We can’t really talk about the heat, dust, and smell anymore – but we want to. We did allow the rooster into Marie’s complex for several minutes this morning (for real), but Gina had already bought the two chickens that were to be our dinner. So, I guess we have one more morning of Haiti’s built in alarm clock. With Jim Meyer’s tour repertoire exhausted, we were destined to a day of mixing, hauling, and pouring the new concrete floor for the orphanage dormitory. What started out as a helping hand ended up with a bunch of fifty and sixty year old men (throw in a couple younger) trying to relive their youth for close to six hours in the tropical sun. As the piles thinned and the floor expanded, our shirts turned into wet rags and our leg and arm hairs congealed into some sort of concrete mix. Despite this, our new girl friends were oblivious to our outward appearance, smell and wet bodies. Our breaks were filled with piles of young girls stacked two, three, and four deep. Endless Gatorades, Cokes and waters were shared by all as we replenished ourselves. Haitian tempers flared momentarily as the cement mixer ran out of gas and the crew was forced to take an unplanned break. The Americans from Chicago didn’t show their tempers at all.
Another crew of Chicagoans from Wheatland Salem Church showed up at 3:30 with Pizza, cupcakes, guitars, and new dresses. Suddenly our smelly bodies were not as appealing. But, when the kids brandished their new clothes, smiles and full tummies we were encouraged and blessed. The worship music that the kids sang was a glimpse of heaven that literally filled our hearts.
Dinner tonight (yes chicken – not rooster), black rice, carrots, green beans and squash was outstanding. The showers were warm as the Haitian sun had beat down on the 400 gallon tubs on the top of Marie’s home. As I write this we are once again sharing in fellowship, listening to worship music and talking about our new memories. I do love Haiti.
-Andy Code
6.12.2010
6.11.2010
Bringing the Heat
If it’s possible, today started and ended at least 10 degrees hotter than the day before. The word stifling comes to mind. In addition, the dogs, roosters and goats decided to get started 15 minutes earlier this morning at 3:45 a.m. Individual quiet time and breakfast was traded in for a three hour discussion amongst the men. The makeup of the crowd – which included a pastor, a seminary student and a seminary prospect – helped to add some extra spice to the discussion. To say the conversation was deep would be an understatement.
After that, we got into the truck and headed to COHENA, an orphanage run by a gracious man named Wislet. As we arrived, a truckload of UN troops from Guatemala, fully clothed in full regalia, unloaded and entered the orphanage ahead of us. Once we followed them inside, we were relieved to see that the troops were there to visit the kids, not to utilize their Uzis. At that moment we learned a valuable lesson: despite the great tension in Haiti, children in need can disarm anyone! The next three hours flew by as the boys and girls used the team as a jungle gym, and were somehow brainwashed into singing the “Roll Tide, Roll” song (in honor of our lone Alabama alum). The teachers at the orphanage seemed only slightly amused as they watched us hijack their kids for three hours.
We exited the orphanage and entered once again into the hot and dusty highway. From there, we picked up some cold Gatorades and headed to the metalwork section of the city. Apparently we were the only buyers in what appeared to be hundreds of storefronts, all of which competed verbally for our business. One member of the group, who will remain nameless, successfully negotiated the price upward on every potential transaction. This member also happens to be the same person who most enjoyed the boys and girls “Roll Tide.” In any case, everyone ended up leaving with a piece of metal art.
We ended the daylight hours with a visit to the girls at the orphanage. We cut up three watermelons, and the kids happily (and politely) distributed the slices amongst themselves. We all discovered a new beauty tip from the girls as they wiped their faces with the rinds of the watermelons. Every day you learn something new down here! “The team.”
