Orevwa! (Day 8)

Tuesday came way too fast. We took it easy, and after breakfast, we walked down to a shop where an American girl, Jessica, is teaching Haitian girls how to make and sell things. After getting a tour of the place, we walked over to Papillon Marketplace and bought some stuff. Then we went upstairs to their cafe, which is beautiful. It was such a nice, cool place to relax and enjoy the morning. We ordered smoothies and talked with Jessica who had also come over to enjoy the cafe.

After walking back to our house, we had a quick lunch of sandwiches and then packed up and said goodbye to Barbara. Pastor Maxeau and Jameson brought us to the airport, and we began the long, tedious process of going through everything there.

After getting in the plane, we headed to Atlanta. After staying there for a while, we were on our way to Raleigh. Mom and Dad came to pick me up, and I didn't get to bed till about one Wednesday morning. I was home, but away.

The trip was over, but I wonder if it is only the beginning of a much longer trip...

Morning prayers on the hill. 

Sunrise. 

Walking along the mostly unpaved roads. 

Girls who work at Sa Voix, Jessica's shop. 

The leather room at Sa Voix.

At Papillon Enterprise.

The cafe. 

More of the cafe. 

Looking down to the street below. 

I ordered a strawberry banana smoothie, but as I tasted mine, I though it tasted more like mango. As it turned out, Ginette got mine and I got hers. Once we realized, we traded, and the strawberry one was SOOO much better. I am NOT a mango fan!

Jessica

The clouds from the airplane. 

Here is a link to a video about Sa Voix. 

Thanks for coming along on this ride through Haiti. I plan to post a summary of the trip, but first, I need to go to bed. 

Bon nwi!

Wahoo Bay (Day 7)

On Monday morning we got up and had breakfast, then our driver, Pastor Maxeau's nephew, Jameson, arrived. Soon we were on our way to the beach. The drive was a bit lengthy, especially when we got to a market place where the streets were crowded with people, and the traffic came to a standstill. However, this gave pedestrians the opportunity to view my braces through the van window. After that slow down, we were stopped again, this time by an officer. Apparently, we didn't have the right sticker on the van, so we had to pay a fine. Finally, we were on our way again, and, after a pit stop at a gas station, we arrived at Wahoo Bay Beach Club and Resort.

After checking in, we walked down one terrace to the beautiful pool, and then down another terrace to the beach. The water is very clear, blue, and warm. I have never experienced such a tropical-like beach in person. After swimming for some time, I got out and sunned a bit, then we went back to the pool. Shortly, we went up further up to the cool, refreshing restaurant. Everyone ordered a more traditional Haitian meal, except for me. I do like trying new foods, and I love Haitian food, but I didn't want much so I opted for a grilled cheese. Kendal and Erica picked on me about that food choice, but I didn't mind because it was so good.

With our bellies full, we went back to the pool or beach. I, for one, enjoyed the beach. I definitely got my exercise and felt a little sunburned. As much as I enjoyed the beautiful beach, it is definitely not something I expect when I go to Haiti. We go to serve, not be served, but as Barbara said, God made the beach for our enjoyment and it brings Him glory when we do enjoy it.

We left and headed for home. The traffic was not as bad, and there was a time when Jameson was driving about 80 mph! That is unusual for Haiti where the roads are often very bumpy, but sometimes there are long stretches of well-paved roads so you can really fly if there isn't much traffic. Besides, there are no speed limits.

We got home alive, and had dinner. Then we walked down the street to the Hug Girl's house. They were being bashful so we enjoyed time up on the roof. Thankfully, Yoline was there and she was more talkative and sociable.

We ended the day on the roof balcony of the guest house, enjoying our last night together because Barbara stayed in Haiti.

.

The beautiful sunrise. 

All the activity on the way to the beach. 

Banana market. 

The pool, palm trees, and mountains made a glorious picture. 

The terraces leading down to the beach. 

The little shelters by the shore. 

The blue water. 

Out in the water. 

Looking back to land where the terraces rise up the hill. 

White boulders, blue water, fluffy clouds, and gray mountains. 

Jameson, Yoline, and Nehemie enjoying the pool. 

Beth, Jameson, Yoline, and the resort owner, Ginette (yes, she has the same name as our interpreter) at the lunch table. 

My "very" Haitian food, grilled cheese!

Looking down the street on our walk to the girl's house. 

Bethany's pen-pal, Dorice, and I. 

My pen-pal, Claudette, and I. 

So ended my last full day in the land that I love.

But don't leave now, I've still got day 8 to report on!

Elisabeth

"I Don't Want to Leave!" (Day 6)

I got up early Sunday morning, and stepped out into the cool morning air. There were clouds in the sky and the temperature never got very hot. We had breakfast of noodles, veggies, and baguette. Apparently, noodles are quite popular for breakfast in Haiti.

