A glimpse of Haiti

 These are a few snapshots of my time in Haiti.

Milande is very creative. She makes bracelets and belts, arranges flowers for weddings and Christmas, and crochets. One day she taught me how to make a bracelet, all without saying anything. I just copied what she did.

While talking with a couple of the guys they learned I like art. Agenor asked if I would draw a picture of him. I did but that is not what I’m best at in art. I think they liked it.

We pass the same people every day on our walk to school. They have gotten used to seeing the white girl. Sometimes the kids like to reach out and grab my hand as we pass each other. One day I was holding Ronyca’s hand and a woman asked if she was my daughter. Apparently she didn’t think that was unreasonable and I had the realization I am old enough to have a five-year-old.

I got to watch two houses be built on my street.

Rode in a taxi with Martin. It looked like any other car. There was a young man sitting in the back with me. He had a rose. I wondered where he was going.

Passed a guy on the street who said he didn’t speak Creole, only English. He asked me where I was from and then said congratulations when I said America.

One day at recess one of the teachers brought a CD player. First the kids were dancing solo to show off their moves. Then we danced to “We are the Children.” The kids partnered off each boy with a girl.

Roynca posing as I take a picture out our back door.

One Saturday I helped Asmene, Milande, and Carline decorate a church for a wedding. We hung ribbons and flowers on the pews and draped fabric in the doorway. We laid a long piece of fabric down the middle of the isle for everyone to pass over. As I was helping I understood most everything they asked me to do. Not just from their pointing and hand motions, we actually communicated with words.

Martin baptized nine people in the Caribbean Sea

I saw a boy, maybe 10 years old, leading a bull down the street. 

Celebrating the New Year

New Year’s Eve there was a night service at church. We arrived around 9pm. We alternated between singing and someone sharing what God did in their life in 2013. At five minutes to midnight we sang and praised God to ring in the New Year. We exchanged hugs and said, “Bonne Année.” Then for two more hours people shared what God did in 2013. It was a good time of remembrance and celebration looking towards the future. I got up and spoke, telling everyone I am thankful God called me to Haiti at this time and thankful to everyone who welcomed me like part of the family.

New Year’s Day is also Haitian Independence Day. There was a slave revolution and in 1804 Haiti became the first black republic. The French settlers and slave owners apparently ate a lot of pumpkin soup. The first thing the slaves did after declaring independence was eat pumpkin soup. Now every year all over Haiti that is what is eaten to celebrate Independence Day. It’s delicious. It is a pumpkin broth with potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and other vegetables.