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