ALOHA!
I just returned from Hawaii, where I spent my spring break with my family and visiting the University of Hawaii at Manoa looking at a Ph.D. in Natural Resource and Environmental Management in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. I have been very bad about updating my blog in the past week and a half or so, but before leaving for Hawaii there wasn't a whole lot to post about; we worked on a few small projects around the Live Beyond campus. Anyhow, back to the point of this blog post, which mainly focuses on a few my flights to and from HNL.
PAP to ATL:
I arrived with Paige around 07:15 at the airport, dropped off by David and Devin. Little did any of us know that DELTA's ticket counter would not open until 12:30. With no seating area for those pre-check-in, I found a nice cozy spot on the floor next to an outlet and took about 5 hours to enjoy my high-speed internet for research. Finally, the counter opened and I was able to check-in, still 3 hours early. With nothing but time I wandered around the pre-departure area of the airport until I found a lounge area with a few food options. I enjoyed a "chicken sandwich" (more like pulled chicken on some kind of sub bun, but I enjoyed it nonetheless). With the time dwindling down to departure I took the creaky steps down from the lounge to the DELTA gate area. After a long security screening, I eventually boarded the Boeing 737 and took the isle seat beside an elderly Haitian lady, who eventually moved to the window when we concluded it was just us two.
This wasn't just any elderly woman though; she was fragile, illiterate, and just in need of a good "bless your heart." I sat beside her and smiled, it was just us two in our three seat row, and asked how she was doing in Creole. Her response was so mute I could barely understand her, but I as looked into her eyes, saw the forced smile she wore like a mask pushing all the pain back, I knew this woman was desperate for something better and that I could not possibly imagine the trials she has and does face in her life.
With takeoff approaching, I bucked my seat belt. We watched and listened as the safety presentation that is redundantly given on flights started. Typically, this is when I put in my headphones and lay back and go into flight mode, a.k.a. catch some shut eye (you can ask Mallory Warmack - it's impressive). However, this time I didn't; no specific reason, I just didn't. When we got to the seat belt part of the presentation, the sweet, frail woman next to me mumbled something to me as she analyzed her seat belt along with the one between us. I soon figured out via non-verbal communication that she had no idea how to buckle her seat belt, even after I tried to demonstrate for her. After seeing a few moments of confusion on her face, I unbuckled and fastened her belt for her. She mustered, again, that pain stricken smile to me and mumbled thankfully.
Later on in the flight, my co-pilot had to use the restroom. As she fumbled around, I demonstrated with the belt next to her how to take her seat belt off; which she successfully accomplished. Minutes later she walked by and I tried to reach for her, but she walked on by. A woman in the same row, opposite the isle, got her attention with Creole and pointed to her seat. This poor woman, flying solo, had forgotten where her seat was. Furthermore, I had to buckle her in once more. However, the worst was yet to come.
The flight attendants soon started passing out the customs forms to come into the US. The woman next to me had a huge look of confusion on her face and the flight attendant and I (using my handful of words in Creole) were failing to effectively communicate with her. This time the woman across the isle from me translated and we discovered the woman knew she was going to New York, but that's all she knew; on top of that she couldn't read or even write her name. The woman translating took her passport and customs form and politely filled it out for her.
I could write about this experience for days, but I think I will let your own heart and mind ponder the thought of an aged woman who is unable to write her own name, unable to read and copy information, unable to figure out how to buckle up. My heart found its way back to that experience multiple times through the week and was pricked each time. There are people in Haiti-people all around the world-with the same problem. The best way to help a developing nation and help a people help themselves is through education, whether that's agricultural education, basic education, or ESL, education is the foundation of a better life. Don't take yours for granted. Use the empowerment you've received to empower those around you and increase their quality of life; in the US, the Philippines, Haiti, wherever you are.
