Monday, September 27, 2010

Some pictures...


I haven't posted many pictures since getting here...so, here are a few to check out!


My house in Haiti/also home to 38 children and some other folks.

This is a picture of our sweet friend Venia...This was her home in May. The Haiti Mission Project is helping to fund her rebuild. The photo below is what it looks like now. Almost done!!!

This is my friend Patrick's family. His father died in the earthquake. This is his stepmom and two of his step sisters. Some generous donors through the HMP are making it possible for two of his sisters to go to school. The one on the left is one of them. She was pretty stoked when I showed up to help get school stuff ready. That was a fun day!


More to come!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

I live here...



It's becomming more and more real to me that I live here now. That's kind of a strange concept for me to wrap my head around. My days are filled with normal "I live here" things like cleaning my room and doing laundry. Ok, to be honest, there is somewhere here who is going to do my laundry...so technically, it's not be...but it needs to get done, which means that I've been here longer than what I could pack in a suitcase.

The roads in parts of the town that I hadn't been in much before are becomming familiar. I'm assimilating a little more to the pace of life here. I have as much of a routine as can be expected and I have legitimate friends that I hang out with. It's life...in Haiti.

This past week I spent time trying to get a passport for a little girl who is trying to get a medical visa. Oh man, there are not enough words for me to express how frustrating this task is. It seems it takes me an entire day to just accomplish ONE task that brings a little bit closer to actually getting the passport. The hard thing is that instead of calling a governmental office and getting an answer, I have to get in a car, drive 35 minutes through PAP traffic (on a good day...a bad day it's an hour), fine a place to park near immigragion, hoof it up the road, push through lines of people, get to the office I need to get to, and then wait 2 hours in a room where no one knows the system (not that there is one), and then THINK I'm finally going to get the passport, only to be turned away because we're missing some piece of paper, or something is spelled incorrectly. Good gracious. BUT, this is the process, and this is how it goes. I'll be trying again on Monday. Hopefully we'll be successful, and then we can move on to the US embassy for the visa.

I also got to do some great stuff with my HMP work. I was able to see a woman's house that we are financing the rebuild on. It's getting close to being done. She and her family are still living ina tent. And I got to spend time with another friend who has sponsors for his sisters to go to school through the HMP. I was able to pay the school registration fees and first semester tuition thanks to generous sponsors of the HMP who make it possible for kids to go to School.

I also got to go out to dinner at a nice little restaurant in town. It's funny...you never know what food they will actually have on hand that the menu lists, and it takes forever, but it's pretty decent when it's all said and done. I even got to have a glass of wine and some ice cream. It was fantastic. Thanks to my new friend Kim for taking me out, it was a great treat!

If you were watching the news you may have seen that there was a big storm in Haiti yesterday...I think they were calling it a tropical storm microburst or something like that. It truly came out of nowhere. I've never seen anything like it. I was inside a restaurant with a friend and all the sudden you could see dust swirling up into the sky, all the way into the trees. The trees were bending in the wind, and then rain came...it POURED. It was incredible. And cold! I had goosebumps. Yep...goosebumps in Haiti. The hard reality for me, is that I witnessed a freak storm. I was indoors and had a car to deliver me from the restaurant to my home. I had a roof over my head and walls to protect me from the crazy. I can't imagine how it hit those living in tents. It's in moments like this that it's easy to see how unacceptable the tent cities are as permanent living conditions. These are not homes. Apparently some people died in one tent city. I'm in a bit of a news vaccuum so I don't know specifics. I wish I could give everyone a home...but it's just not that easy. I don't think it's ever "that easy" when it comes to Haiti, and serving in Haiti, and bringing relief, and helping development. Let's face it, if any of us REALLY had the answers we would have fixed this already. But the answers aren't easy, and so the struggle continues. My struggle of trying to wrap my head around helping seems pretty insignificant next to the struggle of those who are trying to do life in the midst of such difficult situations. Yeah, I gave up my cushy life in the states for 6 months...i don't have access to everything I'm used to having...and there are SOME sacrafices...and yet, when I look at my life here, it's a pretty cushy Haitian existence. I continue to see how I am blessed beyond measure and try to figure out ways to help, without doing more harm than good. It's a challenge I'm ready and willing to take.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

There's a first time for everything...

