Happy Thanksgiving to all of you whom I love so much. I appreciate each and every one of you and the thoughts some of you sent me over the Atlantic! Once again I feel so blessed by the community I have in SI. Over 80 of us (both Dominican and American) missionaries gathered at the base to share in a feast of Thanks. And, though it was difficult to be so many miles from family, I realized when sitting in our huge dining room that many of these people have already become like family. I am truly overwhelmed and humbled by the provision God has given through each and every one of you, my house, dogs and a family so far from home. Please know I don't live life without thanking our Heavenly Father for each of these things :)
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| Our leadership team did an awesome job decorating the tables and making it feel like Turkey Day-even in 80 degrees! |
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| Jami (my dear friend and fellow missionary), me and Ashlyn |
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| the dessert table |
Part 2: Black Friday
On Friday I had the privilege of traveling to the Haitian border with Bethel students who are serving with SI for their Fall semester. I couldn't wait. Haiti has always been an elusive and mystical place in my eyes. When I first felt God calling me to medical missions I was introduced (through novels) to Dr. Paul Farmer who has arguably been the most influential medical missionary (though non-Christian) and has done an incredible amount of work in Haiti, both pre- and post-Earthquake. I became obsessed with the idea of working in Haiti.
Therefore, when I first received my call to the Dominican, I was pretty surprised...after all, hadn't God placed the Haitian people on my heart? But, of course in His perfect timing I was placed in the DR at a time when Haitians are incredibly oppressed. Post-Earthquake some have smuggled their way in and are taking jobs from Dominicans, this has created an unbelievably complicated situation with relations that were already strained.
To say there is racism and Haitians are treated second rate is an understatement. In the hospitals alone Haitians are given unbelievably poor medical care. For example, in a local hospital there were three women ready to give birth, two Dominicans and a Haitian. The Haitian woman was the furthest dilated yet was told by the nurses to cross her legs and both Dominican women were induced and delivered first. Sigh, I wish I could say that this was an uncommon occurrence, but unfortunately I would be lying.
God recently revealed why I'm in the DR but have such a heart for Haitians....SI just became acquainted with a Haitian community that are in desperate need of the Lord and medical care....guess where I hope to spend the majority of my time???
So, when I had the opportunity to check out the border of course I jumped at the chance. What better way to learn about the people I hope to serve?
There was some irony that we traveled to the border on what the developed world deems "Black Friday." A day filled with deal shopping usually for things that are far from necessity. At least what I think of as necessity. I must say my idea of "necessity" has drastically changed since moving here, due to living situations and spending time in campos. For example- stove, oven, refrigerator, running water....let alone warm water, more than one pair of clothes...truly necessity? Necessity is something we need to survive...yet the people I am serving are surviving, perhaps not extravagantly but they are surviving, so are these things necessity?
Anyways. For some reason I naively imagined the Haitian border as similar to Mexico and Canada...and black Friday. Perhaps I would find Haitian artwork to bring home to my family for Christmas? For a deal! What I found was drastically different.
Desperation
Necessity
Need
Unbelievably Hard Work
Unfair circumstances
I visited this place as a tourist. This trade between the DR and Haiti is their livelihood. People barefoot, covered in mud and feces, desperate to sell one item. Haitians selling clothes (likely from US aid) and Dominicans selling perishables. Even this illustrates the stark contrast between countries...Dominicans looking for materialistic desires, Haitians perishable needs.
I had a hard time observing this interaction and imagining the beautifully decorated malls, Targets and Barnes & Nobles with people rushing to buy the newest and best iphone and nooks.
I know that these are two different worlds, but how easy it is to forget this world filled with poverty and desperate people trying to place food on their table- most likely the same rice and beans they've had every meal for who knows how long, let alone desserts and specialty foods.
Friends, this is the country I serve in. A country filled with poverty yet sharing an island with a country who has even less.
I'm eager to serve these beautiful Haitian people. Filled with suspicion, distrust, hunger and hopelessness all spun from complicated and unfair circumstances not of their own making. I look forward, through the grace of God, to work with Haitians. To love them as Christ does and earn their trust. To give them the health care they are entitled to and hopefully in the process Dominican-Haitian relations will improve.
I don't write this entry to make you feel guilty. I desperately want to share what I am eye-witness to. I love our American culture- I love it's complexities and how we have become so advanced that we can live so blessedly and lavishly. I only wish the people I love here can have that too, and I believe so does our Father.
So, I thank you. For enabling me to be here. For supporting SI and the ministry and community development we are and continue to do. For believing that change is possible and through the gospel, love and partnership, our brothers and sisters will come to know Christ and through Him better their circumstances. Please join me in this prayer during this Christmas season.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
