I had heard in the past that re-entry is often an important often neglected part of the mission experience and that reverse culture shock can be more difficult than culture shock. These things I would agree with. My past year has also involved multiple and somewhat complicated transitions, losses, and surprises, disappointments, discoveries and really almost constant change.
Sometimes I go to the Haitian Creole liturgy here in New Orleans. A few weeks ago there was a young American woman sitting behind me who I began talking with. She had spent some time working in Haiti. Today I met here at a local cafe and we talked for a couple of hours telling of our stories and experiences in Haiti. They were the kind of stories which only someone who had been there could really understand or appreciate. It is a gift when I can talk with people who have been there; such connections are energizing and important.
It is also a gift when I have the chance to pale Kreyol because while I know I have forgotten some, I am making an effort to hold on to a langue I worked so hard to learn.
I am grateful for the internet and for facebook where I get to see pictures and even an occasional video of the children. The house which was Kay Ste. Ann was rented by NPH for one year, and now a new home has been built for the children, a brand new Kay St. Ann! It looks great, at least the pictures I see over the internet make it look wonderful. Here is a link to a video that NPH posted on facebook a few weeks ago. The child is one I knew well, but because she has grown so much since I left, and because her name is changed to protect her identity, I did not know it was her at first. I was only completely certain of her identity when I saw the pictures at the very end of this video. Young children really change a lot in a year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QHGZ0eQe0lI
A few weeks ago I wondered if the children especially because they are so very young would even remember me. Very soon after I had that thought although I had not told anyone that I had been thinking that, a volunteer wrote on facebook, "A chorus of Ste. Anne kiddos announced to me this morning that you need to come back to Haiti! You are still remembered."
My experiences have changed my thinking. A couple of weeks ago there was a possible problem with the water in New Orleans and while the city was testing the tap water we were advised to boil it before drinking. In some strange way, I felt this was a great reminder that most people in the world do not always have clean drinking water right in their own home. I had a sense of solidarity, yet was skeptical that the water could have really gotten contaminated to the point of being dangerous; I just could not imagine that the water here could have something as serious as say Cholera. Once it was tested the city said that the water was fine. Having been in Haiti, also prepared me for the days without electricity and air conditioning resulting from Hurricane Issac. Sometimes I wish everyone could have an experience like I had in Haiti, and an opportunity to get at least a glimpse of what life is like for many of our brothers and sisters with whom we share this earth. Sometimes I catch myself acting as though I have lost touch with my own experiences; I hate when I behave like an entitled American.
It does seem impossible that an entire year has passed. I am now working at Covenant House New Orleans and enjoying it. The job I started last winter was really not a good fit for me for a variety of reasons. I also moved from one local community to another, but on the same property. I am now beginning to get somewhat settled and am finally emerging from the midst of many major transitions.
My strongest emotion when I think of my time in Haiti, is gratitude I am grateful for the experiences for all the people I met, all that I learned and unlearned, and for all those who were supportive.
Mesi Bon Dye, mesi anpil!