ATL to LAX:
I often hear stories of people who sat beside so-and-so before they "got big" or, as Mrs. Pride, my 5th grade teacher told us once, saw Michael Jordan at a hotel. How cool would that be?! Well, I can't say that I sat beside a celebrity (after all, I was flying coach) or saw one. However, as I sat cozily in my seat waiting to see how I had rolled the die in terms of who would sit beside me on the plane, a thin blonde headed guy walked up and pointed. I later found out he was 20, but I didn't think he was a day over 18.
He sat down, and trying to be friendly, I struck the conversation up. Whoa! This dude was fresh from Germany; direct flight to ATL. I asked what his business was in LAX and he responded with training for motocross. That was all I needed to hear. We talked MX for quite a while, and I told him how a girl I was staying with in Haiti, Lexi, was friends with Trey Canard; he said he had raced with Ken Rozken. This was a total trip! I messaged my motorcycle crazy family (the group message with my parents and sister) and got them excited. Well, I would say I didn't do anything weird, but I was that guy. I had him sign my notebook and date it, so that I would have it when he hit "the big time." He was such a chill dude. Kim Lehmann.. look for that name in motocross in the upcoming years.
You know, you never know who you will run into at the airport, or anywhere else for that matter. You never know who you will see, or what they will become. The bigger thought: no one ever knows what YOU will become.. we each have the opportunity to follow God and make something of ourselves. It doesn't have to be a world class motocross racer or a movie star, but simply someone called according to His purpose. What will you become?
LAX to JFK:
With travel back and forth between the Philippines, I am a DELTA Silver Medallion holder; not THAT legit, but it has its perks nonetheless. One of those perks is having an upgrade automatically requested. I checked my DELTA app and it showed 10 available upgrades for business class, but I wasn't eligible for the upgrade. Don't think me as one of "those people," but I had the opportunity to spend a 5 hour flight a lot more comfortable, so I wanted to find out why I wasn't eligible for upgrade.
In front of me in line to talk with the whatchamacallit guy that handled tickets was an elderly man who was trying to get a seat with his wife; they were separated. As I thought about how much more enjoyable the flight would be sitting beside your other half (not that I actually know what that's like), I spoke up and offered my seat if it were to be useful. The guy took the seat down and said he would let me know.
Then, it was my turn. I asked about the upgrade and he said that upgrades weren't offered like that for flights to JFK. I just said it was no big deal and I just wanted to try my luck. He reminded me that he would let me know if he needed to swap my seat.
I sat, waiting to board, and business class was being called. Right before I got up to get ready to board with Sky Priority the man at the counter said my name, "Mr. Cherry." I looked up, "yes?" "I needed your seat," he said, "here's your new ticket." I looked; business class! I thanked him and went to board. It amazed me how something so little as offering your seat if it's needed God would reward. He truly is great!
I sat there thinking I had my row all to myself; extra room for my junk, extra bottled water, and no risk for crazies to sit beside me. However, God wasn't finished. Right before the doors were closed a Chinese man came and sat in the seat next to mine. Noticing my A&M cap, he asked about it. We discussed my studies, research, Johnny Football, and plans for education while he intently asked questions and listened, sharing bits of his own life. This Harvard grad had some cool stories, did some great work to help the people in China, and knew some awesome people; awesome people as in those high up in the Philippine National Bank and the Philippine government. We chatted quite a while before both going to sleep.
Upon waking, talking some more, and landing we exchanged handshakes and business cards. He was interested in the work in the Philippines, agricultural development, and was just an all around genuine guy. God not only gave me an upgrade, but he placed me in he path of someone that can help me benefit His Kingdom. Again, you never know who you might meet. This guy had no idea he would run into me, but he took the opportunity, thanks to God, to network with me because he knew he might could help me. Perhaps, I am in his path as well to help him. We often notice how God places people in our paths that can help us improve out lives or help us in some way, and that's okay, but how often do we look to see if we are placed in the path of someone else to help them? All it takes is you striking up a conversation because of something like a university ball cap..
