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.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Saturday Night in Miami
Guerline "Tita Lucien cutting freshpineapples. 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 ha
ve 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.
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 ha
ve 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
Friday, November 12, 2010
Friday morning; last full day
Sadly went to sleep thinking about rats and woke up thinking about rats; not exactly what I want to be focused on while I am here. Heard Pastor will get another cat for our room to take care of that problem. Never thought of a cat as my protector but could get very used to the idea if I come again or stay longer!
Looking forward to what this day will bring...
Looking forward to what this day will bring...
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thursday in Cap Haitien
Made it into school today thankfully. Unfortunately Rebekah's car broke a wheel baring, however you spell it. Haiti is very hard on vehicles!
We've been praying for Sarai and her mother said she is not better; talked to Dad who knew some English and he said they were going to take her to the hospital later today. Worked with the school nurse as she wanted to give a vitamin to each child in the 3, 4 and 5 year old classes and check for fevers as long as we were there. Interestingly on a cool day for Haiti we found almost 10 little ones with temps over 100!
I was able to fill in for the nurse as she had to take a child to the hospital to get stitches for an injury from a fall. Thankfully I know just enough Creole to make it work for me. Fevers and vomiting were the highlights of the day. Tanner and Beka finished up her English classes for the week. The kids loved hearing about Tanner's icefishing and hunting activities!
After walking to get some lunch, well let me stop and say that when I say "walking" it is an experience! Walking through the city is making sure that you don't get hit by a passing motorcycle or various vehicles all the while watching your step for broken cement, mud, garbage and then be safe from people standing on the sidewalks and ignoring those who are calling to you to get you to buy their things or give them money.
The place that we went for lunch is an amazing bakery and restaurant. We asked about the guard at the door with a 12 gauge gun. We discovered that most businesses have a guard with a LARGE gun!
We then walked to a soccer game that has been postponed for every day this week due to the rain and mud. THEN once our team won we hopped on a school bus that filled with the amount of kids that would have been on 5 separate buses. Let's say we filled every available space, a bit over capacity. Quite loud and crazy with the excitement of the win and the bumping and swaying now on a bus making our way through traffic.
Tomorrow we are hoping for some sunshine since every day has been cooler and cloudy which makes for very comfortable weather but not good for sightseeing some special places we've wanted to see.
I was able to fill in for the nurse as she had to take a child to the hospital to get stitches for an injury from a fall. Thankfully I know just enough Creole to make it work for me. Fevers and vomiting were the highlights of the day. Tanner and Beka finished up her English classes for the week. The kids loved hearing about Tanner's icefishing and hunting activities!
After walking to get some lunch, well let me stop and say that when I say "walking" it is an experience! Walking through the city is making sure that you don't get hit by a passing motorcycle or various vehicles all the while watching your step for broken cement, mud, garbage and then be safe from people standing on the sidewalks and ignoring those who are calling to you to get you to buy their things or give them money.
The place that we went for lunch is an amazing bakery and restaurant. We asked about the guard at the door with a 12 gauge gun. We discovered that most businesses have a guard with a LARGE gun!
We then walked to a soccer game that has been postponed for every day this week due to the rain and mud. THEN once our team won we hopped on a school bus that filled with the amount of kids that would have been on 5 separate buses. Let's say we filled every available space, a bit over capacity. Quite loud and crazy with the excitement of the win and the bumping and swaying now on a bus making our way through traffic.
Tomorrow we are hoping for some sunshine since every day has been cooler and cloudy which makes for very comfortable weather but not good for sightseeing some special places we've wanted to see.
School bus loaded with kids and us!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday Night
The day began with the school bus returning after dropping the children back off because the road was blocked by people who had tires flaming to purposely barricade the way into town. Jude Celestin was to be in Cap to campaign for the upcoming vote. He is one of now 19 people running to be the next Haitian president. Apparently there are alot of people who obviously do not like him.
