tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45658052504338230002024-03-13T09:57:45.301-07:00A Mission Possible: HaitiLaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-26656356419807662672012-01-21T20:43:00.000-08:002012-01-21T20:43:38.984-08:00Finding my Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-3z5Ap3Ia8/TwURpAHN6II/AAAAAAAAAOI/OMuZpE8bJdA/s1600/Tuesday+and+Wed+AM+Walk+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-3z5Ap3Ia8/TwURpAHN6II/AAAAAAAAAOI/OMuZpE8bJdA/s200/Tuesday+and+Wed+AM+Walk+096.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> Tonight as I danced around the driveway with Mehto, our security guard, I was reminded that there is much joy to be experienced in the midst of my chaotic workload. In the early dawn of the mornings, I escape to the balcony of the guest house, where I can take in the panoramic scenery of Port-au-Prince, and the many mountains in the distance. Lately the roosters in the lot across the street have remained quiet, so it is just by routine, and the consistent honking of cars next-door that awake me at 6 am everyday.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yE2Ie-qhZHI/TwUSIGsJIVI/AAAAAAAAAOc/DAJwu6kORIo/s1600/Buy+Haitian%252C+Restore+Haiti-+January+Conference+2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yE2Ie-qhZHI/TwUSIGsJIVI/AAAAAAAAAOc/DAJwu6kORIo/s200/Buy+Haitian%252C+Restore+Haiti-+January+Conference+2012.png" width="129" /></a></div> As we are planning a conference to gather NGOs and Haitian Business Owners on the 26th of January, as well as putting out monthly newsletters and developing a website to be launched early January (which i have been named Project Manager of!), I find that "Haitian time" does not apply. We have limited resources for staffing, and Daniel is a fan of "squeezing out the most" from the unpaid intern, so my days are quite full. <br />
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Last week, however, we had 2 mentors visit and plan to travel 4 hours north to the small town of Pignon. Since no other Partners Worldwide staff member other than Oscar would be attending to the meeting of our newest Local Business Affiliate, I was recruited to join the group! Travelling into the field is by far my favorite task, as it allows me to really connect with the entrepreneurs in Haiti we are working so hard to improve their communities and connect with. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_XosNk5AFHw/TwUSdzXqRPI/AAAAAAAAAOo/H6xAqsACeM0/s1600/Monday+111211+Haiti+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_XosNk5AFHw/TwUSdzXqRPI/AAAAAAAAAOo/H6xAqsACeM0/s200/Monday+111211+Haiti+025.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankful for all God's Gifts!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Tuesday morning we departed in a rented luxury SUV. The discussion was intense from the get-go, as Terry and Bob from the Vermeer Foundation and Global Business Affiliate were quick to query Oscar and my personal relationships with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. It really brought me back the reality that my work is entirely based on the will of God, and I was prepared for the trip based on that introductory conversation. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting with the Mayor of Thomonde</td></tr>
</tbody></table> After a 2 hour drive across the beautiful mountains and countryside of Haiti, we arrived in Thomonde, where Bob and Terry would be discussing with the Mayor the possibility of utilizing their new earth-block-creating-machine to conduct an $18M project of town development, agreed upon by President Martelly himself. I spent much time surveying the plans, taking pictures and attempting small-talk with the mayor in Creole, while Bob and Terry were encouraged to provide a written proposal of the new equipment, that would create a tremendous amount of jobs in the process. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table> We departed for the last 2 hours of the trip that afternoon, and were met with a very rough road after the town of Hinche. Literally it is a dirt road that has been shaped by the rough cracks and bumps of weathering, so there was no comfort in our commute. Yet we began to see the way of life in the central valley, where donkeys can be purchased for a bargain $50 to handle the need for transportation and logistics. We saw school children walking along the beaten path, and I admire them as I realize they are those who literally walk 15 miles to and from school everyday.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting with Sanon</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We met with Sanon Etienne that afternoon, the leader of the new LBA, and although he is just about my age, his accomplishments are comparable to Donald Trump in local standards. As we met with most of the business people on our agenda, all were keen on referring to him as "the man!" He operates a concrete-block production facility next to a river, where he pays women to collect piles of sand from the river, and employs at least 6-7 men to operate the vibrating block machine. I have since come to learn that Sanon is also a known civic engineer, university professor, sub-contractor for a huge church-campus project, and serves as the principal at his sister's primary school in town. Bob and Terry are working to provide him with a new clay-block producing machine, and the size of his workforce and demand for product will grow exponentially!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0UqVj4gPpuT9JdwYMcg2jyAPzZZf_I8PrVrJLM7byBwHc2BiBFhjVoqK3Qr6Y_WDNF2YAgFO24g8-I1_tkm1TEsCAAjM-t1T5SFXEX8A5vZFS8RbxQqC2D-5pgw-vg316A3NiN36UFyO/s1600/sugar+cane+processing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0UqVj4gPpuT9JdwYMcg2jyAPzZZf_I8PrVrJLM7byBwHc2BiBFhjVoqK3Qr6Y_WDNF2YAgFO24g8-I1_tkm1TEsCAAjM-t1T5SFXEX8A5vZFS8RbxQqC2D-5pgw-vg316A3NiN36UFyO/s200/sugar+cane+processing.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squeezing out the Sweet Stuff at a<br />
Sugar Cane Processor</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We continued on with our schedule, and found that many of the business owners were actually Distillerie-proprietors. This is not something that Partners Worldwide condones, so I was glad to realize that they actually operated other business as well....machine welding, sugar cane processing, and construction materials. We also met with the memorable George, who turned 2 1/2 acres of bare forestry into a "garden", where he is growing lemon trees, passion fruit, pineapples, ginseng, papaya, and other beautiful products that he tends to with loving care. Before we departed, he loaded our trunk with buckets full of passionfruit, that we have been enjoying as juice for the last few days. In addition our gifts from George, I was also gifted with freshly-made peanut butter, an overgrown pumpkin (perfect for the Haitian January 1 tradition of Pumpkin soup!), sweet sugar cane for nibbling, and hand-drawn postcards. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTucoEiZWmIklmTSwn0zghyjS7ZUb0KQfisucA_198RJf1dtw0lFiP_b5nonSo-BhAwNDmSI3LuPnSNmqg9QeWKMZcdldY49xmZK1dHckszd1KGBt1ikguHrobI7Zl6qlZ3l2p_ZyxNnsw/s1600/lovable+george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTucoEiZWmIklmTSwn0zghyjS7ZUb0KQfisucA_198RJf1dtw0lFiP_b5nonSo-BhAwNDmSI3LuPnSNmqg9QeWKMZcdldY49xmZK1dHckszd1KGBt1ikguHrobI7Zl6qlZ3l2p_ZyxNnsw/s200/lovable+george.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmer George Prays for Rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Although these businesses are small in comparison to the corporate standards of the U.S., one of the things I learned during orientation for Partners Worldwide is to never doubt the potential of the lowly. "Don't doubt in the face of God" has been a great lesson throughout my experience. I'm eager to follow up on the progress of our emerging affiliate in Pignon, and rejoice in the news of the promise of improved infrastructure throughout the town, as a major roadway will soon be constructed, bringing the promise of commerce along with it. </div> As of 2012, my workload has begun to pile on faster than I can seem to keep my head above, but I still find those moments of tranquility in the environment. Success is earned quickly as tasks are carried out, and already I can see the fruits of my labor as people are being connected. Pray for my sanity and peace of mind during this time when I wonder how everything will get done. Yet will there's a will, there's a way and nothing is impossible with God. LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-43719115465577618042011-12-19T19:48:00.000-08:002011-12-19T19:48:46.655-08:00Holidays in Haiti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE9yhbRhI8vbqrCqzTz_c4Jz5bkE3fiUIsWrYXnTCAqbWPp3bNGseKFUg9dWjfEeU-_82f_NwTRsIXuDQVwuBgbxmmdbGW9kpRzCexxN4LMqO0pmZx03tZ6keJidbfmRnIIxiFm7x9vWT/s1600/Turkey+dec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE9yhbRhI8vbqrCqzTz_c4Jz5bkE3fiUIsWrYXnTCAqbWPp3bNGseKFUg9dWjfEeU-_82f_NwTRsIXuDQVwuBgbxmmdbGW9kpRzCexxN4LMqO0pmZx03tZ6keJidbfmRnIIxiFm7x9vWT/s200/Turkey+dec.jpg" width="150" /></a></div> I'm absolutely thankful that despite living in a foreign country, I've been raised on tradition enough to find comfort in the holidays with good friends. Thanksgiving came one month after I'd been living in Haiti, and my boss, Daniel, had a good american friend, Allison, who was also keen on bringing the tradition of giving Thanks at Trinity Guest House. <br />
I was told she had invited 13 friends, and at the time, we had no utensils, cooking equipment, or even salt and pepper in the cabinets. So the Wednesday before, Daniel, Emma and I met with our new resident cook, Babbem, to go shopping for culinary necessities. There is a great store in Petionville, similar to Bed, Bath and Beyond in Haitian standards, where we found all the needed supplies. Next we made our way to the supermarket, where a 13 lb. frozen turkey can be found at a bargain price of $50! Since I am still uncertain how to manage the street markets, Allison took that challenge on, and showed up to the guesthouse that night with fresh pumpkin, haitian sweet potatoes, a pie crust, and many other fresh vegetables. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldUB0-gmNZF0z7BlYb64Cvq5l4ivVhFJ675FovnhWgej06yPLKhGRktZslCt8zkEHKZ6FH0uFseWyqh2jsq8fapnqUjEFmqE92MiKogGn_YP9ckZaoa6ZO9GZ05umX8sorUkvcNd8MJ47/s1600/Allison+%2526+Barbara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldUB0-gmNZF0z7BlYb64Cvq5l4ivVhFJ675FovnhWgej06yPLKhGRktZslCt8zkEHKZ6FH0uFseWyqh2jsq8fapnqUjEFmqE92MiKogGn_YP9ckZaoa6ZO9GZ05umX8sorUkvcNd8MJ47/s200/Allison+%2526+Barbara.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfCIacAYaRSFBHs3P67QlRTnRwEEOMeUmGd_93bCbsrO_xmebbodn5gz3LS4OEnx4VMCRLBQHXZt7unNblp1-srJyyRoFATK9nIP7DOej3f759d1V5dVeUmWLwCNyfFouAPUr3LVdsRpz/s1600/yumm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfCIacAYaRSFBHs3P67QlRTnRwEEOMeUmGd_93bCbsrO_xmebbodn5gz3LS4OEnx4VMCRLBQHXZt7unNblp1-srJyyRoFATK9nIP7DOej3f759d1V5dVeUmWLwCNyfFouAPUr3LVdsRpz/s200/yumm.jpg" width="200" /></a> The next day I felt somewhat guilty as my Haitian colleagues spent the day working, while I played the "American Holiday" card, and spent the day slaving away in the kitchen with Allison, and her friend Barbara. After mashing potatoes using a mortar and pestle, sweet potato casserole with a blender and freshly-grated coconut, stuffing from actual sliced bread, canned cranberry sauce flown over by American friends, and pumpkin pie boiled and completely made from scratch, (accompanied with a full case of cold Prestige beer) somehow we pulled off just enough food for 15 people- Haitian, Canadian and American alike. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gOE7dDgQaVJaQ53br1EuPXPZNSkTkXXHSGRTvazZJpfHYrlWf3ADdn6MXOKAvoPr7mS0gQRf-rbc5SVyZESOmZ-zfpCYjPzL9cn1CE0VWkvlYnx-16vQsJlqM2aI5xexqyayWf6dJyeJ/s1600/dinnertime%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gOE7dDgQaVJaQ53br1EuPXPZNSkTkXXHSGRTvazZJpfHYrlWf3ADdn6MXOKAvoPr7mS0gQRf-rbc5SVyZESOmZ-zfpCYjPzL9cn1CE0VWkvlYnx-16vQsJlqM2aI5xexqyayWf6dJyeJ/s200/dinnertime%25282%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a></div> Since my culinary skills were brought to light for that meal, I'm often found in the kitchen, making American breakfast and the occasional dinner for those staying at the guesthouse. Otherwise I'm treated daily to amazing Haitian cuisine provided by Babbem... Goat quite frequently, Creole Chicken often, Fried plantains, rice and beans every day, and never once have I had to worry about food sanitation and digestive illness (fingers crossed...you can never be too sure no matter what country you're in!) As a matter of fact, I may need to add a "new-larger-size clothing" line into my budget, as I've never been fed so well!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrCCIveiFa1lJRROYeDXAqsvmlS6BuvKjfpbWqGUwApmtZGPtyxxst_FpR5e712tBS-5dkWVwkdrcVQaPKcv9fDBUxfQ0fQgNsMZDEh5aWS2JyeRSabqaP4ZO3YrgvKoHVyyz3kesyg2h/s1600/xmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrCCIveiFa1lJRROYeDXAqsvmlS6BuvKjfpbWqGUwApmtZGPtyxxst_FpR5e712tBS-5dkWVwkdrcVQaPKcv9fDBUxfQ0fQgNsMZDEh5aWS2JyeRSabqaP4ZO3YrgvKoHVyyz3kesyg2h/s200/xmas.jpg" width="150" /></a></div> Christmas is somewhat different. Without the constant hum of familiar carols, lack of cold-weather, and no lit-up houses and trees, I've been stuck in a constant state of summer-time bliss. I made my way to the CRWRC Christmas Bazarre at the school up the street, but even that was more like a flea-market, and less like a Christmas festivity. Other than the miniature christmas tree complete with miniature ornaments and lights that my mom packed away in the bottom of my suitcase, I would've completely skipped the frills of the season this year. I plan to visit with the children at Wings of Hope on Wednesday for their Noel pageant and play, but Christmas eve I'll be experiencing my first Haitian wedding, and the day of I will be at a concert of famous Haitian artist, Belo, with new friends. I can't wait to catch everyone up on the experiences without the traditional-frill, but in the meantime, I'm a little homesick for that family time, so I've been baking cookies and increasing in clothing size daily! I hope everyone is staying warm, enjoying the season of giving, and truly appreciating how special it is to be with those you love! I miss you much, love you anpil, and pray for you always! <br />
