les miserables

les miserables (n) – 1. the miserable ones; 2. the wretched; 3. the poor ones; 4. the victims; 5. a 989 pg. classic by Victor Hugo; 6. the book that took me 2 months to read!

I have finally done it! I finished Les Mis! I had read the abridged version when I was in high school and loved the story line. I always wanted to tackle the unabridged, but wondered when I would ever find the time to read a book that was nearly 1,000 pages long! Knowing that I would have downtime on my hands in Haiti, I packed several books, and Les Mis was one of them. It has been with me on tap-taps, in the car, and on the tour bus to the DR and back again. It was the book I grabbed in the evenings between work and dinner, and, when the sun sets at 6:30 pm and everyone heads to bed by 8:30, you could find me engaged in the story by my bedside lamp. 

I absolutely love this story of Jean Valjean, a convicted felon who spends many years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread. It seems that his sinful lifestyle will continue after he's released until unconditional love and mercy is expressed to him by a godly man. The unexpected kindness given to him causes Jean Valjean to re-evaluate his life, recognize the evil within, repent of it, and live as a restored individual, which includes suffering the consequences of his past decisions. Much of the story lies around those who are in disbelief that anyone can rise above the circumstances that he has been in. Yet, through the events that happen, this book champions the rights of the poor and oppressed, and shows that anyone – regardless of his or her upbringing or social status – can rise above terrible circumstances and become virtuous through God.

I couldn't help to think of the Haitians as I read this book. The longer I live here, the more I come to love the Haitian people. When I first came last August, I witnessed their willingness to give of their time and resources despite having little themselves. Teachers poured into their students despite horrible working conditions and measly salaries. Individuals gave what they could to help those in need in their community. I knew I had a lot to learn from how loving and giving the Haitians were, and that was one of the many things that drew me back in January.

Like many, though, I have read the negative news reports on Haiti that came out as the country struggled with rebuilding, hurricanes, cholera, and the recent election. My heart broke reading the misconceptions and criticisms written by many reporters and commentators in articles. It has become so easy to overlook the problems of others by focusing on how they are different than us rather than their needs. Why are we all, myself included, so quick to judge those who look, dress, and act differently than us? I keep thinking of how I can show the good of Haiti in spite of the mistaken views that we often have.

I have decided over my last 2 months here to “showcase” once a week or every other week a Haitian or group of Haitians who are making a difference. Those that have risen above their circumstances to change the lives of the people around them. Be looking for the “heart of a Haitian” blogs :)

MEBSH convention

MEBSH stands for Evangelical Baptist Mission of South Haiti and is one of the Baptist denominations here in Haiti. The organization that I work for (Centre Lumiere) is part of MEBSH, so technically speaking I am a short-term MEBSH missionary. 

This past weekend was MEBSH's annual church convention. Over 15,000 people showed up Wednesday through Sunday to hear various pastors speak and listen to various choir groups perform. It was initially thought that they would be unable to hold convention this year because of fear of cholera as well as the instability of the election. Thankfully, the people's choice (Martelly) was elected and cholera has come under control, so convention continued as planned.

I had been hearing about the upcoming convention and everything that goes into it. Initially it was expected that 10,000 would show up from various MEBSH churches around Haiti for a weekend of fellowship. People would stay with friends and family in Les Cayes as well as camp out in local schools that were closed for the second half of the week. Literally everything in our little town of Simon shut down for the event.

A few days early, people began to arrive to build extra church benches and booths along the streets. Our local MEBSH church can only seat 4,000, so extra benches shaded with tarps were built outside in the church yard for people to sit. For the booths along the street, long pieces of bamboo were dragged behind moto-taxis to build the frame and then it was covered with tarps to block out the sun. These individuals sold food, books, and clothing items. Food was a big hit since so many people had no way to prepare their own. Much like a street fair, we saw popcorn, shaved ice, and deep-fried delicacies. 

