbyterian Day school donated $1675 as their final fund-raiser for this school year
24. Tatnall Square Academy hosted Pere Michaud in several classrooms, including a math class and
Stacy Hinson's fifth grade classroom
25. Steve Marlow has learned there are 20 children from
the Seventh-Day Adventist church who attend St. Marc
26. Père Michaud loved the manners and etiquette program
taught by Alice Bailey at St. Peter Claver
27. Chris Sheridan proposes that we seriously consider
a)bringing three Haitians to Mercer to learn how to assemble prosthetics
designed in the medical school and developed in the engineering school
b)
teaching a class in prosthetic assemblage techniques at the St. Marc trade
school
c)
searching for possibilities of the manufacture of prosthetics in Trouin
28.
David Spivey at Mellow Mushroom gave 10% of the profits at the Wednesday night
"Farewell" dinner. He is most supportive of the ministry.
As Janet
Tidwell said to me, "God is working here somehow." As you consider
this statement, first think of how many are involved in this mission: Episcopal
churches in Region 13-Virginia; Christ Church; Church of the Holy Family;
Seventh Day Adventist; St. Peter Claver, First Presbyterian Day school; Tatnall
square academy; and an extensive group of Haitian Hope people who continue to
work diligently in this mission.
Something is happening. Watch for it! Wait for
it! Be ready!
