Photographic Highlights of Haitian Friends 

January 19, 2013

Veronie Derilus lives with her family in a mountain village.  She babysits for a friend.

Obenis Charlouidort, a high school student (on left) is a good friend of the Braak family and works part-time for Faith In Action International.  Annrik (Echo) is also a good friend.  He comes over to the Braak house almost daily to hang out.  He and Ryan enjoy playing games together.

Pastor Gustin Enadieu visits his parishioners Lemesia Pierre (left) and Asainvil Kettelie.  Jean Rony and Larry spent two days with the pastor making pastoral calls with him in his mountain parish.

Tom and Larry Braak made four pizzas from scratch for a surprise 21st birthday party for Limene.

Ficilta Philius Braak, Tom's lovely wife, is a superb hostess.

Mountain family pound millet to make meals.

Maricia Charlouidort is Mother of Obenis.  She buys corn wholesale and sells it retail in the market.

Charlouidort Onondieu is Father of Obenis.  He has been too ill to work in the fields.

Kathy, director of the preschool where Ryan attends, is a very creative and caring woman.  She brings a variety of experiences to the students.  She started the school eight years ago.

Pastor Marc Montunat and his wife Maria of Palm Coast, Florida visit Tom and Ficilta for Christian fellowship, prayer and hymns.  The Braak's home is a welcoming respite for many visitors to Verrettes. 

Tom treats us at a new restaurant in Verrettes following Ryan's first week at preschool.

Tom erected a security light on the home's roof.  Local vendors take full advantage of the light while sorting onions to sell the following day in the market.

Watson Charlouidert, brother of Obenis, and Ryan Braak enjoy each other.

Ryan attends preschool with these children.  He enjoys school.  They begin each day with singing.

My Journal   

   A Visit to a Haitian Pastor’s Mountain Parish

Friday, January 11, 2013 at 4:30 am

The purpose of my visit to a Haitian mountainous village is to document the villagers’ lives with a camera.  Faith In Action, International has served these mountainous people for the past 15 years.  Many churches and individuals have faithfully supported FIAI’s ministry.  It is my hope that through the photographs supporters will come to appreciate the work that is being carried on with their help.

Upon awakening to the orchestra of the roosters at 4:30 am in the dark church building where Jean Rony and I are staying, I poured a two-day-old cup of coffee and set up an office on the dirt floor with a mattress and a pillow.  I began journaling thoughts and experiences of the first day’s visit to the mountain village of Dike.  

The local Protestant pastor, Mr. Gustin Enadieu (he goes by name of ‘Senusa’), escorted Jean Rony and me around his parish during which time we visited and photographed over 30 of his parishioner families in their homes.

At homes we sang hymns, prayed, shared our favorite Biblical passages and discussed Holy Scripture including the beatitudes, the teaching of St. Paul about being content in whatever station of life one finds oneself, the transfiguration, and others.  Two of the tunes that I recognized were  ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Alleluia’.

Senusa told us about some of his pastoral duties which include pronouncing God’s forgiveness upon hearing a parishioner’s confession, calling upon families, sharing with the most needy, counseling, preaching and teaching. 

I asked Senusa how he provided for his family of eleven children.  I knew that his salary as a full-time pastor was minimal at best.  He simply stated, “God provides.”

As I knew that the pastor had probably no more than an elementary school education, I asked him where he had received his knowledge and wisdom about being a pastor.  He said that everything he has learned is from studying the Bible, receiving revelations from the Holy Spirit and attending Faith In Action International’s quarterly Church Leadership Training.  I came away knowing that he had much to teach me about living as a follower of Jesus.

I slept only intermittently because the voodoo musicians were constantly beating there drums and singing nearby.  At one point they marched, danced and chanted just outside the church where we were staying.  I prayed for protection as I did not know the men’s intent. Thank God they left without incident.

I have learned from Haitians that the voodoo ceremony is meant to conjure up the spirit of the voodoo god.  The participants then become possessed with the god’s spirit.  Until they are thus ‘protected’ they do not leave the voodoo ceremony for fear of meeting another group of voodoo practitioners who might be vicious.  One of their beliefs is that when one is thus possessed with the spirit one can disappear and move secretly from one location to another without being detected.  

Last night before bed J.R. and I read from Thomas Merton’s book on contemplation.  We heartily agreed with Merton where he expressed his belief that the best form of prayer is when we ask God to water and nourish the seeds of joy, love, compassion, peace, stability, unity and understanding that are planted deeply within each of us. 

May the indwelling of God’s Spirit bring you immeasurable joy.

