Tampa friends finally learn a Haitian friend, Rev. Desinord Jean, is okay

TAMPA — As images of Haiti's devastation traveled the globe, Drew Peloubet wondered about a priest he had known in Tampa.

The Rev. Desinord Jean, general director of Haiti's Radio Soleil, had inspired many at South Tampa's Christ the King Catholic Church to support humanitarian efforts in the Caribbean nation.

Jean, 42, lived at the church in 2002 during an internship at Tampa's Spirit FM station.

"He is gentle but magnetic," said Peloubet, 52. "He is a small man who fills up a room with his goodness when he walks in."

And he was missing.

Like so many with ties to Haiti, Peloubet tapped into various technologies. He posted an "ireport" through CNN, asking if any viewers had seen the priest.

After the fifth post, someone who had spoken to Jean's cousin responded, saying the priest was okay. "That was promising but not validation," Peloubet said.

Wednesday evening, a church leader forwarded an e-mail from Bishop Chilby Langlois in northeast Haiti, saying Jean had survived.

On Thursday a text came.

"Drew," it began. "I am alive until now. It's a tragedy. Archbishop Miot got killed. Pray for us . . . Father Jean."

Since then, Peloubet has called Jean's phone several times. It rings, but no one answers.

For Peloubet, who makes his living in restaurant management software, the friendship was the start of a commitment to Haiti.

He has been there eight times. He is on the board of Help Brings Hope For Haiti. He has dined with Joseph Serge Miot, the archbishop who was killed.

"Of course, this is all gut wrenching," he said. "It's gut wrenching even for someone who has never been to Haiti and cannot find it on a map."

Despite the good news, he said, "when my wife went to bed on Thursday, she was in tears."

Marlene Sokol can be reached at sokol@sptimes.com or (813) 909-4602.