Two months later, I find that my trip has extended itself far beyond the original two weeks. As I write this, I am sitting in another part of Port au Prince, acting as the temporary director of a children's rescue centre. While Dorothy, the amazing woman who runs this place, is getting some much needed rest in Florida, I am standing in as her replacement. With 29 kids within these walls and a staff of 10 assisting me, I manage the daily affairs of the house. Everything from washing dishes to running the generator to shopping to managing the health care needs of the kids ... A little bit of everything. And, what an adventure it is. Honestly, had I not spent the last two months working at our little makeshift hospital across town, this new assignment would be totally overwhelming.
Two months later, I have learned to never say "never" with God or in the country of Haiti. For the past few years, I have never had the desire or need to drive in this country and have been content traveling in the passanger seat or back of the truck. However this past week, I had to start driving ... My current job requires that I navigate a truck full of people through various parts of town, which is overwhelming at some moments and hilarious at others. Thankfully, we acquired a chauffeur to do the more extensive driving tasks. But once again, I find myself doing something that I said I would never do ... It is amazing to see how God prepares us for each task He places before us. And, He never gives us more than we can handle ... I just didn't realize I could handle all this.
Two months later, I have traveled through most corners of Port au Prince and have had the opportunity to visit with and serve people in some of the poorest areas of the city. Also, I have had the privilidge of working with a plethora of healthcare professionals from Canada, the US and Haiti, having learned something from every one of them along the way.
Two months later, I find myself craving a Ceasar Salad and an iced tea lemonade. I find myself drinking more soda than my dentist would like or appreciate ... And, I worry that my father will disown me as I am starting to appreciate the taste of Coke over Pepsi. And I still love the Haitian heat; finding air conditioners to be absurdly cold.
Two months later, the thought of saying goodbye to this place gets increasingly more difficult.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Love of My Life ...
One friend asked me what I thought was a crazy question last week while another friend made an unusual observation. Both commented on the appearance of a new love and passion present in my writings home, leading to curiousity of newfound love in my life.
"Did you find some boy in Haiti or something?", one friend asked.
"You sound as though you are in love", another observed.
Another friend wrote with worry, noting that she knew in her heart that I have become "Haitian" in heart and she was not wanting to lose from her Canadian family.
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Love, defined as a warm attachment, enthusiam or devotion, is hard to explain. It is hard to encapsulate such intense emotions in simple terms. And, it is hard to imagine feeling such depths of emotion as this.
God has given me a very unexpected love in an unimagined package - A small island country with such contradictions within ... A nation so destroyed by its past but so hopeful and determined, a people so poor in finances but rich in spirt and strength.
The greatest love of my life did not arrive in the package of a tall, dark and handsome man OR that of a short, balding and musical man - But in the form of a people and place called Haiti - And they have swept me completely off my feet.
Having experienced crushes, lust and all sorts of desire, but unable to ever admit to finding love, I can now say I have. It is so amazingly incredible - indescribable - which explains why I often have so much trouble writing about this place. I cannot find words BIG enough or great enough to capture my Haiti or the emotions experienced on a daily basis.
As strange as it sounds, I am so thankful for this gift from God. Had I already found love and marriage through all the traditional channels, I know that I would never have found this great love of my life.
A thought which now seems unimaginable.
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I love the people encountered here on a daily basis, full of an unmatched joy and determination.
I love mangoes, fried plantains, Haitian eggs and rice and beans.
I love the Haitian night - A shade of black that we have never seen in our North American skies - A darkness that can hide a person within it.
And, it's funny how none of that other stuff seems to matter - Rats, Cockroaches, bucket baths and sweltering heat - When you love something so very much.
"Did you find some boy in Haiti or something?", one friend asked.
"You sound as though you are in love", another observed.
Another friend wrote with worry, noting that she knew in her heart that I have become "Haitian" in heart and she was not wanting to lose from her Canadian family.
----------------------------------------
Love, defined as a warm attachment, enthusiam or devotion, is hard to explain. It is hard to encapsulate such intense emotions in simple terms. And, it is hard to imagine feeling such depths of emotion as this.
God has given me a very unexpected love in an unimagined package - A small island country with such contradictions within ... A nation so destroyed by its past but so hopeful and determined, a people so poor in finances but rich in spirt and strength.
The greatest love of my life did not arrive in the package of a tall, dark and handsome man OR that of a short, balding and musical man - But in the form of a people and place called Haiti - And they have swept me completely off my feet.
Having experienced crushes, lust and all sorts of desire, but unable to ever admit to finding love, I can now say I have. It is so amazingly incredible - indescribable - which explains why I often have so much trouble writing about this place. I cannot find words BIG enough or great enough to capture my Haiti or the emotions experienced on a daily basis.
As strange as it sounds, I am so thankful for this gift from God. Had I already found love and marriage through all the traditional channels, I know that I would never have found this great love of my life.
A thought which now seems unimaginable.
----------------------------------------
I love the people encountered here on a daily basis, full of an unmatched joy and determination.
I love mangoes, fried plantains, Haitian eggs and rice and beans.
I love the Haitian night - A shade of black that we have never seen in our North American skies - A darkness that can hide a person within it.
And, it's funny how none of that other stuff seems to matter - Rats, Cockroaches, bucket baths and sweltering heat - When you love something so very much.
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