Happy Thanksgiving

Original post date was November 22, 2012.

I hope everybody was able to spend time today with family and friends. I know I did. There is no better place in the world to give thanks for all that I have than in Haiti where so many have so little. I spent today hanging out again at the orphanage with the kids. My friends Marg (from Canada), Sherry (from CO), and Emily (from NH) came this morning and will stay at Gertrude’s until Dec. 3. We have the best time together, and I learn a lot from them about Haiti, its culture, and how things “run” in Haiti and at Gertrude’s. They will be here again in March while I am here.

 Michaela and I headed out with Brinel this morning to distribute the hygiene packets. He took us toward the market, which I thought was a mistake, to give them out, and we didn’t even get to the market before Michaela was swamped by people. She handled it great and never lost her cool. Brinel tried to keep the “mob” under control, but it was hard. At one point two ladies were fighting over the packets and ripped the bag out of Michaela’s hand. They even took the bag! One lady asked me whether she could have the bag I was carrying, but I told her no, I needed it.

We came back for a second round of distribution, and this time we went the opposite direction. Much better choice. People came running, but nothing out of control. We gave one package to the guy selling sugar cane and then bought two sticks of cane from him. Personally, I like sugar cane. Michaela tried it, but she wasn’t crazy about it. But, I give her credit for trying!

 Marg, Emily, and Sherry have been great about helping me network. They invited Michaela and me to walk to a local medical clinic because they were checking on eye surgery for Maxo. The surgery can be done right in Haiti pretty much anytime Gertrude gives the go ahead. Please pray for her to let the surgery happen here instead of waiting for a chance for him to go to the U.S. because that probably won’t happen.

 I’m just getting used to being here, and it’s already time to go. It’s sad, but it helps knowing that I’ll be back so soon—in exactly two months (Jan. 22, 2013). I usually have to wait a LONG time, and it seems weird to think that I’ll be back so soon. And staying. Still trying to get my head wrapped around that.