Getting Ready

It's always a wonderful challenge packing to visit a third world country; making sure I take what I can use and often leave as gifts for others. We have so many things that can be easily found here that are difficult to purchase in an area the has few to no stores. Vitamins, herbal supplements,  antibiotic ointment, cloth for sewing, craft supplies and of course tasty treats like chocolate- even nutella. Grateful to bring down packages from others as there is no postal service where I am going so nice to bring down gifts and items that others are want to send down with you to their friends and loved ones. You would think traveling in one the poorest countries in the world would be inexpensive but ends up being quite the opposite. Just for gas to journey 124 miles in country (twice) will cost $400.00 and a 7 hour ride. The only other option is a 5 seater plane for $500 and a 1 hour flight.

Getting to remote areas in Haiti is so worth it when you are meeting with friends and seeing God provide for their needs and mine. Time to finish organizing suitcases!

Sunday Evening at Home

Descending into the Wausau airport watching the snow fly past the airplane window was enough proof that I must be back in Wisconsin! The closer we got to home the snow started to collect on the road making the drive go a little slower; a true "welcome home" for us! Since my suitcase did not arrive I am hoping the airlines delivers it tomorrow since Tanner and my malarone (anti-malaria) pills are in there. We need to take them daily for another week. Malaria is spread by mosquitoes and with all the bites I have I need to be safe.
Grateful to have electricity with bright lights (the lights we had by generator light were dimmer than I usually have). Grateful for a fresh glass of milk, hot shower, smooth roads, turning on the faucet to get a drink of pure and safe water.
Tonight we watched the 60 Minutes special segment on Port au Prince and the lack of help the people have gotten now 10 months since the earthquake and the cholera epidemic. It was interesting timing for me to watch and confirmed to me the bond I now have with the people of Haiti and my desire to continue to help in whatever way that I can.
Now begins my request to friends and family to help me send more supplies to the school that we worked at. The amount of vitamins and medicine we brought down will not last long. The nurse is also sending me a list of supplies that she knows she could use to help her care for the children. While there one young girl came to the nurse feeling sick. After a few questions we discovered that she hadn't eaten in 2 days. We gave her some crackers and juice and now I cannot say when her next meal was other than Friday lunch which is the one day the school can afford to offer a hot meal for the students. Educating the next generation is the hope for Haiti; they will be the next leaders of this struggling country. I want to do my part to offer them the best that we can while they study by fading day light and attend school in their handwashed and ironed uniforms and try to learn with fevers, poor eye sight and even empty stomaches.
As Americans we are blessed, even our poor are richer than Haitians. I am encouraging everyone to visit Haiti you will never be the same and others will be blessed because of you.

On the plane from Miami to Chicago-leaving our last view of palm trees and one step closer to the cold and home.

Saturday Night in Miami

Guerline "Tita Lucien cutting fresh

pineapples. We had bananas that morning also and one morning we had fresh squeezed grapefruit juice- SO good!

The chickens are losing their

feathers here. I know people

still do this but I don't and

certainly not outside dipping

a chicken in boiling water

in a kettle over hot charcoal!



Tonight we are in Miami resting after great time of Haitian stories and other various mission trip experiences with Pastor Rollo and his wife.
This afternoon flight from Cap into Port au Prince was smooth! So grateful because if the flight was going to be so nerve wracking and seemingly dangerous I was committed to instead take the 7 hour bumpy bus ride next trip! Then a quick drive to the larger airport down the road from a friend of the Lucien family and we were ready to catch our flight into Miami; well that is after my first pat down with security at the airport. It wasn't so bad and honestly wasn't that thorough I could have had a ton of stuff hidden if I wanted.
Flying away from Haiti was sad and I felt a sence of inadequacy in my faith. I witnessed and experienced the deep love and faith of those that have so little. I've seen intense devotion and contentment and here I am with all that America offers and do I love my God and Creator with the depth that my Haitian brothers and sisters have? This is something I will ponder and pray about and know that part of going into a country such as Haiti is more about changing me than it is in helping them.
Will toss up some pictures and off to a bed without the net around me and no fears of animals with long tails to terrorize me.

Our Haitian beach

experience

Smooth flight on the little plane to Port au Prince-awesome! Miami for the night and home tomorrow afternoon. Sad to be leaving...I'll be back God willing!

Last morning in Haiti. Breakfast is being brought in from their outdoor cooking area; always cooked over home made charcoal.