Bad blood suckers

Before Haiti, this was my mental picture of a mosquito net.  I imagined tropical vacations, remote beaches, and serene sunsets.  It was a romanticized version of reality.

Last night I shared my mosquito net with a blood sucker. 



It had a feast on my ankle and I itch like crazy!  I got up several times during the night and I kept thinking that I would finally get some rest.  Not really.

And then this morning, I saw it flying around inside my net.  I lifted the edge and showed it to the door.  A couple days ago Ashley said that she would rather get malaria than sleep in a mosquito net because if there's a bug stuck in your net, it will bite you all night.  She was right, and this bug did bite all night!

Bye bye bugs.  Next stop, home!

Tidbits from today

Woke up early and went to school ready to work in the computer lab with Kamala.  The principal was retard.  That means TARDY before you think I'm calling him something else.  The computer lab was a comfortable temperature, but Mr. Ivens insisted we needed the AC on. 

Watched little boys brush their teeth.  I was fascinated as many of them gnawed on the handle BEFORE brushing their teeth.  Then I helped them put lotion on their arms.  It reminded me of helping my friends and cousin with their children's bath time and rubbing lotion on the tender little ones.

Worked as a Christmas elf checking the gift bags for all the orphanage kids.  And as I'm writing this, I don't think I quite finished this task ... and now I have a PROJECT for tomorrow. 

Helped the kids make cards for the interns Kelly and Taylor who are going home tomorrow.  These lovely ladies have been here since SEPTEMBER, and they are so delightful!

SERVED food and water at feeding program.  Snuggled with Dave.  Had a great chat with Susette. 

Put on my SANTA hat and helped the little boys make gingerbread houses.  Ti-bo and I worked together to create a beautiful house.  Yes, we both like things perfect.

Walked to Brooke's house for DINNER and enjoyed her lovely apartment.  She made white chicken chili and we brought the teriyaki chicken and rice from the guesthouse.

Wednesday night WORSHIP at the boys' house.  I tried to hold Estaline and realized her diaper was wet.  I sat with Davidson and Keso, we sang songs, thanked Kelly and Taylor and wished them safe travels.

And now, I am ready for SLEEP.

Numbers

This morning Kamala suggested I write a post on numbers.  I thought about counting all the times we repeat tasks during the day, or the random events that occur in sets. 

10 (or so) cockroaches running around the kitchen floor this morning avoiding the bug spray.  They're sprinters!

9 little boys who opened their letters from home who needed help reading English.  I've learned to paraphrase and hit the major points.  Wilson loved the toy car tucked in the envelope of his letter. 

2 nerdy English teachers sitting around playing with www.worditout.com

16 batteries that power the guesthouse during the day before city power turns on.  So far, the power has not gone out during this trip!

3 delicious meals prepared by Janet and Venise and countless laughter enducing conversations over said meals.

2 little girls (Estaline and Adnaika) who needed to be rescued from the rough playing boys.

1 application of bug spray before walking over to the Transition House.

1 intern who doesn't know who LL Cool J is.  Really.  She is 22.

6 or so applications of anti itch spray to the mosquito bite on my left elbow. 

14 times Kamala and I laughed over random things like trying to count and the letters R and W.

2 friends sitting on the roof at sunset talking about how we're all broken.

A day in pictures

Brooke drove us to the market, yes, she drives in Haiti

I looked at ice cream, but the price was 345 goudes (39 goudes=$1 US)

Kamala and I made letters for a project later in the week

Oline took a picture of Jessica and me -- yes, tank tops in December

Kamala and Katrina played marbles

And here's Estaline

All that is ...

Sundays are a pleasant change from the frenetic pace of other days in Haiti. 

Today we went to church at Port-au-Prince Fellowship and the message was about gifts.  Gifts we receive like the ultimate gift of Christ's life for us, gifts we give to God, gifts we are blessed with that allow us to share the word of God with others.  And it was a fitting message in light of Christmas.  Pastor John suggested that we make some extra gift tags for under the tree and address them to God, giving him our love, our loyalty, and a list of other things.  Hmm ... I don't think Target has gift tags for that.

