Bonswa!! I hope this message finds you all loving life and feeling passionate about the awesome work of the day here in Haiti .
The day for us started extremely early today with a few slight problems and the general difficulties and challenges that will accompany any coordination of people and belongings on this scale. However, I can end this paragraph here as all of those issues were taken care of (admittedly stressfully) but at the end of the day they were still taken care of and we celebrated with over 100 deaf people today as they received the papers and keys for their new homes!!
I was greeted once again this morning with excited and warm embraces at the deaf community as everyone prepared to load a large bus and travel to Leveque (the site of the new homes) for the celebration.
We arrived at Leveque after a somewhat cramped bus ride to be greeted by many good friends and supporters of the project. However, all eyes were on the deaf community and their new chance at life. The deaf were greeted with a little bit of curiosity by the hearing residents of the community, but soon the joy that the deaf community brings wherever they go became infectious for all who were present. What was often raucous and heated when other families were receiving homes was quiet and respectful when the deaf community stood up for their papers, (I hope a good indicator of sensitivity and a chance at a unique life together).
Everyone got their keys and papers and we were off to view the new homes together. Many people started running and as children skipped behind their parents, tears came to my eyes. An old washerwoman in the deaf community who has adopted me and now calls herself my Haitian mother grabbed my hand and showed me her new home number – we proceeded to walk arm in arm to the home she will share with her sister.
Several of the deaf leaders were also interviewed via interpreter fot Haiti National Radio – it would be my guess that today was very special for deaf leaders who were able to share their joy with all of Haiti – maybe the first time ever that a Haitian deaf person has been interviewed on the Radio. . .
It was a very long day – I am tired, and the real work of moving 50 families begins tomorrow. We have a fleet of vehicles rolling up to the community tomorrow bright and early to start moving all of the families. For those of you praying for a good ceremony today, your prayers were answered. For tomorrow, please pray for a peaceful move and for peaceful hearts for all of our deaf friends who are relocating their lives and starting over. A challenging part of our project is just beginning as we strive to provide the right levels of support for our friends, while also allowing them to make some mistakes and hopefully end up pursuing the passions that are on their hearts.
Thank you for your prayers and support! Check again tomorrow for updates on the first actual day of the move.
Sorry for the very quick post – I am headed to bed to sleep for a few hours before another big day tomorrow.
grace and peace,
Kyle