Sat- We dont want to go.

SAT- We don’t want to go!

Last minute good-byes were given and were loaded and off at 6:30 am. There have been people sweeping the streets the past couple of days preparing for the new president celebration today. It was heartfelt to see pink and white balloons on tents in a tent city today. They have painted some of the cement barriers in the street pink and white. It is so wonderful to see the Haitians so excited and viewing the new president as a positive outcome and look for a bright future. We heard word that the president was going to visit the Apparent Project in July! What a honor for these Haitians to know that someone cares.

The lines were long everywhere in the airport today and we did not even wait once we were inside the Port Au Prince airport. We were loaded right into the plane. Custom lines were very long in Miami. It took us 2 hours to get checked through. Of course we always end up in the long lines and inspected. We look so suspicious you know. I think they just wanted to look at all of my crazy haired metal people that I purchased at the Artistic Market. Our layover was spent eating, laughing and feeling so blessed about our weeks adventures. We are so honored to be able to have this wonderful week serving the people of Haiti.

Proud to be his hands and feet serving in Haiti,
Joan, Kelly & Deb

Friday- No Time

Last day rush!
It is our last day in Haiti and we have so much left to do. We assisted Jack with morning clinic. Packed tubs with supplies and medications for an upcoming group who will be having a clinic on the new property. We did some awesome Haitian dancing with the preschool class and started saying our good-byes to our Haitian family.
After lunch we worked hard on the wall map of Haiti and then we were off on our next adventure to the Artistic Market. Marsha drove us with the assistance of Ronald to the land of tin making. There were many, many, many homes full of beautiful metal works that were on display. They patiently waited for us to enter each home and view their products. The pieces were made out of a flat metal drum. One Haitian would flatten it, someone would cut out the detailed picture and then another would pound out the details. Ronald helped us deal to make our purchases. It took us 1 ½ hours to get back with all of the traffic. The good news is this market is 10 minutes from the new property.

Our evening was spent painting, packing 300 plus necklaces to take back to the US to sell for Apparent Project and packing our bags. There is just not enough time in the week!

Bon Wit,
Joan, Kelly & Deb

Thursday

With the roosters very quite this week, we all enjoyed a wonderful night's rest and woke up to another beautiful Haitian morning. Clinic started at 8:00 after we joined the patients with praise & worship. The morning ran smoothly as we shuffled through the patients. Deb even enjoyed a dance with a grandpa while they waited in line. After lunch we continued painting our masterpiece of the map of Haiti on the patio wall. We had a surprise visit from Ronald, Three Angels' grounds keeper, when he stopped by to proudly show us his drivers’ license. He has been taking classes and just passed his test. Bravo, Ronald!
The afternoon travels took us to the Eagle Supermarket and into the heavy traffic as we headed to the The Apparent Project house again to pick up orders. We learned that the President Martelli will be visiting there this summer to check out the program. WOW! How exciting for these Haitians who are working so hard to make their lives better through these works of original art.
We headed to the orphanage, once again, where we were going to supervise Dr. Jack as he put in a stove. Unfortunately, the store did not deliver all of the stove pieces. Dr. Jack was probably relieved that he could do this at a later date without our help. We delivered Pi Wi Lei’s to all of the orphans and checked their TB test. They all passed with flying colors!!! Not one of them seemed to remember that we poked them with the shots on Monday.
Thoughts about going home are passing through our minds. Why is it so much easier to concentrate on serving others in Haiti? Why do we subject ourselves to the hustle and bustle of such busy lives once we enter our homes? No, we won’t think about leaving Haiti yet….not today anyways.
We started painting on the Haitian cities of the map and finished the border. We just have tomorrow to complete our master piece, so we will need a full night’s sleep!

Bon Wit,
Joan, Kelly & Deb

People don’t care what you know……..
They just want to know that you care.

WOW!

WOW! A day of adventure and sadness. Our day started out with our ride on Haitian time and 45 minutes late. Paul our driver stated that he knew where Mother Teresa’s Home was located and off we went. WOW! Was Paul’s response every time he got out of the car to get directions and we had to turn around. We were stopped by the police and Paul was given a ticket for going the wrong way down a one way! There are no signs. His dad works at the police office so he hoping to give the ticket to him. Once we arrived we stumbled through introductions with creole and trying to explain our request to work in the nursery in the morning and go to the wound clinic in the afternoon. The earthquake destroyed the home and right now the infants are in a temporary guest house. Words can’t explain the conditions. There were 10 volunteers and numerous Haitian workers and still not enough hands or time to fill the void. We fed and changed many babies. Kelly stated she has never felt like she has done so much by doing so little as she was hugging a little boy.
We were graciously taken up stairs to the volunteer’s guest house by a French angel named Agnes. Here we ate and rested waiting for the sisters to go to the wound clinic. We were able to leave a Proclaimer which is a audio bible in creole with someone in the chapel for them to share with the community. Once the travel arrangements were made we realized that we were taking everyone in our car. We all jumped in the machine and were off. The intensity of the city outside was calmed by the nuns reciting the rosary on the way there. The streets were exploding with wall to wall people, goods, basket and carts as the streets became narrower. On our last turn one of the Nun's jumped out of the machine and informed the vendors to get out of the road. Once inside the clinic there were organized rooms with supplies and 2 lines of people waiting to be seen in the alley. We were given a brief orientation in creole and put to work. We each received a small tray with our supplies and the wounds were cleansed and redressed. I am truly proud of how Joan and Kelly jumped right into this nursing duty without hesitation. The Nuns appeared pleased with our dressing technique and asked if we would be back. They will not have clinic on Saturday because it is a celebration as the “New president will taking his new chair.”
We are exhausted, emotionally, mentally and physically but ready to do it all over again.
WOW!
Joan, Kelly & Deb

