Easter in Milot: A Time of Sharing, Serving & Joy

By Sister Ann Crawley, C.S.J.P.

I have just come from Mass. Unfortunately it was extremely hot and having walked the “holy mile or two” to reach the Church we were pretty exhausted and no vacant seats!! The Church was packed and the music and dancing out of this world.

Young girls danced up the aisle in white robes with gold trimmings, strewing flowers as they danced to the beat of the drums. They looked beautiful and danced gracefully, leading Fr Tijwa, altar servers and readers to the high altar, which was a mass of flowers and candles. The big Easter candle was beautifully decorated in red and gold flowers. Mothers with babies dangling on their laps swayed to the music and the massive choir and orchestra nearly lifted the roof (which unfortunately has many huge holes already so thank God it did not rain ‘till we got home. Then the clouds opened and it’s been pouring ever since.)


 
Mother Teresa said “what you do I cannot do, what I do you can’t do. The needs are great and none of us can do great things, but together we can do something beautiful.” I am happy to say, with help of many, we have been doing something beautiful for the poor of Haiti, especially during the Holy Week.

One hundred and fifty frail elderly and blind people were given rice, beans and oil on Easter Saturday morning, to help them have a good Easter Celebration. They queued from early dawn at 5am and went home very happy with their rations.


 
We also distributed clothing and footwear to two hundred plus people on Good Friday. It was a huge task in the dreadful heat, over 100 degrees indoor; sorting out clothes and manage crowd control, but thank God we succeeded in getting all done before 3pm stations of the cross, which were dramatized by local men and women on the narrow streets leading to the Church.

A sixteen year old boy Jordan Coates helped me with the distribution of the clothing. He was here for a week, with his parents who are both doctors, and he was a tremendous help in sorting out and bagging the goods. It was a good experience for him too, as he said later that he had never seen people so desperate for help. Jordan plans to return next year. Meanwhile, he will do some fundraising among his friends back home in the States.
 

The same young boy came to Holy Communion Service, Good Friday evening, in our little chapel here in the compound. Just before I began the service, he came up to me and said, “Sister, I want to give you a donation for the poor, but I don’t have any money. So, here are my sneakers and shorts; give these to the poor.”

 
 
Needless to say, I was deeply touched by his purity, simplicity and generosity, and placed his offering at the foot of the crucifix alongside a lighted candle. I won’t ever forget that Good Friday and the tremendous generosity of that young boy donating his favorite sneakers.

We could not have helped so many people if it were not for the goodness and kindness of our many benefactors and friends who have helped us since we came to Haiti. Thank you. I pray for you all every evening at Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 5 to 6pm.
 

Needless to say, we experience some very joyful “Easter moments” in giving to the poor. While attending to one frail elderly blind lady the other day, giving her some food and clothing, she took the donated silky dress and pressed it to her face and exclaimed, “Oh how lovely!” With a most radiant smile, she added, “I may not see, but I certainly feel the warmth of love and kindness. Thank you, thank you!” Wasn’t that beautiful! This poor lady lives in a tumble down mud shack she calls home. She prays all the time and it is obvious that she is very close to God.

Later, I visited a little child who lost both parents in the earthquake.
 

She was so happy to see us and was beaming with joy when I dressed her in Easter finery and gave her new shoes and a soft toy. It was the first time she ever had a new shoes in her eight years of life.

We don’t half realize the great joy we give these little ones when we share love and kindness.

Our sick patients too were very happy with their supply of soap, tooth brush, paste and clothing. These very basic items mean so much to them and bring them much joy. I am sure their joy comes from the fact that someone out there remembers them and takes time to send them these very essential items which are a great comfort, especially when ill in hospital.

I could go on sharing delightful experiences but must conclude and get a strong cup of tea! Thank you to all who help and pray for the poor and sick.