Hello all. it's hard to believe but nine weeks has already gone by. Sara and I head to the Cap Haitien airport in the morning for the first part of three legs as we head for home. We will sleep in our own bed tomorrow night. Aaaaaah.
We've had a great time in Haiti and will miss being an up close and personal part of the great work that's being done here. But, no doubt we'll be back; don't know when just yet but as I've said to those that will listen Haiti does an interesting thing to you: Can't wait to get there; once there, can't wait to go home, and once home can't wait to go back! Strange but true!
Anyway, thanks so much for sharing our experience and I hope to see you all soon.
I hope to make at least one more posting with some final thoughts but no promises as a few days from now, its on to ol' Mexico.
Adios amigos!
J
3/11/12
3/7/12
Lights in the village...
Hello all, first I'd like to apologize for not posting as often as we had hoped. It just seems so difficult to sit down and type out some thoughts (I have so few of them, ya know! ;-) ) along with the fact that time just slips away so quickly! (It's not and it doesn't really, but it sure seems like it! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!)
Anyway...we had the privilege of helping to put on a party for the village of Lagosette and the surrounding area last week. As part of the preparation we (my dear friends Martin, Brett, Mathias and I manufactured (another case of degaje) and strung lights so the party could continue into the evening. The party including food, liquid refreshments and even a dj and local singing and comic relief and seems to have been a great success with about 300 local residents attending. I'm here to report a good time was had by all.
A side benefit of the party preparation is that we decided to replace the bad light bulbs and the faulty wiring that feeds eight street lights that were manufactured and installed along the main road (uh, the only road) in Lagosette in the past and that have been inoperational for some time. These lights are now operational and are plugged into an outlet that is located in the COTP shop and wired directly into the COTP generator which automatically starts at about seven and runs for an hour or so.
This means that every evening the lights in the village come on and shine brightly giving the local residents the opportunity to extend their day with time together as a community.
This may not seem like much to you and me but for those that mostly live without the benefit of electricity this is another way that COTP has extended their hand to the community in which they serve.
Way to go COTP on your continuing efforts to partner with the people of Haiti. What a privilege it is to be here and be a part of this great work!
Sara and I had another opportunity to visit the Citadel this past Sunday. This trip is becoming my favorite Haitian excursion as the Citadel is a facinating piece of Haitian history, ingenuity and accomplishment that is par to any of the castles we've visited in Europe (even better because there are very few restrictions and you can actually touch the cannons!)
This time we remembered to ask about the unique restrooms. Wonder what I mean by that? Well, check out Sara's FB post with the picture looking through the seat ring. It may be difficult to tell but that's an eighty foot drop at least and the updraft, well, leave it to say...uh, okay, never mind.
Thanks for hanging with us.
Blessing to you all,
J
Anyway...we had the privilege of helping to put on a party for the village of Lagosette and the surrounding area last week. As part of the preparation we (my dear friends Martin, Brett, Mathias and I manufactured (another case of degaje) and strung lights so the party could continue into the evening. The party including food, liquid refreshments and even a dj and local singing and comic relief and seems to have been a great success with about 300 local residents attending. I'm here to report a good time was had by all.
 |
| Lights in the village. |
This means that every evening the lights in the village come on and shine brightly giving the local residents the opportunity to extend their day with time together as a community.
This may not seem like much to you and me but for those that mostly live without the benefit of electricity this is another way that COTP has extended their hand to the community in which they serve.
Way to go COTP on your continuing efforts to partner with the people of Haiti. What a privilege it is to be here and be a part of this great work!
Sara and I had another opportunity to visit the Citadel this past Sunday. This trip is becoming my favorite Haitian excursion as the Citadel is a facinating piece of Haitian history, ingenuity and accomplishment that is par to any of the castles we've visited in Europe (even better because there are very few restrictions and you can actually touch the cannons!)
 |
| Atop the Citadel |
Thanks for hanging with us.
Blessing to you all,
J
2/10/12
2/8/12
Halfway...
Bon jou!
This past Wednesday we reached the halfway point in our stay in Haiti.
Where has the time gone? In some ways it seems like we've been here a long time; in other ways we just got here! But, just over one month down and just over one month to go.
We've experienced so much this first half of our trip; Wonderful weather, constant rumble and roar of large dump trucks on the road out front (hauling gravel to the Cap Haitien airport as part of a runway renovation project-starts at about 4:00 AM and stops way after dark!), hiking (read birding) in the fields out back (nine life birds for me, so far-whoo hoo!); cows and goats; chickens and puppies and horses and donkees; and the kids...no matter what we do with our day at COTP it's all about ti moun.
