From July 21, 2020 Besides the sharply rising prices of virtually everything, there are other ominous signs of downward spiral in Haiti. For the last two weeks, most of the country has been without electricity. Kidnappings have resumed. Violence in Cite Soleil is worse than ever.

From July 20, 2020 Jingle Bells was a gift. But she also makes putting on the shoes the podiatrist said I must now wear instead of sandals a challenge. Jingle Bells won’t let me tie the shoe laces.

From July 19, 2020 On Friday, our bookkeeper sent me the summary of our three bank accounts. I knew it was going to be bad news, and so I did not open it.

From July 18, 2020 Working with the homeless is exhausting and frustrating work. To be on the front lines of charity, justice, and peace requires heroic good will, a deep and prophetic faith. Yet, at the same time it is profoundly rewarding and gives birth to a deeper awareness of self and love of God.

From July 17, 2020 Once inside Santa Chiara, I was mobbed by dozens of kids. It took some time to break free of them and make my way to the second floor. I was followed by Peter Francis and Clare Marie, both of whom are irresistibly cute.

From July 16, 2020 I watched the first nine minutes of a film I never finished last night as I tried to relax after a busy day, a busy 20 days, before going home to Haiti.

From July 15, 2020 The lowly mustard seed is very easy to overlook, yet it is filled with life-giving potential. In Haiti, mustard seeds abound, in the form of neglected and abandoned people who are being swept away by the ill-winds of severe poverty. But each person, Jesus tells us, contains possibility and purpose.

From July 14, 2020 More than a few people in the States, including one doctor, felt that my illness in late May and early June was not bronchial pneumonia but was probably Covid 19. Last week, the internist ordered a few routine blood tests.

From July 13, 2020 There is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…and Thursday at 4:30am I head back to Haiti. I can’t wait.

From July 12, 2020 In the waning days of my illness back in June, when I was barely off being constantly tethered to the big oxygen tanks, my good friend Jonathan Montaldo gave a Zoom retreat spread over two days that was sponsored by the Trappist monks at Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina.