A link from one of the resources on the Haiti team blog led me to the following quotation:
“Do we make a difference? Yes, but slowly, it’s a very big job. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Between the gangsters, diseases and social disorganization, Haiti is one of the world’s most dangerous places to live and work.”
So said Major Bruce Sand, Assistant to the Military Chief of Staff MINUSTAH. “The aim of the mission is to support the constitutional process in Haiti, and help maintain a secure and stable environment.” *Le Journal Lookout, Vol 53 No. 6. 2/11/2008
I’ve heard that expression before, but eating an elephant goes quicker if there are many people dining.
There was another thought found in today’s Muncie Star/Press I liked. Mother Theresa said that more people hunger for love and acceptance than they do for food. I can’t find the exact quotation.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Reaction
My niece, Becky Watson who travels extensively for Disney, Inc., wrote the following in response to our blogs. Her thoughts about relating to the poor are consonant with what we have been learning.
"Wow - good for you - Haiti.
"The poorest country I have visited is India and I related to a blog from your friend Joe (I went into the Haiti Journey portion of the site) where he said he was initially overwhelmed by the sense of poverty in the country but by the end of the trip he was inspired because the people have such a strength of faith and hope because in reality they do not have anything else. I felt this same feeling in India. It took me several days to realize my pity wasn't wanted or needed. There was strong sense of peace, joy, and contentedness the people in the villages exuded in the basic things that we take for granted.....like in seeing a western person drive down the street. Fathers pulled their sons to point and wave at us.....even as they were showering in rain water pooling off of A frame shacks which some of the people were lucky enough to live in. Truly humbling and unlike anything I have seen in any of my visits to China and Thailand.
"You are lucky to have this experience, especially since the people as a culture are near and dear to you. Have a great trip and good luck with your publication. I will check back and look forward to hearing how it went."
...Love, Becky
"Wow - good for you - Haiti.
"The poorest country I have visited is India and I related to a blog from your friend Joe (I went into the Haiti Journey portion of the site) where he said he was initially overwhelmed by the sense of poverty in the country but by the end of the trip he was inspired because the people have such a strength of faith and hope because in reality they do not have anything else. I felt this same feeling in India. It took me several days to realize my pity wasn't wanted or needed. There was strong sense of peace, joy, and contentedness the people in the villages exuded in the basic things that we take for granted.....like in seeing a western person drive down the street. Fathers pulled their sons to point and wave at us.....even as they were showering in rain water pooling off of A frame shacks which some of the people were lucky enough to live in. Truly humbling and unlike anything I have seen in any of my visits to China and Thailand.
"You are lucky to have this experience, especially since the people as a culture are near and dear to you. Have a great trip and good luck with your publication. I will check back and look forward to hearing how it went."
...Love, Becky
Monday, February 4, 2008
Health
At the meeting last night I was asked if I was all right. Yeah, other than the sinus infection I've had since Dec 7! Friday I went to the doctor who had given me a prescription for amoxycillin a month ago. This time he gave me a very painful shot of a mix of cortico-steroids in the butt, and three prescriptions for more sterioids, antihistimine, and another antibiotic. That ought to cure it! I'm also getting PT for a sciatic pain, which, by my lack of attention, is exactly the spot the shot went in! Still hurts!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Joy
The following is not mine, but comes from the Henri Nouwen Society in emails this week. I find it helps me understand a bit more that I'm not going to Haiti to use my skills in designing and constructing but to be there in solidarity with the people there and with my "fellow travelers."
At first sight, joy seems to be connected with being different. When you receive a compliment or win an award, you experience the joy of not being the same as others. You are faster, smarter, more beautiful, and it is that difference that brings you joy. But such joy is very temporary. True joy is hidden where we are the same as other people: fragile and mortal. It is the joy of belonging to the human race. It is the joy of being with others as a friend, a companion, a fellow traveler.
Joy is hidden in compassion. The word compassion literally means "to suffer with." It seems quite unlikely that suffering with another person would bring joy. Yet being with a person in pain, offering simple presence to someone in despair, sharing with a friend times of confusion and uncertainty ... such experiences can bring us deep joy. Not happiness, not excitement, not great satisfaction, but the quiet joy of being there for someone else and living in deep solidarity with our brothers and sisters in this human family. Often this is a solidarity in weakness, in brokenness, in woundedness, but it leads us to the center of joy, which is sharing our humanity with others.
At first sight, joy seems to be connected with being different. When you receive a compliment or win an award, you experience the joy of not being the same as others. You are faster, smarter, more beautiful, and it is that difference that brings you joy. But such joy is very temporary. True joy is hidden where we are the same as other people: fragile and mortal. It is the joy of belonging to the human race. It is the joy of being with others as a friend, a companion, a fellow traveler.
