A Spring of Hope

"...We always thank God...because of the hope laid up for you in Heaven. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God."

Colossians 1: 3-6

For the first time since arriving in Haiti, I am filled with a great sense of Hope. 

Satan in the Inferno

This place can sure be pretty hopeless. Just when you don't think you will see anything worse or anything crazier, you see an adult woman defecating in the middle of the market place or another adult woman running around topless like its Spring Break.  Many people, including Haitians such as Pere Val's brother,  Jean,, describe it as Hell. I'm not quite sure what level of Hell we are in, but I would have to agree. Where else are there emaciated, mangy dogs drinking beside naked babies bathing in sewage-clogged drainage ditches, and all the while, relentless trash fires burn about. And by the way that every time this place and these people get a chance and move forward, something terrible like the earthquake happens and they are forced to start back from scratch, I think we might be at the bottom. This is because at the ninth and lowest circle of Hell, Satan, frozen in ice, is constantly chewing with his three mouths upon Judas, Brutus, and Cassius. Haiti is one of these three men. The others I don't know, but hopefully Hitler and Dick Cheney. Oh shit, he isn't dead yet is he?

Life in the Garden

I went to the garden as Lespwa Timoun. It's growing. After only three weeks and all of the beans and corn are beginning to sprout. The grass, which was brown and dead the last time I was there, is a brilliant green. All of the mango trees planted around the grounds have added new limbs and leaves. Perhaps the Hope I am experiencing is simply a Haitian Spring, which doesn't really exist since there are no seasons. Things never go dormant; things here are alive eternally.

Another reason I am hopeful is perhaps rather selfish. I have started pulling things together for my environmental project I plan to start down here. And everything is coming together great. I have learned more than I ever thought I would know about switchgrass, elephant grass, and Jatropha. And best of all, I have even been given a bag full of jatropha seeds to test-plant in Crochu. If successful, this bleak community could have a new industry: biodiesel.

I have a lot of faith and a great deal of hope that my project will actually work. If it works, it will not be serving my egocentric desire for wealth or fame, but instead, will simply give an income and an industry to people who have nothing. If it works really well, it might even be replicated by others throughout the island. But for now, I am just starting with some seeds. Because all things have to start small in order to grow large and bear good fruit. 

In the spirit of growth and Spring, something amazing has occurred. I learned this weekend that one of the Valdema's dogs has had puppies (tichin). They are about a month old and absolutely precious. I watched them chase pigeons this afternoon. Nothing could be cuter. 

And if all of this isn't reason to have hope, I also see the light at the end of the tunnel. Or perhaps its just the blazing Haitian sun reflecting off skin of the three white people from Springfield, Missouri coming this Saturday. It's been four weeks since I have talked with an American. I'm ready for some blans. 

Sometimes, you just have to find the silver lining when looking for hope. It usually doesn't come with a presidential candidate (remember the iconic Obama campaign photo), a multi-million dollar donation to charity, or some Savior descending from the Heavens on a golden chariot. 

It comes when the temperature at night drops so cold you actually have to put on a long sleeve shirt to keep warm. 

It comes with a big slice of Digiorno's Pizza and an episode of "30 Rock".

It comes when you realize you only have 1 letter left in the filing cabinet.

It comes when you see a massive pile of cinder blocks and a truck full of men ready to get to work.

Song of the Day

This song is by a young singer-songwriter, Brett Dennen. Children of the 60's say Bob Dylan tapped into some invisible undercurrent of human experience and emotion, thus making his musical speak to people. Many of Brett Dennen's songs speak to me in a similar fashion. This is his best example.

"There Is So Much More"

When I heard the news, my heart fell on the floor

I was on a plane on my way to Baltimore

In these troubled times, it's hard enough as it is

My soul has known a better life than this

I wondered how so many could be in so much pain

While others don't seem to feel a thing

Then I curse my whiteness and I get so damned depressed

In a world of suffering, why should I be so blessed?

I heard about a woman who lives in Colorado

She built a monument of sorts behind her garage door

Where everyday she prays for all whom are born

And all whose souls have passed on

Sometimes my troubles get so thick

I can't see how I am going to get through it.

But then I'd rather be stuck up in a tree,

Then be tied to it.

I know there is so much more. 

I don't feel comfortable with the way my clothes fit

I can't get used to my body's limits.

I got some fancy shoes to try and kick away these blues

They cost a lot of money but they aren't worth a thing.

I want to free my feet from the broken glass and concrete

I need to get out of this city.

Lay upon the ground, stare a whole in the sky,

Wondering where I go when I die.