Dear Family and Friends,
This week, I finally got my room painted and decorated, and I love it! As you’ll see in the pictures, it’s very blue – such a happy shade. I smile every time I go into it. Christophe did an excellent job. He painted my bedroom and bathroom, and because we had extra paint (and I love color), we painted the kitchen. We plan to finish painting this week. Every other wall will be freshened up with a crisp, true white. It’s so nice to have my books and pictures, clothes and bed. It feels like a little slice of home. Enjoy the tour via photos.
Friday, I took the day off work and unpacked all my stuff. Saturday, we switched storage depots and organized our porch area. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish in two days with some Reinhard muscle behind you! A tech team arrived on Thursday (Bill Rager, Trout and Drake Moser, and Shane Shaw); we worshipped with them in Boval at Pastor Balade’s church. After church, Sheila and I decided to make homemade pizza. While we waited for the dough to rise, we took a drive with the team to Tet Simon. It is a beautiful pasture area with a pond that springs from an underground well. After enjoying the views, we headed home to make our pizza. We invited the Reinhard girls, Beth Newton, and Shane (who was fixing my computer) to join us for supper. I believe our first dinner party was success!
It’s been a good week. Thanks for your prayers. Oh, we also enjoyed our second encounter with a tarantula. This one was on our laundry porch, and yes, I sat on the washer with my feet up while we shooed it outside. I’m such a girl...
Have a wonderful week!
http://picasaweb.google.com/aheartforhaiti/Sept2008III
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The Paralytic and Port Salute
My days are finally starting to resemble a shaky routine of sorts. We didn’t have a tropical storm or hurricane or riot this week, so I was able to really dig into my job at the Childcare office. I have my Creole lesson with Jean Claude from 7 to 8 in the morning. Then, I head off to work. The office staff gathers for devotions from 8 to 8:30. I’ve been taking my lunch break around 12:30. I walk back home (about 300 steps) and see what Madame Marie has prepared. I head back to the office around 1:30 and work until 4. The evenings have been a mixture of activities – studying Creole, reading, catching up on emails, calling family and friends, church, tea parties, or games.
This week, I finally managed to remember to take pictures of our weekly tea party. (I ate three oatmeal and raisin cookies. They were that good.) Wednesday night, a visiting German missionary, checking up on the health and welfare of his local missionaries, led us in an interesting discussion of Mark 2:1-12. He divided us into groups to look at the five different sets of people in the passage: the crowd, the four friends, the paralytic, the teachers of the law, and Jesus. We were to list what we found admirable and what we found disgraceful. On Saturday, the three Reinhard girls, Sheila, and I went on a beach adventure. We headed to Port Salute, about 45 minutes from Les Cayes. It’s a beautiful drive up over a mountain and down to the seashore. We didn’t know how it would be after all the hurricane damage. The beach itself was littered with a lot of natural debris, but the water was clear and refreshing. We ate our packed lunch on the roof of the truck in the shade. I got a little too toasty. I’ll pay for that this week!
I wasn’t 100% on Sunday morning, so I stayed home from church and listened to the two Bluffton Country services over the phone. I’m grateful to God for modern technology! It’s amazing that I can sit in my living room in Haiti and listen to my home church LIVE in Bluffton, IN. Whoever created that phone-in service deserves an extra jewel in their crown! Thank you.
I hope to actually unpack my stuff this week. I am waiting on my room to be painted first, and I didn’t want to put everything away, set up my bed, fill my bookcases, and lay my rug until the room itself had been freshened up. Sheila brought a grill and I packed an air chair; it might be time to make our porch an outdoor living space...with a tall table. If I see that spider again, I need something to leap on to and squeal like a little girl.
To those in Bluffton, enjoy Street Fair for me!! I'll be praying for your outreach lunch on Wednesday.
Many blessing to all!
http://picasaweb.google.com/aheartforhaiti/Sept2008II
This week, I finally managed to remember to take pictures of our weekly tea party. (I ate three oatmeal and raisin cookies. They were that good.) Wednesday night, a visiting German missionary, checking up on the health and welfare of his local missionaries, led us in an interesting discussion of Mark 2:1-12. He divided us into groups to look at the five different sets of people in the passage: the crowd, the four friends, the paralytic, the teachers of the law, and Jesus. We were to list what we found admirable and what we found disgraceful. On Saturday, the three Reinhard girls, Sheila, and I went on a beach adventure. We headed to Port Salute, about 45 minutes from Les Cayes. It’s a beautiful drive up over a mountain and down to the seashore. We didn’t know how it would be after all the hurricane damage. The beach itself was littered with a lot of natural debris, but the water was clear and refreshing. We ate our packed lunch on the roof of the truck in the shade. I got a little too toasty. I’ll pay for that this week!
I wasn’t 100% on Sunday morning, so I stayed home from church and listened to the two Bluffton Country services over the phone. I’m grateful to God for modern technology! It’s amazing that I can sit in my living room in Haiti and listen to my home church LIVE in Bluffton, IN. Whoever created that phone-in service deserves an extra jewel in their crown! Thank you.