With school not being a part of our day I was asked if I wanted to ride along to run an errand to a neighboring village to buy some goat meat. Grand Riviere is about a half hour drive away. The town is beautiful, clean, some streets cobblestone and bordered by a beautiful river. Once discovering that goat meat was not to be found I was told we were going to another village market to buy a goat. Cool!
Picture travelling along a mountainside road that follows along the path of the river. Mud holes-some much larger than others-making for the now 'traditional' bouncing and swaying style of travel. After an hour and a half of travel along a countryside of beauty and bumps we arrived to our destination.
Our driver was off to buy a goat and the rest of us walked through the market. Much of the products were displayed in wheelbarrow; salt, rice, and grain. Horses walking by with chickens hanging down with their legs tied together, food, fruits and various foods I have never seen before. After an hour we were back on the road now with 3 chickens, papayas, and two goats!
It wasn't far down the road when we were stopped by a man. Apparently he had a family member in labor and there was some problems and would we take her to the hospital. So, a very pregnant woman and 3 of her family members got into the back of the truck with the goats and the chickens! I kept watching our 'pregnant patient' wondering if we might see a baby before we arrived to the hospital. The bumps could NOT have helped but gratefully we were able to get her to the hospital after about 40 minutes.
This afternoon we hopped on the school bus to attend the schools semi-final soccer match. We were taking a back road to stay away from burning tires but only 10 minutes down the road we received word that the game was cancelled. The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent by taking a pieceful nap under the net and hanging out with Tanner.
Happy to have an opportunity to blog on Pastor's computer; NEXT trip I will hopefully bring a laptop of my own.
Protest of Presidential candidate
Smoke from a flaming tire on the road just down the road from where we're staying.
Giving woman in labor a ride to the hospital
I'm so glad we made it to the hospital! I was ready though!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Tuesday
Great night's sleep under the mosquito net, ear plugs in yet still heard the rooster's crowing this morning. Then after a very cooold shower we were on the road at 7am. Today it took an hour and a half to make the drive to school. There are many children waiting on the side of the road for a ride to school; either on a city bus or a tap-tap which is a little truck that many own as a taxi.
Tanner joined Rebekah teaching English and I joined the nurse with my interpreter making things go much smoother. I presented the nurse with the forehead thermometer I brought down. She was amazed and so grateful! It didn't take long and she showed me a temperature of almost 101 that showed up on a little 7 year old boy who came in. Thankfully she also had some fever medicine from what was donated to be able to give him two chewable acetaminophens.
The nurse and I were joined by Kinsley, a graduate of this school now only one year from becoming a M.D. He spoke on the prevention of cholera and we took on the "keep your Germs to Yourself" campaign, of course with the elbow technique.
We then saw the city close up by walking to a little restaurant being careful to not get hit by a passing vehicle of some sort. At one point I heard a motorcycle coming up behind us and the term, "blan" (the 'n' is silent) I knew to step aside because that is the term for white people. He was basically saying, "move aside white person". It's not deragatory just their word for those of us who are much lighter skinned than they are!
Praying tonight for a little girl who is very ill. The mother is certain she watched her die in front of her only to see her come alive again! She is still ill and believes that doctors and medicine are not the answer; only prayer. Since she is adamant on not going to the doctor we are praying with her for healing for her little girl, Sarai who turned 2 today.
Relaxing for the evening trying to upload pictures, the process is so slow so hopefully I can get a few more up tonight. The weather is only in the mid to upper 70's, everyone here is cold and we are just right!
Tanner joined Rebekah teaching English and I joined the nurse with my interpreter making things go much smoother. I presented the nurse with the forehead thermometer I brought down. She was amazed and so grateful! It didn't take long and she showed me a temperature of almost 101 that showed up on a little 7 year old boy who came in. Thankfully she also had some fever medicine from what was donated to be able to give him two chewable acetaminophens.
