Day 6 - Haiti Tourism

I am so excited that I have been able to see so many new sides of Haiti this trip. If you haven't noticed by now, I'm all about helping through jobs.  Giving people dignity and a sense of self worth.  Hand outs are good during a relief effort, but never long term.  It only promotes more problems down the road.

I especially love empowering the Haitians to stimulate their own economy.  Having employment means they have enough money to buy what they need for themselves.  Buying things here locally helps to employ someone else.  And the cycle continues.

One thing that is beginning to turn around in Haiti is tourism.  This island is beautiful and it has so much to offer.  Living in Florida, I understand how tourism helps our state.  The same is true in Haiti.

Just this week,  I have shopped at the Apparent Project Boutique.  I have eaten out a few times.  I have purchased from artisans in both Croix des Bouquet and the Iron Market.  And now we are spending the last two days at Club Indigo on the beach.

It is a little surreal being here.  Especially driving past the opposite extreme to get here.  But Shelley helped me to look at it differently.  This resort employs over 200 Haitians and completely supports the village just outside of it.  Where would those people be if this did not exist?  We forget that tourism creates jobs!

I think so often we forget about tourism as being a "help."  We can easily feel guilty as we lay by the pool when there are desperate people not too far away.  But if you really think about it - isn't it that way in America too?

We don't have to look far to find homeless, desperate people in the US - but we still go on vacation.   Come here, where every white person is "plugged in" doing some kind of aid and it's just not right to plop your butt on the beach.

Well, I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.  Fellowshipping and loving on those who work with Apparent Project here in Haiti - giving them time away from the day to day stuff that we really have no clue about - that's so important.  It's been a nice break from the week.  We are still doing a lot of chatting and bonding.  God is using this time as a unifier and it's awesome.  And at the same time, we are helping to stimulate the local economy! Sounds like a win/win to me!

Club Indigo

Local fisherman.  They sell live Lobster and Conch and cook it for you right on the beach!

LOVE the local sail boats

Isn't it great?  We did a whole lot of talking, laying by the pool, swimming, walking on the beach, taking naps and Pene and I even got some snorkeling in!  Can't beat that!  We ended our day with a wonderful buffet dinner in the dining room.

Two of the Master Potters, SarahJane and Scotty along with Carlin and the Clay kids!  

Zebedee, Jackson, Ember and Keziah.

Marilyn (New Director of Apparent Project), Ted Barlow (Operations Manager in Haiti) and his wife, Rebecca.  Pene and Jim Speaks (Board Members) and of course, Shelley (Founder of AP and now owner of Papillon Enterprise)  And I was taking the photo. 

We have one full day left here in Haiti.  We travel back to the Guest House tomorrow to pack and prepare to leave on Monday.  Can't believe it's almost over.  But LOTS of exciting stuff is in the works!  God is working and we can't wait to see what lies ahead!

Until next time......

Day 5 - Traveling

Day 4 - Building a Bridge

Day 3 - Journey to Croix des Bouquet

Day 2 -  A Dose of Perspective

 

Day 1 - Clear Signs That Lead the Way

 

 

Day 5 - Traveling

Today began with the sound of the generator turning on because our cistern was out of water and the pump needed to be turned on in order to refill it.

I love the sights and sounds of Haiti in the morning.  The streets are busy with all kinds of activities as people move about.  Kids are heading to school - some parents to work.  Roosters are crowing, dogs are barking.  Large trucks rumble by sending an entirely new layer of dust to settle on absolutely everything around.  Nothing is immune.

At 8:00, every morning, the children in the school close by begin singing their Praise and Worship for today.  Today was "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus."

In Creole!  Awesome as usual.

The water is finally filled so I begin packing my suitcase to head to the beach for the weekend.  I'm so excited as I have never been outside of Port Au Prince toward the country side.  I head over to the artisan house to finish packing my other suitcase with new items for the Clay County Fair.

Ted shows up about 12:30 and it's time to head out!  We made a few stops along the way. (Not all were photographed.  I try really hard to be respectful of the Haitians.)  I try to be as discrete as possible in most areas.

