Well, I promised I'd tell everyone about my first Neighbors Project experience, so here it goes, I guess! I don't want to go into too many gory details, but let's just say that last week was not as great as I was expecting.
For anyone that has ever considered coming to Haiti (I know I make it sound like a Caribbean vacation...), here are some things you should not expect:
-perfect plumbing
-endless water
-working vehicles
-electricity
Some people have what I call the AEC, or the American Entitlement Complex. In other words, "I'm an American, therefore, I deserve this this and this." In Mountains Beyond Mountains, the author tells a story of when Dr. Paul Farmer met another young American doctor in Haiti and had the following conversation after finding out the young doctor was leaving:
Paul Farmer: Isn't it going to be hard to leave?
Young Doctor: Are you kidding? There's no electricity here. It's just brutal here."
PF: "But aren't you worried about not being able to forget all this? There's so much disease here."
YD: "No. I'm American, and I'm going home."
Later, Farmer asked himself, "What does that mean, 'I'm an American'? For some people, it means "I am the rich white person here to lavish gifts upon you poor people with nothing... But, by God, there better be water for me to shower tonight!"
For me, it means "God has given me much, so much is expected of me."
That being said, I don't regret my time at La Baie, even though it was horribly difficult. I see both good and not-so-good examples of ministry, both of which I can learn from. And I did!
Anyway, the weekend after groups left was fairly eventful. One of the interns had a birthday, so we all ate lunch at the Mountain Breeze, which is a beautiful hotel. After that, we each caught a moto to the beach--check that off the Truck-It List!
Sunday was mostly spent recuperating. (That's code for taking a two-hour nap.) But Sunday evening I was given the amazing opportunity to Skype with Max! We got to talk for a whole hour, and I got to translate when one of my Haitian friends peeked over and said he was cute in Creole. :)
Prie
New groups are coming in five minutes! Literally! Please pray that everyone comes in safely and we have an awesome week!
Loue
After my rough week in La Baie, another group on campus decided to wash the feet of the kitchen ladies, so I helped them get everything they needed. Little did I know that they were going to wash mine as well. After a hard week, you have no idea how much it means for someone to be willing to scrub three days worth of deet of your feet and massage your back. Thanks.
Creole Lesson:
"Moun yo bay anpil, y'ap mande l anpil tou." Lik 12:48b
"People who have been given much, much is asked of them also." Luke 12:48
Or, as Uncle Ben said, "With great power comes great responsibility."
Love ya!
Melissa
I feel your pain in the AEC's. They tend to be all over the Baylor campus in my humble opinion. Just remember that when people are born and raised in such a way it is so easy to be blind to other people's realities.
ReplyDeleteNext time you have a group of AEC's, (as I'm sure you will at some point) try telling them stories of the lives of the Haitian people. Americans don't realize that certain things don't grow on tress over there like they do here. Sometimes all it takes is a heartwarming tale to open the eyes of the ignorant :)
And if that doesn't work, just be glad not ALL Americans are like that...
P.S. When you get a minute take a look at this :) It made me feel a little better about the fate of our race...
Deletehttp://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/pictures-that-will-restore-your-faith-in-humanity
You are in an amazing position to show the people of Haiti, and the Americans who come over what a servant is...We are all on a journey from close mindedness to helping create heaven on earth. Keep being yourself, showing how not everyone suffers from endless entitlement, how the "luxuries" we enjoy can actually be crippling and hindering to the human spirit.
ReplyDeleteYou are wise to lean into the simple blessings in footwashing, skype, and naps. God is everywhere. You are loved, woman! Julie Riddle
I must admit, you do make it sound like a Caribbean vacation. On this lovely 4th of July (eve), as we are hearing fireworks everywhere I pray that we all remember that being proud to be American does not make us superior. We will not stay strong unless we use our strength to help others.
ReplyDeleteI am incredibly proud of you and your willingness to use your great strength always to benefit others. <3 Love you so much.
Mom
PS nice Spiderman reference...the new movie came out today. :)
Nick tio ernest and i went to see spiderman yesyerday. You remind me very much of him. A super person does not require web slinging or xray vision or to be faster than a speeding bullet. What is required is kindness and thoughtfulness the super ability to love and not hate your fellow man and the courage to do all those super abilities. Just the courage. And you do just that.
ReplyDeleteThere is a part in the movie where peter parker before he becomes spiderman helps someone from the bully Flash Thompson. With out any thought to the health of his own he gets beat up. But at least he stood up to Flash a little fearlessly yet he remain champain to the truth and justice. You remind me so much of him. Couragous truthful kind and willing to help others no matter what. That is a true hero.
Thanks for the chat the other day it did make my day. Stay cool and strong and happy 4th. You make America proud. Love papi. XOXOXO
2 Corinthians 8:7 But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.10 And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." (NIV)
ReplyDeleteHello, Melissa!!! This is tia Nayade. I don't know if I am doing this the correct way; but I have been trying to write to you a little note, just to tell you how proud I am of you. That you and your friends are doing an ammazing job, with the people and specially the children of Haiti. Just giving them some love and attention, makes a big difference in their lives, I am sure of that. God will keep blessing you, for your unselfishnes(sp?) I hope you understand my note, and that it can reach you. If you get into a proyect, and are short of$$$, let me know, ok? Love you sweet heart. Tia Nayade
ReplyDelete