by Jonathan LaMare
What an amazing week it has been this past week at Be Like Brit! Like so many others, we hosted an incredible Britsionary Group, who this week decided to name themselves in honor of our very own Francky! Those of you who have been to Be Like Brit know that Francky is a jack-of-all-trades kind of guy, and is one of the hardest working employees we have! Francky does it all from driving, to security, to photography ~ you name it! We were thrilled to learn that this group recognized his hard work and chose to bear his namesake for the purpose of naming their group!
Team Francky was made up of many returning Britsionarys, as well as a handful of first-timers, too! Team Francky was lead into Haiti by our group-leader extraordinaire, Mike Nicholson, from St. John's Catholic High School in Shrewsbury. Mike has lead groups to Haiti through St. John's since February of 2013, and he, along with Mike Foley and Tim Williams, have become regular group leaders for our Britsionary program. Our volunteers are so very lucky to benefit from the wisdom of these kinds of leaders, and we can't thank them enough for giving us their time and their expertise to make the experience in Haiti one that is meaningful and one which truly challenges us all to do better!
The theme of the week seemed to sort itself out during our evening reflections on the roof, all lead by Mike Nicholson. Starting out with a song of some sort to get us set in the right mood and frame of mind, Mike and his guitar compelled us to think and reflect on the days' events. We decided that "simple joys" was what we were looking for in each day. Rather than focusing on the overwhelming issues at hand in a place like Haiti - the devastating scope of poverty and the seeming unrelenting extent of need, Team Francky focused on simple joys. The every day things in our own lives - things which we may take for granted - that bring so much joy to the lives of others. When Team Francky opened the door to the new home they had built for a local family, the husband and wife plopped down on their new bed - the first bed they have ever owned - and this reaction is indeed an example of a simple joy ~
Lisa and Megan Birch were back with us on this trip! Lisa and Megan lost their husband and father Jim at the Hotel Montana that fateful day, too. It is in Jim's memory the children of Be Like Brit enjoy the indoor turf on our courtyards, "Jim's Play Place", and Lisa and Megan have become just like family to us. We know in many ways it must be hard to return to Haiti each year for Lisa and Megan, but as Lisa has said to us on more than one occasion, it is here where their hearts are happiest. We are glad that Be Like Brit has become a place of comfort for Lisa and Megan and are so happy to call them friends.
The simple joys that make such a difference in life ~ the comfort of a mattress for a bed; the laughter that comes with 'walking a goat'; bringing a smile to the face of someone who may be experiencing despair ~ all of these things are so easy to do and have such a huge impact in the life of others. Mike Nicholson learned this week that one of our employees, Kendy, had recently become a father. The baby was named after Mike - "Mikeson" - because of the joy that Mike has brought to the lives of Kendy and his family...
There is much to do in Haiti, and we don't pretend to know how it best is done, but we do know that there is great joy in the week-long experience that we offer as an organization. It is the opportunity to come to Haiti, work side by side with a team of our local staff, and change the life of a family in our community who, without help, would likely never see their own reality change in any substantial manner. For the sacrifice of a week of one's time, you can bring so much joy to the lives of others in the most simple of ways. It really is that easy to make a difference.
To Team Francky, and all of the other Teams out there - thank you for helping us help the children of Haiti at Be Like Brit!
