Only Four More Days.....

I've had a very long day already (since 9:00 a.m. and it is now 2:00 p.m.) fighting with the Internet service, trying to check email, and just now was finally able to log on to my blog page. Wow! Most people would call it quits but it's a half-hour walk back home and the rain is still coming down. We've had more of the same kind of weather for the past week. Yesterday it was my turn to have laundry done and of course it poured after the new girl, Jeanette, hung them on the line. My clothes spent the night there and continue to hang there because we've had more rain. I may be taking my clothes in a Hefty bag if we can't get them dry by Monday evening. I still have another load that she did not get to wash. Okay, Weather Angels, we need some sunshine around here!
I only have four more days to get ready for my short trip to Houston. The kids have been restless and some have been acting up. I think they are thinking I may not come back or they really don't want me to leave. I have had a few mixed emotions myself. I can see how my presence here is really important to them but I also am looking so forward to a break and being with family and friends. It has been very lonely here at times.
When I am able to spend time on the Internet, I try to find other websites of Americans that are currently living here and learning more about what life is like for them and the ways of Haiti. The biggest difference that I can see between them and me is that most of them are here with a group. I am here on my own. They have each other for encouragement and support when the times get tough. They can work out a game plan for their mission and laugh at each other's ability to endure the Haitian lifestyle. Most of them are dealing with the general public and other outside institutions. I am living in a family situation and actively involve with the daily lives of those around me. There's no doubt that being in my shoes is not an easy task but at the same time, it isn't exactly horrible. There are plenty of people in this community who have it so much worse than I do. Some go for days without food. Many are sleeping (or not sleeping) in very poor and wet conditions for the most part. Many are very sick without the means for getting well. But, the saddest of all, are the many who face each day without hope. I know what that feels like and I was living in America under wonderful conditions. The chances for survival and a better life are slim without hope. If I can at least acknowledge a few lost souls each day, and make them smile for the smallest reason, I feel I have done something good. I want to at least let them know that someone knows they are here and that they matter.
I have been here now for nearly four months and even though the novelty has died down some, there are still many who run out (especially the children) to greet me when I am coming down the road. I can hear them calling my name even before I see their faces. Some just want to touch me. Others want to practice saying something in English. Some are getting the courage to ask my name or tell me theirs. I, too, have had to be a little more courageous and practice some of my Creole. I can understand how they feel when they are unsure of what they are saying. I have been laughed at, but take it lightly. I make it a point not to laugh at them. I don't want to discourage future attempts.
As for my leaving, I have fast-forwarded several times, trying to imagine what it will be like when I have to say my final goodbye. I already love these children as if they were mine and it's only been four months! I am hoping that this short trip will give me a little more insight and a better understanding of what God has planned for me.
On a good note, we will be celebrating two August birthdays this weekend since I will be gone on the official days. Alicia will be 11 and Fenelson will be 12. They are very excited but I have not told them which day yet because I still want to surprise them. I am praying that the propane will hold out long enough to bake the cake and also that the oven won't burn it. We've already had one casualty with an Angel Food cake. The kids didn't care. They ate the burnt part too!
I have finished four of the eleven drawstring backpacks that I am making for the kids. Each time I finish one, a child will come and ask if his or hers is next. When I get back from Houston, I will definitely have to pull out the sewing machine and hope that there will be enough gas for the generator before school starts. Ours is still broken so we are using a smaller one that is on loan from Lucner. It only last for a couple of hours which is what we are used to anyway. Cuts into my mealtime and bedtime routine but it's only temporary.
It is now 4:00 p.m. because we lost the connection again. I hope to get this posted right away. As I reviewed my writing, I found it interesting that I have a theme of "fours" for each story. I wonder what that's about? Oh well, may the "Fours" be with you. Ha!
I hope to have time to write while I am in Houston but if not, I'll be back in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, here are some things that you folks back in the States should be thankful for:
1. Air-Conditioning
2. Electricity
3. A Refrigerator
4. Hot Showers with the lights on.
5. A Television with lots of stations to watch and the ability to change them.
6. Eating whatever you please, whenever you please.
7. Ice Cream
8. Doing whatever you feel like after 9:00 p.m. (indoors or out)
9. Driving down the street in your own car.
10. Reading a newspaper.
11. Listening to your favorite music all day.
12. Picking up the phone to make a call and actually having a conversation without static or a time delay.
13. Going to the movies.
14. A fresh cold salad.
15. The sound of silence.
16. A clothes dryer. Ha! Wish I had one now!
18. Your neighborhood grocery store or shopping center.
19. A house with more than two rooms.
20. Living in the United States of America.
I am grateful to be here but will certainly take advantage of all the amenities while I am in Houston. Thanks for caring. Love to all!