I hope to actually unpack my stuff this week. I am waiting on my room to be painted first, and I didn’t want to put everything away, set up my bed, fill my bookcases, and lay my rug until the room itself had been freshened up. Sheila brought a grill and I packed an air chair; it might be time to make our porch an outdoor living space...with a tall table. If I see that spider again, I need something to leap on to and squeal like a little girl.
To those in Bluffton, enjoy Street Fair for me!! I'll be praying for your outreach lunch on Wednesday.
Many blessing to all!
http://picasaweb.google.com/aheartforhaiti/Sept2008II
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sea Container Surprises
When I left you last week, I had just come off an amazing confirmation of God’s will and an uplifting worship service. Last Sunday night, we decided to go out to eat at a restaurant in Cayes called The Meridian. It’s actually a hotel with a restaurant inside. I made my little video that I posted last week while waiting for the Val to place our food order. When you dine out in Haiti, it takes a little more effort than just driving to the restaurant and ordering. It takes time, multiple phone calls, and a careful selection of locations. We had a wonderful time with good food and company…in the dark. At the Meridian, the generator for the dining room doesn’t start until seven. We were eating just a bit too early. Nevertheless, a lovely time was had by all!
Monday dawned clear and bright with the knowledge that our long overdue sea container had left Port-au-Prince and was headed toward Cayes! We would be unpacking it in the morning. Unfortunately, by Tuesday, tropical storm Hanna had swung a little too far south pushed by the winds of hurricane Gustav. It was absolutely pouring, and the water was coming up fast. In fact, Jan had gone into Cayes to help guide the sea container down our road and got trapped by the waters. Thankfully, he was able to pull his truck to higher ground where it would be safe. Stuck where he was, Jan enjoyed some Haitian hospitality on one of their front porches and watched the waters rise. Eventually, he abandoned his truck and walked back to the compound. Tuesday noon, we all piled in the vehicle with the highest clearance, Big Green, the construction truck they use for hauling lumber, cement, and people, and went out to look at the water. It was absolutely stunning. The Haitians were calling it a 100 year flood. I took a few videos of the devastation. We passed our sea container about 1.1 miles from our home where it sat beside the road waiting for the waters to go down.
It was still raining Tuesday afternoon, but lo and behold, the sea container pulled into the yard that evening! It took a great deal of effort from some very dedicated men, but there it was! It was decided to unload the container at eight the next morning, come rain or shine. Thankfully, it was sunny and HOT on Wednesday, and that sea container got unloaded. It was like a community party in the Gutwein’s yard! I counted ten trucks at one point, all loading up their precious cargo shipped across the sea. Fabric, beds, two four-wheelers (each a bright cherry red – one each for Sheila and I!!), bags of rice, a trailer, desks, boxes and boxes of household items, on and on and on. When it was finally empty, there were three boxes left with my name on them that I knew I hadn’t packed. I thought that they were probably for the Childcare office, but I wanted to make sure. It my utter astonishment and delight, my friends and family had packed wonderful care boxes. It was like Christmas! Actually, it was better than Christmas because it was a total shock. Thank you so much! I literally fell apart for a while and embarrassed myself in front of the Gutweins, but I was just undone by their kindness and love. Thanks again!
Thursday, I went back to work, the Reinhards made it back (praise the Lord), and the Gutweins said their final goodbyes. At 6:30 AM on Friday, we had breakfast with the Gutweins and then took them to the airport in Cayes. We waved until we couldn’t see the plane anymore. I’m going to miss them so much. Have a wonderful time in the States!!!
Sheila and I took some time on Friday night to make a market list out for our new house lady. Thanks to a local missionary who helped us translate, I think we’ve got a good system in place for fresh food. Here in Haiti, the missionaries always send their house ladies to go to market for them. They can get the best deals, know which stands carry the freshest produce, and recognize a fair price. We can go to the grocery stores where the items are mark with actual prices, but the market haggling is left to the professionals! Friday night, I was able to talk to some of my family and friends, and that lifted my spirits and encouraged my soul. I also encountered my first real Haitian spider. Check out the video.
I made Saturday a workday. In order to update some of the programs at the office, I needed to be alone and have them all to myself. I started at 9:45 in the morning, trying to download a new Quicken program. You know those little download boxes that give you an estimated time to complete the download? Well, I one point I glanced over and it was reading 15 hours and 35 minutes. Now, that’s a slow Internet connection! Thankfully, that first download only took 4 hours and not 15. Beth Newton, a missionary and nurse practitioner, stopped by on Saturday and invited us to visit the Torbeck church with her. Sunday, she picked us up in her own version of Old Green, and we worshipped together with Pastor Jonas and his congregation. A lady shared her recent conversion story from voodoo to Christianity, and I was deeply touched. Tim and Joan Reinhard stopped by for some conversation and cappuccino (compliments of my dear family) on Sunday evening, and I felt so uplifted after talking with them. Here is a family that has experienced a cross-cultural transition and lived to tell about it!
