2 Weeks Left

In less than two weeks I will be waking up in America. In less than two weeks I will be moving back to the states, away from Haiti. This trip from the Port-au-Prince airport to Miami and then back into DFW airport is a one-way ticket. I’ve only spent two years in Haiti, a blink of an eye compared to those who have spent decades (yes, decadeS), but numbering days is just one way to measure time, and I think the most significant way I can measure these past two years is in friendships.

There are dozens of things about Haiti I will miss: fresh mangos outside the door, incredible sunrises and sunsets, avocados the size of your head, beautiful little girls in braids and ribbons smiling and waving to you (even though you are a complete stranger), awe-inspiring terrace farms lacing the mountains, the smell of rain washing away the dust and dirt, and the oh-so-satisfying sound of a mosquito being zapped by a bug-zapping racket. 

But here are some pictures of the “things” I will miss the most...

and my favorite picture.....

Two Announcements

Dear blog readers:

Yes, it has been quite a long time since I sat down to write a blog. The school year is trucking along as usual and time seems to be flying by. I wanted to share an announcement that most of you probably already know, but wanted to officially put it on the blog: 

I got a dog.

Macy: showing off her new leash and collar at the beach.

I’ll write another blog explaining how I got her and go on and on about how adorable she is later. Right now, she is living in America with my parents. Why, you ask? Well, one reason is that she will be too big to fly on the plane in June, so I took her home at Easer. The main reason, however, has to do with my second announcement.

I will be coming back to Texas soon, and for good.

That’s right. My two-year commitment with Quisqueya here in Haiti is coming to an end and I have chosen not to renew my contract, but to return to the states. There are many reasons, but the main one is just to be home: to be near family and old friends and to do ministry in a country where I know the language and the culture and can be near people I love. Not to say that I don’t love the people and community here, because I do. I have not even begun to process what it will be like to not be near them and live life in this community, because it is just too hard to picture. Haiti has taught me a lot and allowed me to grow and experience so many new things. The coming weeks will involve squeezing in as much time as possible with the teachers, students, and friends here before returning to the states. 

I wanted to ask prayer for many things in the next few months:

--For strength as I leave this country and community of friends. 

--For a job! I’m looking for a teaching position for Fall 2013 (if you have any leads, pass them my way!) and finding one sooner, rather than later, would relieve a great deal of stress. 

--For Quisqueya. Many teachers are leaving at the end of this year. Prayers for all those leaving and for new, fabulous teachers to replace them. 

--I’m sure many more things I can’t quite think of right now.

Thanks for following along. The rest of this school year is going to fly by before we know it!

Back to the Crazy That We Call Normal

After about two and a half weeks of vacation in the states (and Germany) I arrived back in Haiti on Sunday morning. I had an early morning flight from Miami. For those who have never been to Haiti, the craziness begins in the Miami airport. The boarding time for this flight is 20 minutes earlier than any other flight, domestic or international, that I have ever been on. People are shoving the largest carry-ons I've ever seen into overhead bins. Women with large woven bags full of who-knows-what are trying to shove them under the seat in front of them without breaking anything. The ones taking their time shoving stuff places don't seem to understand the flight attendants asking them to please hurry along. After the first few times I took this flight it became less frustrating and more comical. Knowing what to expect makes it a little funnier...a little.

The Haiti airport used to terrify me. It was a lot jankier than it is now. They've done some wonderful renovations in the last few months making it seem like a legitimate airport, but it used to be the scariest place in Haiti for me. You used to have to walk down this long sidewalk without knowing for sure if someone would be waiting for you at the end. If there wasn't anyone you would have to sit on your bags outside the airport where dozens and dozens of people were milling about. Your mind begins to play tricks on you and all the "Dangers of the Third World" portrayed by certain American news channels begin to roll around in your mind. When I arrive back in Haiti now I am not nearly as nervous as I used to be. I have a phone and know multiple people to call if my ride was delayed. If that fails, I know enough Creole to get a ride to my school and I know the area well enough to know if my driver is taking me there or someplace else.

Thankfully, I have always had a ride and Jill was there right on time to pick me up. We drove over the potholes, down the crazy roads, past the women selling their wares on the street, beside the pig eating from the pile of trash in the middle of the road, along the roads, every one of which is lined with walls of all shapes and sizes....walls everywhere.

It felt like home. This is normal. Driving 20 miles an hour because any faster will take off your wheels when you hit a pot hole (not "if," "when"). The sights, smells, and sounds assault your senses, but after 18 months it isn't new, exciting, or scary, it is familiar. The quiet I heard in America, the smooth roads and the clean air, while refreshing, was unfamiliar. It didn't feel like I was home. I was visiting. I was on vacation.

I've never lived in a place so different from my "normal" for so long. It's a weird feeling that is difficult to explain. It's strange that I am weirdly comforted by the horns and yelling on the street....unless it's after 9 pm of course.  This all makes the transitions from Haiti to America and back again difficult and unsettling. Its almost like having two homes and it's weird.

Those are my musings for the current moment, thanks for reading. We've had two days of the new semester. The students seem ready to be back, albeit a little groggy from the break. It's nice to see them and nice to get back into the routine of the school week. It should be an exciting semester so check back for (hopefully) more frequent updates.