Day 5
We're in a routine by now. Joe & Antonio head off to construction earlier than everyone else, I drop Tash off at the VBS, Ag, & Evangelism bus, & I go off to the Orphanage bus.
Tash will continue Orphanage for second half of the day and I will switch around a bit.
My morning began with a bit of a scare. Joe's insulin kicked in a bit too quickly before having food in his system. Antonio ran to get me in our room, since he was not doing well. I quickly dressed & ran to the dining hall, but he was pretty much recovered by then. Thankfully, juice was readily available. I was so thankful that this episode happened during breakfast and not at the construction site. From now on, a Nalgene juice bottle would be available for him at the site. While Joe is typically fantastic with managing his insulin, intense heat and perspiration can be an unwelcome mix to a diabetic's system, losing too many calories. At least now the guys knew to look out for him. I am glad that I had mentioned it to Tim prior to our trip, during the planning stages. So, another gray or two added to my crown!
Once on our way, today would be a treat to see & experience Market Wednesday first-hand.
It was day 2 for laundry drop-off (to be returned by Friday. $5 per bag & I had a suitcase full! Our items would be hand-washed by local women).
The market scene was very crowded and a little chaotic. We had to keep up from losing one another. Since the market was down the road from our orphanage, we would be walking to our destination (with some short detours on the way). I didn't bring sneakers, but thank goodness I brought along good, sport sandals for this trip. The roads/paths, rocks, & holes weren't easy to walk along!
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This was our stop. Now, to cross the busy street. Driving was pretty crazy. Thankfully, we got a good traffic break. Firstly, we needed to grab our laundry to take along with us. I wish I had a picture of poor Matt carrying my huge suitcase. There is NO WAY I could have rolled it along or carried it. Thank you Matt!! |
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| Crystal The young girl & her sister were adorable in their dress-up clothes for market day. They were so happy to see us that they just gave us hugs. |
I raised my phone & snapped a pic. Jonathan was behind me.
Above is Matt, speaking with Vanessa & Isaac's wife. She looked amazing, after just having delivered a baby about a week ago.
Part of the family. :)
Not a great photo, but this tree was filled with beautiful yellow birds and the most nests I have ever seen. After taking this photo, I realized that Tash was with me & wasn't supposed to be. She, along with Hannah, lost their VBS & Ag group that was headed to the site on a different bus. Hannah & I realized it & I began to panic. Thankfully, one of our loyal translators, Jackson, escorted them back through the market street to reunite them with their group.
This is laundry service - Haitian style! I may never view my washer & dryer the same way. I was thankful for non-smelly clothes, but I was really thankful today when I completed about my 6th load at home!
Matt & Andrew rent out a room in the home for some PR supplies and valuables.
This is the home's well. (No, it's not the toilet.) Isaac dropped his cell phone down the well the day before and he actually climbed down to retrieve it. It still worked!
Ahh, life in Haiti!
These sweet boys were so adorable! PR also rents the house with the solar panel in
They were eager to greet us, as we the distance.
left Isaac's property through the
back gate.
On our way to the orphanage now.
There's a sight. A pig was taking a nap in the mud (I thought that he was dead at first!).
And here are some piglets looking for food.
These are the "parking lots". Locals travel via donkeys down the mountain for miles on market day, with their goods. They begin at about 4am to make it on time. These are "lots" where the donkeys are stationed for the day.
Another photo of a glass-bottle wall.
We met Dooma, Jackson & our other translator
friend on the way to the orphanage. This was the town
of Williamson, where most PR workers live (not the
same village as the PR work site).
We arrived. Whew, that was a long walk! Once again, we meet our little friends.
A game of duck, duck, goos to begin.
Laura reads to Estefanie.
This book belonged to another young boy.
He said it was his bible. :)
Pampering time! Today we planned to treat the ladies employed at the orphanage for a bit. We used the chapel as out "spa" station. At first, the ladies refused nail polish & make-up, since they felt it would not be appropriate or conservative enough for Christians. Once it was explained that colors would be subtle and complimentary, they agreed. They were really surprised & excited. No one has ever treated these dear women. To date, the orphanage is not able to pay them their salaries.
