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