Cap Lamandou Hotel Jacmel

... like I was in a horror movie and found myself continuously looking up at the slit where the drapes covering the French doors to my balcony didn’t quite connect, wondering if someone was out there, staring inside, watching me and waiting for the right moment to pounce.

If anyone actually was looking up at my apartment, they were probably just thinking,
Why on earth hasn’t that dumb lady ...

... the grocery store before taking me to my new apartment.

The streets were narrow and congested. SUVs, people, and elaborately painted tap taps fought for space at intersections. People lined the roads with their wares, and I thought of Benin. In Haiti, as in Benin, fruit and vegetables are displayed in little pyramids of color, and the latest schoolbooks, t-shirts, and sandals rest against walls and hang from fences. Everyone is trying to make a buck in Haiti, begging ...

... deux. For a long time I keep repeating this phrase. The flight home is uneventful and we actually arrive at JFK early. We give Jeff a call to see where he is. While we wait we hit the stores for some snacks. I give in to the urge for ice cream. Keith is in the store with me and I point out that we can buy balance bars. He laughs and says he ate them everyday for breakfast and he hopes it is awhile until he has to eat them again. Jeff ...

We had a great time in Haiti. There have not been a lot of tourists there recently. I would like to see this change, but I am afraid that it probably will not for some time. Although, we spent a great deal of time throughout the country and had a great time.

... Haiti. The goal of the clinic is for three prenatal visits. They women are getting much better at this. They are also given prenatal vitamins. If they are within a reasonable distance, they also come to the clinic to give birth. There are no records as to stillbirths, miscarriages, or STDs. Each person is given a card which is filled out everytime they come in. The people of St. Pierre have been remarkably diligent ...

Sunday, May 6 This is what happened yesterday. This is Vic. We are having a great time so far. The flights were all on time and the flights were smooth and safe. The experience at the airport in Port au Prince was great. We went through customs in record time and were on the road. The only minor glitch so far is that about 10 pieces of luggage and bins are still in Fort Lauderdale. They will be here tomorrow. I ...

... five interesting Oblate mission sites. After the Northern Mission tour, I went to Camp Perrin, a beautiful Oblate house in Southern Haiti where the Annual Oblate Congress was held. It was very interesting to meet most of the Oblates in full time ministry in Haiti who want to respond to the Church's needs in a more prophetic way. FIRST OBEDIENCE (DREAMING A PROPHETIC CHURCH) I have been meditating on my "first obedience" - the first mission assignment ...

... Française" (thanks to my sister). So my homily draft had to be roughly translated into French... and eventually awaited the generous help of my Oblate Brother Gimsly Valbrun, who kindly helped me translate it into Creole. Preach by heart, by memory, like we used to in our world famous "Preaching 101 with Ray John"? Dream on! I mean, I have done it, I love doing it, and I hope I will get to the point of doing it - but not now, not in Creole. AFTER THE ...