Jesuits In Belize The Midwest Jesuit Archives holds countless letters and reports written by Jesuits who have lived through the last 107 years of Belize's history. Since 1893 Missouri Province Jesuits have worked in this tiny country in Central America roughly the size of Massachusetts. Postcards depict Belize as a balmy tropical paradise, home to exotic flora and fauna, but the flip side includes occasional devastating hurricanes, a high insect population and accompanying illnesses, language challenges, often primitive modes of travel, and other such "inconveniences. " This flip side may be why some of the articles in the archives refer to the Jesuits in Belize as "rough bush" missionaries. Letters between the missionaries and their superiors show that over the years they worked through all types of adverse conditions with an equanimity that can only be attributed to the practice of the Ignatian concept of "finding God in all things. " It has worked in the past. It is still working today in the 20 or so Jesuits who staff St. John's College or serve in parishes in Belize. Missionary Fr. Allan Stevenson, SJ, rides a mahogany tractor in Belize ca Fr. John Ruoff, SJ, now in St. Louis, spent 40 years in Belize as missionary and pastor.

MOUN POU MOUN HAITI PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE, PERSON BY PERSON

MOUN POU MOUN: “PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE AND PERSON BY PERSON”  Working in Southern Haiti, MPM’s programs are centered around personal empowerment through education, investment, and support.

A LITTLE ABOUT HAITI…  Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  54% of the population makes less than $1 a day  Only about 54% of men, and 51% of women know how to read

MPM SUCCESS STORIES  36 students in school from pre-K through University  De Smet sponsored two boys, Jean Ellison, and Pierre Wilson during December  JanPaul’s home built for a family of seven against all odds  Twelve microcredit businesses established and growing with two amazing women at markets in and outside of Les Cayes, Haiti.

HELPING HANDS, HELPING HEARTS  There are still many people in Haiti who need help.  Are you willing to lend a hand? Mission Week 2011