Diagnosis: Exhaustion from Grand Goave

We've just returned from accompanying Chris as he led a team to Grand Goave with "a door to hope". The week was full of fun and sweat and laughter and tears and sweat and humidity and sweat. Did I mention we sweat(ed) a lot? Man, we are spoiled living up here in the mountains of Haiti! It was miserable. Totally miserable. The only thing that made it not completely terribly miserable was the team members that we joined with for the week. What a refreshing week to get to serve alongside, sweat alongside, laugh and cry alongside and grow alongside these precious people.  The team consisted of 14 of us Americans: a doctor, a preacher, an ER nurse, an OR nurse, a caregiver, a dad, a mom, a grandma, a great grandma, a guitar player, a card shark, a pancake maker, etc... etc... We had a tough week. Did I mention it was deathly hot?

We had a small team that ventured up the mountain every day shifting in and out of 4 wheel drive to a different location to offer a medical clinic under Nurse Jenny Jenkins' direction. Each day they saw just under 30 patients and Dr. Doug (from Caruthers, Missouri) gave diagnosis' as we had a makeshift lab and pharmacy to help give tests and meds to those who needed it. Before each patient left his care he prayed for them. If it wasn't for the medical team who worked tirelessly all week long most of these patients would not have been able to get the medical care they needed. In addition to these 25 or so patients were also about 15 that were returning for blood pressure monitoring. Many, many people suffer with high blood pressure (it's very common here in Haiti) and are on medications under Nurse Jenny's continued care.

ER Nurse Megan and Fonfon with a patient

OR Nurse Colleen measuring growth

Dr. Doug listening to the heart of a child

We also had a team who built a home for Wilson and Madame Wilson and family. They had a 17 year old daughter that I asked if I could take a photo of as she was cooking lunch on Tuesday. She immediately said, "wi" and wiped her forehead. Her name was Kinslea. I'm not sure how to spell it, but that's how you say it. Many Haitians I've found are shy about getting their pic taken. Not at all for Kinslea. She asked me something in Kreyole and I completely didn't know what she said, but "Pastor" (our translator on the job site) was just walking by. So, I asked him to help us communicate. She wanted to know if I'd print out her picture and give it to her. He asked if she had Facebook so I could tag her in it... the lazy American way... but, she did not. We had brought our printer for a project for later in the week, so I knew I'd most likely be able to do it for her. So, I told Pastor to communicate to her that I would try my very best, but I couldn't promise. She was very happy and looked for me every day to see if I had it. I knew I didn't want to bring it back to her the very next day or it may be contagious... other people may want their picture taken and we didn't really have any paper with us. I was glad to make a friend with her because all through the week she would grab a chair and have me sit next to her while she cooked and talk with me. I was able to really test out some of my Kreyole on her and try to hear what she was saying, too. It was very good for me. She was perfect because she was young and patient and let me mess up plenty and then would smile and correct me.

Kinlea

Family we built a home and bunkbed for this week

The medical team left by 8 each day and didn't return till late afternoon, but the home building team worked all morning until around 1 each day and then went on to another project in the afternoons. One day they did prayer walking, another immersion, another VBS.

Thursday the home building team worked around "The Villa" all day - Nurse Jenny Jenkins' new place. We "zincomated" (de-termite chemical) all the wood furniture around the place - shelves and bunk beds, etc. And then sanded and poly-urithaned what all we could. A small team built a nice bunkbed for the family we were building the home for. I got a super charged headache from the fumes. We also sorted, counted, divided and stuffed bags for the widow's ministry we were going to go to on Friday morning. Each widow received a BIG bag full of spaghetti noodles, cans of tomato sauce, oil, peanut butter, canned fish, rice and beans (that we divided up from huge bags). I think each bag weighed about 25 lbs. No lie. We prepared 70 bags.

Friday, the whole team was together as we went to join in with a widow's ministry in the community. There was a worship service and we took photos of each widow with their name so that Nurse Jenny and the community effort ministry can track them better. At the end of the service we distributed the bags and watched them all walk out beaming with joy.

Colleen (the OR nurse) and I were assigned to get the photos of each widow. They were brought out to us in a side little entrance and we had a sheet hung up and had them sit down and smile. It's a funny thing to get a Haitian to smile. Especially anyone over 30 or so. They just don't smile for the camera. So, it was kind of a joke for me to think that I could get them to smile. But, guess what? I found that these widows had so much joy that it was literally leaking out of their faces. They had each AT THE LEAST lost a mate to death and who knows how much other sorrow they had seen in their lives.

We greeted each one with a "bonjou" in our best American/Haitian voices and over half of them wanted to hold our hands and kiss our cheeks greeting us right back. I fought back the tears more than a dozen times as I looked into their faces and they radiated with hope. I looked at them with such pity trying to imagine what they had walked through and they looked right back at me with loads of joy and hope.

There were several different widows who were blind. One gentleman in particular came in and I didn't realize he was blind. I greeted him and motioned for him to "chita la" - sit here. The translator had walked in just a second later than usual. He quickly reached over to guide him into the seat. The translator told me he was blind. I said, "someday you will see Jesus" and the man immediately said, "I believe it with my whole heart!"

Blind man who believes he'll see Jesus with his whole heart!

It was such a treat to worship with our team each night. I don't think they'll ever understand how much of a treat it was for me, but it truly was a huge bonus to sing together under the stars as the ocean crept in and the sweat trickled down (and the rain fell more nights than not!). Music is what I'm really missing these days. I'm afraid to play music on my phone because I never know when we will or won't have electric to recharge. So, it's been one big void in my life I'd like to remedy soon. But, for last week - I'm thankful that Justin led us each night in worship.

Each night after our nightly meeting, Brynna found much joy in playing a new card game with some fellow team members. She'll have to tell you all about it. I never could catch on to it. Euchre? Or something like that... Maybe she really just enjoyed someone else besides her parents' company for a change! She'd sneak in the "Ward" room right at curfew time and we'd both already be sawing logs.

I posted all my photos on Facebook if you're interested check them out.

