Despite the difficulty and expense of summertime travel to Haiti, it was a great joy to be with our brothers and sisters there, both in Port-au-Prince and at Cyvadier/Jacmel for several days. Mercifully, the trip was uneventful on the politco-social front. Even travel through Port-au-Prince on the way to and from Jacmel was about as easy as could be hoped for.
After a day’s recovery at Mission House, I drove to St. Augustine’s, there to celebrate the parish feastday on Saturday, doubly blessed by the baptism after vigil on Friday evening of Amos, one of the oldest members of the congregation, grandfather of Mikael (next page), father-in-law of André (our construction boss), and uncle of one variety or another to many other parishioners. The baptism was in the sea (a 5-minute walk from the church, though down a rather treacherous stairway in the dark), just at dusk. A considerable number of the parishioners remained with us for the baptism.
Fr. Amboise & Matushka Nicole joined us for the celebration, and immediately after liturgy the three of us drove directly back to St. Dorothy’s for vespers only (too late in the evening for a vigil and then a safe return for me to Mission House). Fr. Amboise celebrated the services alone for vigil at St. Augustine’s and both vigil and liturgy at St. Dorothy’s — part of my job is to observe, correct, instruct, and I can do that much better if not directly involved in serving.
A considerable amount of my energy in the remaining time was invested in collecting information regarding one of our most urgent needs: Between the three schools, we have nearly 500 children (as well as teachers and assistants), nearly all of them under-nourished. The secular press has recently been full of horror stories concerning malnutrtiton in Haiti (and elsewhere). It is not exaggerated.
The Lord led us to a US agency which prepares complete nutritional packets (rice, crushed soy, and vitamin and mineral supplements), ready to cook and serve. The food is absolutely free — but it is our responsibility to pay for transportation, preparation and serving. While we do not yet have a firm commitment for the donation of the food (mostly contingent upon assuring the agency that we can pay for transportation).
A 20’ container (by far the most economical shipping method) will provide enough food for the school children, teachers, assistants, and some impoverished parishioners for the coming school year. First quotation in for the shipping costs (point of origin to the port in Haiti; there would be additional costs for moving the food to the points of use) is $5,500; I’m now trying to find a better rate. Total costs for the program would probably be about $9,000 for the year — $20 per person. Think and pray about it. Where is your money going — and can you find a better use for it? The catch: we must raise at least the shipping costs immediately, so as to get the shipment underway (it will require at least six weeks in transit and customs clearance).
So do it! Please send donations for this badly needed aid to the Haitian Orthodox Mission, 1180 Orthodox Way, Liberty TN 37095. MC & VISA accepted, of course (see "Donations" and "Food for Hungry Children" pages for further information).