The nurse and I were joined by Kinsley, a graduate of this school now only one year from becoming a M.D. He spoke on the prevention of cholera and we took on the "keep your Germs to Yourself" campaign, of course with the elbow technique.
We then saw the city close up by walking to a little restaurant being careful to not get hit by a passing vehicle of some sort. At one point I heard a motorcycle coming up behind us and the term, "blan" (the 'n' is silent) I knew to step aside because that is the term for white people. He was basically saying, "move aside white person". It's not deragatory just their word for those of us who are much lighter skinned than they are!
Praying tonight for a little girl who is very ill. The mother is certain she watched her die in front of her only to see her come alive again! She is still ill and believes that doctors and medicine are not the answer; only prayer. Since she is adamant on not going to the doctor we are praying with her for healing for her little girl, Sarai who turned 2 today.
Relaxing for the evening trying to upload pictures, the process is so slow so hopefully I can get a few more up tonight. The weather is only in the mid to upper 70's, everyone here is cold and we are just right!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Monday at the School
We were up and on the road by 6am Thankfully I was already awake when my alarm went off mostly because of the roosters crowing. A quick stop at a fabulous Haitian bakery for breakfast and then to the school. The traffic was insane!
I worked with the nurse going into the primary grades to teach how and when to wash their hands and to cough and sneeze into their elbow; a new concept for them but SO important to prevent the spread of germs. Was able to offer some Tylenol and Ibuprofen that was donated for the trip to the nurse. For a school of 900 all she had was one bottle of Ibuprofen. Also was able to give her the band-aids I brought down for Tanner and I and the Pepto-Bismol tablets I also had for us. Once I saw how little she had it wasn't hard to give her what I can replace so easily.
Tanner worked with Rebekah going into the classes to teach English. I thinked he learned a lot today and everyone seemed to love him right away!
Will try to post some pictures of today.
I worked with the nurse going into the primary grades to teach how and when to wash their hands and to cough and sneeze into their elbow; a new concept for them but SO important to prevent the spread of germs. Was able to offer some Tylenol and Ibuprofen that was donated for the trip to the nurse. For a school of 900 all she had was one bottle of Ibuprofen. Also was able to give her the band-aids I brought down for Tanner and I and the Pepto-Bismol tablets I also had for us. Once I saw how little she had it wasn't hard to give her what I can replace so easily.
Tanner worked with Rebekah going into the classes to teach English. I thinked he learned a lot today and everyone seemed to love him right away!
Will try to post some pictures of today.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday Evening In My Favorite Third World Country
After a trip to the airport to retrieve our luggage we stopped briefly at a very nice hotel for Tanner and I to change our clothes. I am so grateful that I do not have to drive here! No stop and go lights, many many holes in the road. They are like 10 of our potholes put together. There are little trucks, large trucks, cars, motorcycles, mopeds all going in various directions to get where they want to go, as fast as they can; still not sure HOW we have not seen any accidents or any person getting hit yet!
Church in Cap Haitien was great even if I didn't hardly understand a word of it! I met the nurse for the school that I will be working with for part of the week. We will be going into the classes to teach cholera prevention and basic hygiene to help prevent contracting many potential illnesses here. We hope to go into every classroom; looking forward to that! Off to an evening service soon, sprayed down for mosquitoes, they are pretty intense!
Oh, and discovered I cannot leave an apple in my carryon bag in the room. Came back to my room last night to see little teeth marks. I was pretty grossed out but tried to NOT think about what the animal was. So strange also that last night I dreamed it was a woodchuck that was chewing on my apple. SO wish I could bring everyone here that would like to see Haiti.
Church in Cap Haitien was great even if I didn't hardly understand a word of it! I met the nurse for the school that I will be working with for part of the week. We will be going into the classes to teach cholera prevention and basic hygiene to help prevent contracting many potential illnesses here. We hope to go into every classroom; looking forward to that! Off to an evening service soon, sprayed down for mosquitoes, they are pretty intense!