Man, it was miserably hot. I'd take a shower, dry off and immediately be sweating again. Never once cared that the water was cold. It actually felt good. But, it just never lasted. We went through probably four times as much laundry as usual. Poor Jerard has some really, really stinky clothes to do right now. We'll be paying him double as a bonus for all the nasty clothes he had to wash! Chris only has one pair of long pants clean right now. LOL. I only have 2 skirts clean. So, we are just trying to recuperate and readjust to being "home again" on this nice, peaceful, cool mountain... I think we all enjoy mountain life.

Chris has already been back to work on "a door to hope" paperwork and continuing to be ready for the next team while Brynna and I are looking forward to jumping back into some Kreyole lessons and getting back up to the Godet orphanage to love on some sweet kiddos! Sure did miss seeing them this week. Thoroughly enjoyed meeting Dave, the president of the Heart of God Haiti Ministry yesterday and today who was in from NY and talking over the exciting possibilities of me and Brynna working with them. Pray for us as we seek God's direction.

"Anyone who robs father and mother and says, "So, what's wrong with that?" is worse than a pirate. A grasping person stirs up trouble, but trust in God brings a sense of well-being. If you think you know it all, you're a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others. Be generous to the poor - you'll never go hungry; shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses. When corruption takes over, good people go underground, but when the crooks are thrown out, it's safe to come out." Proverbs 28

Godet

Yesterday, we just about literally "went for a day" up the mountain... well... not REALLY an entire day... but, it was a VERY long walk from the Kenscoff medical clinic to the Godet Orphanage. We couldn't see 20 feet in front of us because of the clouds. They were thick!

We hopped on a tap-tap close to our apartment and went the OPPOSITE way we normally do... we went UP the mountain. We were supposed to meet Erin at the police station, but how we were seated on the tap-tap - we could not see out for anything!! Finally we went over two speed bumps and saw a blue and white building, but there were no police people standing outside "hanging out" like there usually are. So, we kept on going. Then we passed Kenscoff school - which Brynna helped to paint in July and a door to hope is beginning to help. Erin hadn't mentioned anything about Kenscoff school... so, we called her. She said we were supposed to stop way back at the two speed bumps. So, we banged on the tap-tap and yelled, "mesi"! They let us out in the middle of a long straight stretch in a neighborhood heading up the hill. Pretty sure they were chuckling WITH us... not at us.

I was so thankful that we just had to walk back DOWN the hill. We met Erin around the corner from the police station and she led us down a couple dirt roads to the medical clinic that she takes the kids from Godet to. It was unbelievable! I seriously felt like I was in the US as we walked through and got the thorough "tour" of this clean, organized place. Sharon, the nurse and Erin's friend, told us all about every aspect of the place and introduced us to Dr. Augustin. They just received a digital x-ray machine. If Dr. Augustin can't read the film they can "simply" e-mail it to a radiologist to read it.

Sharon told us that they've been up and running for 3 months now and were very excited about how much they were helping their community. She told of a little boy who had come in with severe tooth decay. They tried to help stabilize him with IVs but, the infection had spread into his body and made him have sepsis (don't know how to spell that). He ended up spending 6 weeks in the hospital down in the city. SIX WEEKS because his teeth weren't taken care of! If it wasn't for Sharon and the clinic being there - he could have even died. It's just unimaginable the easily treated or TRULY  PREVENTABLE illnesses that affect this population in such huge ways! Read more about Sharon and the incredible work she does here HERE.

After we left Sharon, we walked all. The. Way. Back. To. Godet. Orphanage. In our little shoes, with our little feet up giant hills around curvy huge mountains. WOW! We walked for well over an hour up hill mostly. Here's a pic of us with Erin:

After we FINALLY made it back to Godet we hung out with the kids. We had asked Erin a million questions along the way. After we played with the kids, watched them do homework (because it's in French!) and sent two of the older boys out to purchase us a ICE COLD coca (we are spoiled Americans) - we started seeing kids walking up the hill with the same uniforms on as the Kenscoff school. I asked Erin about them. Yes, she said they indeed walked all the way from that Kenscoff school up the hill PAST Godet orphanage to their home. So, on a good day - these kids are walking WELL over an hour to AND from school. And THEY WANT TO! These are fortunate kids to be able to attend school.

Here's some pics of the Godet boys who caught a big bug and were pretty proud:

Here's the two oldest girls at Godet (Nadine and Natacha "ch" sounds like "sh" here):

The day was fabulous NOT just because we got to hang out with our favorite kids in the entire country, but because all the long day we KNEW we were invited guests of the Dearing family for LASAGNA!!! Can you even believe it?!? Oh. My. Word. Was it DELICIOUS!! Mark served us all a plate of lasagna and some bread, prayed and then got up to prepare the cookies to put into the oven to bake while we were eating. By the time he sat back down we were on our last few bites and he served Brynna, Chris and I SECONDS BEFORE he had ever even taken one bite of his own dinner. (I put my seconds back in the lasagna pan and Clay ate it.) He's a true servant. He and his family are amazing people. We are privileged to share laughs and life with here in Haiti. I can't really imagine life without them in it up here on this mountain. I detect a tear about to drop...

It's weird thinking about the bond that we form with the teams we've served one week with in Haiti. It's going to be interesting come December 15th to realize the depth of the bond that we've formed with the Dearing family here.

This week we also spent a day in Callabasse. I'll have to write about it another day. I posted pics on Facebook. Tomorrow we have the privilege of joining Chris in Grand Goave as he leads a team. It'll be the first week in Nurse Jenny Jenkins NEW place - "the Villa"! We JUST found out last night before we laid our heads down... so, most of the night I was dreaming about whether or not I have enough clean clothes to even MAKE IT!! Friday is laundry day... that's TODAY! SO, there's not time enough to get it cleaned and dried and back to us... so, I'm about to go into my bedroom and dig into my drawers... to make sure I've got enough "drawers" to wear! Pray for us! Chris turned his clothes in on Wednesday so he'd have enough. Again, pray for us girls! Pray we've got what we need and pray for our week in Grand Goave. Looking forward to meeting the team and blazing the trail... it'll be HOT. HOT. HOT. Much different from up here on the mountain. Last night I actually wore socks to bed with long pants.

