An Exercise in Patience

Some how this didn't get posted yesterday (Wed., 2/27).  Oops.

Today was the first time that I took kids to an appointment of some sort, and I really had to strive for patience.  Maxo and Jude had to go back to the eye doctor for a follow-up to their eye surgery, Joseph went for an assessment to see whether he was a candidate for eye surgery, and Gertrude's mom went for her follow-up visit.

First of all, we shoved five adults and three kids into a vehicle that in America would only seat five.  We arrived relatively on time (12:10) for our noon appointment.  When we arrived at the clinic in downtown PAP, we waited 10 minutes to check in.  Then we waited another 20 minutes for Maxo's and Gertrude's mom's name to be called.  I mistakenly thought we would see the doctor next.  Instead, we went upstairs to another waiting room (no elevators for wheelchairs).  We waited there for 20 minutes before being told that we should have been waiting downstairs.  So, we trekked back down.

Another 20 minute wait ensued before Maxo was called in.  Then Jude went in right away.  Then Joseph.  He back out right away, and they put drops in his eyes.  About 20 minutes late Gertrude's mom came back down from her appointment (I guess she was supposed to have been upstairs anyway!).  I thought we could go, but Gertrude said we still needed to wait for Joseph.  I guess the drops they put in had to wait 45 minutes before he could be examined.  I breathed deeply and said, "Okay."

While I sat waiting--it was now about 2:30--I thought how little patience Americans have to muster up.  My good friend Lori explained to me that in Tortola (sp.?), children are expected to learn patience by sitting still for long hours in school.  We don't expect that from our children, yet we (I?) often complain about how American kids have short attention spans.  In doctors' waiting rooms there T.V.s and play rooms for kids.  The kids don't have to sit still--they can run around and be loud.  In church many parents bring toys, books, or food to keep their children entertained instead of expecting them to sit still.  In school kids rarely have to sit for long.  While I know that active engagement in learning is important, when is it reasonable to teach children that sometimes you just have to sit and be patient?

I have expressed frustration with the lack of active learning I see at the school at Gertrude's, but, as Lori pointed out, maybe the teaching style reflects what is culturally expected of children because "sitting patiently" is a life skill.

I, myself, usually take a book with me to read anywhere I go so that if I have to wait I have something to keep my mind occupied.  In that regard, I do for myself what is done for kids by their parents.  Today, though, I had to just sit and keep a four-year-old boy with autistic tendencies sitting patiently.  It was hard.  I become bored, and Maxo was certainly bored.

My guess is that the best "answer" is somewhere in the middle.  Constantly entertaining children isn't the best, but asking kids to sit for hours doesn't necessarily work either.

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Brinel and Christina

Christina and trainer

Cade avoiding looking at the horses!

On a completely different note, horse therapy was amazing today!  I love going and watching the kids.  I won't give you the blow-by-blow account every week, but today Cade was much calmer.  He still was afraid of the horses, but at least he didn't scream the entire time!  Christina fell asleep on the horse, so one of the trainers had to ride with her.  Jean-Daniel was a pro again.  I helped a bit when he was riding because he needed someone to walk alongside of him on his horse holding his back straight (that's hard to do when the horse is quite a bit taller than you!).  

Good news--the kids love it.  Bad news--Paco couldn't get us such a great deal; it will be $35/child/session. So, the funds I have won't go as far as I had thought.  However, if you are interested in supporting the horse therapy, you can do so by sending a check to New Hope Lutheran Church, 115 Oak St., North Aurora, IL 60542.  Make the check out to New Hope Lutheran Church, and in the memo line write Haiti Mission Funds.

I woke up looking forward to a pretty normal day: work with the kids in the morning, do a little cleaning in the afternoon, playground right before supper.  Yea, well, I completely forgot that Healing Hands for Haiti was coming in with a team to conduct seminars for some of the nannies and do assessments of the kids.  Needless to say, my plans were scrapped.

Alain

But, that turned out to be a good thing.  I was able to have the medical staff look at specific kids and ask questions.  They will then go back to their place, look at the information, and come back tomorrow with therapy ideas.  That will be a huge benefit to me!  And, I received affirmation for what I have been doing up to this point.  I have learned something from those YouTube videos, and I haven't done any damage to the kids!