This is the iron market.  Both inside and outside is filled with booth after booth selling just about anything you can imagine.  It's a lot of haggling and people following you around, "Please come see my booth"  It can be overwhelming but today was fun and I bought a few nice things.

We drove by the Cathedral but it is under construction now and we could only see it from a distance.

It was finally time to head towards the beach.  What should have taken us just under 2 hours - it actually took us more than 3.

We were up close and personal with this mess for over and hour and 15 minutes.  We just kept inching a long, often times just sitting, and could never really see a problem anywhere.  It was very fun to 'people watch' although it was most warm when we were stuck with a bus on one side and an huge dump truck on the other.

I've heard about traffic like this here but had never experienced.

Until today.

1.5 - 2 miles in an hour and 15 minutes!  I have now been initiated! No wonder you don't try and cram a bunch of stuff into your one day!  Nothing to do but sit and wait. 

Ya - no one is going anywhere for a while.

Sure - come on out dude.  Not sure where you are going to go.

This guy has THE best spot!!!!

Finally we broke away and drove along the coast and by the mountains.  So beautiful!

This may have been my favorite of the day.  Just how many Haitians can we fit in a Tap/Tap?  He was going FAST too!!!

Because of our delay - we arrived just as the sun was setting. 

We arrived and checked in with just enough time for me to take this photo from my room tonight.

I CANNOT wait to see it all in daylight!!!!

All 14 of us enjoyed a wonderful buffet dinner tonight and then most everyone went swimming in the pool.  Excited to see the Caribbean tomorrow!  I may just have to go snorkeling.......

Please continue to pray for us.  While this is meant to be a relaxing time away from everything, God is still working.  We are hoping to have lots of conversations and time to bond, and be real!  We must be unified.

Until next time.........

Day 4 - Building a Bridge

Day 3 - Journey to Croix des Bouquet

Day 2 -  A Dose of Perspective

Day 1 - Clear Signs That Lead the Way

Day 4 - Building a Bridge!

One of the biggest things that our team learned while preparing for our trip to Haiti last March was that poverty is not about material things but more about the relational distance between those that have and those that don’t.

I'll let that sink in for a moment. 
 
Poverty is not about material things but more about the relational distance between those that have and those that don’t.

We learned that while reading the book, "When Helping Hurts".

So, with that in mind, we need to figure out how best to bridge that gap.  How can we close that relational distance? 

Russ contacted Shelley at the beginning of the summer and asked her how we, as a church, could best support the people of Little Clarvil for Christmas last year.  Clarvil is the little community that sits behind AP.  It's where about 60-70% of the AP artisans live.

Apparent Project is not about giving hand outs so we knew that any kind of Christmas gifts - trinkets, etc were not going to be an option.  And we didn't want it to be.  Sending things like clothes, toothbrushes, etc does more to hurt the economy than help it.  We don't want to send things that can be purchased there and in turn, help to stimulate the Haitian economy.  

So, Shelley took our request and went to Clarvil and asked THEM what they really needed.  She came back to us and said that they requested a bridge.

 The area behind the corn field is Clarvil.  You can see the trail that runs through the "ditch" and then comes on up the hill to the main road (which would be behind the photographer).  This area is prone to flash flooding and even during a mild rain this "ditch" becomes a raging river.  It's even more dangerous during Tropical Storms and Hurricane season.  

The people become trapped and cannot get to the main road.  Some attempt to cross and unfortunately drown.  Children fall in.  It becomes deadly.   

They askeded for a bridge so that they can cross safely during these times. So that they can continue to get to work - to school - to the market.  

How cool is that?  I LOVE how Shelley went to THEM and asked them what they needed.  Not trying to figure it out or assume something.  Shelley took it a step further and got a few estimates for the cost of building it.  Then she presented it to us.  We LOVED the idea!

Many would assume that we would bring a team and build the bridge ourselves but we believed that it would be best to raise the money needed, send it to Shelley and allow her to hire workers within Clarvil and purchase the materials in Haiti.  That would be the best case scenario all around.  Not only do they get a new bridge, but they will be able to do it themselves and get paid for doing it!

