Today was a fun day. We really didn't do any work, per se, but we did travel around and learn a lot more about Haiti. We started the morning with a jaunt to the market to pick up ice for our cooler of water bottles. When we went to leave, the truck wouldn't start. So the guys got out, pushed it back out of the parking spot and across the parking lot, then pushed it forward. Thankfully, it started. Next we headed to a place where they make flip flops out of tires. It was a facinating place. The operations manager gave us a tour of the area where they make the shoes and explained how the shoes are made. I will give the details later here when I can share the pictures too. Needless to say, I got a new pair of shoes today. The shop was on a beautiful piece of property with large trees and there was a lovely breeze. This was a very enjoyable place to be.
After the shoe shop we headed over the Hearline Maternity Center. This was the highlight of the day. I have been learning and reading about this place for almost 5 years. It was almost surreal to set foot in there. Beth McHoul gave us a tour and described how the day would go for the ladies. We saw the birthing room, the post partum rooms, the kitchen and got to see several babies getting weighed. We actually didn't spend a lot of time there because 1) the guys did not want to stay too long because all the babies are getting breast fed and 2) the ladies had to get to their class for the day. But it was so special to be there and see it in real life.
Next we made a long drive out of town and up the hillside. We drove and drove and drove up the hill. We ended up at a super market much like one you may frequent at home. We went inside to have lunch in the deli inside. The patrons at the store we quite different looking compared to the Haitians we had been interacting with down the hill. This part of town was a more middle to upper class area, so it reminded me a lot of home. Folks were just doing their shopping and grabbing some lunch. We had some delicious sandwiches on fresh baked baguette bread. When we first came in we were greeted by a large glass case full of cakes and pastries and we were very curious about them. Our two Haitian team members said the cakes were so-so and even our team leader, Frank, told us the cakes look beautiful but they are not ussually very good. So what did we do? We bought about 7 different types of dessert and tried each one! Sadly, the guys were correct. The cakes were not very sweet and quite dry. But, we had so much fun trying each piece and laughing, A LOT. Super fun.
After driving up the hillside farther, we made our next stop at a Baptist mission that has been there for over 40 years. It was later in the afternoon, so we only had time to walk through the small museum. Next we walked across the street to the small roadside shops. This is my least favorite thing to do in Haiti. The salesmen are quite pushy, to the point of physically placing items in your hand. And then, of course, you have to barder a price. This, to me, is confrontation, which just happens to be one of my least favorite things in the world to do. I was sweaty and stressed the whole time we were there. I bought one beaded necklace that Frank assured me I got ripped off on. I was so happy when it was time to go!
After entering the sanctity of the truck, we headed even farther up the hill to a look out. Oh my goodness. I cannot wait to share the panoramic picture of the view. We could see the entire town of Port au Prince and really almost all of the nation of Haiti. Frank described what we were looking at with great detail. He knows a ton about Haiti, so, once again, we learned even more about Haiti. As we were headed back to the truck, there were more street vendors trying to barter with us. As we got in the truck I saw one guy had this beautiful piece of wood carved into a nativity scene. I wanted it! Frank was actually closing the door on the truck when I asked him the get that guy and tell him I would give him $15 for the piece. So Frank said he would give him $12. They argued back and forth for a few minutes about it. I sat in the santitiy of the truck and let them as we all laughed. The guy finally got disgusted and handed me the piece for $15! Ha! Now that is what I call passive bartering.
Finally, we started the journey back down the hill. By this time it was a very busy traffic time (by busy I mean even busier than earlier in the day) as we weaved our way down the hill on the narrow windey roads passing cars like maniacs (because that is how one drives in Haiti!). It took us over an hour to get back to the guest house for dinner, but we made it! After a day of not really doing any work, we are pooped! But we had a lot of fun and did a ton of giggling. We have two Haitian men that travel with us for interpreting and secrurity and it was so great to relax with them and get to know them today. It turns out they are both pretty goofy and like to laugh, just like us. I also enjoyed talking with them and learning about their lives here in Haiti. Both men grew up as orphans and went between living on the streets and in an orphanage. Both are now married with kids and have good jobs with Heartline and are able to support their families.
Today we got to see so much of Haiti and enjoy more new experiences. Every day has been so different and exciting. After getting off to a rough start on day 1, I can honestly say I am really enjoying myself here. I am not enjoying the cold shower each day, but it is nothing compared to all of the amazing things we are experiencing here. God is doing some crazy things here through the people of Heartline and I am so humbled that Shad and I get to participate in even the smallest of ways. I can't believe we come home on Friday! Please keep Mama Carol in your prayers. She is the gal that runs the orphanage we were at yesterday. She takes care of 27 kiddos with just the help of some friends. She is an amazing woman, but she needs so much streghth to carry on taking care of those sweet kids. Also please pray that our team continues to grow and learn as we serve the Haitian people. Thank you!
P.S. Please excuse any misspellings as I cannot get the spell checker to work on this tablet through blogger. Also I am quite tired when I type these blog posts, so if I ramble, go easy on me. :)
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