Patrick's Musings #3

1) Is it possible that I am part Haitian? While my pastiness, lack of rhythm, and aversion to papayas would lead one to conclude that I am not Haitian, developments have taken place this week that have reopened the discussion. Allow me to explain. As Kim documented in our blog earlier this week, we recently had to buy a new car battery after the old one could no longer get the job done. Moments after the purchase we found ourselves surrounded by helpful Haitian men working at Wall's Guest House, our current residence, who helped us get the battery connected under the hood. There were a few moments when it appeared that the new battery would not work. Our primary problem was that the cords that connect to the battery would not fit tightly on the battery, which prevented the car from starting. Instead of panicking, the men under the hood simply bent down, found a large rock, and preceded to pound on the cord until it fit snugly onto the top of the battery. Problem solved. All of this leads me back to the original question of my possible Haitian ancestry. Growing up under the tutelage of my father, who claims to be from a small town in eastern Iowa, I was taught that when something is not working you merely bang on it hard enough until it either breaks completely or begins to work. Kim has scoffed many a time at this approach to "fixing" things that I inherited, but I feel a small sense of redemption after watching the men of Wall's Guest House get our car up and running through their use of a rock. In addition, I cannot help but wonder if my father is himself part Haitian? How else could one explain the similarities in tackling home and auto improvement?

2) I would like to draw attention to a very special word this evening and that is the Creole word "fe." "Fe" is most often used in a manner meaning "to make,"  "to do," or "to accomplish." Yet this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this jack of all trades word. "Fe" also represents the nouns "iron," "steel," and "horse shoe." Finally, just when you thought "fe" could not possibly have anymore meanings, I am told it also means "to bear offspring." Is there anything this word can't do? If "fe" were a person it undoubtedly would be Chuck Norris.

3) Today's random t-shirt of the day winner goes to a young lady who wore a t-shirt to church on Sunday that read, "Dirty, Sexy, Money." And I once got in trouble for wearing jeans to Sunday School?

4) Amongst the sea of humanity that fills the sidewalks and streets of Port au Prince are vendors carrying large red coolers above their heads that have the word "Texas" spelled out in white letters. What are these vendors selling? I'm not sure yet. But my guess is either belt buckles or confederate flags. 

5) Among my "goof-ups" in Creole are informing Pastor Patrick after lunch, "I am pregnant" ("Mwen plenn" or "I'm pregnant" sounds awfully close to "Mwen ple" or "I'm full" does it not?),

telling a woman during Kim's clinic in Karfou, "I have your dress", and asking Madame Francois, "Am I sinning this upcoming Sunday?" Attempting to speak Creole is my gift to the Haitian people.  

6) There was a second school collapse today in Port au Prince. The weak construction of these buildings is just one more way that poverty manifests itself. In Haiti poverty is an all-encompassing reality that means not only limited or no access to basic necessities such as food and clean drinking water, but also the inability to see a doctor, get needed medication, as well as the inability to purchase a mandatory uniform so your child can attend school. Unfortunately in the past week it has also meant that if your child is one of the  fortunate ones able to attend school they may not be doing so in a safe and stable building. Why do so many horrible things happen to Haiti? In short, because abject poverty pervades everything and leaves no part of life untouched. Please keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts. With that comes today's quote of the day from Gandhi who once insisted, "For the hungry, God can only come as a piece of bread."