CONASPEH Congress

Feb 13,14, 15, 16th.

This weekend has been a whirlwind of activity. In the wake of it all, Patrick and I are left tired, but happy and nurturing a renewed inspiration and love for the organization we’ve chosen to partner with for the next 4 years.

After months of hard work by the CONASPEH board, congress was a well-attended, huge success. CONASPEH welcomed thousands of pastors and church members from communities all over the country to the National Theater for 3 days of lectures, sermons, singing, worshiping, marching, discussing, and celebrating. They also welcomed 2 groups from Kansas City, a group from Wisconsin and a group from Global Ministries made up of ministers from the Disciples of Christ regional churches around the country. CONASPEH wove our visiting guests into the program, creating an atmosphere of shared community, of visible solidarity and a communion of worship.

In three days, Patrick and I as well as all in attendence were reminded of the depth and breadth of CONASPEH’s outreach and vision. Primary and secondary schools, a nursing school full of new graduates, a seminary with a stage full of new ministers to ordain, orphanages and micro-loan programs, emergency relief, community centers, housing projects, food for learning programs, clinics and unification of denominations and churches around the country. CONASPEH also has risen its voice toward political notice and change, challenging the systems in place, demanding justice for the people of the country, calling out for equality in representation and support.

Friday was filled with lectures both by visiting guests and CONASPEH pastors, music and dancing, a massive shared meal with thousands. Saturday after the crowd was rallied by passionate speeches from popular ministers, the congress took the street in a peaceful political march, calling out for equality of representation in the Haitian government. I was overcome walking hand-in-hand with my nursing students, shaking the hands of pastors marching by, their faces radiant with the power of such a moment, waving to our American friends who came to march alongside our partners, and chanting in Creole calls to action and change directed to the people and the leaders of the country. A car leading the march energized the massive movement of people with Kompa music that inspired a dance-like rhythm to the march, a musical tone to the chants. The energy was positive, peaceful, full of joy and hope, yet demanding to be heard by the powers that be. And in a country that teeters so easily toward violence and riots, we celebrated the miracle of a peace march, of a movement of people exercising their freedoms and letting their voices be heard. I’ll never never forget that day.

Sunday after a massive shared Sunday church service, a new class of nurses were introduced and capped, a graduating class of nurses were honored, and a stage full of future pastors were ordained, prayed for and blessed by all in attendance. Hours were filled with prayer, with lectures, with song and celebration.

Monday we traveled to Pointe Sonde, northward up the coast, to participate in a school dedication program for a new community center built by CONASPEH and with the financial support of the Wisconsin Southeast Association of Churches. In the rural, impoverished community, we celebrated with the people the hope that comes in a new place for learning, for healthcare, for weddings and meetings. We shared in a simple meal fellowship of sandwiches with all in attendence, a beautiful experience when food is recognized as such a precious gift.

Patrick and I have had the honor and priveledge to help host the groups here, to enter discussions with our friends from Kansas City, Wisconsin, various Disciples of Christ churches and Global Ministries, all of whom have had long relationships with CONASPEH over the years and watched amazing things unfold before their eyes during their partnership.

Our Creole teacher once said, “Haiti is a place where the possible is impossible, yet the impossible is possible.” He’s right. Sometimes things as simple as filling your car with gas or going to the bank take hours and Herculean patience, where finding clean water to drink or a flushable toilet require some searching. But this weekend we were reminded what mountains can be moved by an organization with a vision that looks beyond the possible and into the impossible. And regardless of what seems like insurmountable challenges, with minimal resources, amazing things happen here.

We’ve had a beautiful weekend of learning, of sharing and of inspiration. We are amazed at what our partners have accomplished here, what they continue to work for, and are honored to be apart of the work at hand.