December
2002, back to Les Cayes, once again to serve Vespers (this time in a
borrowed room deep within an alleyway with sewage running alongside,
one window, one bare light bulb… and at least two dozen people gathered
together to pray and seek answers). A “runner” had found
Juliette, invited her, and she had indeed come to the room some time
before our arrival, but left before we got there, perhaps intimidated
by the gathering flock. Impossible to leave without trying to see
her — which by the Lord’s providence required no effort at all. I
turned a corner downtown, out to find someone to find her, and there
she was. A meal together at La Cayenne, a few words (her French
goes about as far as my Créole), but enough to know that if a different
future can be found for her, she is eager to live it. First —
someplace to live, a little work on which to get by, and the chance to
learn to read and write. All possible in Port-au-Prince, with
help. Want to help?! “Lay up treasures….”