People began to arrive Wednesday afternoon balancing suitcases on their heads. It made me smile to see them pass by the door of our gate with a full sized suitcase balanced on their head as they made the 1-2 mile walk from the main road to the house where they were staying. Simon quadrupled in size in a matter of hours and it continued to grow throughout the week.

Sessions started a 6am every morning and continued until well after 9pm every night with a few breaks mixed in. Every evening, youth from a church club paraded around the neighborhood to invite everyone to the evening session. Everyone came dressed in their Sunday bests all week, and if you forgot your suit, tie, or shoes, you could purchase them from one of the vendors on the street. Everyone carries not only their Bibles to the session, but their hymn book as well. Instead of that being an added expense for churches to keep up with, everyone has their own so they can sing at home as well as at church. No one really needs it though since most of the hymns are known by heart. I had been wanting to purchase one for some time, and was able to get a good deal from a vendor this weekend.

Our girls and staff at the center prepared a presentation for Saturday afternoon. Since the students will graduate this year, we have begun to recruit for the next session. The ladies sang a beautiful song and Marcelle gave a short speech about the center. I had folded pamphlets to pass out to those that were interested in studying there. I was also impressed that all of our students made their outfits as their midterm project. They did such a great job!

Saturday evening I decided that it was time that I attended one of the sessions. I stayed for the singing Saturday afternoon, but left afterward because it was too hot and crowded in the church. But, Saturday night I talked MarieJo into going with me, so we headed out. I knew that she had been wanting to go, but it's so difficult for her to get around in her wheelchair. Well, we laughed the whole way to the church because I felt like I was pushing a wheelchair through Times Square on New Years Eve. Everyone had to stare at the crazy white girl and the Haitian in the wheelchair before they moved, but we eventually found a spot to sit under one of the projection screens out on the church lawn. MarieJo said the preacher was wonderful, and I enjoyed the singing. It was also special to see that a local police officer had come out of Voodoo and gotten saved earlier in the week. Despite being a little claustrophobic, it was a blessing to be a part of the fellowship.

Now, the vendor booths are gone, the trash has been swept into smoldering piles on the streets, and the benches have been removed from the church lawn. The population of Simon has dwindled to it's original amount and it's easier to get a good nights sleep without all of the noises right outside my window (Did I mention that this all happened a block from my house?). Convention was a unique taste of Haitian culture that I am glad to say I was a part of. It's just a glimpse of what heaven will be like when believers from all nations are gathered together.

Benches being built at the side of the church before convention

Vendors at the corner (church is up on the left)... I bought my Creole hymnbook here

Ladies carrying their luggage into town

More vendors set up along the road

Some people took the "party bus" to convention

A group arrives on top of a dump truck

The ladies showing off the attire they made

Marcelle presenting before the students and staff sing

Kids are goofy no matter where you live

3 young girls that sat with me to watch the parade

Here comes the marching band and the parade

The church lawn and drive on the last night... ANPIL MOUN (many people!)

the streets of Simon

I haven't posted many pictures of the area where I live.  I've been hesitant to take many because most people are offended as they don't know what the photos will be used for.  I can completely understand their desire to not be exploited.  I have become a familiar face around our village of Simon and can finally comfortably ask people in Creole if it's okay for me to take their photo.  So I went for a walk this afternoon with the hopes of letting everyone get a good idea of the people and area in which I live.  I hope to start doing this more often.

The main street in Simon where I live

Bicycles are truly a luxury in this community

Laundry hanging to dry by the road

Beautiful faces

My friend, Lesette, in her home

Lesette's nephew, Florison, proud of his recent report card

He stopped posing for me as soon as I put my camera up to take the picture :)

Reading with grandma

Wash day!

Beautiful faces

Taking a walk, too!

