The last day seemed to me the fullest of the week.

After breakfast this morning the Art Therapist (3) and I had a 9 AM meeting with Bishop LaFontant at the Chancery. This is a new headquarters for the ArchDiocese since the Cathedral and Chancery were destroyed. As we arrived, classes were being held under tarps. We were escorted to the back of the compound up the stairs to meet with the Bishop by an albino adult. An Albino/ of all places? Also, I noticed the painting on the outside of this building was yellow. ( Needs repair and might be useable.) Alrighty. Let's go in.

We were led to the small secretary's office. There was one other gentleman there with us. The secretary was asking us questions in Creole. I was speaking in English and the French Therapists were about to jump in with a third. The gentleman there sprang to his feet and translated for all. We thanked him later and asked where he was from. He told us he was the priest from Fond Baptiste. I gave him my card and mentioned that he was a twin with our organization. We had never met but I heard a great deal about his accomplishments from many. SMALL world indeed! We waited outside in the hall. It was crowded. I sat next to my new best friend Fr. Desca. His telephone rang, it was the Bishop. The Bishop told me they would be a bit late due to a flat. At that moment the two psychiatrist who were to meet with the Therapist arrived. We were all taken off to a larger room for them to have a conversation on their needs. After they assured me they were taken care of, I shared with them that I needed to speak with Fr. Desca alone. We left, he headed back to the lobby. I stopped him and led him further into the house where I saw a courtyard. Nice, quiet, and there were chairs and a table. We spent the next 45 minutes talking about his parish which is 3.5 hours from PAP in the highlands. While speaking he received three telephone calls - one being an emergency from his parish with someone needing medical attention. Priests are not only spiritual directors, but doctors, educators, cooks, judges, and the list goes on.

Bishop finally arrived, a bit weary already but his day was starting. We discussed necessary grant applications for the Koch Foundation, the needs of the Art Therapists and set an appointment with our Development Director for the next morning to meet with him. We finished our good-byes and was back on the road. As soon as we reached the road I recalled that Sister Yannick's convent was not too far away. They have several schools there and the Therapists I thought might appreciate more students, since this was their goal. Sister is also the Bishop Representative from the Diocese of Norwich and it would be good to network. We called her. She asked us to meet at 1 PM,it was now only 11 AM. I told her we could go to the school and see the children on our own. Upon reflecting she said she would meet us in 15 minutes. C'est bon. We toured the compound, met with the principle and left 45 minutes later. Sister Yannick seemed very pleased that we stopped by.

As we returned to the road, I knew Trinity Cathedral and its school was not too far away as well. Off we went. We toured the ruins of two cathedrals which are only a block apart. Once at Trinity I asked to meet with Mother Fernando. She was delighted to see me again and to make new acquaintances with the child therapists. She had new pavilions up housing students with chairs/desks and books. I was impressed how much it has rebounded from a total tear down. 45 minutes later we left the compound and returned back to the house. I called ahead to have lunch waiting which would save us some time. We were due at Mme Samson's feeding program at 2 PM. We got back to the house at 1:15 PM, ate, gathered up art supplies, and was back on the road by twenty of two.

Mme Samson is one of our oldest programs. She approached the Ministry several years ago asking to assist with costs attributed with feeding 65 children daily. Today there were to be 25 students. When we arrived 60 were waiting for the Therapist and waiting to be fed as well. Ages ranged from two on up. Most arrive unescorted and leave the same. Drawings were shared, bubbles were blown, laughter exploded as we spent several hours with the children. Later several escorted us back up the winding uneven path to the main road which is banked with ruins. How Mme's house survived is beyond me?

We arrived back at the house, showered, had dinner and decided to walk down the end of the road for ice cream. The staff and family was invited to join. Eight of us made the trek.

My days journeys for this trip will come to an end shortly. One could spend weeks here immersed in the needs of the moment but I will have to go home to Ct and pray all are in good hands.

Time to turn in,

Good Night from PAP,

Peter