My Favorite Haitian Proverb

This Haitian proverb is my favorite so far! The literal translation is quite blunt and almost funny, but it’s so true!

 

Sòt pa touye, men li fè ou swe.

 

“Stupid doesn’t kill you, but it makes you sweat.” When you don’t do something correctly the first time you will work more by doing it again.

 

Faces of Haiti

I never learned the names or stories of so many of the children I met in Haiti. There are dozens of pictures that I have of nameless children. But whether I know their name or not doesn’t change the fact that they are all children of God. They were created in His image and He loves them. (Genesis 1:27) And I love them too. I miss them so much and pray for them every day.

 

I’m reminded of the song “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”

 

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red and yellow, black and white

They are precious in His sight

Jesus loves the little children of the world

Haitian Proverb

One thing that has really helped me gain a better understanding of the Haitian culture is reading Creole proverbs. I thought it would be neat to share some of them here and their translations, both literal and their actual meanings.

 

Here is the first proverb I’ve memorized (so far it’s the only one I’ve been able to memorize. J But I’m working on it!):

 

Chita tande, mache wè.

 

“Sit and hear, walk and see.” You should listen to advice, but experience things for yourself.

Faces of Haiti: James

One of the biggest impacts of my trip to Haiti was the people I met there. Not a day has gone by since I returned home that I haven’t thought about them. Since most of you reading this didn’t have the opportunity to go and meet them, I thought I’d try to introduce you to the “Faces of Haiti” once a week. This also helps me document and remember their stories, which I NEVER want to forget.

 

This week I want to introduce you to a precious boy I’ll call “James.”

 

James standing with me on the mountaintop.

I don’t know how old he was, but I’m guessing he was 10 or 11. As the week went on, he became one of my constant companions during our afternoon hikes.

One day he and the other children picked a whole bunch of these beautiful flowers for us. It was such a sweet gesture!

On our hikes, he wanted to hold my hand no matter how narrow the path was. He came up with a little game on those walks. He would point to me and deliberately say “BiANca.” He would point to himself and wait until I said his name, “James.” Then he would make the “I love you” sign and say in his Haitian accent “I luuuv you!”

How I miss this sweet boy!

I Need You

This week God is really reminding me of how much I need Him. I can’t make this orphanage happen by myself. I can’t rely on people to make it happen, because people sometimes let me down.

 

We all have needs that are so great, they can only be met by a Sovereign God. Needs can be an overwhelming thing. The needs of a third world country are staggering. The needs of this project are tremendous. These are needs that only God can meet.

 

A big need for the Hope Hill project is direction. God is teaching me that I need to give it all over to Him. This song sums up a lot of what I’m learning and crying out to God about right now; I need Him so desperately! How thankful I am that He never leaves my side.

 

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

 

Everybody's got a story to tell

Everybody's got a wound to be healed

I want to believe there's beauty here

Cause oh, I get so tired of holding on

I can't let go, I can't move on

I want to believe there's meaning here

 

How many times have you heard me cry out

"God please take this"?

How many times have you given me strength to

Just keep breathing?

Oh I need you

God, I need you now

 

Standing on a road I didn't plan

Wondering how I got to where I am

I'm trying to hear that still small voice

I'm trying to hear above the noise

 

How many times have you heard me cry out

"God please take this"?

How many times have you given me strength to

Just keep breathing?

Oh I need you

God, I need you now

 

Oh I walk,

Oh I walk through the shadows

And I, I am so afraid

Please stay, please stay right beside me

With every single step I take

 

How many times have you heard me cry out?

How many times have you given me strength?

 

How many times have you heard me cry out

"God please take this"?

How many times have you given me strength to

Just keep breathing?

Oh I need you

God, I need you now

 

I need you now

Oh I need you

God, I need you now

I need you now

I need you now

 

--“Need You Now (How Many Times)” by Plumb

We Can't Wait Any Longer

A silent call from a distant land

Crying for a helping hand

How long will it go on?

 

Ignorance and vanity

Supercede humanity

How long it will go on?

I want to know

How long will it go on?

 

We can't wait any longer

They're crying out

Doesn't it matter?

We can't wait any longer

No, no

Too long in a slumber

Shake it up, wake it up now

We can't wait any longer

No, no

 

Another child is laid to rest

Another day of hopelessness

How long it will go on?

 

And every day we're on the fence

Brings another fatal consequence

How long will it go on?

I want to know

How long will it go on?

 

We can't wait any longer

They're crying out

Doesn't it matter?

We can't wait any longer

No, no

Too long in a slumber

Shake it up, wake it up now

We can't wait any longer

No, no

 

We can't wait any longer

They're crying out

Doesn't it matter?

We can't wait any longer

No, no

Too long in a slumber

Shake it up, wake it up now

We can't wait any longer

No, no

 

--“We Can’t Wait Any Longer” by Michael W. Smith

 

*All photos taken by the Haiti missions team leader.*