Living again in Haiti

After three flights, very little sleep, and a seven hour trip up dusty, pock-marked roads, we did indeed arrive in Terre Blanche last night. It was after night fall, and in a traditional show of Terre Blanche hospitality we were greeted by a crowd of familiar faces. Many of the Haitian workers had waited for our arrival, and as we piled out of the vehicles they gathered around us and formed a circle. Holding hands, we stood in the night air together as they sang a hymn in Creole, praising God for our safe arrival.

It’s hard to express how good it feels to be here.

 

My friend Vilcin, who was diagnosed with HIV last year, was here last night to greet us. He has been getting treatment in a clinic in a neighboring village and looks much healthier and stronger. I almost cried just seeing him look so good – last year he seemed on the brink of death.

 

Our morning was spent setting up the clinic and packaging meds, but after lunch we were able to walk through the village a bit, and we’ve had some time this afternoon to go for a run, or sit on the roof with a cold drink and look out over the village.

Women washing clothes in big metal bowls down at the creek

Boys racing donkeys down the road

A man carrying a machete and a hoe to work in his field

Baby chicks and goats and pigs underfoot

Children carrying buckets of water on their heads

A pot of dinner cooking over a coal fire

Haiti is still alive. It’s good to see it with my own eyes!

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