Jonathon getting his heart listened to

Jean-Daniel being assessed

Notre Maison nannies

After lunch I decided to tackle the depot and start organizing it.  Talk about overwhelming!  People are so generous that the place is packed.  Much of the stuff is labeled nicely, but recent donations need to be organized and put into containers with labels.  One of the reasons that I want to do this is so that I can start taking each kid in and get them new clothes.  The kids are rough on their clothes, and even thought the nannies know they need new clothes, they don't have a lot of time to sort through it all and find what is needed.  So, before I leave, all 43 kids will get new clothes. Wish me luck!

Sunday Potpouri

Mickey

Well, if you read the first post for today, you realize that the start of the day was pretty overwhelming.  It improved greatly since then.

Marg and Emily invited me to go with them to lunch at Coyoye, a restaurant on Delmas 31; we took the taptap, and they showed me how to get around on it.  I loved it!  I probably won't go far on the taptaps, but I can at least get myself up and down Delmas, the main road running up and down the mountain to Petionville.  That will give me a bit more independence.

Lunch at Coyoye was pretty good.  I went with the traditional American lunch of a cheeseburger, fries, and a Diet Coke.  The fries were the same; the Diet Coke was actually Diet Coke, not Coca Light; but the burger was not like an American burger.  But, it was close enough that it hit the spot.  The restaurant was very clean, air conditioned, and had a nice outdoor sitting area.  I would definitely go back if I had the chance.

Cocoye inside

Cocoye outside

Marg, from Canada

Rosie and me

After lunch we went to the grocery store nearby.  I did some shopping for Mickey, buying juice, protein shakes, protein powder, yogurt, applesauce, and pudding.  We need to find things that he'll like and that will get him more protein.  I have discovered that he loves yogurt which is good because it's a way to get his antibiotic into him so that he'll swallow it.

I'm up on the roof typing this, and I'm looking for some alone time.  When we got back from our day, some things were pretty rough with Mickey.  I was very scared for him, and in my fear, I spoke harshly to the nannies.  They didn't deserve to bear the brunt of my fear.  With Rosie's help and my own faltering Creole, I was able to apologize for my words and my tone of voice.

As always, please pray for Mickey.  And, please pray for me.  That I keep my fear at bay and that I speak with love and respect and not let my own emotions get the best of me.

I'm looking forward to a relaxing evening and a good night's rest.  As a good friend always reminds me, it's always better in the morning.


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Here are some prices from my shopping trip:

*four pack of Jello chocolate pudding = $2.00
*box of Kleenex = $2.75
*can of Blue Diamond almonds = $5.00
*can of Pringles = $3.00
*four pack of Yoplait yogurt = $2.85

God is Good

          Mickey's first injection was this morning.  The staff at the hospital made it sound so easy.  I took the stuff out of the bag they sent: syringe, vial of powder medicine, sterile alcohol wipe.  A slight panic set in.  I read the instructions in minuscule print on the vial.  Now I started crying.  I had no idea what I was doing.  Thank God that a visiting pastor walked by and noticed my tears and asked if I needed help.  I explained, and he said that he would get his wife who was a nurse.  Thank God.
          She came out to help and had lots of questions about dosage, how deep into the muscle, weight, etc.  I had no answers.  We checked the Internet (which was actually working this morning).  We were pretty sure we had it figured out, set everything we needed on a plate, and went to wash our hands.  By the time we got back, Suse--Gertrude's sister who is a nurse--returned from the airport after a week in St. Louis du Nord.  She took over.  Thank God.
          I watched what she did to mix the solution and get it into the syringe.  I never could have done it.  I never could have intuitively figured out what to do.
          As my panic set in and I felt overwhelmed and in way over my head, God sent what I needed at just the right moment.  God's timing is perfect.

Mickey's Home

          Mickey came home this afternoon!  The entire place was so excited.   I was in the middle of helping prepare for the party this afternoon when Gertrude called to see whether I could go to the hospital to pick him up when she returned.  Of course I said "yes."

          As soon as Gertrude unloaded the truck, Gabriel, Brilner, and I climbed in and headed downtown to General Hospital.  Mickey was all ready when we arrived.  The doctor gave me the last of his medicine--an IM drug that needs to be administered once a day.  I should only have to give it to him tomorrow because then Suse, Gertrude's sister, will be back.  She's a nurse, so I'm hoping that she can take over giving him the injections.  

