Out of Aspirin

It's 9 PM and we are winding down at the end of a very busy day. Sitting on the rooftop of the guesthouse, we traded stories and were grateful for a cool breeze, starlight and someone playing the trumpet nearby. Very Haiti. The power went out about 8 PM, so inside the guest house is very stuffy with no fans working. All stumbling around with flashlights, trying not to bang our shins on the furniture. John was actually in the shower when the lights went out. Another Haitian adventure.

First Steps

Today was our first day at St. Vincent's. Four of our team were first time visitors. For the rest of us, it feels like coming home to enter the gates and be greeted by familiar faces and big smiles. The kids run up and greet the people they recognize, like family.

It is Evening

It is evening and folks are either typing on their Ipads, typing on someone ELSE's I pad (I am borrowing Ashley's) or drinking Prestige beer and visiting with each other. Some have already gone to bed. There is no running water at the guest house this evening, so many sweaty unhappy team members. Jenn and I have found comfort in our room with the fan going. Thank goodness for electric power! Sherye just broke out the snacks, with granola bars and small jars of peanut butter. Sort of a slumber party for grown ups.

Tomorrow is our first day with the kids at St Vincent's. I can't wait.

Susan Nelson

Sacrament

Today we attended services at Holy Trinity Cathedral. The magnificent cathedral building was destroyed in the earthquake. But the church is her people, not the building, so the Cathedral community continues their worship in a pavilion built next door to the ruins.

Hearing familiar hymns, sung in French, is always a moving experience for me. Our group of 18 took up 3 pews, and we did our best to form the French words and sing along. I was sitting on the aisle during communion, and the deacon was administering communion less than two feet away from me. One by one, he said the words, Le ko du Kris, Le san du kris. When the Americans came he said the words in English. The body of Christ. The blood of Christ. Watching each face as they approached the deacon, each mouth open to receive the body and blood of Christ, was an intimate and spiritual experience. Old men, young women, children pulling on their mom's arm, teenage boys. The gift is the same for each. I felt I was part of a truly sacramental experience.

Susan Nelson

At Least It's Not a Camel!

Sat. April 5, 2014 (first day)

We had absolutely the easiest trip ever from Memphis to Port au Prince. Thanks to all who prayed for the safety of our bags and team members. The only hitch was getting the bus up the hill to get into the guest house. But more on that later...

New Altar Linen for St Mary's Cathedral- with Haitian touches

This Sunday, March 30, at St Mary's Cathedral in Memphis, we will have a special blessing of a new altar linen for the Cathedral altar.  This Fair Linen, as it is called, has a special meaning for me and those of us who work in Haiti.  The Sisters of St Margaret, who live and work in Haiti, create and embroider altar linens.  You can see their brochure pictured here

This religious community is the same group that Sr Joan Margaret belonged to; the sister who founded St Vincent's School over 50 years ago.  I have been hoping we could have something embroidered by these sisters, in use at our altar at St Mary's, for years.

Envisioning the Future of St. Vincent's School, Holy Trinity Cathedral

Over the last few months, the national Episcopal Church has renewed its focus on the Diocese of Haiti, especially Holy Trinity Cathedral and St. Vincent's School in Port-au-Prince. Below, you will find many links detailing the growing momentum in the Episcopal Church nationwide for the children of St. Vincent's and the people of Haiti. We highly recommend this new video about the needs of the school and a recent major donation that will make your day :)  Read on to see site development plans, calls from clergy, news reports, and the direct efforts of the WTHP.

Travel Fund in honor of Deacon Drew Woodruff-support our team

This month at St Mary's Cathedral in Memphis we have created a special travel fund to support the cost of team members travelling to Haiti.  It costs about $1300 per trip to buy a plane ticket and stay in the guest house for a week. Team members pay all their own expenses. For those of us who have been going to Haiti twice a year since 2008, those costs have added up over the years!  So the good people at St Mary's have agreed to establish a special Travel Fund.  Donations to the fund will be separate from donations to support the school itself, or buy food or medicine for the children.
If you would like to donate to support the cost of our team members who travel regularly to St Vincent's, please mail a check to St Mary's Cathedral, 700 Poplar Ave, Memphis TN 38105.  Or click on the DONATE link on this website and designate your donation for travel expenses.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.

Susan Nelson