I came to Hotel Montana yesterday in Petitionville (pronounced pay-shoN-vi, and don't ask me where the silent syllables go) to meet my best friend from the States, who was here on a mission trip. I was here an hour or two before her, so I immediately made use of the most undervalued resource in the world: hot water. My first real shower in two months; it was a treat.
It is a beautiful place, and I spent some time walking on the paths. One of the things I noticed was how American I felt. I have felt American all my life, so I never really knew any different, but two months in Haiti has caused a different perspective to filter into my mind. The internal switch was automatic. One moment I had an American-Haitian mentality cross, and the next I was a 100% full-blooded American. The change was palpable. I walked differently--I knew that I was important and entitled to respect. I resumed the American dynamic: you pay, you get served; you serve, you get payed. I was paying, so it was a fair assumption that the entire Hotel staff was at my disposal.
I'm not saying this ironically. I think that's an appropriate mindset in the United States, though of course everybody should be treated with courtesy and respect. I'm just saying that I never understood my own mindset until I had adopted a different one. I might even go so far as to say that I miss feeling like an American. The sense of self-evident self-worth that is so very cultural in the US is absent here, and as I slowly revert I feel almost as if my value is draining away from me. It is a strong indicator of the power of one's own sense of value.
The experience came at a good time for me. Jean has expressed an uncertainty as to whether the work he has for me merits six months of my time, since much of what I do (research, writing, correspondence) can be done from the States. I understand where he's coming from, but it's difficult not to feel rejected. So I have had some time to think, and some time to talk with somebody I trust. Actually, I didn't talk to my friend extensively about it, but sometimes it's encouraging just to tell someone about it.
"Plan one" is to make every effort to be an asset to Jean and thereby justify my time with him. But if that is impossible, my time here at the Hotel Montana has spawned some other possibilities as well. During the twenty-four hours of my stay, I gained two contacts, both of which would be grateful for my help in their ministries. It is possible that I may be able to distribute myself in that manner. It's just a fledgling idea at this point, but I'll begin praying about it immediately.
I had feared in coming to stay here that it would be like leaving American all over again. But it really wasn't. As American as I felt, there must be some part of my mind that has decided that this place--Haiti--is now my home. That is disconcerting to me. And exciting. And a little weighty.
After spending just one week, my best friend and her group members spoke of how one leaves a part of one's heart in Haiti upon leaving. After two months, my heart seems to have settled down here almost in its entirety. After four more months, I wonder how much I'll still have to bring back.
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Haitian Creole today will be dedicated to the Raincatcher's mission group, which managed to learn one Creole phrase while here: "se pa piki" (say-pah-pee-kee), which means "it's not a shot."
Here's a few simple, useful Creole words that I use every day.
Thank you : Mesi (may-see) -- derived from the French "merci."
You're welcome : Derien (deh-ree-eN) -- Remember, the capital "N" is a nasal vowel indicator
Good morning : Bonjou (boN-zhoo)
Good evening : Bonswa (boN-swah)
Good night : Bon nuit (boN-noo-eet) -- Only used when you're going to sleep or leaving, not as a greeting
How are you? : Koman ou ye? (koh-maN-oo-yay)
I'm fine : M'bien (mm-bee-eN)
I may be a little late on this, but hey: better late than never, right? Right. Right...
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If you are new to this newsletter and would like some background, please visit my blog, which contains an archive of all my updates. Here is my contact information:
Phone Number: 011-509-617-7720
Address for Letters : Pastor Jean Petit-Frére, P.O. Box 407139, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl, 33340
Address for Packages: Pastor Jean Petit-Frére, 2525 NW 55 Court, Hangar #24, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl, 33340
Important: Remember to address it to "Paster Jean Petit-Frére" and write "Attn: Dan" on the back of the envelope or package. Thanks!
God Bless,
Dan
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