A Treasure in Haiti

During my time in Haiti last summer, I had the opportunity to teach an intermediate English class every morning at six-thirty. The Haitians thirst for knowledge is an incredible example to me. Too often we view our educational opportunities as the "have-to's" of life. Yet, education--especially the quality of education available in the U.S.--is no "have-to." It's an incredible "get-to." I forget that sometimes.

I had several students that quickly became favorites--Richard was one such student. One of the most handsome Haitian boys I've ever met. And I don't mean Brad Pitt handsome, he was a deeper handsome. His goodness shined through his eyes and his smile felt like a warm summer day-- the best kind of handsome. Often Richard would walk me home along with the many other students that would follow me asking questions that related from grammar to my relationship status. Richard was always a sort of body guard. He always kept me moving toward the house at a safe pace and was protective when less than decent men would harass me---verbally-- in the streets.

After a lesson on adjectives, adverbs, hyperbole, etc. I assigned homework to be due the coming Friday: A two paragraph descriptive paper. The following is Richards descriptive paper. It's one of the sweetest things I've ever read. I left the original spelling intact. He later brought me a second draft, which he had edited beautifully--but for some reason this initial homework assignment is the most dear to my heart.

My Teacher--by Richard

I want to talk about my Teacher. Her name is Alissa, She's approximately twenty-four years of age. She is a beautyful American thinny girl and she has a rounded face so she is not shaggy. She has left her country and come to Haiti to help Haitians to learn English. She's a volunteer teacher. She teaches well, takes much time to give an explaination because she Wants each one of us understands what She teaches about.

She has much wisdom then if you don't know something or if something doesn't make sense for you or if you discovered a strange word and you don't know its meaning you may ask her then. She always ready to give whatever student what he wants to know. It's for that I like when she teaches in my classroom.

I cry every time I read this. Richard is truly a treasure to the people of Leogane. I wish so badly to return to Haiti in the next couple of years to see my many friends, like Richard.

Please keep these sweet people in your prayers. They need them and deserve them.

Lambs Center Orphanage--sweet, sweet babies.

This never ceased to amaze me. Absolutely beautiful.

Busy mountain village market--on our way to Jacmel, Haiti.

Lambs Center. I brought a bunch of stuffed animals from my home ward. This beautiful collectors bear was donated by a very good family friend we affectionately call "Little Lisa." She loves stuffed animals, but she loved these kiddos even more and was willing to let them go to a new home.

Market behind our house. Always teeming with business.

This is my good friend Sandul--he's a member of the ward there. He had a birthday while we were working in his town. Mike and I got caught in a tropical storm when we went out to buy his cake at the Chu Chu. That's a story all its own though.

Busy streets of Port-Au-Prince.

Paradise Beach.

Beautiful boy who lived at the Field Tent Orphanage.