We won't be back here until AFTER Brynna's birthday. So, blow up her Facebook with HAPPINESS on the 27th - she'll be 19 - write her long mushy paragraphs about how much you love her!

Our Father, Who Art in Heaven

Church was awesome yesterday! We got picked up bright and early at 7:45 by Simon. We turned into a neighborhood near Thomassin 42 (at the big white Baptist Church on the main road) and went deep inside. It was the "shortcut" to Thomassin 32, I believe. Don't quote me on the numbers. It was twisty and curvy and tight and a crazy crooked road with loads of large holes. I have a picture for you (from the way home)! 

We were at his church before 8:00. When we backed into our parking spot I glanced over and saw the sign that read, "God's Littlest Angels" and was SUPER excited! I'd only heard of this wonderful orphanage. Never had I been anywhere near it. It was right next door to the church. 

Simon in a black suit jacket with his brand new blue checkered tie that Erin from Godet had brought him back from the states walked us up the hill just a couple houses and introduced us to the GLA director who was on the porch. He and his wife run the guest house. He's an apparently strong man with some version of a beard on his face and a few tatoos on his arms or legs. I can't remember exactly. But, he's the kind of guy it would never hurt to keep on your good side. He seems like a gentle giant. He shared with us that he had just gotten up out of bed for the first time in almost a week with a relapse of the Chickengunya virus. He'd already suffered through it once, but more and more we're hearing of people experiencing a relapse. It had knocked him off his feet pretty sudden this time. 

We enjoyed an hour of Simon teaching "Sunday School" to a room that was almost full by the end of the hour, but at the beginning was just us three and a man with a briefcase. The last half of the hour was spent with Simon quizzing people on the verse they were memorizing. They'd all quote it out loud together and then he'd go around the room and say it out loud. What discipline they showed memorizing scripture. They were quite serious about it. It made me think of how much time we wasted in "Sunday School" over the last 25 years talking through prayer requests or events that were coming up. They didn't waste anytime at all digging into the Word. They all had it memorized by the end of the hour. Unfortunately, I didn't understand the verse to be 14... I thought they were memorizing verse 16! LOL! Oh, well... I didn't get quizzed. It was all in Kreyole.

I was "memorizing" verse 16: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 

They were memorizing and reciting verse 14: "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3)

After Sunday School we walked back into the "sanctuary" and they were playing "Scandal of Grace" through the speakers in English. As I looked around there were many young people and they were singing quietly preparing for worship. The room quickly filled with young people. It was awesome. Church began around 9:45 and ended at 12:15. Simon asked a youlng man to be our interpreter. At one point during about the 3rd special music he leaned up and showed us a note he had written on his phone. It read, "hang in there, only 1.5 more hours!" We all chuckled and knew he was not exagerating. 

During church there was a pastor visiting from Brooklyn, NY who is Haitian, I believe, but travels back and forth. He was one of the 4 special musics for church. He got up and sang some song we didnt know in Kreyole and then broke into "Without Him, I would be nothing. Without Him, I'd surely fail. Without Him, I would be nothing. Like a ship without a sail." I cried. It was very moving. The little girls across the room from us were tickled by the Kreyole song and his delivery of the song. But, when they saw my tears freely flowing down my face became serious. I think they were part of the chidlren from God's Littlest Angels Orphange, but I'm not certain.

I think these were the God's Little Angles kids because they spoke to us afterwards in English. They weren't afraid of us. And they were all together. SO SWEET!

Simon preached on the Lord's Prayer for a long time. Our translator had slipped out to restart the generator when the power ran out and never returned because then the row was filled up with other people. I think he was still around, but truly couldn't get back to us. Simon seated us up front next to the fan. We had "A/C" for church! It was actually quite cool sitting by the fan. There was only one fan in the room and it was pointed towards the pulpit. We weren't 5 feet away from where he preached. It's nice and cozy.

The pastor from Brooklyn came up after the sermon and sang, "The Lord's Prayer" and it was quite moving. 

After church we drove the visiting special music pastor home. Here's a picture I quickly took of the road as we dropped him off at his friend's house. The road was really rough. I don't know how autos survive here. They drive across terrain I never would drive my car across... ever. And I would take my time crossing with my legs not to twist my ankles!

We were back in our apartment by 12:45 ready to whip up some lunch. We girls had some Kraft Mac and Cheese and dad had some rice (his belly was a little wonky feeling). The mac and cheese was the best one yet! The whole dry milk thing is tasting better... only because we know we can't have real milk and it's the best we've got. We put a lot of pepper on it...

There you have it! Another Sunday in Haiti. The Lord's Day. We rested and played Mexican Trains and watched "Last Chance Harvey" on Netflix. We should have been memorizing scripture. We truly are lazy Americans. How was your Sunday?

Legit

All three of us got "mostly warm" showers last night before bed! That's a miracle! Brynna shaved her legs! I'm telling ya - we're living it up! We were able to get in some FaceTime with Quinton and Rachael and talk with Josiah some on the tele this morning. The weather is perfectly perfect. It's not too hot or cool in any way. I guess it kinda feels like a "fall day" if that's possible in Haiti.

Around noon, Melanie Dearing and two of the kids went with us down the hill to get some pizza for lunch. We both wore black v-necks. We were legit twinning! The pizza was absolutely delicious! I hadn't tasted such yummy cheesiness in SO LONG I can't even remember! It was called Le Paris Saint-Tropez and it has a big cement head outside.