Selling produce at their roadside stand

Peeking out of their gate

Cooking corn and selling mangoes

The main corner in Simon where various fruits, vegetables, and meats are sold

More beautiful faces

Acting shy

the other side of the island

I can't believe I have hit the mid-point.  I am halfway through my time here in Haiti.  It's not that I am counting down, I just had to be careful about my 90 day mark.  I came to Haiti on a traveler's visa and it is only good for 90 days.  I knew that I would either pay the fees when I left in July, or leave the country half way through my visit.  I opted for the trip... surprise there!  It actually ended up being more like an adventure.

My friend, Darla, has been serving at a Young Life camp in the Dominican for the last 4 weeks.  YL is a Christian ministry that reaches teens by building relationships and pouring into their life.  Darla has been a work boss at the camp in Jarabacoa, meaning that she is in charge of finding work for missions groups that come into the DR to get the camp ready for the summer.  When we found out that we would be on the same island at the same time we decided that we had to get together.  The timing couldn't have been more perfect!  It was my halfway point as well as exam week, so I didn't have to teach classes.  And, Darla had Saturday free to hang out and relax.  The decision was made, but like all of my attempts to visit a new country, things never go quite as planned.

Tuesday, March 29

3:30pm - Plans are finalized to leave for the DR Thursday, I just need to make it to Port by Wednesday evening.  Olga takes me to the bus station to purchase a ticket, only to discover that the last one leaves in less than 12 hours at 2:30 am.  I know now that this is going to be an adventure.

Wednesday, March 30 

2:30am - Olga agreed to take me to the bus station.  We arrive early to get a good seat, only to discover that the bus has already left to pick up other passengers.  Why did no one tell us that I could be picked up at home?  At 3:30, when the bus returns, I discover that all suitable seats are taken and I get a fold down aisle seat.  I was too tired at this point to take pictures.

8:25am - My bus arrives in Port about 30 minutes away from the MTI guest house where I would stay for the night.  I was already prepared to catch a taxi since I had no other transportation, but there were no taxis to be found.  I called Wilson at MTI, and was told "we usually don't allow this, but we can talk you through a tap-tap ride."  I thought, 'I've mastered tap-taps, and it would cost 75 cents as opposed to $25... let's go for it.'

9:02am - I decide nothing bad can ever happen to you if you watch your back and always act like you know what's going on!   Through Wilson's careful guidance and photographic memory, I make it to the hospital and catch a tap-tap on the way to Klarsin.

9:15am - "BOOM!" The tap-tap gets a flat tire, everyone gets out, and finds another ride.  The first thing I think is "sweet, I just saved 30 gourdes" because you don't pay the driver when that happens.  Then I laugh, because I have no idea where I am other than standing in traffic in Port-au-Prince.

9:20am - Wilson tells me to catch another tap-tap going in the same direction and he talks to the driver through my phone to find out where their destination is.  We discover that we are driving further and further away from the MTI house every second.

9:35am - We finally decide that I should stop moving and just wait for someone to find me.  I get a personal escort by the tap-tap driver's assistant to a local market to wait.

10:05am - I arrive at the MTI house!

Thursday, March 31

6:15am - I am packed and ready to catch my ride to the Caribe bus station in Petionville, Haiti.

7:00am - Still waiting for my driver to arrive and I should be at the bus station by now.

7:05am - Finally on the road, and I'm starting to feel sick as these back roads are bumpier that Les Cayes.

8:05am - Finally in my seat on the tour bus and ready to get started.  I calculate that we should arrive in Santo Domingo around 4:30pm, where I will then catch a taxi to my hotel and grab dinner for the night.

I loved my front row seat on the double-decker bus!

10:20am - We reach the Haiti-DR border, and I realize that I am traveling on market day.  I have never been in such a congested place or seen so many people cutting each other off and blocking traffic.

Pretty sure that there is no room for a huge tour bus to get in

2:15pm - We are still sitting at the border... I see the DR flag in front of me, but we still haven't crossed!  Lunch is just now being served, because the passengers usually get it when they cross the border.  This is the first time that I have ever seen Haitians unable to maintain the "calm, relaxed" demeanor.