Day of Science

Chromotography in Haiti! Today we assisted Joan with a Chromatography class with all 250 students at Three Angels. They completely loved it. We used markers and coffee filters and viewed color changes with the help of water. It was nice to interact with the Haitian students and staff.
George's brother LeLe stopped to meet Deb. Kelly and Deb worked on a Haiti map on the patio wall on and off through the day. It will be a masterpiece for other teams to use as a geographical reference point! We had a great visit from Aliston who took all of us on a tour of St Josephs Home for Boys just down the road. This was a 7 story boys home and guest house which was destroyed during the earth quake. It was stunning to see that all of the old house was gone. There is a level in the process of being completed for the first floor and the basement. We visited their art room when there were young men carving pendants out of coconut shells. Of course we had to shop and all made a purchase.
Tonight we are received a heavy rain shower. We had just cleaned up the paint in time for the shower. We are hoping the paint stays on the wall. Tomorrows plans will take us to Mother Teresa’s home. We are hoping to help the nuns with the children in the morning and go to the wound clinic with the nuns in the afternoon.
Bon Wit,
Joan, Kelly & Deb

Be Willing

Our first clinic day went very smooth without any problems. Deb and the new translator Alberte spent some time checking in patients and showing Alberte the set up of a normal clinic. Joan was gloved and ready to dip any urine that crossed her path. Kelly worked in the pharmacy and was the official photographer for all of the days events. The school children were busy all day practicing their songs for graduation day and the women were busy making beads for their necklaces.
We traveled to Apparent Project. The road was simply crazy with huge trenches, rocks and garbage everywhere. At Apparent Project we were able to meet some of the workers and shop in their store. Of course we were in heaven shopping and buying some of these treasured goods that they make to help support their families. Kelly bought a beautiful purse. Deb and Joan purchased baskets and bracelets. You can buy your own at www.apparentproject.org!
We were then off to Three Angels orphanage. All the children were taking their afternoon nap. We surprised them with stuffed bears that were donated from Alex Bloomquist in Midland. Deb received the short end of the straw and had to give all the children a TB test. There were smiles at the end when they received a sucker to eat. One even said "Thank you mama after his poke."
It was a relaxing evening on the roof with our cokes and the wonderful breeze. Once again our dinner was wonderful with our traditional Haitian meal. We planned out our day for tomorrow. Joan is leading classes for the students with chromatography which should be interesting for everyone. Deb & Kelly planed out their painting for a Haiti Map in the patio on the wall.
Another beautiful day in Haiti.

BE WILLING:
Psalm 95:7-8 If you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.

Bon Wit,
Kelly, Joan & Deb

Happy Mother's Day & Bon Fet Joan

Happy Mother’s Day!
It was a Happy Mother’s Day for Kelly, Joan, Marsha and Deb. Thank you to all of those children who allowed their mom’s to be in Haiti for this celebration.
It was also a Bon Fet- Birthday celebration for Joan! We celebrated with a candle in a snickers bar as she made a wish and blew out the candle. It was a short night at the Juniper Tree Guest House. There was a lot of celebration in the street and we were not invited. There is a young man who loves his motorcycle who rode up and down the streets and then they celebrated into the night.
Port Au Prince Fellowship was rocking today for service. It was such a special service felt by all. We learned that God does not call the equipped but he equips the called. The worship music was soul-renewing!
Our afternoon was spent unpacking bags, sorting and packing goodie bags. The medication was arranged and is ready to go for our first clinic tomorrow. We spent some time teaching the neighborhood kids how to play Left Right Center after they helped us stuff the goodie-bags.
We are dragging tonight and it will probably be an early night for us all. Kelly and Marsha were able to Skipe their families today which was a great Mothers Day treat. We had another wonderful dinner made by Rosaline.
Bon Wit
Joan, Kelly & Deb

MAY 7, 2011 Were Back!

Day one! We were up and out of Midland at 2:30 am and off to Petitionville Haiti. We were greeted with a big hug from “Big” at the airport. Jack and Marsha were ready to whisk us away to The Juniper Tree guest house. Traveling went very smoothly with no delays except the extra special pat down that Deb received because of her bionic knees. Of course she would have to get someone on pat down orientation- yes seriously orientation!
There was hustle and bustle in the streets of Port Au Prince. Joan was impressed with the improved conditions and the progress of the cleanup since the earthquake. We passed quite a few goats and healthy looking pigs eating greedily along the way. Kelly is a newbie to Haiti and was fascinated of the activity and reality of Haitian life. Deb gave the devotion about how God gives you the seeds but it is up to you to sow the fields.
Kelly has won the packing award. She had a back pack and hiking bag filled with supplies as her carry-on. They were way bigger that she is. She unpacked once and spread out her goods which included many care bears, picks, toothpaste and tried to compress them into a smaller bag. She even packed a skirt into her water bottle. Somehow she made it through both check ins in spite of her large bags.
Tomorrow will be a great morning at Port Au Prince Fellowship church, unpacking and hopefully we can whittle away on Marsha’s honey do list. We enjoyed looking at the new wall murals that the Woodstock Baptist Church from Canada painted. It looks wonderful and it was very creative with how they included the children’s hands in their artistic work. We had a relaxing evening, wonderful dinner and discussed our temporary plans for the week. But we know nothing goes as planned in Haiti. We will see what God has in store for us.

USA

We have landed in the USA. Bonswa. We have eaten our $10.00 sandwich and now we are waiting for our flights. Most of us will fly west across the state to Texas and then back to Michigan. We will try to post some pictures today as we wait and plan our next trip!