On the way back up we caught a tap-tap just outside the pizza place that only took us up to Thomassin 48 and it was the end of the line. So, we had to find another tap-tap. We walked up past the moto line and waited for a tap-tap. The moto drivers wanted us to hop on their ride, but they are too expensive (AND dangerous... we only ride on a moto from a preferred driver). We told them, "No, mesi. Tap-tap Fermat." A couple different tap-taps passed, but none stopped. Then from across the street this van pulled up that had carpets laying in it and three Haitian guys already in it. The front windshield had way more than the usual cracks in it. I do not believe they had their license to drive a tap-tap, but we got in. (Only after the four Haitian ladies who were waiting with us boarded...) We paid them the same amount as we would have a tap-tap. But, the whole way I was certain it was not a legit ride.

On the way back, we stopped at the BHM for one last ice cream cone before they close for two weeks. And we picked up one last loaf of cinnamon rolls. Don't know what we will do to "hang out" over these next two weeks. They will be closed to give their workers two weeks paid vacation.

Tomorrow, we are going to hear Simon preach at his church. He will pick us up at 7:45.

Legit:
Warm showers for all
FaceTime with Quinton and Rachael
Talking with Josiah
Grabbing a tap-tap just outside the mission instead of walking up the hill to catch it
Hot pizza with the perfect blend of cheeses
Sitting up front on the tap-tap
Twinning with Melanie
Ice cream cone
Blake sucking the bottom of her ice cream cone so it wouldn't drip out
Friends to share Haiti life with

Not-so-legit:
Tap-tap ride up the hill
Little girl taking our photo in the pizza place (felt like we were on a shoot)
Cats wondering around in the pizza place loudly meowing
Major fever blister on my upper lip
US prices with 15% tip already included on the pizza bill

Tap-Tap FRONT SEAT for the girls!

Pizza place with large head

Checking out the menu at the pizza place

Yummy, yummy pizza - LEGIT!

Good morning from Haiti!

Verse of the day:

"When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom 

as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God." 

I Corinthians 2:1

Stop and Go

Boarding the tap-tap this morning, Brynna and I got to set up front with the driver! The radio was on and it was sweetly singing in English! It made me stop and go, "WHAAAT... a(nother) treat!?!" What have we done to deserve all of these treats? It was Chris Tomlin singing, "and like a flood, His mercy reigns; unending love, amazing grace." Honestly, I'd never paid much attention to those words in particular. But, today, I couldn't get them out of my head. 

As we waited for the tap-tap to be "full", I looked over and saw a man half as tall as most. He was walking on his knees. He was wearing very worn kneepads. His legs from his knees down were warped. His feet were the size of a child's. He had a nice dress shirt on tucked in to nice looking dress pants with a belt, but they were torn and frayed hanging just above the kneepads. His feet were bare.

Over and over all the way down the hill to Pettionville I could't shake the all too familiar line from the song we'd sung quite possibly a few thousand times. I couldn't stop the tears from gently streaming down my face as I thought of all the ways that the Lord has shown us grace in the last few years, but especially the last few weeks and months.

"and like a flood, His mercy reigns; unending love, amazing grace."

Since last Friday night, when we sat outside as the sun was setting and sang Amazing Grace from the hymnal, I think my heart was trying to finish singing "the rest of the song" that it knew so well. Have you ever gotten a song just on the tip of your tongue and couldn't spit it out? 

Almost to the bottom of the hill now, our tap-tap slowed down and cautiously crossed the center line to avoid a completely naked man crawling on the busy road. I just couldn't believe we didn't stop to help him! We slowed down and made sure not to hit him, but kept on going! I couldn't believe that so many vehicles had gone on before us and not stopped. Then I looked to the side of the road and there were plenty people just walking on by. I couldn't get his face out of my mind. What danger he was in!? And who would ever stop to help him!?

At Kreyole school, I asked our "pwofessor" about what may have been going on with this man. He said that he was probably out of his mind, maybe drunk and that someone would eventually come and take him to the hospital. And he said he'd seen it happen before.

Living in a third world country is eye opening... and gut wrenching.

I had to wonder if just maybe the first man who was half as tall as most may just know this Unending Love. In Haiti most handicapped people are looked at as a curse, thrown out like trash, forgotten. But, this man managed to get around and appeared to be a man on a mission. He was out on the town, in the crowd, "blending in", doing some sort of business. I couldn't imagine facing those physical handicaps in our first world country! What a wimp I am. What made him GO on?

Then I wondered about the other man. Did he want to die? Did he realize what danger he was in? Did he not know that like a flood, His mercy reigns?! Had no one told him the Good News? I couldn't imagine what he had faced to put him in that scene this morning? What made him STOP?

Just like after last Friday I couldn't spit out the rest of the song, today, all day, I felt the same way. The only thing I could repeat in my head was that line, "and like a flood, His mercy reigns..." But, my heart had something else it wanted to scream! "My chains are gone. I've been set free. My God, my savior has ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love, amazing grace." 

Grateful for His mercy, His love, His grace, His constant treats in our lives. I deserve none of it. So many times I've failed... oh, wait! That's a WHOLE NOTHER SONG! Ugh!!!

Tell us what verse, phrase, song has gotten stuck in YOUR head lately? What makes you go on through trials? What makes you stop and give up? What ways have you seen His mercy reign like a flood?

Rest up for the Resto

Today during our lunch break from our life in Haiti, Simon (they pronounce it See-moan here), wanted to take us to a Resto. (After I went to the market). Do you remember what a Resto is? It's a house on the street where the woman cooks meals and serves them to you when you stop in. You remember Nataleen from Thomassin 48 near where the ETS school used to be? We posted pics. Anyway, we ha bragged to him about hers and he told us there was one near the BHM that we should try out. So, today, we told him we could go. He said he'd meet us at 12:00. Simon, is a Haitian through and through. We could have asked him if that was 12:00 Haitian time or US time, but, we didn't. We knew. We are living on Haiti time now. So, you guessed it, 12:30 came and passed. 1:00 came and passed. Chris called him. He said he was 2 minutes away. LOL. 1:30 passed. And then finally at 1:38 he showed his face. I told him I was about to pass out from hunger. He said, "Oh, no. You mad at me now." and we hugged and laughed. Bless it! I swear I can hear myself starting to speak more like a Haitian. Can you tell? Leaving out words. Making sentences smaller or in the wrong tense... or really just leave out the tenses. So, we walk down the hill from the BHM to check out this Resto. It was about a 15 minute walk. I took some video of it. This was when we thought we were just about there, but really had another 10 minutes to walk. Watch Brynna eyeing what we thought may have been the Resto on the right that read, "BBQ"... See that grey van go by? That's one of the many different kinds of "tap-taps" we ride in. (Public transportation.) It is just like the one we rode on one day that had 21 people on it!