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LaraLaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-11073938254243939672011-12-19T19:06:00.000-08:002011-12-19T19:06:28.882-08:00Housing Needs for my Haitian Brothers in Christ Getting out of the guesthouse and out into the country sometimes feels like a challenge, with uncertainty about reliable transportation and security. So when my friend Jacky Asse, from Wings of Hope, told me he'd send a driver to pick me up and take me down to see where he is building his new house, I was excited for the experience. So at 11 am on a Saturday, I sat waiting for the driver...typical Haitian time, he showed up an hour late. Then he couldn't find the guesthouse, so I recruited Daniel to explain using landmarks that only Haitians would understand. Finally a rickety old tap-tap pulled up, and a smiling, handsome young Haitian jumped out of the passenger seat to let me know he was escorting me. We rode into the deep of Port-au-Prince, and came out the other side of the airport, close to the infamous slums of Cite-Soleil. Along the way, the driver stopped and grabbed a few beers... fortunately not far from our destination. The whole way down, my escort, Richard, had me believing that he spoke little english, and was testing my creole, telling me he could be my teacher. As I've come to learn in the last month, he speaks english, french and some spanish very well!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXNuqL3Qoj411_cXNCgb66XGQlOqDcKJ4JG2WxGBuwkhvlAXenH4pYHKudYEDOZiuQPV4_JBzla1W1UNAtYPBVghY1jVTAZYzmaxuAxsxhQH1tJq9_z0M97y-2UHp9O-VA1w7AMCj3_pv/s1600/DSCN0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXNuqL3Qoj411_cXNCgb66XGQlOqDcKJ4JG2WxGBuwkhvlAXenH4pYHKudYEDOZiuQPV4_JBzla1W1UNAtYPBVghY1jVTAZYzmaxuAxsxhQH1tJq9_z0M97y-2UHp9O-VA1w7AMCj3_pv/s200/DSCN0625.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1r0e4m7c06T0CjLeeRvRbYkXXLhgq-l5cRlXL93bDSUbY2KnDba7B2x68jLmazqh_n58e-kEyl3KEB7EEtwDFY0fePsuCVXJioRvyTbiSvzuG3EOrqEdixd-X89KNDM-4Eq_f58aJBti/s1600/Jacky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1r0e4m7c06T0CjLeeRvRbYkXXLhgq-l5cRlXL93bDSUbY2KnDba7B2x68jLmazqh_n58e-kEyl3KEB7EEtwDFY0fePsuCVXJioRvyTbiSvzuG3EOrqEdixd-X89KNDM-4Eq_f58aJBti/s200/Jacky.jpg" width="150" /></a></div> So we pulled up to the lot, and climbed through a few razor-wire fences, and I was surprised to see a huge project underway. The house is at this time only 1 story worth of concrete-block walls, beautiful doorways, and 4-5 rooms. The foundation is not exactly there yet...rather still a grassy heap with litter in various rooms. After I asked about the "plan", a rough drawing of a pretty elegant house was pulled out. Jacky informed me though, that the contractor is still working out the details, and they're trying to decide if they should build a second story. There were about 5 people, including Jacky on his day off, working on the construction. At this rate, it may take awhile until completion, but I was encouraged by the amount that had been put in. Jacky has been saving up for years to come this far, but will continue to build piece-by-piece until he can move his 2 sons, their mother, and 15 other family members into the home. When I asked about their current living situation, he agreed we could go meet them. We didn't travel far before we pulled up to a gated area. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyHFur1OSopDBs-qE2hstpRdJQlqq1TsdFbw2jARg3jwF0vxeOfS0OFDkmwnM9drkA-o2araWoNW9tqH-FVTvxh45yp24JZ6aBdI1oZ9KfHNFdtYpsXYCfkgld4-TZw_DCaI5C9dLRxW4/s1600/IMG-20111126-00205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyHFur1OSopDBs-qE2hstpRdJQlqq1TsdFbw2jARg3jwF0vxeOfS0OFDkmwnM9drkA-o2araWoNW9tqH-FVTvxh45yp24JZ6aBdI1oZ9KfHNFdtYpsXYCfkgld4-TZw_DCaI5C9dLRxW4/s200/IMG-20111126-00205.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>As we walked into the yard, I saw many women, young happy children, a dog, chickens, and a few tents on the side of a pretty beat-up house. At this point, I was still nervous about my ability to communicate in Creole, but Jacky urged me to learn anyways. I was excited to meet his sons, the oldest one very curious to meet me, and the youngest still grouchy from being woken up from a nap. The women were at the time painting each others nails, so I asked if I could join. I was not prepared for the spa-treatment they subjected me too, but as I sat soaking my feet in a tub while getting my nails polished, I felt like I was easing into the "community life" a little. Later, when we realized that my tennis-shoes were not painted-toe-friendly, Jacky's madamn went out into the neighborhood and returned with perfect-fitting sandals. Then they continued to indulge me with a huge serving a rice and beans, and I'm pretty sure I was the guest-of-honor as I was the only one eating with a spoon (the rest used their fingers).<br />
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Some of the children, especially the little boys, sat staring at me in awe, and Jacky's son spent some time fiddling with my bracelet and stroking my hair. We had to depart before dark, but I hope to see them again soon, with encouraging news of helping to build them a home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a5ADkuRJGDaNCjJrYhfcFk90AOI3rM8QP7WhdZubS_MsZUHMyLScsNNgYa0NpPWw3h4B-JDLnnRpESdX-S4blxaVRXZnVr6RWzWeJWzFG-Y0yFJX16FIMPVP8NDNKPoQncMxgf6mM_tV/s1600/manno%2527s+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a5ADkuRJGDaNCjJrYhfcFk90AOI3rM8QP7WhdZubS_MsZUHMyLScsNNgYa0NpPWw3h4B-JDLnnRpESdX-S4blxaVRXZnVr6RWzWeJWzFG-Y0yFJX16FIMPVP8NDNKPoQncMxgf6mM_tV/s200/manno%2527s+kids.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rx1bD0yqrKDOn2tnqFu0r7E92B35pKELf-yiLpR-EfbAJcH65V6tdz9ikbBMDUWQ3d5WZnkEUfXs0mxAVzMJ_9QTybmba1PjX_ZlJQ6uhpDGwEfgeZHtVVMLe9mneAQg3I318O6yTt0c/s1600/Etienne+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rx1bD0yqrKDOn2tnqFu0r7E92B35pKELf-yiLpR-EfbAJcH65V6tdz9ikbBMDUWQ3d5WZnkEUfXs0mxAVzMJ_9QTybmba1PjX_ZlJQ6uhpDGwEfgeZHtVVMLe9mneAQg3I318O6yTt0c/s200/Etienne+family.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> The meeting with Manno was trickier, as he is only off work on Mondays, and my work week has been crammed since arrival. Yet Manno was very persistent in meeting me, and eventually my creole became strong enough to understand our phone conversations. So when I found I was able to take off work, I had him meet me up the street, where I assumed we'd be taking a tap-tap to his vacant lot. Instead, as we were in the midst of prime-traffic time, he decided it wasn't too far to walk to his house, where I'd get the chance to meet his wife and two young children. So our "short stroll" turned into a long journey, as he requires a prosthetic leg due to his leg amputation a few years ago when the tap-tap he rode on back of was rear-ended. After about a mile of walking up and down treacherous hills, he gave in and flagged down a motorcycle taxi. We continued through a small market-town, and jumped off, just to walk through a maze to get to his small 2-bedroom abode. His son was very sick with a cold (i assume), and his daughter was dancing around as I was greeted by his very beautiful and sweet wife. We conversed as much as possible before Manno and I took off with his moto-driver friend, Toto, to survey the land he has recently paid off, by the kind gesture of a loan through Michael Gellenfeld of St. Joseph's Home for Boys. I definitely feared for my safety as we zoomed around 3-to a- moto, past Michel Martelly's massive residence compound, over a couple bridges, through a few streams, and even past a brother of Manno's who just happened to be walking across the street at the time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toto & Manno</td></tr>
</tbody></table> After a long climb via moto up a gravel path, we reached an uphill stretch of open land. Manno leaned on myself and Toto as we managed to examine the 1 1/2 acres of shrubbery and banana palms. Food for the Poor has been out to survey this land, and has pledged to assist in building a home, however the communication is unclear at the moment, so it will take some work and string-pulling on my part, but I can only thank God above that he has decided this will happen, and those from Clifton Presbyterian Church who have agreed that they will financially support this decision.<br />
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I returned home later that evening to a full-load of work, and a mind full of possibilities, riddled with questions about the difficulties it will take to reach the goals I've set forth in making a better future for as many as I can in Haiti. This is God's work...everything is for Him, and everything is possible by Him, so I don't doubt that one day Jacky and Manno will be living in proof of His love for them!LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-80061372195945444772011-11-22T21:59:00.000-08:002011-11-22T21:59:27.825-08:00Reunion 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. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UJTfRml2u37_9kYFjsKhu8dXpSTsKyzNr5WNZGNjZp8fah5TBTL4C8Z0TMjAMD0VEMIXpKgJy7zNCkyjQtj0LLgFehX6h4CwXDdCGyFw9DIvlRbB37Z9BVyPDDpuihVROpfSVBA4TvKr/s1600/Frank+Ely+and+Gesner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UJTfRml2u37_9kYFjsKhu8dXpSTsKyzNr5WNZGNjZp8fah5TBTL4C8Z0TMjAMD0VEMIXpKgJy7zNCkyjQtj0LLgFehX6h4CwXDdCGyFw9DIvlRbB37Z9BVyPDDpuihVROpfSVBA4TvKr/s200/Frank+Ely+and+Gesner.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gesner & Frank Ely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>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. <br />
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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. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv7_QGlMBgBcn7bH_BleV_BVWVj0uhJYRdUHpW1ozgsHuTSlci2ZMdgJBNa_lxfyrS8UZJRrTSTLJEA37NrCTXESdPXpzC-_XqXiJoMEEx4avN_L3bgz_mVCL4vVge8ld7Fk7tpVN052h/s1600/Ashley+%2526+Katie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv7_QGlMBgBcn7bH_BleV_BVWVj0uhJYRdUHpW1ozgsHuTSlci2ZMdgJBNa_lxfyrS8UZJRrTSTLJEA37NrCTXESdPXpzC-_XqXiJoMEEx4avN_L3bgz_mVCL4vVge8ld7Fk7tpVN052h/s200/Ashley+%2526+Katie.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashley & Katie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John, Karen and Frank Ely</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> 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. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillin with Lazaar & Teddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">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).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">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. </div> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peterson Gives Pierre a Ride on the "moto"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">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. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve's Drum Warm Up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3h8f_8_KLYc-DxtAR44FLSrJ9GMLhCZKXyQje0aWN2dUkeTq0AvDRMCH4szzsYyPyI1R5F-bnDL3EaQ_lkXTckw1VX5cSXgjhzRNjHkhqZ5rkbDW96bx5qSL_K6xfBsSFAiAHJVvOR9AI/s1600/Jun%2526Lar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3h8f_8_KLYc-DxtAR44FLSrJ9GMLhCZKXyQje0aWN2dUkeTq0AvDRMCH4szzsYyPyI1R5F-bnDL3EaQ_lkXTckw1VX5cSXgjhzRNjHkhqZ5rkbDW96bx5qSL_K6xfBsSFAiAHJVvOR9AI/s200/Jun%2526Lar.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuddling with Junior</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">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.</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rQJVh1vpDtM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">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! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday Night Outing with Alcindor, Ashley & Katie</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">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. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">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! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from top of the mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-8380331559657436902011-11-15T20:06:00.000-08:002011-11-27T04:59:02.332-08:00Work Hard, Jwe Hard!It's amazing when you realize you're apart of something so huge, and you're just at the beginning of even slightly understanding what that thing is. In the United States, it's so easy to get lost in your own little corner. If you want to be individual and keep to yourself, you have plenty of space to do so. Living and working in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, does not allow for isolation, and why would you ever want to do such a thing here?! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oscar takes on Leogane! </td></tr>
