Contrasts in Mission - Day 5 Haiti

BUCKETS OF LOVE

When one is dropped into an experience that God has offered us such as this past week, you know at the end of week there will be changes. Changes not only to the immediate environment we were called to help, but changes in us as children of God. It is with a bittersweet farewell we say goodbye to the buckets of rubble we have been removing from one of God’s special places in the world -- St. Joe’s. Those buckets taught us a lesson or two that are important to share. Just like the first team here, we wanted to change the world here or, at least, ‘fix it’ so the children living here could be more comfortable. Well, God has a sense of humor and a great way of humbling us. With several decades of combined construction experience on this team, we all were humbled and served our Lord by removing the debris one bucket at a time. As we labored in the sun, many jokes were made, many songs were tried to be sung but we all reflected at the end of the day that we were not only removing the rubble one bucket at a time, but the buckets were filled with our love for God in doing his service. Thanks be to God for God’s call upon our lives at this time and in this place! --Jeff


FOOD OF LOVE

We got cleaned up and packed our bags of goodies from home and began our 45-minute journey up to Wings of Hope in the mountain village of Fermathe. The trips from St. Joseph’s always begin the same way as we wind through the crowded neighborhoods and shops in and around us. Many buildings and vendors are becoming more familiar with each venture out. The difference on this trip was we were heading up in altitude, down in temperature and up in social status. I say this because there were fewer people walking in the streets, fewer vendors spaced farther apart and the streets got cleaner. A lot cleaner.

One thing that has struck me on this trip is squaller. Trash and rubble in the streets, ditches and pot holes everywhere. As we moved out of the chaos of the city I began to see some hope that there are parts of Haiti that are not filthy. Dicky Thompson was not with us on the van ride as he stayed behind for a meeting with Michael (founder of the St. Joseph’s Family) and the architect to review the plans for the new SJ home in Petionville. It will be erected on the site we are clearing now. The plans call for a much bigger home that will allow for more quests to visit. Dicky will be the man to comment for further details about this project.

As we rounded one of the last curves before arriving at Wings, we passed through another small market area teaming with people selling everything from cell phone calls to home made breads, raw chicken and fish. We rounded the last bend and saw the Baptist Mission that has been the center of activity in the area in this hamlet for about 60 years or so. The original Wings of Hope compound sits next door. It had been home to 38 mentally and physically challenged children. It was severely damaged in the quake and had to be torn down. An empty field perched on the cliffs of the mountain patiently waits for funding and new construction to begin.

We wind down a narrow alley and are greeted by the twin gates of the two large homes that serve as the temporary home for Wings. We pile out of the van eager to stretch our legs

and haul our bags full of fun and games, 30 pairs of shoes and socks, and 100 hygiene kits up the hill and into the house. We are greeted by the staff and given a brief history, tour and personal testimony by two members of the leadership team.

We are now prepared to reload the van with our lunch guests. We had made arrangements to pair up with a child and treat them to a hot dog and ice cream lunch at the Baptist Mission “Tea Room” overlooking the mountains. Tradition is that hosts line up against a courtyard wall and the children are allowed to “pick” their lunch date, a ritual reminiscent of a junior high basketball game. My partner was “Ted”, a 16 year old boy who lives with cystic fibrosis who could only move his head and flail his arms. I had to carry his stiff body in my lap as we rode down to the mission. I must admit I was petrified as I thought about how I was going to feed and attend to this child. With a little coaching and courage from within, it went fine. Ted ate a good lunch motioning often with a nod or a groan to convey what he wanted and when. The director told me “he will tell you what he wants if you just watch him”. Once I did pay attention, his eyes would often tell his wishes. That and a big grin when he got what he wanted or saw another van driver he knew. The team all had similar stories of overcoming perceived inadequacies as they lived into the moment and let Christ reveal himself. A truly humbling experience, but one of immense joy.

When we got back from lunch, we played a barbershop game with the children that allowed them to cloak us, lather us, shave us (with tongue depressors) and clean us up. We then played Jesus Loves Me and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star with color-coded handbells with our partners as Mike led us standing in a chair frantically throwing cue cards onto the deluged soaked patio. The children squealed their delight at our modest musical efforts. Call it my tin ear, but our renditions all sounded very similar! Next we had the opportunity to feed the house their evening meal. This corn based porridge, laced with protein rich peanut butter, was prepared by the staff and all we had to do was serve and feed. In many cases this was like feeding

an infant, with all the requisite coaxing. We had a cooling rain that fell on us there (our first) that cooled off things and seemed to cleanse as rains often do. Even the air was sweeter. We packed up, headed back to St. Joseph’s for dinner. We met for evening devotion and reflection. Sally spoke on God’s commission to Moses and asked us to consider our gifts and talents and how we were prepared to use them to further God’s work. We will all go to sleep tonight pondering that question and processing the thoughts and feelings we experienced today. --David