10.31.11 geoffrey h. - day 20, progress abounds;
Look closer - since the earthquake, the news out of Haiti has pretty
much stunk. As if the immediate disaster wasn't bad enough, then there
was cholera, the apparent lack of action from NGOs, and the paralysis of
domestic affairs --- AND, this was all after tens of billions of
dollars were poured into the country from governments and individuals
far and wide. Pretty depressing stuff --- it's almost enough to make one
wonder 'what's the use, where's the progress?' And yet, the real story
is that there is progress all around you. It's true, to see it you have
to look through a filter of a country that was ravaged only a couple of
years ago by of one the most destructive natural disasters in history
and, before that time, was already reeling from hundreds of years of
strife and struggle. But --- there is progress here and a great example
is the St. Joseph Family itself. This is a ministry that started with
only a vision and today has developed such a strong base of support,
both internal and external, that the new six-story St. Joseph's Home for
Boys is already nearing completion amid the rubble of its surrounding
neighborhood. It's true, I'm sitting in the guest house kitchen right
now and can see and hear dozens of construction workers crawling all
over it so the looming deadline for completion can be met. Then their
are the leaders of the St. Joseph Family itself. Talk about progress ---
these Haitian men started with nothing and today are moving mountains
to ensure the torch is carried forward for generations of young men and
women to come. They are local community leaders, mentors, and the future
of Haiti. Then you look outside the walls of the SJF and see even more.
The tent cities that have covered open areas for almost two years are
starting to disappear, leaving expansive parks in their wake. Tile is
being laid on fountains, new investment is being made by local
businesses, hundreds of thousands of students are being put through
school thanks to cooperation between domestic and foreign governments,
and thousands of local and international dreamers are here and thinking
of how to make life better and more sustainable. Digicel, the dominant
mobile phone carrier has, in only a few years, reshaped the landscape
for Haitians, providing an inexpensive means of communication for the
masses and pumping millions of dollars into philanthropy into making its
country a better place --- it is the new model for corporate social
responsibility. All of this, and today little Stevens, the youngest boy
here at the SJHB came up and helped me wash my clothes --- just because
he saw I was doing it all by myself and wanted to lend a hand. And,
twice while sitting here typing this post I have been serenaded by
beautiful piano piano playing and singing from Joseph and Wootrod. If
you haven't thought about Haiti in a while, it's time to think again.
10.31.11 geoffrey h. - day 18 & day 19, seeing the beauty;
The few days we spent in Jacmel were action-packed --- filled with new
experiences and surprises. There were moto rides, hours of time with
adorable LST kids, documentary films featuring some of our very own
talent, field trips to other schools and visits with local community
leaders, delicious meals, plenty of time to gaze at the spectacular
Caribbean sea, and so much more. By the time our trip reached a
conclusion we had enjoyed many experiences that were both joyous and
difficult. It is hard to see others suffering --- going without so many
of the things we count on. Alternatively, it is also a beautiful thing
to see how people rise above hardship and create art, music, and
communities of love. On the way out of town we stopped in to browse
through some Haitian Art. What I have always found to be spectacular
about Haitian Art is how vibrant the colors are--how the themes are
reflective of deeply held spiritual and cultural traditions --- how the
materials are light and heavy, raw and polished at the same time. This
is a culture of juxtaposition --- it is apparent in every aspect. The
ride back was smooth until we got down the mountain, where we ran into a
major traffic jam around a local market. It was a weekend and everyone
was out in droves, selling and buying everything from toothpaste to
fish. The smells and sights of the market are intense. Rotting food
mixes with fragrant fruit and, out of huge piles of rubbish in every
direction, are pedestrians clothed in clean and brightly colored
garments. The next day brought another example of how Haitians celebrate
the beauty of life through art and culture. After an afternoon of rest
and togetherness, we all walked over to a nearby Lutheran church for a
concert. This event was to be the first anniversary of a local band and
other groups from the community would also be performing. The church
campus also houses the school attended by the residents of the St.
Joseph's Home for Boys and the concert would be featuring, among dozens
of other young talents, Wootrod, an exceptionally talented young man who
lives at the SJHB. Everyone had turned out for this event --- albeit
very few arrived at the posted start time of 4PM. In fact, the concert
didn't really get started until around 5PM, fashionably late by Haitian
standards. The concert was a rousing celebration of joy and the audience
was feeling it --- clapping and handwaving, and singing along with as
much fervor as the performers themselves. At around 7PM, when it became
clear that the concert had no end in sight, we stepped out and returned
to the SJHB guest house for dinner. It had been a restful couple of
days, but there were still highlights and surprises all around.
10.30.11 geoffrey h. - day 16 & day 17, reality check;
As Americans, our expectations are easily skewed by the privileges we
are afforded and, in many cases, feel entitled to. From pension plans,
to automobiles, to steady jobs, to running water, we have been
conditioned to just take certain things for granted. And, for many
individuals that never have the chance to venture abroad, particularly
beyond Europe, it is just hard to imagine life without these types of
common conveniences. It is for that reason, among others, that many
people who come to Haiti think they have all the answers but often
completely miss the mark. It is also for this reason that people
frequently look past all the good and focus on only on those problems
that are plainly evident. To overcome this ignorance, it is helpful to
get an expanded perspective --- and, that is precisely what we were
treated to on both Thursday and Friday of our week in Jacmel. After
spending the morning at the LST, where we spent our time asking teachers
what could be better, what changes could be made, and what materials
and methods would help children learn, KC took us on a field trip to
another local school. When we pulled up to this colorful building you
could see lots of smiling, uniformed children inside, but after going
through the classes and chatting with the teachers, the contrasts
between this school and the LST became more obvious. Where at the LST
the facilities are brand new, materials are abundant, and programming is
progressive and getting stronger all the time, this school had a tin
roof and plywood floors, there were very few educational materials, and
there is little opportunity for programmatic growth. While it was
obvious that the teachers were working hard to give the children the
best possible opportunity, the truth was clear --- that what has been
built and will continue to flourish at the LST is a real gem. Later that
day was quite special. In the afternoon, I observed the cooking class
at the LST, where girls are trained from a culinary chef how to prepare
the variety of dishes. In this instance, it was a few variations on
eggs. Each little girl donned a scarf on their head’s and went to work
--- slicing eggs, frying eggs, and garnishing those eggs with hot
peppers. That evening, the community was treated to night of film
prepared by documentary filmmakers who had been onsite at the LST for
several days, where they interviewed the kids and worked with them to
create their own animated films using an easy to use software
application. On tap for the evening was a short film featuring the LST
animations and Trinity House boys as stars, followed by a French film
about a young boy in Africa who finds joy in playing soccer. It was easy
to see that the community was really excited by this and the next
morning, there were kids playing soccer on the very field where the film
was screened. What a beautiful thing. On Friday, we convened all of the
teachers are administration of the LST for a roundtable luncheon
meeting. Both parties came to this meeting with a degree of uncertainty.
