Ti Legliz
As they walk, Kevin sees that this base community is a strongpoint that could easily become a kill zone. The houses are arranged around the stone chapel inside a walled town square. Kevin has heard from reliable sources that the GOH / cartels will send “tax collectors” into some of these communities; and they never return. But rather than admit they’ve lost control of the provinces, the government pretends none of that ever happens. With all that in mind, Kevin notes the absence of visible firearms. None of the villagers carry guns but the adults carry machetes at all times. The kids harden sticks over charcoal fires while rice and beans are cooking. Then they run around the community with their sticks, occasionally using them to discipline a wayward goat or to spar among themselves. The priests carry walking sticks that Kevin knows are made of incredibly hard wood. He’s seen them split coconuts with one well-aimed strike.
A bell rings, signaling that the work day is finished and the community gravitates toward long tables arranged in the village square. Lay members of the church bring trays of food and pitchers of spring water to the tables. They reassure Kevin that the water is safe to drink without filtering. Steaming pots of sweet coffee are arranged on the tables with a collection of chipped coffee mugs. They sit on the benches and Kevin is stretching his hamstrings, when he sees Father Jean approaching with a small group of young Haitian men.
One of the new men is clearly their leader. The others defer him to him in that unspoken way. He’s wearing olive fatigues, a dark green t-shirt, and has a machete over his shoulder in a scabbard with sling. He isn’t physically imposing but has the tight, wiry frame of most Haitian men. He moves lightly in his dark combat boots as he makes his way toward them. The meal preparation chaos parts around him like a river. As he gets closer to the table, Kevin can see that the man is already looking directly at him and is making no attempt to break eye contact. His face is relaxed though and his eyes are friendly. The only mar on his face is a broken and badly reset nose, which Kevin can tell was caused by a police riot club.
When everyone is seated, they drop their heads and Father Jean offers a brief blessing for the food. Kevin has heard this prayer before but he can never get it entirely right. Something like, “We thank you for this food we are about to share even though so many have so little.” A group of altar boys arrive with their serving bowls and ladles. When everyone has their plate filled, Father Jean clears his throat and gets the attention of the table. “I don’t have a lot of time since I need to get back to Port in the morning.” He looks at Kevin and grins, “I’ll tell Father Vitor you found your way here. He’ll be surprised, but not really!”
Then it’s back to business. “Jè and Kevin are here on two missions. The first is cover; to get the Protestant station’s transmitter going. The other is for Kevin to spend the summer with us and work on other projects.” He looks at Jè, “You’re OK with only knowing part of the story?” Without hesitation Jè replies, “I’d rather not know any of the story. Good luck keeping an eye on this guy”. Jè looks over at Kevin who responds with an innocent, “Who, me?” expression and they both break into laughter. Fr. Jean smiles and says, “Bon homme!”
Then Father Jean turns toward the new men at the table, “You’ll get to know them yourselves but consider Jè and Kevin to be friends of ours.” The men glance over to Solange who nods in agreement. Then Fr. Jean continues, “Now I’d like to introduce the leader for our mountain-top mission.” He nods his chin toward the man with the broken nose, “We call him Henri, because it’s nothing like his real name.” They all chuckle at the worn joke. Fr. Jean continues, “As you probably guessed, the good-looking one is Jè.” Now everyone is laughing enthusiastically and Kevin says, “You can call me Blan. Tout sanble!” which causes even Father Jean to burst into laughter. While the laughter dies down, Kevin walks around the table and shakes Henri’s hand.
Then Father Jean says to everyone as his face grows serious, “It might be best if we all remember faces and forget real names, out of kindness…” He grows quiet for a moment and makes the sign of the cross before continuing, “But not today! Since you all need to know, Henri spent some time with the French Foreign Legion. Then with some shadowy groups of comrades in interesting parts of the world. Now he’s back among us doing God’s work.” Henri bows his head and says, “Father Jean, you’re too kind.” The priest smiles at the men and winks at Solange, “You’re all doing God’s work. He needs more than mild-mannered priests and nuns, you know.” Turning to Jè, “For your protection and everyone’s, I think it’s best that you return to the station tomorrow. I’d appreciate if you could take me as far as Carrefour. Henri and team will get Kevin up to the peak. We have our own radio tower nearby. We transmit messages and then stand-by to receive every day at 6 AM and 6 PM.”
Jè confirms the details and then Fr. Jean claps his hands together, “I almost forgot the best part! Father Vitor added a sweetener.” Grinning mischievously, “He has a friend who’s a Pastor on the National Convention of Haitian Protestant Churches board.” He laughs, “How do you keep them straight?” Kevin laughs along and with a mischievous grin, “I forget. Are all of you Jesuits?” This has the whole group laughing until Father Jean continues, “Since they provide most of Protestant Radio’s local funding, it would be terrible optics if they withheld donations due to concerns about radio coverage among their parishioners in Department Sud.”
He looks at Kevin and Jè, “Whatever else happens from here, know that you’re always welcome and can find shelter here.” Father Jean gestures around the table and then to the sky, “Until we all agree that Kevin is finished, he’ll be working on the mountain for Radio Protestant. That’s all anyone will need or care to know.” He winks at Kevin, “We’ll get you down to Ceyes every few weeks so you can be seen at church services. That should reassure everyone…” The group is still chuckling as Fr. Jean hands Jè a small two-way radio. “The frequency is already saved. Just find a high place and start using the call-signs Kevin gave you. Do you remember them?” Jè smiles, “They’re all Bible verses. I already them memorized already!” Fr. Jean laughs, “I’ll give the Protestants that. You all know your Bibles!”