Field Trip to Dessalines (Part II)

This is Part II of our field trip to Dessalines and even though it has a beginning and an ending, you still need to see Part I. I made some additions and corrections to my last posting so you may want to take another look. This field trip has been the highlight of the summer so far. It was a very exciting and informative trip which gave us much to think and pray about. I would like to share the fact that as I walked on the grounds of the Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage, I had the strongest sense of God's love surrounding us, and His presence being very real. I felt the true spirit of being in God's country. It was not like anything I ever experienced before. I could see it on the faces of the people I met and it was also expressed constantly by the staff members. My thoughts seemed more clear and focused. Even now, the feeling is strong and I am enjoying this new peace. Thank you again to Jacquelin and all the wonderful staff.
Our beautiful school bus! Getting ready to make our first trip as a group.

Julius' wife and three daughters joined us on our field trip. The man behind her is the relief bus driver/mechanic.Our cook, Marie-Rose also joined us with her daughter Rosenelsia, seated in front.

Smith, Cadjina and Lucner. Excited to be heading out! It was her first time ever on a bus.

Jeemy-Ska and Angeline checking out the scenery and holding on for dear life.

The wide open space of the Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage. Lots of grazing goats. We were told by Sterson that these were not Haitian goats but he was not sure of the kind. He said these goats could give birth to as many as five babies and the meat had good flavor. More land to add future amenities.

One of the many planters built around the complex to grow grapevines so the kids can make fresh juice.

Storage room to keep logs dry for the wood burning stoves. A very real blessing for them.

Still have a lot of ground to cover. Gathering the group for the next round. This part of the compound is on the complete opposite side from the garden and field with the honeybees.

Home of the older girls. Most were out doing their chores. To left of that are the homes of the elementary age kids.

Home of the older boys, mostly in their 20's. One of them was playing an acoustic guitar out on the patio when we were passing by. Also visible is one of the goals for the full size soccer field.

Swing set constructed by the orphans in the Metal Shop class. Two boys volunteer to demonstrate how it works.

Flying high without fear! The kids had never seen this before and were amazed at how high he went. Some of them were scared but most of them were laughing. None, except for Aquel, dared to try it. I'm sure in hindsight, they wished they had.

After our grand tour, they lead us back to the main house where we were surprised with glasses of cold water and then treated to homemade oatmeal raisin cookies and punch. Since it was now nearly 2:00 p.m. and we missed lunch, the kids devoured their snacks. I have never been a fan of raisins but I ate every one of them! I was either really that hungry or they were really that good. In all honesty, I have to say that both are true.
The living room of the main house which featured an upright piano on the left side where the covered bench is. A photo of the Peaveys hangs above the bookcase.

Sterson with one of the orphans helping in the kitchen. Little Melissa standing to the left.
The bathroom had both a tub and a shower. The other view did not come out so well but the room was nicely done.

A group of young orphans came to sing a couple of songs for us. The first one was sung in English and one of my favorites, Lord I Lift Your Name On High. The harmonies were just perfect and the voices were beautiful! The second song was in Creole but on a more contemporary level. I recognized the tune but did not understand the words, of course. I had chills the whole time they sang.