I've been experiencing a lot of "firsts" lately in Haiti. I went to my first Haitian Funeral. There are not enough words for me to adequately explain it. It was simply amazing, something like I have never seen before. My friend Gertrude gave the Eulogy for her brother. I didn't understand much of what she was saying. It took me a while to find the word to describe to her how she looked and sounded when she stood in front of the church filled with people. I came up with it a couple days ago...Regal. That woman had some serious poise.

I also got sick for my first time in Haiti. I usually have somewhat of a steel stomach when traveling. Others in my group will get sick, but I never do. This summer when traveling through Europe I got a bit sick, and this past Friday I got what can only be described as some version of the tropical plague. (of course that's not an OFFICIAL diagnosis) All I know is that I was sick, and it was not pretty. I layed in bed for 3 days. Gertrude did an amazing job of taking care of me and made me eat, even when I didn't want to, and drink about every kind of juice she could possible find and make. There was no way I was getting dehydrated. Yesterday I finally felt back to the land of the living!

Yesterday I went with a young man that I've known for many years. He used to work at the orphanage here, and met my friend Lindsey and I in a week that contained many comical events of the two American girls trying to paint children's rooms with oil based paint in the 412 degree weather. Clearly he remembers me and finds great delight in talking with me...me in my broken Kreyol, and he in his broken English. Us communicating is really something to behold! He came by yesterday to take my by his church. He's a leader there and they lost half their building in the earthquake. He wanted to know if my organization could help, so I told him I'd take some pictures. Ladies and Gentelmen...on my way to his church I experienced my first haitian transportation on a motorcycle. I've been on motorcycles in the states but this is different. These bikes are smaller and many times there are 3 people on each bike. It's pretty entertaining. I, of course, was in a dress knowing that this conservative Christian man was taking me to his church. Great....so I climb on a bike, in a dress, sandwiched between the driver and my friend. I realize about 5 minutes in that I'm clutching the poor man in front of me...normally people don't hold on! So...I released my grip, and setteled down as I became more convinced that I was safe. When we got to the church he asked me to take out my nose ring because "not nice people in Haiti have nose rings". So...I did it...because I like him. Maybe when our language barrier is less I'll try to convince him I'm not some kind of modern day Jezebel. It was somewhere in the midst off this trip that it all sunk in...THIS is my life...I LIVE in Haiti now. I get this amazing opportunity to help people. And I get to do wacky things like this!

After that I went with Kim Sorrelle, from an organization called Rays of Hope for Haiti, and Gertrude and Patrick to look for a new used car for Gertrude. Kim is hilarious and has this, "I'm going to tackle any problem that comes my way," kind of attitude that I find entirely refreshing and exciting. From what I can tell, she doesn't speak a ton of kreyol, but she never lets the language barrier get her down and goes full speed ahead. I think she's the exact person you want with you when buying a new used car in Haiti. Let me tell you though...this is not like going to the used car section at your local lot. We went to about 5 different places yesterday and saw a total of about 12 used cars. Yeah, in a city of 3 million people, there are approximately 12 used cars. I wish we could all sit around the table and I could regale you with the stories of this extravaganza...but I will share only this one for now. My favorite moment came when Kim asked if we could test drive this old truck that they wanted to sell to us for 13,000 US dollars. They said yes, so she got in the drivers side and tried to start the car. It wouldn't...that's when they got a battery of the car next to it and put it in this truck. As they were working on that I walked around to the drivers side and noticed the front tire was flat...like wheel on the ground flat. I mentioned it to them and Gertrude said the tire on the other side was flat. I walked around to see that noticed that the new battery was being held in the car by cement blocks. Clearly we could have walked away with an AMAZING deal...a car with two flat tires and no battery for the low low price of 13,000 US dollars. Needless to say, shopping for cars is a tiny bit different! Maybe we'll find a car tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Kids...