Would the teachers express that they want some positive changes, or
would change be resisted? The response we got couldn’t have been clearer
--- these educators want to learn how to teach better, want certain
materials and changes, want to organize into committees, and are glad to
be heard and acknowledged. The meeting concluded with the faculty
bestowing gifts on us for our commitment to their work --- two female
teachers even performed a beautiful rendition of a song they had
composed for the occasion. More of this exchange has to happen --- it is
so necessary for growth and so mutually affirming to see bonds grow
through honest dialogue. Haiti is blessed to have these dedicated
teachers --- they hold the country’s future in their hands. Later that
afternoon, KC took us on another field trip over to the local music
school. Having performed as a classical violist throughout Europe,
Central America, North America, and Asia, it is always staggering how
music has to capacity to bridge cultural barriers. You will find great
musicians in all corners of the world. Regardless of means, education,
or access, music will always find a way to thrive and flourish --- it is
our unspoken outlet, a window to the soul. Not five minutes after I had
told a member of my travel party that it might be unlikely to find a
string instrument player in Jacmel, we walked in to the music school and
there before us, the first person we saw and heard, was a young man
practicing Seitz’s Third Viola Concerto. We were floored. Not only was
there a violist --- but this guy was quite good and he was playing in a
room that was nearly dark, with rainwater pouring in from the opening in
the wall. He was very gracious and invited me to give him some
feedback. He was easy to teach and a kind spirit. It is simple to see
these everyday miracles --- they are all around. If you haven’t already
done so or are thinking of coming again, I recommend traveling to
Haiti. As an American, it will be outside of your comfort zone --- this
is guaranteed. But, if you come here with an open heart and an open
mind, you can’t help spreading goodwill and experiencing a jolt of
reality that will reawaken your spirit.
10.28.11 geoffrey h. - day 15, caribbean waters;
The waters of the Caribbean are truly miraculous --- crystal clear, calm,
with countless shades of of blue and aqua. In Jacmel, the ocean is the
main event. Whether you are at a resort, in a small tin-roofed shack on
the side of a mountain, or looking out a window at Lekol Sen Trinite,
there are always million dollar views of the sea. How striking the
juxtaposition between these views and the harsh realities of this
country, where the median income hovers at around a dollar a day and
many are worried about where their next meal will come from. Visitors to
Haiti often come with a whole lot of ideas --- only to meet a sobering
reality that change is hard when life is lived for the moment --- not
planned for the future. St. Joseph's Trinity House in Jacmel strikes a
great marriage between the realities Western visitors bring with them to
Haiti and the more live for the moment attitude of this country. The
LST school is a progressive beacon --- with Montessori kindergarten,
creative programming, extracurricular activities, 2 meals a day for the
kids, and a technology lab, among other offerings. The mission center
itself houses a clean water initiative, bakery, connections to Haitian
lending programs, and other community outreach initiatives --- not the
mention the outstanding program for young men which is similar to what
is offered at St. Joseph's Home for Boys. This progressive model has not
been isolating --- quite to the contrary, Trinity House has been an
outstanding success, spurring growth in the surrounding neighborhood and
positive developments from a whole community of dedicated students,
parents, and community leaders. Midway through our Wednesday at Trinity
House KC asked our group to join her on a special trek back home with a
couple of the youngsters from LST. To tell you the truth we didn't
really have an idea of what to expect. The young girls at the LST are
all dressed and coiffed to perfection, with cute little hairties, trim
uniforms, and snazzy tennis shoes. In fact, they exemplify Haitian
culture, which prides itself on looking sharp and fashionable. However,
we were all very aware that the girls we were walking with were from the
poorest families in the area. The girls led us up a rocky slope packed
with small homes --- cinder block, tents, corrugated metal roofs, and
rubble throughout from the all too recent earthquake. We were just a few
blancs stepping into a community we were very clearly not a part of,
but we did not feel uncomfortable --- we had KC with her incredible
cultural finesse as our guide and warm and welcoming smiles at every
corner. This was a neighborhood, not a slum, not a shantytown --- but a
strong and tightly knit community with a respect for us as humans. We
were moved beyond words. When we walked up to one of the homes the
mother, a thin and brightly smiling woman, was eager to usher us into
her home --- a small, sweltering, and dark, but clean single room house
with a bed, dishrack, and other well organized necessities. She asked us
to sit down and told us (with the aid of KC as our translator) that she
was a community leader and was proud of the LST, because her and her
children's efforts helped facilitate the community's embrace of this
school as its own. She also told us that some of her children were
adopted --- she had taken them in despite not being able to afford them
simply because she saw a need and responded in kind. These are the kind
of miracles you will find when you open your eyes and your heart. Haiti
is a place that is full of miracles. It is not neat, tidy, or American,
but it is beautiful.
10.27.11 geoffrey h. - day 14, to jacmel;
The bell rang bright and early for prayers at 5AM. While the rest of the
St. Joseph’s Home for Boys awoke to attend to the morning service and
chores I chose to sleep in for a while. Upon exit from my room I was
offered a choice of a cheese omelet for breakfast, which I of course
accepted. The hospitality for guests of the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys
is truly legendary. Commonplace are delicious meals in an environment
surrounded by art, music, prayer, dancing, tropical plants and flowers,
courteous hosts, and lots of good conversation --- what more could a
weary traveler look for after a day of traveling about Haiti. Indeed,
both the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys and Wings of Hope are not only
outstanding environments for youth but are featured in travel books on
Haiti. After breakfast, our travel party loaded a bunch of bags and
supplies for the kids of the LST into a van and began our long journey
to Jacmel. In reality, Jacmel is a very short distance geographically
but, when faced with long lines of traffic and winding mountain roads
our trip too just around 4 hours door to door. The morning was unusually
fresh --- a heavy nightime rain had washed away the soot from the
leaves of plants and the air was fresh and sweeter than normal. Before
we arrived in Jacmel, KC Bersch, Director of Education for the St.
Joseph Family, called ahead to let Melchi, the Director of Trinity
House, know about our arrival. We had no idea what was in store for us
as we walked up the stairs into the LST. When we walked into the central
room we were greeted with over 100 smiling, adorable children all
singing together. Of course, there were a couple of exceptions --- some
cute little Montessori kindergarteners who wandered in a minute late ---
confused, but smiling. When they were finished they rushed us all with
open arms --- hugging our legs and looking up with huge smiles --- hair
braids and dimples abounding. The kids soon went to their classrooms.
In the Montessori classroom the kids were showing off for us as they
stacked graded blocks quickly but deliberatively, their teacher looking
on with a stern sweetness that brought back memories of my own
kindergarten professor. Soon thereafter there was lunch. The kids at the
LST all get two meals a day, but many opt to take a portion home for
themselves or their family. The LST kids come from some of the poorest
homes in the area, so it is never hard to imagine their parents
expecting a little bit of food from their kids at the end of the day.
Walking downstairs we were greeted by Tracey, an ebullient Haitian
American woman who took us on a tour of the Nouvo Vi Bakery, which she
helped to set up for Trinity House. The facility is full of potential,
with great mixers, ovens, slicers, a large counter and seating area, and
a new outdoor patio outfitted with rebar that has been artfully shaped
into blades of wheat. Indeed, the potential in this whole home is
boiling over --- as is the heat of Jacmel, which is much hotter and more
humid than Port-au-Prince and certainly Fermathe. As there are no guest
facilities at Trinity other than a room with spectacular views of the
Caribbean Sea, our party opted for the Hotel CapLamandu, just down the
coast from Trinity House. This is a lovely little seaside retreat and
the views are equally spectacular. As the day wound down, we found
ourselves overwhelmed by the beauty of this place --- so different than
the other environs that we had been used to, but also so very Haitian
--- warm, welcoming, and utterly diverse.
10.26.11 geoffrey h. - day 13, down from the mountain;
Monday was our group's last day in Fermathe for a while. It is always
sad to leave an environment of friends, comfort, and regularity, but we
were ready to make the transition. What visitors to Wings of Hope will
find is likely beyond their expectations, whether or not they have had
prior experience living and working with special needs individuals.
These are a unique group of people and their 'special' qualities extend
miles beyond whatever mental or physical challenge they might have.
