Adventure in Haiti

Settle down, get comfy, and get ready to read about all the amazing experiences I had in Haiti. [Items with brackets around them are hindsight comments from yours truly.]

June 7, 2011

On my flight from Miami to Haiti, no turning back now. The airplane instructions are in Creole and this is by far the largest plane I have ever been on. Hour and thirty minute flight time. Lord watch over this flight crew and pilots. I pray you fill our hearts with your love as we touch down in your land. I haven't even left U.S. soil and I'm already out of my comfort zone. Kelly and I will be practicing our Creole on our trip down. More to come.




Landed. Safe & Sound. The hurry and buzz that surrounded us as we exited the airport was overwhelming. Even worse, not knowing who you can trust. This incredible culture shock came faster than I thought it would. One of the more frustrating scenarios is not being able to communicate. Their Creole rolls off their tongues at a rapid pace. It is no match for my five phrases I learned over the past few months.

A bittersweet realization, we will be flying to the mission instead of the 6 hour drive we had anticipated. I would have loved to view the country from ground level, instead it will be from the air.

Exhaustion is setting in. I had little to no sleep last night and am looking forward to lights out tonight.

The airport has the world's smallest metal detector and security scanner. It isn't as hot as I had expected but I am incredibly hungry.

Chris had written me a letter in my care package that I was able to read while waiting for our second plane. It made me smile a lot. I'm excited to see what the rest of the evening has in store... and it's only 12:30.

The plane ride to Port de Paix was quick and breath taking. We had to wait about thirty minutes to get our tap-tap to take us to the mission. We loaded our bags in the back and held on for dear life. Words can't describe the sights, the sounds, the smells. It was almost as if were in our own personal parade, on display for the world to see. Children shouting "Blanc! Blanc!" and waved as we drove by. In the open tap-tap we slowly began to soak to our bones. It was beautiful and heart breaking at at the same time, something I can honestly say I have never experienced before.

The children covered in mud showered us with smiles and thumbs up. They have joy in their lives despite the highest standard of poverty. I have already been able to see in the few short hours I've been here how enormous of an impact this mission has on its community and the surrounding areas.

Upon our immediate arrival, we were given a tour of the facilities. We entered into the birthing clinic, just as a mother lost her fifth newborn. We're encouraged to console the mothers, sit with them. But wit the language barrier, all I'm sure I can muster is to sit and mourn.

The babies just want to be loved, the Granmoun just want to dance and the mothers want to feed their families.The conditions of living are extreme but not unbearable. I feel lost and under-prepared. I'm trying my best to pick up useful bits of language, but somehow the only word that leaves my lips is bonswa.... no nearly enough, but it's a start.

After a dinner of spaghetti, bread, coleslaw and brownies, I'm full and even more exhausted than before. Being honest, a shower is looking more impossible as the night grows darker.


June 8, 2011

It hasn't yet been 24 hours and I almost lost track of what day it was. Even with my watch, island time has definitely gotten a hold of me.

The nights are cooler than the days, not by much though. I was woken up on a number of occasions with a humming critter in my ear. Note to self, put but spray inside my ear from now on. The bunks are small, hot and loud.

A.M. Devotional 6:45: "Don't let yesterday waste today"

All of my complaining is done with... aside for the occasional complaint of being tired. The morning started with a bowl of grits and apricots. Eating at 7:00 a.m. is difficult because I usually don't eat until 10:00. I choked it down, like a champ. Following breakfast, Kelly and I went to the orphanage to feed the babies breakfast and to cuddle. What a broken heart, what a change. I forgot about my last mission trip to Jamaica. This is different. This orphanage is on site and you have 100% access, even "checking" the children out. Many of them were sick and burning up with fever. The only relief I could provide was blowing cool air on the back of their necks and provide them with the kind of kisses my Grandma Curtis gives us, kisses on the back of the neck. [These adorable, feverish children leant me their germs... how kind. I'm just now getting over everything I picked up from the cuties.]

June 8th Cont...

Today will be a day that I never forget. I'm not sure I would be able to if I tried. After breakfast we took a much needed nap. None of us had yet recovered from our travel day on Tuesday. We slept until lunch and then decided to explore. We took a tour of the roof where you can see the ocean. I was also able to view the streets outside the mission for the first time. I was introduced to the bracelet bandits. When they noticed us on the roof, they immediately yelled out "Julia! Julia!" apparently she made quite an impression on her last visit. The past two days I've felt like a prisoner on this campus. Looking at the streets below helped me feel alive again. Except this time, we were headed to a few places where prisoners were all too common.

After we saw the bracelet bandits, we were met by our intern Brooklyn, letting us know a group was headed to the local jail and a brothel if we were interested.

