5 days in...

As in the previous post, this was written several days ago and is just being posted now.

5 days into our trip and the word that keeps coming to mind is familiar.  Many new places, so many new people. A very different schedule yet things seem familiar, even comfortable.  Much if not all of that is because of the kindness and open hearts of the Haitian people.  

Today for example, we started by leaving the Maison Fortune Orphanage and heading to Cerca Carvajal, about an hour north-ish from Hinche.  Brother Harry’s famous oatmeal for breakfast, followed by Thimothee (the best driver in Haiti) loading the jeep, and sometimes smooth but most often bumpy ride to Cerca (crossing 8 or so fast running streams on the way wondering if we would make it to the other side).  While we have had the luxury of room in the jeep, we picked up an extra passenger, Champagne, in Hinche to help as a translator for computer training.  Upon arrival at the parish, rectory, and school compound in Cerca, we were warmly greeted by Pere KK and rectory staff.  Kathy Gross was greeted as a rock star!  Of course, this is her twin and they love her big time!  After unloading (the rock star gets her own room with bath while the rest of us share one!), we headed to the school’s new computer lab.  Ten or so teachers came to the school today (Saturday no less) to become familiar with using a mouse and those sorts of things, so they can show their students.  All of the teachers present were so friendly and anxious to learn.  A short break was taken for lunch, which started with the prayer Manje Sa a (Irene and I added Father Joe’s Amen); wonderful rice and beans, avocado, beets, carrots, and goat.  Then I skipped the rest of the class so I could hold up my end of the blog.  Now while I never stayed in a room with Thimothee sleeping just past the curtain, I’m sure we will manage, although I worry about him!  The room is getting darker, with thunder not too far off in the distance.  And I see (or rather feel) the mosquitos are quite active!

Seeing old friends like Sister Jeanna and Richard, while meeting so many new has just been great.  Everyone feeds us, everyone worries about our comfort and attends to all of our imagined needs. The only thing they ask of us in return is to listen.  Like the new pastor at Sapaterre who asks for our help because his school is the worst in the Diocese of Hinche and he doesn’t have a twin.  He pays the teachers $40 per month and can’t find good ones for that small wage.  We can only offer to try and see what we can do.  And that is enough for him to graciously thank us before he returns to his school.  Everywhere we turn there is tremendous dedication to the students.  It is incredibly humbling and uplifting at the same time.  I know I have been well loved this trip….as always.  I hope this time I have loved well.

Colleen