Driving down the mountain on the back of a tap tap is somewhat akin to
riding on a bucking bronco. Our driver was solid, but he certainly
enjoyed getting down the hill rapidly and not spending any extra time
waiting for obstacles --- whether marooned trucks, pedestrians clinging
to the very fringe of the road, or slow moving transport vehicles.
Regardless, after just a few short minutes we were back down in
Petionville. It was around 5PM and the city was in the throngs of a
full-on rush hour. From every direction cars and hoards of pedestrians
came, each vying for the best place in line or buyer for their wares.
Not completely unlike rush hour in Shanghai, Mexico City, or New York, 5
PM in Port-au-Prince is when the city in all of its fervor is on full
display --- only this is Haiti, so it is always a couple notches above
what you might find elsewhere. When we arrived at St. Joe's Home for
Boys the atmosphere could not have been more different. Walking into the
courtyard it is immediately serene and even feels a bit cooler. We
could hear some noise coming from above --- it was the nightly ritual of
'bravos' that takes place here and is something every visitor remembers
well. For years, Michael has encouraged an environment where mutual
respect and admiration is commonplace. This ritual consists of
affirmations of each persons accomplishments or admirable qualities for
that day. We took our place and soon enough it was my turn to receive a
round of 'bravos'. A couple people said something to the effect of
'Geoffrey is a great email writer' or 'communicator'. But, the boy next
to me, Emmanuel, has something much more simple but much more meaningful
to add --- he thanked me for just 'choosing him to sit down next to'.
What a wonderful thing to note how small actions of kindness can make a
real difference. I was happy to spend some time that evening speaking to
Pam and Wayne, representatives from another small nonprofit in Canada
that supports the St. Joseph Family. They asked a whole bunch of great
questions and were so genuinely kind. They will be our group's travel
companions on the next leg of our journey and I am grateful to have them
along. It is always nice to see how broad the base of support is for
the St. Joseph Family --- literally stretching all across North America.
After we finished a delicious dinner, the boys were still studying and
being tutored. These are serious students and exceptionally
well-mannered young men. When we asked if it would be possible to help
wash dishes Fenton, a boy in his late teens, said that he would wash and
we could rinse. He prepared the sink and washed each glass like an
expert. When the dishes were finished he issued a grateful 'thank you'.
These young men are trained to be serious, prayerful, and courteous.
They are young leaders and this ministry takes care to shape them along
each step of the way. The St. Joseph's Family could take on many, many
more residents and only offer food and accommodations. But this model
aims to devote significant resources to the development of each boy ---
and the results are tremendous. Graduates of the St. Joseph Family are
the next generation of leaders --- not only of the institution, but of
Haiti itself.
10.23.11 geoffrey h. - day 11 & day 12 - a happy place;
What
is really magic about Wings of Hope is how happy everyone is. This
includes the kids, the caregivers, the staff, the volunteers, and even
the neighbors down the street who regularly see us coming and always
smile, wave, and shout a friendly greeting. What makes this place happy
is the love --- the caring --- the affirmative atmosphere. Wings of Hope
is a place where, no matter what the rest of society might think of
you, you are loved and appreciated for the beautiful and unique person
that you are. This is more than most traditional ‘orphanages’ can say.
In fact, home is the only place that most people can honestly say they
feel loved unconditionally and Wings of Hope is home to these kids.
Every day there are remarkable expressions of happiness at this
facility. Friday was the Wings of Hope dancing and darts party and
again the kids turned out with big smiles on --- ready to seize this
opportunity to jump and clap and bang on percussion instruments. We all
let loose and got our turn to dance wildly in the middle of the circle
while the drummers provided an unceasing beat. One after one the kids
and young adults danced and were affirmed by rounds and rounds of
clapping --- even the introverts came out of their shell. This is Haiti,
where dancing, drumming, and celebration brighten even the darkest
days. This is exemplified at Wings of Hope, where these extraordinary
young people rise to the occasion and are encouraged to live life to the
fullest. On Friday, Gary, one of the Assistant Directors, waved the
Scout sign and recited the Scout Oath in Kreyol --- quickly thereafter
Lazar followed suit as best he could. How remarkable that even with the
exhaustive care and education provided by these staff members there is
still time and energy to learn the basics of Scouting --- being
prepared, treating others with honesty, loyalty, kindness, caring, and
the like. Upstairs in the kids’ house I am always blown away by how
these kids’ faces light up when I come in and flash a smile. Josephine, a
radiant little burst of joy that is remembered by everyone who visits
this place, always wants some company. Her English is outstanding and
she loves to sing pop music songs and take pictures --- she knows she’s a
star and even refers to herself as ‘drama queen’. Mamoune, a quiet
young woman who often looks bored and kind of down can brighten up a
whole room with her big smile. Yesterday I sat with her and patted her
back for a few minutes. The joy on her face was indescribable. These are
huge and important souls trapped inside bodies that, for some reason,
don’t work quite like they should. This place understands that and
everything about the caregivers and those that they care for is a
reflection of this fact. That the world needs more places like this is
an understatement. This is particularly true here in Haiti, where so
many live with almost nothing. It is also true that in our lifetimes
there will still be real hardships and inequality for billions of people
throughout the world. This is the nature of the world in which we live.
However, we can see real results in some places --- real joy --- real
exuberance and regard for humanity. This is one such place. So, while it
is clear that making a commitment to sustaining and enriching this
small home located in a part of the world that most of us will never
have the chance to see is a leap of faith, it is also absolutely the
right thing to do. There is good, humanitarian work going on here and we
must make it a priority to see that it continues to flourish.
10.20.11 geoffrey h. - day 9 & day 10 - education;
Educational
programming at Wings of Hope is a central component of life, with
varied coursework specifically designed to provide each child and young
adult with the kind of knowledge and nurturing necessary for growth.
This programming has grown over a number of years and both American and
Haitian leadership contributing to its evolution. Today, residents of
Wings of Hope are nurtured by a talented group of educators that have
personal connections with the kids and young adults—in essence, Wings is
one big family. What started with fairly rudimentary programming now
includes lesson planning, evaluation, special educational methods,
assistive technology, multiple academic, work skills, and vocational
classes with options for everyone. The result has been inspiring ---
with many children completely transformed from sedentary and introverted
to outgoing and active. Staff members devote hands-on attention to each
child and convene regularly to share details about areas of progress
and concern. This has all been a process for the program --- with
Haitian and American styles of teaching and administration constantly
measured against each other and accommodated given changing needs. As a
result of these developments, Wings is now considered among a small
group of leaders in the care of the mentally and physically challenged
in Haiti. And, although there are larger and more well-known schools,
Wings of Hope is unique in its care for those with particularly severe
mental and physical challenges --- individuals that would otherwise
likely be completely ignored and downtrodden by Haitian society. Indeed,
many of the residents and some faculty at Wings of Hope have lived
significant portions of their lives in abusive home environments or on
the streets. As such, there is significant empathy and mutual
understanding that helps foster communication, closeness, and love. On
Thursday, I sat in on an academic class where students received
instruction from teachers who worked with a multimedia program specially
designed for those that learn in a different way and at a different
pace. Whenever the video paused, the instructor would engage on a
personal level with students in conversation regarding the lesson, which
happened to be about the growth and biology of plants. Wings has
benefitted greatly from international partnerships with organizations
like Cotting School in Lexington, MA. Regular exchanges between Wings
and Cotting faculty have resulted in deep friendships and mentorships
that have enabled significant growth and professionalization among Wings
faculty and an expanded worldview for everyone. Luckily, Wings’
isolated location in the mountains above Port-au-Prince has meant that a
calm and peaceful environment can be preserved. However, once funds are
raised for new facilities, education at Wings of Hope will flourish
like never before and residents will benefit greatly from additional
work, play, dining, sleep, and hygiene areas --- key to both better
boundaries and boundary-less growth and development.
