Long wooden benches were lining the gallery and artists began arriving one by one. By 9:15 am about 5 young men had arrived and Lee seemed a bit nervous so he began making calls. Angelica said Lee had given a stern speech the day before to all his staff about being here on time. It was amazing how over the next 10 minutes people began pouring in. By the end of the day, I think we were about 25 strong. I opened with an ice breaker that would also help me to get to know my students before I began teaching. It was eye opening. I asked each person to share their name and then answer the question "What makes you unique". The first couple of men said they thought differently than others and they acted differently than others, but they didn't say how they thought or what actions made them different. So I began probing deeper. With a little pushing, I got each of them to go deeper and share something that truly did make them unique. Some were teachers, some artists, and some community leaders. Each had a vision of making a difference; some for children, some for their community, and some for the world. It was exciting to hear their passions and how they shared their own perspective on their gifts. It really helped us begin a conversation with each other that would continue throughout the day. I think it helped them find their own voices, as well.
Next I gave a lecture on making something out of nothing, whether that was a lesson plan, a piece of artwork, or a plan of action for a community project. I talked about the need for visionaries in a world where more people follow than lead. They were intense in listening and had some great responses to my questions. I encouraged them to believe in themselves and be bold in their decision making, even if they failed along the way. When I was done with the lecture, I gave them a group assignment to go outside on the property around the gallery and using only what is already there, create something that could be shared during a critique in the afternoon. Simple guidelines: You can't go get something from home. Use only what you find. Work together in teams of 2 or 3. Be creative, imaginative, and if you run into a problem, attempt to solve it as a group. I also laid out a myriad of additional tools, supplies and materials that could be used to support the main object, but these items could not be the bulk of the project.
At first, I received looks like deer in headlights. They politely walked outside and just kind of stood around whispering... and then... someone saw something... and then someone else ran over and started sharing an idea... and the chaos began! It was fascinating to watch as team after team had an "aha" moment and began collecting supporting materials and tools to make it a reality. Over the next hour, every team found a path and began the journey down it. The outcomes were varied, beautiful, hilarious, or touching. A miniature purse was made from a palm reed, a ship was made from a pop bottle, a doll was made from two abandoned non-matching shoes and other trash around the yard, several pieces of jewelry were made from natural objects found outside, a basket was woven, and so much more! Kelsey and I made a fancy couture collar made of banana leaf, paint, embroidery floss, and beads. It was exquisite, if I do say so myself!
We took a break for lunch and ate like kings and queens. Rice and beans, with chicken, pasta salad, spicy slaw, and vegetables were all packed into take out containers and handed out one by one to those attending the day's event. A special cake was bought in Jacmel and topped off the afternoon...beautiful and tasty! Everyone had loosened up by this point and were sitting around having creative conversations over good food. It was a joy to watch and be a part of.
As soon as we finished up, I called everyone back together for our critique. Each group stood and shared their creative process, how they came up with it, and what steps it took to bring it to completion. Some presented with laughter, while others were dead serious like they were trying to sell their product to an investor. It was priceless! After each presentation, the crowd was given an opportunity to ask questions or make comments. Everyone joined in and made the critique a fun and productive event. Many were downright silly and everyone laughed at one point or another. It felt good to be a small part of this creative and proactive community. They are going to change the world, and several of them already were.
Kelsey and I packed up and headed home. It was so nice to be a part of the local landscape and not be stuck behind the concrete wall of the Methodist complex. We walked through an intersection where many vendors are set up and it felt natural to be there. It was a beautiful, sunshiny day and our spirits fell in line with the weather. We were given a large bag of block ice to take back with us (a rarity in Haiti and welcome gift), a bag of fresh mandarin oranges, and a container of cake. These gifts along with the two bags of materials we were already carrying made the walk home a little more arduous, but it was a joy in spite of it.
The rest of the team had a busy day, as well. Doug the Nunderblock Man (said, I am told, like you would say "Wuuunderrrrdooog" or something) came today to make adjustments to the project plans. It seems the original plan had gotten a little off track so in order for it to remain structurally sound, two new posts were added. The good news was that none of the work already completed had to be reversed. It's hard to explain but much is lost in translation. Many words are missing from one language or another and certainly cultural norms and standards are different. So each side of the equation had to show much grace and come to solutions that would benefit the whole. Our co-leader Darryl was very helpful in working toward that new solution. They were all proud to be a part of the process.
After a sometimes stress-filled morning, the afternoon went a little lighter. Our team had been scheming for days on how and when to steal the ladder out of the deep pit when only Haitian workers were down there. Today they had the best opportunity yet so while one of the bossmen were down there alone, Darryl and Earl snagged the ladder and left the poor guy 24' below ground level. Everyone up on the ground level were laughing and luckily, so was the bossman. The joke was on Darryl and Earl though, because it didn't take long for the bossman to climb up a stone wall and basically climbed right out of the vertical pit. My guess is, if the joke was reversed and the Haitians snagged the ladder from our team members, they'd still be down there!
Some of the guys took a short nap before dinner, the girls kicked back in conversation, and I jumped in the shower. It was just the second since leaving home 9 days ago and I was ready. HAPI has a wonderful system of collecting water off the roofs and then having it drop by gravity when the shower valve is opened. I was able to wash my hair and body in no time, though a water heater would have been nice :-) I don't know the temperature of that water, but I do know when a body is over 90 degrees the water feels like 50. Darryl and I both prettied up in preparation for our date night and got cheers from the team. We took a long walk through the village after dinner and got to see a new restaurant and a church being built in the community. That might not sound like much, but you have to understand we are in rural, mountainous Haiti. That would be huge in one of the big cities here but out here.... it's incredible and wonderful and exciting all at the same time. Mizak is investing in itself, believing in dreams, and becoming a community of new realities unfolding. We are so blessed to be here and see it happening.
Many were out tonight for language lessons and laughter was long and deep. Shalom Singers met together under the pavilion to work on some lyrics and prepare for tomorrow night's concert. We all had a bit of the leftover cake and appreciated the company around us. It's hard to believe our days here are winding down. It always takes so long to get here, the last thing you want is for it to fly by. Tomorrow a hundred or more children will arrive for Peace Pals. We will be leading a craft project, a few songs, and acting out the scripture with the kids. Better get some sleep. It will be a crazy morning.
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