We presented the idea to our church and raised $5000 by December.  It was perfect because that is when the rainy season ends in Haiti and the ditch would dry up again.  It allowed them to work without being interrupted. 

Shelley hired Elinord's husband to oversee the construction.  He hired his team and got to work.

He is the smiley one in the front.

They dug the holes for the foundation by hand

They mixed and poured the foundation by hand

They brought in all the rocks - even the ladies helped

 

They used railroad tracks for the structure

 Welding everything together

Covered everything with cement and gave the rails a coat of paint.

It was completed about 2 weeks ago

And today, I got to walk on it with the artisans!  What an amazing thing!

I promise you that had there not been a ton of people around, I would have found a spot to go and just sob.  I couldn't hold back the tears.  Except for a few things in my life (like the birth of my children) I can't remember ever being more overwhelmed, humbled and yet proud at the same time.  The emotions were crazy.  

I found out that they built the bridge with the ability to expand it and make it wider for cars in the future if needed.  I also found out that they ran the city water pipe through the bridge so they don't even have to cross the bridge to get their water.  I learned that when it floods - their water supply is cut off!  Wow!  That will no longer be a problem.

The thing that I am most proud of is that THEY did it.  THEY built it the way THEY wanted and NEEDED it to be.  We didn't go in there and assume anything.  They planned well - thought ahead and built it themselves.  And they are continuing!  They started digging a ditch on their side of the bridge and laying pipe for water.  Amazing! 

The sweetest, best moment of the day was when I was back at the artisan house and Elinord came and found me.  She tapped me on the shoulder and when I turned around she said ever so carefully and sweetly (in English), "I want to thank you for the bridge."  

Again - I could have sobbed but fought to just let the tears come gently.  I gave her a huge hug and drug her to Shelley to translate - "You are so very welcome - please tell your husband thank you for building it.  He did a wonderful job."

I have never been more humbled and more proud at the same time.  I could only stand at the bridge, looking around, thinking of the rest of Hickory Grove and contemplate about how we did this.  We have made a permanent difference in this community.  We have helped to give something that will allow them to continue to grow and better themselves. And we did it the best possible way - by empowering them!  

We helped bridge that "relational distance between those that have and those that don't."

That just makes my heart soar!

Until next time......

Day 3 - Journey to Croix des Bouquet

Day 2 -  A Dose of Perspective

Day 1 - Clear Signs That Lead the Way

Day 3 - Journey to Croix des Bouquet

I LOVE Croix des Bouquet!  Each year I find new and amazing stuff created by the artisans there.  The process of creating the metal art from the 55 gallon oil drums dates back to the 1940's.  The skill has been passed down through the years and is a major stopping place for visitors to Haiti.  Shelley has been hiring them to create the Christmas Ornaments, medallions and other pieces for her jewelry. 

It was really fun to see the difference since last year.  They have really done a lot of work to improve this area and make it even more visitor friendly.

March 2012

Today!

March 2012

Today

It really is incredible to see these guys work with nothing but chisels and hammers in the dirt.  It's hard work and it creates amazing pieces.

Painted!

This is Claude.  He, along with two other Haitians, traveled with Shelley a few weeks back to help with the New York Now Gift Show.  It was his first time ever out of Haiti!  He created all of the Fundraiser Ornaments last Christmas, along with many of the other pieces as well.  He's incredibly talented!

He is the artisan that created the verse for the wall in Russell's office along with many other custom pieces. 

It was really great seeing him today!

I really it quite amazing to have connections with these artisans.  To watch their lives improve because they have a steady job.  I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing how lives are changing for the better.  And it's not about hand outs - it's about jobs.  It's about dignity.  It's about long term sustainability. 

If you are interested in ordering some metal art - check out this link!  The entire site is awesome!

Please continue to pray for us.  In between our little excursions, we really are sitting around the table at the Guest House and talking.  Brainstorming.  Bonding.  Getting to know one another and praying that God will guide and direct us.  Apparent Project was birthed from the heart of God - there is no other way to explain how it has done so well, so quickly.  God's fingerprints are all over it.  We only want to follow His lead.  Pray for wisdom, discernment, unity and a whole lot of faith to step out and obey.