Our kids reciprocated with two of their favorite hymns. Both were in English: This Is The Day and He Is The King of Kings. I did not teach them these songs so it was a surprise for me as well. They did a great job and the other kids clapped for them.
A bittersweet farewell to our new friend and tour guide, Sterson. He said to me, more than once during our time there, "Please don't forget me. I will be here as your friend." He and Aquel formed an instant friendship and enjoyed each other's company.

Leaving Dessalines and heading home on the road under construction. Dessalines is located roughly southeast of Bayonnais. Eight hours on the road with a three hour visit in between. The cook still had to make dinner upon our return at 7:00 and we ate around 8:00 p.m.. Everyone literally passed out in their beds and it took a couple of days for all of us to recover. I think about the many Haitians who make this kind of trip every single day just for the mere sake of survival. Do they ever get a chance to recover or are they just accustomed to it? Pray for Haiti and for the ones who have the power to change the conditions.

Field Trip to Dessalines (Part I)

Okay, so when a Haitian says, "It's only a couple of hours away" he really means FOUR. Wow! What a looonnnnnggg trip but well worth it. The primary reason was definitely the road conditions and secondly for the few stops we had to make before heading out. The first hour was spent just getting out of Bayonnais into Gonaives. I was very grateful for our new bus but the ride was really physically enduring. We were bounced and tossed around like rag dolls for the most part. The little ones found it easier to stand up and hold on to the backs of the seats. They could not see a thing while seated and with each bump would come popping up off the seat at least a foot high. I did the same standing up a couple of times when my back or bottom needed a break.
I took at least 80 pictures so this will have to be done in a couple of postings. I plan to post more pictures on Monday. The downloading takes the longest time. Anyway, here's a mini-tour of our visit.
We were first greeted by Sterson (he prefers to be called) since Jacquelin was still teaching his computer class. Sterson was so cheerful and friendly and such a joy to be around. He was very proud and thorough in his tour and gave great information about many things.
The Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage in Dessalines was started around 40 years ago by Donald and Doris Peavey of Michigan. They are still currently alive and living in Michigan. All the orphans call them Mom and Dad. There are currently 60+ orphans living at the orphanage from infants to young adults in their 20's. Over three hundred children have been a part of the Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage. One complete generation has come and gone from this home. In addition to regular school classes, the orphanage also teaches computers, homemaking, gardening, auto mechanics, metal works, carpentry, and masonry. They also have a clinic with a nurse on 24 hour call. (She was also raised in the orphanage). The entire property operates on solar power.
Dumas Sterson is 22 years old and was born and raised in the orphanage. He loves it there. He is now one of the valued staff members.
Madame Rode was the very first orphan to live at Dessalines. She is forever grateful to the Peaveys for her wonderful life. She told our kids that the most important thing for them to remember was to love God with all your heart and to be kind to each other.
Jacquelin Jean came to the orphanage 26 years ago at the age of four. Out of his starting group of 17 children, only three remain. The others left on their own or were evicted for not following the rules. Jacquelin now teaches computer classes, has a Christian Rock band and is also a Disc Jockey for a local Christian radio station. He is a remarkable man. He said he never had an English teacher but would learn and practice everytime the missionaries came to visit. He speaks and understands the language very well. When he finally showed up halfway through the tour, I felt like I was seeing an old friend again. I only met him once a couple of months ago but he was so open and honest that I liked him right away. I know in my heart that we will always stay in touch.
(Note: I just discovered this today: You can double click on any photo to get a larger image. It is a full screen view. Click on the back <- button to return to blog).

Our wonderful welcoming committee. Left to right: Dumas Sterson, tour guide and staff member, Madame Rode, head cook and House Mother of the Orphanage, one of the orphan toddlers, Jacquelin Jean, Counselor, Teacher and new dear friend, and me, of course.

The kids were so excited about taking the tour and seeing all the features. They especially enjoyed the animals.

This is the area where the homeless and the very poor come every single day to have lunch or to take food home to share with their families.

Front of the house where the infants and toddlers live and play. Mural is of Noah's Ark. Very beautiful!