</tbody></table> This last week I've been much more rooted in my homebase versus the constant travelling over the mountains and down the hill to other locations. It's been very key in establishing meaningful relationships, and I'm definitely feeling at "home" now. Last week we had 2 new mentors come down from the Entrust Mentoring Group in Florida. This was Oscar's first solo-trip guiding the mentors to Leogane, so I played the worriesome mother, packing him a first-aid kit complete with hand sanitizer, band-aids, flashlight, emergency contacts, mosquito-repellant, pepto-bismol, etc. Other than having to forefeit a small 'fee' to the police at the car-rental in the airport to put the license plates back on the car, and buying a new car-battery once they got to their destination because the rental place just didn't think that sort of thing was necessary, I'm confident it was a success! I'd like to paint a picture of the inefficiencies that just naturally exist here, but please keep an open mind about the insanity in it. We've actually tipped men on the street for not breaking into the car while we were dining in a nearby restaurant. We still have to tip the servers at restaurants, even though "customer service" virtually doesn't exist... A "drive thru" trip to the bank is usually a 2-hour time committment at the least.... and I'm not even sure what the need is for that other than the fact that the bank severely dislikes having to dole out it's precious cash to account holders. Intersections have no meaning other than that's where drivers duel it out to see who can get to the other side faster. This is most disturbing when there is a 2 year old riding in the backseat of the car with you... minus a carseat....or seatbelt for that matter. You begin to build a natural tolerance for chaos and tough life, and rely totally on faith in the Lord to get you through to the end of the day...when you might lay in bed listening to the mosquitos dancing across your ears at night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny & Cadence</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Yet I really do love this place even as my perception changes on a daily basis, and am still incredibly intrigued by what God has in store for me everyday. Last week I was blessed with the friendship of an American missionary who's been working with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) for at least 8 years, her name is Jenny. I reached out to her last wednesday to see about joining in a small bible study from the church. She picked me up, along with 6 others from various NGOs, and we shared dinner and stories before we went to the study. It was at the campus of the Nazarene, actually a small house located on the compound home to a very sweet family from Tennessee, Michael, Karen, and their 7 year old daughter, Cadence. It was strange, yet so comforting to be in their company, and they were quick to welcome me as part of the extended family. In fact Karen was very pregnant at the time, and we got news today that she just gave birth to Elijah. The bible study was focused around the book of Nahum. A book so distraught with prophetic taunting of war, blood, and absolute destruction, that I was astonished to learn that "Nahum" literally translates to mean "comfort". Seeing as how it was one couple's last evening at the study before they depart for a new mission in Bolivia, we ended the night with brownies, angel food cake and ice cream. <br />
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Since the bible study, Jenny has let me tag along to the market (she is quite popular among the sweet little ladies selling their produce on the side of the street). I'm learning how to discern the difference between bananas and plantains, unfortunately there is a whole array of produce that I've never seen or heard of! Jenny even got me to join in a game of Ultimate Frisbee in the neighborhood at the Quisqueya Christian school, along with other mission workers about my age. I've been eating a healthy abundance of Haitian food (also chinese food, pizza, seafood, cake, etc.) for the last 3 weeks...so I was definitely the weakest link on my super-competitive team! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7imzSMWv6qn7gXWXFujSQ8qjS8vftwUQLiJAwsn9ROPKs-Oi9Izyew9a8Z25R96PyGpquSEXLt9Q7v9gonmXgld74Q5NcKuywCZ2yx8rlI-Vi78fj98eaxSDVs59gQCs9ns6BBKpZ8Wo/s1600/Emma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7imzSMWv6qn7gXWXFujSQ8qjS8vftwUQLiJAwsn9ROPKs-Oi9Izyew9a8Z25R96PyGpquSEXLt9Q7v9gonmXgld74Q5NcKuywCZ2yx8rlI-Vi78fj98eaxSDVs59gQCs9ns6BBKpZ8Wo/s200/Emma.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday Emma!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Work is getting intense. I finished compiling my 5-page work plan, and yet the tasks keep piling on! I suppose it's a good thing that my room is smack dab in the middle of the office, but this just means that there is never an "end time" to the work day. We're getting wrapped up in planning a conference, trying to figure out how to launch a website and marketing plan for an initiative aimed at connecting huge NGOs and local businesses in order to promote commerce and wealth-creation- 100,000 Jobs for Haiti. It's been a lot of fun working with Emmanuella, Daniel's office manager/cousin. She does not speak english, so we've been finding very creative ways of communication, and it's actually easier than I thought. Last week I figured out it was her birthday, just based on the number of phone calls that made her soooo excited and happy. Today, I drew a picture of a hamburger to explain what it is I wanted for lunch. Although I'm getting verry good at reading people's body language and facial expressions, i'm relieved to start lessons with a Creole tutor on Monday, so I can start chattin it up with everyone in no time! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcindor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Yesterday I got the chance to meet up with Alcindor, from Wings of Hope. It was tough for Daniel to have to play the fatherly role... I think he even sent a spy to watch and make sure I was safe, even after meeting Alcindor. We went to Epidor, a restaurant I've gotten to know very well for it's McDonalds-esque atmosphere of a chain restaurant. If you've never been, it can be a rough experience, determining how to order, what to order, where to pick it up... and to my amazement, Alcindor had never been before. So this was the first step in me feeling like I was a "local" here. Loved it! It was great to catch up since I last saw him, and share stories about life. Turns out, we're not much different, even though our backgrounds are absolutely 2 different worlds. I have this weekend free because Daniel is travelling up north, so I'll be staying at Wings of Hope for a few days, catching up with the kids from my last mission trip. I'm sooooo excited I can hardly wait! <br />
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I feel blessed for Skype, Facebook, Washington Post online, and all the other ways I've been able to keep in touch with my family at home. I can't say I'm homesick quite yet (I do kinda miss my cat- Boogie), but my heart is still in the U.S. as I pray for everyone's health and happiness! <br />
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LaraLaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-84260290341826380932011-11-06T21:28:00.000-08:002011-11-07T14:03:06.149-08:00Death for the Kingdom, Rebirth for the Paradise <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partners & Friends: Jack & Daniel</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I can only hope that most of my updates will start this way but, Wow! Today was an amazing day! Daniel's business partner and a key member of the Partners Worldwide Board of Directors, Jack Van der Ploeg, has been in town for the last week, as we travelled 2 hours north to Gonaives, and 1 hour southwest to Leogane. The dynamic has been so rewarding as we often find ourselves literally rolling on the floor laughing, or experiencing some amazing dinner conversations over a bottle of red wine (Jack's doctor prescribed it), discussing what 100,000 Jobs for Haiti Initiative really looks like in vision and practicality. Jack is convinced he's too old to bother learning Creole, so he doesn't even attempt it... compared to Roger speaking spanish to everyone last week... it's been a fun lesson in communication, and shown how valuable Oscar is to the operation.... which is great because I want to keep my new friend around! Jack's even decided to give Oscar a loan for a new car, just to show how committed Jack is to not having to speak Creole ;) Also like Roger, Jack is inspirational in his work ethic, his ability to analyze finances, procedures and standards, and his absolute devotion to seeing the progress in hard-working, Christian entrepreneurs. On a funny side note to describe Jack's sense of humor and slight issues in communication.. the first day we got to the guest house, Jack introduced himself to our Security guard, Mito:<br />
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Jack: "Hello, I'm Jack!"<br />
Mito: "Metoh"<br />
Jack: Oh wow, how cool! Hi Jack!" <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gonaives</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So north we travelled along the coastline to Gonaives... past the rolling hills and beach resorts, through the tropical villages and local markets of women carrying huge baskets on their heads and sugar cane vendors on every corner. It was a first-time sight for me to see the rice-fields, and the tedious work being put into rice-farming. Gonaives is a place that only a few years ago was underwater from flooding (evident based on the fact that the road there is a long gravel highway bridge on a desert plain), yet it still contains that old-french style, New Orleans feel. Something about it made me feel less safe than in Port-Au-Prince, but it may have been the unknown, as well as the way everyone stares at the blancs driving by in the car. It was here that we met with the Jerusalem Affiliate as I mentioned previously, Wilsonor, Exode, and Tony the baker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SQOidm_HPuUQlUTYmOJDvT6CREfi5zcJLKcK4ENPM-O5pO3JVIZraOC4ndx70wJ2hW9wvnpZULYQHXiGYX4_wIZs4HzdkQyVRvpb0Eu5Irs43UftCJVVvfy2q-CbvYXRt6draecNp0Hc/s1600/DSCN0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SQOidm_HPuUQlUTYmOJDvT6CREfi5zcJLKcK4ENPM-O5pO3JVIZraOC4ndx70wJ2hW9wvnpZULYQHXiGYX4_wIZs4HzdkQyVRvpb0Eu5Irs43UftCJVVvfy2q-CbvYXRt6draecNp0Hc/s200/DSCN0298.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brunel</td></tr>
</tbody></table> This week in Leogane, we had the job of prospecting for new businesses to take part in the training classes beginning in January. Brunel is Daniel's business development coordinator in Leogane... and he plays an integral role in discovering christian businesses that meet the criteria of being an SME who could benefit from our partnership model, potentially growing to create new jobs. This is not as easy as it might sound when so many of the businesses are street vendors and micro-enterprises, who have no vision for the future other than survival. Although Brunel has a Business Administration degree and background in finance, Daniel has come a long way in shaping him into a creative business professional who takes initiative, and maintains focus on the mission. He speaks about as much english as I speak Creole, so we've been having fun using a lot of broken sentences and hand motions. Our little family of big dreams might have a few communication problems, but it's such a comforting relief to know I can really depend on my new Haitian brothers, and we are learning a lot from each other- especially as I am the only female in the family, and I'm working on teaching them to be perfect gentlemen in addition to great businessmen! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ57BpDG6TkvpNoF0sfkwDa6eoEXB1i9kEiF9RAfrw8dAoYz4Ld_5d8AndzaaXDupUDn5la5KGmbtvbpLCuGFwmq6LFrvvQAGK9JcBNpd8EKkEqQZGFmLP9wnObz5owuZfiCsPQRmYTPrw/s1600/HSC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ57BpDG6TkvpNoF0sfkwDa6eoEXB1i9kEiF9RAfrw8dAoYz4Ld_5d8AndzaaXDupUDn5la5KGmbtvbpLCuGFwmq6LFrvvQAGK9JcBNpd8EKkEqQZGFmLP9wnObz5owuZfiCsPQRmYTPrw/s320/HSC.png" width="320" /></a></div>While in Leogane, I had the opportunity to take a visit to the site of the first mission trip I attended with Clifton Presbyterian, in July of 2010- Hospital Ste. Croix. It was amazing to see the Patient Wing fully functioning as a hospital, and the huge (not-very-good) rainbow we painted in the Children's room was keeping watch over some pretty sick kids. It was bittersweet, as I did not recognize any of the workers, and even the family that lived across the street no longer seems to be living there... I have some really great memories of playing soccer in the street, and watching the World Cup on a big screen in a field where the UN is now building a wierd-looking structure. I guess that's the thing about change.... it is inevitable, and good... but I can't help but wonder where that family went, and what happened to those that made me fall in love with Ayiti Cherie in the first place. <br />
