In the photo at left, Father Charles Colozzi, Father Yvans Jazon, and other volunteers from the Diocese of Camden teach the children of Haiti a new dance, during the volunteers’ trip to the earthquake-ravaged country last month. For 11 days, they visited hospitals, churches and orphanages, delivering supplies to the poor residents. The 16 members were from three area parishes in the Diocese of Camden.
On April 5, a team of volunteers left the Diocese of Camden for Haiti, where we witnessed both the indescribable destruction from January’s earthquake and the deep faith of the survivors.
The team of 16 were members of Assumption Church, Galloway Township; St. Joan of Arc, Camden; and Christ Our Light Church, Cherry Hill, as well as four priests. Two of the priests are originally from Haiti. There were active and retired business people, teenagers, teachers, a fireman, a retired policeman, photographers, a salesman, and a contractor,
We flew into Port au Prince, drove through the heavily damaged city, then through the mountains to Jacmel and stayed in close quarters at the Jacmel Diocesan Center. We went out and served the villages within a 50 mile radius every day, and returned on April 16. We delivered large bags of rice and beans to villagers who have never had any relief aid.
Many of the Haitians are using their damaged home during the day and sleeping in tents at night; going to outdoor classrooms; and setting up their goods to sell in front of their damaged storefront.
We experienced God’s beauty, and his mercy, love and joy. We went there to give and we received from the Lord every day. God showed us that everyone’s prayers for God to bring the Haitians peace, love, joy and food are being answered.
There was a simplicity to their lives that stood in contrast to the lives of some of us who have complex lives. In one village the huts were in what appeared to be a tropical farm, with palm, plantain, mango, breadfruit, sugar cane, coconut, and other fruit trees abundant.
We found such joy in people and found it to be a predominantly Catholic area. People welcomed prayer. It was especially great to see friends and family of Father Yvans Jazon, the mission team leader, as they were surprised to see him again after many years away. They were so proud of him coming home with a mission team bringing food, toiletries, toys, religious medals, scapulas, money, love, and prayers to the people.
Food for the Poor Inc. donated large quantities of rice, beans, lentils, oil and baby food which the team divided up into separate bags and handed out to over 800 families, plus the donations of toiletries from St. Bartholomew Parish, Camden, and were all very much appreciated.
The mission team was so blessed every day with many different experiences, such as bringing the Eucharist and gifts to those in the tent hospitals, day care centers for the poor, clinics, a Catholic church that was being built, the priest’s residence and church, and an orphanage still operating around their destroyed facilities.
Efforts are being made to bring a young man to New Jersey who has a desire to be an exchange student at Camden Catholic; and to sponsor other young men who expressed a desire to become priests. Another man, whose shop was destroyed, hopes to set up a small clothing design and seamstress business with the possibility of creating a market for his clothing through Fair Trade Markets.
The team wants to convey the gratitude and blessings from the people of Jacmel to all who donated money and hosted fundraisers such as bake sales, sung in choirs, participated in the Hearts Afire radiothon on WOND, and organized and hosted fundraising dinners, etc., to provide the funds that made the trip possible. The team promised the Haitians that they will continue praying for them as they rebuild their lives. They invite you to join them in continuing to pray for these brothers and sisters. If you would like to view some of the photos from the trip on the internet, visit: http://www.wix.com/stevekeith/hand-to-hand-in-haiti.
For more information, contact Father Yvans Jazon, 609-652-0008.
Trish Best is a member of St. Joseph Parish, Somers Point.
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