I have been thinking for a couple days now how to express what my experience in Haiti has been thus far, and alI can think to say is: Beautiful Chaos. I am living right in the heart of the chaos, living life day-to-day with the Haitian people – on the streets, in their homes, laughing with them, holding their babies, and learning of their joys and struggles.
I currently have a woman named Annarose on my heart, who lost her daughter in the earthquake. With sweet hospitality, she invited us into her home, and it lead to aa conversation that brought her to tears over losing her daughter. I reminded her that she will see her daughter again someday in heaven, and also that Jesus says, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." I am praying everyday for her (please pray for me), along with many other incredible Haitian people I've met, who have become family to me.
I want to try to give you an example of our experience. Picture this in your mind: Imagine waking up on a cool, cement floor to the sound of a rooster crowing. You step out your front door to piles of rubble, garbage, and goats and wild dogs just wandering the streets. As you walk down the street you are met with a hundred eyes – men, women, and children. Their gaze is intense, until you smile and say, "Salud!" or "Bonjour!" and their demeanor changes as they smile and respond cordially.
The smell of burning coal fills the air. You walk by children bathing, women washing laundry in the same pots they use to cook. You dodge a pile of poop, and a mother chicken with her babies scurrying across the road. There are men playing socceer, or just sitting in the shade relaxing as you walk by. You step into a vendor's shop to purchase a cold Coca-Cola. He opens a gate to the tiny front room that is part of his home, and you talk him down to 15 Gourdes. He laughs at your inability to converse in French, but you laugh with him, knowing you tried your best. You leave the vendor, and step back outside to find two little boys shouting, "Blanc! Blanc!" (Which means "White! White!") They take a hold of your hand and walk with you down the dirty street.
You smile at a woman who seems to be pointlessly sweeping the dirt around on the road in front of her house. She stops sweeping to say hello and watches you walk by. You come back home, and sit down to a delightful meal of beans and rice, and are thankful that although this same meal feels repetitive, you are eating something – unlike many of the people you've already met.
The government shuts off the electricity every morning for the day, so you've charged your alarm clock the night before. The shower water is cold and the faucet is weak, but the cool water feels amazing after you've been dripping sweat! You prepare for sleep and sette (on the top of the covers because of the heat) to a wonderful, dark night of rest.
There you go, a little glimpse into my life here….
