A Very Fulfilling Day

Some days are normal Mama days. Training my children, making meals, cleaning house, meeting the needs of my husband and those around here... they are fulfilling and special and fit the description that my Lord has called me to. Other days are special in another way... yesterday was one of those. I decided to go take my little ones to find some neighbor children to blow bubbles with. We soon saw a group at a nearby house of a friend of mine. They were very willing to join in our play. Soon the translucent, shiny spheres were floating and children jumping and smiling. My own boys were a bit shy in the melee, but they observed and took their turn when they got a bubble wand. One mischevious orphan teenager was excited to see the little sweet local crackers I brought to share, but he decided to steal the next boys right out of his hand. It was gone so fast you truly thought he was still eating his first one. The poor boy is truly hungry, but I still gave him the consequence of no corosol fruit that I had also brought to share with the children. This spited him, and he became even more naughty- trying to run off with all my bubble container lids and coming back to trade the lids for my fruity treat. This didn't work so I told him I won't come out any more with bubbles if he keeps those lids.  He gave in and returned them.  The next day I was buying bread from the same house and talking to the lady of the house when he came along and begged for some bread also. I looked questioningly at her and she agreed that he was truly needy so I told him he needed to apologize for yesterday first and tell God he's sorry. He sheepishly agreed and I gave him the desired bread. When Matid-the lady there heard how he had stollen from me she acted shocked and told another boy listening not to tell anyone lest they kill him! I don't know if she was overreacting a bit to scare the boy for his sin or serious, but they do punish direly for stealing.

                                                  

After a man working for us here brought me papaya I had to find the right change to pay him so we went to his house towards evening. Eugene had headed up to Grandpa's for a walk and quiet time. My children and I didn't find the man home- he had gone to feed his animals, so we answered the neighbor childrens' pleading to come jump rope. As we came close the mother also came out- Mme Brucelone (next door neighbor to the mission compound). I wasn't expecting her to join in the play, but unashamedly she jumped right in the rotating frayed twine rope and laughed like a little girl. Even when I asked if I could take a picture she readily agreed and prepared to pose with her energetic bouncing! :) What a good example of a carefree Mama joining in her childrens' fun. I jumped and made them all laugh and hoot then prepared to be on our way. As we headed back up the trail she reminded me that I still had not been to her 'house'. I agreed I would be back. Eugene passed on the upper trail right then so I called to him to come join us. We decided to use this chance to visit as a family after all. They were thrilled to have us come all the way to their courtyard and Mme. Brucelone insisted we come in and sit down on chairs in her humble two room hut so we obeyed and made small talk. They had a beautiful bird the son had injured with a sling shot. It was tied with a thin string to the leg of a chair where it was failing fast. After a bit we went out to jump rope so Eugene could join in too. They loved watching him bounce up and down with the rest and he did amazingly well- thrilling them all and bringing the typical hoots and cheers with clapping. They just love when we Americans join in with them on daily life: work or play.

On the main trail home we greeted the men sitting along the path. They smiled and returned our Haitian salutations, murmuring and nodding their approval that we took time to talk... this is extremely important in their culture. They judge you on how friendly you are and whether you come down to their level. They know as well as we do when we are lofty and looking down our nose at them. The boys have learned amazingly well to look at the people and shake hands and say “Bonjou” “Komo-ya”-(how are you) “Pa-pi mal”(Not too bad). It warms my heart when they overcome their fear and are friendly in spite of nervousness that someone might grab them and try to hold them. Eugene does really well getting the people to laugh and smile at his bold attempts to communicate them. It spites him to no end that he can't communicate fully, but he's learning the language bit by bit.

Before we headed towards home we agreed to stop at our friend and neighbor to have another family visit. Not finding them home Eugene took the boys in the fence. I happened across her before I got all the way so I stopped to talk. I had been hoping for a chance to really have a heart to heart talk knowing some difficult situations she was facing in her family. When I questioned how she was really doing and whether she was discouraged she started to tear up and open her heart. This made my eyes fill up as well so I waved towards the house and suggested we go sit down and talk on her porch. My heart felt like breaking as I pondered her situation and heard her side of the story. I asked if we could pray together so she readily agreed and took me into her humble home. We both prayed in Creole and then I switched to English as we murmured the overflowing of our hearts to the One who knows and cares and has power to answer with power. It was a very sweet time of connecting deeply at a heart level. Before we parted I encouraged her to pray for her family daily. She sincerely thanked me and we each went our ways.

In the evening we had our weekly family night where we stay home and the rest eat at the nurses house.  After supper Eugene and I each took one of the boys to spend some one on one time. Theodore and I went up on the Depot roof, spread a blanket out, layed our heads on a pillow and looked at the stars and read a book. It is a special bonding time and delights our boys when we take this kind of time. Seeking to be good parents takes all our energy and focus, plus much depending on the Lord!

We ended the evening with a visit from Pastor Gerard who sometimes sleeps down in Brother Levi's house(here on our compound). He had tea with us (he really likes that, so if I don't remember to offer he reminds me with a smile) and we picked his brain on a few cultural things we had questions on. We enjoyed the visit and then he retired for the evening.