I arrived back in Haiti on Saturday afternoon, unpacked, visited some friends, and settled in, with a plan to drive out to Bedou (in the foothills south of Ouanaminthe) Sunday morning to join the Philo (senior class) students and chaperones for Sunday worship at the FIRST EVER PHILO RETREAT in the history (24 years) of Institution Univers!
Yay - Jeep Liberty was running so I was able to drive out there on my own! Therefore, Sunday morning after a brisk walk within the apartment compound to awake my spirit and mind in Haiti, I prepared for Sunday worship.
What a blessing to arrive at a beautiful retreat center that the Catholic Church has built. And the view, overlooking Ouanaminthe and the mountains, was just breath-taking!
Here is a summary of Sunday's message by Institution Univers' Pastor Jude St-Cyr:
The sermon was about having Life. Starting with creation of man...free will...the choice of life or death.
- Difference between length of life and quality of life.
- Speaking about his mother's experience; she chose quality of life over length of life.
- If you choose to live, there are things that you need to do in order to have a good life.
- With God in your life, there is no way to not have a good life.
- You need to know who you are.
- Don't let others tell you who you are, who you need to be. Only God knows who you are.
- You cannot help someone live if he or she doesn't want to live.
- Stigmatizing and stereotyping - don't do this.
- Do not let anyone take away your goal, your belief...make good choices.
- The choice of life depends on you.
- During this retreat, we taught you all you need.
Here are photos to share with you from my time with the Philo students at the Retreat Center:
Pastor Jude and me, upon my arrival at the Center:
The students preparing to worship:
The worship chorale:
Pastor Jude teaching:
M. Marie-Claire making announcements after service:
The Cross over the "sanctuary" with a verse of "Be the water that no one can live without":
Emmanuel and me:
Evelyne and me:
Our " church accountant", Evelyne, sorting the offering:
A few of our Philo students:
The Retreat Center:
The beautiful scenery:
Preparing for departure after an amazing weekend (the students description):
Pedro, James and other chaperones:
The agenda for the Retreat:
Views of the beautiful countryside:
Road back to Ouanaminthe:
