On Our Way Home – A little lighter with part of our hearts left in Haiti

Nothing new about our wake up – the usual environmental sounds, the heat, the lack of power, the bright positive outlooks and attitudes and the amazing instant coffee in a bag – and don’t forget six women patiently and lovingly waiting in line for the door less ladies room and the bucket shower! All that said, we gathered together at 7:30 and tried to figure out how “Haitian Style” – we could finish all the items on “our list”. Praises for Patty’s pancakes and bacon – I think we ate more at one meal than most Haitians have in one week – wondering if we could do with less. We were very excited to be going to COEHNA today, a second orphanage that we have begun to support. So we gathered activities and headed out for another eye awaking journey. We were met by 32 boys and girls in their school uniforms. We found out as the day progressed, they are still sleeping on the ground in a tent by night out of fear for another earthquake. We found these children very polite, kind and caring toward one another. They definitely watch out for one another. Handed out sponsor gifts and for those that did not have one we had brought something for everyone else. The kids loved the kites, balls and balsa wood planes. It was the highlight of the afternoon to see a kite flying in the beautiful Haitian sun. We toured the orphanage and found it very clean and absolutely nothing other than the bare essentials. We were please to see that the Pastor and his wife have been teaching the older boys and girls to make sandals, bracelets and wall hangings out of rope and beads as a trade. We left there pleased that we had gone wanting to spend more time and wondering how we can do more in the future. Then it was out to the artisan metal works that we tried to get to yesterday. As we pulled into the neighborhood filled with metal work shops in the front of people’s living quarters we weren’t quite prepared to be their only customers. The level of intricacy of their work is amazing. And of course, all of this gets done with very little tools and no power. Being the generous hearts that we are we felt compelled to leave some money behind to help the Haitian economy. Definitely a place not to miss! Then it was off to the now famous bakery with air conditioning for cokes and fries. Back to Marie’s then for the dreaded final time with the girls. Most women felt that this part of the visit was not described in the travel brochure accurately! The girls were given hand sown dresses that were donated by a loving supporter and each dress said “I love you” stitched on it. We celebrated with the “pink” cake we had purchased the prior day and got all the girls in line for a beautiful picture. They watched and sang worship songs with the DVD’s that we had purchased for them and then it was time for our last goodbyes. We all lined up and each girl passed by to get a big hug, kiss and a blessing of “I Love You” with a few tears in between. We continue to be encouraged by the progress we have seen in the orphanage rebuild. We are excited to see how God is restoring what has attempted to be destroyed. The Haitian people’s perseverance; a blessing and an example of faith to us. We have been taught this week to find joy in the smallest of luxuries like, instant coffee, no power and water for bucket showers. We long to get home to our friends and family but painfully part of our hearts are left here in Haiti! Thank you for continuing to be God’s hands.
The Team

Tuesday's Roller Coaster

Got up by 5:30am when the roaster was crowing and our neighbor was out planting what we haven’t quite figured out is either corn or sugar cane. But the way he plants is quite unique. He comes out to the weed patch, takes off his worn high tops, and bends over with a hand sickle in his hand to wack away the weeds before planting. He continues to do this all day long in the hot Haitian sun and has cleared a patch about 30 x 30 feet during our weeks stay. While we waited for the guys to get back with four new tires on Marie’s large truck we spent the morning inventorying and packing all activities we never got to this week, sharing devotions and praying. The next group will have plenty to do and when we come back in June. You learn very quickly that one must relax and go with the flow around here. Flexibility is definitely the word of the day! Then it was off to the adventures of the day. First stop was Marie’s sister tent camp. Unfortunately, she was in the states, so we said hello to a few people, visited the make shift church and prayed for all of them. We then left to journey to the iron works area where artists make beautiful pieces of art out of 55 gallon used drums. So off we went, traffic being more than any traffic jam one has ever experienced in the states. At one intersection, that actually had a traffic light, we sat waiting for an hour plus, only to turn into another “stand still” traffic jam, four cars deep. While waiting, we learned how to strip sugar cane, get on and off a Tap Tap (Haitian Taxi), make Haitian snow cones, how many UN and Haitian policeman it takes to direct traffic, just how much diesel fumes one person can inhale before passing out and just how long it takes for your toes to burn in the Haitian sun. What a learning! Shortly after all of this, we turned left and realized after traveling about half a block in one half hour that the iron works area was still very far away and we were not destine to make it there today. Pulled out of traffic, made a U-turn and headed back to Marie’s. Stopped on the way home at a bakery to get the girls a cake and us some fries and a coke. How refreshing it was to walk into our first air conditioned building. We watched as a young woman made crepes on a flat griddle and filled them with “Big Mac” sauce, ham, cheese and hot sauce. We decided that must be a “Haitian Cuban Sandwich”. To Marie’s then to gather all sponsor gifts, cross necklaces and toys. Back to the orphanage to have a wonderful evening of giving. Each girl sat down in her place and came one at a time for a sponsor gift and a small gift from a mission team that was staying at Hope House this week. We all took turns putting cross necklaces on each girl and hugging and telling them we love them. All of a sudden rain started to fall heavily. So we waited for it to let up and moved quickly back to Marie’s in between the rain fall. Unfortunately, darkness came quickly and we were unable to get back to the orphanage to give them their “pink” cake. We will get back to it tomorrow.
Yesterday was a roller coaster of emotions. The truck journey was more than “our first” timer hearts could take. What our eyes took in was beyond more emotions that we could feel. One wonders if God has forgotten this country. But the time spent with the girls renewed our faith in Him. Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and tell all who will listen of their plight. God Bless you for your continued support.
Renee