Haiti Part III

New friends-Emmanuel and Manes.

Our team had the pleasure of working with some of the MOH Haitian interns for the week. When Manes first sat down next to me on the bus I thought the language was really going to be a huge barrier in getting to know these guys. Two hours later, we were best buds.

Manes and I in the village of Berse.

It is funny how some things are just universal. For example, here is a conversation I had with Manes.

Me: Do you have a girlfriend?

Manes: Girlfriend? No. Don't want one.

Me: Why not?

Manes: (thinks for a moment, trying to decide how to explain in english) Uh, big headache. Girlfriend big headache. Money, money, money!

Haha. I told him my husband would probably agree:)

Walking to the river while Lickenson teaches me words in Creole.

The guys worked along side of us all week; working on service projects and loving on the village children. One thing that can be said about those Haitians is they are hard workers. And they don't go running for their water bottles every 5 minutes in the 100+ degree-65% humidity-heat. James, in particular, was in one of the fields cutting out all of the unwanted weeds and bushes with a machete. This was the hottest day I have ever encountered. I never saw him take a water break or even hop in the shade for a bit. Finally I went over to him and said "James, you're worrying me. You work too hard. Get some water."

He smiled that million dollar smile and said "Ok, Karlee. I do that."

Me and James.

Another thing I learned about the Haitian people after spending a week with these guys is they will literally give you the shirt off their back. These people have close to nothing but would gladly give you everything. Example: I was telling Lickenson how much I love mangos as we were passing a bunch of mango trees. He said "You like mango? Yes, mango's good."

The next day he handed me a bag of 3 mangos. He had stopped at the market that morning on his way to meet us at Mission of Hope. I tried to refuse but he would not take no for an answer, so I shared with others at lunchtime. And we had to be wise with our compliments because one girl complimented someone on their tie dye shirt and he started to take it off, "Here. I give to you."

Me and Lickenson

Working to clear a rice field in the village of Berse. Imagine jumping into an oven and that is exactly what that field felt like.

Even work days were enjoyable when spent with our Haitian friends. One day was spent preparing the second floor of the MOH guest house for a group of 60 that would be arriving the next morning. We cleaned, moved furniture, set up bunkbeds, installed ceiling fans and vanities, and did A LOT of painting. For some reason I was one of the ones chosen to paint the outside of the building about 20 feet up in the air. I skimmed the walls on the outside ledge very carefully and painted away with about 5 others. It wasn't until the next day we learned there is supposed to be a limit of 2 people up there at a time. And get this-- they're supposed to be harnessed in.

Despite the heat and humidity, we spent the day completely entertained, laughing, joking and singing worship songs in Creole and English. Yes, I learned a song in Creole!

Teaching the village children some dance moves!

Speaking of joking, those guys sure loved to tease us! Like Lickenson quizzing me on my creole. If I answered with the wrong phrase, he would laugh at me. It was good natured of course:) One afternoon Manes asked me if I cooked for my husband. He didn't look like he had much faith in me. I answered, "sometimes." Then Emmanuel chimed in, "Yeah her husband say, Karlee whats for dinner? And she say, Eggs or Bread? Ha ha ha!" They really got a kick out of that. Am I that easy to read that these guys who just met me already know my cooking leaves a lot to be desired???

Manes and Emmanuel playing with the village children.

Now that I'm home I find myself worrying about my new friends. Are they safe, have they eaten? Will they return to university in the fall? These sweet people who we worked with, joked with, ate meals with, prayed and worshipped with might as well be an entire world away. Their culture and way of life is so far removed from everything we know here in the U.S., but one comforting fact is, we serve the same God.  And that same God loves and cares for them just as much as He loves and cares for us. I can take comfort in that. I do hope I can visit my friends again someday.

Haiti- Part II

See? Precious.

The children of Haiti are precious. A few know phrases in English, like "what's your name?" But most just communicate in other ways. I tried my best to learn a few key questions in creole, such as "What is your name?" and "How old are you?" However,  the majority of the time we just communicated through smiles, hugs, hand holding, and piggy back rides.

