Month: February 2024

Walking each other home

My friend Ryan walking me to his house. Where the treats are.

First, let me thank everyone who wandered through the maze of buttons and instructions to join me in this blog. I do appreciate you all.

I promised I would connect more often. This is a good season for such a promise. I am near to overwhelmed with tasks. Preparing to move to another country has its built-in complications. Learning a new language while doing so just makes it that much more fun.

Eleven years ago about this time of year I prepared to move to Haiti. It seems a blur now. But I recognize the excitement of it. So many feelings! I am so happy to embark on adventure. At the same time, I’m already mourning time I won’t spend here in the Valley. Add that to the existing grief of being far from my friends in Haiti.

It’s best to stay busy, I know, but also to spend time reflecting.

In the four-plus years I’ve been back in the Valley, I’ve readjusted to life here. My work other than a few trips is remote, but I spent good times with many of you. I have lived with family and with friends who have become like family.

I’ve enjoyed being about to walk along the South River, driving in the Blue Ridge Mountains, meet so many of you for lunch or coffee.

Many of you have allowed me to stay with your four-legged friends while you were away. That has been a gift. I have a few more of these occasions coming up. Memories spent with Ryan in the photo here are precious. He left us too soon.

I’m learning Spanish, researching land and food issues around the world, imagining what I will pack for the Dominican Republic and what I will do with the rest of the stuff I’ve gathered. (Too much stuff!)

I’m remembering Ram Dass’s quote: We all are just walking each other home.

In all the ways. To all our homes.

Be well, friends.

Going back into the world

My new passport just arrived! And it’s about to be filled.

As some of you already know, I sadly will not be able to return to my beloved Haiti any time soon. The political and security situation remain horrific.

Gang violence spills into just about every neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, and quickly more and more communities around the country are affected by threat of violence. A de facto prime minister continues in office though his mandate clearly has passed. The United Nations is on the brink of sending armed police led by Kenya to reinforce the beleaguered Haitian National Police.

But I serve as a global mission co-worker and after more than four years accompanying our Haitian partners from Virginia, I’m on my way in early summer to live in the Dominican Republic. I’ll be much closer to our siblings in Haiti, and in fact, will be able to accompany many people of Haitian descent living in the D.R.

It’s difficult for Haitians to live in Haiti – or anywhere. I’m eager to learn more about our Presbyterian partners in the Dominican Republic.

My work also is changing, though I still serve our Joining Hands network in Haiti, FONDAMA. In my new role as catalyst for food, hunger and agribusiness concerns, I will take what I have learned in 11 years in Haiti to explore and better understand similar issues regionally and globally.

Global Solidarity Network is the latest iteration of international Presbyterian Hunger Program work. It means examining root causes of hunger in several places – from other countries to similar issues in the United States.

It means walking with members grassroots communities close to the land. From the land-grabbing that robs small stakeholder farmers from their ability to feed families in Haiti, Sri Lanka and Cameroon, to sugarcane workers in El Salvador who suffer because of the poisons applied to the large corporate agricultural fields where they work.

I will tell you the stories of these siblings. I hope to help you learn along with me as I go.

In about a month, I will travel for a short visit to San Salvador, El Salvador, and meet with leaders and farmers of RUMES, our Joining Hands network there. I also will be members of the Central America Migration Mission Network as it kicks off!

When I began this journey, I called my blog Long Way Home. I knew it would be meandering journey. I am excited to share that I’m back on the path. From my first home to a new home.

Please know that even in the excitement of new adventures, Haiti remains in my heart.

I am so grateful for all they ways you have supported me since 2013. Financially you have provided a way for me to learn and tell new stories. But prayerfully, you’ve held me close and made it all possible.

I ask for continued support and especially prayers as I navigate through the process of visas and where I’ll settle and – perhaps most importantly – learn Spanish!

Oh, esto no es fácil! Pero qué emociante!