I have written before about an elderly man named Josias Bien Aime.  I interviewed him again in the hopes that we can produce a short video about him.  He is 88 years old and has worked most of his life for Holy Family parish.  His mother also worked for the parish. A little of his life story:  He was married (His wife died a year ago.)and had 7 children. Three have died, one as a child, the others as adults.  He gave his house to his widowed daughter-in-law who lives there with her 5 children and second husband.  He sent his children to Holy Family School because it is the best in the area, but he has no means to send his grandchildren there so they go to the public school.  He shares a room with some other parish staff and with occasional visitors. 

He has done many things during his time working at the parish.  He has prepared the altar for mass.  He sweeps the dirt yard every morning.  He sometimes helps to shuck beans.  He feeds and cares for the parish rabbits.  Fr. KeKe has told him to stop working, to “retire”, but he loves helping in any way he can.  What I think his greatest contribution to the parish is the way he radiates his spirituality.  He is always joyful, always greets us with such pleasure, like we have made his day by greeting him.  He laughs frequently.  He truly lives his faith, as we are all called to live.  His only regret is that he has nothing to give us in return for what we have done for the parish.  I try to explain how much he has given us by his very being.  I am again reminded that it is difficult for people who always are on the receiving end of things (or at least think they are).  Imagine, if you were given gifts, but did not have the means to reciprocate.  Part of me would love to bring Josias some new shirts because many of his have holes in them.  Yet I realize that, in a way, that imposes a burden on him because he cannot reciprocate.  I asked him if he thought Haiti was getting better.  He replied no, that governments come and go, but that God is always here helping him.  We asked if he taught his grandchildren about his faith.  He said “of course!” and that they love to be with him because he acts like a child.  I am sure he is a wonderful grandfather.   I know that he blesses us with his presence every time we visit.  Here is a photo of him dancing with the primary school principal, Sr. Oxilia or Sr. Oxi for short.