          Mickey was pretty tired when we got back, so he took a nap right away.  He got up for supper and sat outside with the other kids for about 1 1/2 hours before he needed to go to bed.  Mickey's a picky eater, but he loved the strawberry yogurt and asked for two more containers!  Our goal is to get as much protein into him as possible.  Yogurt, eggs, Pediasure, protein shakes.  Anything that tastes good that has lots of protein.  

          I was feeling pretty confident until I had to change the regulator from the small tank to the large oxygen tank.  I couldn't get a tight seal on the new tank, and I had a moment of panic thinking that we'd made a mistake in bringing him home.  But, I asked Brinel for help.  I showed him what he needed to do, and he was able to get a tight seal.  I just wasn't strong enough to get it tight enough.  So, all is good for tonight.  

Backpack Art

Keloke and his suncatcher.

Christella

Oriol, singer and turor

Keloke as a cat in the play

Kethia as a butterfly in the play

          The party for Sherry's birthday went . . . . I could say it went "well," but that would be stretching it.  The kids were great.  The adults, not so much.  My friend Oriol who agreed to lead the singing showed up at 3:30 instead of 2:00.  The nannies wouldn't stop talking during the kids's play.  And the high school kids who were supposed to be helping were pretty much taking the food and eating it.  Next time, more kids and fewer older people!  

          Tomorrow after church Marg, Emily, and I are going to go out to lunch.  We're going to take a Tap Tap so that I can learn how the system works.  That way, I won't always have to depend on Gertrude's driver to take me places--I'll have a bit more independence!

Day of Rest

          Fridays are my day off.  Just like Saturdays and Sundays back home are supposed to be days that I don't work.  However, over the years I have learned to not distinguish between work days during the week and working on the weekends.  During the school year most weekends find me in my classroom working or grading papers for hours at home.  Work has slowly invaded my entire life, and I have to find ways to "fit in" the personal things that need to be done.  Unfortunately, down time is limited.  And, when I do have down time, I feel restless because I am conditioned to always being "doing" something.  
          I am learning in Haiti that a day of true rest does wonders for my mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual state.  Today I went slowly in the morning, taking my time with breakfast and straightening up my room.  Then, I sat on the roof in the cool breeze reading while I waited for my friend Oriol to arrive for my Creole lesson.  After he left, I just sat on the roof and enjoyed the breeze.  No reading.  No talking.  Just being.  If felt good.  
          I walked to the market with my friends Marg, Emily, and Sherry to buy lunch.  We enjoyed a simple lunch of bread, cheese, tomatoes, and yogurt.  Then, I continued to read and just sit.  As the day progressed I relaxed more and more and could feel myself replenishing for the work in the coming days.
          This idea of rest is a strange concept to many Americans, myself included!  I often confuse resting/relaxing with boredom.  Or, resting/relaxing feels guilty because I feel that I should be doing something productive.  I'm learning that rest IS productive.  It allows me to re-energize so that I can be more effective.  Because of the culture here in Haiti--no T.V., no video games, etc.--resting for me is exactly that.  Restful.  There's no watching T.V. while I read while I chat on Facebook.  There's no futzing around the house doing odds and ends and calling it "resting" because I'm not working on school.  I truly rest here.  
          The challenge will be to hold onto the lessons I'm learning here when I return to life in the States.  To choose to unplug from the world for awhile and simply "be."  

What a Day!

Cade

I am so thankful for today.  It started with getting Rosaline, Christina, Jean-Daniel, and Cade ready to for horse therapy.  While we were preparing for that, another group was planning to buy the oxygen tanks and bring Mickey home.

Brilner, Cade, Jean-Daneil, and Christina.

            Of the four kids who attended horse therapy today, three of them loved it and were great.  The fourth, Cade, screamed in sheer terror the moment he saw a horse.  I sorta laughed.  Cade didn’t stop screaming the entire time.  Brilner, one of the workers at the guesthouse, came with me to help with the kids.  It’s a good thing he was there because I don’t think I could have held onto Cade when he was throwing his fits.

Jean-Daniel, Christina, and me.