10.19.11 geoffrey h. - day 8, dedicated volunteers;
Each
year, the St. Joseph Family hosts hundreds of volunteers that come down
for various reasons --- to experience Haiti, to spend some time serving
a good cause, to fulfill a personal mission, or enjoy being with
friends giving back to communities in need. Some volunteers come in and
out on mission trips with large groups while others stay for extended
periods of time. Indeed, the very foundation of the St. Joseph Family is
rooted in servant leadership and for years the cost of operating the
ministry has been very low because of this selfless dedication to the
cause. Right now, I have been honored to live and work alongside at
Wings of Hope with a few very dedicated volunteers who came down several
weeks before my arrival and will stay for over a month after my
departure. These volunteers, Katie, Kerin, Ashleigh, and Stephen, a
close contact of the SJF and HWH, wake up every day and devote
themselves fully to serving this ministry. Keeping Wings of Hope up and
operational is no easy task, from feeding, to bathing, to huge loads of
laundry washed by hand each day, to education, therapy, and
administration. So, without the help of individuals like these, it would
be impossible to make sure all needs are met effectively. And, what is
most amazing about these individuals is that they do it all with cheer
and a smile. Right now, I’m watching as the girls play ball with some of
the kids down in the courtyard and as Stephen sorts through a few
thousand pieces of paper to assist with SJF bookkeeping. From spending
time feeding, laughing, teaching, making pottery and crafts, and
carrying these kids up and downstairs, these four volunteers make it
their priority to establish close connections with children and young
adults that have been neglected and looked down upon for good portions
of their lives. I am proud to be part of a cause that attracts such
selfless dedication to making the lives of Haiti’s children a bit
brighter.
10.18.11 geoffrey h. - day 7, day trip to jacmel;
Jacmel,
a small city south of Port-au-Prince on the Caribbean Sea, is home to
the newest member of the St. Joseph Family, Trinity House. In addition
to serving as a home for around 25 young men, Trinity House also hosts a
number of fantastic initiatives aimed at engaging and serving the
surrounding community. Among these is Lekol Sen Trinite (LST), a day
school for girls and boys from Jacmel’s poorest families and today was
the day when school supplies were handed out to each of the children.
Preparation for this joyful occasion takes months, involving the
transport, packaging, and preparation of hundreds of articles including
toiletries, notebooks, backpacks, candy, rulers, pencils and pens,
folders, shoes, and school uniforms. It is because of the tremendous
generosity of some of the closest supporters of the St. Joseph Family
that these items are now in the hands of those special children that,
without this school, would have very few opportunities to learn and
thrive. The day began bright and early at 4:00 AM, when our group all
awoke and loaded the truck with dozens of large plastic containers
filled with supplies for transport to Jacmel. Once the truck was loaded,
we made our way up the hill to our van, bright and ready for an on-time
departure. But alas, other plans were in store for us, as the truck
filled with boxes ran aground in deep mud just down from Wings of Hope.
Around and hour passed as the driver and several other locals crowded
around the vehicle, each with his or her own idea of how to best
dislodge this heavy truck. At last (upon the advice the local women had
been giving for quite some time) the men all gathered to lift up the
back of the truck and, voila, the truck quickly dislodged! A member of
our group summed it up right, saying that, while the women had had the
right idea all along, ‘it had to be the men’s idea’ before it could be
acted upon. So, after that slight delay we were off and speeding up and
down winding mountain roads on the way to Jacmel. While the mountains of
Haiti have largely been deforested they are still are spectacular ---
with green groves of tropical vegetation and endless vistas of pastoral
countryside and the long shorelines of the Bay of Port-au-Prince on one
side of the ridge and the Caribbean Sea on the other side. Luckily, we
all were good to go with motion sickness pills so there were no
unfortunate surprises along the way. Upon arrival at Trinity House, we
unpacked all the supplies from the boxes and the kiddos lined up outside
the door of our room, ready and excited to receive the supplies. Then,
one-by-one, we grabbed the hand of a precious little girl or boy and led
them from station to station to fill their new backpacks and pick out
the right size pair of shoes. The newbies were particularly hesitant,
but those that had already been attending LST in past years were
confident and beaming ear to ear with smiles that could melt the heart
of even the most hardened skeptic. What a joyful and festive occasion
for us all! After a delicious meal prepared by Melchi Petit-Homme, the
Director of Trinity House, we again piled into the van and, slowly, made
our way back to Port-au-Prince, each of us tired but glowing after this
uplifting activity. On the way back into the city, Renee had our driver
loop past some of the areas most heavily damaged by the earthquake.
Seeing this was a hard experience for all of us. Haiti has been in
turmoil for hundreds of years, but the events of January 12th, 2010 made
an already tough situation much worse. Most of the rubble from
buildings that fell during the earthquake still remains, garbage and
debris litter the streets, and thousands still call tent cities home.
Along our journey, we stopped at the ruins of the Catholic Cathedral,
which have been largely hauled away by local and international
authorities. Only a skeleton of this once monument structure now
survives but within its hollowed out core a few individuals still
linger, hoping to find some solace within this ghost of a building. As
soon as we stepped out of the car we were approached by desperate men
and women who begged us to spare some money to help them through this
horrible time. Most residents of the developed world simply have no idea
how hard things are for so many individuals in Haiti and it is hard to
put into words the kind of desperation on display in the hardest hit
areas of this vast metropolis. Basic services are still not in place and
thousands suffer each day with only their hope to guide them through
the struggle of daily life. By the time we arrived back at Wings of Hope
it was already dark. After our trek back from the van we each returned
to our rooms and washed the sweat and soot that had collected on our
bodies during this long trek. Haiti is a place of astonishing beauty
and hardship so astounding that it has to be seen to be understood. Each
day in Haiti you will see both on full display, but this ministry seeks
to bring a bit more light to a place afflicted by struggle after
struggle.
10.17.11 geoffrey h. - day 6, sunday at st. joe's;
In
many places in the world, Sunday is a day of rest and celebration. This
could not be more true than at the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in
Port-au-Prince, where the Sunday morning service is a time to come
together and join hands in song, prayer, and thanks. Our group left
Wings of Hope with two youngsters, Steve and Frank Ely, in tow and
arrived at the SJHB in Port-au-Prince at around 9:30 AM. Steve and Frank
Ely were thrilled to get the chance to go to SJHB for the Sunday
service, a special privilege that cannot be afforded to all of the kids
at Wings of Hope for logistical reasons. On the way down the two boys
were literally overflowing with excitement and anticipation --- singing
hymns and songs, laughing, and beaming with joy. When our group arrived,
we took our places in the chapel at the current SJHB facilities. This
special environment is outdoors under a covered porch and is surrounded
by lush potted plants and Haitian artwork. The service was a wonderful
time of prayer and song. Several of the young residents of the SJHB were
given the opportunity to join Michael Geilenfeld in leading the
service, including Fignole, Emmanuel, and Wootrod, a talented vocalist
and guitarist who enlivened the service with his musical talents. Each
boy that participated was full of confidence and clarity and their
energy brought along those of us that are not fluent in Kreyol. After
the service, the group dispersed, with some boys doing their chores and
others readying lunch. Still others gathered around the dart board to
practice for the afternoon’s game. As our group prepared to leave the
house to make our way back up to Wings of Hope, the dart game had just
begun, with raucous energy from all and Michael tallying the scores in a
notebook. Renee Dietrich, Director of Communications and Development
for the SJF, also used our opportunity at SJHB to snap some new
headshots of each of the boys. Renee, an incredibly gifted photographer,
did not take long to get some great shots. When she was finished, the
boys all gathered around her excitedly to see how their pictures turned
out. On the way back up the hill, Renee asked our driver to stop so we
could catch a glimpse of the land where the old Wings of Hope stood and
where the new facility will soon be erected. Aside from the breathtaking
views, this plot of land is in the midst of the bustling town of
Fermathe and, while quite a steep slope, the new facility will spread
over ample space. It is with great excitement that the SJF looks forward
to the day when Wings of Hope can again stand in this special space.