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So today was so amazing because it was my first trip to Quisqueya Christian Church, which is located pretty close to the guesthouse. It is an American Church, non-denominational, but very Christian Reformed in nature. There is a great integration of local Haitians, and ex-pats living in the area. Thankfully the service is in english, and everyone was so welcoming! The service began with praise worship, and I was in awe of the musical abilities- saxophones, electric guitars, grand piano, drums and a great family of vocalists who get very passionate. Our opening prayer was given by Alan, a pastor of the New York Times Square Baptist or something like that... he is one of those seriously intense prayer-pastors who begins with a mild vocal praise, and builds into an intensely loud participation, willing God into the room with "AMEN!s" and "Thank you JESUS!" The sermon to follow was a response to John 12:20-26. The more quiet-spoken pastor preached death as a prescription to life. It described the "Kingdom way of thinking" and understanding that you must die to have life, versus the "Culture way of thinking". To let down your pride, and respond to God's way of creating a Kingdom through your life. The pastor asked, what stage of death are you in? I pondered this... and I still do not know where I am in the death of my self, and rebirth for His kingdom... but every day I am listening to God. Every day I am going through the process of realizing that it is He that brought me here, He that has saved me, and He that will bring about rebirth for a country that's been through a lot of death. It was an emotional service, and afterwards I made so many connections with incredibly welcoming people who have a lot of experience living and working here, and I'm really looking forward to the fellowship of the Bible Small group on Wednesday evenings.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table> We had to skip lunch today (which is ok because I've been eating like every meal is my last), and drove up to visit the Mission of Hope Haiti compound about 30 minutes north of PauP. This was a network connection we made at Movement Day's Rebuild Haiti Session in New York City in September, and MoH has pledged to create 10% of our 100,000 Jobs goal. They work in many different mission-areas, focusing on education and vocational training. They were eager to find a way to partner with us, and working together to push the economy forward. Ralph Edmond (directly to my left), co-founder of Farmatrix Pharmaceuticals and Board of Directors for Partners Worldwide Haiti, along with his friend and Executive Director of Haiti International Traders, Ken Michel (far left), met us there as well. I met Ralph in New York at Movement Day... I will have to get into his story later because it is incredibly inspiring, but he is a huge personality with an IQ level through the roof. It is a huge possibility that this may be Haiti's next president, even though he insists he couldn't deal with politics. Ken is actually very similar to Ralph, and the two of them were quite the dynamic team as we got into intense dicussion about the biggest issues in Haiti. Ralph states...."you have no idea how painful it is to be Haitian." And I know this is true because I hear it in his voice. The meeting was made up of 3 Haitians and 4 Americans. Why, they ask, is it that Americans care more about improving their country than Haitians do? So that is where our conflict lies.... convincing Americans to find a new way to "help" our neighbors other than mass donations that are killing the free-market society of Haiti, and the even greater struggle of not only creating wealth in Haiti, but convincing those Haitians that become wealthy (Diaspora?) to give back and lift up their fellow countrymen out of poverty. I hope to be sharing interviews of these great men with you later, because believe me.... this was a meeting of great minds, and a lot of progress was made as we build a network of effective NGOs and Haitian leaders.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS48LR2da1ICMujSTykENPps97k1u4mUcyhzezheZ6IsecLSvtLj9xCpbMsrQZZYMbZRDbSuasotZN30VQs8IDrVFhPF6lpvPsiN3V6rfm1ZTDgvK2J-Vr5TyTU1vhKs7ilDllJqtUVY9E/s1600/jerusalem_main_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="95" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS48LR2da1ICMujSTykENPps97k1u4mUcyhzezheZ6IsecLSvtLj9xCpbMsrQZZYMbZRDbSuasotZN30VQs8IDrVFhPF6lpvPsiN3V6rfm1ZTDgvK2J-Vr5TyTU1vhKs7ilDllJqtUVY9E/s200/jerusalem_main_image.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mentors bring value in expertise and <br />
encouragement to entrepreneurs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This week I will be doing the administrative work, writing stories and profiles on the entrepreneurs we are working to connect with mentors, and planning our upcoming January 27th conference in Haiti. The time I've spent in the field, made me realize there are quite a few Christian business professionals with varying specialities who would do great at walking alongside these business owners. It's a really rewarding experience, and the only investment is in the cost of trips to Haiti for consulations, and the time spent dedicated to being a life-transformer as a partner to people who really just need good, sound financial advice and encouragement in their field of business. If you know of anyone who fits this description, please send them to me- <a href="mailto:LaraB@partnersworldwide.org">LaraB@partnersworldwide.org</a>, or my regional partnership manager, Dave Genzink- <a href="mailto:DaveG@partnersworldwide.org">DaveG@partnersworldwide.org</a>, and respond to the call to share in wisdom and love for they neighbors.<br />
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Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and financial assistance for making this opportunity possible. I hope to see some of you making your way down here for a Caribbean getaway sometime in the next 12 months...the guesthouse is almost open for business and all are welcome once it is! May God bless you and Keep you well. <br />
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In His Praise,<br />
Lara <br />
LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-18071066476706759962011-11-04T03:52:00.000-07:002011-11-04T03:52:44.039-07:00New Views & Time for a Change!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20PUkHQ9Vb6XX1JlNPCdlEvrDX4yLoGwZzJe34AUtvNpb08rV5hCkK1_KpKi0vtRmo18ByV61v8Zpr8fEEJmiF_UpqeXuIO1n_ku1hfBjOXp3PsDEYdt81-oNCX2TAmB-j4N_X4ixcCYh/s1600/The+missionary+%2528300x225%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20PUkHQ9Vb6XX1JlNPCdlEvrDX4yLoGwZzJe34AUtvNpb08rV5hCkK1_KpKi0vtRmo18ByV61v8Zpr8fEEJmiF_UpqeXuIO1n_ku1hfBjOXp3PsDEYdt81-oNCX2TAmB-j4N_X4ixcCYh/s200/The+missionary+%2528300x225%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 243px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 426px;">When I started writing a blog back in May, it was originally to keep my family in touch while I went on a short-term mission trip to Wings of Hope, a home for children and young adults with physical and mental disabilities in Haiti. 5 months later... and I am back in Haiti with a renewed passion, a new purpose, a new outlook on life.... and a much bigger Family to stay in touch with! I am still flying on hope that one day Haiti will not be known for it's poverty and tragedies, but for the next year, my mission is to walk alongside Haitian business owners and entrepreneurs, encouraging growth, and witnessing God transform lives through partnership. </div><br />
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After months of preparing for service through prayer, fundraising and anticipation, I was welcomed back into the warm Haitian culture and climate one week ago. At 27 years of age, I'm pretty confident in travelling solo, but i'll admit I was kind of nervous about navigating my way through the airport with 3 large suitcases and a very small capacity for the local language. But here, for a few bucks, there are many people eager to be your friend and give you a helping hand. My partnership manager, boss, and mentor for the year, Daniel Jean-Louis, was waiting outside the airport at the end of a long walkway, looking like a pretty sharp businessman, and my new life began! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_tXjUsnqTNpmRKHXTq98nguMCoLj2k8_tcnFrT0Wj0OuTzxxsaIfqRbDZclcTycUIQLwLa5LmkLZ4-KhR8U5WNeHot9KGyV3CQkl-eSMrpkNu3AziZkJ3P5iqMWDmxhce8vKU9NzX9Xp/s1600/DSCN0159+%2528300x225%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_tXjUsnqTNpmRKHXTq98nguMCoLj2k8_tcnFrT0Wj0OuTzxxsaIfqRbDZclcTycUIQLwLa5LmkLZ4-KhR8U5WNeHot9KGyV3CQkl-eSMrpkNu3AziZkJ3P5iqMWDmxhce8vKU9NzX9Xp/s200/DSCN0159+%2528300x225%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Montana Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's pretty cool having Daniel as my boss, mentor, landlord, and really my new Haitian brother I can look up to. The 100,000 Jobs for Haiti Initiative is really his vision, and the last week as I'm seeing it put into action, I realize that Haiti actually has a chance with educated people such as himself bringing about change and restoration. On Sunday we had a chance to tour downtown Port-Au-Prince, and visit the Hotel Montana, where so many perished as the main structure on top of the mountain crumbled into oblivion. It was heartbreaking as we slowly made our way through the trash-and-sewage strewn streets near the Presidential Palace (which still lay in ruins almost 3 years after the tremblemante), and Daniel reminisced about spending his childhood at the now-deserted movie theater, or about playing soccer in the park that is now home to huge cities of tents and "temporary" shelters, about Quisqueya University where he teaches class, which had just completed a $5 Million construction project just weeks before it all came crashing down on January 12, 2010. Much like 9/11, people here refer to the earthquake as January 12th.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OWUSaFXWY0NtpowG15pUQxp2Yh_Lf1b0McrVysM4iC55wAoN6uaHryL1DwbmfXJEFDghyO2Hek2sGS4JCBg9rjTLBRd8PgGCnOUv6CtThrG9XTuVZ3UUh_zHv8VJFlG9Vs-uoyVwkUqx/s1600/DSCN0187+%2528225x300%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OWUSaFXWY0NtpowG15pUQxp2Yh_Lf1b0McrVysM4iC55wAoN6uaHryL1DwbmfXJEFDghyO2Hek2sGS4JCBg9rjTLBRd8PgGCnOUv6CtThrG9XTuVZ3UUh_zHv8VJFlG9Vs-uoyVwkUqx/s200/DSCN0187+%2528225x300%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinity Lodge S.A.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
My first week in Haiti has been greater than I ever could've expected. The day after I arrived and got settled into my cozy room at Daniel's Guesthouse, Trinity Lodge, we welcomed Roger, a Christian entrepreneur/engineer/mentor/amazing character with a huge personality. Daniel, Roger and I immediately took off for Leogane, where his Church in Arkansas, Lake Valley, has been working with the newest affiliate of business owners. It also happened to be the first day of work for Oscar, who was hired as a driver/translator. Oscar is still in "orientation", but he's been an a hugely valuable part of the team. He speaks Creole, French, English, Spanish, and is currently teaching himself to speak Italian. He's been working with me on my Creole, and I'm grateful for his friendship.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 285px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 486px;">I suppose I should explain exactly what it is Partners Worldwide is doing before I go further into the personal stories of all the business owners I've been meeting in the field. In each country we operate in, the focus is slightly different, but the model and philosophy for this small-NGO remain the same. We don't <br />
give hand-outs, but we provide training classes, connection to North American business mentors, and make small-interest loans available to small-medium sized enterprises already operating in their chosen field of business. In Haiti, Daniel is the country-wide Partnership Manager. He sets up a network of business owners (tailors, dry-cleaners, bakeries, block-makers, farmers, etc.), and determines their needs on a case-by-case basis. He is currently meeting in Leogane every Friday to give training classes to the first group of 20, who are being evaluated financially and operationally to determine the viability of expanding their business and equipment with loans and mentor-relationships. Further North, in Gonaives, a Construction Block-Producing company, Jerusalem S.A. was partnered with Brookfield Partners, a group in the U.S. that provided them with a loan to purchase new equipment and materials. Wilsonor, the owner of Jerusalem, expanded his </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Training Classes in Leogane</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNtd6umsDpXuHpo19eg1yMGtiiElgWWFsDWiIBdqNLKdiDSbrFKEXv3p7tEPoHzoLIrhPtTUDuiNf9VD00n8lGWxC6-CrK8oZHe6IZaxQimmIm4fdxUt9bY5r_unZnpEoXAFOegY5i6nN/s1600/DSCN0203+%2528300x225%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNtd6umsDpXuHpo19eg1yMGtiiElgWWFsDWiIBdqNLKdiDSbrFKEXv3p7tEPoHzoLIrhPtTUDuiNf9VD00n8lGWxC6-CrK8oZHe6IZaxQimmIm4fdxUt9bY5r_unZnpEoXAFOegY5i6nN/s200/DSCN0203+%2528300x225%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel, Jack Vander Ploeg (N.A. investor<br />