After that, we got into the truck and headed to COHENA, an orphanage run by a gracious man named Wislet. As we arrived, a truckload of UN troops from Guatemala, fully clothed in full regalia, unloaded and entered the orphanage ahead of us. Once we followed them inside, we were relieved to see that the troops were there to visit the kids, not to utilize their Uzis. At that moment we learned a valuable lesson: despite the great tension in Haiti, children in need can disarm anyone! The next three hours flew by as the boys and girls used the team as a jungle gym, and were somehow brainwashed into singing the “Roll Tide, Roll” song (in honor of our lone Alabama alum). The teachers at the orphanage seemed only slightly amused as they watched us hijack their kids for three hours.
We exited the orphanage and entered once again into the hot and dusty highway. From there, we picked up some cold Gatorades and headed to the metalwork section of the city. Apparently we were the only buyers in what appeared to be hundreds of storefronts, all of which competed verbally for our business. One member of the group, who will remain nameless, successfully negotiated the price upward on every potential transaction. This member also happens to be the same person who most enjoyed the boys and girls “Roll Tide.” In any case, everyone ended up leaving with a piece of metal art.
We ended the daylight hours with a visit to the girls at the orphanage. We cut up three watermelons, and the kids happily (and politely) distributed the slices amongst themselves. We all discovered a new beauty tip from the girls as they wiped their faces with the rinds of the watermelons. Every day you learn something new down here! “The team.”
6.10.2010
Beginnings
Our trip began in Chicago with Ray Carter, Johnny Musso, Andy and Adam Code, Chris Greeno and Jim Meyer. We just finished our first full day in this wonderful, yet deeply tortured country of Haiti. After landing yesterday afternoon, negotiating the frenetic experience of the Port-au-Prince airport, and making the long detour around the airport in the back of a large pickup truck, we reached our temporary home in Bon Repos, and Marie’s open arms. The sights, smells, and feelings that we experienced on our ride were not close to predictable. Ruts ruled every road; open tent communities lined every field, people were walking everywhere, yet I couldn’t help but feel a peace and a faith among the waving hands and smiling faces that followed us all the way to Bon Repos.
After settling in to our mosquito covered rooms with freshly made beds and an initiating hug from Marie, we headed down the block on a five minute walk to the orphanage. I now know for sure that God created all children in his image in all parts of the world. Having visited continents from Africa, to Asia, Europe and countries in Central America, I am convinced that a child’s unconditional love is a universal language. It was less than two minutes before all six of the men on our trip (plus Tim and Ethan Gibbons who joined us from the Quad Cities) were enveloped by 31 rambunctious girls, full of laughter, smiles, hugs and dances. Names were exchanged, hands were held, candy was handed out and bugs were slapped, and we began our new and blessed relationships. We capped our night with a full history of Marie’s journey, a celebration of the Blackhawks victory in the Stanley Cup, and our venture under the mosquito nets on a sweaty Haitian evening. Needless to say all slept well and all woke by 5:30 – a full hour and a half after the sun rose. Ouch!
Today was literally unbelievable. We began with a refreshed connection to our new friends at the orphanage, followed by a three hour tour of the devastation in Port-au-Prince. The total destruction can only be captured in person, yet we took countless pictures and stopped numerous times in an attempt to commemorate the disaster. In the city, over half of the buildings looked like pancakes. Rubble, stone, rebar, and garbage are everywhere. The water in the streets, fields and streams is a color of green that has never been named. The mixed smell of exhaust fumes, burning debris, and cooking fires is omnipresent. People sitting on the sides of the street, unemployed and homeless, haunts me as I write this. Yet, the smiles, thumbs up, and friendly Bon Jour connections were comforting and assured me that there is hope, and God is sovereign. I couldn’t stop looking at the smashed buildings and imagining the horror of being trapped inside a fallen structure in stifling heat for days and even weeks. Even the Presidential Palace was demolished with a full tent city directly across the street. Ironically, a full staff was mowing and raking the lawn amidst the chaos.
Finally, we pulled into a local hardware store and spent the next two hours (in close to 100 degree temperature) loading and unloading 100 bags of concrete (94 lbs each) and delivering to the orphanage. Hopefully, we will see the pouring of the new floors in the dormitory tomorrow or Saturday. It felt good to contribute – even in a small way. On to the showers, Gina’s home cooked meal of beef, vegetables, rice, and ice cold beverages. As I type this we are in the midst of great fellowship and sharing. I can’t help but remember Henry Blackaby’s great words, “If you want to experience God, go where he is working”. And, I can assure you He is working here and now. Blessings to all. Andy Code
After settling in to our mosquito covered rooms with freshly made beds and an initiating hug from Marie, we headed down the block on a five minute walk to the orphanage. I now know for sure that God created all children in his image in all parts of the world. Having visited continents from Africa, to Asia, Europe and countries in Central America, I am convinced that a child’s unconditional love is a universal language. It was less than two minutes before all six of the men on our trip (plus Tim and Ethan Gibbons who joined us from the Quad Cities) were enveloped by 31 rambunctious girls, full of laughter, smiles, hugs and dances. Names were exchanged, hands were held, candy was handed out and bugs were slapped, and we began our new and blessed relationships. We capped our night with a full history of Marie’s journey, a celebration of the Blackhawks victory in the Stanley Cup, and our venture under the mosquito nets on a sweaty Haitian evening. Needless to say all slept well and all woke by 5:30 – a full hour and a half after the sun rose. Ouch!
Today was literally unbelievable. We began with a refreshed connection to our new friends at the orphanage, followed by a three hour tour of the devastation in Port-au-Prince. The total destruction can only be captured in person, yet we took countless pictures and stopped numerous times in an attempt to commemorate the disaster. In the city, over half of the buildings looked like pancakes. Rubble, stone, rebar, and garbage are everywhere. The water in the streets, fields and streams is a color of green that has never been named. The mixed smell of exhaust fumes, burning debris, and cooking fires is omnipresent. People sitting on the sides of the street, unemployed and homeless, haunts me as I write this. Yet, the smiles, thumbs up, and friendly Bon Jour connections were comforting and assured me that there is hope, and God is sovereign. I couldn’t stop looking at the smashed buildings and imagining the horror of being trapped inside a fallen structure in stifling heat for days and even weeks. Even the Presidential Palace was demolished with a full tent city directly across the street. Ironically, a full staff was mowing and raking the lawn amidst the chaos.
Finally, we pulled into a local hardware store and spent the next two hours (in close to 100 degree temperature) loading and unloading 100 bags of concrete (94 lbs each) and delivering to the orphanage. Hopefully, we will see the pouring of the new floors in the dormitory tomorrow or Saturday. It felt good to contribute – even in a small way. On to the showers, Gina’s home cooked meal of beef, vegetables, rice, and ice cold beverages. As I type this we are in the midst of great fellowship and sharing. I can’t help but remember Henry Blackaby’s great words, “If you want to experience God, go where he is working”. And, I can assure you He is working here and now. Blessings to all. Andy Code
6.09.2010
DAY 2 - Wednesday June 9th 2010
Woke up at 6 today to the sound of a dump truck dropping a load of engine blocks in the alley. Why? I have no idea. Anyway later in the morning Dad and I went to the orphanage and saw that the concrete on the floor of the church, so we went along looking at trying to plan out a drainage system for the ground. After planning for that we decided that we had done enough work till after lunch. So we came back and took a break at Marie’s. After loafing around and eating lunch we decided why start woking again. We went to the airport and waited for Jim’s flight to get in we got there around 230. Their flight got delayed and didn’t get in until 5ish. So for all those out there Jim and his team got here safely. When we got back we ate a delicious dinner of Chicken, carrots, and of course beans and rice. After dinner we went to the orphanage and of course the girls were all over us. As we were leaving I realized that even after a month someone will have to be there kicking and screaming away from those girls. When we got back we sat down and Marie was gracious enough to sit down and tell us her story. WOW is the only word I can say. I could write down her whole story and you would not believe me.. it is 95 degrees out and I got shivers more than once. Well I need to shower and go to bed more tomorrow and pictures
- Ethan
- Ethan
5.12.2010
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
The Team
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