Early May will mark nine months since I moved to Cange to
work for the Episcopal Church in the Young Adult Service Corps. In that amount
of time, I’ve taken on the titles of English teacher, missionary, economist,
tour guide, surveyor, waiter, motivational speaker, translator, and more. Work
as a missionary for the Episcopal Church requires so much flexibility and
availability to do what you are called to do at any given time. The past nine
months in Cange have never been dull, and I have been challenged to think about
life, death, society and God in radically different ways.
Living long term in Haiti has brought me a radically
different understanding of this country, its history (and indeed the history of
the U.S.), and the people that live here. Before I came, I knew that it was the
poorest country in the western hemisphere and people practiced Vodou. I’m
discovering a place of surprising diversity, rich culture, determined and resilient
people, scrumptious cuisine and stunning landscapes. Before I came I spoke only
English. I now confidently speak Haitian Kreyol—a language that is an absolute
joy to learn and speak.