I feel in love with this 11 yr old at the Victorious Kids Orphanage.

These children are resilient. Maybe it's because they are survivors. They go days without food and live with illnesses that would bring a grown man to his knees. 400,000 of them are without parents or any family at all. We had the privilege of visiting two orphanages during our stay. The one at Mission of Hope houses 60 children and these children live in conditions most Haitian children only dream of. MOH is a christian organization doing amazing things all throughout Haiti.

This little girl was tuckered out.

I almost put this baby in my backpack and brought him home.

a sweet boy I met at church

Meet Jeremiah. He's a mover and a shaker.

See my bracelets? They were given to me by my new Haitian friends.

The second  was Victorious Kids Orphanage. A man named Oscar took 20 orphans into his home after the earthquake and trusts that God will provide for them everyday. This man doesn't have an easy job, but he sure has a lot of faith.

The older kids sang us songs. One of them was "I have decided to follow Jesus." In English.

The sad reality is, those 20 children had not eaten in several days. When I heard that I had to walk away. I had a breakdown and a little heart to heart with God. Life on earth is SO unfair.

Stay tuned for more on my trip to Haiti....

Haiti-part I

I returned home from Haiti three days ago. I'm hesitant to recapture my trip because I feel like I could never do it justice. That I could never do the people justice. I am writing this knowing I probably never will. But I'll give it my best shot.

We stayed at Mission of Hope in Titanyen, 30 minutes outside of Port Au Prince. We toured the city and parts of the countryside. We witnessed the complete devastation left by the earthquake a year and a half ago. Entire towns were wiped out and now replaced with what they call "tent cities."

The current condition of Haiti is worse than one might imagine. Only 10% of the people are employed. That's approximately 2 million without jobs. The air is filled with dust, dirt, and exhaust. Agriculture is poor. Garbage abounds.

One hundred million dollars was raised in an effort to aid in the earthquake devastation 18 months ago...the Haitian people only saw 10% of that.

Lamentations 2:21-22 Paraphrase: "Often innocent bystanders are victims of judgement on a nation. Sin has a way of causing great sorrow and devastation to many." We will be held accountable for our actions. Unfortunately an individual, a group of leaders, or definitely a corrupt government can commit sins that may result in the destruction of an entire nation. Haiti is the perfect example of this.

However, Haiti held a few surprises for me. The first being the food. It was amazing. I'm talkin' juicy chicken, rice & beans, and plantains that taste just like french fries dipped in ketchup!

The second surprise was how beautiful the country is. Sweep away the dust and dirt and you have lush greenery, mango trees (my fave!), and the sky blue Caribbean. All situated at the foot of the Titanyen Mountains. Not a bad backdrop.

The biggest surprise was how much I fell in love with the people. I knew I was going to love the people, that I would want to take all the children home and stuff the babies in my backpack...but I didn't know just how MUCH I would love them. All- young and old. I will get to that tomorrow.

Stay tuned, friends...

Moving Again

It is the story of my life. We are moving again. New town, new house, new job, oh--and a new car. It is another year of change for us. (Read about other moving adventures HERE and HERE.)

I had to say goodbye to my little monsters, which was heartbreaking. There were a lot of tears...that day, the next day, and a few days later...

But change is inevitable, and here we are- faced with it again. It's scary, a little sad, and a little exciting at the same time. Jake keeps reminding me to make the best of it, even if we're not living in our ideal town. Considering our history, every location is fairly short-lived. (fingers crossed.)

We packed it up, Beverly Hillbilly style.

That's what Layla did while moved heavy boxes and furniture in the 90 degree heat:)



exposure

"Exposure to the SON will prevent you from burning!"

Small town marquee signs are the best. See more HERE and HERE

country chic

atlantahomesmag.com

So, I'm kind of in love with this country chic home. It's no barn, but definitely has good bones and that comfortable farmhouse appeal. I'll move in...yesterday.