It is positively pouring as I write this. I'm sitting hunched over my laptop in a darkened room, on a simple wood-frame bed with a one-inch thick mattress. The rain is soothing. And the occasional drops penetrating the screened window tease my skin with its cool, cleansing qualities.
Stepping out of the Port-au-Prince airport this afternoon into a sweltering heat seems like just a scenario I've experienced dozens of times in dozens of other places. Except this time it's in a place which evokes mysterious dread and hopelessness interlaced with heavy sighs. I promise no one has said, 'You're going to Haiti? That's awesome!' Even as the plane touched down on the runway, my companion and I had exchanged quizzical glances — what, indeed, would we find here.
Now, six hours later, I'm filled with possibilities, hope and an enthusiasm that's keeping me awake (and writing) rather than getting the rest I'll probably need tomorrow.
I'm here with a micro-lending NGO considering an expansion here. My attraction to this particular group is their model of working through established, trusted community infrastructure, no matter it's affiliation. In this case, it is a local ministry with a vision of equipping the poor with the means to transform their own families, and ultimately communities, through small business loans.
Which is how I find myself in the guest compound of the ministry. A representative of a partnering organization met us at PAP with two pastors and a translator. The ride through PAP included sometimes paved, mainly not, roads in various stages of decay or destruction. Streets teeming with cars and people took us past decent neighborhoods, international headquarters for various NGOs, a plethora of UN locations, and everywhere the small, sidewalk markets.
Inside our gated, beautiful though sparse guest compound, we unloaded our gear and joined the others for our first traditional Haitian meal: a chickpea soup with beef and vegetables. [No worries to those who know me... my vegan diet was established early in the trip and they seemed to relish ladling out my soup sans boeuf. After all, it meant more boeuf for everyone else!]. Our hosts are engaging, impassioned, and fun. It was great sorting out language conundrums around the table: english, creole, french, the spanish still stuck in my head from Nicaragua. Such joy listening to the lilting French I really love, but haven't heard, or had the opportunity to speak for quite awhile! I doubt I will be up to speed in the 2 full days we have here, but it is certainly something I look forward to in coming back.
Just the short time I've been here confirms what I've already learned over and over again. Places deemed miserable by others all contain pockets of hope and joy. And I love nothing better than slipping my hands into them.
Now, six hours later, I'm filled with possibilities, hope and an enthusiasm that's keeping me awake (and writing) rather than getting the rest I'll probably need tomorrow.
Which is how I find myself in the guest compound of the ministry. A representative of a partnering organization met us at PAP with two pastors and a translator. The ride through PAP included sometimes paved, mainly not, roads in various stages of decay or destruction. Streets teeming with cars and people took us past decent neighborhoods, international headquarters for various NGOs, a plethora of UN locations, and everywhere the small, sidewalk markets.
Inside our gated, beautiful though sparse guest compound, we unloaded our gear and joined the others for our first traditional Haitian meal: a chickpea soup with beef and vegetables. [No worries to those who know me... my vegan diet was established early in the trip and they seemed to relish ladling out my soup sans boeuf. After all, it meant more boeuf for everyone else!]. Our hosts are engaging, impassioned, and fun. It was great sorting out language conundrums around the table: english, creole, french, the spanish still stuck in my head from Nicaragua. Such joy listening to the lilting French I really love, but haven't heard, or had the opportunity to speak for quite awhile! I doubt I will be up to speed in the 2 full days we have here, but it is certainly something I look forward to in coming back.
Just the short time I've been here confirms what I've already learned over and over again. Places deemed miserable by others all contain pockets of hope and joy. And I love nothing better than slipping my hands into them.
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