Day 7 - The Best and the Worst of Haiti

I'm sitting here on my bed in Haiti.  All the other girls in my room are asleep.  I've packed up all my belongings, my purchases and the seven suitcases of jewelry for the fair.  I don't want to go to sleep because that means that 8:00 will come all the sooner.

I have a whole lot of crazy emotions going on inside of me tonight.  I long to be home and see my Anne Girl again - but I love this place too.  This week has been very different.  Having a team here means many more distractions for me so I haven't been processing as deeply.  But I know that it will all come.  Just because I return home, doesn't mean that my trip is over.  There are still so many things that will sink in and become real as I re-enter my culture.

Today we spent the morning being tourists.  Shelley took us downtown to see the damage from the earthquake.  Our first stop was the National Cathedral.  I had seen pictures before, but to see it up close was really crazy.  Such a huge place brought down to nothing.

When we got out of the TapTap, we were immediately surrounded by people.  Each picking us off one by one and asking for food - or money - and kind of handouts.  The women had babies, the men would reach inside the TapTap.  It was overwhelming.  We only stayed a few minutes and went on to our next destination.

We spent time at the Market Place downtown.  Kind of similar to the Straw Market in the Bahama's only a little more intimidating.  It was fun to see all the different things they sell.  Jarod negotiated with a guy for a wooden plaque with the Haiti crest on it. It was in interesting experience.

When we got done shopping at the Market, Shelley had us drive through the poorest parts of Port-au-Prince.  It will forever be in my mind.  After spending all week in the community around AP and spending time with the people, seeing how they live.  And then driving through the slums.  I can't even begin to explain how it makes the artisans look rich.  God has once again confirmed that Apparent Project is working and they are doing it right!

When we finished downtown, we headed up into the mountains.  What an absolutely beautiful piece of Haiti.

Love how they just build their house on top of each other all the way up the mountain.

These houses are all gray now, but they have begun to paint them.  Soon the mountainside will look like this:

How awesome is that?  Can't wait to see it all completed.  So beautiful.

After our drive through the mountains, we went to the Hotel Montana for lunch.  This Hotel was were many Americans were staying during the earthquake.  It was seven stories high and collapsed into a pile of rubble, killing hundreds of people.  They had a small memorial area set up and I couldn't help but be overcome by emotion when I walked through it. Such destruction and absolute devastation in an instant.

 In the memory garden with all the houses on the mountainside.

 The only thing left standing in the Hotel was the restaurant and pool.

We stopped and ate lunch and looked out at our gorgeous view.

So now we sit on the top of a mountain in a very "normal" restaurant, that is high above the, poor, the stench, the struggle.  What do you do with all of that?

Today the very best of Haiti and the very worst of Haiti were revealed to us.  Such extremes sitting right next to each other.   I asked the group later if they felt guilty while were in such a nice place after just having driven through the slums.  At first they said no - but that answer disturbed them.  Then someone explained - that's what we do every day.  We ignore those in need around us and just move on to the next thing.  We have an agenda and nothing can get in the way of that.  Maybe the poverty in America is very different - but we still ignore it.  We still drive right by and think nothing of it.

Apparent Project has proven to us that something CAN be done.  And it's not food-stamps or welfare.  

It's jobs.

It's giving people back their dignity by offering them a way to sustain themselves on their own.

It's investing in people - in relationships.

It's getting dirty - getting hurt.  

Giving up time, money and energy to make it happen.

It's love.

Apparent Project is a perfect model and the community we were in all week is proof!  Those houses we painted are 150 times better than anything we saw in the slums.  And the people are happy and proud!  We had helpers at each house we painted this week.  They didn't just want it done for them.  They appreciated the help but they jumped right in as well.  So when it was all said and done - they took more pride in it than we did.  That's what matters.

People

Relationships

Bridging the gap between us.

