A letter from Pix Mahler in Virginia
October 9, 2008
Dear Friends in Christ,
I am writing to share some “food for thought,” musings concerning Haiti as part of a reflection submitted for consideration for the monthly church-wide fast focusing on the global food crisis. The focus for November 2008 is Haiti.
Wisdom and teachings in Haiti are often passed along in an oral tradition by way of proverbs or sayings that sometimes have hidden meanings. Interpretations of many of these sayings are as varied and complex as the people. “Yon sèl dwèt pa manje kalalou,” for example, means “You cannot eat okra with one finger.” I often think of this when, as PC(USA) partnership facilitator for Haiti, I am interacting with our partner, the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, or with others here in the United States or in Haiti.
The global food crisis issue is not new to Haiti. When your “globe” is what you see around you— your family and neighbors—and the reality of that “globe” is comprised of a daily struggle to provide even a meager bit of sustenance, “crisis” is the norm.
Carrying forth the analogy and capability of fingers, I have seen two fingers—the EEH and the PC(USA)—working together for decades, enabling people to pick up bits and pieces to feed the needs of the people of Haiti. As more “fingers” were and continue to be added, there began to form a strong “hand” to enable a “hand up” and not just a “hand out.”
Working together in development and self-development, and in education and medical ministries, these “fingers” have enabled changes and improvements in Haiti. Sometimes it is one step forward and then, when natural or man-made disasters occur, two steps backward. Prayerfully, we try again to take three steps forward together. Sometimes changes are only visible in small steps: a young person learning to read; a person brought to Christ; access to a clean water source for a community; the birth of a healthy baby by a healthy mother; a new way to garden that is good for the earth and the gardener.
Sometimes these steps are larger and more visible: nursing students graduating and stepping out to model a new and dynamic level of nursing in the medical community in Haiti; students graduating from an agricultural school to become leaders in their community; students graduating from a university setting out to take their place in leadership roles; teams of community health workers spreading out through their region to teach healthier life-styles; mothers gathering to learn how one mother (with the same things available to her as her neighbors) is raising children who are thriving while her neighbors’ children are floundering; gatherings of community leaders who then make policy changes that have a positive impact for all Haitians.
Each of these “fingers” has a name, a vision, a mission statement, a desire to change the norm of constant “crisis” in Haiti to a norm of health and wholeness, a norm that embraces and brings to reality the great prayer asking for “daily bread.” Manjé nou bézouin an, ban nou-l jòdi-a
I invite you to see where you are or wish to be in this “hand” with many “fingers.” Explore where you want to participate in changing the present “crisis of norm.” Look at the listings of additional resources for information about Haiti in the November Global Food Crisis: a monthly church-wide fast.
Or contact your mission personnel appointed to serve Haiti.
Is the organization or ministry with which you may be involved working as part of the “hand?” Would you like to become more connected, learn from others and help the “hand” to be stronger, become part of a growing network? If so, please visit the PC(USA) Web site on country networks.
Or contact the regional liaison/partnership facilitator for Haiti.
Or learn more about partnership in mission.
I conclude with proposing two scenarios.
A scenario of hell might be thus: a long table groaning with all the delights of eye and palate. The people assembled around the table, however, are miserable, starving and in agony. Upon closer inspection you see that the arms of those present have stiff elbows and are held down, close to the body.
A scenario of heaven may be thus: a long table overflowing with the same delights of eye and palate, and all who are gathered round are joyous and well fed. Again, on closer inspection, you see that all assembled have arms that are stiff at the elbow. However, when you watch, you see that they are feeding one another.
Yon sèl dwèt pa manje kalalou. You cannot eat okra with one finger.
Grace and peace to you,
Pix Mahler
The Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study 2008, p. 269
