Day 7 - Croix de Boquet

What a glorious sunrise we had again this morning!

Sunday brought a day of rest here in Haiti - at least from making jewelry.  I got up this morning, spent some time with the Lord and prepared myself for our adventure to Croix de Boquet.  It's an artisan village about 12 miles from here where all of the metal workers live and sell their work.

 Loading up in Emanuel's TapTap

I loved this picture of Shelley

We had a bumpy, stop and go ride across town.  We traveled back down to and past the airport.  It's only 12 miles but it takes about 20 - 25 minutes.  On a weekday, it takes 2 hours because of traffic.

The way the TapTap is built - it's very difficult to see out of.  This is probably a good thing.  Doesn't give anyone a chance to be a back seat driver.  You have no idea where you are or what's coming at you.  Normally the fact of 10 or more people crammed into the back of a small pickup truck, with no seat belts, and only a small bar to hold on to while the driver starts and stops and honks and swerves around potholes, motorcycles and other vehicles - would make me nervous.  But not today, my friends!  Actually - it was kind of fun! Why I had complete trust in Emanuel I do not know - but I did and was able to relax and enjoy the adventure of it.

It was really eye opening to see more of Port au Prince today.  Because I couldn't see very well out of the TapTap and I needed to be discrete in my picture taking - I just pointed my camera randomly and took photos as we were driving.  I didn't know exactly what I was getting until I uploaded them to Facebook. 

 People find wherever they can to make their own little store

Another TapTap

We arrived in Croix de Boquet around noon and Shelley took us to one of the houses where she purchases many things for the ApParent Project and MarketHaiti.com.  It was so much fun - even before we completely arrived, you could begin to hear the tapping sounds of the men working.

55 gallon oil drums - flattened out and ready to be made into art

 If you look carefully at the large piece in the back - you can see the patterns drawn on the metal.  The top and bottom of the drum is used for the large round pieces.

 

Most of the pieces have templates - some we saw being drawn and designed free hand.

Hammering out the design

 Hammering out the fine details

Varnishing the finished product

 Some are painted

 These guys were great!  So very nice.  No one was pushy at all.  They were all eager for you to see their art.  This area that we went to is it's own village.  The road stretched on and on - we only entered about 12 different shops today and Shelley said we didn't even cover an eigth of what is there.  Most of them live in or behind their shop.

Each was unique - I can't even imagine how much these chairs weigh!  

 This man makes the "Hands Around Haiti" pieces - I sold a few of them at Christmas time

 

They were very kind and allowed us to take photos. Some knew a little English.  This is a major tourist area and recently Macy's has been buying from them.  Everyone was so nice.  One man said to me, "Come and see my work - today my home is your home."  His work was beautiful! The patience this takes - and the meticulous detail!

 Small Nativity scenes drying in the sun.  I sold some of these at Christmas as well.

 These were much larger.  Notice the Noah's Ark on the top - nativity in the center and then the bottom one is the birth, baptism and crucifixion. Very cool.

I liked this one a lot - it's 3-D!  But I don't think it would fit in my suitcase.

We were so thankful that Shelley brought us along on her shopping trip today.  It was exciting to see other Haitians working so hard at something so beautiful and knowing that, like the jewelry, it was helping them take care of their families.

 Public Market Place - shops line both sides of the street.  

  I love this Barber Shop.

The drive back home was just as much of an adventure.  Haiti is such a colorful place! There are MANY more photos on my Facebook page.  I couldn't put all of them on here so I just chose my favorites.  

On the way back, Rodney - one of the artisans - asked if we would like to see his home.  He lives in a Tent City just a few blocks from ApParent Project with his mother, brothers and sisters.  His mother, Rose, also works for AP.

 I snapped this photo before we got out of the TapTap - but didn't take any others.

Except for this one - it was taken with permission.  This is Rodney's family. He is on the right in the gray T-Shirt and his mother, Rose, is behind him.  These are his brothers and sisters.  Amazing how clean they are for living in a tent, huh?  Haitians are very clean people - in spite of their living situations. Rodney's family has been here now for 2 years - since the earthquake.  This particular Tent City is home to over 5000 people.  All of which had homes before the earthquake.

I have a lady at my church who continues to be drawn to Rodney's jewelry.  She discovered that each piece she was purchasing belonged to him.  So, now she deliberately looks for his tag.  I told him that today and his face just lit up - he was so excited!  This afternoon he stopped by the artisan house with a bag of jewelry for me to bring to sell for him.  I can't wait!

You know, I was thinking today as we were driving around and seeing all the tents and the broken buildings, how quickly and easily it could become so overwhelming. So heart breaking.  I was so worried that I was going to come here and wind up in a fetal position in a corner somewhere, bawling my eyes out and that Shelley and Corrigan were going to think I had lost it! (And I'm a natural crier - so that wasn't a crazy thought!)  But that has not been the case.  Yes - this place is a tragic reality, but I feel like the Lord had prepared me so thoroughly for this week.  I have followed Shelley and Corrigan's blog and Facebook pages, I've read other blogs from other full time missionaries here. They have all been honest and upfront with the harsh reality of Haiti.  So I came in expecting that.  Nothing really surprised me this week - except maybe my comfort level.  So opposite of what I expected from myself.  God is good.

I think it's one thing when you come to a country like this and you feel a sense of injustice and pity and you want to fix everything right now.  I think it's different when you come in knowing that you are already part of the solution.  You are already helping.  You don't have this panic of "What can I do to change this?" - You already KNOW that you are.  Change isn't going to happen overnight.  It takes lots of people like the Clays coming in and being willing to stay for the LONG term.  To build relationships, to learn the culture, to model true Christianity.  And it takes lots of people back home supporting them, loving them, praying for them.  It takes us taking the time out of our crazy schedules to have a jewelry party and spread the word. 

Coming here and experiencing everything first hand this week has only solidified the past year and a half that I have spent packing cereal boxes and selling jewelry.  It has confirmed that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing with the exact group of people.  I think the major tears for me will be tomorrow when I have to leave this place and these wonderful people - and leave part of me behind.