Oh, and discovered I cannot leave an apple in my carryon bag in the room. Came back to my room last night to see little teeth marks. I was pretty grossed out but tried to NOT think about what the animal was. So strange also that last night I dreamed it was a woodchuck that was chewing on my apple. SO wish I could bring everyone here that would like to see Haiti.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
We Have Arrived!
We had an adventurous flight from Port au Prince. It was the smallest plane I've ever been on and then they said we were going to have turbulence on our way down to Cap Haitien. Wow! It was a little scary I will have to say. The plane was swaying in all directions and my stomache was turning in opposite directions, then the clouds cleared, I saw the ground and everything became smooth again... nice.
The only downside was that our luggage did not make it on this last leg of the trip. It will arrive at 8 tomorrow morning unfortunately not in time for the 6am service we are going to in the morning.
Tanner is feeling a little culture shock exactly how I felt when I was here in April. It has been great to see those I made friends with this spring and my Creole, what little I know, is coming back to me again.
So, tonight we are gathering what items we need to make it till our luggage comes tomorrow and just relaxing after our journey into Haiti, grateful to have arrived safely!
The only downside was that our luggage did not make it on this last leg of the trip. It will arrive at 8 tomorrow morning unfortunately not in time for the 6am service we are going to in the morning.
Tanner is feeling a little culture shock exactly how I felt when I was here in April. It has been great to see those I made friends with this spring and my Creole, what little I know, is coming back to me again.
So, tonight we are gathering what items we need to make it till our luggage comes tomorrow and just relaxing after our journey into Haiti, grateful to have arrived safely!
Miami to Port au Prince
Miami: Met an awesome family last night, saw an excellant highschool opera and tasted a delicious Cuban sandwich and ended with a peaceful night's sleep!
We are off to the airport to be 2 hours early to catch our flight to Port au Prince. Once there, or soon after our instructions are to "watch for someone holding a sign with our name on it". "Do not give your luggage to anyone else, including anyone even looking official". "Keep my purse and everything close to us at all times". OK well, I will let you know how that goes. We then will be taken to a smaller Haitian airport where we will catch a small plane to Cap Haitien.
Very excited to start the next leg of our journey!
We are off to the airport to be 2 hours early to catch our flight to Port au Prince. Once there, or soon after our instructions are to "watch for someone holding a sign with our name on it". "Do not give your luggage to anyone else, including anyone even looking official". "Keep my purse and everything close to us at all times". OK well, I will let you know how that goes. We then will be taken to a smaller Haitian airport where we will catch a small plane to Cap Haitien.
Very excited to start the next leg of our journey!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Haiti Under a Tropical Storm-Trip Still On
Sadly learned that the team we were joining from New Orleans has cancelled going into Haiti. At this point Tanner and I are still going. Our flight from Miami into Port au Prince has not been cancelled and it appears that the storm will have passed by then.
Wow, nothing like living on the edge! Hoping and praying the rains and the wind do not cause more heartache and damage to those already struggling to survive in Haiti.
Packed and ready to go tomorrow morning - spending the night in Miami. Hoping and praying this trip still happens!
Wow, nothing like living on the edge! Hoping and praying the rains and the wind do not cause more heartache and damage to those already struggling to survive in Haiti.
Packed and ready to go tomorrow morning - spending the night in Miami. Hoping and praying this trip still happens!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Hurricane Tomas and Haiti
Only 3 more days before we leave and I am keeping a watchful eye on Hurricane Tomas since NOW it appears that the projected path will bring it north right along side of Haiti! Should that happen it will arrive Saturday morning. Our flight is scheduled Saturday morning 9:45 from Miami into Port au Prince.
God's plan, hurricanes and flights our totally out of my control though praying it does not prevent our trip into this beautiful country!
God's plan, hurricanes and flights our totally out of my control though praying it does not prevent our trip into this beautiful country!
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