Adventures with Jim

Today I went out into the heart of Haiti with an Irishman and his friend, an American student living in Ireland.  They are both from the same church in Dublin staying with Pastor Lionel and dress up as clowns to entertain children in Haitian orphanages.  We were escorted by two Haitians, one of which attends the Academy of Music in Port Au Prince and his friend who chooses to give of his time to local charitable organizations such as "New Life".  For the Irishmen, the mission was very specific..find the "Irish Embassy", an authentic Irish pub in downtown Port Au Prince and see a few new things.  I, however, had no such direction or agenda.  I was told we were in good hands and everything would be fine.  When a Haitian tells you this, something in his eyes makes you believe it without questioning.  You have to be here to know what I mean.  The "Tap-Tap" ride was bumpy and noisy and the streets were filled with cars, motorbikes, people, wares, dogs, dirt and dust. . to imagine coming home without seeing or being in an auto accident after such an experience speaks to the incredible chaotic ballet of movement in the street.  People shouting and honking, some escalated verbal confrontations without ending in physical violence as this American would have imagined such altercations leading to back home.  We visited the Haitian Museum of History and were regaled with the terribly beautiful message of Haitian strength and endurance under the harshest and most inhumane of treatment first as imported slaves and then having to battle against political corruption through the years to be able to claim this land as their own and no one else's'.  After our informative and air-conditioned break from the hustle and bustle we made our way to the Hotel Oloffson which was constructed before the late 1800's.  There, we took in the history and beauty and had lunch. Our dining experience was rich in taste as well as conversation, the subjects of which ranged from racial inequality to debating how long Justin Bieber's fame would last.   An unplanned swim was enjoyed after dining by all of us except the driver and the Haitian musician, who seemed just as content watching us make fools of ourselves laughing and carrying on.  We saw the sign for the Irish Village which prompted us to get off the Tap-Tap but quickly found out it was quite a hike from where we disembarked.  The walk through the streets was even more exciting than the ride.  We walked by dead poultry lying in the street (which was actually for sale, not just mere road kill) and rubble piles still left over from the infamous earthquake of 2010.  People laughed and smiled as we walked by and the Irishman couldn't help to say "Joie Noel" to everyone he made eye contact with while clapping and singing between greetings.  His enthusiasm and outward expressions of joy and comfort loosened any tension I had by the feeling that one wrong move would knock something or someone over or that I myself would be knocked down.  I kept feeling the gentle hand of our Haitian friends on my shoulder as I tended to lag behind and was reminded just as gently to stay together for our safety.  We made our way to the bar, the Irishmen tried to talk the owner into letting them perform their clown routine and were politely denied.  We came, we saw, we left.  At the end of an amazing day, I am confident in the words of Elson, our Haitian friend.. it doesn't matter where we are from, we are all brothers and sisters and have to watch out for each other.  For two Haitian men to take time out of their lives, where working is the most important key to fleshly survival, and be our own personal guides for the day was truly a blessing.  They knew we wanted to see Haiti and they wanted to make sure we saw it without receiving a scratch or anything worse.  What a testimony to how our Lord has taught us to love and treat one another.  I am forever humbled and honored by my new lifelong friends and their willingness to be by our side in a foreign land with foreign culture, language and attitude.  Joie Noel!