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.

Blocks made on site for the new house out back.

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