Haiti Immersion... Day 8 - St. Joseph's Family

There are times when you come across people that have meaningful stories to tell. When they tell them well, it reaches depths of your soul that you may not have been aware of. We heard a story such as this on Thursday night.

View from the roof of St. Joseph's Family Guest House

Bill is one of the men raised in St. Joseph's Family. I hesitate to attempt to tell his story here because his poetic words create a piece of art as he speaks. He has also written a book the relays his story. (I will look for a link on where to find or purchase his book). A synopsis though... Bill was born in the Northern portion of Haiti. Through loss and suffering he found himself as a child slave. Though the compassion of local nuns Bill was rescued and taken to be a part of St. Joseph's Family.

St. Joseph's Family saved the lives of dozens of boys that have now grown into men of honor, compassion, dignity and kindness. Many of the men are working at the guest house, Wings of Hope and Trinity School. Maya, who organizes much of the Haitian side of HTF was also raised at St. Joseph's. Each man who grew up there has a unique story to tell.

The long history of hospitality still flows through the rituals of this place. Bill mentioned that, as soon as he arrived at St. Joseph's as a child, he was offered a glass of cold water. This is still a tradition practiced with visitors today. After a dusty bumpy ride from the airport it was comforting and refreshing to receive that small gesture with great meaning behind it.

As the boys grew into men they would sing together, hug one another and support one another through each day. We heard of them sitting together in a circle and affirming one another's gifts. That tradition lives on in HTF immersion trips. Friday morning we sat together sharing words of respect, affirmation and encouragement. These conversations carry great power to spur each if us to recognize pieces of ourselves that others notice.

St. Joseph's Family is making transitions as the individuals have grown, matured into adulthood and many have family's of their own. Their home is now used as a guest house full of hospitality and grace. When you enter that space you feel like family.

For more info about the St. Joseph's Family... www.sjfhaiti.weebly.com

For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org

On the rooftop

Haiti Immersion... Day 5 - The Beach

Being immersed in another culture does things to people. For some it creates anxiety and vulnerability. Others it may stir a sense of adventure. For me... I am pressed into discernment. What is God up to in Haiti and how am I being drawn to respond?

Big questions.

Really big questions.

I don't have fully formed answers. After all, one... we are only half way through this experience and two... do you really ever completely answer those questions?

Tonight we visited two beaches. The first was sandy and the waves were crashing on the shore. We could walk along the edge while being lulled into a rhythmic stroll. Looking over my shoulder my eyes followed palm tree after palm tree waving in the ocean breeze. It was beautiful. At the same time it was hard.

Surrounding us were boys and young men selling trinkets and art. Beautiful pieces that we had already seen time and time again. Their voices begging us to come look at their wares. I wonder, was my purchase the reason they would eat that day? Would they leave that beach at night with a home and family to return to? Or did they live on the street scraping by to feed themselves? I don't know. So many questions. Often no answers.

The second beach we went to was at a newly constructed resort. This time a rocky beach, but with the same beautiful palm trees swaying in the breeze. As the sun melted behind the mountain we ate dinner out on the back patio area. This time there were no boys peddling their trinkets. While it was peaceful and low stress, it also seemed... sterile.

Grilled Fish

Lobster

Conch

The blanket of night covered us while we finished dinner. Stars popped into the sky brighter than I have ever seen. The waves grabbed my attention and I went to sit on the concrete wall next to the rocky beach. It was dark. The rhythm of the waves provided a pattern in the background of my thoughts. My eyes lifted to the sky. The milky way flowed through the pinpoints of light above. A cool breeze refreshed my weary skin as I sat in silence.

The waves hitting the rocks of the beach are new each time. Yet, waves have continued to hit that beach since the formation of this island. The light from the stars may be millions of light years old by the time it reaches my eyes. Yet stars are created and stars will die out as well.

I find it extremely ironic that I am typing these thoughts on the third floor balcony of the hotel. Yet, meanwhile in the bar area below, Dust in the Wind by Kansas is playing on a never ending loop.  The waves, the stars, the breeze and even the song... they all remind me that I am one small speck in the vast universe. We are each one small speck. Yet, what we do with our short time matters.

It matters if we are generous with others. It matters if we are kind. It matters if we live into our status as loved children of God. And it certainly matters if we treat others with love and dignity because they, too, are loved children of God.

The people of Haiti are loved children of God. They matter. Their lives matter. Their families matter. Their education matters. Their health matters. Their work matters. Their future matters.

The future of the people of Haiti matters.

God is calling? Through the wind, the waves, the stars, the smiles, the hugs, the high fives, the faces... 

God is calling. 

Are we listening?

And more importantly are we willing to act?

For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org