Sixty different little ones with sixty different stories as to why they are here. Some come to COTP healthy, but many don't.
Some are actual orphans. Many are from families whose situation just doesn't allow for another mouth to feed right now in a home situation that is already desperate beyond our imagination.
Fortunately, most make it and either end up back in their biological families (the number one goal of COTP) or are adopted.
Unfortunately, some don't! The reality of life (and death) in the third (some say fourth) world is so very close and so very real!
Yet, I am constantly reminded that even though the folks around here may appear, on the surface, not to have much-i.e., bank accounts, 401 k's, cars, etc., etc., they do have so much. They do have a home, they do get around, they do live life fully and they do love and are so grateful to God for what they do have.
They live life in a way that we "blan" (not usually a derogatory term, by the way) for the most part don't understand...so little materially, but so much else that matters. Is it utopia? Of course not, but there are things to be learned from Haitians and Haiti. There is much of Haiti, far from the politics, far from the rubble, aside from the poverty, that is beautiful and good and right and whole.
There is such amazing ability and talent and confidence demonstrated by the yard guys, by the shop guys; by the Nannies, by the laundry ladies, by the cooks, by the education program instructors, by all those that make Children of the Promise what it is.
This is not necessarily an easy place to be, but it is an amazing place to be!
It is so good to be here!
Blessings on you all.
J
This past Wednesday we reached the halfway point in our stay in Haiti.
Where has the time gone? In some ways it seems like we've been here a long time; in other ways we just got here! But, just over one month down and just over one month to go.
We've experienced so much this first half of our trip; Wonderful weather, constant rumble and roar of large dump trucks on the road out front (hauling gravel to the Cap Haitien airport as part of a runway renovation project-starts at about 4:00 AM and stops way after dark!), hiking (read birding) in the fields out back (nine life birds for me, so far-whoo hoo!); cows and goats; chickens and puppies and horses and donkees; and the kids...no matter what we do with our day at COTP it's all about ti moun.Sixty different little ones with sixty different stories as to why they are here. Some come to COTP healthy, but many don't.
Some are actual orphans. Many are from families whose situation just doesn't allow for another mouth to feed right now in a home situation that is already desperate beyond our imagination.
Fortunately, most make it and either end up back in their biological families (the number one goal of COTP) or are adopted.
 |
| Blocks made on site for the new house out back. |
Yet, I am constantly reminded that even though the folks around here may appear, on the surface, not to have much-i.e., bank accounts, 401 k's, cars, etc., etc., they do have so much. They do have a home, they do get around, they do live life fully and they do love and are so grateful to God for what they do have.
They live life in a way that we "blan" (not usually a derogatory term, by the way) for the most part don't understand...so little materially, but so much else that matters. Is it utopia? Of course not, but there are things to be learned from Haitians and Haiti. There is much of Haiti, far from the politics, far from the rubble, aside from the poverty, that is beautiful and good and right and whole.
There is such amazing ability and talent and confidence demonstrated by the yard guys, by the shop guys; by the Nannies, by the laundry ladies, by the cooks, by the education program instructors, by all those that make Children of the Promise what it is.
This is not necessarily an easy place to be, but it is an amazing place to be!
It is so good to be here!
Blessings on you all.
J
1/28/12
1/27/12
The lamp...
Hello all, or shall I say bon swa (good afternoon)?
Well, we've been here over two weeks now and have been enjoying our stay for the most part. I think we both have gone through a bout of travellors'...uh, well never mind. Anyway we're feeling good physically and also about being here.
Sara and I (well, mostly Sara, but I do help) have been helping to take care of the smallest little guy you've ever seen. Kenn-di came here about the same time we did. He's way too young and little to even be born yet, but regardless what I think he's here.
When he arrived he weighed in at a whopping 3.5 pounds! He's so small he hardly seems real but he's thriving quite nicely. Last I knew he was up to over 4 1/2 pounds. Still not a big boy but when you gain over a quarter of your total body weight you know progress is being made, at least for an infant.
He's a feisty little guy; sleeps most of the day and not much of the night. We try to keep him up but you know infants: when they want to sleep, they sleep and when they don't, good luck and hope for a nap the next day!