After arriving at the Resto after 2:00 we found out that Carmelle (I think that was her name because of the metal sign I saw, but it may not really be...) did NOT work today. So, the Resto was not open for business! Simon was surprised, but not upset. We went in and looked at her kitchen and got a feel for what it looks like and he told her that we may come back another day to be looking for us. It was a very nice home and the kitchen was very clean. She had a huge dining room table and then another table you could eat at around the corner. You could also eat outside on the patio. It was very nice. Simon highly recommends it and we will go back sometime. Hopefully, Friday.

We walked back to the BHM and ordered 3 salads and 2 water bottles with 3 glasses of ice. Ice is a luxury. And whenever I can (which is NOT often) - I get it! At least my hunger for greens was partially satisfied today. Thankful for the BHM. Our meals cost $551 gourdes (about $12 US, I think...still learning that part).

Today we are very blessed because of many reasons. First, He gave us breath as we faced the day. He gave us grace. He gave us safety. He gave us a productive morning at the market and Chris at work. Now, at 4:00 in the afternoon - we have just heard our electric kick on! That's very unusual! So, we are all charging our devices. You never know when they'll kick it back off. He is giving the ground showers of rain at the moment. And lastly, we are invited guests to dinner AGAIN!!! Tonight, we share a meal with Trey and Chelsea and baby Colby who serve at the BHM. They've lived here over 3 years now, I've heard, and we look forward to hearing MORE of their story tonight... as they serve us MEATLOAF AND MASHED POTATOES!!! What a TREAT!

Market Day! Hooray!

Today was my market day. Thankful for Peterson, Simon's son, who escorts me each week. I pay him a small fee to help me know where to shop and to avoid "blan prices" because of the color of my skin. If one can't communicate in the market, then one pays big US prices. So, having Peterson with me avoids the huge communication barrier and gives me a great education in the process. he is trying to help me understand the culture better. I ask him a million questions. Just ask him, he'll tell ya!

Last week Chris and Brynna went with us, but this morning, they went on down to the BHM to study and work. It was just me and Peterson against the world market... I've really been craving some sliced tomatoes and avocados for lunch lately... then Jon Acuff had a pic on his Facebook the other day and made my craving even worse. I guess this is my first fight with food cravings since we've been here. We've been here 18 days. I guess that's pretty good. Since our meals consist of mostly pastas, pate's and other starchy foods, my body has finally gotten tired of it and craves some good fresh veggies and fruits. Plus eating that delicious salad that our landlord's wife, Marie Carmel made Friday night sparked a war within my tastebuds. Did I mention how fabulous it was? It had avocados in it...

First, we had to take our US money to the "bank" and change it out with small bills. I took $40 USD and got change in Haitian gourdes. (Goo-ds - like gooey, gooey. And the "r" is silent.) In Kreyole "ou" makes the "oo" we hear in "hoot". I asked Peterson about the safety of a blah walking into the bank and changing money. I told him how I'd heard stories of how unsafe and unwise that was for us to do. I've read many stories of people being robbed, shot and etc on the ExPats Facebook page. He said definitely we would not do it down in Pettionville or Port-Au-Prince or Delmas. But, Fermathe is a much safer place to live. We are very fortunate to live where we do. We live on a paved road.

There was a man who was really making me nervous at the bank. He was staring at us as we waited for the change. I asked Peterson. He made conversation with the man and then told me that he had some mental retardation. It made me feel so much better that he would actually reach out to the guy to try to figure out what he may want from us instead of just ignore him. (Like I wanted to do). He was attacking the problem. (In Haiti they say pwoblem). It's the one word besides blan that I hear a lot of as I'm eavesdropping... reaching to hear any word that I recognize. The Haitians speak SO FAST!

So, what do you think we set out to purchase today at the market? I was not coming home withOUT avocados! And Peterson knew it because we looked through about a dozen different piles of them. We found good prices and good produce. We bought potatoes, onions, carrots, maggies (chicken bouillon cubes that really came in handy as I was sick this weekend...tasted great in noodles with a few diced up carrots... almost like Campbell's), red beans, black beans, pinto beans, bananas, garlic, and avocados... but NO tomatoes! We searched high and low. The biggest reddest tomatoes we could find were barely bigger than a golf ball. Seriously! The last lady we spoke to told us we were too picky - that they would only have big juicy tomatoes AFTER rainy season. She was upset we didn't buy the two little golf ball sized ones she was picking out of her pile for us, Peterson explained. I told him to tell her that I'd buy two from her if she'd let me take a photo with her for my blog. Y'all, she didn't want a photo. She wasn't in the bargaining mood. We'd apparently used up all her patience.

By the time we finally found 2 avocados to buy, we only had big bills left. The lady wanted 10 gourdes for them each. (Try to find avocados in US for that cheap! IMPOSSIBLE!) Smallest bill I had left was a 500 and she had no change. We had already picked out the two most perfect ones and had them in our hands. She told us to take them and come back with change. She trusted us. Earlier, I had asked Peterson about tipping people in the market and he said that sometimes if you wanted to do that, it would really bless them. So, I asked him if we could tip her since she showed us such trust. So, we gave her 40 gourdes for the 2 avocados. She bowed her head to us in thanks. I wish I would have got a picture! That's the only thing she was selling. Maybe we can find her again next week and we can trade blessings and maybe we can build a relationship with her and learn her story. For those of you who've been on a trip with us - she set right in crease of the crazy corner.

