Lifeless

Today proves another difference in our cultures. 
Here at Canaan we are SO incredibly blessed. We are sheltered from many of the evils and horrors of this country. We don't see the riots and craziness that goes on daily. Things you could never imagine. Things that you just wouldn't be able to get away with in America. You can get away with here, even murder.  Sister Gladys has told us horror stories, but stories are much different than real life. 
Kendall has been going to Port every day with Sister Gladys for the past two weeks. My last visit I was here for 3 months and maybe went to Port 3 times. So this is an unusual amount for her. That town is crazy and just on the outskirts there is a town called City Solei, it's considered the slums of Haiti. The poorest of the poor, filled with gangs and unimaginable poverty. 
As they were driving home today, Kendall left this sheltered life of Canaan and had to experience real life in Haiti...
On the side of the road, a main road, next to the soccer field where all the kids play, was a man, lying with his head towards the traffic and a rope around his neck, clearly deceased. Kendall has described the image in much more detail to me, it's not ok what she had to see. It's an image she probably will never forget. But along with the image, the most heart breaking of all, is how ok this is in Haiti. How people were walking and driving right around him, going on with their daily lives. 
See here, if you steal, they just kill you. They leave you out in broad daylight for everyone to see, so everyone knows you were a thief. Clearly we don't know the story behind this death. Judging by what was described, this man probably betrayed someone, somehow. 
Regardless of the circumstances, it's just not okay. At least not in my eyes. I am not saying murders and deaths don't happen. Or that people all over the world don't see devastating things. It's not so much the act or image, just saddened how normal the whole concept seems.  
Sister Gladys said you just learn to block it. You see so many horrible things that you have to block them out and go about your life. This is clearly what they have to do around here. 
One of the girls from school was in the car. She's about 15 or 16. She was going to town to try to get her Visa. Kendall said when the girl saw this, she laughed... It's like they truly don't know how to deal with emotions. They don't cry, so instead I suppose their reaction is to laugh. I can't imagine the feelings going through Kendalls head at this point. 
To be honest when she told me this, I myself just blocked it out. It didn't seem real. It is nothing I could ever imagine seeing. Not just on the side of the road, while people calmly walked by.  Most of all it just breaks my heart to see how unaffected these people have needed to become. I can't blame them, at some point you just become numb. Especially if you start seeing all this destruction and death as a young child. Today just one more hit. God keeps throwing curve balls. We just keep praying. 
This is life. This is normal. This is Haiti. 


Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6