Sophonie scratches words on peach-colored concrete with a sliver of yellow chalk. She points to them and then to herself. “God. Me. Father. Mother.” I pull her close and nod. “Yes. God. He’s your father and your mother.” And He’s enough. Jeffrey’s fifteen, he says. He speaks English. I ask how long he’s […]
Compassion International: The Wait is Over
“My friends have all received their sponsors, so my heart feels sad because I don’t yet have a sponsor of my own.” This video moved me to tears. I hope I’m not totally puddled when I get to share the stories of face-to-face meetings. In January, I’ll pack my camera and my laptop when I […]
Haiti: When It’s Time to Say Goodbye
We’ll say goodbye today. I make construction paper cards before we go. Erica’s brought a printer and given me a couple mini photos–one of Sophonie and me, and one of Chilanchi and me. I stick them to the paper. “Jezi renmen ou,” I write. “Mwen renmen ou.” Jesus loves you. I love you. It’s our […]
We Love So They Love
After Chilanchi and her “sisters” finished their rice and beans, I helped her lug a heavy pail of water down the hill, my right hand and her left grasping the handle. She sidestepped so she could throw her right arm in front of me in case I lost my footing. Later that night she fell […]
Inhaling the Unfamiliar
Our little group glues itself together when we leave the airport terminal. We jostle through a sea of unfamiliar voices and dark-skinned faces. “Miss. Miss.” I stare at the necklace that dangles in front of me, shake my head and smile. “No. No, thank you. No money.” A haze hangs over the hill, and I […]
still saturday: when God seems far away–remember
“At some moments we experience complete unity within us and around us. “This may happen when we stand on a mountaintop and are captivated by the view. It may happen when we witness the birth of a child or the death of a friend. It may happen when we have an intimate conversation or a […]
How to fix the brokenness
We’re sitting on the guesthouse steps under a half moon and a thousand stars that glint like glass shattered across ebony. Light and singing and laughter pour from the open door. A few team members wander up and down the drive in an attempt to snag a sliver of WiFi. Another’s having some quiet time […]
carry Christmas
My husband and I will celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary on Wednesday. On Friday, I’ll remove my diamond rings. Not to worry, though. It’s only temporary. I’ve had my flu shot, popped my first malaria pills, and packed last year’s Cipro just in case. I’m making a list and checking it twice, three times, […]
scripture sunday: children come
One month from today, I’ll be back in Haiti. Stilled by anticipation, Sandy With Deidra and The Sunday Community
haiti, a party, and a beautiful life
I saw her the other night. She looked older, but I recognized her immediately. “Chilanchi!” It’d been a whole year, but she knew me, too. “SIN-dee!” It was a dream, of course. But it’ll become a reality, I hope, in another four months. Because I’m going back to Haiti, and I want to take you […]
