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!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Helen Johnson's Testimony Part 2
This is the SOLT Haiti Mission
We arrive at the mission and spend some time settling into the guest house. It has 4-5 bedrooms with a total of maybe 15 single beds. The kitchen is large and fairly well equipped. There is a dining room area as well as office/reception area, a front porch, and a couple of good sized storage rooms. Also waiting for us are fresh eggs, fruits & vegetables – the hospitality and generosity of the people are already beginning to show.
We’re given a tour of the mission grounds, which is “fenced in” by their own manufactured cinder block and a lot of “au natural” cactus. Also on the grounds are 18 classrooms, Fr. Glenn’s house, dining/kitchen/cafeteria building, storage silos, convent (with a chapel), church/grain storage building, a bakery/sewing building, security/staff living quarters and a staff office building.
There are also areas where the animals are raised, a citrus orchard, corn field, and various fruit trees. The mission has developed and nurtured these grounds over the years, and all of its fruits are used to feed the children and/or the destitute. Water is provided to the mission from a natural spring – known as “the source” – which is some 8 miles away. There is one corner of the mission property, which has separate faucets on the street side, where the local people can obtain fresh, clean water. It is an oasis for these people, and they have been taught over the years to respect and appreciate this gift. If they don’t, they know the mission will turn the water off – they tested Father once! When the aqueduct system had first been completed, and the water first flowed from these community spigots, there was some unruliness and misuse of the water. Father turned the water off for one week, and when he asked the people – at Sunday Mass – how they were going to resolve the issues of misuse, they came up with solutions and he let them implement their plan.
There is no electricity in the immediate area, so power at the mission is provided by solar panels which are hooked up to large batteries. When the batteries run out (and they do, usually during the early evening), there is a generator for backup. The next day, when the sun comes up, the batteries get recharged and the process starts all over.
A “Bouchere” in the Mission
Oh, oh. Fr. Glenn’s a little disappointed. He understood that the men at the mission were going to be killing a pig early in the morning before we arrived so we could have a little meat for our first supper – but they didn’t. Now, we’re on the line for a “bouchere” tomorrow morning, and we are expected to give instructions to the Haitians on how to cut-up the pig, as Fr. Glenn says they don’t do it “right”. Remember, Fr. Glenn grew up in rural South Louisiana where a “bouchere”, or pig butchering, is considered an art. Well, at least this time we don’t have to kill it! He said the Haitians usually just take as much meat off the bone as possible and then chop up the boney parts. What he really wants is to have his favorite cut – the Boston butt. Lord, help me! I attended one Bouchere Festival in St. Martinville and he thinks that makes me an expert on cutting up a pig. One interesting thing that the Haitians do to remove most of the hair after they kill the pig is lay it on the ground, cover it with dry straw, and then burn the straw – kinda like singeing.
Receiving as Well as Giving
On the morning of our arrival, the 1st reading of the mass was from St. Paul which dealt with the body, although one, having many parts, and that God has designated and given each of us certain gifts and responsibilities in order to serve Him and our fellow brethren. In arriving at the mission, we see many people, doing many things………..and I begin to wonder how does God want us to serve while we are here? On one hand, what does God want us to give to these people, and on the other hand, what does He want us to receive from them? They have the “need to give” just as much as we do. And learning how to receive is a challenge when our thought process, as “rich” Americans, normally tends to material things. God has not sent me here to receive anything material; please Lord, help me to be open and humble enough to receive your Spirit of joy, humility, generosity, and gratitude that lives in these people.
We arrive at the mission and spend some time settling into the guest house. It has 4-5 bedrooms with a total of maybe 15 single beds. The kitchen is large and fairly well equipped. There is a dining room area as well as office/reception area, a front porch, and a couple of good sized storage rooms. Also waiting for us are fresh eggs, fruits & vegetables – the hospitality and generosity of the people are already beginning to show.
