St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church
  • Home
  • Belong Believe Become
  • About Us
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Getting Started
    • Meet the Staff
    • Keeping in Touch
  • Worship
    • Order of Service
    • Recent Sermons
    • Live Streaming via YouTube
  • Financial Giving
    • Make a Pledge
    • Online Giving
    • Legacy Society
  • All the News
  • Making God Connections
    • Wednesday Bible Study
    • Circles of Grace
    • Monthly Musings from a Deacon on the Way
    • Inspire Labyrinth and Gardens
    • Prayer Ministry
  • Reflections on the Way
  • Making a Difference in Our World
    • Outreach Grants
    • East Valley Men's Center
    • Habitat for Humanity
    • Haiti Ministry
    • Healthy Packs
    • Make a Difference Day
    • Needlecrafts for Needs
  • Making Social Connections
    • The Arts Council
    • Avid Readers
    • The Blessings of Belonging
    • Seasoned Saints
  • On the Way Moments Podcast
  • Childrens Ministry
    • Registration for Children
    • Children's Safety
    • Sunshine Acres Outreach
    • Feed My Starving Children
  • Youth (6th-12th Graders)
    • Registration for Youth
  • Pastoral Care
  • Photo Album
  • Major Life Events
    • Baptism
    • Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation
    • Death of a Loved One
    • Weddings
  • Walking the Mourner's Path
  • Blessing of the Animals
#stanthonydesert

Woody's Chair Revisited

1/20/2016

0 Comments

 
​James Bruzzi
Picture
In the front courtyard of the Hopital St. Croix in Leogane, Haiti, there is a small patch of grass with three coconut palms towering over it. On the grass sits a chair.

During my first visit to Leogane in July of 2014, I became quite fond of this chair and its occupant, Woody. I came to see this chair as an example of Leogane itself -- rickety yet functional, somewhat grotesque yet absolutely beautiful in its spareness.

Returning to Leogane in January, 2016, I arrived at the Hopital St. Croix on foot. As I approached, I caught a glimpse of the chair through the fence, and there was Woody sitting in it! I exchanged hugs and excited words in English and Creole with my dear Haitian friend.

Settling in and surveying the courtyard, I noticed that the chair had undergone a transformation. Most of the turquoise painted wood had been replaced with new pieces making the chair more secure, more sturdy, and with the addition of new cushions, more comfortable.

After spending a few days in Leogane, it was clear that the city had made great progress in the time since I had been there last. New paint, new buildings and a wonderful sense of normalcy graced the streets. I realized that the chair remained a symbol of the place -- a city more sturdy, more secure and more comfortable than it had been.

The city, like the chair, remains far from perfect but progress has been made as Haiti moves at its own pace toward a brighter future. I very much look forward to my next visit to see what new pieces have been added to the chair and to Leogane.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Authors

    Various voices from the community of St. Anthony

    Archives

    July 2016
    January 2016
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Categories

    All
    Anxiety
    Conflict
    Forgiveness
    Friendships
    Haiti Mission
    Hope
    St. Luke
    Storytelling
    Worry
    Youth Ministry

    RSS Feed

Saint Anthony on the Desert ~ 12990 E. Shea Boulevard ~ Scottsdale, AZ 85259
480.451.0860 ~ email: communications@st-anthony.net