We arrived safe and sound back at JFK after a long day of travel and airports, very different people from when we left only a week ago.
Now to find the words that can even begin to express what we have observed, absorbed, experienced, and carried home in our hearts.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Last Day - Thursday, May 12th
Craig reflects:
The day begins with mixed emotions as this is our last full day in Haiti. We are saying goodbye to Petit Goave and the place that has been home for five days. As Emanuel said yesterday as we left Fond Douxe, we are not friends, we are family - brothers and sisters in Christ - and we will always share that connection. So we are saying goodbye to family yet beginning to transition back to our families back home in the U.S. We have missed them very much, but we have been loved and supported by our wonderful Christian family in Haiti.
Following our most sumptuous breakfast, we shared our devotion time. Pastor Maude then joined us to thank us and present us with certificates of appreciation and gifts. The van and truck from Petionville we found out would be a little later than expected due to a flat tire. We spent the time in conversation and final packing while Pastor Maude and some of her staff dealt with the coloring books, crayons, toys, painting supplies, and clothes that we brought for distribution. Once the vehicles arrived, we made the trek down the long driveway to the road because they had cut off access in order to put in sidewalks.
Thus began the typical (if there is ever such a thing) ride back to Port au Prince. We asked for a tour of sorts of the city. Our first stop was the Presidential Palace which still stands in ruins. My first impression is how ironic that the symbol of government in Haiti is in ruins and in front a stage and bleachers are being set up for the inauguration of a new president on Saturday. He brings with him the hope of a nation and perhaps a new beginning.
Next stop was at the National Cathedral - the church where despite the collapse of the walls, the large crucifix remained standing, unadorned. I was pleasantly surprised to see large machinery present beginning to tear down walls and clean out the rubble. Perhaps this will be the symbol of Haiti's resurrection.
From the National Cathedral, we traveled up the mountain to the Hotel Montana - the site where we lost the head of UMCOR in the earthquake. We stopped and had a prayer in the garden set aside to remember all who perished that day. We took in the view from around the hotel grounds - a view of contrasts. You could see out into the Bay of Port au Prince. There were fine houses, some with swimming pools and then there was rubble. We could see the airport and houses with tin and tarped roofs. Looking the other way, there were hundreds of houses on the hillside, many collapsed, many with tarps for roofs, and some sections of the hillside that were washed away. This was truly a scene of contrasts.
To our surprise, the hotel was open and they were serving lunch out on this beautiful patio even as construction on the collapsed portions of the hotel were continuing. We decided to begin the transition by indulging a bit with a nice lunch with a great view of a beautiful land. No translation necessary because the menu was also printed in English. As we prepared to leave to return to the Guest House in Petionville, we met a doctor and her husband, a retired doctor from Bronxville, NY. They were native Haitians who came back at least twice a year on medical missions. They had come back for the inauguration. After a pleasant conversation, we parted company and took the short ride to the Guest House.
A fine dinner awaited us and a time of debriefing with Tom Vencuss. We spend the rest of the evening trying to figure out how we are going to be able to relate the powerful experience we have just had and what we might do to continue the mission we have been called to. I guess we will have to leave that in God's hand and be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as to what is next for each of us.
The day begins with mixed emotions as this is our last full day in Haiti. We are saying goodbye to Petit Goave and the place that has been home for five days. As Emanuel said yesterday as we left Fond Douxe, we are not friends, we are family - brothers and sisters in Christ - and we will always share that connection. So we are saying goodbye to family yet beginning to transition back to our families back home in the U.S. We have missed them very much, but we have been loved and supported by our wonderful Christian family in Haiti.
Following our most sumptuous breakfast, we shared our devotion time. Pastor Maude then joined us to thank us and present us with certificates of appreciation and gifts. The van and truck from Petionville we found out would be a little later than expected due to a flat tire. We spent the time in conversation and final packing while Pastor Maude and some of her staff dealt with the coloring books, crayons, toys, painting supplies, and clothes that we brought for distribution. Once the vehicles arrived, we made the trek down the long driveway to the road because they had cut off access in order to put in sidewalks.
