Reunion with the Wings of Hope Family!

This past weekend I returned to see my family at Wings of Hope-Home for children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities. It was a much needed break from my 7am-7pm work days within the Trinity Lodge/PW Haiti Office, where ongoing renovations make for a very long and hectic day. Plus I really, really wanted to reconnect with my friends in Haiti that I haven't seen since June.

Gesner & Frank Ely

It was a miracle that I even remembered how to navigate my way up the mountain and back into the remote area of Fermathe where Wings is tucked away. Daniel dropped me off early Thursday morning, just in time for prayers. I was met with the excited squeals of David, the happy grasp of Frank Ely, and warm hugs from Manno and Jacky. I love prayer time, because the kids are given the opportunity to share their own requests, which sounds a little like incoherent mumbling, but I know God hears and understands them. Often you can make out a few words, and some even gave thanks for my visit with them.

While a majority of the children were at their weekly horse-riding class, I attended John-John's class, where some of the pre-teens, Frank Ely, Fritz and Carline were learning basic language skills. Really only Frank Ely is capable of participating, but even his attention span makes for pretty difficult lesson plan. So John-John took the opportunity to teach me some creole words using a white board and pictures. At least I could make the group laugh with my non-existent artistic abilities in drawing.





Ashley & Katie



John, Karen and Frank Ely

 Also present at Wings are three girls who are spending 3 months there as volunteers, Ashley, Katie and Karen. I was actually very relieved to have a few girls to hang out with and work alongside. It didn't take long for us to warm up to each other. Katie and Ashley are life-long friends from Colorado, who are coordinating a program to teach some of the kids about "feelings" as well as setting goals for them, such as Peterson not rambling, Nelio not eating trash and scavenging food off the floor, John eating at the table instead of feeding like a wild animal in the corner... some are working out better than others, and John (my beloved baby) is actually starting to seem  like a normal, happy kid! Karen, from South Carolina, is working on a clay-sculpting project, helping the kids create work that can be sold as souvenirs and special keepsakes to visitors. I really enjoyed their company, and it made spending the night in the guesthouse feel like a slumber party, as we talked and laughed heavily in states of total exhaustion after the long days.                



Chillin with Lazaar & Teddy

I was amazed that some of the kids like Josephine, Jozye, and Steve! remembered who I was. Even David and Teddy immediately pointed to their ears when they saw me, referring to the "Mizic" of the ipod I often let them borrow for hours last trip. Fortunately I was prepared this time, and made rounds circulating the 3 ipods I brought (2 were donated just for that purpose from amazing friends in VA).



After lunch, I sat with Manno, so we could discuss the status of his land and hopeful start of constructing a new home for his family. He is currently waiting for the land surveyor and public notary to return certain documents before he can remit them to Food for the Poor, who is arranging for this construction. He has taken a loan from the St. Joseph's family to take full-ownership of the land, and has to begin paying $65 a month to pay this back, which is feasible, but still a hefty amount from his earnest living. The issue now is that in order to get these documents back, it requires a small "fee" to the officials who currently possess them. We are praying and working through this, but where there's a will, God will find a way. I hope to travel to the site of his land next Monday when he has off, and will update you on the progress. Jacky is currently working on his own construction, and still requires a large amount in materials, but I am looking into arrangements other than through FFP to coordinate any assistance for him. Even though I didn't spend much time talking with him this weekend, I will be meeting him on Saturday to go visit the site of his new home and catch up.





Peterson Gives Pierre a Ride on the "moto"

One familiar habit I found unique to my stay at Wings is waking up just before 6 am, to the sounds of roosters, squealing pigs, and glorious moaning children. I find I don't mind this early start there, because it gives me the chance to be apart of their daily lives that much longer. Yet early one morning, while I was attending to Delome and his breakfast (slowest eater because he doesn't really have chewing-capabilities), I caught Peterson crash to the floor out of the corner of my eye, and had a split-second realization he was  having a pretty-standard seizure. The need for his always-constant helmet became instantly obvious, although I had never thought about it before. So Peterson crashed, and yet nobody seemed too phased or concerned. While I fussed and struggled to release his backpack from his shoulders, everyone else just stepped over. Grateful for my slight-creole communicating abilities, I discovered that this common-occurence only lasts for a few minutes, and he snaps out, stands up, and continues on his sweet-merry way.





Steve's Drum Warm Up



Cuddling with Junior

Friday morning we all congregated out onto the patio for the weekly "dance party". For many of the more immobile ladies at Wings, this is their only chance to escape their beds for the whole week. It takes about an hour to get everyone set up, but it just allows for the excitement to build. Steve's prepares with his own drum-renditions before the staff (Manno, Jean R and Jacob) take over for some serious beats. Bells, maracas and tambourines were passed around, and even Junior came out of his cloud for a little while, cuddling on my lap and stroking my face in the sun. These dance parties are by far the greatest moments I've had in Haiti so far. At some point the wheeled-kids were rolled back into a circle, and Teddy picked out who would dance in the circle. Some like Tigga, Pierre and Erique have "moves like Mick Jagger", while others like Steve and Frank Ely prefer the more spastic-elastic summersaults and intense bouncing. Once each of the kids had a turn, I knew it was inevitable...the "visitors" were picked out. Even though I might've looked slightly ridiculous, I definitely took the opportunity to let my hair down and let loose! The rest of the girls followed with renditions of the running man, macarena, "blanc dancing" basically.



Saturday afternoon, Katie, Ashley and I were guided by our trusted-bodyguard, Alcindor, on an incredibly long walk up the mountain to the next village of Kenscoff. Although us girls had an actual "destination" in mind, I'm pretty sure Alcindor was more focused on the cardio-intense benefits, as he came out ready for action in bright-turquoise windpants and jogging shoes. It was a great chance to escape the sometimes-draining enthusiasm that is required with the kids, and we got to see the beautiful scenery along the way. It was a little risky, as the hike back was pretty much in the dark, hugging onto the side of winding mountain road shared with tap-taps and moto-taxis. The girls tagged Alcindor with nickname, "Prom King", as his popularity was widely known as we often passed by many of his friends and local cohorts. Since it was a Saturday night, we stopped by a local "dive" pub for a cold drink and what I thought I ordered as a hamburger, but in actuality was mystery-meat on a sandwich roll. Fortunately I'm still alive to tell of it, so it must have been somewhat edible. Also on our travels home, we came across home to a family of at least 15, that also operates as an amazing bakery. For 10 goudes, roughly equal to $0.25 US, we got an entire sack of hot bread, fresh out of the oven!



Saturday Night Outing with Alcindor, Ashley & Katie

 

Come Sunday morning, it was time for orevwas! and a trip back down the mountain. It was much easier to say goodbye this time, knowning that I will be back for Christmas in just a few weeks. Plus I was almost more worn out than before my "vacation" to Wings, just from the constant attention to the kids. Frank Ely gave me a drawing, and as I was leaving, I got the joy of seeing a barefoot John chase Steve around the house, both laughing hysterically before they tackled each other.

Now I'm back in the office, wondering when my long work day will be over, and planning ahead to the Traditional Thanksgiving Feast I am preparing in a couple days along with Allison, Daniel's American Friend.... for 15 people! I am awestruck as I think about all that I am thankful for this week, and in my life. Most importantly that through the ability of others' giving, God has placed me in such a beautiful place where he wants me to be, with all the tools and good health needed to carry out his work. I am utmost grateful for my family that keeps growing everyday, and I give thanks to God for His Kingdom! 

View from top of the mountain