The jail was filled with four men, no toilet, no food, no water. Some of the mission visitors were taking photos, one very outspoken women spoke at the men via translator. Notice the words spoke at. Once she left, I was able to approach the men and give them a short version of my testimony. Letting them know we've all been in their shoes, letting them know Jesus loves them regardless of their mistakes. One guy shared that he doesn't have a mother and he was taking it really hard. We prayed for the men, and for justice and I joked that when I came back I didn't want to see them locked away.

Next, we were on our way to the brothel. Surrounded by little kids asking if I was their friend, we walked in to the room. No windows, just two doors. Two sets of speakers in opposite corners of the room, and the ominous red light bulb hanging in the center of the shack. There were six women in all, one of which was pregnant. More brokenness in my heart, less answers. One "missionary" told her son to pose for a picture in the brothel so that she would have proof. My jaw dropped, stunned that a "Christian" would say such a thing, and think it was funny.

The entire walk home I prayed. I didn't make anymore bracelet friends. When we returned to the mission our checked luggage had arrived. Beef jerky and chocolate!!!!!!!!!

We rested a bit before we took off for the English class that was being taught at the Church across the street. Little did I know that I was going to be the guest teacher for the day!! [It was probably one of my favorite experiences of the trip.] We learned vocabulary words such as
Kick
Swearing
Pretty Easily
Blows a Chance
Wise
Practically... among others.

I thought twice about teaching ESL. I think I would be good at it. It's only 7:00 p.m. and I have done more in these 13 hours than I have done in the last 13 months of my life. Next on the agenda: devotionals and a shower!!

Tomorrow we will finally get to go to Berger to start our Neighbors Project surveys!

June 9, 2011

WHAT.A.DAY. And it's only 4:00 p.m.

We finally made it into Berger! We hopped on a tap-tap with another group headed in the same direction. We got dumped off in the middle of nowhere with three interpreters and a pan of sloppy joes to eat for lunch. Then we were off. The first survey I did was outside of the local school. In the beginning of my survey I turned around to see a swarm of school children just listening and watching. All in their matching uniforms. I learned that this young man, age 23, was the head of his household with 9 others to take care of. The majority of people we talked to usually had rice and beans and plantains and bread for their meals.



While the other members of my team were administering their surveys, I was able to use my picture dictionary with English and Creole words to play with the children. Somehow, without even speaking the same language, we had a wonderful time communicating.

We found out that there was actually a home Church in the village. A pastor had started it outside of his house, underneath a tarp. We got to eat lunch with him and his family (6 boys!) In talking to him, we realized that after our visit in November, the pastor had faith in our return and decided to get the Church started ASAP. What we thought was going to take years or months was already underway. How great is God? He not only provided a Church, but a congregation too!



PM Devotional 7:00 p.m.: God's love for us comes first, not as a reward of something we did.


June 10, 2011

AM Devotional "A fish trusts water, but it is water that cooks the fish." What do we put our trust in? What we put our confidence in can also be our undoing.

In getting to administer these surveys in Berger, I never really thought a lot about the children. That is, until you step off the tap-tap and they swarm to you until the minute you get back on the tap-tap. Pastor Fritznell had told me this morning that after we left, one mother had been hysterical because she couldn't find her daughter and she never made it to school. It turns out that her daughter had skipped school all day and followed my group from home to home. My lightbulb went off! Not only are we ministering to the parents, but also the children.

It reminds me of Psalm 22:4-5 "In you our fathers put their trust. They trusted you and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved, in you they trusted and were not disappointed."

June 11, 2011

So much happened today, I probably won't have enough room to write. For the first time since I've been here, I took off my watch. Mostly because I was tired of being the one in charge of time. But also because I am SO swollen. My feet wouldn't even fit into my tennis shoes today for a hike!

In the morning, we didn't leave campus for Ansefoleur until 11:00 a.m. Which allowed a lot of free time after breakfast. I dropped off all of the supplies we brought for both the orphanage and the Miriam Center (center for children with mental and physical disabilities.) When you walk into the orphanage it's a whole other world. The children flock to you, arms in the air screaming "ale, ale" .."go! go!" I had nothing else to do, so I decided to take each one out to the common area for some one on one time. Hearing them laugh and seeing their smiles made my tired right arm worth it.

Next, I took a nap. Hey, it's Haiti, everyone does it.

We packed up for Ansefoleur and took the hour and a half tap-tap ride. WHAT.A.SIGHT! The minute you pass through Berger, it's as if you drove into Ireland... with palm trees. Huge lush mountains with livestock grazing. The beautiful coastline with crystal blue water.

Today was one of the hottest days yet. We were mostly in cities with limited shade. We had a real Haitian lunch at a restaurant complete with chicken, fried plantains, rice and spicy coleslaw. It was DELICIOUS and I ate as much as possible.



We then went to the voo doo temple where people worship this black porcelain baby doll dressed in a blue dress. It was one of the dirtiest and darkest places I have ever been. We sat in the back of the room while others prayed out loud to this... doll. Giving it money as a bribe. We all prayed silently then went outside to view the place where the people bathe before sacrificing. There was a sacrificial ritual going on and so we prayed over the temple.