Thus began the typical (if there is ever such a thing) ride back to Port au Prince. We asked for a tour of sorts of the city. Our first stop was the Presidential Palace which still stands in ruins. My first impression is how ironic that the symbol of government in Haiti is in ruins and in front a stage and bleachers are being set up for the inauguration of a new president on Saturday. He brings with him the hope of a nation and perhaps a new beginning.
Next stop was at the National Cathedral - the church where despite the collapse of the walls, the large crucifix remained standing, unadorned. I was pleasantly surprised to see large machinery present beginning to tear down walls and clean out the rubble. Perhaps this will be the symbol of Haiti's resurrection.
From the National Cathedral, we traveled up the mountain to the Hotel Montana - the site where we lost the head of UMCOR in the earthquake. We stopped and had a prayer in the garden set aside to remember all who perished that day. We took in the view from around the hotel grounds - a view of contrasts. You could see out into the Bay of Port au Prince. There were fine houses, some with swimming pools and then there was rubble. We could see the airport and houses with tin and tarped roofs. Looking the other way, there were hundreds of houses on the hillside, many collapsed, many with tarps for roofs, and some sections of the hillside that were washed away. This was truly a scene of contrasts.
To our surprise, the hotel was open and they were serving lunch out on this beautiful patio even as construction on the collapsed portions of the hotel were continuing. We decided to begin the transition by indulging a bit with a nice lunch with a great view of a beautiful land. No translation necessary because the menu was also printed in English. As we prepared to leave to return to the Guest House in Petionville, we met a doctor and her husband, a retired doctor from Bronxville, NY. They were native Haitians who came back at least twice a year on medical missions. They had come back for the inauguration. After a pleasant conversation, we parted company and took the short ride to the Guest House.
A fine dinner awaited us and a time of debriefing with Tom Vencuss. We spend the rest of the evening trying to figure out how we are going to be able to relate the powerful experience we have just had and what we might do to continue the mission we have been called to. I guess we will have to leave that in God's hand and be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as to what is next for each of us.
Sixth Day - Wednesday, May 11th
Linda shares:
Our last day of work -- tomorrow will be travel day back to Port-au-Prince, and Friday we head home.
On our way out to the work site this morning, we stopped at the clinic in Olivier. We passed along all the medical supplies we had brought with us from the folks back home. They were very much needed and appreciated. We learned that the incidents of cholera are decreasing, and that some of the most common issues are malaria, typhoid, tuberculosis, parasites, vaginal infections, and digestive problems. The clinic is staffed by a nurse only (no doctor at all), and sees about 15 people per day.
Guess what we got to do at the work site today? Sift more sand - yay! But we did also get a chance to learn a new skill - chiseling concrete. We chiseled the foundation sill where concrete had dropped as the workers had worked on the sides of the building.
What was great about today was how the team was able to connect on a more interactive level with Michel, Emmanuel, and some of the others. The children sang for us, then we sang together. We taught them the English words to some songs, and they taught us the Creole.
After we finished our work for the day, cleaned up the site a little, and played with the children one last time, it was time for us to say our goodbyes. This was hard. Our hearts have connected - we have become a greater community together. We have become brothers and sisters working and playing side-by-side. We have shared our love for each other. This is what we came here to do. There will always be work that needs to be done, and it will get done with or without us. We have contributed our labor and our sweat, but that is not as important as having shared our presence, our hearts, and our support.
Our last day of work -- tomorrow will be travel day back to Port-au-Prince, and Friday we head home.
On our way out to the work site this morning, we stopped at the clinic in Olivier. We passed along all the medical supplies we had brought with us from the folks back home. They were very much needed and appreciated. We learned that the incidents of cholera are decreasing, and that some of the most common issues are malaria, typhoid, tuberculosis, parasites, vaginal infections, and digestive problems. The clinic is staffed by a nurse only (no doctor at all), and sees about 15 people per day.
Guess what we got to do at the work site today? Sift more sand - yay! But we did also get a chance to learn a new skill - chiseling concrete. We chiseled the foundation sill where concrete had dropped as the workers had worked on the sides of the building.
What was great about today was how the team was able to connect on a more interactive level with Michel, Emmanuel, and some of the others. The children sang for us, then we sang together. We taught them the English words to some songs, and they taught us the Creole.
