Health in Haiti
Mason and Lauren Young are Glenwood-supported missionaries in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. They serve at the STEP campus (a theological seminary), build homes and relationships in the local community, and host short-term teams throughout the year.
In early 2015, Lauren was neck-deep in caring for her littles (a baby and a two-year-old). She was tired and busy, and wondering how to get more energy and get out of the house. Many young moms can relate to these feelings.
Lauren wanted to get more active and physically healthy, but she couldn’t just sign up for a mother-baby swimming class or run over to the gym a couple times a week. Port-au-Prince also isn’t exactly known for its spacious sidewalks and parks. But Lauren was determined to take some positive steps for her health and started power-walking around the STEP campus. She wrote on her blog back in January 2015:
In the US this really wouldn’t be unusual to see a mom pushing a child and possibly wearing another, but here in Haiti I might as well be labeled an alien. Not only am I a lady exercising, but add to that wearing a baby (which that in of itself is extremely foreign to Haitians), and pushing a stroller, while holding my phone and listening to music. I’ve got everything from frowns to smiles, “Look at her” to “Good job.” They better get used to seeing this baby wearing, stroller pushing, music singing momma often, cause I plan to meet them each morning!
This simple step of taking a high-energy walk in the mornings not only drew the attention of Haitian women around her, but gave Lauren the confidence and inspiration to exercise more and build a community around this goal. She gathered the courage to invite some Haitian friends to join her in exercising together on Saturday mornings. Lauren explained, “Most were hesitant and didn’t know what to expect, but soon realized how fun exercising could be when done together.” The group has grown from a handful of local women to over 50 ladies who still exercise regularly together today, over a year later.
Lauren and Mason were home for a short furlough last fall, and they told Glenwood about Lauren’s exercise group and the relationships she was building in the community. Glenwood prayed and encouraged. God responded.
Shortly after Lauren returned to Haiti, she was inspired to do more for the women who were clearly engaged in exercising together and improving their physical health. Lauren and a core group of friends planned a 3-day health and nutrition class called Bouje Kó Pou Gen Bon Sante (“Moving our Bodies for Better Health”).
Lauren’s enthusiasm grew as they made plans. She reached out to her supporters, raising funds to pay for supplies for physicals, printed materials, food for new recipes, raffle prizes, and bright pink T-shirts. People at Glenwood and others responded again, prayers were lifted up, funds were quickly raised, and the seminar took place at the end of June.
Lauren and her core group of leaders, including a local nurse, a director at STEP, and her sister Megan who flew in for the event, led a group of 65 participants, all clad in hot pink “Bouje” T-shirts.
The group received physical exams including weight, height, blood pressure, and blood sugar. They learned exercise and dance routines they can do at home (impossible to describe the energy and joy from these sessions). Megan and Lauren made hundreds of muffins and other healthy snacks, sharing recipes and nutritional information. The group learned about diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and nutritional choices.
The leaders helped the ladies see the connection between their physical and spiritual health. As the group learned how to flourish physically, they were also encouraged to examine their hearts, identifying possible barriers to growing and furthering their relationship with the Lord. Just as we feed our physical bodies healthy food, we also feed our spiritual lives, through activities such as reading the Bible, worshiping and learning together at church and Bible studies, and being in relationship with other believers. When we make healthy choices and exercise, we see results physically. When we’re growing spiritually, we start to see fruit in our lives, resulting in others wanting the same things.
Each participant completed a “promise card” at the end of the seminar, describing what they learned and what changes they wanted to make physically and spiritually. Lauren used this information to identify goals for a follow-up seminar, hopefully taking place in August.
The Saturday following the seminar, 20 new ladies showed up for Lauren’s weekly exercise group. The next week, many returned and brought friends. Some participants requested that Lauren and her team bring the seminar to other local churches, spreading the enthusiasm and health education to more women in Haiti.
When Lauren and Mason moved to Haiti several years ago, she had no idea this would be part of her job description. Lauren stepped out in faith, responding to the Lord’s leading each day. She said “yes” to power-walking the STEP campus when it would have been easier and less embarrassing just to stay home. She recognized how God made her (relational, fun, extraverted, inspirational) and used those gifts to encourage and bless others. She paid attention to the passions God sparked in her (health, nutrition, exercise, discipleship) and figured out how to integrate her regular, busy life with a new calling and purpose.
Lauren’s story is one we can all learn from. Please continue to pray for Lauren as she responds to the Lord’s leading in impacting her community in Port-au-Prince.
--Jenae Dryden