Today, at the climax of my afternoon slump, my phone notified me of an unread e-mail. Upon sitting down at my computer and opening my gmail account, I was elated to see the e-mail was from one of my friends, Silentor.
Silentor and I met two summers ago at Teach For America Institute in Houston. He was a Miami corps member and I was a Rio Grande Valley corps member and we were in the company of hundreds of corps members from across the country, all preparing to enter classrooms in America's most underserved communities. Silentor and I both student taught at Hartman Middle School, where he quickly became known as the “Haitian Sensation” and I quietly went from my teaching classroom to my learning classroom, holding friendly conversations with everyone, but not being extraordinarily extroverted. Considering the two of us, we're seemingly opposite in nearly every measurable way. He's Haitian (but grew up Iowa, ironically, my homestate's neighbor), I'm so ethnically mixed that the only term to even deem as my race is “Umm, American?” He's really outgoing and the best kind of loud whereas I'm relatively quiet until I feel absolutely comfortable. He went to a popular state school in Iowa and I attended 4 different colleges, all pretty small. Despite our differences, Silentor and I have a connection that has brought us uniquely close, though.
Last Spring, right after I decided to volunteer in Haiti, I received an e-mail from Silentor. In it, he detailed his plans for returning to Haiti for the summer to teach. I responded to his e-mail, caught up with him via his facebook page, and suggested we “keep in touch.” Thankfully, my suggestion surfaced. We've been in less than frequent communication since the beginning of the school year. After I found out I'd be moving to Haiti, our communication has exponentially increased. I've learned that he's helping to implement all sorts of empowering programs in Haiti as well as building a school. He sends weekly updates regarding the progress of his work and I look forward to reading each one. Props to Facebook, Silentor and I have also been able to chat about my upcoming move and he's proven to be a great source of wisdom in regards to what I should expect come August.
All that being said, simply seeing his e-mail in my inbox at 2:00 today was the equalivent of an afternoon cup of coffee (which, by the way, I'm still successfully refraining from). As I read his e-mail, though, I felt as if I were taking in far more than afternoon coffee. After providing an update on his new school's progress, he wrote this
I wanted to share another great joy with you. In 2010 I decided to join Teach for America in order to help close the “AchievementGap” in the more underdeveloped communities in the U.S. It was an honor that they had selected me as one of their future teachers. Even though I did not finish my 2 year commitment but being part of Teach for America is an experience I will not forget it. I met so many wonderful people from over the country who had similar visions and desires I had in bettering others who were less fortunate within our own borders in the areas of education. Recently, I been in contact with one of the Teach for America teachers I met while I was in training. Her name is Natalie! She contacted me after reading one of these emails you are reading right now. Awesomeness! Anyways,she shared that she love all that I am doing for the people of Haiti and that she is glad that she had met me. This makes me happy! She goes on to share with me that she has also been to Haiti before and that she has a huge heart for the people there. She is so in love with the people of Haiti that this coming August she has decided to move to Haiti for 2 years to work with a school in Port-au-Prince. This young lady is expressing “acts of love” not only in the U.S. but also abroad. In August she will be done with her two year commitment with Teach for America and then she is going to give up her comfort zone to become a difference maker in Haiti. This is joyful!
Like Natalie, I have love and knowledge I want to share with those who needs it most . A simple “act of love” is better than none at all. If we do not show it, who will? Myself and Natalie has step forward to do what we can; Not only in the U.S. but also here in Haiti. Even though she will be in a different part of Haiti, she is one I will always keep close contact with. Please keep Natalie in your hearts and thoughts, for this is a huge step she is about to take. I have to say, I am proud of someone I barely know But I feel that I know her heart and visions for those in need and the way she shows it is by doing simple “acts of love”
Frankly, I don't deserve the kind words he said about me. I haven't “closed the achievement gap” in South Texas and I'm not moving mountains in Haiti, but I was flattered to be recognized as someone who is trying to “share with those who need it most.” Silentor's e-mail reminded me of the power of connectivity. I have long felt that my purpose in life is to learn as many stories as I can through my connections with as many people as I can. Sometimes, burdened by my responsibilities and feelings of inferiority, I lose sight of my pen and paper and neglect to connect, neglect to listen to the stories of those around me. Silentor's story is bountiful, filled with chapters of perserverance and generousity. I am honored to be connected to such a story, to have such a story contribute to my own.
Silentor reminded me that loving is connecting
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