As I attempt to assimilate back into the American culture, many thoughts and feelings creep into my mind, now that I have spent a week in Haiti .
I honestly didn't know what to expect; I have learned not to try and guess what God might like to show me, and I just try to go along for the ride. Previous to this trip I was most definitely aware of the suffering that goes on in the world; aware that we represent the top 20% of the world’s population that makes over $10 a day; and I was also aware of the blindness to it all. I live in a world where needs are confused with wants--I saw this, and even realized it's truth within myself. So I was incredibly curious as to how I would return.
The first few days were slow and somewhat easy as we adjusted to our surroundings at the compound (hospital and sleeping/eating quarters left), played with the kids from the orphanage and helped with the first dental clinic on site at Mission Haiti Medical (lower right). The kids seemed pretty normal for kids, very interested in touching and playing with the blancs and for a little while, I felt like they were just the same as any other kids. We played games and communicated the best we could using very broken English and even more broken Creole (I don't think I got too far past 'merci' the entire week). I found it hard to believe their parents were either dead or unable to care for them. They were raised by each other and the 74 year old missionary (the incredible Ms. Phillis pictured right) who runs the orphanage. The kids at the orphanage realize they have it better than many other Haitian kids, since they are fed daily, get to go to school and have a bed to sleep on at night. They cleaned the kitchen in the evenings, helped us with our projects around the compound and had time for their devotions each night. They sat in a large circle and sang songs like Amazing Grace and Jesus Loves The Little Children. The singing was alternated with prayer and mini sermons from the older kids, and sometimes a solo. And then, I realized these are not normal kids. Check out Jesus Loves The Little Children here: http://youtu.be/MFJ8K4BHyh0
A few times throughout the trip I was tempted to lust after the pleasures of the world. In the airport I took to staring at a couple who seemed well traveled, foot loose and fancy free. I thought for a moment how fun that looked, to have no obligations, no children, no ties. Our third day in
Kids standing out side the girls' quarters |
Some of the boys hanging out |
Evening devotions |
This theme--finding life and beauty among abject poverty--was one that ran throughout the week for me. Many times I stood in awe of the Haitian people, and other times my stomach felt sick and my heart ached for the difficult life they must endure. I was continually surprised to see the joy that poured forth from their lives and their ability to work so hard. On Saturday we walked through the village on the other side of our concrete wall. Homes were made of mud, sticks or leaves; children ran around dust covered and naked at times. One lady walked up to Dr. Mark seeming to show off her baby, but she was actually trying to give the baby away, knowing that she couldn't care for its most basic needs.
Sunday was church, and I was shocked to see how many of the people at church were dressed based on the type of homes they came from. They looked better than nice. Their whites were beautifully white and pressed. They wore hats and high heeled shoes, but they live in squalor. They sang and prayed and sang and prayed for at least 3 hours, with a few sermons sandwiched in between. The children all sat in their chairs and behaved for the most part (though they were thrilled to stare at us and make funny faces). The church was more than grateful to have our group of 25 blancs visit their church, and at the end many of the parents and children came over to say hello.
Ladies' cook outside over an open fire while we finish up the clinic |
One village required a 3 1/2 hour hike to the top of a mountain. The trail was a switchback washout trail, rocky and steep. Our group had to stop multiple times for drink and snack breaks--it was truly exhausting and I was glad to have the hike over early in the week. The Haitians we passed wore something similar to crocs or flip flops, carried no water, and sometimes had things on their head. They are incredible people. Dr. Mark mentioned that some of the kids in the village get to go to school, which means they must make that hike daily. He also mentioned that Mission Haiti used to be able to feed the kids at school once a day. In some cases that may have been the only meal the kids had. It was very difficult to imagine a child making that 3 1/2 hour hike (5 1/2 round trip) everyday to school without the guarantee of a meal.
The Haitian people care about their appearance, school uniforms are shirts with sleeves and skirts that reach beyond the knee. Tattoos are not well received. For the most part, a T-shirt is just a T-shirt, and as long as it fits, they wear it. Most of the T-shirts people wore had English writing on them, and I soon realized that they had no idea what their shirts said or where they came from. Sometimes this was funny, like the old guy who lived in a small remote village who wore a shirt that said, "I'm with fartface" (wish I had a picture). I laughed so hard I cried about this one. Who donates shirts like that to Haiti anyway?!?!
One evening, back at the compound, I noticed one of the orphan boy's in a yellow Dora shirt. The next day a little four year old girl was wearing the same Dora shirt. I began to be curious about what their rooms looked like at the orphanage, and how they knew whose clothes belonged to whom. The next day we walked over to visit the orphanage and see where these kids spent most of their lives. As I walked into the girl’s rooms, I tried to imagine the kids I had begun to take quite a liking to, sleeping and living here. I tried not to act surprised, this was their home and for
Mission Haiti Medical is an outstanding organization led by Dr. Mark Fulton. He is an incredible man of God that loves the Haitian people very much. The picture is of Dr. Mark giving one of his good friends, Wisnel, a checkup.
Dr. Mark is packing a semi in 2 weeks to send to Haiti (and he only ships a semi twice a year). Please check the website for a list of items they are currently collecting. http://www.missionhaitimedical.org/getinvolved.html I will personally pick up any items you may have! Baby formula would be fantastic! Also if anyone has a way to purchase twin mattresses at a discount, we could load up to 70 on the semi. I think it would be awesome to get the kids at the orphanage new (or gently used) mattresses. Please e-mail me (emmagracejohnson02@gmail.com) if you have anything you'd like to donate. You can also donate funds online on the website.