Haiti Immersion... Day 9 - Cultural Museum

This morning I woke up early. It was light out, but the sun had not yet crested over the mountains. It was still quiet around St. Joseph's Home. People were not yet stirring. However, the neighborhood was already buzzing. There was not much activity on the rooftops that could be seen. However, below in the streets and homes the voices and noises saturated the air. Roosters crowing, dogs barking, laughter greeting the morning, children talking, clanging of cooking pots. It was the Port-au-Prince Symphony to greet the rising sun.

I stood on the rooftop overlooking the city. Soaking it into my being. The cool breeze blew. My mind listlessly flowed from thought to thought. Did I witness what God intended for me to witness in Haiti this week? How do I even being to truly share this experience? My heart now has the imprint of Haiti, what's next?

Lots of questions.

Again... big questions.

All of our bags were packed and after breakfast we loaded the bus headed for the Haitian cultural museum. As we arrived at the entrance it was a familiar sight, yet different. Three bus loads of Haitian school children had arrived for a field trip. They stood in lines with their crisp uniforms waiting for their tour. Familiar, yet different.

Unfortunately we were unable to take photos inside the museum. I did my best to absorb all of the names, dates and knowledge that our tour guide imparted. However, my mind was quickly overwhelmed. There was so much, so much rich vibrant history. According to our tour guide scientists estimate the fist people inhabiting the island traveled in dugout canoes from South America around 5000 BCE. Toward more modern history there were five kingdoms on the island. As history played out four men rose to be the fathers of modern Haiti.

Ultimately, a story unfolded that included colonization, hundreds of years of slavery, European and North American countries taking advantage of the Haitian people, war, extortion, corruption of the Haitian governments, revolutions, forced Christianization, and poverty.... but also perseverance, bravery, relationships, resilience, rich culture, proud heritage and hope. Haiti exists in the tension of all of these stories. While each one emerges from the past and shapes the present, there is every reason to believe in a bright future for Haiti.

Each Haitian Timoun Foundation partner we met is evidence leading toward hope. Chemen Lavi Miyo is working to bring families up out of ultra poverty. Pazapa and Wings of Hope are changing societies misconceptions of people with disabilities. Trinity School and CEI are finding ways to make education accessible to all families. Tetkole and St. Joseph's Family work to reunite families or create family for children on the street. Haitian Education and Leadership Program is developing leaders, accompanying them through university and equipping them to be Haitians capable of making dramatic, systematic, long term positive change in Haiti.

There is hope. God is at work here. This week I had the privilege and honor to witness a small glimpse of all that the Spirit is moving.


For more info about Haiti's cultural center... www.visithaiti.com

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

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 7 - Drive from Jacmel to Port-au-Prince

We are travelling from the Southern coast back to the capitol. The van is racing through the mountains. Windows have to be open because the vehicle can't drive up the mountain and have the air conditioning on at the same time.

We passed a man with a gardening hoe slung over his shoulder. He was walking ahead of a sleek black cow being led with a thick rope around it's neck.

On the side of the road women packed large woven baskets with plantains. They overflowed with leaves poking through the gaps.

Men were hovering around a fire and anvil. One pounded out steel while the other turned a mechanism to stoke the fire.

Motorcycles are zooming past us with a quick beep of their horn. Some drivers are even wearing helmets.

Colorful tap taps pass us filled to the brim. People hang from the sides and are even piled on top.
As we drive through the little towns vendors sell fried meat and plantains. Little markets dot the sides of the road. Mangos, bananas and oranges sit piled neatly in baskets ready for customers.

Sugar cane sticks are bundled together for people to sell.

School kids walk in groups talking and laughing. There uniforms are so tidy and the girl's hair is impeccable. You can tell which children go to school together because each school has a unique style of uniform.

Women and children carry large yellow water jugs down the road to the well. Multiple faucets emerge from the concrete block. It is often painted blue with the logo of the sponsoring organization.
Bright advertisements cover walls of most buildings. All are meticulously painted by hand. There are many talented artists here in Haiti.

So many little houses are scattered across the hills some have wooden sides, others are clad in corrugated metal. Either metal or thatched roofs sit on top of the small structures. Most are brightly painted. Blues, reds, pinks and yellows.

As privileged Americans, we may look upon these everyday pieces of Haitian life with pity. Small houses, walking everywhere, simple existence and lack of security. While on some level there is merit to those thoughts... in all actuality the people of Haiti have much to teach us. They have their own brand of creativity, ingenuity, perseverance, dedication and happiness.

The kingdom of God is here.

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