Sunday school began, but not everyone joined in. I, personally, sat a little while with the children's Sunday school, then sketched the beautiful mountain view across from the church. Of course, my sketch was nothing compared to the real picture. Anyway, church eventually began and Magdalin's husband, Bobby, spoke about persistent prayer. Like usual, there was a lot of singing, some introductions, and talking that I didn't understand. Thankfully, however, I did understand the message because Bobby is American and speaks English.

After church, we went to the kitchen for lunch, a feast of beet salad, smashed plantains, potato salad, pikliz ( spicy Cole slaw), cucumbers, chicken legs (many of us who have been to Haiti often wonder what happens to the rest of the chicken), beans and rice, accra, lettuce, and tomato. Everything was delicious except for the plantains and the beet salad, both of which I have decided I do not like.

After the meal, while the others sat around and talked, I went for a walk around the church, looking for children to talk to. I was sad about leaving, so I wanted to spend as much time with the people as possible. Finally, a girl in the shadow of the trees by the kitchen, beckoned me to come. I went to her and enjoyed the laughter and Creole of several children gathered there. The Haitians are affectionate and sweet much of the time. When I left that area, three little girls told me "Chita! Chita!" which is Creole for sit. I sat down and they quickly went to braiding my hair.

Meanwhile, our driver was there and had packed our luggage into the van. We had to leave, but I didn't want to leave. I told the girls playing with my hair, "I don't want to leave!" Then I did a pouty face, and they started giggling, which, of course, made me laugh as well. Finally, I hugged them goodbye and got into the van.

On the way home, rain started to come pouring down. When we got to the city, we were practically driving through rivers of torrential down pour. I have never seen rain like that before anywhere, definitely not in Haiti! Thankfully, we made it home safely home and had a simple sandwich dinner.

Well, it sure was hard to leave Valley of Hope, but the trip wasn't quite over yet.

I didn't take a lot of pictures on Sunday, but I like this picture of the reflection of a palm tree in the rain water on a chair. 

Lunch feast. 

Down pour. 

Look at that spray! Of course, my pictures are terrible, but they give you a little glimpse of the crazy rain we had. 

Be ready for beach day! 

Kid Love (Day 5)

Saturday the conference continued, but I enjoyed staying outside with the children and Erica and Kendal. We got up after a night of little sleep. The women began singing in their rooms next door and than prayed passionately. I read my Bible out on the school benches in the cool of the morning. Believe it or not, I felt a little chili at times. The golden orange sun came up, promising to warm up the day to high temperatures again.

After breakfast, the conference began and Erica, Kendal, and I got ready for the VBS along with some other folks. We set up school benches in the shade in front of the church and began handing out pictures and crayons for the children to color. They got quite intense with their coloring, and they do quite a good job. After a while of that, Serge, another interpreter and friend, introduced the Bible story that I was going to tell and then introduced me. The children began chanting, "Elisabeth, welcome! Elisabeth, welcome!" I've never gotten such a an enthusiastic greeting ( definitely not by the kids at my home church when I helped with VBS there).

Then I told the story of Joshua and Jericho, and once again, we asked for several volunteers to come forward and march around "Jericho" (a school bench!). They marched several times until it was time for them to blow their paper trumpets and shout. Boy, did they shout! The children got so loud that the ladies from the conference had to come out to tell us to be quite. It was fun to see the children's enthusiasm. After that, the boys went off to play soccer and the girls did a little jump-roping, but before long, many of them were coloring again. I joined in, and several children gathered around to watch me.

Eventually, we had our lunch/dinner and then hung out under the trees by the kitchen, playing with the children. We went for another walk to the river, and this time, we actually walked in the water. After another dinner, we went to the evening service and finally, to bed.
Another wonderful day had ended.

Sunrise 

Our sleeping quarters.

One of the beautiful views of the not-so-distant mountains.

Where we slept. My bed is the greenish yellow one. 

Getting ready for VBS. 

The coloring begins. 

Look at that intense face. 

The jumping rope didn't last long. 

One of my lovely young friends.

Another beautiful young lady. 

Hanging out with Kendal, Erica, and the children. 

Serge doing an Easter thing with the kids. 

Several of the kids lined up at the door of the church, waiting for the conference to end. 

This may look like a pile of trash, and in a sense, it is. However, it isn't ordinary. The conference ladies wrote things on pieces of paper that they didn't want in their lives anymore (sins or things they struggle with), then they tore them up at the altar. It was a pretty neat visual reminder that God works in us, and that the Spirit changes us and gets rid of the trash in our hearts. 

The older boys playing soccer. 

When we were down in the river, the ladies tried to get Kendal to carry his wife back. When he did, they burst into laughter. 

A young lady who walked back from the river with me and pointed out things, telling me the Creole words for them. 

It's hard to see much in this picture, but the people were really getting into the worship. 

I still have more to tell, so keep tuned.