10.16.11 geoffrey h. - day 5, a mountain journey;
The mountains around Wings of Hope are an oasis of cool, piney splendor
in contrast to the sprawling city below. In the morning skies are often
clear and crisp and afternoons bring mist rising from the sea and
torrential downpours that fill cisterns and quench the countryside. On
Saturday, our group took advantage of this scenery by venturing on a
hike up the mountainside above the home. Before we embarked, however,
were a few household chores—namely, stuffing assorted candy in baggies
for the children of Lekol Sen Trinite and assisting the women who do
laundry for the home six days a week and six hours a day. As the members
of our group who did this can tell you, these ladies have a grueling
job that involves bleach-dried hands and wringing dozens of heavy
blankets soaked with water. But, this workload doesn’t bring down the
spirits of these women, who always share affection with those who take
the time to lend a hand. Close to midday, we left the gate of Wings of
Hope and headed down a dirt path, past several large and modest
residences, some wild animals, and plenty of street children who gazed
at us ‘blancs’ with open eyes. One particular boy, a young friend of the
SJF named David, followed us closely as we made our way up the path.
Eventually, he caught up and we gestured him to join our group. He did
so happily and from that point forward he was our hiking guide and
companion. What fun David had showing us the scenery—homes large and
small, cows, wasps, pigs, the view of Wings from above, and
Port-au-Prince miles below! Later, we would come to find out to David
lives mostly on the street because he is neglected and abused by his
family --- he is a cunning, but endearing little soul. After slipping
and sliding down the muddy slope, David requested ‘one dollar’ for his
services. But, we weren’t about to let him get away that easily!
Instead we offered to take him to lunch at the Baptist Mission just down
the road from Wings. He acquiesced, albeit not before making sure he
got some cash from us, a request which we gladly accommodated. At the
Baptist Mission, the fare was comfortingly familiar --- hot dogs, great
fries, subs, and an ice cream sundae. David gobbled down his whole
sandwich, which seemed about half his size and gestured that he was nice
and full when we were leaving. Outside of the building, he relished
showing the receipts for the food to his friends. At once heartbreaking
and heartwarming --- this time with David made our day.
10.16.11 geoffrey h. - day 4, dancing and darts @ wings;
As
in most places in the world, Fridays at Wings of Hope are a time for
celebration. Rather than the standard educational and therapeutic
programming, the kids at Wings of Hope are treated to a day of dancing,
singing, prayer, and games. According to KC Bersch, the Director of
Education for the St. Joseph Family, this programming has evolved slowly
over time and has been the result of significant coaxing to get the
kids out of the house and out of their comfort zones. After feeding, the
first order of business is readying the children for a trip downstairs
and out to the guesthouse patio. And, since neither rental house is
handicap accessible, this mass migration requires some real acrobatics.
These two homes, directly adjacent to one another, were a tremendous
find in the aftermath of the earthquake of 2010, which devastated the
original Wings of Hope and many other buildings in the surrounding town.
The rental homes are only around 5 minutes from the original facility,
which has been important for staff retention and maintaining the Wings
of Hope ‘family’. While these facilities are reasonably affordable,
large, modern, and decent stopgaps, all possible handicap accessible
retrofits have been made and a brand new facility must be constructed
soon. This capital construction is a real focus for HWH and the SJF and
we are eager to get these kids, staff, administration, volunteers, and
guests into a home where life and routine are improved --- a facility
that stands as a shining example for what care of the mentally and
physically challenged can be in Haiti, and which also functions as a
real mission center for cross-cultural exchange. Once the kids are
assembled around the large guesthouse patio, the drumming commences.
Steve, a bright young resident of Wings of Hope, is always a ball of
energy, but this is never more obvious that when a drum can be heard. In
keeping with other virtuoso drummers in the St. Joseph Family, such as
Bill Nathan, Steve can keep a great beat. But, once the drumbeat was
taken up by others, Steve began bounding around and jumping feet-off the
ground. His energy quickly spilled into the rest of the group --- who
were smiling, dancing, jumping, banging on other small percussion
instruments. It was a real party! But it wasn’t all fun and games ---
this type of activity is actually an incredible means of developing
social skills, coordination, and emotional bonds. Indeed, at Wings of
Hope, there is never a time when the positive development of these
precious children and young adults is not the priority. After the dance
party the leadership set up a game of darts for the enjoyment of the
children and young adults who have the motor skills to participate
safely and successfully. Our group was amazed --- these kids, many of
whom are shy and awkward teenagers, are very skilled at darts. And, I’m
not just saying this because I can barely get a dart on the board under
the best of circumstances! For the game, we were all divided into
teams, with guests, staff members, and residents joining forces to
compete for a prize of soda, candy, and cookies. Overall, the day’s
activities had been a tremendous opportunity for everyone to let loose
and grow bonds of mutual respect and affection.
10.15.11 geoffrey h. - day 3, horseback riding @ wings;
The
house at Wings of Hope was overflowing with excitement at sunrise on
day three. It was horseback riding day, an outing the kids had been
looking forward to all week. Our group readied the little riders with
boots and made sure they were prepared with helmets and their riding
garb, including high-quality riding pants donated by friends of the SJF.
Our group then piled into a tap tap and made our way down the
mountainside from Fermathe to the chaos of Port-au-Prince. Together with
the eleven kids, each affected by a unique mental or physical
challenge, our group made for a motley crew traveling through the city.
But, it was mostly all laughs and smiles, aside from a few isolated
tantrums over seating in our crowded transport. What was really
sensational was the change in the kids’ behavior from the second our
outing began --- pretty much across the board they behaved as dignified
young adults. This unique commitment to field trips and socialization is
one reason why Wings of Hope stands out among other homes for those
with mental and physical challenges, both here and abroad. Rather than
cloistering these special and bright kids away, the leadership goes to
great lengths to ensure they get richly diverse and stimulating
experiences. And it is worth noting that, in Haiti, these types of
experiences are logistically complicated and not inexpensive. But, it is
worth it --- and we were all about to find out why. When we pulled into
the horseback riding center we were welcomed into a pastoral
environment of peaceful fields and stables, which was quite the
juxtaposition from the surrounding neighborhood, among the poorest in
Port-au-Prince. Some kids quickly jumped out of the tap tap and we
carried the others to their wheelchairs. Soon enough, the kids were
helping saddle and prepare the horses for their activity. Wings of Hope
is fortunate to have found this program, which is led by Paco, an
experienced horseman who himself suffered through disabilities in his
youth but found renewed strength and mobility through horseback riding.