So, there you have it... our menu for the week. No fridge (well, really, no electric!). Rice, beans and pasta... :D Thankfully, Mark and Melanie drove down to town to a big store and picked us up a few things. We asked for Kraft Mac and Cheese, crunchy peanut butter, and nacho chips, oh, and maybe a couple rain ponchos if they find any... what were we thinking? We only brought ONE!

After we finished shopping, Peterson offered to walk me all the way back to our apartment to put up the groceries. He carries them all. He's a real servant. He stayed on the front porch while I put them away and then he walked me back to the BHM where Chris and Brynna were working. (They take our wi-fi hotspot down there and work...closest thing to a coffee shop we've got.) We spent less than $20 US.

Peterson and Me!

Friday, Saturday, Happy Days!

Last evening we were invited guests to a prayer meeting/dinner at our landlords home. So, we didn't have far to walk. Just up the driveway. We were the first ones there. They brought out chips and salsa. Romeo and Juliette, our guard dogs, wanted it all. They played around trying to get the food. Finally, Henry chained them up. Romeo does not like me in particular. I asked why. Henry said I needed to get a little sun on my legs. It's probably cause I want him to like me so bad. But, it's ok. He doesn't have to like me. As long as he's guarding the property. I'll let the dog think of me however he wants.

Landlord's wife, Marie Carmel came out and sat with us a while laughing that this is how it is in Haiti. You tell people 4:00 and then they show up at 5:00 or 6:00. We didn't mind getting to know them a little better. Just after 5:15 the rest of the group showed up.

We met Madame Michelle (aka Priscilla) in her black beret speaking mostly French. She was born in Haiti. Her father was a minister. She can't weigh 85 lbs, but she packs a punch spiritually. She spoke of her dear friend as being "well converted" and I'm guessing from the rest of the conversation that means she was discipled and disciplined in her walk with Christ. She spent much of her time and energy in developing that personal relationship with her Lord. If her friend was alive now, I'm sure she'd say the same about Madame Michelle.

Then there was Reginald (pronounced in a rich French accent) who was somehow related to our landlord Henry (pronounced OnRee). Not a brother or cousin, but somewhere in between. At 18 he came to the US and spent most of his life, but returned for a season and couldn't take Haiti anymore and then finally has returned to his roots. He's into giving private tours to foreigners. He's as delightful as Madame Michelle.

Henry, his wife - Marie Carmel, son - Joseph and then the five us us sat in a circle and prayed. Madame Michelle started in French. She was so eloquent. I don't know what she said, but I could listen to her speak ALL day long. What a beautiful voice. A beautiful soul. Always finding good in every situation. We sang "Amazing Grace" in English. They pulled an old Methodist hymnal out of the closet and I heard them sing a verse I had never heard. We hummed along when we didn't know the words, but mostly were able to kick right in there. After 2 verses Henry stopped and asked if he had started it in the wrong key. We Wards laughed and said, "No, we just can only make a joyful noise..." He changed the key to make it higher. It only got more joyful. LOL.

After they exchanged a few prayer updates on people who were sick or not at church, we were invited to eat dinner. You are never going to guess what we ate as the sun was setting so beautifully. Can you guess? Hamburgers and hot dogs!!! And a salad that was amazing! Just as it was getting cold outside because the sun had gone away and we are in the mountains, dessert came out. It was a large bowl full of fresh fruits. Oh, my. It was amazing, too. Such delicious goodness! ALL FRESH: Mangos, cantaloupe, pineapple, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and probably some other fruit I don't know.

After dessert we went inside and circled up, held hands, prayed again and sang another song. It was "Abide With Me" and we didn't know it at all. As they were trying to find the tune I remembered that the initial pictures of our apartment showed a piano. So, I asked if they had one. The song only had 2 sharps, so it was a piece of cake. I played it, but didn't recognize it at all. They sang along. Chris and Brynn would want me to tell you that Henry called me an angel. He said from now on, I'm an angel. They loved me playing the piano. If they only knew what therapy it is for me... Just another TREAT from the Lord. Not a day doesn't go by that we don't recognize that the Lord is showering us with undeserved TREATS.

I believe he's continually showering us with underserved things that we can touch and see because there's so much going on in the unseen. There's still a war in my head and an unseen spiritual battle going on. To be honest, I know the Lord brought us here. I just don't understand the full reasons why and how... I'm having a hard time sleeping through the night. I hear noises and get scared a lot more than I sleep restfully. As our schedule kicks into a higher gear here soon, I guess I can ask you to pray for me to sleep sound in Jesus. I fall asleep almost every night to myself reciting over and over again, "when I am afraid I will trust in God."

Psalm 121 is another Psalm that helps me and all I have to do is look out the windows in the morning. I can even see from my bed the beautiful mountains surrounding us.

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

That's the ocean out there!!! I finally got it. Trying to catch it on a blue skied day...
but, it's about rainy season... so, don't know if I ever will.

Where does your help come from? Mine comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth and clouds! 

That is RAIN!!! Far, far away... but, we got some, too.

P.S. Saturday, I woke up with a cough, runny nose, sinus headache, plain ole allergies kicking the life outta me. Hoping it'll pass. Will you pray with me? Thankful my honeyman made me noodle soup with bouillon chicken salt cubes we bought in the market for lunch. It made me feel much better for a few hours. I fixed fried potatoes, onions and carrots for supper... again. Pray for them!

Small Group at Pleasant Grove

It is almost impossible for us to explain to you how much this very special group of people mean to us. After we moved to Nashville digging out 16 years of roots with the Bowden family and 14 years with our Ormsby Heights Faith Family, we could barely bring ourselves to love, live and lead again. It was made even harder because there were absolutely no hard feelings, no other reason that we left other than obedience. A lot of associate pastors or youth pastors don't have the very rare exceptional relationship we had with our pastor. We adored him. He gave us room to grow and constantly encouraged us to. We didn't clearly understand in human terms why the Lord would move us from where we were very comfortable, but we were very clear that He was moving us... away from the Bowdens, Ormsby Heights, Louisville, 14 years worth of relationships built and even two of our own children. It was heart wrenching to say the least.

