Helen Johnson's Testimony Part 3

Our Daily Schedule

Our days would begin with Mass, and we were always joined by 3 or 4 of the mission leaders. We would then have a cup of coffee – usually our local Louisiana brand, Community Coffee – and maybe a granola bar. Then, it was off to do whatever the day held in store for us.

One day we went into town (Hinche) and visited the local hospital; no private rooms or air conditioning here. It’s your typical, third world country hospital: your family or friends are responsible for feeding you, cleaning you, getting your medication, etc…..no room service or button to press to call the nurse. One man we visited was there just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had been shot in both legs – by a policeman – he said they were after the man he was with…..

We also visited the local Missionaries of Charity compound in Hinche. They take care of orphaned children, the elderly, dying, and abandoned; all ages of people were there. One child in particular stole my heart: she was maybe 18 months old and just sitting in her crib (there must have been 30 cribs in that room); her little face swollen and bruised, no doubt from being abused. Her face is etched in my memory. Not surprisingly, many of the children would just stand up in their crib and look at you, hoping to be held – maybe even just touched. All of us made the rounds, holding a few of them, but touching or stroking each of them as we would go by.

Back at the Mission, the school provides free education for the children, including uniforms, school supplies/books, and the most precious gift of a solid meal. They’re given a very generous portion of corn mush and beans in a stainless steel bowl – and they eat it all. It’s probably the only meal they will eat that day. The bakery, one of the most recently completed projects at the mission, provides bread for the children, usually twice a week.

Feeding the Hungry

The “kitchen”, and I use that term loosely, is a simple, tin-roof covered area, where the meals for the school children are cooked over open fires in big black kettles. If you’re imagining a big wooden paddle for stirring – you’re right on! But, it’s not just a flat paddle, the end is like a big scoop or spoon – and it is definitely hand carved. Near the cooking shed is a huge stack of wood for fuel; the children are required to bring one stick a day when they come to school. Can’t help but think about them with their piece of wood, and Jesus with His piece of wood (the cross). And, there is no commercial dishwasher around either, all of the kettles and stainless steel bowls and spoons are washed by hand! No union or labor laws or Department of Health to worry about here!

Once a month, the mission has food distribution for the destitute. Imagine that, the poor giving to the even poorer. The organization of the day is quite impressive. People from surrounding villages gather outside the gates, and are let into the mission, usually by village, and directed to sit in certain areas. Those who have come with their burro go and tie it up in the “burro parking lot”! Some of these people come from miles away, and having/sharing a beast of burden to carry the commodities back is a luxury; but, most carry their goods back home the old fashioned way – on their heads.

They come with sacks for the grain and beans they receive. They are also given about a pint of cooking oil (they bring their own container), a bag of chicken bouillon cubes, and a huge slab of soap. There is no shoving, yelling or disruptive behavior. They are quiet, respectful, and most grateful, as they always reply – in Creole French – “Thanks be to the Great Master”. To say that helping in this distribution was a humbling experience is a great understatement.

The Housing Project

The mission is also involved in building good, quality homes, which are on a concrete slab with a tin roof (both major improvements to what they are currently living in). The new homes have four rooms; there’s no electricity (it’s not available), and no plumbing (no water lines either). The home is usually painted when construction is completed.

The building crews and volunteers have constructed about 50 homes so far, and hope to build as many as 500, one or two at a time as money and supplies become available. One of the most impressive things is to “hear” the people building/working on the home. Some of the men will play bongo drums or tin cans or five gallon buckets to establish a rhythm/cadence as they do their work. This not only brings a “teamwork” kind of philosophy to the project, it establishes a joyful atmosphere. Everyone in the surrounding area can hear the music, and they know something is going on, so before you know it, the construction site is surrounded by onlookers! They also do the same thing when they’re out working in the fields, hoeing or digging to the rhythm of the beat! It’s uplifting!