God is good.. All the time. All the time.. God is good. I pray that He blesses you!
I am back in Haiti and we start the work week back up tomorrow. I will be trying to update my blog based on that, as well as having a post about my time in Hawaii. Look for it!
"And we know that all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28
-Audie
Showing posts with label Communication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Communication. Show all posts
Monday, March 17, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
Scabies (and a little bit of an update)
Howdy (Sorry, my Aggie comes out every now and then), and happy Singles Awareness Day!
First off, apologies for not writing for almost a week. We had a medical team on the Live Beyond base and internet bandwidth was kind of sketchy from time to time. Plus, it already seems as though the days are running together. I don't want to completely recap everything that has happened since my last post; that would not be possible, but I'd like to share some things that have stood out to me.
Scabies
I must say, whenever I was planning my first trip to the Philippines with Bro. Danny Weddle, some of the women in our congregation at Sturgis made me terrified of these "things" called scabies. As we sat at an incredible, country cooked buffet in Jackson, TN, with fried chicken stimulating my scent glands and sweet tea (which I have not had since Dec. 31, 2012) stimulating my taste buds, I was enlightened about these tiny little bugs that crawl under your skin. Now these bugs.. "they itch.. they itch realllll bad," but the itching is not from the bugs themselves, but from their feces in your skin. Anyhow, traumatized, I decided I would do whatever possible to avoid getting scabies.
Traveling to the Philippines three times, I was doing pretty good about avoiding these disgusting mites, that is until I came to Haiti. Up until coming to Live Beyond, I had never been a part of a medical mission per se, other than bringing supplies to Tacloban City after Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Therefore, I had not really experienced, or been able to notice/diagnose things like scabies. All that changed on Tuesday.
As we embarked with our caravan of medical personnel up the looong and dusty road up the mountains near Thomazeau with the windows down, because the AC was not doing its job, the dust was in our eyes, our lungs, everywhere. The children smiled and waved at us as we passed them; some chased the trucks with laughter. Each smile a child sends my way causes me to feel like a listener to Peter on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2; it's a prick to the heart. *Pontification:* It amazes me each and every time I see a child, with little hope for a future, get so excited to see a blanc person or to simply get to greet and wave at someone new. Then, I see the animals, worked ragged and looking awful, the men often resting from the sun or laboring in the fields. I then remember, with the constant breeze filled with smoke or dust, the innocence of a child. It's then I know why I do what I do.. I have put away childish things, became a man (I Cor. 13:11), and decided to make a difference so others can have the opportunity to BE a child!
*Pontification Cont'd:* When these children are smiling and waiving it is because they want to find that childhood. These barefoot youth are walking miles per day gathering water and taking animals to get drinks, just so their family can survive. If they are fortunate enough to be able to afford the "free" education, they go to school 5 hours/day, rotating work (i.e. primary kids work in the AM and go to school in the PM; vice versa with secondary). For others, it is work all day long. There isn't a childhood for these innocent toilers of the land. I believe they deserve the right and OPPORTUNITY to be children! *Pontification Ended*
Nonetheless, we arrive at the school in the mountains to treat the students. The school consists of a halfway run-down concrete building (shamefully about the size of my apartment) with a small dirt area in the center and open classrooms on either side. Paige and I decided we would try to get involved, so we wander around until we find a room that is not for doctors only. We sit down, taking instructions from Laurie Vanderpool, Dr. V's wife, on what to look for and what to apply for different things on children. We were treating children who said they were itching; this meant either scabies, ringworms, or maybe just an itch.
For the next couple, few, I honestly don't know how many, hours we treated children. We washed their dry, infected scalps with green anti-fungal shampoo, cleaned their infected areas, and applied permethrin, anti-itch, or whatever was needed. My avoidance of scabies was no longer existent. As I pondered the life of a child and the difference we could make, I said "forget you" to scabies and took the risk in order to make a child know that someone cared about them.
