September and October were slow months here in Haiti as far as foreign visitors were concerned.  The poor travel conditions after the hurricanes caused the cancelation of a few scheduled groups.  There is now a new road to bypass the flooded lake at Miragoane.  Supplies by large truck are able to pass, and our ambulances can bring in visiting groups.  November appears to be making up for the slow months.

The visitor residence has been bustling with activity.  We've recently had three groups from Boston come through back-to-back, two of which have been Immersion Trips.  The first group was a mixture of people from different parishes and different walks of life.  The second group represented the parishes of Immaculate Conception of Newburyport, and St. Mary's of Brookline.

The purpose of Immersion Trips is to give people who are interested in the work we are doing here in Haiti a first-hand experience.  These two groups visited the village on market days, drove to see the houses and fishing villages sponsored by Food for the Poor, and visited homes in the local area that have been built by St. Boniface.  They also got to see first-hand the housing needs of those who are waiting for assistance.  Most of our groups go to minister to the residents of our small home for the elderly.  This can be a very moving experience.

We take all of our visitors to see the hospital and show them the invaluable healthcare services that St. Boniface provides in the region.  Sometimes there are team members with special skills that they can put to use while here.  One of our groups had a physical therapist that was able to give care to Lorge, who has had a large tumour removed from his neck and back. She was also able to provide exercises for a malnourished little boy who is unable to walk.

It is fun to watch the camaraderie that develops between the team members as they go through the few days they are here.  Evenings are spent reflecting on the day's events, and conversations sometimes go late into the night.  There is much to laugh about and some to cry about.  Friendships develop, eyes and hearts open, and ideas bloom.  Our visitors leave with the people of Haiti in their hearts.

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