On That Day, Everybody Ate: One Woman's Story of Hope and Possibility in Haiti -- With Post-Earthquake Update

Here is a book of great beauty in the truest sense, a brave story with a big heart. Responding to a passing invitation to visit Haiti, the author's "heart spoke and said yes." Her heart had already been blown open by tragedy, which frames this deeply honest and vivid journey into the roots of compassion, and the balance between giving and receiving, as she puts it. The author is called not haunted, and this makes all the difference. Her heart "leaps at [Fr. Gerry's] vision of a food program," which she brings to fruition. The concept of a "reverse mission" is powerful, since helpers often feel that they have better answers to the big questions than those they are helping. It seems one's heart must be open to appreciate the wisdom in the full range of the human condition, and Margaret's heart truly is. She has a rare gift to see from different perspectives, with an eye for vivid detail. Sometimes her images are heartbreaking and indelible, like all the scenes from Son Fils, like Cité Soleil mothers giving clay biscuits to their children, like the child playing peek-a-boo amidst chaos and hunger. Some images convey most forcefully the differences between our culture of abundance and waste and the Haitians' respect for their scarce resources: the cotton ball split into quarters, the single jellybean "licked and carefully chewed," the humble paintbrush broken in two used to paint the mural of Christ. Other images are just lovely, like her brother Paul's renaissance-style paintings, the jewel-like fruit salad, and for that matter, all the descriptions of food preparation (what better name for a dessert than poudre d'amour?). In my favorite scene, the women are dancing under the stars. Margaret sees the whole in the broken and the not-yet-built in the Mass at the open-air chapel of St Jude's, in the strong voice of the butterfly lady, in the satisfaction on the faces of the children being fed. That she also describes her son Luke's experiences adds even more meaning and roundness to the account. Of course she has a keen ear for language too, beginning in the book in the introduction (Osekouuu!), the refrain of the message piti piti n a arrive, and translations of Creole phrases (Have a good moment). When the passage arrives where the title of the book occurs (p. 109), it resonates beautifully. The idea of "what if everybody could eat everyday" has already been ringing throughout the whole book. Margaret's story grows organically, like her food program. Miracles aren't "rare and mysterious events that you might miss if you aren't watching closely." They arise from deep kindness in action, and I feel honored to have read such a book.

Like the author I travel regularly to a country where the poverty can be overwhelming. Her experiences and dilemmas rang true with mine, page after page. But amid the sadness and friends and desperation, the book finds enough hope and inspiration to keep it from being depressing. Even better, the author found a way to make a difference. As I read the book, I thought about whether it would be good for my high-school age niece, who is starting to explore questions of global inequality and poverty. At the beginning I feared it would be too depressing for her, but it is not. It is also a quick read- well-written, not long, and with a compelling personal story. I'll be giving the book to my niece and to other friends and family members who want to understand poverty in the world, or are struggling with the contrast between our wealth and their poverty.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I am so inspired by this moving story. This book is a moving account of how one woman made a commitment that has changed the lives of many children and families in the impoverished country of Haiti. It is about the inspiration that many of us are seeking - to provide meaningful contribution to others through our lives. Her inspirations led Margaret to Haiti and to search for meaning; she connected with the most incredible pastor Fr. Jean Juste (Gerry) - a visionary of the caliber of King and Ghandi - a visionary who refuses to see anything other than light for his people...This story is of how she manifested his vision of food for the hungry children of his parish. I cried often reading what was for me a very moving and compassionate account of a woman's love for others. From a simple beginning, the "What If? Foundation" that Margaret Trost selflessly built out of her vision, provides children food and education that would otherwise not get even one meal each day. Basically Margaret brings hope to this forgotten part of the world being torn apart by politics. I love this book and how inspired I feel when I read it. I highly recommend it as a book club/reading group selection, and for anyone that wants inspiration in their own lives. One doesn't need to be interested in politics or in Haiti in order to enjoy it. Beautifully written.

This is a gem of a book. In these times of rising global poverty and starvation, Margaret Trost has created hope and vitality in an impoverished Haitian community by establishing a food and education program. Her story is beautifully written, bringing the reader into the one of the world's bleakest corners, and yet finding a people full of love and faith. Everyone I know who has read this book has wept. There are tears of sadness and joy, and I came away from reading this book inspired to do more to help those in need. Reading Margaret's book gives hope that the world can indeed become a better place.

This extraordinarily sensitive rendering of a place and a people will move the hardest hearts and the most cynical of your acquaintances. It correctly depicts Haitians as intelligent, inventive, courageous, generous and dignified peope and thus gives Haitians the respect they are due. Author Margaret Trost's insights provide the reader with new ways of viewing the relationship between the wealthy world and the poor world. Trost is never condescending to the reader, is never self-promoting, is always honest. The Haitians Trost describes will raise the reader's hope for humanity. I'm going to gift it to everyone I know.