Thanksgiving came in the midst of a week of unrest in Haiti, a week where we desperately needed to remember to give thanks. There are many things we take for granted as American volunteers living here; we will have adequate diesel to run the generators, we will have working WiFi, we will be able to grocery shop weekly, our Haitian coworkers will come into work despite challenges, and we will be able to travel on main roads without fear.

Last week these assumptions were challenged. Schools and businesses closed, roads were blocked, there were rumors and reports of violence and warnings from the US Embassy to take shelter. We complied despite our annoyance and stayed inside or relatively close by. Like a very hot stretch of snow days, most of the country stayed home and out of harm’s way.

I spent a few extra days in Port Au Prince as there were demonstrations that closed the road between the guesthouse there where I had been staying with a team and Titanyen, where I normally live. There I witnessed the resilience and dedication of Haitian coworkers who braved their way into work to take care of teams of Americans who also had rejected fear and come to Haiti to serve however they could.

Those teams were allowed to serve for partial days and in a limited travel radius, but they served with dedication and heart. They also found ways to serve around the guesthouse and within the immediate neighborhood of the guesthouse. And there were investments made into the local economy with several trips up the hill to the pool at the Elite Hotel. 😉

Tuesday night, I was given a ride back to Titanyen, only to find out that the internet had been down there all week with no phone company employees working to fix it. I read books and played games and -all in all- didn’t mind the unplugging.

Thursday, roads were clear and we were treated to a Thanksgiving feast at the guesthouse in Port Au Prince. It felt as much “like home” as possible, where I am used to a large family gathering. We played card games, laughed and talked, shared prayers and reasons we are thankful, ate until we were stuffed, and ended the afternoon with some spontaneous worship before rushing back to Titanyen before dark.

A few days later, things are quiet here and we are grateful for that. School is in session, the clinics are reopened, church is back on its normal schedule, and while there are daily threats of unrest, we are enjoying our “typical” Haiti again.

Yesterday, I had the great privilege of meeting our three newest members in the elder care program. We now have 35 people in our elder care program in Titanyen and 12 in Cite Soleil. The magnitude of that baffles me. I have been called to serve these 47 individuals and am slowly figuring out the best way to do that.

It is easy to get caught up in little details here. Seemingly insignificant things make and break our daily schedules and intentions. Yesterday, I was asked for one AA battery. I had a few in my drawer, so no problem. The battery was put into a computer mouse and I was asked to deliver it down to the dental clinic. The battery was required, so that the nurses could access the computer, so that people waiting could be registered and seen in the clinic.

To me, that is life in Haiti. Sometimes everything hangs in the balance because small pieces are missing. I wish I could fix more problems with simple things, like having a battery available, but for today, I will do what I can with what I have. I am thankful to be here.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; givethanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I had the honor and absolute joy of spending the better part of the last week with a women’s retreat team who had traveled down specifically to serve the women of Haiti and to collect women’s stories and favorite Bible verses, testimonies of the Lord’s work in individual lives. I was able to serve alongside this team as they visited an elder in the community, hosted a women’s gathering, served our Haitian staff through sharing chores and a Bible study, blessed some local pastors and their wives, and held babies at the Home for Sick and Dying Babies. The teams’ joyful and willing spirits uplifted mine and all those we encountered.

As part of their retreat, we were able to also spend some time in purposeful rest and fellowship, sharing meals, devotions, worship, and some down time at the swimming pool. I connected with new friends and reconnected with a few people who have already become very important to me. My network of prayer and moral support keeps expanding, and I am grateful beyond words that the Lord allowed these women to be part of my life this week.

Due to some unrest in the area, our weekend plans were altered and cut back as a precaution. The team headed to the airport early this morning to wait out any road blocks that would keep them from their flights this afternoon. And now I sit at the guesthouse, making a flexible but hopeful plan for things I want to accomplish this coming week, starting with transportation back to my apartment within the next day or so.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13

My time in Haiti is already flying by! I still cannot believe that I get to be in this beautiful place. I look around at the scenery and the people around me, and I am in wonder that I get to live this adventure. I sweat a lot during the days, but the evenings have been relatively cool and breezy.

One of the other missionaries in my apartment said that in Haiti, “The days are long but the months are fast.” That is my experience so far. The afternoons especially seem to stretch out like molasses in the heat… But, to know I am already a month in, with only 11 more ahead, is insane!

This past week was busy. A secondary role I have here will be working with the local EKS program, (CHE-Community Health Evangelism in English). Last week, my roommate Sam and I attended/helped to host a four-day training for our EKS group, with guest speakers who had traveled from Cap Haitian. This meant four days of training in Creole, with a translator sitting between Sam and I, giving us constant summaries and answering our questions.

On Friday, I rode back with the trainers to Port Au Prince, where I was able to spend two days at the guest house with Grace, who is here doing a 3-month photography internship. We accompanied a team into Cite Soleil on Saturday for a half day of water truck and visiting elders with the pastors of Hope Church.

During my two days away, I enjoyed what solitude and anonymity I could. I napped in front of a fan at the guest house and no one knew or cared where I was for a solid hour. Of the challenges I find living here, some of the most difficult have been feeling I am always on display and having little independence. So, when the opportunity comes for alone time, this introvert takes it.

I was also blessed to get to do some of the touristy things teams do on a typical week-long trip. I swam in the pool at the Elite Hotel, just up the hill from the guest house. I got to have a fancy coffee drink at Papillon. I got to go to Wahoo Beach with the American teams and several of the other missionaries who live here. We even had a pretty typical experience when a tire blew out on our drive up to the beach and we spent part of the afternoon in the shade on the side of the road waiting for a spare to be driven out to us.

Today, Sam and I walked down (but still somehow mostly uphill) to visit one of our elders who has been ill and missing church. He uses a prosthetic leg and has trouble with infections and open sores. Sam cleaned his wound, and we were pleased to see him feeling better and in good spirits. He has the sweetest demeanor, an instant friend to those around him. I have met him on a few occasions, but he is always a joy to be near. I gave him an ibuprofen, a cookie and a kiss, and I will be happy to hike the rocky terrain so we can see him again tomorrow.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12