After we finished our work for the day, cleaned up the site a little, and played with the children one last time, it was time for us to say our goodbyes. This was hard. Our hearts have connected - we have become a greater community together. We have become brothers and sisters working and playing side-by-side. We have shared our love for each other. This is what we came here to do. There will always be work that needs to be done, and it will get done with or without us. We have contributed our labor and our sweat, but that is not as important as having shared our presence, our hearts, and our support.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Fifth Day - Tuesday, May 10th
Paul shares:
Warm - 94 degrees - but beautiful with a little shower this afternoon. Seems the locals (older folks) were more open and willing to converse better today even with the language barrier. (Even had some good laughs.)
Work from my perspective was not all that difficult as long as you switched off and had enough water. Certainly is manual labor.
The children played several games today and are pretty much open to all things fun. Have to have their pictures taken and see it, even the youngest ones.
Our team has related very well and enjoy all of each other's company. Accomodations are like luxury to what the average Haitian has.
Kissmeer our interpreter has worked well with us. We are able to joke with him and he can give it back just as good.
We finished the sand pile for either cement or stucko today and expect a new load of sand for tomorrow.
The Hatian people are very friendly and happy even with their meger existence.
Driving is an adventure - the most important part of the vehicle is the horn. No seat belts and riding in the open back of the trucks -- like the old days when you were a kid. Passing on a curve is okay here, just keep blowing your horn. For the average North American, it is truly a ride you have never experienced.
I wonder if you were to come back in a hundred years if much will have changed.
Off to do an email before the power shuts down...
Warm - 94 degrees - but beautiful with a little shower this afternoon. Seems the locals (older folks) were more open and willing to converse better today even with the language barrier. (Even had some good laughs.)
Work from my perspective was not all that difficult as long as you switched off and had enough water. Certainly is manual labor.
The children played several games today and are pretty much open to all things fun. Have to have their pictures taken and see it, even the youngest ones.
Our team has related very well and enjoy all of each other's company. Accomodations are like luxury to what the average Haitian has.
Kissmeer our interpreter has worked well with us. We are able to joke with him and he can give it back just as good.
We finished the sand pile for either cement or stucko today and expect a new load of sand for tomorrow.
The Hatian people are very friendly and happy even with their meger existence.
Driving is an adventure - the most important part of the vehicle is the horn. No seat belts and riding in the open back of the trucks -- like the old days when you were a kid. Passing on a curve is okay here, just keep blowing your horn. For the average North American, it is truly a ride you have never experienced.
I wonder if you were to come back in a hundred years if much will have changed.
Off to do an email before the power shuts down...
Fourth/Fifth Days - Tuesday, May 10th
Sal's journal:
In any relationship, there is a period of time that's needed to break the ice with another person. We had to feel comfortable with a whole village. The church is in a rural area, semi-jungle, with many tropical trees and stark mountains, stripped bare from clear-cutting. The village huts are spread out along a dirt road, off the only paved road on this end of the island. There is no running water, no electricity, nothing we take for granted in our homes. The communications between families is by word of mouth. But that seems to spread like wild fire! Within minutes, our presence is known and the villagers begin to arrive, most with smiling faces. It is the children who have the courage to be the first to approach us, and touch our hands and move away. We smile back, make friendly gestures, and they know we are approachable. At this time, we also feel secure enough to respond back in a language that they do not understand. However, it is easier to overcome a language barrier with children than with adults.
In any relationship, there is a period of time that's needed to break the ice with another person. We had to feel comfortable with a whole village. The church is in a rural area, semi-jungle, with many tropical trees and stark mountains, stripped bare from clear-cutting. The village huts are spread out along a dirt road, off the only paved road on this end of the island. There is no running water, no electricity, nothing we take for granted in our homes. The communications between families is by word of mouth. But that seems to spread like wild fire! Within minutes, our presence is known and the villagers begin to arrive, most with smiling faces. It is the children who have the courage to be the first to approach us, and touch our hands and move away. We smile back, make friendly gestures, and they know we are approachable. At this time, we also feel secure enough to respond back in a language that they do not understand. However, it is easier to overcome a language barrier with children than with adults.
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