Change… Tonight I was recalling an event that happened
yesterday. I paused and had to be sure—was it only YESTERDAY that we did our
water truck delivery? How could only one day have passed and yet I have changed
so much? Who could have told me even one day ago that today I’d be rubbing
lotion over the bodies of sick and dying women of all ages ranging from younger
than my own daughters to women older than myself and be completely comfortable
with it? And how could I have known I would have the opportunity to visit a
school that my beloved late uncle helped to fund and see 625 smiling faces of
children, being taught in classroom settings that are primitive compared to what
we are accustomed to at home and they were thrilled to meet us? I visited a
medical clinic so far behind United States standards that there was no
comparison, but yet I found myself truly impressed with what they DO with what
little they have. And finally, that I would go to an orphanage filled with so
many sick and dying babies, hold them in my arms and feed them and love them and
somehow be able to walk away broken-hearted at the end of the day only comforted
by the fact that I WILL be back to see them again?
Everything about today was so detached from my “real” world
but yet so completely comfortable for me to do in the world I live in here in
Haiti.
I think our Lord is allowing me to experience this knowing
that I will go home a “changed” person. My picture of what Father Reiser saw
here in Haiti, what moved him, and what inspired him to want to help these
people is so much more clear to me. The importance of what we are doing at
Reiser Relief has deepened. My interest in continuing Father’s mission has
turned into a passion to continue. We ARE needed here in
Haiti.
Blessings,
Ann
My word for today is SERVANT. We started the day riding
to a home for dying and destitute adults. The plan was for us to rub lotion on
the arms and legs of dying women while our talented Creole guides sang hymns of
praise. They were warming up their act on our way there, and they soon started
singing Fr. Resier’s favorite hymn in Creole: “How Great Thou Art.” What an
excellent moment. I couldn’t help but remember the beautiful final verse that
we sang around Fr. Reiser’s bedside shortly after he entered eternity: “When
Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation, to take me home, what joy shall
fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, and there proclaim, My
God, How Great Thou Art!” What a humble servant of God; Fr. Reiser lived to
serve others. It set the tone for our day.
God used me today to serve the dying. With massage,
prayer, touch, smiles, and some very awkward singing in Creole, I knelt before
these women and offered what I could to ease their journey. While serving them
my mind wandered back to Holy Thursday service where, like Jesus, we kneel
before each other and wash feet. It was beautiful to hear (those who were
strong enough) sing along with great joy and enthusiasm.
God used me today to serve children. We toured Terre
Promise School, and came to learn and understand the needs they have and how
Reiser Relief can better serve them.
God used me today to console those who were crying. We
finished our day by visiting a home for sick and dying children. I held and
comforted babies who wanted nothing more than love and attention. I fed babies
who were hungry. I cried over babies who at 12, 18 and 22 months were skinnier
than most newborns. The Sisters do an incredible job of caring for these little
ones, but the needs are so great.
Peace,
Joyce
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