Wednesday, May 15, 2013

It's May...what the what?

Hey, so is anyone shocked by the fact that today is May 15?!? May, as in, the month before June. Where in the heck did the time go?

In any case, May 15 is significant for a couple of reasons, to wit:

  • My parents are bringing a team of awesome people from Faith Bible Fellowship Church in exactly ONE MONTH!
  • School ends in exactly one month minus one day! (talk about perfect timing...)
  • I leave Haiti in about two months (all sorts of mixed feelings on that one...saving that for another post).

The more I chat with my parents about the ins and outs, the details, the fine print of their trip here, the more excited I get. I'm blessed with great parents who are making this their second trip to Haiti in as many years, and I'm so thrilled and grateful for the team that's coming along with them because I want people to experience this place. I want people to come, without expectation, without trying to "fix", without pretense. I want people to come and see and love. And I believe this group of people gets that.

Lately I've been pondering this question: Do I love Haiti? 
I know the answer is yes, but I can't say I love Haiti in the same way people say "I love Italy" or "I love Paris." People love Paris for its culture, its food, its theater and museums and nightlife. People love Paris because it's so darn loveable. Haiti is a mixed bag of loveable and unloveable, beautiful and ugly. 

But it occurred to me that I love Haiti in the way that I love my family. They are wonderful, yes, but not perfect. And I love them because they are part of me - they are knit into the fabric of my existence in a way that no other people in the world are. And that's what Haiti is to me - a place which has shaped me like no other. Under my skin, in my bloodstream.

And now, just because they're adorable and delightful (despite their ability to be infuriating to a weary teacher with one month of school left), my kids:

Here's what the girls do at recess.

And the boys.



Gosh, I love 'em. (Does it make you want to visit?!? I'll only be here for two more months, so act fast!)

Love to you all.

-Kristen