We’re given a tour of the mission grounds, which is “fenced in” by their own manufactured cinder block and a lot of “au natural” cactus. Also on the grounds are 18 classrooms, Fr. Glenn’s house, dining/kitchen/cafeteria building, storage silos, convent (with a chapel), church/grain storage building, a bakery/sewing building, security/staff living quarters and a staff office building.
There are also areas where the animals are raised, a citrus orchard, corn field, and various fruit trees. The mission has developed and nurtured these grounds over the years, and all of its fruits are used to feed the children and/or the destitute. Water is provided to the mission from a natural spring – known as “the source” – which is some 8 miles away. There is one corner of the mission property, which has separate faucets on the street side, where the local people can obtain fresh, clean water. It is an oasis for these people, and they have been taught over the years to respect and appreciate this gift. If they don’t, they know the mission will turn the water off – they tested Father once! When the aqueduct system had first been completed, and the water first flowed from these community spigots, there was some unruliness and misuse of the water. Father turned the water off for one week, and when he asked the people – at Sunday Mass – how they were going to resolve the issues of misuse, they came up with solutions and he let them implement their plan.
There is no electricity in the immediate area, so power at the mission is provided by solar panels which are hooked up to large batteries. When the batteries run out (and they do, usually during the early evening), there is a generator for backup. The next day, when the sun comes up, the batteries get recharged and the process starts all over.
A “Bouchere” in the Mission
Oh, oh. Fr. Glenn’s a little disappointed. He understood that the men at the mission were going to be killing a pig early in the morning before we arrived so we could have a little meat for our first supper – but they didn’t. Now, we’re on the line for a “bouchere” tomorrow morning, and we are expected to give instructions to the Haitians on how to cut-up the pig, as Fr. Glenn says they don’t do it “right”. Remember, Fr. Glenn grew up in rural South Louisiana where a “bouchere”, or pig butchering, is considered an art. Well, at least this time we don’t have to kill it! He said the Haitians usually just take as much meat off the bone as possible and then chop up the boney parts. What he really wants is to have his favorite cut – the Boston butt. Lord, help me! I attended one Bouchere Festival in St. Martinville and he thinks that makes me an expert on cutting up a pig. One interesting thing that the Haitians do to remove most of the hair after they kill the pig is lay it on the ground, cover it with dry straw, and then burn the straw – kinda like singeing.
Receiving as Well as Giving
On the morning of our arrival, the 1st reading of the mass was from St. Paul which dealt with the body, although one, having many parts, and that God has designated and given each of us certain gifts and responsibilities in order to serve Him and our fellow brethren. In arriving at the mission, we see many people, doing many things………..and I begin to wonder how does God want us to serve while we are here? On one hand, what does God want us to give to these people, and on the other hand, what does He want us to receive from them? They have the “need to give” just as much as we do. And learning how to receive is a challenge when our thought process, as “rich” Americans, normally tends to material things. God has not sent me here to receive anything material; please Lord, help me to be open and humble enough to receive your Spirit of joy, humility, generosity, and gratitude that lives in these people.
Helen Johnson's Testimony Part 1
SOLT Haiti Mission Witness Statement of Helen Johnson – Sep. 15-23, 2008
The Call to Go
There comes a time in life when you begin to search for a little deeper meaning to it all. For me, that search began a few years back when I felt the Lord calling me: calling me to a closer and deeper relationship by serving Him more earnestly, more faithfully, unconditionally, obediently, and totally surrendered. In order to do that, I’d have to reprioritize everything in my life, by first coming to the foot of the cross, where – through His mother – I’d find the will of God for me. And in looking back at my life thus far, the crosses I’ve had to carry have been kindling sticks compared to His. But even more revealing has been just how little my crosses are compared to the people He has sent me to serve in the mission fields. And it is in seeing the crosses that they carry that I lose any pretense that my life is difficult. From the moment I get up in the morning to the moment I lay my head down at night, I am truly blessed. And in the night, I sleep with a comfort level in regards to shelter, food, clothing, employment, etc. that the majority of the world envies.