Christina

            Paco had told me that for this first visit the kids wouldn’t be getting on the horses; they would just watch, be around the horses, see what it was like.  Well, the kids did get on the horses!  About half way through, Paco grabbed Cade and put him up on a horse.  Paco and another worked walked Cade around, and even though he didn’t completely stop screaming, his screams were softer.  Then, after the group from Wings of Hope finished, Paco fitted the kids with helmets, and they all had a chance to ride.  Christina went first and absolutely loved it!  Then Jean-Daniel got on, and he was a pro!  He smiled, laughed, and didn’t need anyone to hold him.  Paco was impressed.  I think Jean-Daniel is going to love this!

Paco and Jean-Daniel

Jean-Daniel

Rosaline

Rosaline

            The last to get on was Rosaline.  She’s older and larger than the other kids, and I was concerned that they wouldn’t be able to lift her up.  But, two of them just lifted her and gently put her on a horse.  Rosaline is pretty shy, but she has a beautiful smile.  Her face lit up as the horse walked around.  Rosaline doesn’t always get lots of attention, and today, she was the main attraction.  I can hardly wait to go back next week to see them all smile so much again.  Well, except Cade.  My hope is that he’ll be less afraid.  Paco did put him back on a horse after the others had ridden, and he was much better.  He never totally lost his terrified look, but he did stop screaming, and after the ride, he did scream again.  Progress.

            I don’t know what I will accomplish while I am here in terms of programs, therapies, etc.  But, if the only thing that lasts after I leave is consistent horse therapy, I will be satisfied.  That will be enough. 

            We had thought that Mickey would be coming home today.  One group purchased one large oxygen tank ($240) and two small tanks ($70 each) and brought them home.  They then went to General Hospital to get Mickey, his medication, and other supplies that they needed.  Everything was ready.  Mickey was ready and waiting.  The doctor wanted to do one last x-ray to make sure that everything was good to go.  Unfortunately, the last x-ray that one spot on his lungs was a bit cloudier.  The doctor wasn’t comfortable letting him go until Dr. Kofi could check it because I guess she is the TB expert.  Well, Dr. Kofi is in the States right now, so she won’t be able to read the x-ray until tomorrow (the doctor at General Hospital is going to e-mail it to her).  So, we should know for sure tomorrow whether Mickey gets to come home. 

            Please pray that if Mickey does have TB that Dr. Kofi see it and that Mickey can get treatment for it.  If the x-ray is okay and Mickey can come home, please pray that we can provide the best care for him.   I don’t know what will happen with Mickey’s health, but my prayer for him is that he can come home and be around family and friends who love him.

            Groups are coming in pretty regularly right now which makes life around here very hectic.  I have more and more responsibility—I don’t mind it, but sometimes I get asked questions that I don’t know the answers to or that I don’t know whether I have the authority to answer.  So far, Gertrude hasn’t kicked me out, so I don’t think I've over stepped any boundaries!  

General Hospital

Late this afternoon I went with Sue, a woman here from MN, to look into getting oxygen tanks so that we can bring Mickey home from the hospital.  The tanks are more expensive than we thought ($250), and the doctors recommend having three on hand.  We tried to get them to give us a deal, but no dice.  They did say that the director would be in on Thursday and that maybe he would be willing to negotiate.  After talking some amongst ourselves, we decided to go to the hospital to make sure that doctors would discharge Mickey and to verify the supplies that we would need.

     On a side note: patients in Haiti CANNOT discharge themselves from the hospital without a doctor's permission.  They can't leave the building at all.  So, even if a patient wants to go home or the family wants the patient to come home, he can't.  Civil rights in America are great--we can't be kept in a hospital without our consent.


We left the oxygen store place and drove to General Hospital in downtown PAP.  I wanted to take pictures because I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  Mickey is housed in the TB ward, which is nothing more than what looks like a large Army tent.  There had to have been at least 45 patients in it.  I'd say there was about 6" in between the hospital beds.  It's a free hospital, so patients' families have to provide food for their family member.  The only toilet facilities are the buckets next to the bed (the nurses--what few there are--don't want families to bring food in the Styrofoam containers from the streets because then the patients use them to toilet in).  There is zero privacy.  A nanny is there with Mickey 24 hours, but that is not much company.  He is an intelligent young man without anything to do.  He is so thin and weak that one rubber glove under his back was causing him pain.  When we removed it, he could finally turn onto his back instead of having to stay on his side.  The first thing Mickey asked for was to come home.  We explained that we couldn't do that yet, but we were working on it.