& mentor), Oscar & Wilsonor</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">business and has been paying off the loan, and recommending new businesses in the area for expansion. His payments on the loan are being reinvested by Brookfield into these recommended businesses...a Bakery run by a Jamaican who fell in love with Haiti and realized he could bring amazing pies and pastries into the community. He was provided with a loan, and has expanded into new stores, a delivery truck, and an increase in local-Haitian employees. Also expanding into new operations through this loan is Exode, a dry cleaner. Let me explain however that dry-cleaning here really only means they press your clothes with a steam-powered press. The problem with this is that steam-powered means they are burning trees for fuel at a rapid pace with a "boiler". Haiti cannot afford to be burning it's trees. Daniel says the country is dying...the deforestation is killing the country, and it's these small-medium enterprises that are responsible for 70% of the problem. Therefore, we are seeking alternative methods in propane-boilers and propane-powered electricity. This change in operation requires not only capital for different equipment, but changing the way Haitians operate their antiquated methods of work. So you're starting to get the picture of what we're doing here....it's about sustainability. It's about creating jobs and opportunities for Haitians so the children can go to school and not be enslaved as restaveks in the home, or worry about where their next meal will come from as they fall asleep in a cholera-ridden pile of filth under a USAID tent in the slums every night. It's about those same people who've been given opportunities to work and expand so they can return the favor to their neighbors and communities of faith. It's about the huge population of naiive NGOs making the decision to purchase locally-produced products, instead of ignorantly importing free "aid" to unconsciously destroy any hope of the market society. And this is just my first week! I can't wait to share my new experiences of living in another culture... it will take me the next year just to explain what I've gone through in just the last week! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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I'm so grateful to everyone who's made this experience possible. Please continue to keep the people of Haiti, all people struggling to maintain dignity through lack of employment, and those pushing for a world without poverty in the creation of wealth in your prayers. Bondye Blesi Ou, Bon Nuit! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-vk-iyQItqDRI0yBguJu1kKixgnSN5vfl_v_-AJGTT-qME9p_5sFPbAkQYBlEVvQX3fqPSX3WKiiTyj473GE4HzU6BgINCXwonN0jfQUGRer8b6YN8877hi2KaP28rHdpjpPcR9XHuPn/s1600/DSCN0124+%2528300x225%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-vk-iyQItqDRI0yBguJu1kKixgnSN5vfl_v_-AJGTT-qME9p_5sFPbAkQYBlEVvQX3fqPSX3WKiiTyj473GE4HzU6BgINCXwonN0jfQUGRer8b6YN8877hi2KaP28rHdpjpPcR9XHuPn/s1600/DSCN0124+%2528300x225%2529.jpg" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSTUGsCUBeu0tR6CA92CYoPShpnPEXn8xUMXNnPuSxoU0KB94VIpFxMsqAWyc_4WxjiDqetztRC1IGFMOi0PaIijXNqFSkEr6G3BNeBl51Ks8UOISCRUQJ-7I1hTueZF_BVaO_-4FJGaf/s1600/DSCN0124+%2528300x225%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0Léogâne, Haiti18.5108333 -72.63388889999998818.4999068 -72.648587399999982 18.5217598 -72.6191904tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-51782729688850579742011-07-29T21:00:00.000-07:002011-08-26T12:30:08.707-07:00A New Hope and a Huge DreamIt is Friday night. After spending 9 hours at the office, I returned home to follow up emails with members of my church mission committee, began the process of preparing letters and stuffing envelopes to friends, family, and anyone I think might have a heart for my plight(s). <br />
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Since my return from Haiti two months ago, much in my life has changed. There is never a dull day, and I thank God that He is keeping me driven. I made a huge decision on a leap of faith that I no longer wished to be a candidate for the full-time marketing manager position at my company, giving up opportunity for a wealthy living, exciting travel, and a respected career. My heart became light and happy upon this decision, but it is only the beginning of my trials as I begin the next step. I spent many nights reaching out to organizations, seeking positions that would allow me to progress in the field of humanitarianism. At one point I seriously considered returning to school for a second bachelor's degree....in nursing. Considering my weak stomach for blood and inability to watch televised surgical procedures, I knew I was reaching. Yet I was strong in the mindset that I wanted to find a skill that would be beneficial in Haiti, because it seemed clear that nobody needed an entry-level marketing professional in post-earthquake Haiti. I looked into Americorps programs, submitted applications to the UN Foundation, and nagged all those I was barely acquainted with how to go about starting my own non-profit foundation. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGWWqW02Cpn-YC9OuSg7NSjQcVjTSD8ZTaisLmblZA1lExrYy7knjVo7dO5KpZfjv8Z77F7NgybKP_3kyJewJykhKAWDTAhU3YoAQXyM8XB70zsGBXAxyC1AacLpPi6ovT827EbnrBaWT/s1600/FFP+Housing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGWWqW02Cpn-YC9OuSg7NSjQcVjTSD8ZTaisLmblZA1lExrYy7knjVo7dO5KpZfjv8Z77F7NgybKP_3kyJewJykhKAWDTAhU3YoAQXyM8XB70zsGBXAxyC1AacLpPi6ovT827EbnrBaWT/s320/FFP+Housing.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proposed Food for the Poor Housing for Jacky & Manno's Families</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was able to maintain a facebook-friendship and communication with much of the staff at Wings of Hope including Jacky, Manno and Alcindor. It kept me connected, and I shared with them my frustration about the complications that my culture creates for itself. Then they shared with me their frustrations that they could not fully provide for their family. Jacky's children are sick because they are still living in tents in Port-Au-Prince. Manno's greatest fear is that he will not have enough money to send his two children to school, which costs roughly $200 each every year, and his wife cannot find a job to help support. At some point, God put it in my mind that there might be a way to build a house for each of their families. I knew I could not do this alone, so I reached out to Habitat for Humanity, Building Goodness Foundation, and finally I came to Food for the Poor. There response was positive, and they have agreed to match our support and ultimately supervise the building of proud, stable structures, but only if we match the support to reach the $12,800 total goal. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oJvfzKitRHbRxFp4N_wU2uoJ8ZPe1z0EiDX-pSSJaO3hbq9huEQFsq328a1fLCQ_Y0DY2ipFVOuMvNWl3Btn-U-1sYDvkDZHUcvLBM_ZDuk9iStbswExro5j5YeufEF32jeVf36wF25l/s1600/soap+for+hope1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oJvfzKitRHbRxFp4N_wU2uoJ8ZPe1z0EiDX-pSSJaO3hbq9huEQFsq328a1fLCQ_Y0DY2ipFVOuMvNWl3Btn-U-1sYDvkDZHUcvLBM_ZDuk9iStbswExro5j5YeufEF32jeVf36wF25l/s200/soap+for+hope1.jpg" t$="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I also had a crazy idea to organize an event that would provide some care for the children at Wings of Hope. With little to no budget, I met with another boy apart of the youth who attended our mission trip, and we planned to hold a carwash in the area. I figured, if cheerleaders and boyscouts can do it, not too hard, right? Wrong. I now know the meaning of "hittin the streets", and that's just to secure a location. Then we had to put a $60 down payment to use the Sunoco gas station, and now I'm not even sure who's going to do the actual "washing" since all those originally enthusiastic about helping now have other plans. It will all work out I'm sure, but I've grown into a leader, planner, organizer, graphic designer of brochures and letter-writer overnight. </div><br />
Now I've saved my biggest "cause" and life-changing phenomenon for last. In my search for work opportunities, I came to find Partners Worldwide in an online search. An organization that operates in over 20 developing countries around the Globe, there vision is for "business as a ministry for a world without poverty". Their mission is to "encourage, equip and connect business and professonal people in global partnerships that grow enterprises and create sustainable jobs, transforming the lives of all involved." They had one available position listed: international program management internship based in Port-Au-Prince for a period of 12 months. There have been times in job searching where I thought, "wow, that would be a good match!" This however, felt like God had heard me ask, and said, "Ok here you go." The one downside was that I had missed the cutoff date by 2 weeks. Well, can't hurt to try, right? The following day I received a call, and followed up the next day with a 4-way conference call between myself, their local coordinators, and the partnership manager in Haiti, calling in on Skype. It was, to date, my hardest interview ever. The questions were tough and deep, and I truly had to search within to find the words to show my strengths, and even my weaknesses. I received my offer letter 2 days later. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/aJELii2K6wc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Long story short... I am now about to embark on a year long journey, improving and implementing the 100,000 Jobs initiative- creating 100,000 jobs in Haiti by the year 2020. I will utilize my skills in marketing, and connect with people native to numerous areas in Haiti while living with a local family, and I couldn't be happier. Here's the catch, I have to raise the entirety of $17,250 by pleas to family, friends, churches, businesses, anybody with a heart. At times when I have wanted nothing more than to remain anonymous, escape from my past, and stay private in my affairs, my drive to make this dream a reality is pushing me to reach out to anyone and everyone, and check my pride at the door. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Many of you may have been forwarded to this blog based on letters you received. Thank you for reading through to the end. I know from experience how frustrating it can be when people are always asking you for money to help their cause, when you just spent the last hour sitting in traffic, staring at the "empty gas" light on your dash, wondering if today will be the day that you have to push your car home in 100 degree heat because you can't afford a drop of gas. Or waking up at 7 am for three days straight to see if your paycheck was deposited yet, only to see that<br />
-$248 staring back at you because you underestimated the banks ability to clear checks you wrote for insurance, car payments and student loans all at the same time. Life is hard. Making the decision to give up dreams of financial success and take on dreams of "global human success" sometimes feels impossible. But nobody can do it on their own. Pride a tough attitude won't get you through life. And nobody ever went into poverty thinking, "if I only hadn't donated that $20 to charity". If I am wrong, I apologize- and let me know, I will give you $20...do you take personal checks? </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Please keep checking in, and I promise to stay more faithful in my updates, rather than unloading 2 months of crazy happenings, for thats where I am about to embark...insanely inhabiting a developing nation with the hope that just maybe I will do a little good, but most definitely I will do my best. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>To partner with me in support of my next 12 monthes building connections in Haiti, please go to <a href="http://donate.partnersworldwide.org/">donate.partnersworldwide.org/</a>. Select a Type of donation- scroll to "People". Once selected, scroll down the "Choose a Program" tab on the right to "Lara Baldauf (Haiti)" You may then choose a one-time donation, or to make life easier and allow for a greater assistance, pledge a smaller monthly amount. All donations, prayers and encouragement means more than you know, and I am grateful for your role in my development. </em></div>LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-78051972273924846202011-06-07T20:32:00.000-07:002011-06-07T20:32:02.538-07:00The Return from HeavenI am back in the United States. I am back in the world of annoying alarm clocks versus nagging roosters in the morning. Deadlines and tough decisions at work versus the slow pace of watching the rain and waiting for the bell to ring at lunch. Terrible reality tv shows and news content featuring political hypocrits versus praise-dance parties and heart-wrenching love of youth. <br />
