Isn't It Lovely?
"May I please tell you about that piece of art?" I asked a lady who was browsing the Mission Made Jewelry table.
Before she could say anything, I continued. "My friend, Vladimir, made that. Isn't it lovely?"
The lady stopped and looked at me.
"Well, thank you. I was afraid you were about to tell me about poor people. I'm not interested in a pity story. Now I'm listening. Tell me more."
Do for the next 20 minutes, we talked about the beauty of Haitian products as she browsed the table, choosing 10 different items - including this one - as Christmas gifts for family and friends.
She took Vladimir's cards, one for each gift, because she wants her friends and family to know who made their gift.
"I'm glad I stopped by," she said as she walked away.
Ma'am, I'm glad, too. Thanks for letting you tell you about all of the good things to be found in Haiti. Thanks for focusing on that part of the narrative. 🇭🇹❤️
For the first time ever
I should be at the airport this morning. I had my ticket.
For weeks, I have been asked when I would return to Haiti, and here’s how I had answered:
When the PAP airport opens
When I feel peace from God
When Steeve says yes.
But it never occurred to me that I would be hearing yes and Steeve would be hearing no. We’ve always been in agreement on things.
After much prayer, I had purchased a ticket for today. It seemed to line up perfectly. American Airlines started flying yesterday. I had determined a while back I really didn’t want to be on the first flight back, but being on the 2nd flight seemed reasonable.
In fact, last week I had packed my first checked bag as it seemed more and more likely American Airlines would actually fly as scheduled, after canceling earlier re-start dates.
But then on Tuesday, in a staff meeting, I mentioned coming on Friday, and Vorb’s reaction was strong, so strong that I grabbed a pen and wrote down what he said:
“I don't like the atmosphere of the country. Because of the love I have for you, I want us to be cautious. The country is like a bomb. It may seem calm right now, but we don't know what is cooking.”
Later in the day, at the end of English class, Widecherline asked me, “When are you coming to Haiti?” and, before I could even respond, the two adults on the call jumped in to say that it was not a good idea to come, that they would not be in favor of that.
And then on Tuesday night, Steeve and I talked, and I was surprised to hear him say, “Don’t come right now.” He’s never said that before.
Earlier in the day I had asked a Haitian friend who is not a part of Hait Awake what he thought about my returning to Haiti this week, and this is what he said:
“Of course, it's a movie quote because it's me🤣.
‘You can break something in two seconds. But it can take forever to fix it. A lifetime, generations. That's why we have to be careful on this earth and gentle.’
The relationship I have seen you build in Haiti is so, so precious, Becky. That's why your decision has, to some extent, involve their thoughts and feelings on it; unfortunately, in some seasons, they get the last word on what is done.”
And it’s true. I’ve always said that I would listen to the advice of our local partners and do what they say in a situation like this. Now is my chance to live that out - even though it still doesn’t “feel right” to me.
Therefore, today I will continue to love across the miles via Google Meet and be thankful for the ways we do have to stay in touch, even when we can’t physically embrace.
But that doesn’t mean it’s easy because everything in me feels like I am supposed to be in Haiti today.
Thoughts as we start a new week
Lord, to be rooted in place takes commitment to land, to people, to friends and family, to transients in our community, and to the plight of our neighborhoods.
Being rooted is no easy task, but You demonstrated such rootedness in Your incarnation. Give us courage to take up the hard task of knowing You while standing in place. Amen.
From The Book of Common Prayer
And he’s only 8 years old
How does one who has never lived a life of extreme poverty even begin to comprehend all of the moments that together brought him to this place?
I wish you could see his face. He is the cutest little boy. He has the sweetest smile and the brightest eyes. Whenever Steeve is around, this little boy is right by his side, wanting to show him something, wanting to tell him something, just wanting his time and attention.
And he’s a prisoner at CERMICOL.
He is not in the Friday English class, but he wandered in recently, watching from the back, a bit shy.
And I asked him if he wanted to participate, to do a Find A Word puzzle like the big boys were doing. And he timidly nodded yes.
Watching him do that puzzle, I saw that he’s not only a handsome little man, he’s also a very bright one. The Find A Word was in English, but he had no problem finding the words and marking them.
And he wanted me to look - he needed me to look - each time he found another word. He smiled broadly, proud of his effort. I let him know I was proud of him, too.
How does an 8-year-old child end up in prison? How does one who has never lived a life of extreme poverty even begin to comprehend all of the moments that together brought him to this place?
And how do we explain that perhaps being a prisoner is possibly a better life than this child would find on the streets?
We at Haiti Awake know him by name, and so does Jesus, even if we’re not free to share his name with the rest of the world.
