Joy

One of many things I love about Haiti is contrasts. God puts challenging situations in front of us that bring us to our knees. Not many make it through a week without tears.  This is balanced by moments of intense joy. I can honestly say that I laugh more often and more deeply in Haiti than at any other time in my life.

So here are a few joyful moments from my last trip.

Relaying a message in English to Sr. Liberija who translated it to Sr. Ana in Croatian who translated it to the children in Creole. You can't make this stuff up.

Sr. Ana’s serious soccer game…and awesome shoes.



Watching a skilled coconut thwacker machete open coconuts for the team on Bethleem Farm in Leogane, first to drink and then to eat, after more machete thwacking.

Taking a 1pm repose with the Sisters in their residence….because that is what one does at 1pm. Who doesn’t know that?

Learning that the team took it upon themselves to learn our song of the week before my late arrival in Haiti, and enjoying a confident tap tap rendition on day one. Well done team, so well done.

I’ve tapped everywhere, man. I’ve tapped everywhere. 

Pulling weeds with Sister Ertha in the Pikli garden.

Our welcome at Reiser Heights of bongo drumming, children singing and huge smiles all around.

Maxim’s animated translations on dental hygiene.

Sharing the tap tap with Jean from Reiser Heights on the way back to Petionville and enjoying his perfect rendition of “All of Me.”

Watching Janet get serenaded with a heartfelt “Unchained Melody” at Kokoye restaurant by a determined and talented Haitian performer.

Samantha’s new hairdo-compliments of aspiring young hairdressers at Cardinal Stepinac’s Children’s home.

Witnessing the adventures of “Brownie,” a “special” suitcase with a broken front zipper and flappy front and missing pulls on the main zipper. Despite Brownie’s challenges, she served valiantly until our last day in Haiti. She came down early after requiring a special waiver at MSP. Then she enjoyed a few days at the Methodist guest house in Petionville, the Palm Hotel in Delmas, she traveled to Leogane to deliver supplies to the elderly, back to Delmas 31, then to Bon Repos to deliver donations to special children there, back to Delmas 31, then back to Bon Repos for mass at the seminary and double duty as a toy carrier and snack protector, before arriving at her special home at Croatian Relief services. Fortunately her cousin flappy traveled back to Minnesota, preparing for another trip to Haiti in June.

God Bless Haiti,

Joyce