And now, if you please, a smile.
As the year draws to an end, it may seem hard to find many happy moments in Haiti. We’ve detailed in recent dispatches the horrors of gang violence, the apathy of a corrupt government, and the enormous challenges we face every day just trying to feed, clothe and keep healthy our precious children in a city where over 700,000 people have already been forced out of their homes.
But from the moment I arrived in Haiti in the choking aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, what struck me most about the people here is their resiliency. Their boundless belief in the next day. There were smiles and happy memories even amidst the rubble of that tragedy nearly 15 years ago.
And we had a wonderful moment even amidst the chaos of 2024.
We had a wedding.
That’s right. Our beloved Haitian director, Yonel Ismael, who grew up at this very orphanage, announced in late spring that he and his steady Haitian girlfriend, Sabrina, had decided to tie the knot. Yonel was turning 40, and those of us who love him knew how long he had dreamed of a good marriage and eventually a family. So we were happy with the news.
And then, when we asked, “Where do you think you’ll have the ceremony?’ he scrunched his face as if it were obvious.
“Here,” he said. “Of course.”
And we were even happier.
Dearly beloved gathered
So it was, friends, that the social event of the year — at least on our calendar — was scheduled for mid-September on the green artificial grass of what we call Chika Park, smack dab in the center of Have Faith Haiti’s grounds, just in front of the dormitory and the laundry lines.
What could be more elegant?
We pulled out all the stops. A giant tent. Days of cooking. Donated dresses and sports coats for the kids. And a ceremony that included roles for our children, the youngest and the oldest, from dancing and playing music to throwing flower petals from tiny baskets.
Of course, in Haiti, mid-September might as well be mid-August, and mid-August might as well be a blast furnace. So when my white tuxedo arrived — Yonel had kindly asked me to be his best man — and I felt the thick, synthetic fabric, I knew it wouldn’t just be the groom who‘d be sweating it out.
And I was right. Things rarely start on time in Haiti, and Yonel’s wedding was, shall we say, very Haitian. Forty minutes after the scheduled start, we were all still baking in the hot sun, fanning ourselves and waiting for the bride.
But it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm. Most of our kids had never been to a wedding, and none had ever hosted one. They were so charged up, and so charmingly sophisticated in their little bow ties and chiffon skirts, that no delay could bring them down.
And when Sabrina finally arrived, she was as beautiful as a bride could be. Her extended family and friends attended. So did Yonel’s. So did our entire staff, and their families, and of course our 60-plus kids. So all told, we had over 200 people at this little wedding, spilling out of the white tent or cramming beneath the giant decorative balls that hung from its ceiling supports. A red carpet led the way for Sabrina to meet her future husband and join hands, after which several pastors spoke.
Now a lot of what they said was in Creole, but at one point, just as with American weddings, the lead pastor announced, “If there is anyone here who does not want this marriage to go forward, please speak up.”
Silence. That was good. Yonel looked relieved.
“Again, if there is anyone who has an objection, now is the time” the pastor said.
Yonel shot him a glance. Then he looked at me. I shrugged.
“Once more, if anyone does not want this marriage to go forward, we will give you a last chance,” the pastor offered.
Yonel’s eyes bugged wide. “Come onnn,” he murmured beneath his breath. I’m not sure if the pastor was joking, or if he had a side bet, or if this was some Haitian custom I never heard of. I do know it was the longest thirty seconds of Yonel’s year.
Finally, things proceeded, and Yonel and Sabrina exchanged vows. And then, when it came time for the groom to kiss the bride, Yonel, ever the mindful director, turned to the audience and yelled, “Kids, close your eyes!”
And then the happy couple smooched. A good long one. Worthy of a wedding held against the most unlikely of backdrops.
It was lovely.
Where peace held up
And afterwards, the party truly got started. What a reception! We used the patio of our main house, and the dining room, and the rooms off the dining room, and the upstairs rooms, and the walkway outside the upstairs rooms, and pretty much every other square inch that was available. And music played. And food was devoured. And a cake was cut. And there was dancing — so much dancing — especially when our kids heard a song they recognized. I had no idea that pretty much every one of our children from age four up knew how to do the “Cha Cha Slide.”
But they do.
And they did.
It was loud. It was joyous. There was laughter and back slapping and picture taking and so much eating and drinking. But, of course, it wouldn’t be Haiti if there wasn’t a sobering moment. Around 8:45 p.m., someone took the microphone and announced that for safety’s sake, given the gangs outside and the police and the curfews, everybody who needed to get home should leave now. And quickly, the affair shriveled, like air let out of a balloon, as people hurried to the gates.
But if the night ended abruptly, the memories did not. Yonel and Sabrina were able to get away for a couple days of a honeymoon, and they currently enjoy their marital bliss in the same small apartment that Yonel has been living in for years, on the middle floor of the kids’ dormitory, with a few dozen boys on the floor below and a few dozen girls on the floor above.
And as I look through the photos, I am reminded of how adaptable and irrepressible our children are, our staff is, Yonel and Sabrina are, and the people of Haiti are. And how those qualities should be celebrated, even as we holler for international help.
And so, if you please, a smile to end this year. It may have been our most challenging yet, and the clouds on the horizon aren’t getting any lighter. But we don’t give up. We remain grateful – to God, and to you all. And we search every day for happiness, family and blessings. And we keep finding them. Even when the other side gets three chances to object!
How totally wonderful! All the best to the happy couple and all those that attended.
May peace soon find its way to Haiti.
Thank you for all you do!