Paco now enjoys giving back to others and the program is a rich mixture
of fun, socialization, and therapy. A few rounds of riding were
astounding to watch, as children with cerebral palsy who are unable to
walk or readily control their physical gestures were suddenly
invigorated with stamina and coordination. One young man, Lazar, was
flexing his arm muscles and standing in his stirrups—our breath was
taken away. After an hour and a half trek back up the mountain, we
rested up for drinks and dinner in Port-au-Prince. Despite being the
poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, the Haitian elite are
extraordinarily wealthy and the drive down from Fermathe is lined with
gated mansions, sometimes protected by machinegun-armed guards. After a
lovely meal, we retired for the evening. It has been another rich day of
experiences to remember in Haiti.
10.13.11 geoffrey h. - day 2, wings of hope fermathe;
The
day began with a rooster call at daybreak followed by the sounds of
laughter and chatter from the residents of Wings of Hope, the St. Joseph
Family facility that is home to over 30 residents with mental and
physical challenges. Soon, a knock came at the door to our dormitory
room and I was greeted by a cheerful face holding a warm bowl of
traditional Haitian breakfast porridge. Together with the other members
of my party, we scarfed down the soup and rice mixture, did our dishes,
and then ventured out of the guest house to feed the young men and women
of Wings of Hope. With a couple of plates of breakfast in hand, we
made our way through the house and delivered some nourishment to those
gentle souls not able to feed themselves. This is the special kind of
bonding activity that you can only get when you step out of your
‘comfort zone’ and give yourself over to serving others unconditionally.
This facility is full of this sort of selflessness --- from the
administrators, to the cooks, to the nursing staff, to the teachers, to
the children themselves, many of whom are now giving back to help others
in need. Following breakfast was prayer --- a lively time of
participatory chant and thanks. Then the children broke into groups and
the staff immediately started cleaning up the small messes made during
breakfast. This is particularly important given the health challenges
facing Haiti right now --- namely cholera, which spreads easily and
claims lives swiftly. The staff at Wings take this matter seriously and
you will always find floors and surfaces being scrubbed and children
being bathed and changed. Education at Wings is varied and aims to help
each student reach his or her full potential. So, small group settings
are where language and mathematics, art and music, vocational skills,
and social skills are taught by a dedicated faculty. My group was led
by a graduate of St. Joe’s, Gephte --- who filled the dry erase board
with phrases in Kreyol and made sure each child was actively engaged. As
a musician who cannot speak Kreyol, I worked to teach the students
numbers by tapping beats in rhythm --- duples, triplets, and the like.
During class, each student was taken aside by the nurse on residence for
a session of physical therapy. After lunch, I spent several hours
working closely with Renee Dietrich and discussing any and all aspects
of the business of running this ministry and plans for the future. This
transparency is complete, but is only possible through relationship. As
daylight dwindled, mist began creeping up the mountainside ---
enveloping all the homes and foliage with a sort of magical and cool
mystery. The rain poured and lightning shook the house, but we were
warm and safe inside. After our dinner of store bought goods, we settled
in for some cards, storytelling, and Haitian rum—a perfect end to our
first full day in Fermathe.
10.13.11 michael g. - positive haitian leadership;
Every
day I set some time aside to reflect upon and celebrate the abundant
positives in my life and the life of our St. Joseph Family. Today's
positive reflection shed light upon the Haitian leadership of our St.
Joseph Family. All of these young men received their leadership training
by growing up in our St. Joseph Family. Today they are shining
testimonies of the great good that exists at St. Joseph's. Maya is our
Lead Servant for Advancement and as such is a voice for our St. Joseph
Family. Maya is also the Chair of our SJF Board of Directors. Maya is
married. He has a wife, Lala, who is studying to become a nurse.
Together Maya and Lala have one son, nine year old Heiberton. Maya has
constructed a beautiful two bedroom house for his family. Maya is on the
Board of the Haitian TiMoun Foundation. Maya is the founder of the
Rejoice Program, which provides education and uplifting hope to restavek
children (child slaves) in Jacmel. Maya has his own business selling
bottled beverages wholesale. Maya is a huge success. His life is filled
with gratitude to God, expressed in service to others. I recall that
when Maya married Lala he told her that she needed to understand that
the St. Joseph Family would always remain a priority in his life. At St.
Joseph's we work with former street children that have been living for
years in a very negative environment. Most often they come to us
carrying the burden of street life negativity. St. Joseph's provides an
affirming family setting that enables the children to cast of their
negativity and take on an empowering new life of positives. However not
all the children of the street that come to us are able or willing to
let go of their negativity. Some end up leaving. Some who leave harbor
hostile ill will toward us. At times that hostility takes on the form of
threats and actual physical attacks, most often against me. One
afternoon I received a phone call telling me to put my things in order
for that night I was going to die. The threat was that our St. Joseph
Home was going to be broken into and I would be killed. I called Maya
and informed him of this. Maya came over and spent the entire night
sleeping on a mattress on the floor in front of the door of my room to
ward off any attackers. It is not just Maya who continues to make our
St. Joseph Family a priority. Bill, the current director of St.
Joseph's, has put his university education on hold since the earthquake
so that he can spend his time and energy fund raising for the rebuilding
of St. Joseph's and Wings of Hope. Once a rumor went around our
neighborhood that our work was financed by me dealing drugs. A group of
thugs broke into St. Joseph in the early hours of the morning. There was
a general blackout making the interior of St. Joseph's pitch dark. The
night intruders found Jacky Acce sleeping in his room. They put a gun to
Jacky's head and told him to tell them where Michael's room was. Jacky
remained stoic and mute. One of our others guys got the generator
started and the lights came on. The would be assailants ran off, away
from the light and back into the darkness outside. Today Jacky is the
Director at Wings of Hope, our home for children with physical and
mental challenges. On another occasion I was being taunted, battered and
intimidated by a group of former residents who were angry that they had
not been able to manipulate life at St. Joseph's when they had lived
there. When Melchi heard about that he left Jacmel and came to live at
St. Joseph's for two weeks to augment our home security and to be my
personal body guard. Melchi is the Director of Trinity House, our home
for former street children in Jacmel. In Jacmel Melchi heard of a police
officer who was harassing a poor person from the neighborhood around
Trinity House. Melchi, who has a bouncer's body, searched out the
negative police officer and confronted him about the situation. Then
Melchi hoisted the police officer high in the air and hurled him against
a nearby wall. The officer got the message. Don't mess with Melchi nor
any of Melchi's people. Melchi is known throughout Jacmel as the
defender of the poor. All of our Haitian leadership grew up at St.
Joseph's. This is their home base, their family, the place of their
formation. All of our Haitian leadership: Maya, Bill, Jacky and Melchi
have risen up from the rubble of broken lives to become formidable and
effective forces for good. They are the ones valiantly leading our St.