4:15pm - We are officially through the border and on the smooth(er) Dominican roads.  I finally realize that time changes and it's actually 5:15pm.  Excited to see homes of people who appreciate aesthetics like flowers and paint colors, but dreading catching a taxi in a foreign country in the dark.

9:08pm - Arrive in Santo Domingo, head straight for the line of taxis, and in my best Southern Spanish proclaim that I need to go here and point to the address that I have written on the paper.  As I climb in the taxi, I realize that Christian music is playing on the radio, and am reminded again that, no matter where my adventures may take me, I am always in God's hands!

Aside from the many hours that it took me to actually make it to the DR, I had a fantastic time!  I spent most of Friday exploring Santo Domingo before catching a bus to Jarabacoa.  Below are some photos of oldest European city in the Americas founded by Christopher Columbus' younger brother.

Hotel Freeman, not too shabby for $35 a night

Columbus statue and old architecture in SD

I enjoyed watching the kids chase the pigeons in the park

More antique architecture

The walking strip in Zona Colonial with lots of quaint restaurants and shops

The National Pantheon, filled with gorgeous marble tombs

I caught the 4:30 bus to Jarabacoa that evening, and was safe at the camp with Darla later that night.  It was a wonderful weekend of fun and relaxation.  The camp was up in the mountains, so the temperature remained cool throughout the day.  We did quite a bit of hiking around the area and did some swimming in the local rivers.  We walked into town Saturday night to a pizza place and were able to watch a bit of the Final Four Butler-VCU game.  Sunday morning we went to a church in Jarabacoa that was in Spanish and translated into English.  We also met the incoming team from Grand Rapids, MI that morning at the church.  That afternoon, we took the kids on a hike to a gorgeous waterfall and that evening everyone learned the Merengue, the official dance of the DR.  It was a pleasant weekend, and a great time to spend with Darla and see ministry happen in another country.

Welcome to Vida Joven

I felt like I was in the NC mountains

Becca, Darla and Jason (all work bosses) with a Dominican camper

Darla and I playing on the playground at the pizza place

Darla and I at the waterfall, still pretty sure we were in NC

Us southern girls decided to teach this Wisconsinite a little Southern hospitality; he took it to the extreme on our hike!

Headed back "home" to Haiti (Google translate now lets me know that those Spanish words mean my feet should not be there)

For any of you from Triad familiar with Mark Rose, we passed some of the houses that he built!

life happens in the mundane

It has been a while since I blogged. To be honest, nothing exciting or out of the ordinary has happened recently. I can officially say that living in Haiti has become life. I have fallen into a routine, much like what we all have whether we are living in the US or in a developing country. My mission work has become an 8-4 job, my mission field has become the familiar faces of the neighbors in my community that I greet everyday in passing, my church family has become the multiple missionaries who just 3 months ago were complete strangers to me. Haiti no longer feels like a mission's trip, it has become the mundane, everyday life. I think I realized that I appreciate it more when I see it this way.

We all live most of our lives in the ordinary. We go to work, run errands, spend time with family and friends, and repeat. I have found that it is hard to see the significance of your life when you only focus on the mundane details, but I've learned through being in Haiti that life happens in the ordinary, everyday things. The little things we do make the biggest impact. Ministry happens in the ordinary, everyday. The way you live your life day-to-day and handle challenges and triumphs can be more impacting on others than a “mountain top” experience. Relationships are built, not in an instant, but through everyday, commonplace interactions.

You see, we are all in ministry. We should all be shining the love of Christ into the lives of those around us: in our work places, neighborhoods, churches, etc. It seems to always be more obvious in the lives of those who live on the “mission field,” as a developing country is often called. But I never want to lose sight of the fact that we all live on a mission field. We all can minister just outside our doors (sometimes, even within). No matter where we are in life, may we never lose sight of the mission field around us. 

“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12