Our big question this week - How can we take this back as a roll model in our own community?  What can we do, in our culture, to invest in people. Outside of the normal food pantries and clothes closets.  Russell is attending a Jobs for Life seminar in a few weeks and we will learn more about that.  We are thrilled to see what God is going to do with all of this in the coming months and years as we "Breathe Life" into Green Cove Springs.

Once again, I feel as though this trip to Haiti is a stepping stone to something even bigger.  I can't wait to see what that is. 

Until then, we are all heading home in the morning, celebrating the resurrection on Sunday and then I'm focusing on the Fair!  I cannot wait to introduce Apparent Project to a WHOLE BUNCH of new people!!!!!!  Let's continue to create jobs and change lives!!!!

Until next time.......


Day 6 - God is Already Here

Day 5 - Celebrating Life

Day 4 - Bel Ayiti

Day 3 - Paint!

Day 2 - Getting Out in the Community

Day 1 - Getting Here

Day 6 - God is Already Here

Today was a little more laid back than it has been.  Tomorrow begins the Easter Holiday here in Haiti so the artisans will have the day off.  We decided to spend our day around the house, seeing how everything works.

My morning began with this sight.  We try to respect the Haitians by not just randomly photographing them on the street.  These ladies were a few blocks down the street and on the other side of a tree.  Gotta love that zoom lens.  I just love this picture - it's just Haiti.

We had a wonderful rain last night.  Crazy though.  The rain comes in, settles all the dust and makes everything fresh again.  But I can't help wonder about the lovely people not too far from where I sit.  The roads become rivers with a small rain shower and things can become very dangerous for them.  Hard to wrap your mind around.

A five minute walk from the Guest House and we are at Apparent Project.  So very excited to share this with Russell.  Love that he is here with me this week.

Look Hickory Grove!  Our boxes!!!!  How exciting is that?

Their box room looks like ours.

Can you see the bead she is rolling?  She is rolling it on a needle!!!!  They are so tiny!  Stuck to the side of the bowl - all are hand rolled.  NUTS!!!

Rick installed some locks for Shelley, while I helped with Payroll.  I love doing that.  It is so awesome to see the names on that paper and how much to put in each envelope.  

Some of the others in the group tried throwing clay - 

Mike

Chey

Donna 

All said it was a lot harder than it looks.  The stuff these artisans are making is absolutely amazing and they just keep getting better and better!

Mdm Bessa and her team still working on the quilt for Keziah's room.

LOVE this!  I'm bringing one home!

Haiti!!!

After lunch, Elysia and I went back to AP to pack up all the stuff we are bringing back for the fair.  Goodness - we have LOTS!  Can't wait to see what God is going to do.  Ten days at the Clay County Fair - thousands of people!  It's going to be awesome!!!!!

While we were packing, several others decided to hike up the hill behind the houses that they had been painting all week.  Such a beautiful place.

Apparent Project from the hill

This is Watson.  He is 14 and he and Jarod have become good friends this week.

Jarod loved going into the community and meeting all the people.

This beautiful country will change your life.  I came last year and have never been the same.  God made it clear that Jarod was to come with me this time and I have been nervous about it but also feeling like God was going to do something big in his life.

Tonight we all sat around the table after dinner and shared about our week.  Jarod spoke up and shared - quite passionately - about how "we in America are poor.  Not these people.  They may not have "stuff" - but they love each other - they care for each other - they help each other.  They have a sense of community here that we don't have. " 

As most mothers, I sat at the table and cried.  My prayers had been answered.  He gets it.  God has been working in his tender heart this week in a way that I think we are still yet to see. But I have to say that I sit here in tears being so proud of my son and the way that he has stepped up and been a part of our team this week.  The way that he has allowed his heart to be teachable.  I know he's only 13 and he will struggle in this as he steps back into the teenage culture in America.  But I also know that God is in his heart and has been very real to him this week. 

Why is Haiti the way that it is?  Maybe one of the reasons is to open our eyes.  To cause us to look at ourselves. To make us aware of something/someone outside of ourselves.  To cause us to see Him.  Thousands of people come to Haiti each year to "bring God" --- to share Christ with these "poor" people.  Crazy thing is - God is already here.  He is in this place.  He's been here the entire time and He is working!  He is well aware of the situation.  He loves these people more than we ever could.  I think we have more to learn from Haiti than we ever could offer them.  If we would only open our eyes.