Next we took a 10 minute steep hike up to a voo doo shrine. It used to be a cross that was struck by lightening and so the Haitians believed it was a sign from Satan and have been making sacrifices ever since.





After admiring the view and the breeze, we made a circle around the shrine and prayed. It was super powerful and super emotional. We made our way back down so we could take more surveys in before the revival at the Christian Church. Our translators have been amazing and it's been great getting to know them.

I estimate that we've completed about 50 surveys over the past two days. The villages greatest needs, unanimously would be 1) Clinic 2) Schools 3) Cemetery 4) Water.

Thanks to aqua tabs and clorox bleach, they don't think their water is that big of an issue. We then ventured out into the Church for dinner and the revival. Before it all started, I was sitting with a handful of children just staring at me. I decided to give an English lesson. It ended up growing to an English lesson for children and adults. It was so much fun. We taught them how to play duck duck goose and red rover. I felt a sense of peace and at home and such a powerful feeling that we are exactly where God wants us to be. He has been waiting.

Fast forward an hour of praying and singing and we took a dark tap-tap ride home. Haiti at night is just as beautiful as during the day.

June 13, 2011

Today is our last day of surveys. We have one more geographic area to cover and we're all set! I have to take my malaria pill today and I'm praying to God that I don't get sick. We're hopefully getting buckets today or tomorrow so we can set up the filter systems. Thursday will be our last day of doing anything because we leave at 4:00 a.m. on Friday morning for HOME. The end is near and though I'm excited about what's going on here, I'm looking forward to home.

We had a bus of 70 kids get dropped off last night. So far it has been fine. Too late, feeling kinda sick from the malaria pill....

The last day of survey's went really well. We focused more on relationship building than getting hard facts. Apparently I interviewed at the witch doctor's house. I didn't know this until after the fact. I should have known, they were the only house that told me they didn't practice any religion.


One of my favorite families I got to talk to.


We had lunch again at the Church and walked around the area with the pastor. Tomorrow, if we get our buckets today, we will take the filters to Berger. Only 3 working days left then 1 travel day!! Then HOME.

Tonight is our last devotion and I get to do the Q&A on our project. Should be a great time.

P.M. Devotional: "A hand going out and a hand coming back makes a friendship last."

June 14, 2011

Friday can't come soon enough! I slept on the roof last night and woke up with a terrible headache. I still haven't kicked it yet. I've also been attacked by mosquitos. Apparently they are invisible in Haiti because even though I don't see them, I'm still getting eaten alive. [Apparently June 14th was a miserable day for me. That was the only journal entry I had.]


June 15, 2011

AM Devotional: "A leaky roof can fool the sun, but it doesn't fool the rain."

Water filters have been delivered!!! What an amazing morning! After a two hour delay due to a very rocky river. We were stuck and with the help of about 20 Haitian men, the truck was set free. Of course, they demanded money for their efforts. Finally our translators arranged something and we were on our way. We had about 14 families come to the Church and watch the filter demonstration. We then gave individual demonstrations to each family. It was incredibly sad walking away from the Church and down to the market. The whole time I was fixing to leave, and now I want to stay and accomplish so much more!

The rest of the day we're just hanging out and have to make sure our luggage is out and ready to go to Port au Prince. Tomorrow we're having an activity with the Miriam Center children and then fixing to get out of here early Friday. We have market day tomorrow and I hope I find some cute gifts. I gave in and bought myself a Haiti bracelet from one of the bracelet bandit boys.



Our Miriam Center activity. These kids were amazing!


Things I won't miss:
The lack of fresh produce
The heat
The smell of burning trash
The smell of body odor
Military showers

Things I will miss:
Pastor Fritznell & Family
The beautiful mountains
All of Berger
The Haitian hospitality
Tap-tap rides
Children calling out "Blanc!"

June 16, 2011

Last day in Haiti. Last night it rained for the first time in a week, which cooled things off a lot. We all had a wonderful nights sleep and I even had to use my top sheet.

Today we have market day on campus and our turn in the Miriam Center. Just a lot of hanging out and reflecting before we call it a night. I got to read an email from Chris last night. It made me so incredibly happy! The most amazing thing is at 7:45 a.m. every morning, women sit outside the clinic and sing songs until the pharmacy opens and until the physicians open the doors. It is hauntingly beautiful. Time to go brush my teeth and start the day.


[Since I have been home, not a night has passed that I don't dream of Haiti. I didn't quite understand how it would affect me, until I landed back in the states. I wanted so badly to stow away on the plane back to Port au Prince, back to St. Louis de Nord. I try to tell my friends and family of the amazing adventures, but words seem to fail me. I wish I could jump into their skin for a split second, just so they could feel what I feel. I wish it were possible to close your eyes and travel back in time. I'm very much looking forward to the day when I can return to that beautiful country.]