Dear Family and Friends,
Advent, robed in purple, holds up before us the heaviness of pain.
Advent, robed in rose, holds up before us the yearning for Eternal Peace.
Purple is the heavy darkness of life under gang rule in Haiti.
Rose lights up the small victories over gang rule, like making it through another day, or freeing someone vulnerable from humiliating bondage.
Read MoreDear family and friends,
As I write these words, the violent rule of gangs in Port au Prince in increasing, and reaching our neighborhood, which is also the neighborhood of US Embassy.
The Embassy is, during these very days, evacuating all non-emergency personnel.
“You are not here to find love, nor to be greeted by happiness at every turn, nor to be showered with kindness, nor to be appreciated by all, nor to forever remain a child.
You came here to create love out of war, by God’s grace.
Your soul eternal soul was created and placed into a stifling frame of bone, blood and flesh.
Read MoreNovena night nine will be tomorrow, the day of Raphaels funeral.
Enjoy this video clip put together by Raphael’s team, who have lived and worked together with Raphael like brothers.
Let's dance in style, let's dance for a while
Heaven can wait, we're only watching the skies
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst
Are you gonna drop the bomb or not?
God, come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Psalm 23 for Raphael
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Read MoreStarting Sunday noon, gangs attacked our neighborhood.
I won’t show any pictures because they are disturbing, but this record of alerting our various teams gives an idea of what the country of Haiti is facing because of gang rule.
Read MoreA reflection from Kahlil Gibran
Then Almitra spoke, saying, We would ask now of Death.And he said:You would know the secret of death.But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.Grand Ravine, Village de Dieu .....
And then went by truck and off road motorcycle see see Raphaels mother, Fifi, and hid family in Devarennes.
As is the custom, we drank bitter coffee together, shared our stories, shared our grief, shared a meal, and blessed the site where Raphael will be buried at the small hospital he just built, St Raphael Hospital.
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The St. Luke Foundation for Haiti is a 501 (c) (3) and tax-exempt charitable organization that supports Haitian-led programs.
A special thanks to Angela Altus, Rebecca Arnold, Giles Clark, Denso Gay and Ami Vitale for the photographs, as well as the teams of NPH and Artists for Peace and Justice.