This was really fun for us. Thankfully, we just happened to have several guys helping us today, so they could look out after the kids!
We began with cleansing, facial wipes, then a mask of choice.
Vanessa & Dooma got treated too.
The kids kept peaking. I think they must Emily helped make fun drinks (Crystal Light).
have thought we were all a little nuts!
We painted their nails, toes, and applied make-up.
The ladies looked & felt so pretty!
Dooma
Back to site for lunch!
Jessica with "John". This was one of our regular site visitors.
Nice work, boys! Looking good!
Ag team is also coming along. Great job!
Once again, I joined the evangelism team. We really walked out this time, through the fields. "John" came with us, as well as Almondo, Monfred & "Snyder" (translators), & others.
Not always an easy walk.
By the end of our journey for today, "John" gave his life to Jesus! Such a sweet boy. This became one of Jessie's favorites. :) Today, I also had the privilege of meeting & praying for Almondo's mother, Giselia. I am so hoping that we will be able to help him get an education. Please pray for these boys. I also learned a little more about Snyder (one of our translators). He has high aspirations to go to a school in Florida for a medical degree. He wants to help his people! The Haitian government has much corruption. Snyder has had a sponsor help him with education and materials. He has applied for a student visa 3 times, each time costing him $160 ( that's alot even for us!), to only be denied each & every time. He has repeatedly been denied without question or reason. Please pray for Snyder too! (sorry that I didn't get a photo!)
The girls returned to the orphange for afternoon acitivies. There's Sheldon!
I shed a lot of tears today, knowing that tomorrow would be our last working day. I was incredibly emotional & my heart had been touched and broken.
After dinner. Coconuts could also be purchased on the beach (yum!).
Our meeting & worship time would be held outside today. This was so beautiful.
I wept through most of it & I would even weep in the middle of tonight. I felt like my soul was grieving.
Jess relaxes & prepares for worship with our song sheets.
A glimpse of the sunset before beginning.
Tonight would be an extra special night. Olivia shared a testimony and announced her baptism.
We all gathered to witness this special moment. Aiden & Kiersten Rauch would also choose baptism.
Congratulations to Luke & his dad Steve too!!
Congratulations & blessings to the Rauch, & Smith Families!
The pretty orphanage gals.
Thursday - June 25, 2015
Day 6 (final "work"day for most of us)
Jump rope fun.
Deanna joined the fun too! Ale, ale!
Water balloon toss. It felt good to get a little wet!
Today, I met Clifton. He told me that he was Natasha's friend. So of course, I needed to take some photos! As it turns out, there were 2 other boys (a threesome) that were also her friends, but they never spoke up, so I didn't get to picture them. :(
(Tash forgot her camera at home)
These were the funnest glasses ever! (Ok, I know that's incorrect grammar.) A friend of Jessica's works for a company who donated the whole lot of them. The kids loved them (so did we. Hey, I didn't get a pair!)
Nathalène, Nathalie, Crystal, & a friend Nathalène!
These must be part of the threesome!
More puppies!
A small keepsake from my little friend, Nathalène. :(
All week, I wanted to take a photo of this little shop. We drove too fast for me to get an inside photo, but it looked a little charming.
Hmm, what would Jolie or Citrus spa think of this place?
Back for lunch. The building project is amazing. (I may have gotten end of the week photos mixed up, since they weren't in order in my library.)
After-work fun. Tash had really been wanting to try snorkeling. I wasn't really game, but I wanted to take her. Today was finally our chance! I took my Dramamine & headed out. This was our small boat.
Emily would be my water savior, since I panicked once we got there. I nearly drowned in 7th grade, and I never quite recovered. I'm so not a fun person anymore; ugh!
One of the men on the boat lived here. Love the color. We stopped here for extra fuel to take along.
Calm, beautiful water. It was a nice, little ride (only about 15-20min from our beach at Kaliko).
More pretty views along the way.
Tonight's meeting/worship time
Laundry pick-up time. Pick a pile, any pile. Or if you don't like your clothes, pick someone else's (just kidding)! Antonio was a little miffed that he ended up missing most of his socks. Well, I asked him to put things into perspective. He's still bugging me to go buy him new ones. Sigh...
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