The Lord did lead us to a new safe place. A small group. Isn't it ironic that the very week that we announced publicly that we were going to move to Haiti, we fell head over hills in love with a church, a body of believers, a church full of people on mission (Temple Baptist), a small group that would open up their hearts and take us in SO CLOSELY even knowing that we were about to leave. The "Church at Pleasant Grove" is what we named ourselves. We are nestled on a country road in White House, Tennessee and meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.

Greg (standing) and Tammy (seated) Young on the left (Thomas' parents, ya know - Brynna's bae). Then Genny (standing) and Danny (seated) Dixon. Don (tallest one) & Glynda (over my right shoulder) Steele are next to us. Then Brandon and Amber Sprinkles with little Emma peaking over Chris' left shoulder. 

This picture was taken just hours before we flew out to Haiti. We had one last meal together, one last game of Mexican trains, one last good cry and many, many moments of praise filled laughter. They made our May - August beyond blessed. I know in my flesh if we would have met them before we made our decision to move to Haiti, I would have most likely NOT been willing to be obedient. I am truly thankful for God allowing us these three months because our lives are forever changed. I'm not afraid to love, live and lead anymore. I know now without any doubt that there are good churches, good Christians and good places to continue to serve besides our beloved Ormsby Heights.

(Working from the right to the left through the picture now:)

The last week in Nashville as we were packing up, Amber called and asked if she could come help. How could I say no? I needed help. And did I need it bad! So, she came over and helped for probably a good 10 hours. Sorting, packing, loading. All the while Emma played happily and picked up every little piece of anything that was in the carpet. I didn't have to vacuum at all after she was there. Brandon came over after he got off work and helped load up the POD.

This was the same day that Elaine Myers stopped in to walk through the condo since she was moving in and hadn't seen it yet. She brought us a very special and PERFECTLY timed meal: Jim's Spaghetti she had cooked for us. She even brought paper products so we could scarf it down. And did we EVER! It was delicious!! Brandon, Amber and Emma were able to share in this TREAT!

Brandon and Amber gave us a very special picture to hang in our place in Haiti. They wrote us a two page front/back note of encouragement to go along with it. Chris read it out loud to us in the car as we drove one Sunday. The air was full of laughter and tears. Pictured here is the special "a door to hope" symbol that was given to us.

When we were trying to sort through all our stuff the last week in the condo, Glynda brought her son Brandon over and sweated for an entire day with me as we went through the kitchen cabinets. Brandon and Brynna made several trips to Goodwill. Don & Glynda have a 21 year old son, Christopher who cannot speak with words or walk with his feet. He is a gift. I wish I would have gotten a picture of him to show you. The ways we have seen and heard them serve others is astounding. I wish she would write a blog. She is SO much like Angela Thomas that if you've seen Angela share her "Be the Sunshine" story at Women of Joy - you'd agree and she'd give you a great big ole fashioned hug and a cup of her famous fruit tea... and then she'd re-fill it while you didn't even know all throughout Bible Study. Don will keep your belly hurting because he throws out one liners that are so true you laugh out loud and then want change a little on the inside.

Danny and Genny have played a very special part in our journey as well. Danny is the first to sincerely take everything before the Lord in prayer. He likes to ask real, authentic questions and discuss matters that matter. Genny and I share a birthday! Yippee!!! Genny gave me a stack of letters to be opened each month I'm here and I cannot even begin to tell you what an encouragement that first letter has already been to me. Her hugs and heartfelt words of wisdom have made us better for sure. She reminds me of Kim Willbur - just a constant cheerleader, no matter what. They've taught us that it's okay to have a "come apart" moment every once in a while - that's what the Lord gave us each other for... helping us get put back together again.

And last, but not least, Greg and Tammy. They are the "ring leaders", the "let's go getters", the "bring it on'ers". They bring perfect balance to this group. Greg is a man of many questions. He's constantly asking deep, well-though-out questions that make you realize that he's been praying for you. He's been thinking of ways to encourage you. He wants to know more about you. Tammy is a woman after God's heart. She's constantly searching the scriptures and searching for ways to serve others. She loves the children at her school she works with. And each Wednesday night at small group she walks in and goes straight to Christopher to let him know how important he is and how much love she has for him. She tickles him and sings to him. He just smiles so big! He and Tammy are selfless, constantly putting others needs ahead of their own. Their life's desire is to honor Him in all they do and it's evident to all around. If they were on trial, there's no doubt they'd be found guilty of searching high and low to follow Him in every area of their lives. They are trying to sell their house in order to follow Him more closely. They determined that their house had become an idol to them and they want rid of it. They only want to cling more tightly to Him and to please Him.

The small group bound together handwritten scriptures on index cards for us to take to Haiti. One for each day. (Front/back). Each day we read our verse. It stays hung so we see it each day as we come and go along with our picture from Brandon and Amber. Also, on this bench is the Creole Bible that Emi Nash gave me. I've tried to read some of it, but it's way too early. But, I like carrying it to Haitian church each Sunday. Along with our keys for life in Haiti I have my handy-dandy, stinky Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream hat.

Thank you Lord for the TREAT of diving deep into the Small Group at Pleasant Grove before we left. Thank you for the many hours we've spent in Bible study, prayer, breaking bread, playing Mexican trains and just sharing our JOURNEYS! Life is better spent in community. We need each other! Thank you for giving us more than we ever could have imagined, asked or dreamed of in a small group. If you aren't in a committed relationship with other believers - you need to be. Look around for who you can share life with. Invest in one another's lives and yours will surely be blessed.

VOTD: "Come, follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Thankful Thursday for Treats!

It's been a LONG day, but a great day in Haiti. I can't go into all the details now because I just need to hit the sack. Grabbed a shower. I'm clean. Tomorrow we get to turn our dirty laundry in to be cleaned by Gerard (our houseboy whom we adore and I snuck pics of last week). So, you can especially pray for sun to dry it up good the next 48 hours.

