Day 10 - Saying Goodbye

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Exactly a week ago I was in the air somewhere between Port au Prince and New York City.  I'm sure I was asleep because I slept most of the way.  The adrenaline that had been pumping through me for 9 days was slowly diminishing, I was relaxed knowing that soon I'd be home and I was more than ready to give my two teenage son's a big hug.  I have missed them.  I think all of us were ready to go home.  We all had loved one we needed to give hugs to - and get hugs from.  But, leaving is bittersweet.

Even after a week it's hard for me to put the emotions of leaving Haiti into perspective, little lone words.  But, I'm going to try.

Saturday, October 29. 2016 - A Reflection

When I left my home late the night of October 19th I left with my boss, Mike, my boyfriend, Jeff, and my son's friend, Jaiden.  I was going to spend a week with 9 others whom I've meet once when we packed and had some training a few days before. Strangers.  Now, as I am crawling out of my bunk for the last time I look around at the 5 other ladies (Sue, Clancey, Donna, Brenda and Ann) in our small room.  Each of them unique, each of them God loving women and each now my sister.  I've come to love and respect each of them and am sad to be leaving them today.  I know we will stay in touch, but this life, this feeling, this relationship here can not be duplicated.

As with all mornings everyone slowly trickles out of their bunks and out onto the veranda.  We are all doing some last minute packing. The large totes we brought were full of medical supplies, games, toys, snacks for the orphans and other important items when we arrived. All have been distributed with love in our hearts and we will never forget the smiles on the faces of the Haitians as we handed them the things within.  Now they are full of souvenirs, gifts and personal items to help make our carry-on lighter.  In some cases, we put our carry-on right in the totes.

It's early - 6:30 a.m. - so no official breakfast today.  We did buy some delicious cinnamon raisin bread at the Baptist Mission yesterday and we are all grabbing a slice or two as we bustle around getting ready.  I take a minute to sit and relax in the porch-like swing and look around one last time.  Besides Mike, Jeff and Jaiden I realize that Jon, Jeff F and Rick have all become like brothers to me as well.  I think to myself that I don't have to say goodbye yet to this new family.  But soon, the time will be here.

We load our stuff into our Tap Tap and say goodbye to Mike.  He will be staying with his Haitian Family for a few more days.  We take a quick trip to the airport and say goodbye to Jean.  He was gracious enough to drive us himself this morning.  As we unload we are surrounded by gentleman offering to help us with our things.  This is their job and how they make a living and feed their family, but they are pesky.  It isn't our intention to hire any of them, but we give in and allow one gentleman to help us.  His advice is useful and I am thankful we changed our minds as I think it saved us a lot of time.  At the check-in counter I give the lady all of our passports at once.  We've found this is the easiest way to check our group in.  Within 15 minutes all our totes are checked and we have passports and tickets in hand.  We don't have a whole lot of time so we don't get to check out the shops at the airport but, I think it's OK.  We are all tired.  After going through three separate security checks we finally are able to board the plane.  A few of our team have volunteered to sit in the emergency exit seats so we are not all together.  But, it's not an issue.  We are all quiet as we relax and reflect on our journey.

The flight was uneventful, we made it through immigration, got our totes and made it through customs with no issues at all.  The group from Delaware contacted their van driver to come pick them up and the group from Vestal met up with their driver, Nancy, just outside of customs.  Sue S was headed in a complete opposite direction and would be off on her own to get home.  It was time to say goodbye.  They were quick. Whether it was because we were all anxious to get home or because making it quick was easier - it didn't matter.

The Delaware crew had a flat tire on the way home which AAA helped to remedy.  The Vestal crew stopped for a quick dinner but otherwise had quiet chat or slept for their ride.  Everyone got back safe.

I have been in touch with most of my teammates this week in some form.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about them, or pray for them.  I know several have prayed for me this week.  It may be months or even years, but I know I will see each of them again.  The things we endured, the memories we made and emotions we shared will always keep us together even when we are far apart.  It is a bond that, no matter how much time elapses, will become strong again when two or more of us gather together again.

As for Haiti... many of us have been several times and most of us will most likely go back again.  For those who went for the first time I am very confident they too will go back.  I pray that for each of us the experience will forever change us for the better.  That we look at the world differently, look at our lives differently, appreciate the things that we have and even more so maybe, the things that we don't have.

For me, Haiti will forever be in my heart.

                                                              Until we meet again...

           
                                      
Linda

Day 9 - A History Lesson

Friday, October 28, 2016

Today the team took the time to learn a bit more about Haitian culture and history.  We visited Mupanah - the Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien .No pics were allowed inside and I had to laugh at the sign that listed the symbols for No Guns just before the sign for No Cameras. The displays were interesting and our tour guide provided the historical background and details needed. I don't think any of us will ever look at Columbus the same way. Exhibits also documented the conditions endured during slavery that eventually led to a revolt and formation of the first independent black republic in the world, to be known as Haiti, in 1804,  More modern history is explained and there is a revolving display of Haitian art.