Joy is hidden in compassion. The word compassion literally means "to suffer with." It seems quite unlikely that suffering with another person would bring joy. Yet being with a person in pain, offering simple presence to someone in despair, sharing with a friend times of confusion and uncertainty ... such experiences can bring us deep joy. Not happiness, not excitement, not great satisfaction, but the quiet joy of being there for someone else and living in deep solidarity with our brothers and sisters in this human family. Often this is a solidarity in weakness, in brokenness, in woundedness, but it leads us to the center of joy, which is sharing our humanity with others.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Life...and death
Because of her very fair skin, McKenna Renee Kirkwood’s red eyes and dark circles are a strong contrast to her girlish giggles, laughs, and unceasingly graceful movements.
Last evening she celebrated her 12th birthday, exactly a week after her mom, Lonna, died. Virtually all the same people who spent Lonna’s final hours with her were more or less successful in creating a sense of new life as McKenna opened presents, ate the food donated by so many sorrowful friends, and downed lots of birthday cake. It was truly a bittersweet evening. Her dad, my son Martin, has been a caring father and a source of strength through all his grief.
What continues to astound and amaze me is the cohesiveness and togetherness of the families that gathered and supported one another at both events. As my own children and grandchildren worked together I came to a new awareness of the synergy they (we) possess. They are more than just sons, daughters, and grandchildren, it's bigger than that; It has to be the hand of God. I was truly stunned at all that they caused to happen.
Then, the sharing of unrelenting grief among all of us, including all sides of Lonna’s family was also wonderful, healing, and amazing. My sense of “family” now spreads beyond our nuclear group to include them as brothers and sisters.
Lonna’s faith, gentleness, and prayers brought us all together in such an amazing way. Her children are aware of her watching over them day and night. Martin is still stunned by his tremendous loss, but his faith, the faith he shared with Lonna, is his source of strength.
Yet, we are all diminished by this great loss.
Jim
Last evening she celebrated her 12th birthday, exactly a week after her mom, Lonna, died. Virtually all the same people who spent Lonna’s final hours with her were more or less successful in creating a sense of new life as McKenna opened presents, ate the food donated by so many sorrowful friends, and downed lots of birthday cake. It was truly a bittersweet evening. Her dad, my son Martin, has been a caring father and a source of strength through all his grief.
What continues to astound and amaze me is the cohesiveness and togetherness of the families that gathered and supported one another at both events. As my own children and grandchildren worked together I came to a new awareness of the synergy they (we) possess. They are more than just sons, daughters, and grandchildren, it's bigger than that; It has to be the hand of God. I was truly stunned at all that they caused to happen.
Then, the sharing of unrelenting grief among all of us, including all sides of Lonna’s family was also wonderful, healing, and amazing. My sense of “family” now spreads beyond our nuclear group to include them as brothers and sisters.
Lonna’s faith, gentleness, and prayers brought us all together in such an amazing way. Her children are aware of her watching over them day and night. Martin is still stunned by his tremendous loss, but his faith, the faith he shared with Lonna, is his source of strength.
Yet, we are all diminished by this great loss.
Jim
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Reading material
A monograph published by the US Army tells something about the situation in Haiti 15 years ago. Title is: "Where's Cap Haitien?Validating the Principles of Peace Operations" It's filled with typical Army planning, but some of it is quite illuminating.
It can be found at: http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/p4013coll3&CISOPTR=584&filename=585.pdf
Jim
It can be found at: http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/p4013coll3&CISOPTR=584&filename=585.pdf
Jim
Health
The past 4 weeks have marked a different stage in my preparation for Haiti. My mind is not full of conflicting thoughts and I'm trying to prepare items for sale at the auction.
I took photos last year of the thousands of black-eyed and brown-eyed Susans that were planted on my front 6 acres along with other forbs and warm-season grasses. The close-ups of the various patterns, colors and sizes and groupings of these flowers fascinated me in this, their first season of flowering. I fear they won't carpet the field next year as the grasses begin to take over. So I took about 100 photos.
I put the photos into PhotoShop and massaged them in various ways to achieve pleasing patterns. I took my cue for that from Larry Graham, who taught me photography over 40 years ago. He donated a nice photo for the auction at my request. Like he had done on other photos, I also drew on some of mine, and in one case actually cut out one photo and taped it over another photo. I then scanned those images in and re-worked them in PhotoShop. I printed out 4x6's and selected about 15 for larger sizes.
