Written by: Sisters Marilyn Minter, Inga Borko and Julitta Kurek
“My angel will go before you…” (Exodus 32:34)
It was long before dawn that we woke up with the excitement that we were really returning to Jacmel, Haiti, on July 28, 2025. We knew we had a long journey ahead of us. The scripture that day assured us that God is with us: “My angel will go before you.” The journey to Jacmel took us two days. First, we arrived in Cap-Haïtien, then took another plane to Les Cayes. Fritz and Jean Philippe were waiting for us. One piece of luggage did not arrive in Les Cayes so we had to find a place to stay the night. The next day it arrived in the early afternoon, and we were on our way to Jacmel. We finally arrived in Jacmel six hours later.
We were welcomed with joy and a delicious dinner from our Haitian family. At first sight, everything looked so beautiful. It was good to be home. The next day we were ready to enter into the life of the Felician Mission: Haiti. A celebration was planned for young people who had finished a computer course and received certificates under the direction of a young man, Petersen, whom we have known and sponsored for eight years of study. The students gave testimony to his splendid work and dedication.
Then we witnessed how the sewing school is at work making school uniforms for the students we are sponsoring for this school year. They have finished 70 uniforms, while many more still need to be done. All of the participants in both programs are able to receive a hot meal from the Mother Angela Kitchen.
The Mother Angela Mobile Clinic leaves at 8 a.m. four times a week to go to one of the assigned chapels throughout the diocese to serve the poor. On one of the days, Sisters Julitta and Marilyn went with them to one of the new sites they care for. On another day, they went with the doctor to visit a homebound father who is bedridden. This gave the people an opportunity to see the sisters and know that they haven’t forgotten them.
The news that the Felician Sisters were back in Jacmel spread quickly as Sister Inga and her team went shopping at the outdoor market for school supplies. A few times we heard people shouting: “Mè yo la! Yo pa pè labou!” which translates: “The Mothers are here! They are not afraid of the mud!” This was after heavy rains; the mud was so deep that it was difficult to get your sandals out.
The bell at the gate does not stop ringing throughout the day with people who come for food, help to send a child to school, or with medical issues.
We are blessed to have daily Mass celebrated in our chapel. On Sundays we go to the local parishes.
Since we have not been physically here for almost three years, and no one has been living in the convent, we began to see that many repairs needed to be done: termite removal, no electricity or internet, leaks in the roof, septic tank problems, sinks rusted and not functioning, the need for outside solar lighting on the property, and the two containers rusted and needing roofing. We realize that all things are possible with God and that these problems cannot take our joy away. We have already tackled some of these repairs.
On the mission property we have Jean Philippe, a young man who has been with us since he was a child and is now our plant manager. Fritz, the driver for the clinic, also stays on the property for security and assistance. Two young women, Gaelle and Dalandie, live and work on the property. They are an immense help with our school sponsorship program, food program, and other mission needs. To strengthen our community life with those who live on the property, every Sunday we share a family meal. We also have weekly faith sharing with them.
Every day we have other young people working on the property, like John and Gabriel, who do the gardening; Petersen and Junior in the computer lab and sewing school; and Adline, Ludvica, and Dala preparing meals and keeping the mission clean.
We are incredibly grateful to all of them for keeping our mission alive. We are aware of their hard work, dedication, and sacrifices. We feel they are our co-partners in bringing hope to the people who visit our mission.
