almost famous

Sunday, May 2, 2010

In church this morning, I began to connect some of the dots in language. Even in Haiti, church has its own vocabulary at times. The pastor has copied songs and distributed those papers to the congregants. As I sat in the service, I began to translate some of the words I didn't know. The songs actually made sense thanks to the rest of the Kreyol I have been learning. It helps to know that I'm singing words I believe and not just some randomness.

In the afternoon I went for another walk. Before I even passed the end of our fence, I was joined by 3 of my little friends. They kept circling me, each trying to get a better grasp of my hands/fingers. It made walking difficult, but their enthusiasm made me smile. They asked to show me their houses, as they have on other occasions. I agreed finally. As we walked off the beach and through the banana plants, heads began turning. Most smiled and welcomed me. Many of the children knew me and some joined our group. I was introduced to families and friends. Some showed me where their houses were, now piles of rubble with a few columns standing or structures with compromised walls. They pointed out the tarps or huts where they were now sleeping. Adults invited me to sit down and talk with them, but I knew I was expected back at the compound and wanted to try to see the other child's house before I had to return. Little did I realize this meant walking to the nearest tent camp, winding through the narrow pathways to an "open-door" where one of their mothers slept. The children insisted on waking her, but I don't think she was overjoyed to see me standing there when she sat up. She was cordial, and thankfully I still needed to return home.

On the walk back, our numbers doubled. I now had at least a dozen children vying for my attention. Some of them I regularly saw and interacted with, but others were relatively new. Before I was half-way home, they were hanging on my arms and fighting for the right to walk directly next to me. The older children were instructing the younger ones to give me space and stop. The farther we went, the more attention we drew. After a while, I was beginning to feel as if the paparazzi was following me which is a strange experience but is the closest description I can imagine. Many people in the local village recognize me and know my name. They use it frequently, calling out just to say hello. I don't know half of them, but somehow I stand out in their memories, even if they've only seen me in passing :)

The rains may have finally decided to come today. We had an amazing storm in the early evening, and despite the storm, God still provided an amazing sunset with the sun's rays appearing to jut upwards above the house. I enjoyed walking in the rain to gather some vegetables for dinner. Instead of spending time watching a movie, I was occupied watching the sky lit up by various shades of lightning. I never knew lightning could be so colorful: green, blue, purple, and pink. Oh the things I am learning. Hopefully the rainy season will finally come for the sake of the farmers here.