Sometimes a child would come in and there may be nothing wrong with them except they're itching. So we would give them some itch cream and send them on their way. Other cases, children would have scabies sores from their feet up their thighs. I'd look into their helpless eyes, feeling helpless myself. I wanted so much to cure them of their mite infestation, but I could only attempt to treat it and hope for the best. For the first half of the onslaught of children coming in like cattle running for the feed bunk, I had no way to know how to ask the kids where they were itching. A lot of times the confrontation resulted in an awkward exchange of basic greetings, smiles, and me pointing until I guessed right (sometimes they nodded a yes everywhere because they too were confused). Later, I learned "kote," or "where." It is amazing how one word can make all the difference. Previously, I mentioned non-verbal communication, but this proves how important individual words can be in communication; in helping someone, either spiritually or physically. One word, or the way we use it, can determine whether we find something like a scabies rash/scab area, or whether someone chooses to accept or reject the Gospel. Let's choose our communication wisely.
Through the whole clinic I saw so many heartbreaking things. I saw a small boy with a massive 3rd degree burn, scabies that resulted in bloody scabs that forced tears through sorrowful eyes, or gashes from parental beatings. I used what few Creole words I could to communicate, and I joked with the kids making many of them smile and "enjoy" their time with someone who cares about them. For those who had nothing left in them to muster a smile, I sat in starstruck shame and helplessness, knowing I could not imagine this child's (or the child next to him/her's) story. Needless to say, my fear of scabies (except when I itch in paranoia at night) was overcome through a conscious effort to move more toward "none of self and all of Thee." I can say this: "I stand forever changed by scabies."
Small Recap
We had a medical team come in on the 7th and stay through today (14th). I met a lot of great individuals with great hearts for helping people. I remember something a professor of mine, Dr. Piña, discussed with me; listen. Don't get me wrong, if you know me, you know I love to tell stories of "adventures," but I sat back and listened to each person; why they were in Haiti, what their motivation was, etc. Sometimes it was expected, other times not so much, but it was great to hear the stories of those who were being a part of helping the Haitian people. We are many sparks of the same fire.
One of the best experiences, that I plan to continuously enjoy while I am here, was visiting the orphanage in Thomazeau. I can't tell you much because of the law and their safety, but I was extremely blessed by one young boy who reached out to me (thought it was supposed to be the other way around). I plan to visit there as much as possible when I'm not working.
On a side note, during the tenure of the medical team's visit I was also able to receive acupuncture therapy from Daniel, an acupuncturist in Austin. Hopefully in a few days my sinus and allergies will be better. I won't go into detail, but it was awesome!
Another day, I found a boy on the mountain who spoke just a little English. Our conversation resulted in a long, sweaty, dusty walk from the school, before turning around. As we spoke in broken English I asked him about his family, his food, agriculture, and anything that came up. Strangely enough this boy decided that I was beautiful and that he loved me. Assuming it was a cross cultural mistranslation, I didn't let it phase me.. then or the next two or three times. Nonetheless, he was a nice boy.
A quick agricultural summary: We have planted coconuts at Live Beyond, we (mainly Paige) are working on Avocado propagation, Moringa propagation, and several other things. We are also looking at some educational and experimental options.
At current, I am sitting in the guest house at Christianville, the campus of FISH Ministries in Gressier (a few hours from Thomazeau). We will be here this weekend observing their agricultural production facilities and agricultural and extension education programs. I look forward to the long weekend ahead of us, and seeing what God reveals via agriculture to reach souls for His Kingdom.
"Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!"
-John 4:35
God bless you!
-Audie
PS: Sorry for not having pictures.. I'll try to have some in the next post.
First off, apologies for not writing for almost a week. We had a medical team on the Live Beyond base and internet bandwidth was kind of sketchy from time to time. Plus, it already seems as though the days are running together. I don't want to completely recap everything that has happened since my last post; that would not be possible, but I'd like to share some things that have stood out to me.
