It is the small things that are most enjoyable. The smiles on people’s faces, the walks through town, sipping drinks at Madame Socretes’ store and watching kids play soccer in the streets. But the greatest simple pleasure is eating chilled, fresh-peeled sugarcane. The first time we had it we bought it from a small vender in Terrier Rouge, just beyond the school yard. The vendor was more like a small market on a raised stone platform. Mangos were lined up in rows. The sugarcane was piled high in a wheelbarrow and several men were gathered around it peeling it on site with machetes. One evening, walking back from Madame Socretes’, we picked up a stalk for five Haitian Goudes. This is one eighth of a U.S. dollar. Back at the school, Lanaud, peeled the sugarcane for us. We then enjoyed delicious chilled sugarcane! You have never tasted anything so fabulous.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Blog Entry - Karen Mitchell
NewYear’Day was the most meaningful day of our trip. If you have ever wondered how your donations to Haiti have been spent, I can guarantee that it is spent in a way to feed as many hungry families as possible. We fed about 600 families. A member from each family was given a card. They lined up and we passed out the bags of rice, spaghetti, and oil that we had prepared the day before. I felt tears coming as I handed out food to the elderly and the children that were the ages of the students that I taught for so many years. Then one of the last women in line at our first stop touched my life in a way that I will never forget. She was my age or a little older its hard to say. She was wearing a dirty yellow dress and she was missing some teeth. It wasn’t enough to hand her the bag of food and for her to say “Merci” She and I hugged. Then I had me a good cry. (Some of the men were even teary eyed and thankful for sunglasses.) I don’t know if it was the joy of sharing food, their joy of receiving food, the guilt of the inequality and injustice of what I have been blessed with compared to what little they have been blessed with that made me cry. But I am so thankful for this experience. Thank you for your donations that made this feed possible.
Today we hiked to the Citadel! I walk the Mall with Nan (Jane’s sister) whenever we can and chase two year olds everyday, but an athlete I am not. When they said it was a strenuous one hour hike, I have to admit that I was a little nervous, but I also didn’t want to miss the experience. We got up about 6:00 am, had breakfast, and packed our lunches. Our driver took us half way up a steep mountain. We climbed out and started off at a fast clip to get away from the street vendors. The trail was very steep and this “Mall walker” was soon panting and wondering if I was going to have to give in and pay the man to ride Toyota the horse to the top. But we slowed our pace and took a couple of breathers along the way. Christy and Trey kept a close watch on this grandma and I made it to the top It was an awesome sight. Our guide shared the history with us. Then we had a picnic lunch. The walk back was a piece of cake for me. Then the street vendors attacked us. Those of you who know me, know that I am not a wheeler dealer, so I was glad when we left the shopping area. But right now I am feeling pretty good. Leigh said I earned the right to do the Happy Dance.
I miss you all and can’t wait to get back home. But I have to admit the afternoon siestas are pretty nice. The stars that seem so close that you can touch them are breath taking, and sitting on the porch sipping an evening beverage with old and new friends will forever be remembered.
Love, Karen
PS Wayne Scott, you know that I am not a violent person, but I am in complete agreement with you about the crazy roosters who crow all night. HAHA
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
You feed them
The disciples said to Jesus, there are so many people, send them away so they can eat. Jesus said to them, "You feed them."
January 1 - Post from Mike and Daphne Nash
Be still and know that I am God. [Psalm 14:10] has always been one of our favorite verses. Never has this been more evident than in our experiences immersing ourselves in the Hatian culture. This environment has allowed us to slow down and focus on God’s work. Simplicity rules the day. Today, thoughts and ideas were shared without Texting and Facebooking Instead, we gathered around the dining table and on the front porch, to exchange thoughts, feelings, and experiences —- all done-face-to face.
We saw children playing and running in the streets—-again simplicity. We watched as these children tirelessly pulled homemade toy cars, (fashioned from empty motor oil bottles with bottle caps for wheels.) Here everyone knows their neighbors. We saw women walking with buckets to and from the well in the center of town and livestock roaming freely. In the evenings, we heard voices floating on the breeze, from porch gatherings all over town, and above, the starriest sky we’ve ever seen.
Today we delivered food packages. In addition to deliveries in and around Terrier Rough, we ventured to the the very isolated communities of Phaeton and Paulette. We thought we were coming to Haiti to shine the light of Christ’s love (reinforced by Father Bruno’s sermon last Sunday). What we found was that light shining back at us from the faces of the grateful elderly and the children of those village. The food packages seem so little to us, but so very much to those in need. As we drove through Terrier Rouge, one of the food packages fell from the truck and partially spilled on the dirt road. All was recovered except a cup-full of rice. When we returned to town a little later and passed over that spot, not a grain of rice remained a stark reminder that here, there is never enough.
We ended the year and ushered in the new year in Pere Bruno’s church. The service began about 11:00 pm with carols, (in English and Creole) and ended at 1:00 am. We now know there is no better way to celebrate “New Years”, than in worship and prayer. As we begin this new year, we pray for wisdom to recognize our gifts and seek opportunities to use them in God’s service. We See God’s presence in our life. We will treasure these memories and ponder these experiences in our hearts forever.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)