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!