A view from a roof in Port au Prince

2.26.2010

A love letter

Dear Haiti,

Please come close to me and let me whisper these words of love into your ear. This letter is long past due. I have so much I've wanted to tell you but instead of saying it, the words are piling up inside my head. I miss you, my dear. How are you today? Is your ground still now? I'm praying for you. I'll be there in 14 days and I promise to come with some things to brighten your day. Do you like to sing? I'll bring some funny songs with actions. I might try and sneak you some jelly beans. It's a classic Easter candy here in the states.

Haiti, I wish you could look inside my heart and see how much I ache for you. I'm sorry you're broken. I'm sorry that your children are hurt. I pass my days thinking of you, planning for our future together, and buying things to bring down for you. My heart is bigger than my pocket and lately I find myself counting the coins in my pocket to pay for things, but it's okay because there's no other way I'd choose to spend it. Yesterday, I bought some princess dress-up shoes and a crown.. I know that Haiti is filled with beautiful princesses and I can't wait to give one her long awaited jewels.

Haiti, I know I don't quite speak Creole yet, but lately I feel like I'm forgetting how to speak English too. The words I speak don't seem to make sense here. Yesterday I sat in the coffee shop listening to my MP3 and reading the Bible and I sat up and looked around. I saw mouths moving, people interacting, and cars driving by outside the window. As I sat hearing only the music in my ears, the rest of the environment around me appeared to be on mute. I thought to myself, "wow. This is what life has felt like for the past month." Rather than the actual music in my ears, it's the emails, phonecalls, visions of Haiti that are silencing my reality here. This tune pulsing through my ears is addicting, I know all the beats by heart. Sometimes I see pictures or videos of you on the TV or internet and I am on the verge of tears. I feel like my sadness for you is bottling up with an intensifying amount of pressure, and I'm scared for the day I burst. I need to keep it together here. Graduation is just around the corner...

Haiti are you ready for my mom to come to meet you? Please be nice to her, I really want her to come back someday. It would be great if you could clear a little clean spot for her to sleep and ask the bugs to stay away for a few days. Don't worry too much about meeting her though, I just know she'll love you too. Can you sing her some of those beautiful worship songs? She'll love to hear your voice. Another hint... she really likes babies, so can you have some little tots close by our tent?

Haiti, my love, not an minute passes without thoughts of you. I love you. I'll never abandon you. Stay strong, my love. We'll meet again soon

1 comment:

  1. Lisa,
    You are a diamond to be found. Oh, that's right you have been found in the midst of a land that shines as bright as you. It is a amazing to here so many people doing the little things to bring hope to Haiti. At work the old are knitting quilts to raise money. A little girl is making braclets to also raise money. I wonder if I could be doing more and guilt overcomes me. Lord speaks to me and the reply is "Hanni, pray" Lisa, you have come so far from the first time I met you. The Lord has shown you your purpose and you are running after it. You are listening to Him and he is drawing close to you. Lisa, please pray that I will be able to follow the path God has for me. You are such a great sister in Christ,

    I see your phone is lost. What are you doing this week. I have work off all week. So much to talk about. miss you and Love you.

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