                                           

 

Then we took the long tap tap ride up the mountain to the Baptist Mission. It was overcast but we enjoyed some lunch at their open air restaurant with a view. There was a gift shop featuring artisan works. We toured the grounds, their museum and a small zoo. While used to seeing people carrying loads of merchandise on their heads, a museum photo of a woman carrying a huge pile baskets must be some sort of record.

                                                        

                                                       

 ~ Although, for me, on our trip, seeing a man with a huge basket filled with live chickens of every color on his head was pretty impressive. The Mission also runs a school and a clinic. On the way back down we stopped at the look-out but again our views were limited due to the clouds. 

                                

Before returning to the guest house we went to Laphare orphanage. We did a craft and applied temporary tattoos which the kids loved. We played with a parachute, did the hokey-pokey and passed the hot potato. The kids were so much fun but it was soon time to leave. It was a great way to end our service.

Our final night together was celebrated at a local restaurant with the team, Jean Fils-Amie (Director of Development for Healing Haiti) and Mike's friends and family. Great lobster and music! We presented gifts to Rev. Willis and Rev.Jeffrey in honor of Pastor Appreciation month. Time for some final packing and sleep. We leave early in the morning. How to say goodbye???

Day 8 - Simple Pleasures

Thursday, October 27, 2016

One of our team members was still a bit under the weather so another stayed back with her at the guest house while the rest of us delivered water to neighborhoods in Cite Soleil. Again we were greeted by children, some asking to be held and some wanting their photo taken, while many lined up to fill and carry their buckets. Again many smiled and laughed as they enjoyed catching water under the truck or taking a bath from a bucket or basin at the side of the dirt road. Such joy found in simple pleasures.  

The experience took on new meaning for me after our recent visit with Kiki at Grace Village. She told us that about 40% of the children in Cite Soleil are restavek, Simply put, restaveks are child slaves. They are used as unpaid domestic help or put out to work at very young ages. Their lives are harsh and they rarely attend school. I knew about restaveks but had no idea that their numbers were so staggering. So as I watched the kids around me - many as young as 5 or 6 struggling to carry these 5 gallon buckets - I wondered who among them were living this existence. 

One boy had an infected knee and asked if we could help. I used the first aid kit to put on some antibiotic ointment and a bandaid and the word quickly spread. Soon there was a line of kids with boo-boos needing bandaids. Then Ann found a little girl with a large sliver in her foot and with the help of Jim Kells it was safely removed. It was quite the spectacle as everyone gathered around to watch. In one way it seemed silly to worry so much about a sliver when their needs were so much greater but, in another way, infection is a real possibility in that environment so it may have been a real help ... and, in any event, the care and attention shown surely made a difference to her that day.  

                                                         

                                               

Nearby we stopped at a mission called the Haitian Initiative. They work with children in Cite Soleil using soccer as a catalyst to motivate youth to stay in school. Each child must show proof of attendance to participate. Through a sponsorship program, the children are provided food, English lessons, soccer equipment,and coaching.They also concentrate on developing leadership and social skills necessary for teamwork on the field and community engagement beyond the field.

After a long and dirty day, rather than wait in line for our cold showers, we opted to go to a nearby hotel that allows others to use the pool for a small fee. A cool dip. some hot pizza and a cold soda refreshed and renewed us. We returned to the guest house for fellowship with another team, enjoying guitars and singing and especially Grace's beautiful voice. 

Sue S

                                                

Day 7 - Grace for the Elders

Our first stop this morning was Grace Village, the School and Orphanage we visited on Saturday.  WE were given a tour of the facilities by the Director, Kiki.  It is very apparent that Kiki is a women of God and her love for the children is clearly communicated whenever she speaks. - "she glows".  

The school/orphanage is about 45 minutes from the guesthouse, north into the mountains, in the villages of Titanyen.   Titanyen translates to "less than nothing" which we found to be far from accurate.  The village is void of businesses at the moment, but progress is being made thanks to the expansion of Grace Village.  They have a community church {which we attended on Sunday) and a bakery that has just opened and will soon employ 50 families. Sue bought us sticky buns for our dessert tonight.  The school has over 400 students and 39 resident children.  The resident children live in family style homes with a momma and papa, a family unit.  We were impressed with the organization, leadership and care put into every aspect of the children's schooling and socialization.  We also toured the medical and dental Clinique that is house within the grounds and is available to the surrounding village. 

After lunch we headed out to visit with the Elders.  On the ride we passed the Haitian Mass Grave, a memorial that marks where hundreds of thousands were buried following the earthquake.  We visited with 4 Elders in their homes - Maricia, Aloude, Jude Jean Paul, and Dieufort.  We provided a hot meal and a cold drink.  We sang, rubbed lotion on them and polished nails.  They were all so very sweet and very appreciative.  Before we left each one we joined hands and prayed. 

Once we returned to the guesthouse we changed into our bathing suits and walked to the Elite Hotel and Visa Lodge.  There we enjoyed a relaxing swim in the pool before dinner.  One of the other teams was there also so we were able to get acquainted.


After a dinner of tacos we had devotions and team discussion led by Jon.  Later some of us joined the team leaders in a meeting with Jean Fils Aime who is the driving force behind Healing Haiti.

Donna