Adieu Tati

In January of 2014 my friend Kameryn, who was serving as a nurse at Respire Haiti, was headed to University Hospital in Mirebalais to take two ladies who needed to be seen by the doctors there.  She asked me to go along and keep her company, I had been wanting to see this hospital for awhile so I gladly agreed to go even though it meant a lot of time in the car on mountain roads.  Little did I know that this particular day my path would cross with a wonderful woman who would become a dear friend of mine.  As I reflect back on things that have happened in my life it seems as if God always uses the tiny little mindless decisions we make to forever impact our lives….and I am oh so thankful that when asked to go that particular day I just said yes! 

Tati was one of the ladies that went with us to see the doctor that day.  She had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was going to see what they could do for her at this hospital.  We left early in the morning when it was still dark and we pretty much all rode silently in the car the entire way there.  As we were waiting to see the doctor we started talking.  I’d been in Haiti about 8 months so I could have a decent conversation in kreyol and she had previously lived in the states so she also spoke English.  We didn’t necessarily become fast friends as we waited in the hospital….but when we left we walked over to some of the vendors across the street to buy some food for the trip home.  She got the biggest kick out of the way that I joked with the vendors for calling me “blan” and kept up with their comments trying to get us to buy food from each of them.  She insisted on buying me a pate and then that I eat some sugar cane with her.  As we dropped her off at her house at the bottom of Bellevue mountain I promised I would stop by to visit her.  I walked right by her house on my way home from the school, so I would often stop by to chat with her. 

March 2014

It didn’t take long for us to become great friends.  She hadn’t seen her kids in about 8 years and she has a daughter that is close to my age.  She said that I reminded her so much of her daughter so she quickly became my Haitian mama J  I miss my mama when I am in Haiti and she missed her kids so much while they were in the states that we were a great comfort to each other.  Her daughter and her husband were able to come visit that summer and we celebrated her 60^th birthday together.  It was so simple, but so much fun…and I was so blessed to be able to share that day with her family. 

Tati's 60th birthday - July 2014

I loved stopping by to visit her as she was always such an encouragement to me.  Her faith was so strong.  There wasn’t much that could be done for her cancer here in Haiti….there were a few options like having an operation (which she was terrified of) or getting chemo (but the hospital was so far away it wasn’t feasible).  She tried many natural remedies and a whole lot of prayer.  There was a group of ladies that would often stop by her house to pray for her.  I remember one particular day when I had just had an awful day so I decided to stop by to just visit with her.  We were sitting in the hallway visiting and this group of ladies who so faithfully came to pray with her for so long came by.  They just began singing and praying and it was just one of the most beautiful things I have experienced.  God’s presence was so evident in that place and I just remember being in tears reflecting on how much He loves us and cares for us.  The worries of that day were washed away in an instant and I was again centered on what really mattered. 

Watching her health continue to deteriorate was so difficult, but through it all she always stayed so positive and so faithful.  She knew beyond a shadow of doubt that God could heal her, but even if He did not, He was still good and she was still thankful.  I am just so honored and blessed that she was a part of my life.  Oh how I wish that she was still here, but I know that God’s timing is perfect, that He alone is my refuge and that I can trust in Him.  Though I miss her, I know that she is rejoicing in heaven, no longer in pain and no longer suffering and for that I am thankful.    

Psalm 91: 1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Tati with her children - March 2016

Cristina & Didi...thank you for sharing your incredible mother with me.  Also a sincere thank you to all the nurses who helped her and tried to get her the best care possible (Kameryn, Beth, Michele, Nancy, Deb & Sally).  I'm forever grateful.

In loving memory of Marie Ange Bisserethe

July 14, 1954-October 5, 2016