Update from Fidelis...from Pestel!

Hi all,

Here's a nice update from Sister Fidelis (who lives in Pestel and tirelessly works with the people).

In a few moments, if you go to my blog, you should be able to read this as well as see the photos that she sent along. This is another note in a line of encouragement having to do with the perseverance and persistence of the people of Pestel who are seeking to improve their welfare:

OUR HAITIAN PARTNERS IN MINISTRY

Christians Progress Together (KPA) is the coordinating body for our mission projects. It is made up of representatives from each of the fourteen mountain communities we serve. The ministry team, or executive committee, is comprised of three young men from the community and myself. We meet twice a month, once a month to plan KPA's monthly meeting of delegates, the other for futuring and keeping things running smoothly.

Gerald Victorin, 36, is our newest member, just confirmed in December. Gerald is married with six children. His oldest, a son, is 16. All three team members are teachers. Gerald has taught for seven years. Like many accomplished teachers in Haiti, he himself never went beyond 9^th grade in school. He is also the lay director of one of our chapels.

Unlike Gerald, Phenicque Bien-Aime, 36 and a high school math teacher, will be graduating from university this year after nine years of post-high school study including 3 years of normal school and 2 years in major seminary. For three years he was a candidate with the Franciscan friars who served in Pestel, and is a former director of one of the chapels. Phenique is unmarried and lives with his parents and two grown siblings.

This is Gerlad and Phenicque

Fanfan Belizaire, 35, has been with KPA the longest having been one of two people who helped me plan its founding. An accomplished musician, he composed the KPA theme song, and is the director of the chapel where I live. He himself finished high school and is starting normal school this semester. He is a sought-after sixth grade teacher who prepares his students for the national final exams of grade school. Fanfan was just married to Anise Louis on December 30.

When asked why they are active in KPA, these young men said that it's because they are interested in their people, that this is a country where the government has traditionally served the rich and ignored the poor majority, and that Haitians do not often get a chance to make a big difference in the lives of their communities. The projects that they helped to choose, like providing water, healthcare, and micro credit loans, are very important to them and to their people.

When asked what they would like us to know, they said they would like us to be familiar with their culture and their situation so that we could understand the people, their reality, and the work that faces them.

They are eloquent, aren't they? They are good, good people, dedicated and selfless, a real gift to our community and to their own people.

Sister Fidelis Rubbo