I’ve been in Haiti a month, and I can honestly say that it has been the hardest four weeks of my life. This transition is so huge and all encompassing – new culture, new language, new job, new roommate, new community, new worship styles, new food, new weather patterns to deal with, and a new appreciation of the spiritual warfare that is just beyond the skin of this world. I am fully convinced that it is through the power of your prayers that I can remain faithful. Thank you for praying and providing me with a protective shield. God bless!!
I did take pictures this week. Enjoy!
http://picasaweb.google.com/aheartforhaiti/Sept2008I
Monday dawned clear and bright with the knowledge that our long overdue sea container had left Port-au-Prince and was headed toward Cayes! We would be unpacking it in the morning. Unfortunately, by Tuesday, tropical storm Hanna had swung a little too far south pushed by the winds of hurricane Gustav. It was absolutely pouring, and the water was coming up fast. In fact, Jan had gone into Cayes to help guide the sea container down our road and got trapped by the waters. Thankfully, he was able to pull his truck to higher ground where it would be safe. Stuck where he was, Jan enjoyed some Haitian hospitality on one of their front porches and watched the waters rise. Eventually, he abandoned his truck and walked back to the compound. Tuesday noon, we all piled in the vehicle with the highest clearance, Big Green, the construction truck they use for hauling lumber, cement, and people, and went out to look at the water. It was absolutely stunning. The Haitians were calling it a 100 year flood. I took a few videos of the devastation. We passed our sea container about 1.1 miles from our home where it sat beside the road waiting for the waters to go down.
It was still raining Tuesday afternoon, but lo and behold, the sea container pulled into the yard that evening! It took a great deal of effort from some very dedicated men, but there it was! It was decided to unload the container at eight the next morning, come rain or shine. Thankfully, it was sunny and HOT on Wednesday, and that sea container got unloaded. It was like a community party in the Gutwein’s yard! I counted ten trucks at one point, all loading up their precious cargo shipped across the sea. Fabric, beds, two four-wheelers (each a bright cherry red – one each for Sheila and I!!), bags of rice, a trailer, desks, boxes and boxes of household items, on and on and on. When it was finally empty, there were three boxes left with my name on them that I knew I hadn’t packed. I thought that they were probably for the Childcare office, but I wanted to make sure. It my utter astonishment and delight, my friends and family had packed wonderful care boxes. It was like Christmas! Actually, it was better than Christmas because it was a total shock. Thank you so much! I literally fell apart for a while and embarrassed myself in front of the Gutweins, but I was just undone by their kindness and love. Thanks again!
Thursday, I went back to work, the Reinhards made it back (praise the Lord), and the Gutweins said their final goodbyes. At 6:30 AM on Friday, we had breakfast with the Gutweins and then took them to the airport in Cayes. We waved until we couldn’t see the plane anymore. I’m going to miss them so much. Have a wonderful time in the States!!!
Sheila and I took some time on Friday night to make a market list out for our new house lady. Thanks to a local missionary who helped us translate, I think we’ve got a good system in place for fresh food. Here in Haiti, the missionaries always send their house ladies to go to market for them. They can get the best deals, know which stands carry the freshest produce, and recognize a fair price. We can go to the grocery stores where the items are mark with actual prices, but the market haggling is left to the professionals! Friday night, I was able to talk to some of my family and friends, and that lifted my spirits and encouraged my soul. I also encountered my first real Haitian spider. Check out the video.
I made Saturday a workday. In order to update some of the programs at the office, I needed to be alone and have them all to myself. I started at 9:45 in the morning, trying to download a new Quicken program. You know those little download boxes that give you an estimated time to complete the download? Well, I one point I glanced over and it was reading 15 hours and 35 minutes. Now, that’s a slow Internet connection! Thankfully, that first download only took 4 hours and not 15. Beth Newton, a missionary and nurse practitioner, stopped by on Saturday and invited us to visit the Torbeck church with her. Sunday, she picked us up in her own version of Old Green, and we worshipped together with Pastor Jonas and his congregation. A lady shared her recent conversion story from voodoo to Christianity, and I was deeply touched. Tim and Joan Reinhard stopped by for some conversation and cappuccino (compliments of my dear family) on Sunday evening, and I felt so uplifted after talking with them. Here is a family that has experienced a cross-cultural transition and lived to tell about it!
I’ve been in Haiti a month, and I can honestly say that it has been the hardest four weeks of my life. This transition is so huge and all encompassing – new culture, new language, new job, new roommate, new community, new worship styles, new food, new weather patterns to deal with, and a new appreciation of the spiritual warfare that is just beyond the skin of this world. I am fully convinced that it is through the power of your prayers that I can remain faithful. Thank you for praying and providing me with a protective shield. God bless!!
I did take pictures this week. Enjoy!
http://picasaweb.google.com/aheartforhaiti/Sept2008I
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