Ripe Mango Chronicles

I remember feeling shocked when my grandfather passed away. It didn’t seem right, it happened so suddenly, it was too soon. As I processed through my emotions that day, I was surprised those feelings were my immediate response. Why? Because my grandfather was 101 years old when he died. It didn’t matter that he had lived a very long life, nor that he was ready to meet his maker, looking forward to it even. None of that mattered to me, it still felt wrong. We all know death is a natural part of this life, but somehow it always feels unnatural. The feelings of injustice are magnified when we see babies, children and young men and women die. We’re left dazed, confused, befuddled. Why? Why? Why? The word rings loud on repeat in my mind. I have seen death over and over and over in Haiti, yet I know I’ve only experienced a fraction of what the general population experience in a lifetime. Why? Why? Why? The word rings loud on repeat in my mind. I sat with a group of Haitian women ...

Greetings friends!  It's been so long since I have written or blogged, I don't even know where to begin. But big things are happening that need to be shared!  I will start with my main focus these days, which is Jubilee.  Jubilee Louise-Anne Bernard was born November 5th and has been an incredible addition to our family. She was born in Canada, with Kenol by my side. He clapped, yelled and laughed all at the same time as she was placed on my chest for the first time. We were able to introduce her to the boys within the hour via FaceTime and then in person 3 weeks and 3 days later when we flew home with her. We have all adjusted well to having a little princess, as daddy calls her, in the house. The boys are incredible with her, very interested in everything and more than willing to help take care of her. The orphanage kids love her and come up to visit with her often. When we flew home my mom came back with us, and my dad came two weeks later. They have been very h...

So there is this mosquito borne illness going around Haiti. It has been given many names, mainly by people who can't remember what it's actually called. A few examples, Mumbo-jumbo, Chickengumbo, chicken-coonya, that chicken thing, to name just a few. The official name of this awful illness is Chikungunya, but in Haiti it is known as kase les zo which roughly translates as bone breaking. In my opinion this is a very appropriate name for this illness, as it truly feels like your bones are breaking! I had a quick trip to Canada planned at the end of May to meet my cousin's new baby, have some family time and visit with my church family as it had been nine months since I had been outside of Haiti. I arrived just before midnight on Tuesday May 27th, so excited to be back in Canada. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were spent hanging out with family, discovering the elaborate vocabulary my niece and nephew have acquired in the 9 months since I had last seen them, ...

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 se...

I got some pretty sad news last week that has been so heavy on my heart. A young man, who was once mine, was arrested. The rest of the day I processed this information, and then a gnawing feeling crept into my heart. Did I do all I could have to help him? Was there something else I could have said to him? Was there something else I could have done for him? The questions were churning in my mind, and then an even greater and more convicting thought came. One day I will stand before the Lord to give an account for what I did or didn't do with the responsibilities I was entrusted with. (Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 4:10) Including this young man. When I stand before God, will He see that I did all I could? That I seized every opportunity I was given to lead this young man down the right path? I don't know. I lay in bed that night unable to sleep, thinking about this young man and the weight of the responsibility I have been given laying heavy on my heart and mind. I have a r...

I have found myself saying over and over, “Life is just so crazy right now, when it get’s back to normal…” A dear friend gently whispered, “Rachel, I think you need to accept that crazy is your normal.” Ah…the not so gentle slap in the face of truth. I live a crazy life. It will always be crazy. There is no calm, simple, quiet life on the horizon. Sigh. Accept this fact. Take a deep breath. Think about why my life is so crazy, think about each precious face I have the privilege of loving. Smile. Start dreaming of ways to be successful and joyful in the midst of crazy.