Until tomorrow......


Day 5 -Celebrating Life

Day 4 -Bel Ayiti

Day 3 - Paint!

Day 2 - Getting Out in the Community

Day 1 - Getting Here

Day 5 - Celebrating Life

Today was a really great day.  Part of the team went back down and painted a third house in the community.  This one was yellow.  I didn't make it down to take photos yet as I was helping Shelley with payroll envelopes.

This is so exciting to me.  When you have a party and keep track of all of your sales and then send everything back to WA, they record everything and email the amounts to Shelley so the artisans can get paid.  I got to help with that process today.  Shelley gave me a pile of envelopes and the list of names.  I wrote all the names on the envelopes along with the amount they earned on the inside flap.  It's exciting to see it all come full circle on payday. 

When I finished that, I went out and helped Donna a little bit with her CPR class.  A lot of Haitians do not have basic emergency skills.  Many people could be saved if more of them knew and undersood some of these skills.

She did awesome!  She had an interpreter - Wilson - and she just dove right in.  She taught the Team Leaders basic adult, child and infant CPR as well as what to do if someone is choking.

They were such great students and were really interested.  They all got to practice and picked it up really quickly.  I was her first "dummy" but soon Shelley had Rico take over.

We heard many stories of people dying because of an emergency such as choking, but no one knew what to do.  So many times they will just stand around the person not knowing what to do. This was so helpful today and we hope that one day, their having this knowledge will save lives.

        Shelley practiced as well.                                                   Pierre learning CPR on an infant

This is Kettly - one of the seamstresses learning from Donna

 Love Rick's painted nose!  And Donna's painted pants.               Donna snuck my camera.

After lunch, we headed back over to Shelley's house to do some painting.  It's just about ready to move in.  Keziah's room is coming along great but you will have to wait - just like Keziah.

One of the highlights today was celebrating Juvenson's 14th birthday.  He is a true orphan - both parents were killed in the earthquake and he lives with relatives.  Shelley emailed me before I came and asked if we could put some clothes together for him.  Our team jumped on it and tonight we had he and Peterson over for dinner.  Which, by the way, was completely Haitian tonight.  Sinese made it and it was awesome!!!

Anyway - I digress.....

Our Haitian dinner!

Peterson and Donna hanging out a bit.

Look at that smile.  He is a little shy but he enjoyed this.  Shelley thinks he's never had a party before.  We gave him a small suitcase (those are a big item over here as it allows them to keep their clothes in something in their tents), underwear, socks, a few new outfits and some new shoes.

When all was said and done, he was so overwhelmed that he cried.  Sweet kid.  He's not working directly for AP right now but Shelley gave him several different jobs cleaning her new house in order to earn some money this week.  He and Peterson have done a great job and were so proud today that they had earned enough money to not have to go to the feeding program but they went and bought lunch.

The rest of the evening, many of us sat around and chatted with Corrigan.  It was nice catching up with him and allowing my team to hear more about Haiti and it's culture. 

So today - we celebrated life here on this beautiful island.  Helping teach the artisans CPR and helping Juvenson have a memorable birthday!  What a difficult life he has had so far but it was awesome to give him our love tonight.

Until tomorrow.......

Day 4 - Bel Ayiti

Day 3 - Paint!

Day 2 - Getting Out in the Community

Day 1 - Getting Here

Day 4 - Bel Ayiti

This is such a different trip for me than the last time.  During my last visit - I NEVER left the Apparent Project house except to go to the metal works market and to the airport.  Now that the Guest House is about a five minute walk from AP, we are out walking in the community all the time.  And we are painting houses, buying from the drink vendors - really soaking in all around us.  It's been awesome!

