Would You Like to Go to Church with Me?

I asked someone the other day what they did for fun on the weekends: “Well, I usually go to church.” Church is not a one hour on Sunday morning thing around here: Haitians go to church for fun, worship, and community. Many people have invited me to join them at church (hence the title).

My home parish here is The Episcopal Church of Sainte Croix. It is right next to the hospital and has its own school attached. The earthquake of 2010 razed both the church and the school. The people decided that it was more important to prioritize the building of the school first (a decision I entirely agree with), so worship is held in a temporary tin-roof structure with open sides. It is a friendly and welcoming congregation of about 100 people. My first Sunday here they were talking about me and my projects for about 5 minutes before the person next to me leaned over and translated from Creole to French---oops! Get excited, the feast day of Sainte Croix is in two Sundays and there are preparations under way for a great celebration!

I was invited by Madame Dominique, the “House Mom,” to join her at the Catholic church one night. The Catholic Church used to be the main landmark of Leogane until it too was razed. All that remains is the stunning mosaic altar and a large congregation that shares a tarp-covered structure with the Presbyterians next door.

Finally, last night I went with one of the teachers here to the Youth Night at the Baptist Church. We sang, we danced, we played hot potato, it was quite fun! “Youth” for them is basically anyone: the president of the Youth is married with two children!

So between these experiences, a few things that I have picked up about church in Haiti:

 1) Toddlers run the place. Literally. They just toddle around, being picked up by whoever and entertaining everyone, until the Eucharist starts and they are secured to a seat

2) It is long. Sunday liturgy is two and a half hours: church is what you do on Sunday  

3) It is in French and Creole: The Book of Common Prayer is in French, so the traditional prayers are in French but most of the other prayers, the sermon, and the announcements are all in Creole. Hymns are half and half.

4)  Everyone sings loudly. None of this quietly humming to yourself stuff: you are part of a choir! 

5) You will be asked to introduce yourself at any new church you go to… start practicing your Creole!

Now we are starting off a new week here at the school! I am halfway through the summer Biology class that I am teaching. Teaching biology in French has been a challenge in preparation (believe it or not, they don’t teach you the vocabulary for “hypophyseal portal system” in French classes) but a joy to teach!