We've been taking lessons in Kreyol (that's how it's really spelled, well here anyway) from Darla (and Bill)-missionaries who live next door on the Manna International property. She is so gracious and patient as we stumble, well I stumble through the lesson time, but it is helping. I'm actually beginning to recognize a word here and there when the guys in the shop are talking.
I've been busy adding shelves in Chante's kitchen, swapping out old toilets for new (not sure why but toilets seems to be my lot in life these days! Also doing a lot of other maintenance things-the list just keeps getting longer. That's a good thing.
Oh, and did I mention the lamp?
Sara made the comment the other day that it would be nice to have a table lamp for her night stand. Well, being the handy guy that I claim to be, I decided she should have that lamp, so I made one! (See attached picture) It doesn't look like much but I think it's pretty innovative considering the shortage of available resources, no small feat. (well, actually it is kinda small, but works just the same!)
About a foot of 4" pvc, some wood, a wall light switch and some lamp cord and voila! A lamp!
On the not so bright side:
We were reminded how serious this business of caring for children in an impoverished nation is as we lost one a couple of days ago. She came to us underfed and malnurished to the point of no recovery, and despite the more than valiant efforts of the long-term staff, the short-term volunteers and the hospital staff in Milot, she just couldn't recover.
To watch Nick carefully and somberly carry her down from his apartment in the small casket that had just been hand-made in the COTP shop that morning is a sobering and humbling thing to watch.
Goes a long way in helping one understand how heroic these young people are that give their lives in this land of Ayiti, literally bearing and dealing with life and death decisions on a daily basis.
To Nick, Nikki, Sheila, Chante, Mateja and Adam: I am so proud of each of you. You truly are my heroes!
But on a more positive note...the flip side is watching as an adoptive parent comes to spend time with his soon to be son. Now thats's what it's all about!
Well, I fear I may be rambling so I'll stop for now. Thanks for hanging with us.
Blessings to you all and until we meet again, bon swa.
J
Well, we've been here over two weeks now and have been enjoying our stay for the most part. I think we both have gone through a bout of travellors'...uh, well never mind. Anyway we're feeling good physically and also about being here.
Sara and I (well, mostly Sara, but I do help) have been helping to take care of the smallest little guy you've ever seen. Kenn-di came here about the same time we did. He's way too young and little to even be born yet, but regardless what I think he's here.
When he arrived he weighed in at a whopping 3.5 pounds! He's so small he hardly seems real but he's thriving quite nicely. Last I knew he was up to over 4 1/2 pounds. Still not a big boy but when you gain over a quarter of your total body weight you know progress is being made, at least for an infant.
He's a feisty little guy; sleeps most of the day and not much of the night. We try to keep him up but you know infants: when they want to sleep, they sleep and when they don't, good luck and hope for a nap the next day!
We've been taking lessons in Kreyol (that's how it's really spelled, well here anyway) from Darla (and Bill)-missionaries who live next door on the Manna International property. She is so gracious and patient as we stumble, well I stumble through the lesson time, but it is helping. I'm actually beginning to recognize a word here and there when the guys in the shop are talking.
I've been busy adding shelves in Chante's kitchen, swapping out old toilets for new (not sure why but toilets seems to be my lot in life these days! Also doing a lot of other maintenance things-the list just keeps getting longer. That's a good thing.
Oh, and did I mention the lamp?
About a foot of 4" pvc, some wood, a wall light switch and some lamp cord and voila! A lamp!
On the not so bright side:
We were reminded how serious this business of caring for children in an impoverished nation is as we lost one a couple of days ago. She came to us underfed and malnurished to the point of no recovery, and despite the more than valiant efforts of the long-term staff, the short-term volunteers and the hospital staff in Milot, she just couldn't recover.
To watch Nick carefully and somberly carry her down from his apartment in the small casket that had just been hand-made in the COTP shop that morning is a sobering and humbling thing to watch.
Goes a long way in helping one understand how heroic these young people are that give their lives in this land of Ayiti, literally bearing and dealing with life and death decisions on a daily basis.
To Nick, Nikki, Sheila, Chante, Mateja and Adam: I am so proud of each of you. You truly are my heroes!
But on a more positive note...the flip side is watching as an adoptive parent comes to spend time with his soon to be son. Now thats's what it's all about!
Well, I fear I may be rambling so I'll stop for now. Thanks for hanging with us.
Blessings to you all and until we meet again, bon swa.