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Upon my return to work Monday morning, I spent my time waiting to hear if my position with the company is guaranteed permanent, while sharing with anyone who would listen about my experiences and joys of "roughin it" in Haiti. I took lunch sitting near a fountain, reading a book on the history of Haiti, wondering if Haitians would consider a fountain for aesthetic appeal to be a cruel joke in the face of their limited water supply. This book I am reading has confirmed my praise for the St. Joseph's foundation: Haitians need to come to the realization that the solution to their problems must come from within, not from the saving grace of another country. In establishing St. Joseph's, Michael Geilanfeld knew this secret as well. He began with a few small boys, and gave them the tools, education and ability to grow into leaders. From here they took on the Wings of Hope Orphanage as leaders, and within that home, disabled children are helping other disabled to learn and grow. Michael is that small mustard seed, from which nations may one day arise. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QC7V45i1sqHs0jZfNkiHdoA4Yi0Z67qD9x7bwySf37TzzdRW_JEyIcf7Z34IhX_iD72jwv9xJiRtRMn5Hj8CFW6gzcCkjjOsvaG0TE9bTD4h1B7Gg4y7QoZpU6f_TGURQdmvLRDe2qC3/s1600/untitled.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QC7V45i1sqHs0jZfNkiHdoA4Yi0Z67qD9x7bwySf37TzzdRW_JEyIcf7Z34IhX_iD72jwv9xJiRtRMn5Hj8CFW6gzcCkjjOsvaG0TE9bTD4h1B7Gg4y7QoZpU6f_TGURQdmvLRDe2qC3/s400/untitled.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This sculpture was carved out of the tree trunk that supported the weight of collapsed building,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> saving the life of a member of St. Joseph's. </span></em></td></tr>
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Today, I spoke with my marketing director, and after some discussion, I'm realizing the position I was once so excited about, may not be the route for my passion afterall. I must make a decision within hours, and I've never felt so torn about anything. How do I support a company that ultimately provides technology used in war, when my own mission is to foster love and improvements to a third-world country? I need this position as a financial means to support myself, or else I would serve no good for anyone. I shouldn't turn down the only opportunity I have right now for a career, when I have not located any other existing opportunities to serve in Haiti. <br />
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The night before we left, KC came to our devotion to share the future plans of Wings. She passed around blueprints for a $4 million facility to house all the children, the staff, a school for other disabled children, and an indoor therapy pool! Her dreams are huge for this compound shaped fittingly shaped like a butterfly, and I admire everything about this woman whom is so similar to myself. She shared with me during our breakfast-prep Saturday morning that she felt her life is more compatible with Haitian culture. God had called upon her for service, and she came upon this opportunity. Almost envious, I hugged her good bye and let her know how much she inspired me. She said, "I know you'll be back, that's not even a question," then showed the children how to blow kisses as our van pulled away. I know they say you should never look back, but I couldn't help but glue my eyes to the 2nd story balcony at Steve, biting his nails, too upset to come say good bye. Or at Josephine, practically sprouting wings from her wheelchair on the top balcony to come with us. Jacky rode with us to Port-Au-Prince, so at least I felt I could save one last good bye until I reached the airport. <br />
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So I'll leave this post with some things I learned from Haiti, hopefully continuing my ongoing efforts in future posts as I attempt to carry out my passion: <br />
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1) Living in even the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere is no excuse for bad fashion<br />
2) The term "act your age" is totally irrelevant in any context<br />
3) Justin Beiber is famous....everywhere whether you like it or not <br />
4) Beyond mountains are.....more mountains<br />
5) You don't need money to be rich<br />
6) Sanitation is a rarely afforded luxury<br />
7) Toilets don't have to flush clockwise, counter-clockwise, or in any direction if they don't flush <br />
8) Guys like girls who cover up and don't show too much skin <br />
9) Earthquakes lead to as many miracles as they do tragedies<br />
10) In faith, God will always provide what you need, not always what you want<br />
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I hope you've enjoyed my attempt at social networking through blog. I ask that you assist me with my life's passion by sharing a gift of your choice to the Wings of Hope Sponsor-a-child program, or to the Building Fund. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2F9auo77RaE5rsxXIN5Qp2_LUbYZe5gH6YuWoMKHbUoxzbpQLY1_-iB8g8V18AuxPHmjrshC8bRpX1kfyvFm3Z1d5_TzTNe-alCtM34OtyeFhtqOnFMtGXZDHz10Lex7azLu34BqEnMx/s1600/254830_10150278432941885_621776884_9496567_8177677_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2F9auo77RaE5rsxXIN5Qp2_LUbYZe5gH6YuWoMKHbUoxzbpQLY1_-iB8g8V18AuxPHmjrshC8bRpX1kfyvFm3Z1d5_TzTNe-alCtM34OtyeFhtqOnFMtGXZDHz10Lex7azLu34BqEnMx/s200/254830_10150278432941885_621776884_9496567_8177677_n.jpg" t8="true" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
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<strong>Click on link: </strong><br />
<a href="https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1003031"><strong>https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1003031</strong></a>LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-30966297799092726822011-06-06T04:26:00.000-07:002011-08-26T12:31:26.150-07:00Foggy Friday<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oh how I dreaded Friday since it is next to Saturday, when we leave. The rain (lapli), let up enough that some of the children were able to attend their weekly therapeutic riding session. At around 8 am, two large vans pulled up, and the eager children were carried or escorted down for their one escape from the facility that week. Steve came out wearing a brand new pair of riding britches. Almost all of my "visitors" group chose to accompany them, so I stood with Jacky at the balcony, watching and sending them off with waves, air kisses and au revoirs! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Those of you who know me may wonder why I would give up the chance to see my children riding horses, two of my favorite things in the world. It was simply because I couldn't fathom leaving the other children in wheelchairs, dirty blankets, and trapped in their own disabilities behind. The staff had a pretty good remedy for these children anyway. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Everyone was wheeled downstairs after their breakfast, and gathered in the main dining room. The Brad Pitt of Haiti, Gary, who happens to be the second assistant director (next to Manno), was already at the house, and ready to take to his guitar. Manno also proved to be a master of guitar and jembe drum, and we began our dance/praise party. The songs and chantings were mostly of the Haitian song book, but the beautiful Gary had a few classics we all knew in his repertoire. "This is the day...that the lord has made/ sa se jou a, segne ya fe ya".</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUlGMCcOhuiqyGoKiIHct041ZUWmeQGXzNMW7WQlLFuuPIgUO9KIJuqhW6DFbswZXeLIaE4_6LHWQ_Dlr1_DSeEqLm2VYsRuxyaLW7XIuhCE_CPpNU5IqxU5fK0KSobjmCi3mMuz5c1zy/s1600/247183_10150279404867433_557117432_8976210_3320510_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUlGMCcOhuiqyGoKiIHct041ZUWmeQGXzNMW7WQlLFuuPIgUO9KIJuqhW6DFbswZXeLIaE4_6LHWQ_Dlr1_DSeEqLm2VYsRuxyaLW7XIuhCE_CPpNU5IqxU5fK0KSobjmCi3mMuz5c1zy/s320/247183_10150279404867433_557117432_8976210_3320510_n.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Haitian Brad Pitt Gary and Manno at the guitars</em></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I spent two hours dancing, attached to Baby John. He is a verrry special case and may be responsible for my motherly protective instincts. The first day we were given a tour, I saw a small rascal crouched in the corner, detached from the rest, grubbing on his plate of food like a chimpanzee with his hands. I knew I wanted to get to know this one on first sight. He has a temper, and often runs away crying. He sits in the autistic class every day, crazily beating two sticks on the table (he would make for a very intense drummer in a heavy metal rock band). The background pamphlet on each child I had read mentioned he occasionally has a very endearing laugh and extraordinary smile...if you can find a way to seek out his joy. This was to become my new challenge. I had that opportunity realized one morning after breakfast, when I went to wipe his hands and face clean after his mad feeding frenzy in the corner. As I approached him with a towel, he began to wimper and cry, but I gently stroked his chin, pleading, "pou souple, zanmi mwe, ou remnen / please, my friend, I love you" It worked, as the next thing I knew, John leaped into my arms, wrapped his legs around my waist, and was not seen once the rest of the week without clinging to myself or one of the other female visitors. He became obsessed with that attachment, screaming and crying anytime he was pried away from his captive. Later, during my ride to town, Jacky told me that he had never seen John connect to anyone in such a way, so we had indeed made a huge difference. Although I now have bruises on my waist, and massive arm muscles from holding him, the staff refer to John has Lala petit gason, or Lala bebe. "Lala's son". </div><br />
So during our makeshift dance session on Friday, I was wrapped by John, and danced for hours, with the two of us patting out the beat on each other's backs, until I was blessed by his laughter and smile. For one miraculous moment, bebe John released himself from my grip, joined the circle, and began dancing his praise with the others. My heart and pride literally exploded, and I cried at the sight, thanking God I was witness to that joy. The dancing followed with the resident minister leading devotions and passages from the Bible, in Creole. I slowly progressed around the room, holding hands and stroking each confined child until I was sure they had received an adequate amount of the love and attention they desperately desired, then I would move onto another, to repeat my therapy. "Brad Pitt" Gary followed in my example until lunchtime, when we feasted on the most delicious cuisine, which Cendo had slaved away for 5 or 6 hours to prepare. The other children returned, and we shared some downtime for awhile, until it came time to say our goodbyes. <br />
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First we attempted to prepare the children for bed. There was a lack of clean dry clothing, as the rain had made it impossible to hang clothes out on the line to dry. Many of the children were still in their riding britches, and some were simply left in the soiled diapers and pants they had slept in the night before. Our group had left a huge pile of clothes for donation in the guest house, so I methodically went back and forth between the houses, matching each child in need with an item of ours that might hopefully fit their tiny frail bodies. My hope is that in wearing these clothes, each child remembers who of our group they belonged to, and will feel they are still encompassed by our warmth. <br />
It was while I was removing Josea's shoes, a technical genius (he has his own Best Buy stored under his bed, I swear), that he did something unexpected. He began to stroke my back, as I had been doing for the others all week. I was shocked by how comforting and tender it felt. There was an immediate release of stress, and although he isn't able to speak, rather he grumbles sounds, I knew how much he appreciated our work that week. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGsK44qBKMudu2ARaCb0KuvGHVLbe3qaqOX0EnHaNRj6eUpwMaiTeljeMkOgFgNxcss_cA2IvTIg_i1xvPeUsdolrBqRbef1RTmZJLa0T6YlJzbFGc5hnMgjL_p6wjlklrZB5v5LhS_QF/s1600/251626_10150279405312433_557117432_8976213_7060979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; height: 238px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 187px;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGsK44qBKMudu2ARaCb0KuvGHVLbe3qaqOX0EnHaNRj6eUpwMaiTeljeMkOgFgNxcss_cA2IvTIg_i1xvPeUsdolrBqRbef1RTmZJLa0T6YlJzbFGc5hnMgjL_p6wjlklrZB5v5LhS_QF/s200/251626_10150279405312433_557117432_8976213_7060979_n.jpg" t8="true" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior...the 26 year old rescued from trash.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The other children were not quite as forgiving that we were saying goodbye, some, including Steve, ran away as I approached. They seemed so hurt, as though they were being abandoned. It made me cry, and I was mad at myself for showing them my pain, when they spend everyday living in the world of that pain. As our dinner bell rang, I sat with Junior for awhile. He began his methodical self-picking, and grinding his teeth, as though he was severely stressed. I kept repeating to him that he was special, loved for the rest of time, and no body would ever forget about him again. I assured him he is a handsome man, and he mattered to everyone in the world. </div><br />