Having spent a few months on mission in Mexico, I was excited about the opportunity for a new experience. And while we seldom hear anything positive about Haiti, I knew that all of that needs to be disregarded to go on mission, and, I trusted that Fr. Glenn wouldn’t put us in harms way.
Setting Out
So, off we went, leaving on Sept. 15th, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, and I thought that was rather appropriate, as we were going to a nation considered one of, if not the, poorest in the western hemisphere. How Our Lady of Sorrows must look down, not just on the people of Haiti, but on all the poor and destitute of the world, and be so sad that the riches her Son has poured out on so many is not shared more generously so that all can have the dignity and respect they deserve as His children. She continues to look down and see her Son, persecuted, abandoned, abused, naked, cold, thirsty, and with nowhere to lay His head.
After spending the night in Ft. Lauderdale, we flew to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday. As you enter the airport, you’re greeted with beautiful Caribbean style music that puts you in a rather cheerful spirit. While it belies the political situation in the country, it does represent the joyful, warm, and friendly Haitian people that we have come here to serve.
After the unbelievable hustle and bustle of the main airport terminal – so many men wanting to handle your luggage for a couple of bucks– we’re driven a short distance to a smaller terminal for the connecting flight with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) to the city of Hinche. Since we’ll be flying in a puddle jumper, every passenger and piece of luggage must be weighed for proper distribution and placement in the airplane. So, we’ve decided that proper etiquette calls for everyone to turn their back to the scales whenever one of us is being weighed!
It’s only a 15-20 minute flight and a comfortable way to see the beautiful countryside (as opposed to the optional drive through unfriendly territory and roads that are unpredictable – if there at all). From the coast, you fly inland over mountainous terrain to the area of the country known as “The Plateau”. When approaching the dirt strip landing, you pray that all the people and animals will clear out of your way!
From there, the ride to the mission is exciting as you pass through the streets of Hinche, full of people, little shops, and homes that vary from the nicer, cinder-block style, to the more common stick and mud shacks of those less fortunate. It’s our first real glimpse of Haiti and her people, and they are just as curious about us as we are about them.
The Call to Go
There comes a time in life when you begin to search for a little deeper meaning to it all. For me, that search began a few years back when I felt the Lord calling me: calling me to a closer and deeper relationship by serving Him more earnestly, more faithfully, unconditionally, obediently, and totally surrendered. In order to do that, I’d have to reprioritize everything in my life, by first coming to the foot of the cross, where – through His mother – I’d find the will of God for me. And in looking back at my life thus far, the crosses I’ve had to carry have been kindling sticks compared to His. But even more revealing has been just how little my crosses are compared to the people He has sent me to serve in the mission fields. And it is in seeing the crosses that they carry that I lose any pretense that my life is difficult. From the moment I get up in the morning to the moment I lay my head down at night, I am truly blessed. And in the night, I sleep with a comfort level in regards to shelter, food, clothing, employment, etc. that the majority of the world envies.
Having spent a few months on mission in Mexico, I was excited about the opportunity for a new experience. And while we seldom hear anything positive about Haiti, I knew that all of that needs to be disregarded to go on mission, and, I trusted that Fr. Glenn wouldn’t put us in harms way.
Setting Out
So, off we went, leaving on Sept. 15th, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, and I thought that was rather appropriate, as we were going to a nation considered one of, if not the, poorest in the western hemisphere. How Our Lady of Sorrows must look down, not just on the people of Haiti, but on all the poor and destitute of the world, and be so sad that the riches her Son has poured out on so many is not shared more generously so that all can have the dignity and respect they deserve as His children. She continues to look down and see her Son, persecuted, abandoned, abused, naked, cold, thirsty, and with nowhere to lay His head.
After spending the night in Ft. Lauderdale, we flew to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday. As you enter the airport, you’re greeted with beautiful Caribbean style music that puts you in a rather cheerful spirit. While it belies the political situation in the country, it does represent the joyful, warm, and friendly Haitian people that we have come here to serve.
