Beach day!!!

March 7, 2014

M’ sonj’e ou.  I remember you. 

Today marked our final day in what has come to be a majestic utopia for team March 2014.  Haiti or “Ayiti” will forever hold a place in the hearts of 10 people who arrived as individuals but left as a family.  Beyond our team family, each of us formed lasting bonds with the authentic Haitian people we were blessed to spend our week with. 

After our venture through the Haitian mountains God blessed us with a day of fun in the sun at Club Indigo Resort.  Eight of our Haitian helpers journeyed to the beach with us in the “Paddie Wagon.”  The ride in felt exhilarating as we all sat in the back of the truck singing American pop songs while the Haitians laughed and were forced to join in. 

When we arrived at the beach I was awestruck at the beauty of God’s creation.  The clearest blue diamond water of the Atlantic Ocean sparkled up at us surrounded by a majestic mountainous backdrop.  Both Haitians and Americans basked in the view before plunging into the cool water.  Everyone’s faces lit up with childlike enjoyment as we splashed and swam and laughed together.  Before we knew it, it was time to chow down at the buffet.  Authentic Haitian cuisine prepared for an all-you-can-eat feast was music to all our ears.  Who doesn’t love good food?!  We enjoy another universal characteristic of our humanity together.

The highlight of the day for all was the Haitian v. American pool basketball showdown.  Everyone competed with wide smiles and echoing laughter.  It really became more of a boys v. girls game as Talilah joined our team.  Although the girls MVP was probably Sam as he troughed through the water like an American football running back with three Haitians on his back.  This was a perfect end to our beach day as we shared our universal love of games and innocent play.

 It was a quiet ride back to the compound as we all felt the inevitable farewell approaching.  Arriving back at the guest house meant saying our final goodbyes with a very real fear of the unknown of when/ if we would see our friends again.  The vulnerability we had in this unique experience forced an unbreakable bond between our American team and our Haitian friends.  Our Haitian friends translated English to Creole and Creole to English.  They prepared all our meals for us.  They guided us on unfamiliar terrain.  They took our hands to prevent us from falling.  They sweated with us.  They sang with us.  They laughed with us.  They played with us.  They cried with us.  They shared joy in our triumphs.  And together we accomplished our feat.  We came to help build a school and we will leave having built a community that surpasses cultural barriers; a community both Haitian and American.  We are united in our humanness and when we work together and learn from one another there is nothing we can’t do with the help of our loving God. 

On this day, March 7, 2014, we will remember you.  And we will forever remember Haiti and the community we built.  This community can only to be strengthened over time as we set out back to America to advocate for Hands for Haiti.  Our Haitian friends will forever remain in our hearts.  M’ sonj’e ou.  We remember you.