Scabies
I must say, whenever I was planning my first trip to the Philippines with Bro. Danny Weddle, some of the women in our congregation at Sturgis made me terrified of these "things" called scabies. As we sat at an incredible, country cooked buffet in Jackson, TN, with fried chicken stimulating my scent glands and sweet tea (which I have not had since Dec. 31, 2012) stimulating my taste buds, I was enlightened about these tiny little bugs that crawl under your skin. Now these bugs.. "they itch.. they itch realllll bad," but the itching is not from the bugs themselves, but from their feces in your skin. Anyhow, traumatized, I decided I would do whatever possible to avoid getting scabies.
Traveling to the Philippines three times, I was doing pretty good about avoiding these disgusting mites, that is until I came to Haiti. Up until coming to Live Beyond, I had never been a part of a medical mission per se, other than bringing supplies to Tacloban City after Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Therefore, I had not really experienced, or been able to notice/diagnose things like scabies. All that changed on Tuesday.
As we embarked with our caravan of medical personnel up the looong and dusty road up the mountains near Thomazeau with the windows down, because the AC was not doing its job, the dust was in our eyes, our lungs, everywhere. The children smiled and waved at us as we passed them; some chased the trucks with laughter. Each smile a child sends my way causes me to feel like a listener to Peter on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2; it's a prick to the heart. *Pontification:* It amazes me each and every time I see a child, with little hope for a future, get so excited to see a blanc person or to simply get to greet and wave at someone new. Then, I see the animals, worked ragged and looking awful, the men often resting from the sun or laboring in the fields. I then remember, with the constant breeze filled with smoke or dust, the innocence of a child. It's then I know why I do what I do.. I have put away childish things, became a man (I Cor. 13:11), and decided to make a difference so others can have the opportunity to BE a child!
*Pontification Cont'd:* When these children are smiling and waiving it is because they want to find that childhood. These barefoot youth are walking miles per day gathering water and taking animals to get drinks, just so their family can survive. If they are fortunate enough to be able to afford the "free" education, they go to school 5 hours/day, rotating work (i.e. primary kids work in the AM and go to school in the PM; vice versa with secondary). For others, it is work all day long. There isn't a childhood for these innocent toilers of the land. I believe they deserve the right and OPPORTUNITY to be children! *Pontification Ended*
Nonetheless, we arrive at the school in the mountains to treat the students. The school consists of a halfway run-down concrete building (shamefully about the size of my apartment) with a small dirt area in the center and open classrooms on either side. Paige and I decided we would try to get involved, so we wander around until we find a room that is not for doctors only. We sit down, taking instructions from Laurie Vanderpool, Dr. V's wife, on what to look for and what to apply for different things on children. We were treating children who said they were itching; this meant either scabies, ringworms, or maybe just an itch.
For the next couple, few, I honestly don't know how many, hours we treated children. We washed their dry, infected scalps with green anti-fungal shampoo, cleaned their infected areas, and applied permethrin, anti-itch, or whatever was needed. My avoidance of scabies was no longer existent. As I pondered the life of a child and the difference we could make, I said "forget you" to scabies and took the risk in order to make a child know that someone cared about them.
Sometimes a child would come in and there may be nothing wrong with them except they're itching. So we would give them some itch cream and send them on their way. Other cases, children would have scabies sores from their feet up their thighs. I'd look into their helpless eyes, feeling helpless myself. I wanted so much to cure them of their mite infestation, but I could only attempt to treat it and hope for the best. For the first half of the onslaught of children coming in like cattle running for the feed bunk, I had no way to know how to ask the kids where they were itching. A lot of times the confrontation resulted in an awkward exchange of basic greetings, smiles, and me pointing until I guessed right (sometimes they nodded a yes everywhere because they too were confused). Later, I learned "kote," or "where." It is amazing how one word can make all the difference. Previously, I mentioned non-verbal communication, but this proves how important individual words can be in communication; in helping someone, either spiritually or physically. One word, or the way we use it, can determine whether we find something like a scabies rash/scab area, or whether someone chooses to accept or reject the Gospel. Let's choose our communication wisely.