After church we had lunch and enjoyed a long afternoon nap.  I feel rested and caught up on the sleep lost on the overnight flight here.  Before dinner we went to the boys' house and it's interesting to see what activity they are into each time I'm here.  First it was dominoes, there were the games of rubber bands, in April it was all about skateboards, and now, it's all that is round and colorful ... marbles!  I'm not sure of the rules they follow when they play, but it's fun to watch a bunch of boys shooting glass spheres of color across the concrete.  They are also very protective of their marbles and carry them all in their pockets.  Some of the boys now make music when they walk. 

While we were visiting with the boys, Keso told Kamala and me that he doesn't have school until January 9th.  Kamala tried to joke with him and tell him that since we were here, there would be school all week.  The expression on Keso's face went from joy to fear in an instant.  And while there isn't official class, we are going to open the computer lab for kids who want to work on their typing skills.  Most of the kids greet us by saying "sentences" because they remember writing sentences for their behavior when we were principals.  So when Keso thought there was school and we were going to be there, his mind went to sentences.   

After dinner we sang Happy Birthday to Kamala and now we are enjoying a quiet evening before the week begins.    

Baby Jesus in a manger



It's been an action packed two days. 

The trip here was easy and uneventful.  I met Kamala and her friend at the airport in Los Angeles, we traveled to Miami, we had a quick layover, and then we were on our way to Haiti.  Landing in Haiti and going through customs and immigration can be a process.  Not so much.  All of our luggage was there, Big was there, and Marlval and Jessica picked us up.

Friday afternoon was a special feeding program.  We had over 200 children at this event.  Instead of the normal feeding program crafts and message, we had a dance party.  And the kids in Haiti are dancing to much of the same music as kids in America.  And yes, they know how to Dougie.  After the special meal, the kids got presents, including crayons from BHS. 

A few of us went to Epidor for dinner on Friday night, and by the time we returned, all I wanted was a shower and sleep.  So as much as I wanted to post an update, sleep was more enticing.

This morning we hit the ground running and set up for the Christmas Program, helped out with all the details throughout the afternoon, and then watched the kids perform.  There was singing, dancing, a nativity play with baby Jesus in a manger, and a message about the season.  I have some videos of the little girls dancing, the older boys playing music, and the little boys dancing.  There was such an array of talent!  The picture above is the MdL school children singing.  Don't worry, I'll share when I get home.

It's nice to be back.  Seeing the kids for the first time was heartwarming, and they have grown so much.  The weather is perfect, and I'm looking forward to the next week.  Tomorrow is church and a day to rest and enjoy each others company.

A Rainbow of Blessings

Coloring with the full box of 64 Crayola Crayons was always such a treat.  I liked the box with the built in sharpener, even if I never actually used it.  I never understood colors like Raw Umber and Burnt Sienna, as I preferred colors like Maize, Cornflower, and Magenta.  And after sorting through crayons with students, I am amazed at the rainbow of colors that exist.  There are sparkly crayons, larger crayons for children developing fine motor skills, shorter crayons for smaller hands, Disney princess and cars crayons, and nearly every other crayon imaginable. 

The BHS community has blessed the ministry and we surpassed our goal.  At last count we had over 3,000 crayons, and there's a stack in my classroom ready for last minute sorting and packing.  I also have a bag of soap, some various medical supplies, and am waiting for a few deliveries between now and Thursday.  This afternoon my dad asked how much 3,000 crayons weigh.  Thankfully half of the crayons are already on their way with Miss Jessica.

I've been rushing around the past few days feeling the pressure of having everything ready for Christmas, having everything ready at school before Winter Break, and having everything ready for Haiti.  And while I can feel the tension in my shoulders rise as I type this sentence, the message at church this morning resounds in my head.  Who I am in Christ is so much better than anything I'm not in this world.