Larry

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice, and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter---

when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;  then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.  

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

You will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

Isaiah 58:6-9

First photo is Pastor Senusa with his wife and Larry Braak.  This is taken in their church at the village of Dikes.  The pastor took Jean Rony and Larry to visit over thirty of his parish families in their homes.  

Second photo is a street scene on market day in front of Ficilta and Tom Braak's home.  Their home lies behind the red gate on the left.

Third photo is Tom overseeing construction of his family's new home.  All of these were taken during the past 24 hours.

First photograph is of the Haitian pastor, Senusa talking with FIAI employee and interpreter Jean Rony.  The other photographs are some of the pastor's parishioners.

David Wenger, my spiritual guide at The Hermitage, sensed what I needed most on my journey was to learn how to be in a state of “holy leisure.”  He sensed this after hearing parts of my spiritual journey and learning of the many goals I had hoped to accomplish during my 10 day stay at the retreat.  I learned that what he meant by this is for one to waste time with God; to rest in Him rather than to rigorously engage in spiritual disciplines as I had planned.

I found this initially to be difficult as I had always prided myself in accomplishments, particularly reading classic books on Christian spirituality.  When I wasn’t doing something I would feel a sense of guilt.  Once I was given permission, however, to ‘waste time’ and just ‘be’ in the presence of God, it came rather easily and I began to really enjoy and look forward to this Presence of the Holy.

As a personality style “nine” on the Enneagram, I have recently learned that my deepest life-long need is to acknowledge and accept that “my presence matters.”  I am learning that my presence indeed matters not only to family and friends but also to God.  I know that He delights in my presence!   Alleluia!

I am realizing that a spin-off of practicing holy leisure is the gift of living fully in the present moment and seeing God’s grace being present in many situations and in others.  Gentle tears are often triggered by these treasured moments.

Through photographs I would like to share some of these special “moments of grace” which I have experienced this week.  May you experience God’s presence as you view them.

Ficilta Braak’s sister Joane’s 5 month-old-daughter, Maria Bell Christi, totally trusts her Mother’s friend, Wiguens.

Best friends Ryan (Ficilta and Tom’s) and Echo live fully in the moment.

Ryan unabashedly enjoys eating a mango followed by indulging in a bubble bath.

Ryan takes delight in making spaghetti from pipe cleaners, mud and stones.  Yummy!

Ryan plays “hide and seek” with a neighbor’s goat.

Ryan and cousin Mael enjoy companionship.

God’s presence be with you today and every day.

Love,

Larry

All morning I have been driving one or the other trucks between Tom's current and his future home.  Hauling supplies, people, generator, water, rebar, etc.  I am taking a break for awhile but trying to make myself available to help Tom and Ficilta.

Ficilta went to St. Mark this am to buy backpack, etc. for Ryan in preparation for his first day of school on Monday.  This pm she attends her first class in baking.

Limene has been visiting her biological family for couple of days.  They live up and over several mountain passes and it takes 6 hours to walk as there are no roads.  She is scared to walk alone.  Her father accompanied her this am.  They started out walking about 6am and arrived at noon.  We just now gave him a coke, peanuts, water and $5 to buy lunch in the market.  Now he will return home.  Love in action!

I have attached three photos.  One is yours truly with the mountain pastor and his lovely wife, one is of Tom overseeing construction of their new home, and one is of the Braak's street.  On the left is the red steel sliding gate to their home.  As this is market day, the street is very active with vendors.

Januray 12, 2013

All morning I have been driving one or the other FIAI trucks between Tom's current and his future home.  Hauling supplies, people, generator, water, rebar, etc.  I am taking a break for awhile but trying to make myself available to help Tom and Ficilta.

Ficilta went to St. Mark this am to buy backpack, etc. for Ryan in preparation for his first day of pre-school on Monday.  This pm Ficilta attends her first class in baking.  She hopes to establish a wedding catering business. 

Limene,  an 'adopted' daughter of Tom's,  has been visiting her biological family for a couple of days.  The family lives several mountains beyond Verrettes.  As Limene is frightened to walk alone, her father accompanied her this am.  They started out walking about 6am and arrived in Verrettes at noon.  We gave her father a snack and $5 to buy lunch in the market.  He will return home later this afternoon.  Love in action!

I have attached three photos.  One is yours truly with the mountain pastor and his lovely wife, one is of Tom overseeing construction of their new home, and one is of the Braak's street.  On the left is the red steel sliding gate to their home.  As this is market day, the street is very active with vendors.  I will relate more about a visit I had with the pastor in the future.

Blessings,

Larry