J
1/13/12
Here is one of the regular breakfasts at COTP. Just thought I'd share that with you all. : )
John and I are settling in here and finding our niche. It's a stretching experience living far from home and family, but we have found that the work it does in us is worth the stretch! John ventured out on a shopping run into Cap Haitien today while I stayed here to help our friend Chante with some of her daily projects. Of course, I'm always on the lookout for birds and wildlife, so I will post a photo of a rhino beetle the neighbors found yesterday. I've added two new birds to my bird Life List, building my total species closer to 400. (What? Some of you don't care?!) The many babies here are mostly healthy and doing well these days. If you ever want to feel wanted, just walk into the baby house and watch the arms stretch up to you!
While here, John and I both hope to learn a bit of Creole, so we are joining the neighbors a few days a week for an hour lesson. It's another stretch for 50-something year olds!
1/9/12
Made it!
Okay, just a quick note to announce tha we've made it!
Landed in Cap about 10:30 AM after a way too short-of-a-night at the Miami Airport Hotel but we're here...and all our luggage made it too!
Hard to believe we hauled all that stuff through three airports and it all made it in the same condition as when we started out-meaning nothing is broken ('cept one suitcase zipper and Sara's hummingbird feeder got beat up a bit-you can take the birder out of the country but you can't take the birder out of the...well, you know what I mean!) leaking or unsealed. PTL
We spent much of today meeting and chatting with old and new friends and getting settled in our room- emptying suitcases, sorting and putting away all that stuff.
Lots of people (well...five) our age (or thereabouts-anyway, of the more mature persuasion) here right now in addition to the 6 long-term volunteers, getting things done.
Well, tomorrow we'll jump into what we came to do: doing whatever we can.
It's been a long day so you'll forgive me if I say bon wi, won't you?
Bon wi,
J
Landed in Cap about 10:30 AM after a way too short-of-a-night at the Miami Airport Hotel but we're here...and all our luggage made it too!
Hard to believe we hauled all that stuff through three airports and it all made it in the same condition as when we started out-meaning nothing is broken ('cept one suitcase zipper and Sara's hummingbird feeder got beat up a bit-you can take the birder out of the country but you can't take the birder out of the...well, you know what I mean!) leaking or unsealed. PTL
We spent much of today meeting and chatting with old and new friends and getting settled in our room- emptying suitcases, sorting and putting away all that stuff.
Lots of people (well...five) our age (or thereabouts-anyway, of the more mature persuasion) here right now in addition to the 6 long-term volunteers, getting things done.
Well, tomorrow we'll jump into what we came to do: doing whatever we can.
It's been a long day so you'll forgive me if I say bon wi, won't you?
Bon wi,
J
1/5/12
Empty nesters!
Well, it's finally happened-the last one to go has flown the perverbial coop. Kile headed to LA to check out a lead on a rental for himself and three roomies, all of whom hope to work in some aspect of the movie making business.
From there (tomorrow) he heads to Guatemala to assist with the filming of a travel show. Amazing! (When I was his age I had gone to California once and then headed for Arizona and thought I was quite the adventurer! Talk about a global society...!)
When he returns he will spend a short time back in Arizona and then to LA for the foreseeable future.
Haiti? Oh, yea, Haiti...We have a couple of pre-trip errands for tomorrow and that will be it, we will be totally ready to go. I must say we have been pretty much ready for a couple of days and are now just wanting to be there.
Thanks for sharing our preparations.
Talk to you later,
J
From there (tomorrow) he heads to Guatemala to assist with the filming of a travel show. Amazing! (When I was his age I had gone to California once and then headed for Arizona and thought I was quite the adventurer! Talk about a global society...!)
When he returns he will spend a short time back in Arizona and then to LA for the foreseeable future.
Haiti? Oh, yea, Haiti...We have a couple of pre-trip errands for tomorrow and that will be it, we will be totally ready to go. I must say we have been pretty much ready for a couple of days and are now just wanting to be there.
Thanks for sharing our preparations.
Talk to you later,
J
1/1/12
Happy New Year!
Well, here we are at the end of another year, or actually as I write this it's now 2012...wow!..where did 2011 go? or for that matter, 2010, 2009, 2008...well, you get my drift. Welcome to 2012, ready or not here it is.
I hope you all are looking forward to the best year yet; not sure what we're in store for this new year (besides Haiti, of course) but I know it's gonna be good.
Happy New Year!
J
I hope you all are looking forward to the best year yet; not sure what we're in store for this new year (besides Haiti, of course) but I know it's gonna be good.
Happy New Year!
J
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