Day 6 - "Blessing Dolls" and High Fives

I woke up this morning to the roosters crowing and the TapTaps honking once again.  I felt 150% better and was excited to start my day.  Thanks to everyone who was praying for me.  Whatever bug I had is gone and I am thankful for that.  It was not fun.

The house was a buzz again and I began to catch up on some photos

How fun is that?  Kind of reminds me of those fun swirly suckers you get at Disney.

Zebedee, Ember and Jackson - 3 of the Clay kids.  

I have to take a moment and tell you what a joy it has been to be with these kids!  They are so well behaved and so pleasant to be around.  I would put all 4 in my suitcase if I could!  They are each funny and creative in their own way and not at all intimidated by all the people that are constantly around. I know God has great plans for each of them!

Saturday is normally a pretty slow day around here.  But, because the Sewing Team is here from Washington, the seamstresses returned for more training.  I was thankful because I missed all of that yesterday.  It was great fun to watch everyone hard at work.

 Learning the basics

Watching this team of ladies from Washington has made me think of my mom an awful lot the last few days.  This would have been something she would have thoroughly enjoyed doing.  Plus - just being around all the sewing machines brought up a lot of memories.  It's been a real joy to have them here.

 This was more of an intermediate class - they were working on Bible Covers and coin purses.

These are the advanced AP Seamstresses.  They have been sewing for AP for about a year now, making purses.  Today, the began working on an even more intricate project.

 

How cute are these????

Voo Doo is very big here in Haiti and so instead of a Voo Doo doll - these are "Blessing Dolls"

Here was the first one completed today:

I LOVE the basket on the head with all the AP beads in it and the AP necklace around it's neck!

Everyone is very excited about them.  As soon as the ladies had it all complete, they were all laughing and clapping and one of the seamstresses just kept hugging it!  So fun!

 I was introduced to this group of seamstresses today and they were told that I sold their purses and jewelry in the United States.  They all got very excited and had to give me "high fives" - it was so sweet.  I was sort of taken back by their response.  It brought tears to my eyes and I had to leave the room.


Selling their stuff is easy.  Sure it takes a little effort to set up and tear down for a party and such but it sells itself.  I don't have to work that hard at it.  Not really.

I have watched these people work all week.  I have tried to roll beads myself.  I hate sewing.  I feel like they are the ones that need the "high fives" and the praises.  They are working so hard to change their lives - to be able to pay for an education - to feed themselves and their children.  They have such dignity.  They amaze me.

Also today, I ventured into the "Hook Room".  Basically it's the storage room for all of the artisans jewelry.  Once it passes inspection with Quality Control, it goes into this room and each artisan has their own hook.  When they get shipped to the U.S. - they get pulled from this room.  It was pretty awesome!

 

Pretty cool, huh?  I will go through here tomorrow and pack up stuff to bring home to sell.  

Can't wait!!!!

While walking around, I stopped and took a photo of the cooks!  These ladies work hard everyday to prepare lunch for all of the artisans in the house.  And each day they make fresh juice!  It is so yummy!  I don't think I ever want to buy anything bottled again!  Each day it has been something different.  Orange/Mango, Passion-fruit - they peel the fruit, mash it, add a little sugar and water and it's heavenly!  Their food is amazing as well!

I did manage to get some work done myself today.  I completed the larger signs for the Boutique.

So very excited to be able to do this.  I get to leave a little "Thank you" behind.

Such an honor.

Well, I finished off my day relaxing on the front porch with the ladies, listening to their stories about working with the seamstresses today.

It was raining in the mountains and a cool breeze brushed across the porch.  Corrigan made a wonderful dinner for us yet again.  We sat and chatted about Haiti.  About the hardships, about the good that is happening, and again about their resilience.  Despite what people think - and what the media tells you - Haitians are happy people.  This is their life - they don't know any different.  They work hard to make it better - but not what we Americans think is "better."  They don't necessarily want wealth or material things.  They just want their basic needs.  Food, clothing, shelter.  

You know - that's all God ever promised us - our basic needs. 

Who are WE to say what that looks like?

I think we have a lot to learn from them.

Until tomorrow.......