Joseph Family forward. They are the shining role models for the younger
St. Joseph Family members. Everyday I thank God for the positive Haitian
leadership of our St. Joseph Family. Peace and continued good ---
Michael
10.13.11 paul d. - wings of hope;
As
someone who has participated in the integration of technology into the
special needs educational and therapeutic environment, as someone who
has spent 12 years helping integrate technology into these processes at
the cotting school (lexington, ma) and finally as someone who has
visited and supported the wings of hope school in fermathe (part of the
st. joseph homes in haiti) several times, i can say with some confidence
and understanding of this situation… The wings of hope school is one
of the only ALL special needs schools in haiti, and is one of the
largest in the entire caribbean (it is widely acknowledged as such,
including by rotary international, by the haitian department of
education and by the haitian of department of social services). Wings is
is a unique example of superlative service and support for the severely
handicapped and medically compromised lost children in haiti. If not
for wings, most of these children would not be alive today. Not only do
these wings "angels" have functional lives, they have dramatically
better quality of lives than they would elsewhere, including right here
in the usa. The faculty and staff at wings treats each and every child
as if that child is their only biological child (and they currently have
35+ residence students at wings). The way wings staff sees the kids as
FAMILY and loves them as INDIVIDUALS can't be taught or bought, this is
genuine and better than anything else they could provide the wings kids
for an enhanced quality of life. This school has been in service for
over 17 years, and has developed a world class expertise in this field
of service. The educators and therapists at wings have years of training
and practical hands-on experience, and they welcome and new advances
and techniques whenever possible. Wings also has a full time trained
& certified nurse on staff, available 24 x 7. Other special needs
schools from around the world regularly send faculty and therapists to
wings for advanced special needs experience, witnessed in real time, in a
very challenged physical setting and in an economically disadvantaged
country. Wings also regularly sends it's faculty and therapists to other
schools and homes around the world to teach and to learn about
innovative new techniques and therapies. As of this summer 2011, wings
has hi-speed internet access, several new computers, and adaptive
technology equipment and software, which allows for the first time in
the history of wings, the ability to integrate and take advantage of
technology in the learning and therapeutic process of providing aid and
assistance to these remarkable children and students. Technology is so
critical in this environment, as it allows educators to custom develop
unique learning processes for each and every student, students who
cannot be taught and are unable to learn in a traditional educational
setting. Special needs students are unable to process information (in or
out) the way one might normally expect, and without these advanced
tools, progress is limited - very limited. Magic occurs every day at
wings – for those who understand and appreciate the special needs of
special needs, and for those who have borne witness to the physical
condition of these children when they were first brought into wings, and
then when they developed, matured and grew during their time spent
living at wings. Despite the physical appearance of wings' building
facilities at first glance, wings is a place of miracles, small and
large, each and every day. Wings is also in the process of building a
new facility to better serve their population, as their last building
was destroyed in the earthquake. Whereas the old building functioned by
squeezing a square peg into a round hole (in terms of design and
suitability for it's intended population), these new facilities
(scheduled for completion in 2012) will be remarkable in terms of design
and functional capability in the service of their severely handicapped
population of special needs children and young adults. Others will
continue to come and learn and bear witness to the success of the
children being served at wings, and who knows, maybe one day paul farmer
and bill clinton will each visit, and be so moved and inspired as to
offer their remarkable vision and energy to help further support haiti's
special needs children, using the wings of hope school as an example of
how to accomplish a special needs service model of education in third
world and developing countries. Wings is a true living example of the
power of inspired service.
10.12.11 ben f. - offering water;
I
graduated from Messiah College in Grantham, PA. During one of my trips
to St Joseph's I happened to be wearing a t-shirt from my alma mater,
and when I entered the courtyard Michael came out beaming with a glass
pitcher and cup: "Messiah has come! Let me offer you a cup of water as
you instructed us to do!" Reading his recent post brought this small but
poignant memory back. I now see that what I thought was a clever play
on words (and it was!) was actually a new twist on a very common
practice of viewing ALL guests as Christ Himself. "The first outward
expression of our recognizing Christ in our guests is our family
tradition of giving each person that comes to our home a refreshing
glass of ice cold water. When we offer the glass of water our actions
are saying, "We see you Jesus. Welcome!" We remember Jesus telling us
that if we do something as simple as giving someone a glass of water,
and we do that with love, then in actuality we are giving that water to
Jesus, who from the cross said, "I am thirsty." (Jn. 19:28)." Very
beautifully written, Michael.
10.12.11 ADILA - my first post;
Worshipping
with the St. Joseph's Family on Sunday mornings is one of the
highlights of my week since returning to Haiti. It is a joy to watch the
boys lead the service, seeing each of them add their own personal
touches and testimonies. For the last two Sundays, Wootrod has performed
a solo on the guitar. His first solo was wonderful, and I smiled the
entire time I listened to and watched him play. But it was his second
solo, from this past Sunday, that brought tears to my eyes. Wootrod sang
of the transforming power of a relationship with Jesus Christ (or, at
least that was my understanding in my limited Creole translation). It
was absolutely beautiful, and made me think about how this Family's
relationship with Christ has enabled them to survive through the most
difficult of circumstances - whether it be a powerful earthquake or
barely enough money to keep food on the table, and transcend the evil
and chaos that can divert us from the important ministry and work that
are the focus and joy of this family. Watching Wootrod sing from the
heart with such confidence and joy made me so proud of him and of this
Family and of all that they have accomplished. I count these boys
amongst my blessings during worship every week, and I am so thankful to
be a part of this Family.
10.12.11 miriam s. - a story, finally;
I
have just read Michael Geilenfeld's account of Steve's jumping and
shouting "Hallelujah pizzas!!!" Anyone who has ever encountered Steve at
Wings of Hope certainly smiled when they read that passage, because he
is always bursting with joy - pizza or not. I have stayed at St.
Joseph's too many times to count, and each visit has filled me with joy,
though Steve's Mexican-jumping-bean level of energy is not my style.
But I can recall especially vividly the time I came alone, armed with a
brand new video camera, and sat on the patio to read the manual so I
could learn to turn the power on! I had asked Michael if I could come do
a video documentary about the boys, and he didn't hesitate to say yes.
What he gave me on that visit was affirmation that I could surely come
there and do good, creative work when I wasn't even sure myself. That
kicked off a documentary-making spree for me that had such meaning for
me, and it could not have happened any other way. That affirmation
Michael gave me is what he gives daily at St. Joseph's, both to guests
and to the boys who live there and at Trinity House and Wings of Hope.
His belief in affirmation and creativity is central to his idea of the
Holy Spirit, and I have embraced that notion and it has inspired me ever
since that first day on the patio with nothing but my owner's manual
and an intention to tell the colorful story of St. Joseph's Home for
Boys.
10.12.11 michael g. - hallelujah pizza;
Hospitality
continues to be a hallmark of our St. Joseph Family. At 5:30 this
morning we bid farewell to a group of 12 missionaries from Lincoln,
Nebraska. During their six days in Haiti they made a point of visiting
all three of our homes. This was a group that had several optometrists
and dentists with them so their main focus was setting up one day eye
clinics and dental clinics for the poorest people of Jacmel. The group
also examined the children at Wings of Hope and treated the children to a
pizza party. Steve is a resident of Wings of Hope that one of the group
described as, "Jesus on crack" --- because of his exuberant joy. When
Steve saw the pizzas's arrive he jumped up and down, danced and shouted,
" Hallelujah pizzas!!!" The group said the gratitude and "light up the
room happiness" of Steve was contagious. In a matter of seconds Steve
had everyone enveloped in a spirit of celebration. That is the power of
gratitude and being positive. It lifts others up and frees them to
spontaneously participate in the dance of life. As often happens with
visiting groups, I was asked to share the history of our St. Joseph
Family. In the recounting of our family story I was once again reminded
of how often God comes to us through the palpable love of guests who
choose to be with us as family rather than stay in a hotel. The guests
don't always bring us pizzas but they do always bring us into Christ
consciousness. They make us more aware of God's redeeming presence in
our lives. We always welcome guests to our homes as if we were welcoming
Jesus. The first outward expression of our recognizing Christ in our
guests is our family tradition of giving each person that comes to our
home a refreshing glass of ice cold water. When we offer the glass of
water our actions are saying, "We see you Jesus. Welcome!" We remember
Jesus telling us that if we do something as simple as giving someone a
glass of water, and we do that with love, then in actuality we are
giving that water to Jesus, who from the cross said, "I am thirsty."