After the unbelievable hustle and bustle of the main airport terminal – so many men wanting to handle your luggage for a couple of bucks– we’re driven a short distance to a smaller terminal for the connecting flight with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) to the city of Hinche. Since we’ll be flying in a puddle jumper, every passenger and piece of luggage must be weighed for proper distribution and placement in the airplane. So, we’ve decided that proper etiquette calls for everyone to turn their back to the scales whenever one of us is being weighed!
It’s only a 15-20 minute flight and a comfortable way to see the beautiful countryside (as opposed to the optional drive through unfriendly territory and roads that are unpredictable – if there at all). From the coast, you fly inland over mountainous terrain to the area of the country known as “The Plateau”. When approaching the dirt strip landing, you pray that all the people and animals will clear out of your way!
From there, the ride to the mission is exciting as you pass through the streets of Hinche, full of people, little shops, and homes that vary from the nicer, cinder-block style, to the more common stick and mud shacks of those less fortunate. It’s our first real glimpse of Haiti and her people, and they are just as curious about us as we are about them.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
All Souls Day Mass
Father Glenn, as he approaches the altar at the Mission in Haiti to offer the All Souls' Day mass, will place at the foot of the altar the names of deceased friends of the mission and deceased family members of friends of the mission. If anyone has a name they would wish to include, please send it by mail to:
SOLT Haiti Mission
140 Rue Beauregard
Lafayette, LA 70508
or email us at rosefontana@solthaitimission.org
SOLT Haiti Mission
140 Rue Beauregard
Lafayette, LA 70508
or email us at rosefontana@solthaitimission.org
Sunday, October 5, 2008
VCHS Donates to Haitian Mission
A donation to Fr. Glen Meaux's Haitian Mission was presented to Mr. Bill
Broussard by Vermilion Catholic's principal, Mr. Gerard Richard. Monies for
the donation were collected at weekly school masses. Vermilion Catholic
supports various charities throughout the year from these collections.
Pictured left to right: Bill Broussard and Gerard Richard
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Hurricane Update
Fr. Glenn is wrapping up his fundraising trips and is due back to Louisiana tomorrow from Tulsa.
Hurricanes permitting, he's returning to Haiti next Monday and taking with him some Louisiana supporters who will spend a week working at the mission. Father has been in contact with the Haitian Mission Director, Bingo, who reports that the 2 storms so far this season have beat up the mission a bit, but so far, there has been no serious property damage or injury to the people.
Some livestock (goats and pigs) were lost though and the roads from the coast to the mission are in really bad shape. There is a shipment of supplies for the mission coming from Minnesota in November, so we really need to hope and pray that the roads can be repaired by then. The longer the supplies have to remain in the port city, the greater the danger of loss to looting and rot.
If anyone would like to contribute, a donation of $50 or so will help purchase livestock to replace those that were lost in Hurricane Gustav.
Please contact Rosa Fontana to donate.
Thank you and God bless you!
Hurricanes permitting, he's returning to Haiti next Monday and taking with him some Louisiana supporters who will spend a week working at the mission. Father has been in contact with the Haitian Mission Director, Bingo, who reports that the 2 storms so far this season have beat up the mission a bit, but so far, there has been no serious property damage or injury to the people.
Some livestock (goats and pigs) were lost though and the roads from the coast to the mission are in really bad shape. There is a shipment of supplies for the mission coming from Minnesota in November, so we really need to hope and pray that the roads can be repaired by then. The longer the supplies have to remain in the port city, the greater the danger of loss to looting and rot.
If anyone would like to contribute, a donation of $50 or so will help purchase livestock to replace those that were lost in Hurricane Gustav.
Please contact Rosa Fontana to donate.
Thank you and God bless you!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Halpen's Trip to Haiti
Our SOLT
Mike and Tommye Halphen
March 2008
Our experience at the Kobonal SOLT Mission in
In contrast, those working within the
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