When I was here in February, the master potters were here teaching them. Now, just a few months later - they are teaching others! They have been making pottery for about 2 1/2 years now and really only have about 6 weeks of training. They are amazing!!!
Stephanie makes the whole thing look so easy!!!!
Marilyn arrived this morning and we rode with her and Z into town. Erin and Joyce got a taste of Haiti traffic as well as an Office Store and the Caribbean Market. (Grocery store - very similar to any nice American store except for the armed guards out front)
We also stopped at the Fruit Market. Z shops here for the fruit for the smoothie bar at the Clay Cafe!
I am always amazed at what the ladies carry around on their heads.
We rested this afternoon and let Marilyn get settled in then we went to "The View" for dinner. This was a new restaurant for me. So very nice - and it does have a great view of all of the houses they are painting on the side of the mountain!
Isn't that so cool?
You can tell that they still have soooo many to do!
Joyce and Erin are doing so great! Such troopers!
I'm excited that they get to see so many different sides of Haiti. Such a beautiful country with such hope and promise. God is doing amazing things here. Everything is growing and changing. Each time I come, something is different. But most importantly, the people are different. Or at least a lot of them that work for Shelley. She is making such a difference! And once that clicks with the people she works with - I honestly believe it will turn this country upside down.
Pray for her. What she does day in and day out is seriously hard. It's exhausting. Physically - Spiritually and Emotionally. And often it's thankless. You can't change a person's (let alone a community's) way of thinking overnight. It takes time. It takes lots of patience. Lots of rejection. Lots of hurt. It takes lots of trial and error. And then it takes even more time.
For every success story - there are so many more frustrations. Many times it's hard to remember the successes when you continue to be surrounded by such great need. She gets knocked down - overwhelmed - done. And somehow she gets up and keeps on going. Knowing that the calling within her is greater than anything else. Knowing that she will get knocked down again. That it will never be easy. She always finds that strength and passion to continue. And even though she can't always see it - she is gaining strength and healing and the people around her are slowly changing and growing.
And there is always a glimmer of hope and encouragement that comes at the right time. That little something that reminds her that what she is doing IS making a difference in the life of one person.
"Today was another awakening moment for me. I am becoming more aware of who I am and my purpose here in Haiti and on Mother Earth..... I love my people and my country but they both need a mental and spiritual shaking in order to survive any longer. No amount of money can change Haiti or its people. We need a new way of thinking mentally and spiritually. A new way of application and problem solving...and its starts with each of us that knows better or a little more to reach out and help & inspire. Each one teach one!!!!! Especially the youths and those that want to find a better way. Yahweh is showing us here is the answer/way but we don't know the proper way to apply it.
I am proud and happy to be apart of a group of people that's all about helping the next man/woman improve themselves in all ways possible. A group of people that knows the importance of caring, educating and sharing God's love with all. That group of people are Apparent Project, Papillon Enterprise, and all those that contributes and supports what we do.
The Time Is Now!!!!
Blessings from a journeyman......"
This whole thing was birthed in God's heart. He continues to grow it and bless it - and grow and change people in the process for the better. Including Shelley. Sometimes growth is hard. It's painful. But it's necessary for all of us.
As an outsider looking in and visiting every once in a while - it's a beautiful thing to behold.
Until tomorrow.......
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