Through the whole clinic I saw so many heartbreaking things. I saw a small boy with a massive 3rd degree burn, scabies that resulted in bloody scabs that forced tears through sorrowful eyes, or gashes from parental beatings. I used what few Creole words I could to communicate, and I joked with the kids making many of them smile and "enjoy" their time with someone who cares about them. For those who had nothing left in them to muster a smile, I sat in starstruck shame and helplessness, knowing I could not imagine this child's (or the child next to him/her's) story. Needless to say, my fear of scabies (except when I itch in paranoia at night) was overcome through a conscious effort to move more toward "none of self and all of Thee." I can say this: "I stand forever changed by scabies."
Small Recap
We had a medical team come in on the 7th and stay through today (14th). I met a lot of great individuals with great hearts for helping people. I remember something a professor of mine, Dr. Piña, discussed with me; listen. Don't get me wrong, if you know me, you know I love to tell stories of "adventures," but I sat back and listened to each person; why they were in Haiti, what their motivation was, etc. Sometimes it was expected, other times not so much, but it was great to hear the stories of those who were being a part of helping the Haitian people. We are many sparks of the same fire.
One of the best experiences, that I plan to continuously enjoy while I am here, was visiting the orphanage in Thomazeau. I can't tell you much because of the law and their safety, but I was extremely blessed by one young boy who reached out to me (thought it was supposed to be the other way around). I plan to visit there as much as possible when I'm not working.
On a side note, during the tenure of the medical team's visit I was also able to receive acupuncture therapy from Daniel, an acupuncturist in Austin. Hopefully in a few days my sinus and allergies will be better. I won't go into detail, but it was awesome!
Another day, I found a boy on the mountain who spoke just a little English. Our conversation resulted in a long, sweaty, dusty walk from the school, before turning around. As we spoke in broken English I asked him about his family, his food, agriculture, and anything that came up. Strangely enough this boy decided that I was beautiful and that he loved me. Assuming it was a cross cultural mistranslation, I didn't let it phase me.. then or the next two or three times. Nonetheless, he was a nice boy.
A quick agricultural summary: We have planted coconuts at Live Beyond, we (mainly Paige) are working on Avocado propagation, Moringa propagation, and several other things. We are also looking at some educational and experimental options.
At current, I am sitting in the guest house at Christianville, the campus of FISH Ministries in Gressier (a few hours from Thomazeau). We will be here this weekend observing their agricultural production facilities and agricultural and extension education programs. I look forward to the long weekend ahead of us, and seeing what God reveals via agriculture to reach souls for His Kingdom.
"Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!"
-John 4:35
God bless you!
-Audie
PS: Sorry for not having pictures.. I'll try to have some in the next post.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Wordless Wilson
This afternoon I was sitting at the table outside, with Paige across from me at the other end. A small boy, who had been paid to wash the truck for the Vanderpools, wandered up the steps to the concrete patio-type, covered dining area. He, without a word sat beside Paige, staring at her computer screen. Then, he picked up her iPhone and began trying to figure out what the crazy device was capable of. After all, it's not like he could read what it said and know what each app's function was. Soon, he was gone.
About five minutes later, here he came again, wandering once more to Paige and finding her white-cased cell. As he attempted to navigate through the applications once more, Paige looked on smiling as his curiosity. Eventually he found his way to the camera. However, he had no idea how to actually take a picture. Paige took it from him, showing him how to capture a moment of life. Then, she turned the camera around allowing him to see himself. He looked at it and tilted his head, like my dog, Millie, does when she's trying to figure something out. After changing the camera around, he began taking tons of pictures before, what I would guess, getting bored and sitting back in his seat.
