Another Busy but Good Day in Haiti

Bonswa!! I hope this post finds you all at the end of a great day wherever you may be.

Whew!! Another busy but good day here in Haiti. I am once again driving along the coast with leaders from the community – the waves look great and I am admittedly craving a surfboard right now. However, very content to return to the deaf community to coordinate our last big group of movers for Saturday.

Everyone is very happy today. Many of the children who moved today checked with me multiple times, making sure that they are going to be starting school soon. For at least 5 children today, school has not been available for 2 years – this month they are starting up again and are very excited! They jumped up and down in the back of the truck the entire ride to their new homes.

When we left late this afternoon I caught a glimpse of the ever beautiful vision I have been writing about in my last several posts. As we gathered together for a prayer on the porch of a new home I couldn’t help but wonder which family we could fund to start a new coffee shop that every morning will brew a few pots for this particular missionary who enjoys at least 5 cups a day .

Ok – to the highlight of the day for me – as many of you know, people who are deaf in Haiti have been mocked and abused for most of their lives. In a culture permeated by voodoo superstition and a frequent unwillingness to engage in life with people who are seen as disabled or handicapped the deaf have experienced hardship beyond what many of the poorest people in Haiti have experienced. As an example, the word to describe a deaf person in Haiti is “bebe.” The same word for baby, signifying a cognitive impairment. The proper words in French and in Kreyol are “Soud” or “Sourd.”

Today in Leveque, three young men asked me (in kreyol) how they could start learning sign language. They have been observing the deaf famllies for the last three days at the community and are intrigued by their new neighbors. I happily informed them that this week several of the deaf leaders will be offering free sign language classes for all of their hearing neighbors. The young men were eager so I pointed them towards William who is always happy to give a beginners lesson. Now, to be honest, there will be difficult times, members of the community will not understand and will never seek to understand. But others will endeavor to learn and work together, rising above previous notions. When (when. .. not if) this happens, we will observe a community truly unique in Haiti!!!

Three young hearing men in the community are a great start to encourage the deaf to venture out on their own as well. We have to remember that courage and effort to leave a comfort zone must come from both the deaf and hearing communities at Leveque. The deaf cannot expect to be included in the community unless they first endeavor to include themselves. With guys like Mackenson, William, Dieffe, Paul, Widler, Jimmy, Geovany, Sandy, Josenel, and women like Berthide, Georges, Melanie, Francilia, and YoYo to lead the way I know we will continue to find ourselves a part of something very special.
Thank you for your prayers again today – the families seem happy and ready for their new lives. For the 20 more families moving on Saturday, please pray for peace and courage. For the families already living in their new homes please also pray for peace and continued strength to be positive changes for this special community in Haiti.

I am off to rest for a bit and will surely sleep very well.

grace and peace,
Kyle