But, I wanted to let you all know what TREAT The Lord has given to me (in particular). You all know how much I miss my puppies - Charlee Roo and Baby Blue and my cats - Bella and Baylee. Well, I get to see this one special dog that belongs to the Dearing family every once in a while and I LOVE him! He gets so excited when we come to visit. Lydia is his momma and I should have gotten a picture of her for you, but I WILL in the future. Here's a pic of me and Chester tonight just before we ate dinner at the Dearing's home. I just love his kisses! 

First Kreyole Lesson Day

Today we went ALL the way

D

O

W

N

the hill to Delmas 83. (Delmas is pronounced withOUT the s at the end. Have fun with that!)

Delmas 83 is where the ETS school has moved. They were at Thomassin 48. It's quite the haul. We were going to hop on a tap-tap, but our landlord came by. He was heading down to Pettionville anyway - we could ride at least to there and then catch a tap-tap. Well, he decided that he'd just take us ALL the way to the front door. What a TREAT! It's the little things that are actually HUGE things. 

We ran out of propane, too... so, no coffee, breakfast, lunch or dinner at home... ugh. We were very fortunate, though to have all we needed. Henry, our landlord, took our propane when he went to town and filled it back for us for 500 Haitian goudes.

We met Louiceius, our teacher, and commenced with Kreyole 101 day one. What do you think we learned? The alphabet and some basic words. We had to say and resay the entire alphabet names and sounds of each letter. There are 30 Haitian Kreyole letters. Chris has to get me a Kreyole keyboard (on my ipad) so that I can start using the correct accents on letters. There are four different "Os" in the alphabet and 2 different "As". And we learned some basic words that were just interesting. 

The word "fe" means "to do" or "to make" or even "iron" the metal!? Craziness!

The word "fa" means lipstick or ligthouse!

Our professor, Louiceus, was heading home on a tap-tap the same time that we were heading home. So, he helped us to find our way up the hill. It's a GOOD thing. It was CRAZY madness. We learned a LOT. He taught us when we're on the streets that are full of people we have to wear our backpacks on the front of our bodies to protect them. He reminded us a couple times. The streets were FULL of people. It was just like the pics you see on the internet.

Well, I have a story to tell you from the tap-tap. We were just going to stand up in the front, but the Haitians kept insisting that I sit down. (I guess I'm old, grey and overweight... and stand out). So, I finally caved and sat down even though I'm telling you there were NO open spots AT ALL. A gentleman scooted over and I squeezed on the end. An older gentleman sitting opposite me, but beside me still... there was an aisle, but we were sitting in it. The older gentleman said something the the gentleman on the other side of me. I was so confused and scared of what was going on. The older gentelman apparently told them to pick up the seat and scoot it towards me so that I had something to set my bottom on... instead of the air in the aisle... HOW SWEET was that?! So, I said "Messi!" And then "How sweet!" The gentleman to my left then spoke to me in English! He is a pastor of a church at Thomassin 39 that is JUST starting up. It's called something that means "Good Shepherd." 

Well, now it's Wednesday and Chris finished up with his staff meeting. We are getting ready to grab a pate' for lunch from the vendor on the street and head back to more Kreyole class. Pray for us. It's a LONG ride... and we're rubbing shoulders and sweat with everyone in our path. Hope you have a great day wherever you are. Praying for you!

"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

2 Timothy 1:7

thanks Heather DiEnno for this reminder in my August card because I've needed it every day!

Happy Labor Day?!

Well, I survived my first trip to the "real market" and I wish I had pictures... another time. I even googled to see if I could find one that did it justice and could not. But, I took some other pictures of life on the streets from my kitchen/living room windows and thought I'd share those at the end.

Early this morning, Chris headed down to Pettionville (or PV) to look for moto helmets. Since we figured that the moto may be a choice of transportation at times for our family, we should be as safe as we can. He came back with three moto helmets and a pate' he wouldn't share with anyone. The moto helmets look like we are now ready to participate in the Indy 500. (He did buy me a pate' later.)

Ready to rumble! 

We met Peterson (Simon's son) down by his dad's shop and walked up to the market. First, we needed to exchange some money at the Western Union on the side of the street. I didn't really like walking out of there, but it was a little off the beaten path. At the market we bought 5 potatoes and an onion from a lady that used to work up in Godet. We then went to another lady and bought some pinto beans, bouillon cubes and millet (ble which means wheat). The second lady measured out the pinto beans and gave us a heaping can full of it. I was so impressed that she wasn't skimping at all. She was very generous in fact. She measured it in one "ti mamit. The standard measurement is a "mamit" which is about the size of a coffee can. But, we got the small can size. I told her, "mesi" (in my best LouiNashvillian Haitian voice with a giant smile) and made sure she knew that I had recognized her generosity. I will go back to her every time I can. She had all kinds of other beans and things.

We were too late for bananas and we couldn't find any good tomatoes. Peterson says they take all the best tomatoes and bananas to the stores to sell.  As we left the market and walked back towards home we learned the best place to buy a 12 pack of cocas. Then I asked if there was a place to buy the little cookies they sell... cause, ya know... I've still got that sweet tooth and there's NO Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream on this island. So, we ducked into one of the shops that we pass every single day. It had many things that could be considered staples. But, we've been warned about some of these having items that are so out of date that they've accumulated some small critters... So, we only bought cookies.

Honestly, that was all I could handle. Weaving in and out of the crowd at the market was crazy. Peterson did a fabulous job of watching to make sure we were safe and out of the way of any traffic. He is going to take me to the market each week to make sure I can communicate effectively and get the best price... for a blan who is being accompanied by a Haitian, anyway...

Here's a couple pics from my window today:

Gerard - our "houseboy" - caught him
waiting on landlord's return

Gerard - waiting and watching

Tap-tapping it...

Always carrying things

Let us know what YOU did for Labor Day. Leave out all the juicy details of the food, though... We had yummy pinto beans and rice for dinner. Brynna fixed Mac and Cheese with powdered milk in it. (It was okay).

WAITING for the day I can catch another beautiful sunset AND 

the view of the ocean from our living room window for you.