Here's what I think about it....: Haiti

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Haiti

Some have asked about the photo at the top of this page. I took it a couple years ago standing on the Northwest shore of Haiti, outside Sonlight Academy. So serene and peaceful, it belies the anxiety and fear that pervades the lives of people in this poorest country in the western hemisphere.

But Haiti has a ray of hope.

Many of the Sonlight graduates come to the United States for college. Most desire to return to Haiti to bring a new measure of optimism to the people there in the form of teaching, medicine, politics.

Some embrace the higher promise of Sonlight Academy, the hope of eternal life. That is the parallel education that students receive as they learn English, literature, history and math. By the time a student graduates from Sonlight they are tri-lingual, knowing Creole, French and English.

As I stuggle along with my English they put me to shame.

That's what I'm thinking about today.

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Welcome

The most important thing about me that you might want to know is that I am a Christian. Unapologetically. You'll not have to wonder when you read from day to day or occasionally what world view I'm coming from.

That said I have lived in four states and now make my home in Middle America, in tornado alley...without a basement...thus my world view.

Lucky me to have traveled to eleven foreign countries and shame on me for not knowing any other language well enough to do more than say 'please' and 'thank you' in any of them.

I pig out on Junior Mints and am healthier now that my favorite soft drink has added vitamins to their formula.

The family? Two daughters, delights in every way and four grand daughters, ditto that. A near-perfect son-in-law (but only since no one can be really perfect) and a cat named Kat Karson, rescued from the animal shelter.

Oh yes, Jim, my good friend and husband. He's sort of retired but is still an attorney and thought it was very funny when he put a link on my blog to his favorite home-cooked recipes and then when I clicked on it it found it was empty. He is funny and wise, a reconciler and all-around good guy.

We spend a lot of time at soccer games, track meets and choral concerts.

I'm mostly retired also. I read, volunteer as a child advocate in the local court system, teach at the church and speak where ever people will gather to listen. My daughter and I lead a book discussion group and I play percussion in one of the church's worship bands.

I follow the Indianapolis Colts, the Cleveland Cavs, world soccer, and especially Big Ten football and Ohio State.

I try never to miss The Office and realize I've worked with or been every character on the show.