I had those printed and began the long process of matting them and framing some. This is an expensive process. I've bought clear acrylic for some, for about $80. Angela helped by selecting a bunch of frames and posterboard, foamboard, and other supplies from Hobby Lobby that were on sale. Combined with her discount that came to about $80 also. Then I bought a mat cutting system, more mats, another frame and a few other supplies for about $100.
The team members at our last meeting made suggestions as to whether I should frame them all, and sort of what to do with this large amount of photos. That helped me put it into perspective. (That's my biggest fault: not having a perspective that fits the norm.) But, nevertheless, I sent some more photos (4) out for poster-size images. Two of these images, framed, cost about $75 each. I doubt that they will sell at the auction. I'll see what the group thinks in another week. I still have to make frames for the large one, and for two watercolors that Susan, from the choir, donated.
Ron Voss wrote back to the email that I sent on Christmas day. He responded that he received 4 emails that day. I'm in great company with the other three being John Barber, one of Ball State's best teachers ever, the Henri Nouwen Society and former Haiti President, Jean-Bertrand Aristide! Ron is back from Haiti, where his mission for over a month was traveling to various outposts of his former "welcome house" building picnic tables for use in churches, etc. I have to find out where he got his design and materials!
Pam noted that Father John does not want us to do projects in Haiti, nor to travel to any tourist areas. Perhaps some limited shopping in Cap Haitien. He wants us to concentrate on simply being with the people of Plaisance. Again, I would suggest from my experiences with Haitians for a full year in the Bahamas and with my two two- to three-week work sessions in the neighboring Dominican Republic, the best way to "be with" the people is to participate in their work. In sharing effort, energy, emotions, and sweat, we communicate our shared humanity and validate the human-ness of the people of Haiti who know that they are considered by most of the world to be at the bottom ranks of humanity.
Today marks the start of the 6th week of being sick! Flu? Whatever, it's just about gone, and I finally called the Doctor last week and he prescribed amoxycillin. I'm almost done with that and feeling much better. But still, it lingers.
Jim
I took photos last year of the thousands of black-eyed and brown-eyed Susans that were planted on my front 6 acres along with other forbs and warm-season grasses. The close-ups of the various patterns, colors and sizes and groupings of these flowers fascinated me in this, their first season of flowering. I fear they won't carpet the field next year as the grasses begin to take over. So I took about 100 photos.
I put the photos into PhotoShop and massaged them in various ways to achieve pleasing patterns. I took my cue for that from Larry Graham, who taught me photography over 40 years ago. He donated a nice photo for the auction at my request. Like he had done on other photos, I also drew on some of mine, and in one case actually cut out one photo and taped it over another photo. I then scanned those images in and re-worked them in PhotoShop. I printed out 4x6's and selected about 15 for larger sizes.
I had those printed and began the long process of matting them and framing some. This is an expensive process. I've bought clear acrylic for some, for about $80. Angela helped by selecting a bunch of frames and posterboard, foamboard, and other supplies from Hobby Lobby that were on sale. Combined with her discount that came to about $80 also. Then I bought a mat cutting system, more mats, another frame and a few other supplies for about $100.
The team members at our last meeting made suggestions as to whether I should frame them all, and sort of what to do with this large amount of photos. That helped me put it into perspective. (That's my biggest fault: not having a perspective that fits the norm.) But, nevertheless, I sent some more photos (4) out for poster-size images. Two of these images, framed, cost about $75 each. I doubt that they will sell at the auction. I'll see what the group thinks in another week. I still have to make frames for the large one, and for two watercolors that Susan, from the choir, donated.
Ron Voss wrote back to the email that I sent on Christmas day. He responded that he received 4 emails that day. I'm in great company with the other three being John Barber, one of Ball State's best teachers ever, the Henri Nouwen Society and former Haiti President, Jean-Bertrand Aristide! Ron is back from Haiti, where his mission for over a month was traveling to various outposts of his former "welcome house" building picnic tables for use in churches, etc. I have to find out where he got his design and materials!
Pam noted that Father John does not want us to do projects in Haiti, nor to travel to any tourist areas. Perhaps some limited shopping in Cap Haitien. He wants us to concentrate on simply being with the people of Plaisance. Again, I would suggest from my experiences with Haitians for a full year in the Bahamas and with my two two- to three-week work sessions in the neighboring Dominican Republic, the best way to "be with" the people is to participate in their work. In sharing effort, energy, emotions, and sweat, we communicate our shared humanity and validate the human-ness of the people of Haiti who know that they are considered by most of the world to be at the bottom ranks of humanity.
Today marks the start of the 6th week of being sick! Flu? Whatever, it's just about gone, and I finally called the Doctor last week and he prescribed amoxycillin. I'm almost done with that and feeling much better. But still, it lingers.
Jim
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