I went to Veye Yo last night to pay homage to Gerard Jean Juste. Very moving.

[Mika]

I went with Billy Burnett and his long time friend Cheryl Little. As I discovered, friends of Cheryl are friends of the Haitian community. Although we were just about the only white skinned people there we were warmly welcomed with hugs and tears. Anyone who was touched or moved by Jean Juste was welcomed.

Later, we went to Tap Tap (a Haitian restaurant and club) for a gathering there. We were greeted as old friends and family. Billy played guitar and sang with some folk players who sang in Creole (Billy speaks fluent french, and passable Creole patois). Everyone sang along with some these songs, including a very quiet and somber one that was whispered (loosely translated) .."My father, my brother, my son, you are gone but we carry on. An angel in heaven, as you were on earth. Now that you have god's ear, please tell him to hold our Haiti dear." You could hear a pin drop after that. Silence. Except for some sobbing. Gut wrenching.

I was going to attend the service this morning but I couldn't bring myself to face all of the sadness and tears.

What a loss. Very very sad.


A man..

---

[magbana]

1. Mika, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your sharing

your experience at Veye Yo last night. Haitians are such accepting people and I'm glad you had the experience to be with them and they with you.

It looks like we will have a mass in DC on June 21 to celebrate Father Gerry's life.

Thanks for sharing, Mika.

[Judi Lynn]

2. The song represents so much suffering it's almost unbearable just to read the words.

He's a man who can NEVER be replaced.

Haiti has lost so much. I hope so deeply it has only been security, joy deferred, and will one day be restored, even though it has seemed impossibly lost.

Overwhelming, for the moment.

Thank you.