A visit to Leogane

Day 3--A visit to Leogane

Bonjou!

We had a long day of travel today. Thankfully we made it back safely, thanks to our drivers and God’s grace! After surveying our wonderful Haitian sunrise (I know you’re jealous), we started off the day with a great breakfast like we always have from the staff here. Then we took off to Leogane, normally a drive of about an hour and thirty minutes. Encountering heavy traffic and taking detours took us an extra hour and thirty minutes around the city. After three hours, we arrived at the school. The children sang us welcome songs and greeted us with many warm smiles, the only thing missing was our song that we neglected to prepare (partly because of our  group’s musical inability!). Some of us played a game of improvised soccer with the schoolboys and the rest chatted with the Sisters in charge of running the school. The school had a wonderful arrangement and the young children all had smiles on their faces. God’s love shone through the Sisters and onto the children in the form of their smiles. They carried so much joy with them wherever they went and loved and appreciated even the simple things they with their whole hearts.

            Secondly, after finishing our intense game of soccer in which I somehow managed to score a goal, we headed to look at the Sisters’ farm. It was amazing to see the harvest God has supplied them with on their large farm. They are so at peace in their self-giving ministry that you can feel it emanating from them. We had to leave the farm for lack of time because of our long ride ahead of us. Before we did though, one of our drivers did his best peacock call and got in a response argument with one of their many peacocks on the property! Their farm really supplies much. They feed their schools, elderly, and staff with those fruits. They are a true blessing on the community around them.

            Finally, we headed to the Sister’s home for the elderly and brought them food that our fearless leader suggested we bring. The elderly enjoyed the juice and the cookies we brought then then a dance party broke out to worship songs played by Emmanuel, one of our drivers. A dance competition even broke out between two of the elderly residents! Let’s just say it was a tie, because they had to be separated when it got too intense. What a great experience. You can really feel God working through you when you are serving others and bringing them His love.

BONDYE BENI OU AK FANMI OU!

Jacob Masek

Returning to Haiti

Day 1  - Returning to Haiti

Returning to Haiti after my first visit 7 years ago left me wondering what might be different. 

The airport -  Bigger, a bit more organized, entering directly into an air-conditioned building from the plane, not so big a crowd of men wishing to carry our luggage for a tip….but still all quite persistent!

The housing - there are no more tent cities but still those mysterious walls and my wondering what was behind each one and who lived there.  The guesthouse we stay at is bigger and has expanded to more than one building.

The roads - some more roads are paved, but still so many are complete rubble and have miscellaneous potholes to be dodged.  Still the same:  The same talented drivers who manage to get through the crowded, incomprehensible Port-au-Prince roads safely with no road signs or center lines-- just don’t look forward unless you love a thrill!

Cite Soleil – the same tough environment but a beautiful chapel and school built by Healing Haiti in the middle of the city – an oasis!  The same water truck delivery but the people really know how to work the system.  A missionary would be quickly claimed by a woman or child to help with all their buckets.  If I was holding a child, they would indicate I should put the child down and “come.”  A fight broke out at one stop because people kept trying to cut in instead of waiting in line.  We were told to get in the tap-tap and drove to a different delivery spot.  That group stayed in line!  The same reaction from the children who all want you to pick them up at once.  Look at me, touch me!  Lovely and heartbreaking at the same time.

Day 2 -  PUSH:  Pray Until Something Happens

Our second day brought us to two places that were new to me:

Missionaries of the Poor –  I had read about this order and its founder so I was intrigued.  A group of 7 Brothers, along with some hired Haitians, operate a home with 81 disabled Haitians.  Upon entering the walled compound, we saw well-kept expansive grounds.  Brother Simon, a man exuding peace, briefed us on their work with the poorest of the poor. Emmanuel, an adult resident, silently followed us on a tour so I held his hand.  We briefly spent time with those who are bedridden – many young children.  We played with other residents blowing bubbles, blowing up balloons, playing with playdoh and throwing bouncy balls. Since most of the residents lacked the ability to speak, few could communicate with us, but, as one of our missionaries related, it was almost easier to play with them as there was no language barrier like there was with those who had the ability to speak but only spoke Creole.  Brother Simon’s wonderful acronym will stay with me – PUSH – Pray Until Something Happens.

Metal art market – We saw the same beautiful work but I was overwhelmed by going into small shop after small shop.  Where had I seen the one that I now wanted to go back and purchase?!

Croatian orphanage – My two sons, Jacob and Sam, played basketball with our driver and the older boys at the home.  The rest of us colored, played playdoh and balloon volleyball.

We spent lots more time in traffic and uniquely Haitian traffic jams observing busy outdoor markets that we found puzzling.  How do people know where to buy what they want?  Haiti can be surprising, intriguing, puzzling and heartbreaking all at once!

Dana Masek