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I sat with Cendo til it became dark, confessing my own fears, worries and thoughts about the kids. He reassured me with promises that my work will make a difference, and I left him to depart for my group's evening devotions, where KC shared with us, the Orphanage's plans for the future. This I will save for another day, because now I must go through the process of determining how I may best offer my service to assist them with this massive $4 million dream project for Wings.LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-32038448547300498032011-06-05T20:31:00.000-07:002011-06-05T20:31:10.973-07:00Jacky's Story...Thursday DelightI will tell you of my new brother, Jacky, as I am writing online in the dark, at 3:30 am, listening to "I wanna be a billionaire" coming from next door. It's rather ironic when you're listening to that song with a strange stench of urine, baby vomit, and who else knows what coming from....yourself.<br />
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I love the natural progression in relationships of this experience. As promised, I will explain my new brother, Jacky Asse. Instead of writing online Thursday morning, I chose to help Jacky, Manno, and the residentual house advisor, KC, with cooking breakfast. As I cracked eggs in the bowl, the guys stared at my me with a strange look of fascination. KC explained that they had never seen anyone quickly crack each egg over the bowl, rather they pain-stakingly cut a hole in the top of each and pour it in. Each meal prepared for the "visitors" has taken upwards of two and one-half hours. In many cases, the meals are prepared in the dark (mom I donated those LED touch-button lights to the pitch-black cooking-cause). The scrambled eggs we had that morning, prepared by contributions of 3 staff and myself, were the best I've ever had, no joke I tasted love in every bite. <br />
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At some point on Thursday, I asked Jacky how to make the coffee...meaning, where do you keep the beans. This turned into Jacky not only making a whole pot of coffee for me, but going down 2 floors to turn on the solo gas-guzzling generator for 15 minutes....just for my coffee. I kept telling him he was making too huge of a fuss, not to go to the effort. His response to me was completely serious, "I am here to serve you, Lala." Please don't read into this as myself being a prissy, needy American. It is the manner of hospitality here. Even the most poor will still break out the best china, give you their finest of everything as their guest. I will do my best to serve Jacky now in return as he has requested, by sharing with others, the story he so eloquently came to speak at our devotions on Thursday evening. <br />
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<em>Born in the countryside, 30 years ago, Jacky's father was a "Tonton Macoute" (a militant organization that terrorized the people for political gains), who left Jacky and his mother with nothing more than a bucket of milk, to pursue his chase of many other women and money. Without a man to provide, Jacky's mother turned to the streets. After awhile, a christian woman noticed them and took them in. Unfortunately, Jacky's mom later got involved with another man, so they left the christian woman's care, only to discover this other man had infected Jacky's mother with AIDS. She died in the early 1990s. Jacky, was taken in by his aunt and uncles, not as a member of family in need, but as a "restavek", or a child abused and used to do work, left to sleep on a pantry floor...a child slave. He was eventually reunited with the christian woman, and she referred him to St. Joseph's Home for boys. This is the original organization of Michael Gellenfeld, a member of the Mother Theresa order, who eventually took ownership of the orphanage in which I stay. There, Jacky found his love for dance in their dance troop, and found passion in receiving applause by others. He moved onto another part of the organization, Trinity House school for streetboys, where he was dance teacher. It was here at Trinity house in Jacmel where Jacky was present during the 2010 earthquake. He was kept safe, but spoke of a miracle he was witness to. A 15-day old infant was buried in the rubble of a building collapse. 7 days after the quake, the child was discovered, untouched, without a speck of dust or scratch on skin. This, he proclaimed, was God's protection. (I will also mention that miraculously, not a single orphan of Wings was harmed in the earthquake either...in fact, Carlyn, a severely challenged and mute girl, spoke her first words shortly after the event as though she was shaken out of her shell). Continuing Jacky's story...he was asked by Michael to serve as Director of the orphanage shortly after the earthquake. He felt overwhelmed, worried he wasn't properly equipped, but knew he was being called to serve, and saw the importance of his background of abandonment and lack of worth to that of the disabled, abandoned children, who some compare to as "living pieces of furniture". Jacky now has two sons of his own that he can only see on weekends, as he resides in the house during the week, ensuring each child is properly fed, bathed, clothed and educated. His daily tasks include managing both orphanage and guest house, ensuring there is enough power from the generator, and rain water in the cisterns to operate, all appropriations of funds and donations, traveling the dangerous route into town to gather supplies for all 35 children, full team of staff, and the particularly "needy" visitors who arrive fairly often. Jacky is in awe that as an abandoned boy living on the street, used by his family, he has been chosen as a leader. Most haitians, he says, leave for America once they are able, never to return. He knows the awesome power and special secret of love that Haiti holds, and he realizes that it is vitally important that he stay and do his best to teach others to lead, inspire others to hope, and God will continue to provide. </em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA94GUs9548b3sAcMwQ_RyJMoDFmhsaS9Oynyhc8AHRjryiYClrR1281iyVEUlX0uhNVAXcU9kKZxaxURJC5b8GFlhOwMEPyEBBCqq3DXlOZj-rLs7IGAQwFEDAzZKKPPWD3tHO64Yh5z5/s1600/246630_10150279406942433_557117432_8976218_6801987_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA94GUs9548b3sAcMwQ_RyJMoDFmhsaS9Oynyhc8AHRjryiYClrR1281iyVEUlX0uhNVAXcU9kKZxaxURJC5b8GFlhOwMEPyEBBCqq3DXlOZj-rLs7IGAQwFEDAzZKKPPWD3tHO64Yh5z5/s320/246630_10150279406942433_557117432_8976218_6801987_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Since I have been offline a few days and writing this in retrospect, I will let you know that when I came to assist with breakfast on Friday morning, I walked in to find Jacky cracking the eggs over the bowl, as he had learned by watching me. I am so proud and have such awesome love for my new brother... and he is now the proud owner of a new "boom-boom" music box. You can find him on facebook, and he will be coming to the states this fall, where he will share his story, and powerful speaking capabilities in person.<br />
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</em>LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-43453108617119436642011-06-03T03:10:00.000-07:002011-06-03T03:10:23.229-07:00Rainy season and WednesdayThis post will start with me telling you how excited I am that I just took a shower outside in the rain! No joke. Shampooed, conditioned, shaved... and it was freezing. I'm feeling extremely rejuvenated! <br />
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Since I'm beginning with the last event of my day, I'll go ahead and continue the backwards-trend of this post. After our evening devotions, I came down to see Mano, the assistant director, fallen asleep with the bi-lingual english-creole book of poetry I had brought over his chest. It was one of many sights to tug at my heart strings this week. He has the kindest smile, a loving demeanor, very handsome features, and only one leg. He lost the other while riding in back of a truck that was rear-ended. Quite a common occurrence due to the crazzzy driving here. So Mano usually hops around on one foot unless he feels the need for his prosthetic, but I keep attempting to trick him and his strong pride into letting me help him with those mundane tasks that 2-legged people usually take for granted. <br />
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During dinner, I realized that Peterson, an autistic boy who keeps to himself with a helmet and paces on the porch where we eat, was still outside, standing in the rain. I approached him, asked (in creole!) if he was ready to go up to bed. He simply nodded, and we made our way back to the children's compound. I wasn't aware he needed as much direction as he did, but I literally had to guide him up the ramp-stairs, to his bed, remove his helmet, his shoes, tuck him under the blanket, and kiss him on the forehead to go to sleep. Doing this, I didn't realize how many of the boys were watching, and in turn expected the same attention. So I made my round, tucking in 39 children of various ages and abilities, kissing each one of the forehead, and feeling the tears trickle down as I realized that my heart has exploded with intense motherly love for such a huuuuge family of children. Even Junior came out of his world just slightly enough to attempt to kiss my cheek. <br />
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I sat with Cendo for awhile, watching the rain. He continued to confess his love, saying he chooses me. I explained that I did not want to break his heart, and I was leaving Saturday. He says he respects me. He sees how I am with others, and God is very happy with me. Love as big as the Sun has been radiating from everyone, including myself in this country. It may be the richest country in the world, with the greatest lack of monetary wealth. That cannot be a coincidence. <br />
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During afternoon chill-out time, I sat with a group of 12, listening to my boom-boom music box, and the sound of the rain. Each child was desperately seeking to have a physcial touch connection to at least some part of my body....but I'm not very big so I felt a bit stretched out. <br />
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The morning began with a small group of us going into the town of Petionville to pick up necesseties from market. I value the experience, as I was riding up front with the director, Jacky, who is a total blast. He loves my boom-boom music box also, so we attached it to his ipod, and sang Rihanna or Wyclef at the top of our lungs the whole way down the mountain. He speaks great english, so he was able to answer all my questions about the children and the orphanage. He is coming to speak to our group during devotions tomorrow night about his life and hopes for the orphanage, so I can't wait to share about this amazing person.LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-53476643214523218172011-06-01T12:59:00.000-07:002011-06-06T04:39:02.197-07:00Tuesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BtLnJZJcJD0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Steve</div>Ohh Tuesdays. I always say they're my least favorite day. Maybe in Haiti too... I began the morning with a quick breakfast, then headed over to see the children. They were still being bathed, many of them looked as horrified as I did about cold water poured over their heads. I went to the balcony to sit with Josephine, who was already wearing a beautiful pink shirt we had brought as a donation. I gave her my ipod so she could hear some super-cool tunes, and we were quickly joined with my best zanmi, Steve. <br />
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For breakfast, they were to be fed a soupy mixture of beans and rice. I was assigned to feed BJ, who has severe autism and cystic fibrosis. He was soooo excited for "manje", he knocked the plate out of my hand, all over Clifton, his buddy in the wheelchair next to him. As helpers rushed to clean up Clifton for the second time that morning, and I hastily tried to clean soup from the floor, BJ began to cry and wail, thinking he had ruined everything, mostly his precious breakfast. I found my twin, Soni, and was graciously given another bowl of the food, and once I returned to BJ and had him well fed, I felt I had fixed that pwoblem. As I walked by him a few minutes later at prayer time, he grabbed my hand, and laid his head against my side, smiling hugely. It gripped my heart, and I knew he felt loved as well. <br />
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As I was walking around, attempting to wipe faces after breakfast with one of few washclothes they have, I noticed a small boy rocking in his bed, with a helmet on. I recognized him from the book we had as Junior. I also remembered reading that Junior was found abandoned and living in a forest. He prefers to keep to himself, he has a problem with self-mutilation (hence the helmet), and he is a cuddler. He is also 26 years old...same as myself. Age and number of years are being defined in a new light this trip. Most of the "babies" we spend hours rocking here, are actually 5-11 years old, but were so malnutrioned during the time of their abandonment, they are miniature. So I coaxed Junior out to prayers, by stroking his hands, and telling him what a special "zanmi" friend he is to everyone. <br />