We are trusting God and we know it's going to be awesome!!!

Until next time......

Day 2 - A Dose of Perspective

Day 1 - Clear Signs That Lead the Way

Day 2 - A Dose of Perspective

Today was a relaxed day.  This morning, I was able to mill around the artisan houses, visit with everyone and watch them work.  It's so fun to walk through and see familiar faces.

There are a group of four professional potters here for a few weeks doing further training with the artisans.  The work they are creating is amazing.  They pick up on things so very fast.

There was also a glass artist in the house today.  Perfect timing with the potters being here.  They are working together to make molds so that they can begin to create glass beads and medallions from recycled glass.  That is going to be incredible!

Board Members Jim and Pene had a complete tour today as well.  This is their first time here and have been amazed to see all the production.

It didn't take me long to find the seamstresses.  These ladies are so sweet.  Mdm Bessa (center) speaks English and she is the team leader.  She is incredibly talented and I just love her smile.   We worked together on Keziah's quilt last year. Today when I walked in, Kettly (right) came over and gave me a big hug and then made this HUGE fuss about the extra weight I have put on since last year.  She had to touch my waist and pat my cheeks....she was soooo happy for me.   Here in Haiti weight gain is celebrated.  You are healthy and your heart is happy.  I didn't know how to feel.

Dose of perspective number one.

I've been working really hard to get the extra weight off.  It's a constant battle for me.  I live in a culture where extra weight is frowned upon.  Here it's a good thing because you have food.  You are not starving.  Such extremes. Still trying to find a balance on that one.

After a fun day at the Artisan house, we went to lunch.  Marilyn, Jim, Pene and I, along with Ted and Rebecca Barlow.  Ted is the new Haiti Operations Manager.  Many of us have met him for the first time this week and we are enjoying getting to know he and his wife better.  We all sat and chatted for about 3 hours.  Just getting to know one another better and doing some brain storming.  Our actual Board Meeting isn't until Thursday so we could have some bonding time.  So far it is going well - please continue to pray for us.  Seems like we are all coming up with the same thoughts - it's just finding the best way to implement them.

After the meeting, Marilyn and I headed down to Shelley's house via the bridge.

It is completely amazing to see up close and personal.  I found out today that not only did they build it in such a way that it can be expanded for car traffic later if needed, but they also ran the city water pipe through the bridge so when the water comes on - it flows on their side.  I did not realize that when this floods, their water supply is cut off.  So now, they have made it so the water comes to them.  I'm so thankful that we did this in such a way that they built exactly what they wanted.  They thought ahead and planned well.

Dose of perspective number two.

The things we take for granted......a simple bridge like this is saving lives.

This is Elinord, one of the AP artisans, and her husband.  I did not catch his name as Marilyn and I were down in Little Clarvil without an interpreter.  Anyway - Elinord's husband was in charge of the bridge.

Elinord invited us to come into her house.  She had made improvements and was very happy!  They are currently building a larger house close by.  It will take a while but once it is finished, they will have what is considered to be a Middle Class home here in Haiti.  Elinord took us into her house to show us the brand new toilet.

Dose number three.

She was so proud of this toilet - even though they do not have running water.  They had built a little area for privacy and purchased a REAL toilet.

Can you imagine?  She has had to squat in the dirt her entire life and now that they have work, she was able to buy a toilet.

I was so happy for them!  They have worked so hard and slowly a house is being build.  A big house. With more than 2 rooms.  No wonder they are smiling so big.

I think it's wonderful!  All those cereal boxes, all that jewelry.  Every time you have a party, ship cereal boxes, buy jewelry - you are changing lives!  You are bringing hope and dignity.

Kettly and Elinord

I know I say this all the time, but, I really am humbled and amazed to be a part of all of this.  Lives are changing.  Not just now but for generations!

Tomorrow - Croix des Bouquets to see all the Metalwork Artisans!  Can't wait!!!!

Until next time.......

Day One - Clear Signs that Lead the Way