(Jn. 19:28). Jesus thirsts to be in relationship with us. He wants us
stop being negative and begin being positive. Jesus wants us to be like
Hallelujah Steve and express our gratitude for the little things with
enormous, exuberant joy. It is in our focusing on the positives that our
difficulties are transformed into blessings. At the wedding feast in
Cana the host runs out of wine. Mary, the mother of Jesus, went to Jesus
and said, " They have no more wine." --- To which Jesus replied,
"Woman, why do you involve me in this? My time has not yet come." Is
Jesus expressing some negativity here? He is certainly irritated at the
request and the timing of the request. Soon Jesus begins to take on a
more positive outlook. When Jesus becomes positive the results are also
positive. Water is transformed into wine. The celebration of life can
continue. As Steve would say, "Hallelujah wine!" Thank you for being a
positive presence in our lives. Thank you for helping turn the ordinary
water routines of our days into extraordinary joy. Thank you for
enabling us to not just have "wine" but to have the best wine. Peace and
continued good --- Michael G. and the St. Joseph Family
10.11.11 geoffrey h. - day 1, part 2: arrive in haiti;
Haiti
greeted our American Airlines jet with shimmering seas and cloud-capped
peaks. The golden late afternoon sun was filtered through the haze of
the city as the plane touched down at Port-au-Prince's Toussaint
Louverture International Airport. Arriving guests were greeted with much
fanfare by an army of porters ready to jump to the task of carrying our
bags to a nearby vehicle--but my aim was to make contact with a
friendly and enthusiastic porter who is a good friend of our mission. In
the car, the driver greeted me with a small note from Michael
Geilenfeld, letting me know that I would be taken to the St. Joseph's
Home for Boys before heading up to Wings of Hope, which will be our
group's home for the next 5 days. This was a welcome surprise! On the
way to SJHB, our van tipped and turned around washed out streets and
skillfully avoided the hustle and bustle of pedestrians making their way
home from a busy day's work. At SJHB Michael and a few of the boys were
at the door to greet my group's arrival with cold cups of water and
some 'welcome to Haiti' packages. As anyone who has been to visit the
SJF will tell you, this kind of thoughtfulness and openness is the
essence of this ministry. The temporary SJHB home is an inviting
envionment, filled with beautiful Haitian art and healthy plants, but
most amazing was the progress on construction at the new SJHB building
next door --- 6 stories of solid, reinforced concrete construction
shooting up from the surrounding low-rise buildings. When completed in a
matter of months, this facility will stand out as a true landmark. We
then left the SJHB and our driver took us to the Giant Supermarket,
where shoppers can find most anything. On display in and around this
market was a clear disparity between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' in
Haiti. Inside the market were Haitians with disposable income and
foreigners. A few blocks away was a tent city. Our drive up the mountain
to Wings of Hope was quick once we cleared the traffic of
Port-au-Prince. Soon we were up in a cloud forest --- cool and quiet
when compared to the frenetic metropolis below. Upon arrival in
Fermathe, we were greeted by a real welcome party of SJF leadership and
long-term guests. Their bright smiles and helpfulness was an
overwhelming comfort after a long day of travel and, with their
assistance, we carried packs of school supplies and personal items down a
washed out road and up to Wings of Hope. At Wings, dinner had already
been served and most residents were asleep. Still, Sadraque, an
enthusiastic youngster volunteered to help carry our packs upstairs. We
were shown our rooms, replete with freshly made bunk beds and clean
linens, and then we were shown the ropes of life in our new 'home'.
After some healthy laughter and conversation, we all turned in with
great expectancy for the journey ahead.
10.10.11 geoffrey h. - day 1, part 2: leave for haiti;
Today I embark on a month long Haitian
journey to serve and be with the St. Joseph Family. This trip of over
1,000 miles will traverse cultures, time zones, language, faith,
socioeconomic stratification, and geography. Most Americans will never
seek out or be granted this opportunity--to experience a different
reality and walk with brothers and sisters different in so many ways yet
fundamentally equal, unique, and precious. Many foreigners that do
make this trek come armed with a desire to affect change that is
benevolent, yet often critically flawed. Change cannot be imposed nor
can it be a directive under the guise of goodwill. This mission has
always aimed at serving and engaging others to serve 'with' those it
strives to support. As I depart the United States I come with trust in
my partners and in the hope that binds us in our vision for an
equitable, united, and humanitarian tomorrow. Lespwa fè viv!
10.09.11 paul d. - my st. joseph experience;
I
have been visiting and supporting the St. Joseph Family in Haiti for
over two years, and the thing that most impresses me is that the family
has created warm and loving homes for their children and young men. Each
home (St. Joe's, Wings and Trinity) is today managed and run by
previous graduates and now leaders of the St. Joseph's homes in Haiti.
Each family member was previously rescued from the mean streets of haiti
and given a healthy and loving environment in which to grow, to be safe
and to mature into powerful and generous men. Now each leader is
motivated to help other boys the way they were helped when they were in
need and had nothing and nobody who cared. It is beautiful, inspiring
and heart warming. Bravo.
10.08.11 michael g. - addendum to the story below;
Renee
just read my following story and reminded me that the address of our
old St. Joseph Family home was #48 Rue Herne. I think it was not a
coincidence that there were 48 workers doing the roofing. It is what
Peter Eyvindson calls " a God wink". Peace and continued good ---
Michael
10.08.11 michael g - the 6th floor at st. joe's;
We
at St. Joseph's are busy rearranging the deck chairs as we anticipate
landscaping our new St. Joseph Family roof-top garden and prayer center.
On Tuesday, October 4th, 48 construction workers gathered at the base
of our construction site, eager to lay the sixth and final floor of our
new St. Joseph Family home. Standing side by side on the series of
wooden scaffolding ladders, the "48" flexed their muscles with
fortitude, handing up heavy buckets of cement in rapid succession. The
heat from the sun was intense and sweat was dripping off each workers
face, but their joy was not diminished. The men actually sang hymns
while they labored. It was as if by singing, the heaviness of the work
was made a bit lighter for them. From 7:30 AM until 7:00 PM the cement
mixer rolled and the buckets were filled, handed up, emptied, sent back
down, refilled all to the rhythm of the particular hymn the "48" were
singing. The workers always welcomed their breaks for food and drink,
laughing and enjoying fellowship with one another. I was amazed at their
happiness. Seeing them so happy to be working and earning money to
support their families, gave me a share in their joy. Oct. 4th is the
feast of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis was a prayerful man of
peace, a joyful man who said that when you sing it is as if your are
praying twice. St. Francis is known for communing with nature. Many
gardens throughout the world have a statue or plaque of St. Francis in
them. How appropriate that our roof-top garden and prayer center floor
was laid on the feast of the garden saint. On October 5th, when the St.
Joseph evening prayer bell rang, instead of gathering in our temporary
chapel, we all climbed the six floors of wooden scaffolding ladders and
stood on the floor of our new St. Joseph Family roof-top garden and
prayer center. We looked out upon the evening sky and we gave thanks to
God for hearing our prayers and lifting our spirits, for enabling us to
rise up from the earthquake rubble and join our voices with those of the
48 construction workers in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving ---
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here
below. Praise Him above you heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy
Ghost!" AMEN!!! --- Michael & all at St. Joseph's
10.05.11 michael g - the 6th floor at st. joe's;
A
crew of 48 men worked from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Wednesday to get the
cement up to the sixth and final floor of our new SJF building. The work
crew were singing as they worked most of that time. It was truly a
joyous event. --- Michael
