Honoring Haiti

Cary Scott's Haiti Journal

In January 2001, Cary Scott and 12 other people journeyed to Haiti with Women’s Perspective. Here are some of Cary’s thoughts.

“The struggle in Haiti is tremendous. We saw all kinds of people, well-educated people to the very poor. In Port au Prince, streets are narrow and crowded. In Cité Soliel people don’t have even the most basic needs. We were told that the people in Cité Soliel can’t all sleep at the same time because there literally is not enough room. We could not walk the narrow paths without touching each other. The people we saw in one of Cité Soliel’s slums looked lost and bleak, totally hopeless in their expression. But the miraculous thing was that in such devastating conditions so many who talked with us were empowered by hope and faith and a will to make things better.

“We stayed at the little village of Kawa in the mountains for 4 days and 3 nights. I was so overwhelmed by the people’s graciousness. They gave up their beds for us. It felt very difficult for me, knowing all that I have, to be only a receiver of all they shared with us. It was an insight for me to understand how it must feel to be only a receiver. It isn’t easy to “just give” or “just receive;” it is much more life giving when the two are shared and interchanged.

“The evening at the end of our stay, everyone came out to meet with us. The village said they were grateful for our presence; no one from America had stayed and just listened; most people come to give advice and tell them how to do things. Our simple presence as learners before them and as brothers and sisters with them seeking truth and understanding was a gift to them. One man said, “I thought I was kind of a not good person. All I do is farm. But you have been here and talked to me, and listened to me, and maybe I do a good thing.” Our being present and listening was a gift simply because we valued them and affirmed their dignity and humanity in an honest way.

“This has profoundly affected me and I live in a different “space” because of that understanding. It is deeply humbling that God could use one’s simple presence as a gift, but I seek to live that more fully in all relationships now. The little kernels of change that sprouted in me since the trip are quite likely unnoticed by the world, but they are very real and flourish in my heart.

“When I got home our culture hit me very fast. I loved that first hot shower, but I still had a kind of aching for my many brothers and sisters in Haiti who will never know these things.

“When people ask me about Haiti, I use the word passion; the Haitian people are not beaten, but full of life and passion. I learned that things I thought were helpful were, through Haitian eyes, not helpful at all. Before I went to Haiti, when people asked me what I was going to do there, I often felt defensive that I wasn’t going “to do something”; listening and learning didn’t seem to be enough. Now, I am much bolder about not having gone to Haiti to “do something.” There are many ways to share, respect and help create justice. “Few of us are called to do great things, but all of us are called to do little things with great love,” I think Mother Theresa said this; it has become my mantra.”

Reflections on My Eighth Trip to Haiti by Lorraine Antieau

“Seven times?  You’ve been to Haiti seven times?  Why??”  With my boss’ disbelieving words ringing in my ears, I arrived in Port-au-Prince October 19, 2003.  I was privileged to be leading an eager group of twelve women from St. Mary’s College in South Bend, IN, including nine students and their professor, on pilgrimage to this, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

In April 1996, a column about the victims of political rape written by Rosemary Williams for the Women’s Perspective column of the Ministry of Money newsletter had electrified me.  I knew God was calling me to go to Haiti and meet those women.  After that first trip, in October 1996, I went back time after time, taking more responsibility for leadership of the trips, and eventually joining the Board of Directors of the newly independent Women’s Perspective.  My original goal, to work with the rape victims had never been realized, but I loved the country, the people, and the women pilgrims so much, I hardly noticed.

The purpose of Women’s Perspective trips is different from many mission trips, in that our efforts are not to build a church or school, work in a clinic, or evangelize.  We go not so much to help as to enter into relationships with Haitian women that will benefit both parties through mutual support, believing that it is through empowering relationships that lives and systems are changed.  Our mission is to help ourselves and others recognize that the physical poverty so obvious in Haiti is mirrored by less visible poverties in the lives of the American women who make the journey.  Together with Haitian women, we walk towards spiritual and economic healing and abundance.

October’s agenda was similar to that of other trips, with more emphasis on education than usual, as this was a for-credit experience for the students. We worked in Mother Theresa’s children’s hospital/orphanage in Port-au-Prince, met with women in various professions, toured schools and clinics, spent time with college-age students in their homes.  We walked in the mountains, shared tears and laughter, worship and singing, dancing and good food, bouncing in a tap-tap (the main form of transportation for most Haitians), a tarantula in one of the dorm rooms, a flat tire in the rain.  In addition, this trip included a new element: a reliving of the slave experience, including storytelling, visiting historical sites, wearing symbolic chains and walking up the mountain to freedom, a vivid and moving event.

For me, the highlight of the week came on a dark, rainy afternoon at the Bureau of International Advocates in downtown Port-au-Prince.  As we met with two groups of political rape victims who had gathered together to support each other in their healing and to seek justice through the judicial process, suddenly there was an unmistakable nudge from God, almost audible, “Pay attention!”  I looked around, just another hot room in Haiti filled with women. And then like a bolt it struck me: For seven years I had been coming to Haiti and this was the first time I’d knowingly met the women who had originally called to me!! 

Another nudge from God, “Don’t let the moment pass.  Say something.”  I knew I’d regret it all my life if I didn’t tell the women my dream had just come true by meeting them.  So I did, tears and all.  The rest of that meeting was a blur of emotions and hugs with waves of ideas and excitement rolling over me.  I determined to stay in touch with Judy da Cruz, their advocate, and the women themselves, who actually have email and someone willing to translate for them and for me!  It hasn’t yet become clear to me how to build deeper relationships with these women, but I am exploring that with new optimism.