Unexpected Gifts

As Hope Force pours into the Sous Savanne community by building Houses of Hope, promoting the Child Sponsorship Program and carrying out medical initiatives, the Haitian people keep giving back in unexpected ways. Haiti Field Team member Rene Lako shares about one such instance when he experienced the generosity of those who are in desperate need themselves.
"One day while painting one of the new Houses of Hope, I noticed a beautiful mango tree," Rene said. "Since we had a team on location, I wondered if the tree owner used the mangoes to sell at the market."

It turned out that the tree belonged to Nahomie, whose son Renalson is in the Child Sponsorship Program. Rene inquired about the mangoes and found that Nahomie does in fact sell them at the market. He asked if it would be possible for him to buy a dozen the following day, and Nahomie responded that it was not. When asked why, she replied that she wanted to give him the mangoes.

"I tried to explain the importance of doing business, and the difference between selling and giving a gift for free," he said. "We did not get far at first because she really wanted to give the mangoes to me."

Rene continued, "Finally I thought I had a perfect example. Knowing she did not own chickens, I used eggs as an example. I explained that if she sold eggs, I would buy them on a regular basis because it would save us both a trip to the market, and she would have a little bit of income. Then I used the eggs as a gift example, mentioning that if she did have chickens and decided, without me asking first, to give me some eggs, I would be touched and accept the gift with gratitude. But because I asked for the mangoes, she should let me buy them from her."

Despite his explanation and willingness to pay, Nahomie continued to refuse compensation. Finally they compromised, and Rene was allowed to order mangoes for the following day at a reduced price. "She was still not too pleased," he said. "But she understood the business point of it all."

When the deal was set, Rene went back to painting. After a short time, he was called inside, where he found Nahomie with a big smile on her face and found eggs in her hands, ready to give to him as a gift. "Needless to say, I was speechless," he said.

When Rene and the rest of the team left that afternoon, Nahomie made sure that the eggs were in the car. "My lesson for the day was that out of the little Nahomie had, she wanted to give," he said. "Not being able to give me the mangoes because I had asked for them, she went elsewhere and found me eggs to give as a present. Knowing there was little food that afternoon for her family made me realize even more how precious this gift was."

Nahomie and her family were the recipients of one of the first two Houses of Hope. A team from a church in Franklin, Tennessee painted her new home. When the house was being dedicated, Nahomie received a Bible in French, which she is learning to read in school.

"She is very open to hear more about God and the gift of Jesus," Rene concludes. "I can't wait for the day when her beautiful smile will break forth because she meets the One who loves her unconditionally and wants to give her the best gift of all -- the gift of life."