Tears of Joy in Sickness
Community is a pretty big deal here in Haiti.
It's important to be known as a person who shares, and not one that is selfish or a thief. If trouble arises, you can believe the rest of the community will hear something about it (whether fully true or not) and join together to make some sort of resolution (whether suitable or not). You are to greet pretty much everyone you see, everyday. At the least, a "bonjou" for the stranger you pass in the street, but often times with a kiss on the cheek for those you see regularly, along with a genuine conversation about how they and their family are doing. Haitians can be pretty "touchy, feely" too!
There is a stark contrast between Haitian and American culture in this regard. Take school for example. In America I could barely touch a child. Here, I stand in my doorway every morning and give or receive a kiss on the cheek from each and every one of my students.
For someone like me who isn't always the most outgoing, all this greeting and talking can be a little hard and awkward at times. I'd been getting used to it though, and have always appreciated the value of the interconnection here. Yesterday however, really helped me to appreciate this community idea a lot more.
As some of you may know, I've been pretty sick the last 3 days. Fever (the highest one I've ever had in my recollection), aches, stomach issues, no appetite, not being able to move much at some points, just plain grossness. As I was sitting at home Saturday afternoon while most of the Sonlight crew was out at a funeral, I got a message from Angie (another missionary in Port-de-Paix) about some of us girls coming over for a game night. I told her everyone else was at a funeral and I was sick, so it didn't look like we'd make it. A little while later Angie, who is also a nurse, was at my door! She had hunted down a place in town that sold Gatorade and brought me two bottles, along with more meds and instructions on what to do! Just as she was about to leave, Christie from the House of Moses (another missionary who lives across the street) knocked on the door. She heard that I was sick, so she and a few of the HoM teens (all Haitian) came to pray for me. Everyone surrounded me and started singing and praying. Having them there and hearing the English voices and the Creole voices and lyrics all at the same time brought tears to my eyes. This was community, and better yet, Christian community in Haiti.
Along with all that, my neighbor Cara brought over soup and crackers. Benjy (our little Hatian friend), kept asking Katie everyday where I was and if he could come see me. Even tonight, as I was out of my apartment for the first time since about 2:30 Friday afternoon, another Haitian teen (whose name I cannot remember) came up to me in the street to ask how I was because he had heard I was sick.
One of the things that saddened me the most about coming to Haiti was leaving my community back home. And while I do still miss everyone back home greatly, God has been so gracious in blessing me with community here... and giving me an even better idea of what community actually looks like.
Thanks to everyone for their prayers and well wishes over the last few days! My fever went down Saturday night, and as of this afternoon, I think I'm just about done with this thing! I guess that was my Haiti/missionary initiation... though unfortunately, I'm pretty sure there'll be more to come.
It's important to be known as a person who shares, and not one that is selfish or a thief. If trouble arises, you can believe the rest of the community will hear something about it (whether fully true or not) and join together to make some sort of resolution (whether suitable or not). You are to greet pretty much everyone you see, everyday. At the least, a "bonjou" for the stranger you pass in the street, but often times with a kiss on the cheek for those you see regularly, along with a genuine conversation about how they and their family are doing. Haitians can be pretty "touchy, feely" too!
There is a stark contrast between Haitian and American culture in this regard. Take school for example. In America I could barely touch a child. Here, I stand in my doorway every morning and give or receive a kiss on the cheek from each and every one of my students.
For someone like me who isn't always the most outgoing, all this greeting and talking can be a little hard and awkward at times. I'd been getting used to it though, and have always appreciated the value of the interconnection here. Yesterday however, really helped me to appreciate this community idea a lot more.
As some of you may know, I've been pretty sick the last 3 days. Fever (the highest one I've ever had in my recollection), aches, stomach issues, no appetite, not being able to move much at some points, just plain grossness. As I was sitting at home Saturday afternoon while most of the Sonlight crew was out at a funeral, I got a message from Angie (another missionary in Port-de-Paix) about some of us girls coming over for a game night. I told her everyone else was at a funeral and I was sick, so it didn't look like we'd make it. A little while later Angie, who is also a nurse, was at my door! She had hunted down a place in town that sold Gatorade and brought me two bottles, along with more meds and instructions on what to do! Just as she was about to leave, Christie from the House of Moses (another missionary who lives across the street) knocked on the door. She heard that I was sick, so she and a few of the HoM teens (all Haitian) came to pray for me. Everyone surrounded me and started singing and praying. Having them there and hearing the English voices and the Creole voices and lyrics all at the same time brought tears to my eyes. This was community, and better yet, Christian community in Haiti.
Along with all that, my neighbor Cara brought over soup and crackers. Benjy (our little Hatian friend), kept asking Katie everyday where I was and if he could come see me. Even tonight, as I was out of my apartment for the first time since about 2:30 Friday afternoon, another Haitian teen (whose name I cannot remember) came up to me in the street to ask how I was because he had heard I was sick.
One of the things that saddened me the most about coming to Haiti was leaving my community back home. And while I do still miss everyone back home greatly, God has been so gracious in blessing me with community here... and giving me an even better idea of what community actually looks like.
Thanks to everyone for their prayers and well wishes over the last few days! My fever went down Saturday night, and as of this afternoon, I think I'm just about done with this thing! I guess that was my Haiti/missionary initiation... though unfortunately, I'm pretty sure there'll be more to come.
I'm so glad to hear you are doing better!! I'm glad you are getting to experience the authentic community God is surrounding you with!! :) Love & miss you!
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