Holidays in Haiti

                                                       My class at the Christmas program

Culture permeates every area of our lives...even how we celebrate holidays. I chose to remain in Haiti for the holiday season in order to experience how the Haitian culture as well as the missionaries here celebrate.

Thanksgiving:
Since Thanksgiving is an American holiday, it is not celebrated in Haiti by the Haitians. The missionaries who live here, however, do celebrate; even those who are not American. Almost all of the missionaries gathered at someone's house with a dish in their hand to share with all. It was quite the spread (you can see pictures on my Facebook page). A great time was had by all.
photo by Rob Thompson


Christmas:
While there have been plenty of Christmas activities, it has not been the hectic, busy season in normally is in the US. There are some stores and places where you can buy trees, decorations, and other Christmas items, but there is not an overwhelming sense of commercialism and consumerism associated with Christmas here in Haiti. To be honest, it was a welcomed break from the chaos surrounding the holiday. I was able to attend the RMI end of the year celebration Christmas party where we praised and thanked God for all the work that has been accomplished.

Cite Lumiere Christian School (where I work) coordinated the annual Christmas program for the Cite Lumiere community. We sang Christmas carols, there were three special songs: one in Creole by three Haitian students, one with a student choir from the school, and a family sang one as well. We then presented A Charlie Brown Christmas as a play performed by the students and directed by Elisa (my classroom assistant) and myself.
The students put in much hard work learning their lines and practicing with the props on the stage. I was so proud of their accomplishment.
 photo courtesy of Becky Thompson

While there were not the multitude of Christmas parties we are accustomed to in the States, I was able to participate in some fun parties. I had dinner at the principal's house one night and a tree decorating party another night. Christmas Eve was spent baking and watching The Bayou Church's Christmas Eve concert thanks to Sean Walker. On Christmas day, we gathered at a missionary's house and ate amazing food again. I brought peppermint cheesecake. We then sang Christmas carols and shared about our ministries and families. Lastly, I gathered with a few others and watched Home Alone 2 (we watched the first one a couple weeks prior). 

New Year's Eve
I spent New Year's Eve with my neighbors and some of the youth playing games and having fun. It reminded me of my awesome years serving in student ministry. It also reminded me that I'm not 20 anymore and staying up until 3:00am has consequences. Needless to say, I spent New Years Day recuperating.  


Partner with me:

If you feel led to join me on this journey by supporting me, you can do it either monthly or a one time gift. Checks can be made to RMI with Joslynn Stakes in the memo line mailed to RMI 5475 Lee Street, Suite #301, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 or you can give online at www.rmibridge.org by looking for my name to designate your contribution.

Comments

  1. Leah B.January 31, 2018 at 8:52 PM

    Joslynn, I loved reading this! Our Christmas here in Peru may be a little more commercialized than your experience in Haiti but I 100% agree that it's still a welcomed break from the holidays in the States! I love the focus on family and just spending time together... and of course, food and yummy goodies. It's so cool to hear about someone else from home being in ministry overseas! We're not alone, my friend! :-)

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