day three

It’s a little late, Sarah is in bed, so I (Corbin) will do some blogging!

Every morning, I step outside of my room and into an almost surreal landscape. Our hotel stands on the edge of a palm tree forest blanketed with spongy-green turf where cows and goats graze. An occasional greeting from the resident chickens and a "Bonjou" from a hotel employee sets a peaceful mood amidst the rising sun. We are fortunate to have the amenities we live with at home - a comfortable bed, air conditioning, and a clean shower that, although lacking a few kPa, is refreshing after a long day under the Haitian sun. It's awesome. Also, a bit surprising. It beckons the question, "Is this Haiti?" More importantly, it reveals the potential for and spirit of contentment and revival shared by Hatians in Jacmel. It's encouraging.

The contrast between our residence here and American wealth at home with the cinderblock shacks and disorderly towns of the Haitian populace presents a stunning antithesis of human experience that opens eyes and breeds discontent among foreign observers - especially Christians. Nevertheless, our encounters with Haitian culture thus far testify that happiness transcends wealth (or lack thereof) and that the human experience is defined by community, not currency. This reality renews every day.

For the past couple of days, we were guests of Eglesia Weslyan, a small church where we taught kids Bible lessons (through interactive skits - a big hit), learned Haitian songs, and played all sorts of games. Like soccer. Surprised? After a lunch of fresh goat and fried fish, we visited a large - though somewhat trashed – recreation field where we continued to engage kids in sports and conversation. We will follow a similar schedule for the next few days.

I have found that though the schedule is repetitive, the discoveries are new and revealing each day. Here are some things that I have learned and observed:

1. Chuck Norris is famous in Haiti. Hailed as "The Boss," his name is adorned on the sides of the rather erratic taxis known as "Tap-Taps."

2. Time is your most valuable resource. Yes, Haitians need money and material resources, but they are in desperate need for people to love them, to teach them, to play with them. Many here have conveyed the unfortunate reality that the kids' parents and teachers are mean and don't provide a lot of the care that is crucial to their development.

3. Everyone plays soccer. One of the more memorable parts of the trip has been playing soccer with Haitian teenagers. Though Deeds and Yanni have been able to keep up, the kids told Pastor Eric that he should just give up.

4. At our very first day of VBS at the church, Yanni was talking to the group of children and teenagers, and he preached salvation through Jesus Christ. When Yanni asked for those who would like to follow Jesus to stand and pray, I was thinking, "Is he really giving a salvation call on our FIRST day?" Sure enough, several of the older people stood to accept Christ. We look forward to encouraging these new believers in their walk with Christ this week, and please join us in praying for them.

5. Colossians 1:28-29 says, "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." Sometimes you have to travel to another country to remember that our work is indeed a struggle. Exhaustion is expected from all believers, no matter the country. Thankfully, we struggle with all His energy. Which is powerful. ‘Nuff said.

6. Haiti lacks a viable education system, and this arguably contributes to much of the poverty and political unrest that has permeated its history. Verbal communication to most of the kids has been difficult because of the language barrier. There are some, however, that love to learn and use books, movies, music, and any resources available to learn English and other languages. We have been blessed to converse with a few special teenagers who are smart and driven. Their names are Joaz, Joel, and Elizah. These guys are gifted. Fight for their opportunities. Pray for their futures.

7. Nobody has been injured or sick for more than an hour (yet)!

We will post pictures soon. For now, I sleep.