"Weather" or Not

It looks like the humid heat of Haiti had been preparing our team for the molten mugginess of Michigan.  It's hard to believe the two places would even come close to rivaling each other in terms of weather.

Last Wednesday & Thursday we experienced the intense tropical thunderstorms of Haiti.  On Wednesday we watched the dark clouds press in on us and the wind lash at our faces as we hurried home in the back of the pickup trucks.  With only seconds to spare we walked into Pastor Voltaire's house and the heavens let loose a massive deluge.  We watched in awe of God's grace and yet had heavy hearts knowing that many people were stuck out in the wicked weather.  On Thursday as we were meeting with Kihomi about the Kids For Kids Program*, Pastor came in shouting, "The sky is changing color - we must leave now!"  We said our quick goodbyes to Kihomi longing to stay and hear more about her impact on Haiti.  We made it home again before the rain ever hit.  It was a blessing.  Nevertheless, we still all had Kihomi on our minds as she had transfixed us with her conviction for empowering the Haitian people (Kihomi and her husband are missionaries from the Congo - serving the past 13 years in Haiti) to rise up against that which oppresses.  She spoke with great vigor and passion about the women she teaches about cholera.  She told us that she teaches them that if the men don't build latrines that they must come together and build latrines themselves.  Women are the key to fighting this epidemic; they are the caretakers, the front line, the teachers, they must not remain idle or they will die themselves!!  As reflect back I ask myself, and perhaps you too, "weather" or not I have a part in this?

* Please note that although the website link states the program is funded, it is not.  The correction to the funding status is forthcoming.

Dezyem Leson nan Kreyole

Some of the most exciting moments I have had in Haiti have been with my friends in the mache (open market).  It is a thrilling experiencing.  The mache is densely packed with people, animals, smells, sounds, people speaking vit vit Kreyole, smoke from the grill, and absolutely beautiful produce.  As a foreigner, it is extremely intimidating and it requires a high degree of fluency.   It practically brings tears to my eyes and a rush of adrenaline when I think of those times!

I don't know if we will have the opportunity to visit the mache but nevertheless food is a universal language!  So let's learn a few more words/phrases today!

Mache (open market)
Eske ou vann . . . ?  (Do you sell . . .?)
Mwen genyen sa deja (I have that already)
Konbyen le/yo ye?  (How much is it/are they?)

Vyann poul (chicken meat)
Vyann kabrit (goat meat)
Milk (let)
Egg (Ze)
Peanut Butter (manba)
Cornmeal (mayi moulen)
Spicy Cabbage (pikliz)  (mmmmmmmm!)
Rice (riz)
Zaboka (avocado)
Pwa (beans)
Lime (sitwon)
Organe (zoranj)
Plantain (bannann)
Plaintain slices fried (bannann peze)
Banana (fig bannann or fig mi)
Water (dlo)
Coffee (kafe)
Sugar Cane (kann sic)

Real Hope For Madelene

One of the organizations in Haiti that I have tremendous respect for is Real Hope For Haiti.  Founded by Davis Zachary in 1994, RHFH runs a clinic and child rescue that serves the poor and margenalized. 
The video below is Davis Zachary's story - man he's passionate!


RHFH is located in Cazale, Haiti.  One day, I hope to make a connection with these awesome people.  Today the RHFH Blog highlighted the story of Madelene and it brought me tears of Joy!  Enjoy her story - Give thanks to our awesome God.

We

. . . are Michigan Servants for Christ.
. . . represent six different churches.
. . . are old and young, untried and experienced, black and white, gregarious and shy, excited and apprehensive.
. . . have been called to serve in Cap Haitien, Haiti this upcoming July.
. . . are honored to be called servants.
. . .want to share our journey with you to bring Glory to Him.