After a bit he began to whistle, and I'm not sure how he was doing it, but it was loud. After a few times, I began to mimic his whistles, that is, until he accepted the challenge and began to do patterns that I could not follow nor replicate. As I struggled to keep up, he simply stopped and began laughing. This, maybe 12 year old, boy just laughed and smiled for the first time.
Mustering up what little Haitian Creole I've learned so far, I said, "Como ou rele?" or literally, "what you call?" (what's your name?). "Wilson," he told us, though it sounded more like "wheel-sohn." Paige introduced herself, "Mweh rele Paige," followed by me, "Mweh rele Audie," and Wilson relayed the names back to us.
I sat there thinking about how this young boy and Paige had created a connection through a cell phone, and the ability to capture a part of time on it. Then, I thought about how we had communicated and created a connection through the ability to whistle, even if mine were not up to par with his. We had no idea what his name was and vice versa. Sometimes we forget how much non-verbal communication can create a relationship; how it can destroy a relationship, or how it can directly affect the hearts and minds of others. English and North American cultures are considered to be low context, whereas many others like Haiti (French included, who colonized Haiti) are considered high context cultures. High context cultures depend more on non-verbal cues in communication. By only using words to communicate, we can often miss out on an emotion of thought of an individual. The Greek culture, considered by many to have the most descriptive language in history, is considered high context. Even with such a descriptive language system, they realized the importance of non-verbal communication.
Just a thought from the day.....
Might also add that I got to see Wilson rock out to "Back in Black" by AC/DC, and he taught me a great deal of Creole words as we used Google, pointed to things, and he took me to different spots to show me what things were. It is through children like Wilson that we can know we were created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). His tender heart and rare smile are assurance that we have a Father above.
-Audie
About five minutes later, here he came again, wandering once more to Paige and finding her white-cased cell. As he attempted to navigate through the applications once more, Paige looked on smiling as his curiosity. Eventually he found his way to the camera. However, he had no idea how to actually take a picture. Paige took it from him, showing him how to capture a moment of life. Then, she turned the camera around allowing him to see himself. He looked at it and tilted his head, like my dog, Millie, does when she's trying to figure something out. After changing the camera around, he began taking tons of pictures before, what I would guess, getting bored and sitting back in his seat.
After a bit he began to whistle, and I'm not sure how he was doing it, but it was loud. After a few times, I began to mimic his whistles, that is, until he accepted the challenge and began to do patterns that I could not follow nor replicate. As I struggled to keep up, he simply stopped and began laughing. This, maybe 12 year old, boy just laughed and smiled for the first time.
Mustering up what little Haitian Creole I've learned so far, I said, "Como ou rele?" or literally, "what you call?" (what's your name?). "Wilson," he told us, though it sounded more like "wheel-sohn." Paige introduced herself, "Mweh rele Paige," followed by me, "Mweh rele Audie," and Wilson relayed the names back to us.
I sat there thinking about how this young boy and Paige had created a connection through a cell phone, and the ability to capture a part of time on it. Then, I thought about how we had communicated and created a connection through the ability to whistle, even if mine were not up to par with his. We had no idea what his name was and vice versa. Sometimes we forget how much non-verbal communication can create a relationship; how it can destroy a relationship, or how it can directly affect the hearts and minds of others. English and North American cultures are considered to be low context, whereas many others like Haiti (French included, who colonized Haiti) are considered high context cultures. High context cultures depend more on non-verbal cues in communication. By only using words to communicate, we can often miss out on an emotion of thought of an individual. The Greek culture, considered by many to have the most descriptive language in history, is considered high context. Even with such a descriptive language system, they realized the importance of non-verbal communication.
Just a thought from the day.....
Might also add that I got to see Wilson rock out to "Back in Black" by AC/DC, and he taught me a great deal of Creole words as we used Google, pointed to things, and he took me to different spots to show me what things were. It is through children like Wilson that we can know we were created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). His tender heart and rare smile are assurance that we have a Father above.
-Audie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)