It’s been a busy couple of weeks! We’ve learned a lot, but there’s still a lot
we don’t understand. Last week we
learned about Haitian funerals. Here in
our little community, 4 people died in 6 days.
We knew 2 of the people, another was the sister of a friend and the
other lived just across the ravine behind us.
It all started with the tragic death of a 22 yr. old teacher
who had siblings in our school. He was
on his way to a missionary revival after dark on a moto that didn't have any
lights. He and his passenger were
literally run over by a ‘taptap’ that also didn't have lights! Just to put this into perspective a little,
the moto was a 125 cc motorbike and it ran in front of a medium size (650/6500
series) truck. Word of his death spread
fast and I think everyone on the mountain but us went to view the accident
scene. There really wasn't a hurry to
view it because, pending investigation by the police (they had to come from
Port au Prince!), the body laid on the road right where he died until late the
next morning! ‘Vixon’ was a fine young
Christian man and the shock of his sudden death really hit everyone pretty
hard. We hadn't really experienced a
Haitian funeral before but had heard a lot about them. We were really curious what it would be
like. It turns out that Vixon was the
first to die, but the last to be buried.
His body spent the week at the morgue while the police tried to decide what
really happened. In the mean time, 3
more people would face judgment.
While we were down in Fond Parisienne for 3 days tending to
Elifait’s (a little boy we are helping get treated for lymphatic TB) treatment,
Andre and Elifait’s aunt both passed away.
Elifait’s aunt had been sick for a long time and her death was more of a
blessing. She was a believer, so her
suffering is over. Andre was a different
story. Some of you have heard part of
his story, but Andre had a history of voodoo worship and the occult. He struggled with demon possession and could
be extremely violent at times. He died
in his sleep Monday night to an uncertain eternity! Pray that God will be Merciful to him! By the time we got home Wednesday afternoon,
he had already been buried! The funeral wasn't over yet, but the body was in the tomb.
The fourth person passed on Thursday and we’re not sure of
any details concerning her. We heard she
was a believer but that’s about all we know.
What we do know is that everyone is talking about dying and they are
very open to the Gospel! Just about
everyone is willing to discuss eternity and they’re thinking seriously about
their destiny! Pray that God will give
us the words in every opportunity!
Another aspect of a Haitian funeral is the partying! Everyone had asked us if we were going to go,
we probably should have, but we knew there would be gobs of people and we would
be more of a distraction that anything so we decided to just look on from
afar. Well, you could see it from
afar! The three houses were fairly close
to each other and not far from ours. A
couple neighbor kids borrowed a flashlight to walk down and we could hear a lot
of commotion so we decided to take a little walk just to see what we could
see. From one spot on the trail we could
see all three houses. There were huge
crowds at all three, and they were all lit up.
Andre’s house from a huge bonfire and the other two from a generator and
lights. There was music blaring and
people playing dominos, lots of food and drinks. There was a lot of celebrating going on. If our language skills were better and we
knew the people better, it would have been interesting to get closer, but we’d
seen enough for one night and stumbled back to the house in the dark.
 |
| We got there a little late! |
Elifait’s aunt was to be ‘intered’ Sunday morning at 9:00
and, believe it or not, it started promptly at 9:00 because when we arrived at
10:00 with a lot of other people they were putting the last of the mortar on
the tomb and it was pretty much over except for the hanging around playing dominoes drinking and waiting for the food.
We shared our condolences and went home to await Vixon’s 3:00
service.
 |
| Just hanging out. |
 |
| There were people standing everywhere! |
It also started pretty promptly, was held in a church that was pretty close to his house and the tomb and the place was packed! We never made it inside the church and stood outside with 300 or so other people! The service was quite lengthy with several
people speaking and singing, groups singing, people entering the church and
soon exiting it in full throated wail looking for someone to fall upon and
grieve.
 |
| Headed to the grave site. |
About an hour later, people
started coming out of the church followed by the casket being carried by 7 men
and the whole throng proceeded down the road, up the path, across the stream
and up the steep hill to the tomb.
 |
| Up the mountain we go! |
 |
I just had to add this! She was standing in front
of us at the grave site! Probably the only white shirt
she had! |
 |
| 'walking shoes! |
I had
my trail sandals on and glad for them.
How the Haitian women in their spike heels got up that hill defies
explanation, but all 400 or so people made it!
There was a short service at the tomb and then everyone descended on the
house of the family for more food and drink.
We just observed from a distance, again not wanting to be a distraction,
and went home. Most of what we’d
experienced seemed a little over the top as far as the celebrating and the cost
of it all, but a lot of it is out of the hands of the family. It’s just the way things happen. People show up and that is what they expect,
so it happens. It’s really too bad,
because it creates a lot of hardship when the bill start rolling in. Especially when you’re mourning the loss of
your oldest son! Pray for Vixon’s family!
This has been a huge thing for them.
-------------------
Beyond that, life has been busy! Cheryl’s working with the school, making friends with some new mothers and dealing with injuries and all the people with the ‘grip’.
 |
| The onion fields are looking great! |
We had a nice rain
Wednesday evening. We hated it because
we had to cancel our evening church service, but .8” was very much appreciated! It's been over 2 months since we've had a measurable rain. It kicked the farmers into high
gear prepping fields and planting. The onion fields are looking great! It’s amazing how fast everything
responds. Trees are pushing new leaves
within a couple days, bugs appear in mass and smoke fills the air. It grieves my heart to watch the fires rage
on the mountainsides and in the fields. I've spent a couple days with my machete cutting up the congo bean
stalks and weeds I've pulled from my garden, but everyone else piles them up
and burns them! I tell them ‘Bondye pa
konnen boule!’ (God doesn’t like burning!).
They just smile and shake their heads as I try to explain about mulching
and composting. Hopefully, they’ll see a
difference in our fields and start shaking their heads the other way! Oh what I’d give for a small chipper
here! A couple seasons of composting vs.
burning would make believers out of them.
 |
| Clearing a field to plant sweet potatoes. |
Well, I’m sure those of you that
made it this far are ready to quit, so I’ll close this thing to a close. We have some dreams we’d appreciate your prayers
on. We've decided that we need a vehicle
up here. Unfortunately, there’s not a cheap way. A 4 wheeler would be our choice, but we’re
not sure. We’re also dreaming about a
well near the school and block walls for the school. We’re looking for confirmation that our
dreams are God’s dreams and trusting Him to provide everything we need to make
His dreams a reality. Thanks for doing
your part, whatever that is. Maybe it’s praying,
maybe it’s giving, maybe it’s buying a ticket and coming down and laying block
with us! We love you all and pray for
you all the time. Drop us a note if you
get a minute. Your prayers and
partnership are what keep us strong! Peace!
'Life is a gift.' Memen, neighbor and good friend