We all separated today.  Each had different jobs to do.  At first the group went over and quickly put a final coat of paint on Keziah's room so Zoe and Joy could get started on the details.  Then Rick, Jarod, Russell, Mike, Chey and Donna headed back into the community to paint Elimern's house.  She is a single mother of three who works at AP.

 View of yesterday's house from AP  (green in very center)

Elysia and I stayed at AP to help get the sewing ladies started on the quilt for Keziah's room.

Mdm. Bessa is awesome!  Shelley gave her instructions and she went right to work!  With such precision and care.  She is one of the top seamstresses and comes up with all the awesome designs for the purses!

While she got started, I went around chatting with artisans and getting photos.

This is Pierre - He runs the boutique for Shelley and does an awesome job.  There are so many people that come to shop now and he takes great pride in keeping everything neat and organized.  He is a great help to Shelley.  He was excited to know I brought my Calligraphy pens again and is already making a list for me so I can update some of the signs.  I can't wait!

The house was soooo busy today!  People working everywhere!  Cutting, rolling, designing.  So awesome.  I enjoyed seeing many familiar faces!

Shelley invited Elysia and I to ride with her to the grocery store in Petionville.  Of course, I jumped at the chance to see more of Haiti.

Before we left, we headed down to see how the group was doing on Elimern's house.

They had lots of helpers today!  Everyone comes to hang out, see what we're doing and even help!

The little man from yesterday's house was back and he helped the entire time!  The boy in the yellow by Jarod is Watson.  He is 14 and he and Jarod became fast friends.  When they were finished with their jobs, Watson took Jarod up the hill, showed him around a little more and they played soccer together.  He told Jarod he "plays good for an American!"  Ha!

Marc was back helping as well.  He has been our translator while we are here and he's awesome.  Very helpful and fun to be around.

 Richard was back today with friends.

 Loved this picture of Donna standing on the block.  Maybe Rick needed one as well!

Elysia and I headed back up to meet Shelley to go to the store.  But first we stopped to see how the quilt was coming.

She had to cut twenty 12 x 12 inch squares out of four different fabrics.  She already had three finished!

Next stop - The Caribbean SuperMarket!

Apart from the armed guards out front, all the signs being in Creole, the prices being in Gourdes and it being smaller - it was just like our Publix!  Clean, beautiful and full of everything you could need.  Of course I kept asking Shelley to give me the price in the U.S. dollar and some things were pricey - but hey -- Your on an island!  Everything is imported.  I get it. 

I didn't take any photos inside but I did buy Rebo Coffee and Haitian Peanut Butter to take home.  It was so nice getting to see this side of Haiti as well.  Not everything is horrible and things continue to improve since the earthquake.

 We came back and checked on Mdm. Bessa - she is awesome!!!!  Can't wait to see this all finished!

The other group finished Elimern's house!  So colorful!  They did a great job.

After a short break, we headed back over to Shelley's new house to begin painting her living room.

I think Rick misunderstood that it was to go on the walls.

 We are so excited to help with this.  Shelley deals will so much every day and by the end of it, she's tired.  Helping her to get this ready to move in makes me so happy!

Juvenson (L) and Peterson (R) hung out with us.  Tomorrow is Juvenson's 14th birthday.  His parents died in the earthquake and he lives with relatives.  Shelley doesn't think he's ever had a little birthday party so she asked us to bring a few things for him.  Elysia and I picked up a cake at the store and these two are coming over tonight for dinner and a celebration.  We are so excited to do this for him!  Can't wait to show you pics!

Love this pic of Jarod with Jackson, Zebedee and Ember.  They were on the balcony.  Jarod enjoyed hanging out with them while we were working in the house.

Jarod is doing so well.  I am so very proud of him.  He's really stepping up and helping and he is enjoying the kids here so much.  They just flock to him.

This was our view as we walked back to the Guest House for dinner.  Such a beautiful place.

Bel Ayiti - You have my heart!

Until tomorrow........

Day 3  - Paint!

Day 2 - Getting out in the Community

Day 1 - Getting Here