I live in a house with 38 kids. Yep, 38. They all live downstairs in the same amount of space the Gertrude and I are taking upstairs. I'll be honest, I'm not always sure how it works out. The kids range in age from 2 to 18, but most of them are under the age of 10. Some of the children here have dissabilites ranging from not being able to quite walk properly to being wheelchair bound without the use of words or limbs.

Living with one child is interesting, living with two becomes a little crazier, add a third, well you get the point. But, 38 children is a whole new ballgame. This means that from the hours of 5:15am until about 8:00pm there is a constant awareness of the home below me. Children playing, crying, yelling, singing, fighting, praying, laughing...etc. It's all right below me.

I was putting together some paperwork for the orphanage and I was reading through the abandonement papers. Ok, they were in French so my ability to read them entirely was a bit scewed, but they were so sad. I decided I was never allowed to read the papers if I was feeling particularly emotional. These children who bring me so much joy, even in the midst of the sometimes chaos, had been abandoned. Many were found on the streets. Most of the children share the same name, because when they were found, they didn't know their family name and new one had to be registered. Many of the children have no date of birth listed. Some children were abandoned because of their disability. And yet the smiles, the hugs, the joy that comes from them are immeasurable...someone is missing out on having them as their child. And then many of the children have not a problem in the world. They're strong, funny, goofy, naughty, and smart...and someone is missing out on having them as their child. I don't know the reasons that went along with their abonement and I can't begin to judge the parents. I can't imagine that it's ever easy to leave a baby or child, the decision must be beyond torturous for some. I won't begin to judge them. I've never walked in their shoes. It just saddens me, that the smiles, and laughs of these children can never bring joy to their families...

I'm excited that I get to work in a place to make the home for these children more amazing. We've been working on plans for the new land out back. There are a lot of people excited about new dormitories that we are hoping to build, and I won't lie...this feels so significant, giving space to these children to be children...to have room for their clothes, toys, shoes. To have room to run and play and pull all sorts of things that kids pull, within the walls of this safe place. And, to have the ability to help connect some of these children with homes that have a mom and a dad that will give them more than they ever dreamed. I want that for them all.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

One Week...


Today marks my one week anniversary of being in Haiti. Usually at this point I am packing my bags and getting ready to head to the airport to return home. It's strange...I haven't really even begun to unpack yet.


It's been an interesting week. My friend, and fellow HMP supporter, arrived last Saturday...It's been GREAT having him around. We haven't been in Haiti together in a long time and it's been great hanging out with him and getting a little work done. He's funny and we've been able to laugh a lot in the midst of some potentially frustrating situations.


Gertrude arrived home last Sunday. It's crazy to see how differently things work around here when Gertrude is home...she is definitely the boss, and she runs a tight ship. She is unbelievably good at keeping things in order here. She's also had the added stress of having to plan her brother's funeral. She has 5 other brothers and sisters who have been around the house, including one sister who flew in from Africa where she is a nun. The days following have been constant flow of family and friends coming through for business matters, or to give their condelences. This poor woman has had very little time to mourn the loss of her brother. I don't know what the process is here for mourning, but I told her the other night of how when my grandparents passed away, the time that I wasn't helping with things around the house or going to churches or funeral homes, I was curled up in my mom and dad's bed sleeping, because grief exhausted me. I've been encouraging her to sleep...not that she's had much opportunity. The funeral is tomorrow. Tonight family and friends will gather at her mother's house to pray for a couple hours and then they will head to the morgue to view the body, and then the return to the house to pray and be together. Tomorrow morning we will get to the church very early (like 6:30am) and then funeral will begin at 7. It's very interesting to see the process unfold. The morgue wants to charge a ridiculous amount of money for the casket. I know that this is what happens in the States, but here, I just can't imagine who has the money for it. In Haiti there is no fixed price, for anything, at least as far as I can tell...so it's like a game of bargaining whenever you buy anything. I can't imagine going to a morgue and bargaining for the prices for the funeral for a loved one. Probably not your most mentally clear moment. After the funeral, the family will travel south for a day to the family bureal ground to bury him. It seems to be a long exhausting process.


