I Made It!

Well, I made it!  My flights were pretty much uneventful today and I arrived in Port au Prince around 12:30.

I took this photo as we were approaching Haiti today. Such a beautiful island.

This was my first glimpse of the housing.  It was a bit overwhelming at first - but mostly just a reality.  Of course, I had seen pictures myself, but it was the first thing I saw as we were landing.  I'll be honest and let you know I got a bit teary eyed - but was able to get it together.  After all, I had a busy airport to get through and I had to find Shelley.

Novens and Emanuel were with Shelley to pick me up - along with her son, Zebedee. Emanuel has his own taptap (taxi) so that was fun.  The traffic here is crazy - everyone kind of does their own thing and honks at each other along the way.  

It didn't take us long to arrive at ApParent Project.  Shelley immediately gave me a complete tour.  This place is amazing!  The artisans work in a 3 story house.  So many were here working away.  Only a few know English, so Shelley would introduce me and I would just smile and nod a lot.

Shelley's family lives in a house directly next to the Artisan Center.  They have a great set up here. I have a room to myself on the 3rd floor of the artisan center.  With the open windows and a fan going, it's wonderfully pleasant tonight.  I think I will sleep well.

 

This is the view from my windows.  Shelley took me on a walk through this village.  About 60 - 70% of the artisans live here.  

I met several of the artisans and I got to go inside a few homes that AP built and also walked through a tent city. Very cool. They may be poor but they take such pride in their homes - wooden, concrete or tent. One lady had a cute little flower garden outside of hers.  Like I said earlier, I got a little teary eyed on the plane when I saw the shacks for the first time but I've been fine the rest of the time. And there was something about walking through their homes - meeting them - being introduced - recognizing the names from the tags. I didn't have pity for them like I thought I would. More like respect.  I was honored to be there.  What they had was well taken care of.  They welcomed me into their tiny homes - with 2 small beds, where 10 people may sleep.  It was amazing.

The Haitians are a little leary of having their photos taken by strangers so I left my camera back at the house.  But the images are forever in my mind.

I spent the rest of my evening getting to know Shelley and Corrigan.  I have to say - I just LOVE them!  Such an amazing couple - God has done and continues to do incredible things in and through them.  I am so very thankful to be here.

 Tomorrow I'm supposed to work with a few English speaking artisans and teach them how to do Calligraphy.  Only a few artisans can even read - most are illiterate. 

Well - I'm off for tonight.  I only had 3 hours of sleep last night and it's been a long and exciting day.  Thanks so much for your prayers.  The most wonderful thing about today is that I have sensed God's presence - I have had such a peace all day and I feel so comfortable and welcome here.

God is good.