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During prayer time, I was asked to begin our prayers. Its funny....I didn't know what to say...I think I mentioned something about a good day, a good meal, and for lots of love and laughing. With Steve by my side all day, that wasn't a pwoblem at all. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcindor "Cendo" </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was assigned to the kitchen to help make the children's lunch. There I got to meet the resident cook, Cendo. He speaks english almost fluently, but claims he needs a lot of work. I told him my name, but it turned out it is much easier here for me to go by my sister's nickname for me, "Lala". Cendo and I talked about everything, including his broken heart. I told him we're going to go out in the village and find him a lady! I hope his english is clear enough to understand that I didn't mean we're going to go out in the village, and I'm going to be his lady... for he kept telling me the rest of the day to never forget that I am special and beautiful. </div><br />
I've discovered as true with most autistics, Steve has a hidden brilliance...in music! His singing voice is gorgeous, although the only thing he sings is "JEZI, HALELLUJAH, BEF!" (Jezi=jesus, Bef=beef???) Often time we have impromptu music beat sessions- either with a toy harmonica, or make-shift drum pots.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvUSUFF-_W_u1wIgiFxLkuyrWfruBbfeDC__Y21r8wOWG44figNfNijJx2ryElcfh63CMvQ8fAtfWJpCxPSnqnxJvK4MxF3TAgoC4PI9KyduCW-2-6fkAEmirbtdPNvZriVS4IR6tXajk/s1600/250126_10150277759222433_557117432_8960574_832940_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvUSUFF-_W_u1wIgiFxLkuyrWfruBbfeDC__Y21r8wOWG44figNfNijJx2ryElcfh63CMvQ8fAtfWJpCxPSnqnxJvK4MxF3TAgoC4PI9KyduCW-2-6fkAEmirbtdPNvZriVS4IR6tXajk/s200/250126_10150277759222433_557117432_8960574_832940_n.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a></div>The afternoon gave us a bit of a break, so some of our group broke off to take a walk through the jungle mountain. You'd be amazed at the length people travel with objects the size of refrigerators, wait, let me rephrase, actual refrigerators on their heads, up steep hills. Meanwhile, us blancs were slipping and sliding, stopping for photo ops. Hidden away, in the side of a rocky slope where the pigs, cows and goats freely graze, we found a group of locals playing a game of soccer...with an old basketball, in a pit of mud they had cleared especially for the occasion. I could just hear the dramatic music in the background of my head, as the dirty, muddy blancs took the final score... and launched into a crazzzzy victory dance that looked more like a seizure of the limbs. We said our "au revoirs!" and headed back down the slippery slope towards the orphanage. Once at the bottom, we looked back, and found the group of locals had adopted our victory dance, and the new seizure-limb craze has spread across the island already! </div><br />
The rest of the afternoon I spent either washing more dishes by hand, and playing a huge role in bringing in the fun in bike-time. There are some pretty cool "wheels" available to the children who can use them to fly in circles around the patio. Some with less abilities were brought out for the fresh air and attention, and the rest were being serenaded by guitar in their compound, while girls fixed them up with stick on tattoos. Every ounce of individual attention they receive is soaked up completely, and even those with very little cognitive or verbal skills are able to show in the most minute ways how important we are to them.<br />
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<em>Papa, Father,</em><br />
<em>yo di m' se malere. They say that I am poor.</em><br />
<em>Mesi, Papa. Thank you, Father.</em><br />
<em>Fe m' pov an espri tou, May I also be poor in spirit,</em><br />
<em>pou m' sa erite wayom bondye a. that I may inherit the Kingdom of God. </em>LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-8145217230514347832011-05-31T03:44:00.000-07:002011-06-06T04:34:59.187-07:00Monday Fun-day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BVKhRjB82LoT4v0Y4eAczT96ieN0vUudxH2P6tpkVTTBtA0QBd9jkCAxlGPPG4KwCWj72iwbGmgIjFoiFVPaRpLzZoZgo_kjzq9MTSkVQ-h8drClLkXi_OKAts3Pa72thc3UqzXvFvru/s1600/IMG-20110530-00032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BVKhRjB82LoT4v0Y4eAczT96ieN0vUudxH2P6tpkVTTBtA0QBd9jkCAxlGPPG4KwCWj72iwbGmgIjFoiFVPaRpLzZoZgo_kjzq9MTSkVQ-h8drClLkXi_OKAts3Pa72thc3UqzXvFvru/s320/IMG-20110530-00032.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a>Sara with Belinda</div>Yesterday we took the day to explore the area, go to a nice restaurant in Port Au Prince where we were treated to french fries, ice cream, and coca cola. We then spent hours bargaining with vendors for street art, and dining on my favorite for dinner, pumpkin soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Wow, doesn't sound like we're roughin' it yet, huh?<br />
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Monday began with another call of the rooster, and another fight to the "shower". Then after breakfast, it was time to feed the children. The majority of the children are in wheel-chairs, most have severe mental challenges, but all have the ability to look you in the eyes, and grab you with their infectious laughter or other sounds of joyful appreciation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAGvcjY3DNGHt1uUh-r1FZ-USHD4WEBlo9OTCx0KUFNLl6tPiiraCcPR9z3fRXrnL5oPQ8f0uM7AQPOY9kvwglBEJlKTrPl-4QSqi1lKIkIawaH3arFpzEDeT7pOA9iHfYilZpQf50mVL/s1600/251156_10150277758782433_557117432_8960565_5799490_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAGvcjY3DNGHt1uUh-r1FZ-USHD4WEBlo9OTCx0KUFNLl6tPiiraCcPR9z3fRXrnL5oPQ8f0uM7AQPOY9kvwglBEJlKTrPl-4QSqi1lKIkIawaH3arFpzEDeT7pOA9iHfYilZpQf50mVL/s200/251156_10150277758782433_557117432_8960565_5799490_n.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choupy with Lazaar and me</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had the opportunity to shadow the Occupational Therapist yesterday, Choupy. He pulls 1-2 kids out of their regular classes at a time, and gives them each personalized attention to increase their hand/muscle coordination. The first was Steve. Since arrival, Steve was one of the first to get my attention because he is never seen without a smile, his laugh is infectious, and not confined to a wheelchair, Steve loves our dance parties. Choupy was challenging Steve to button up a shirt, and tie shoe laces. God bless him I've never seen anyone concentrate so hard, get so frustrated, yet keep smiling so big. Choupy's patience conveys to me they've probably been working on this task for a few monthes now.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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Throughout the day, the levels of ability were way much less: cases of cerebral palsy where the most you could do was squish play-dough between their hands, and massage out the stiffness in their joints. Choupy spoke English very well. He inquired of me how one gets a scholarship to study in the states, how much it costs to buy a car, and what college was like. I would like to help him at least research different scholarship opportunities, but one of the leaders on my trip told me I must be cautious that Haiti can't afford to lose it's trained native medical professionals to the states, or it would suffer greatly.<br />
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I also had the privilege of meeting Soni, he was the original disabled orphan, who learned to walk, and eventually became an integral part of the St. Joseph's boys dance team, who travel on tours in the states. He has become so high-functioning, and such a great example of what these kids could eventually become, he is now one of the many caring teachers in the school, as well as the celebrity who had a children's book published about himself. We joke that we are ice-cream twins...he is chocolate, I am vanilla. Inside humor I suppose? <br />
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After classes, and the very difficult task of feeding a girl who doesn't quite have the use of her tongue rice and beans for lunch, I volunteered to wash their dishes with some of the boys who are paid "allowance" to do this chore. I practiced my creole more: pwop-clean, sal- dirty. Travay- work, Jwe- play. Easy enough. However, pulling water from a 15-foot deep basin in the side of the house, using a fraying rope tied to a bucket was not so easy. I wonder how many people have fallen in, and who might still be down there.<br />
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After my chore, I brought over my "boom-boom" aka. ipod and travel speakers, where the dance party began. I am still worn out from all that dancing and shaking...phew! Later in the afternoon were more classes, where I assisted Josephine, an 11 year old very intelligent, bi-lingual little girl, in pulling herself up 2 stories worth of stairs. She is learning to walk, and I really believe she may be independent of the orphanage one day, where she will live out her hopes as a famous singer.<br />
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I have already monopolized the computer for far too long, so off I'll go to another day, with many more challenges, and I already think it's going to be a hot one, but no where near the 90 degree heat wave your experiencing at home, I'm sure! Love and good thoughts, wish me luck as I attempt another battle for the "shower"!LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4565805250433823000.post-12780994516362569982011-05-30T05:13:00.000-07:002011-07-17T14:00:59.619-07:00The beginning...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/sP_gVnj0Hh8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sP_gVnj0Hh8?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sP_gVnj0Hh8?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>Ayiti. I'm convinced there is no place on earth like this, and everyone here knows it holds a special secret as well. <br />
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The early flight in yesterday was a debaucle in it's own. Upon boarding, I discovered my seat was double-booked, so to solve their mistake, American Airlines upgraded our on-flight in-uniform marine to a first class seat. Semper Fi, I was proud. Then I was about seated next to a priest...always a good sign, in my opinion. The delay in take off from DC meant our layover in Miami was shortened... and I had the opportunity to experience that "Home Alone" running through the airport scene with 15 other people, jumping on board to Port-au-Prince with no time to spare. <br />
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The doors opened, and in rushed that indescribably sweet familiar smell, and sticky tropical heat. We were met at the airport by a one-arm man named Jackson. True to Haitian strength, he carried bags using the remainder of what once was, and flagged down a "tap-tap" (aka. colorful cargo truck), where we packed in like sticky mules and headed on our way. <br />
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First stop was the market. Even though this is not my first trip here, I'm always open to surprise. The air-conditioned, Giant Superstore, stocked with 2 levels worth of brand-name snacks and delicassens such as Dr. Pepper was a miracle. <br />
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On to the house... up through the hills, into the heart of Petionville, and past into Fermethe, we finally pulled up to our gated compound. Out poured many smiling, happy, friendly, yet some shy Haitians boys, eager to carry our things, and show us their willingness to be helpful. <br />
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We are staying in a house directly next to the children we are working with. There are two american women currently living in the Guest house full-time, and I am amazed to hear their stories, in both english and creole. The living conditions are...adequate. There is no running water, so I've gotten used to scrubbing with a towel, pouring cold water down my body in the morning as an exhiliarating wake-up, and I've opted for sleeping on the mattress in a seperate room in order to avoid the the moskitos that seem to flock to the ladies room. <br />
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The food is... AMAZING, the people are some of the most beautiful in the world, and believe it or not, there's a lovely mountain breeze that keeps us cool. I fall asleep to the sound of moaning, lovely children, and wake up to the call of a rooster, and the morning rain dripping into the buckets we will use to wash ourselves. <br />
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I have already developed very close relationships with many of the children...I will save that for demen si dye vle! (tomorrow, god willing)LaraB84http://www.blogger.com/profile/14327467934383289854noreply@blogger.com1