Other than that, Andrew and I have sorted through a lot of donations here at the guesthouse. We checked most of the kids here for their sizes and sorted clothes out that might fit them. We also packed up a bunch of donations to send to the south part of the island. We were also able to accompany a little boy to the hospital for some tests. The excitement on this kid's face when we were leaving for the doctor...priceless. Here's a picture of Andrew and our little friend waiting outside of the hospital.
We're looking forward to today. We're going to see some old friends and get around PAP a little bit. Hopefully we'll be able to accomplish all the things on our very long list of things to do...we'll see!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Grrr...blogger

I just typed a big update and blogger lost it. I've learned my lesson. From now on, I'll write the updates in Word so I don't lose them. Sooo...frustrating!

So quickly, all is well. Andrew Brown is here, we're trying to get some work done. Gertrude is back...but she is pretty busy with family business. I've seen some good friends, and that makes me happy!

pictures and updates to come!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Cultural Experience…

Again..something I wrote, last night.


I’ve always been the kind of person who believes that when entering someone else’s country, you should not expect them to speak English, unless, of course, their native language is English. However, as an American it has been an easy road for me when traveling…even though I’ve always tried to learn a few words in the language of the place where I will be traveling (with the exception of the Czech Republic, which I could, by no means, remember how to say ANYTHING in that language) I have always found someone whose English skills far exceed my…fill in the blank…language skills.
In the years that I have been travelling to Haiti, I would say that my Kreyol skills are probably my best foreign language skills…unfortunately that’s not saying much. I still speak a simpler version of the language than most 3 year olds. Today I put every bit of my Kreyol language to the test.
At breakfast this morning, I was sitting at the table with Suze, Gertrude’s sister and we were having a conversation in my broken, BROKEN, Kreyol and she mentioned to me that her brother passed away the night before…I asked her to repeat herself and she said again what I had thought she said. Her brother, a man who used to drive for our guesthouse and work with us in Haiti, the man I assumed would pick me up at the airport, had passed away. (I don’t know all the details because no one here right now really speaks English, but I can say that he had been sick and had a tumor apparently. This was a new illness, and I’m assuming it moved very quickly. He was young and has a family that will now have to learn a new way of living.) I searched my brain but I couldn’t find any words in Kreyol or French that could help me in this moment. Not finding any, I did the best I could and said, “Desole.” Which means, “Sorry.” It didn’t seem like enough.
The rest of the day was filled with family coming through. I got to see our good friend Ti Jean…he is always sure to put a smile on my face, and he went to buy me Digicel phone cards so my cell phone here works now! I’m excited to get to spend more time with him! I also got to spend a little time with a guy who used to work for the orphanage here. I haven’t seen him in a couple years, and it was fun to talk with him a little more. We talked a lot…he in his broken English and me in my broken Kreyol. I learned a lot!
When I finished dinner, Suze asked me if I wanted to go with her to her mother’s house.
I said yes to the invitation and joined Suze and her daughter on the walk through the streets to her mother’s house. I should have known it would be a spectacle…it always is. If you look at me, and you look at a picture of the average Haitian, you would notice many differences, most notably, the color of my skin. The first time I travelled here and had someone refer to me as “Blan”, the Kreyol word for white, I was almost offended. Maybe offended isn’t the best word; I was more taken aback at the fact that it was possible that my skin color made me different. I won’t get into a discussion her about how that has affected the lives of people throughout the world and throughout time. That’s another blog altogether, but I will say that it was difficult for me, because I grew up in an environment where the color of skin did not matter. It’s taken me a long time in the streets of Haiti to get used to the people yelling out “Blan.” I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite thing, but it certainly doesn’t bother me as much anymore…because mostly it’s not meant in a derogatory way, and I am, in fact, “Blan.”
As we walked through the streets we gathered more people behind us and heard more and more people calling in our direction. Eventually we turned the corner to Suze’s mother’s house. There were people gathered all around. Suze told me we were going to the house to encourage her mother…at least that what I thought she said. We walked upstairs to find an elderly woman curled up on a mat on the ground with a fan blowing on her. She was clearly mourning. When I walked in, the other women moved. Again, my ability to give words of comfort failed me as I searched my brain for what words to say. All I could manage was a kiss on the cheek and a “good evening Madame” and “sorry”. I was then ushered outside to sit amongst more people quiet and somber…clearly I had nothing to add. I did feel rather helpless in the whole situation. So as we prepared to leave, I did the only thing I knew how to do, I prayed. I asked Suze, in Kreyol, if I could pray for her mother, but that I would have to do it in English. She said it was a good idea. So I knelt by this woman’s mat, told her I was going to pray for her in English, held her hand and prayed that God would bring peace and comfort that only the hope of the resurrection can give. She thanked me…and I left. Maybe sometimes it isn’t so important to know the language, or even the right words to say…sometimes, we’re still able to give encouragement and comfort those in need.
Just another day in Haiti…

