Some thoughts

As of today I have officially been in Haiti one month. In one month’s time I feel that I have learned so much about this country. In one month’s time I have been able to appreciate my own country and realize how easy we have it there. In one month’s time I  have learned very little new creole (shame). 

Haiti has made me see the world so very differently. I hope I never go back to the way I thought of things before. I’d like to think that Haiti has somehow added to my character. I’d like to share some of my observations and thoughts about what I have seen in my month’s time. These are all true and the names have not been changed.

*Any Haitian business employing a guard that carries a gun the length of my leg is sure to have air conditioning. Find something in the store to browse at.


*Dessert is a luxury reserved for the wealthy in Haiti.

*Never trust a man because he is wearing a Christian t-shirt. Words on shirts mean nothing in Haiti. When buying t-shirts Haitians don’t read the words, they just pick a shirt. Here are some good examples: An elderly woman wearing a shirt reading, “If my music is too loud, then you’re too old” and a 9 year old wearing a shirt that says  “Ladies Man”. 

*Don't scratch mosquito bites, rub them. Im not exactly sure of the science or thinking behind this yet. I do know that it doesn’t feel as good.

*Haitian prison is a place that you don’t want to go. Your toilet is the floor you sleep on, the insects and rats eat at your skin, you share a single room with an average of 20 men, and most people wither away to skin and bones. After hearing the prison system described to me late one night I began thinking many things. First, is Danny Pye. He was an American missionary imprisoned in Haiti for no good reason. He endured these things. I can only imagine the beautiful way the gospel was shared by him during those times. I can’t imagine what the gospel means to him now and how differently he reads Paul’s letters. Secondly, is our prison system in the states. I was told that if Haitians are imprisoned in the states then they have “made it”. How can it be that a person would rather be in our prisons than be free in their own county? I guess it only makes sense that they would see it as better; three meals a day, an education, free time, cable, a bed, and electricity. Many(not all) are terrified to go back to prison here, thus their cycle of crime is ended. Lets send our prisoners down here. We may be able to make some tax cuts. 

*When you go to a hospital in Haiti you are provided a bed. Your family is responsible for bringing everything else. This includes: all linens, toiletries, and food. You don’t get temperature controlled rooms or a nurse call button and Im quite positive that the hospital doesn’t send out patient surveys after you leave. You share a room with an average of 8 other people. Now, Im not saying that this is the right way to run a hospital. It just has me thinking about how much we expect in the states. That it is our right to have everything we want and if we don’t get exactly that then someone is going to hear about it. We must always appease the patient and make sure they have the best experience possible. For Heaven’s sake don’t make someone wait! Our American time is precious and 10 extra minutes of it cannot be wasted waiting for my child to get a chest xray. Do you know that I saw women with toddlers, infants, and sometimes both waiting in line at our clinic for over 2 hours....to get weighed? Then they would get in another line to wait and see the doctor. Then another line to get prescriptions. They never complained.  Quiet America, quiet me.  I am no better. I too believe that I should be given good care because I am paying for it.  However, I think for some people its never enough. For those people, I wish a stint in the Port-au-Prince hospital....there’s a bed open next to me.

*Haitians are generous. For being the poorest county in the western hemisphere, they  have shown me more generosity than I could tell of. When you go to their houses, they give you the best of everything they have. If your car breaks down in traffic, they will get out of their cars to help you. If you need your clothes washed, they will do their very best and then refuse to take money from you. If you are thirsty, they will take their own money to buy you a drink. They see to it that not one of their brothers goes hungry if possible. They will give you whatever you need so that you are taken care of. They are teaching me how to be a better servant each day. 

I hope this can give you a bit of insight into Haiti. Its only from my eyes, but it felt worth sharing. I wish that everyone could go and experience need somewhere in the world at least once in their life. It doesn’t even have to be another country, do it in your own town! Im not into making promises I can’t keep, but this time I will:  I promise if you go, it will change you forever.