Haiti 2014: Day 2

On the second day, we didn't have to get up very early unless we wanted breakfast, which is always served at 7 sharp. And I wanted breakfast. So I got up early. Like 5:30 early. The power is almost never on, so we use the generator. Well that morning the battery that the generator powers went dead and they couldn't turn the generator back on until 6 because it is so loud it disturbs the neighbors. That should be the least of my troubles though. There are so many so close to where we were staying that are lying on the hard earth. They never have power. And they don't have a bed to sleep in. I do. And I should be so grateful. But often times, I don't even think about it. I don't even thank the God who gave me the warm bed. I just sleep in it and wish a certain dip wasn't there or that it were a little softer.
Mornings are a great time to read the Bible and write in my journal. Apparently I did a lot of that while I was in Haiti. Apparently I should write a book.

The view of the mountains is only given to the daring few. I must have been one of them.

After breakfast (and a cold shower, which felt really good), this man named Ronald came to sell us the things he made. It got very hot very fast sitting in that sun.

Me, Rose, and Dixie.

Then we headed out to go feed the children at a school.

Gloria, Marie, Ginette (our translator and Haitian friend), Barbara, Elisabeth, Tarnisha, Jenny, Rose, me, Mom, Dixie

The children sitting at their desks. They love their pictures taken!

Serving the food.

Photo by Elisabeth

Ok. So I just want to make an observation: Haitians are BEAUTIFUL!

Photo by Elisabeth

Photo by Elisabeth

Photo by Elisabeth

The children sang for us and it was so sweet I wanted to give them all hugs. So I started with one. And then they all wanted a hug. Before I knew it they were all over me, kissing me, hugging me, and stroking me. They loved my hair. I love it too, so I didn't want them to pull it all out like I thought they might.... haha!

The high-schoolers were a little more shy.  But very sweet.

It is hard to capture their smiles. It is counter-cultural to smile for a picture. So I caught them unaware.

Everywhere we went, we saw the Haitians carrying stuff on their heads. I wanted to try. I think I'd probably make a mess.

This little guy was about a foot long.

After feeding the kids at the school, we went to Pastor Timothy's orphanage. He gets almost no support from America and not much more from the Haitian people, so his place is very poor. But the children are ADORABLE!

We gave the children all sorts of fun things that they loved and appreciated.

That is Pastor Timothy to the right.

Then we headed over to the HUG (Haiti Under God) orphanage. They showed us their new house, braided our hair, and sang for us. Beautiful girls.

Nahomie, braiding my hair.

Rose and Gardenia.

Elisabeth's hair.

Then we headed back to the guesthouse and ate and relaxed.

Haiti 2014: Day 1

My second missions trip. And to think! God sent me to the country across from where I was last year! Going to Haiti has changed my life. I hope God sends me there again, and soon.

We woke up bright and early on Tuesday morning to head to the airport. One sweet woman in our group woke up early enough to get ready and make cookies!

My beautiful friend, Rose, is the one who invited me.

Pretending I'm wide awake.

We landed in Port-Au-Prince and finally found all of our very many bags. Then we got our first taste of Haitian driving. It was exhilarating! There are random goats everywhere. Each one is someone's livelihood.

Photo by Elisabeth

So many of the buildings have cartoons on them. Micky Mouse, Donald Duck, Dora.

There are mountains all around, which is very different from where I was in Dominican Republic.

When we arrived at My Father's Guesthouse, we are welcomed warmly and served dinner. Everywhere we went we were welcomed warmly. It was so amazing! After dinner we enjoyed the upstairs balcony. It is beautiful and refreshing up there.

Dixie and Gloria

See all that luggage? And that's not even all of it!

The view off the balcony.

After relaxing for a while we got right back to work. Sorting through all the ministry items we had was not a small job! I'm so thankful we could bring so much the Haiti, though, and take so much less home.

Before we left we decided to make about one hundred twenty bags to give out at the ladies conference on Thursday and Friday. But of course we could not do this alone! So, we asked several ladies from several different places to help us. We thought it was a good way for people to bless the Haitians even if they could not go with us. And the women were so grateful and loved the bags. Thanks you Lord for servants that bless.

Tarnisha sorting bags

Photo by Elisabeth

We ended each day with devotions. A time to share, a time to remember, a time to relax. A good time.

Thus ends the first day. And it has been a week today since we got back.