Friday, September 10, 2010

Worlds Collide…

I wrote this last night...

I think it’s so interesting to travel nowadays. I realize I am only 29 years old, but the reality is that I have been travelling internationally for over 13 years. In those 13 years the world has seen a significant change in technology and has given many, many ways to stay connected to one another. And, even though I’m typing out this blog post in a word document on my computer because the internet isn’t working at the moment, the fact that I am in a different country, one called a “third world” nonetheless, and able to communicate with family and friends is no less impressive to me.
Today has been a great day. I woke up super early this morning and my lovely roommate, brought me to the airport bright and early. She dropped me off at 6:30am and my journey began. I had three suitcases to check, one to carry on, and my “personal item” which was packed to overflowing! I know the luggage was probably overweight, but the sweet lady at the American Airlines counter let my 12 lbs of overages pass, AND even told me to stick some stuff from my carryon into my suitcase that still had space but weighed a lot…All in all, not a bad experience at the American Airlines counter. After schlepping all my stuff through the O’Hare airport and boarding my plane, I was delivered to the Miami International Airport. While I realize the changing world around me, there’s something to be said for the comfort of things that stay the same. I feel that was at the MIA airport. It’s always cold and you can always count on that voice over the speaker to tell what time it is E V E R Y F I F T E E N M I N U T E S….not a quick way to pass the time, and luckily I only had to be updated on the time 6 times on this layover.
I also love that most times when you walk up to your gate in MIA to Port Au Prince there’s a little part of you that already feels like you’re in Haiti. There’s always the teams in matching t-shirts…often times I’m a member of one of these groups, much to my chagrin, but watching team dynamics never ceases to entertain me…even when I’m one of the people causing entertaining team dynamics. There’s also always a handful or two of people with the zip-off pants…you know the ones I talking about…the ones that turn into shorts. Some day I’m hoping to witness someone get off the plane in PAP and whip off the bottom half of their pants…I won’t lie, today I was wishing my blue jeans zipped off into shorts! It was a balmy, sunny, 96ish degrees when I stepped foot into PAP. There’s always families trying to travel with a TON of luggage returning home, and there’s often times a few people that look like they are stuck somewhere between confused and terrified at the prospect of the flight they’re about to take, and a few ladies and men dressed in Sunday finest for their flight, making me feel like a complete scrub in my blue jeans, non-descript grey t-shirt and Birkenstocks. Then there’s the flight to PAP…people trying to find seats, baggage not fitting in overhead compartments, announcements in English and Kreyol, the beverage service and snack packet with spreadable cheese, cold raisins, and the Toblerone. Then there’s the landing, looking out the window on PAP…seeing the concrete; grey concrete scattering out over the hills, now interspersed with blue, grey and white tarps and tents that so many people call home. The crazy jockeying for position at the baggage claim trying lug all the ridiculously heavy bags off the conveyor belts that sometimes work well and sometimes cause too many problems…The men all trying to help you, hoping for the big tip of the day; money to take home to their families, or maybe for other pursuits, and hoping to spot your driver and keep from having to tell too many people “No Mesi” “No thanks” “I don’t need help” “My ride is coming.”
Today the man picking me up was a man I never met before. I was so excited to see a sign with my guesthouse on it, that I jumped at the opportunity to get in his car, until I realized I should check out the situation a little more before getting in the car with someone I didn’t know, who didn’t speak the same language as me. I used my extremely minimal Kreyol skills to ask questions about people he would know if he was indeed the person I was supposed to get in the car with. When he, and his story, checked out with me, we headed off…turns out he is the brother of the woman I will be working with, a wonderfully nice man, deserving a prize for helping me lug my 200 lbs of luggage up to my room.
So, I’m here…It’s hot. It feels like home. The lights are out and the generators aren’t working…I know, because the fans aren’t running. I can hear the music from the neighbors and it sounds like someone outside has a cough. In Haiti, you are never away from your neighbors, you are always “outside”, and always very aware of your community…at least in my experience. I’m excited to sleep. I’m hoping the generators come back on and provide a little bit of fan time for me as I fall asleep, and I’m hoping don’t sweat through my mattress…gross I know…but this is my new reality!
Sorry the post is so long tonight. If you made it this far, thanks for sticking with me. I have a few days to relax, and then the real work begins! I couldn’t be more excited!

