Voluntourism, Poverty Tourism, Mission Trips, Oh My!

Simply by reading this post and the linked articles, you will have contributed one of the best things you could contribute to the mission here with the Episcopal Church in Cange, Haiti. Please read it.

This post is a collection of articles that discuss the positives and negatives of volunteer trips, the issues of voluntourism, and some suggestions on how to improve on this phenomenon.

The issues these articles address lead me to question the sincerity of human good will, the limits of commitment, and virtue of selfishness. It is my hope that by sharing these articles, I will push you as I am being pushed to consider the broader context in which we live, work, travel and volunteer--not only in places abroad, but in our own neighborhoods and towns.

A Visual Treat (rethinkHAITI)

Since bandwith is somewhat limited here (Internet is VERY expensive in Haiti), I haven't been able to share videos of where I am living and working. But, I have come across four great short pieces on Haiti that make my heart sing. Seriously. When I watch these videos, I can't help but smile. You're in for a treat with all four of these.

First is a video put together by The Episcopal Church featuring the work of my fellow Haitian missionaries Kyle Evans, Dan Tootle, Julie Burd and Ashley Bingaman. This was done during a meeting in Port-au-Prince last Novemeber. Kyle and Dan do the talking, while Julie and Ashley can be seen at work in the footage. CLICK HERE FOR AWESOME EPISCOPAL HAITI MISSION VIDEO

Second is a piece done by Bridges to Prosperity, an organization that, among many things, builds bridges around Haiti to areas that are otherwise inaccessable during the rainy season due to river levels. This aerial video features places very close to where I live in the Central Plateau. Drone technology can be used for good...

Post by Bridges to Prosperity.

(My apologies that this is just a Facebook link. The creators have only released it publically through Facebook.)

Third is Haiti Happy! Yes, another video made featuring Pharrell's song "Happy." I've heard people may be tired of this song in the States, but I don't hear it very much down here. So, even if you're tired of the song, watch this video for some AWESOME shots of Haiti and great footage capturing the many Haitian personalities that you'll run into when visiting this amazing country.

Finally, here's a neat clip teaching you seven Haitian hand gestures. Non-verbal communication is important anywhere--some places are more colorful with it than others.

Pastyme Benefit Concert

Do you love music? Do you love dinner? Of course you do. So get a ticket to the Pastyme Benefit Concert at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asheville, NC, on May 18th at 5:00pm. The wonderful folks of Pastyme (an awesome group of singers) will be performing to send Trinity youth to the Episcopal Youth Event in Philadelphia in July AND to support myself in my second year with the Young Adult Service Corps and fellow Trinity young adult Megan Cox in her service for the Episcopal Service Corps.

Order your tickets here: http://www.trinityasheville.org/announcements/pastyme-youth-benefit/

We would all greatly appreciate your support--and you'll have your ear drums massaged with beautiful music and tummies satisfied with scrumptious food.

Here's a map to Trinity:

Les Cayes--Yet Another Haiti

This past weekend, I traveled with Pere Milor (priest in charge in Cange) to his home town of Torbeck near Les Cayes on the southwestern coast of Haiti. He graciously invited me to go along with him to visit his family, the town where he grew up, and the beautiful southern countryside and coast. We then finished the trip at the parish party of the Episcopal Church in Les Cayes.

The Les Cayes area proves to be yet another unique region of Haiti that speaks so much to the diversity in this country. My trip was full of local cuisine, Prestige, great conversation with new friends, and a wonderful selection of beautiful beaches.

The Journey Continues--YASC Year #2!

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.

 

Lenten Meditations Part 2

Here's my second YASC Lenten reflection for 2014. Keep following that blog through the rest of Lent 2014--we're almost to Easter! http://yasclenten.blogspot.com/2014/04/day-33-focus-on-god.html

Speaking of Easter, the musicians and choirs of Cange are gearing up for a wonderful celebration!