What is a relationship?

What are your relationships with other people?  Is it a working for relationship?  Is it a working with relationship?  Is it a being with relationship?  Is it a being for relationship? How about someone who is in need?  Are you just providing something for someone, are you building a community, or are you participating in an existing thriving community?

On our first day of visiting Haiti, these questions from “Living Without Enemies” became more apparent.  As this is my third trip to Haiti, I ask the question on what influence I actually have on this community. After a full day of going to church, visiting Sadhana Forest, and interacting throughout out the Pedernales and Anse-a-Pitre community, it has become apparent that this is more than just a simple working for relationship.

The people of Anse-a-Pitre are spirited.  In the church service this morning, we came together as a Community of Christ, and we worship the same God that I worship back in Maryland. The styles and traditions might be different, but the fundamental belief hasn’t changed. In some aspects, I actually wonder if their belief in God is stronger than the community I hold in Maryland.   If we as visitors from a foreign land are to have an impact form this trip, we need to advance beyond the working for relationship. 

Today in Anse-a-Pitre, I experienced flashbacks from growing up and visiting my Grandparents during the summer, in a small Midwestern town.  The children within Anse-a-Pitre have such a free spirit of walking the community, and the adults of the community are watching out for them.  This since of community is something that shouldn’t be undervalued. 

When we entered church this morning, the pastor made an announcement about our arrival, but I’m sure our presence had already permeated throughout the town.  We conversed with many people who I had met on prior trips, and it was exciting to see what their new endeavors were.  The excitement and spirit behind each of these discussions brings a new level of dimension to our relationship.

I hope and pray that this will continue through our time in Anse-a-Pitre.  We have meetings, dinners, work times, and much more scheduled with so many different players in this community.  It is my hope and prayer that we can explore relationships were we are working with, being with, and being for the members of Anse-a-Pitre.  Then, and only then, can our presence provide a small, miniscule, but positive impact within a community that is thriving in love.

-Jacob