Ripe Mango Chronicles

There was a time when Haiti was known as the Pearl of the Antilles. It’s a good name for Haiti, for a number of reasons. Haiti is filled with “secret beauty”, much like the oyster’s secret beauty.   The pearl lays within, and when discovered we are awed by the beauty we were hoping for, but not expecting. Haiti has a soiled history of brokenness and suffering. People are not necessarily expecting to discover the secret beauty within this country. When they arrive they are often amazed to discover the beauty hidden within; the people, the mountains, the beaches, the waterfalls, the rice fields, the fresh water pools literally take your breath away.  The Pearl of the Antilles is the perfect name for this place. If you haven't seen it first hand, it might be time to experience it for yourself. If you've already seen some of this country's beauty it might be time to come back and see what else there is to discover! Peace, love & beauty,

There is this woman I have known for many years. She is the kind of woman you know has a hard life, by looking at her. The sight of her heavy eyes and sunken in cheeks bring out a motherly instinct to hold her. She never set foot in a school building as a student, not for one day. Yet she carries her Bible everywhere she goes. She has raised two adult children and has 3 more at home. Her husband died many years ago and so she bears life’s burdens alone, every single day. She is proud to tell you her children are all being educated, but you know the price for their education is a high one for her to pay. Her pace is slow, her posture defeated. She is the most generous person I know. She showers me with gifts I do not deserve, and with each one I fight back tears knowing that gift meant sacrifice.  She is a kind woman, whom I deeply admire. Recently this gentle woman had a break down of sorts. I don’t know what the trigger was, although, I imagine there were many.  It seemed as t