Arrived Safely

Good morning to all of you reading this out there. This is Rachel's friend Danielle who has the priveledge to work alongside Rachel in the Haiti Mission Project. I got the opportunity to chat with her last night after she settled in a little bit. She had said she was going to post and reassure everyone she was doing great. The internet must have gone out before she had the opportunity to do so. She asked me to post for her in any case she was unable to do so and let you know she is safe. She was picked up in the airport by relatives of friends, (I will let her tell you the story), and was delivered to Gertrudes, the Creche and Orphange where she will be working the next several months, safely. Thank you God for your provision over her.

Please continue to pray for Rachel, Gertrude, and the kids, and all that God has planned for the next few months.

Thanks

Dani

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Dear American Airlines...


I know this is more baggage than I am supposed to bring, but...

I'm going for 5 months, AND the big grey bag is filled with paperwork for a bunch of orphans in Haiti, AND I'm already paying you an extra 100 dollars to check that luggage, so can you just let my 52 lb bags pass for 50 lb bags, just this once???

That's the speech I am rehearsing in my head over and over again...hoping that I don't get charged tons of overage fees. I'm sure I have overpacked and I'll get to Haiti and wonder why I thought so many of the things that seems ABSOLUTELY necessary while packing even made it on my "maybe" list. If the American Airlines folks don't seem to be impressed with my rehearsed antics, perhaps I will drop my father's name and his elite status with the airline...not sure that will help either. So I guess I'm just wishing, and praying, and hoping that I can save my 50 dollars of overage fees for something more important down the line. I'll let you know how that turns out. I'm also hoping to not lose any zippers on any bags, or have giant holes ripped through them because of all the weight...we'll see!

I leave for Haiti in a little less than 36 hours...so excited!

I'm in Chicago tonight and tomorrow night catching up with some friends before heading out. I love that the time until my departure is measured in hours now instead of days. I have a lot of things on my "to do" list to accomplish tomorrow...but I think I can do it!


Thursday, September 2, 2010

Surrounded by Love...

I'm in Minnesota for a couple days for Haiti Mission Project (HMP) board meetings, getting bank stuff in order before leaving for Haiti, AND celebrating my Godson Noah's 5th Birthday. Last night we had a long HMP meeting. I can't say enough how much I love and respect the 4 people I work with on the HMP board. Lindsey Burken, Andy Jolivette, Joanna Thiele, and Danielle Tietjen are fantastic friends and wonderful, intelligent, caring people. We've been working together for a while, and it was so great to sit around last night and listen to each of my fellow board members talk about the work of the HMP, our individual work in Haiti, and our hopes for the future. I am honestly excited for the future of what we are doing in Haiti and I'm so proud to say that I am part this group...they inspire me and encourage me into new things! Not only is it fun to talk about the future of the HMP, but also they are a huge encouragement to me as I get ready to move to Haiti for 5 months. They were so great and prayed for me before we ended the meeting. I was sitting in a chair, surrounded by 4 people I love and respect and heard them praying for me, for my friends and family, and for my upcoming trip. Now I feel ready!

One week from today I'll already be in Miami, waiting for my flight into Port Au Prince. I can't wait.