Back View: House on left is the dining hall. It has a full service kitchen with wood burning stove (see chimney) to prepare the daily meals on the right side of the house. Another full service kitchen on left side, using solar energy for baking, and a large eating area with picnic tables. House on the right accomodates the infants and toddlers. Grazing goats all around.

The property extends beyond the walls as well as across the road and into the hills. Sterson said they are not using it at this time and some of the land is up for sale. (Any buyers out there?) It's hard to see but there are some wooden boxes near the center of the wall which contain honey bees for their supply of honey. (click to enlarge)

Acres and acres of corn crops surrounded by an electrical fence to keep the animals out.

The Mango Heaven (located in Children's garden) complete with picnic table to enjoy the favored fruit or to just get away and relax in the serene atmosphere. A fantastic cool breeze could be felt here.

The Children's garden, filled with passion fruit, coconut trees, melons and other seasonal vegetables.

Two windmills for pumping fresh drinking and cooking water. A SunOven for baking bread by solar power. There were about 40 loaves cooking when we observed. The aroma was mouth-watering wonderful!

There are actually three goats in a row. Looks strange from this angle. There were more goats that were out grazing in the fields. They also had sheep which were in their pen at the time. Sterson said they had another very large cow but, because it kept damaging the walls,(see photo-right side of cows), they had to eat it.

The fish basin. I forgot to ask what kind. Lots of chickens! Some are for meals and others to lay eggs. Some of the chickens can lay up to eight eggs per day.

The computer room and church office.

This is the sanctuary. The scripture on the wall: Jesus said, "Let all the children come unto me". Sterson told us that all the materials for the church, roof and pews were provided by the Americans. The young men of the orphange provided all the labor with love and gratitude.

The church stage was built high enough to store additional pews underneath.

Our tour guide, Sterson, was kind enough to take a group shot of us. I am the one wearing the sunglasses. Ha-ha! The house behind us is the Guest House that was built to accomodate the visiting missionaries. It is surrounded by Loquat trees. They also have another house located within the city for the larger groups that come in to visit. We were invited to come back and stay a while. I am considering this for a future time.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the tour. I will add more pictures on Monday when I return. Please check again and in the meantime, keep us in your prayers. God Bless!

Just for Funzies....

It's hump day again in Haiti and I am sitting out yet another storm. Have been fighting with the Internet service trying to save my work. Thought I would share a few pictures with you since I do not have my story finished. Tomorrow we will be taking a field trip to Dessalines (about two hours away) to visit an Orphanage that has been around for around 40 years. In late May or early June, one of the counselors came to Bayonnais to visit a friend and stopped by on his way out. He heard there was a new orphanage in the area with an American and wanted to introduce himself and visit. His name is Jacquelin Jean (yes, I said, His) and he was raised in this orphanage from the age of four. He is now thirty and working as a teacher and counselor at the orphanage. A very nice and polite gentleman that spoke English very well. He invited me to come and visit their place so that is what we plan to do. Originally, it was going to be just Saint Victor and I, but the guys decided to include all the kids and also to take our bus out for the first time. It should be a very interesting trip. I will plan to take lots of pictures, of course. In the meantime, here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.
The Modene Murphy Ministries Staff: (l to r) Saint-Victor Sejour, President and Senior Pastor, Vicki Jean Pierce, Director, Lucner Saint-Louis, Administrator, and Valentine Silvestre, Pastor

Our cook, Marie-Rose, getting tickled over having her picture taken. Ismalene being silly with her "goofy" face.

Carjina braiding the yarn hair on the Dallas Cowboy doll.

San Villea, our night Watchman. Just kidding, this was an hour before his shift.

Julius, our day Watchman, with two newborn goats. Only a few hours old and not able to walk yet.

A fun way to pass the time while the ground dries.

One of the many faces of our darling, Angeline.

I will be back on Friday, if the weather allows it, and will share our field trip adventure with you. Love and hugs to all. Thank you for tuning in.