Wow. What a wonderful and uplifting experiwnce. Thank you for sharing Mitch! Such a good writer – I felt like I was there with you. I will give what I can and wish you success as you continue to give love and life to so many of God’s precious children. May His choicest blessings be with you all! ❤️❤️❤️
God continue to Bless you all . Congratulations. So much happiness for all involved. Mitch you are a Saint <3
I am so very happy for the couple. I am glad that I became a monthly donor after reading your book “Finding Chika” many years ago. How wonderful for the children to have the experience of participating in such a great wedding event. Thank you for your wonderful work and care for the children. May you, your wife, and staff be forever blessed for your awesome commitment and success. Thank you very much.
What a lovely tribute! A lifetime of love and happiness for Yonel and Sabrina-I hope to meet the bride one day! Love to you both!
Congratulations Yonel and Sabrina!! ❤️ You both looked so amazing and happy on your wedding day!! I wish you a lifetime of peace, love, and happiness!! You deserve it!! Everyone looked so amazing and happy at your wedding!! God bless you so much!! Mitch, your beautiful words in the newsletters always make me cry!! Thank you for your amazing work at Have Faith Haiti!! You are a blessing!!
What a wonderful story to live and read about. Yonel and Sabrina you are loved by so many people in the near and far corners of the world. Mitch brings his Haitian world to all of us. From Tennessee with love.
Who doesn’t cry at weddings? How absolutely wonderful that the wedding was such a joy. I marvel at the work being done – thank you, it is heartwarming to hear happy stories!
This sounds so beautiful Mitch thank you for sharing this wonderful wedding.
Congratulations may you all have a happy and wonderful life together.
Thank you so much for sharing
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story! Because I was fortunate to attend a Haitian wedding @ H2H, Casa Grande in Feb 2012, I could imagine attending this lovely event. May God bless these 2 beautiful people as they continue to serve in a country where the situation looks so hopeless. With God all things are possible!
Best Wishes to the happy couple. May we all pray for the rampant violence to end in Haiti. I pray for all of the people of Haiti and for the children and workers at Have a Little Faith. May 2025 be the year when order is restored and you can return to your beloved children. I am sure they miss you, as you do them. May that miracle happen soon.
Congratulations Yonel & Sabrina. Such a beautiful way to end the year. Many blessed years ahead. God bless!
beautiful story beautiful people ran by beautiful leader mitch n yonel—ill be prayin for these lovely people who hav been thru so much —may we all be more grateful for all our blessings n share mucho with those around us —-as jesus said when u do it to the least of these u do unto me —-jesus is alive n sees n i know this all blesses him—-stay close to him n keep blessing n giving what we can to those around us —–n tryin to make a difference —god bless u richly in jesus luv mitch —
Beautiful and uplifting news! Congratulations to the happy couple, and to you, their family and friends, who made the happy even possible. Thank you for all of the great work being done to ensure that the people of Haiti are not left behind. You are deeply appreciated. Very best wishes for 2025 and the important work to come.
May God bless snd keep them. Pure tears of joy ran down my face!
Congratulations to the beautiful couple! Sabrina is a breathtaking bride. And the kids look so proud. Thank you, Mitch for painting a picture of a joyful and memorable day. You and the precious ones are in my heart every day.
Thank you for all you do. May 2025 be the year that Haiti and our World’s citizens find peace, health and prosperity. We are one in this World. Let’s work together to truly achieve Global peace harmony and abundance.
With love and respect,
Michael Zerner
Mitch, So good to hear that Sabrina got married ! it must be so wonderful to have these young children come of age and getting Married, you are like a father to them I am sure and they are thankful to have you Mr.Mitch. You know Mitch having one child or two or three is a wonderful gift but having so many children must be an incredible gift from God.I do know that you believe in God from an interview that I saw on television, I hope and pray that you and Janine are enjoying the gift that God has given you and I am praying that you and Janine stay well and very happy, oh and how are the Detroit Lions doing ??
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful event. So cool all of the children were able to participate. I hope and pray that things will finally get better in Haiti. Thank you for all you do for these precious children.
God continue to Bless you all . Congratulations. So much happiness for all involved. Mitch you are a Saint <3
Congratulations to the couple. So glad that it all worked out to their benefit. It is nice to see these pictures. Their wedding was very nice by the looks of it. Lots of hope for Haiti. Lots of happiness to all and for the New Year too.
Congratulations, Yonel and Sabrina! What a wonderful, happy day, full of love and celebration! Thank you so much for sharing so beautifully, Mitch! God bless you all and keep you ever closer to His heart!
Always happy to see love win. Congratulations to the lovely couple!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story as it reminded me of a Haitian wedding that I joyously was honored to attend. Haitians really know how to put on a magnificent wedding ceremony and all the afterworks!!! I have been privileged to spend time at the OSAPO clinic in the hills above Montrouis for many years. Last year, after reading one of Mich’s novels, I looked him up and found out about the amazing orphanage in PaP that he supports. I have not been able to go to Haiti for a few years but I hope to one day visit Have Faith Mission. I will bring with me Annie who has established “God’s Children Haiti” orphanage in Montrouis. May you all be blessed as you carry on your work in these very tumultuous times in Haiti. xo Judy
May God smile on you and give you His grace..
God bless you for all you have done and all you continue to accomplish!
Congratulations to the happy couple. God bless them and all of you for all you do each and every day. May they have a long and happy life together! Thank you for sharing this happy day with all of us.
I am so very happy for the couple. I am glad that I became a monthly donor after reading your book “Finding Chika” many years ago. How wonderful for the children to have the experience of participating in such a great wedding event. Thank you for your wonderful work and care for the children. May you, your wife, and staff be forever blessed for your awesome commitment and success. Thank you very much.