Today is "God Day" in Haiti. In talking with Joelle I've learned that it is God Day everywhere in the world except in the United States. All the schools, churches (except the Catholic church, because I have learned that it is a Catholic and Orthodox tradition) and banks are closed today.
So, because I have pushed myself with bearing the pain of my kidney stone while two missionary teams have been here, I decided not to go to school to work today but rather stay at home and leisurely work from home. We work at school even when the kids are off from school. But today I awoke and decided to begin my day with a run. I thought, just a little run won't bother my side pain too badly. Ha - once I was out jumping so as to not slide out in the thick mud, and skipping puddles (it rained a slow steady rain last night, after a torrential downpour last evening), I was "in my zone" and on my way out to the farm and back. I was so in my zone that Met Pas (Hugues) passed me in the truck heading to town, honked the horn and waved and it took me a moment to realize it to wave back! It felt good to be out on a cool morning, smelling of fresh green and rain, to start my day. And at 7:00am the townspeople were already decorating for God Day.
The tradition is to draw BIG hearts on the road and then put flowers, or flower petals all around it. In Ouanaminthe and Desmond plastic flowers are used. People are dressed in their Sunday best and had begun gathering to walk to the Catholic church to celebrate together.
Another tradition is to lay white sheets on their cactus or cement "fences" or hang them across the road. Which struck me as I ran, wondering how Met Pas drove through the white sheets. Then I figured, it's Met Pas, they probably moved them for him to pass. Some sheets are decorated with plastic flowers or drawings. "Jesus" is written and prevalently displayed on the road, and on some of the sheets.
It is very beautiful, and I was happy that I decided to run all the way to the farm instead of a short run, as I was able to experience this Haitian tradition!
Purpose of this blog
Personal missionary work as a coordinator for the college students who graduated from Institution Univers in Ouanaminthe, HAITI.
I act as a liaison for those currently in college and their sponsors, until the students have all graduated, whether in USA, Haiti or the Dominican Republic.
As well, I encourage those who have graduated from college but have not yet returned to Haiti, to return to fulfill the purpose of their education, for themselves, their families, their country and most importantly, for God.
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