I know in America we complain about health care, having to share rooms in the hospital, the poor quality of the food, etc.  Never complain.  Please.  We Americans have it so good most of us don't even realize it.  The blocks around the hospital are filled with pharmacies, labs, funeral homes, etc.  It is not unusual for a patient to have to go around to the pharmacies and purchase the supplies needed for his surgery and take them to the hospital.  We complain about the high cost of medical care in the U.S., but at least we don't have to buy our own surgical supplies before an operation!

Please pray that Mickey's health continue to improve, even slightly.  Please pray that we can find the money to pay for the oxygen tanks.  Please pray that when (if) he comes home that we can care for him properly.

Regular Day

Today's routine felt good.  I was able to start with the babies and Phonsley like usual.  Some ladies from another group hadn't seen Phonsley since last summer, and they were amazed at how much progress is he has made since then.  He had done a lot on his own, but he has improved a lot in the last 3 1/2 weeks.  He also just seems happier!

I also worked with the new girl (I still don't know her name--I will find out tomorrow!), and she didn't really know what to do with the toys.  It broke my heart.  I may bring her out with Christine or Christina tomorrow so that she can see how to play.  I do know that she loved the one-on-one attention!

I took part of the afternoon to look for shoes, socks, and pants for the kids who will take part in the horse therapy.  The "Depot" where everything is stored is in dire need of organizing!  I would love to get my hands on a bunch of plastic bins and a label maker so that all the stuff is organized.  Or, we need to invite the TLC program crew for the show about hoarders to come and do a show here.  Gertrude needs help!  She is so afraid to throw anything out because you never know whether you will have enough when you live in Haiti.

I did find shows and socks for three of the kids.  Cade absolutely loved his new socks and shoes.  He ran around shouting, smiling, and screaming in happiness.  I couldn't help but smile.  Jean-Daniel was just as happy with his new shoes/socks, he just isn't as verbal about his excitement.  He kept crouching down to touch his shoes and then smiling.

Tonight Dixie (Wolton and Mimose's adoptive mom) and her friends are making sno-cones for the kids.  They were going to make popcorn as well, but they decided to just do one treat.  I said that I would do the popcorn some other time.  Maybe some Friday night we can have a dance party or something.  Tomorrow morning we'll do sno-cones for the handicapped kids before school.

You know, it was a good day.  Low key.  Calm.  Routine.  It felt good after a busy weekend and a week of having all the kids around.

What a Day

What a good day!  I went slowly this morning instead of going to church with the kids and the other guests.  When they all returned, we loaded up Leonard’s green bus and headed north to Kaliko beach resort.  Not all of the kids could go.  Of course Jameson, Edson, and Michael went because their adoptive mom Megan is here.  Megan also chose to bring Keloke.  Then, Wolton and Mimose’s adoptive mom Dixie is here, so they went.  Another guest took Jonathon and Christine.  Rosie decided to take Jephte and Jackie. 

The hard part was that Lovely, Kethia, Shirley, and Christell couldn’t go.  They sobbed as the rest of the group readied and got on the bus.  I tried to imagine how they felt because it goes way beyond just not being able to go to the beach.  It’s about not being chosen.  It’s about being abandoned by Mom and Dad.  It’s about not being chosen by adoptive parents.  It’s about not being chosen by a guest to go to the beach.  For many practical reasons not all the kids could go, but that doesn’t make and difference to those left behind. 

Little Christine

Kaliko Resort

The kids were well behaved and loved the pool at the resort.  They weren’t so fond of the beach because it was pretty rocky, but they all had a good time.  The view was amazing, great breeze, relaxing times.  I couldn’t ask for a better day of rest (even with 10 kids running around!).  The buffet was all you can eat, and the kids did eat.  Watching them approach their food is a study in psychology.  They’ve never seen so much food or been able to have seconds.  And thirds.  And fourths.  It’s like their only “stop” is when the food runs out, not when their bellies are full.  So they ate literally until they couldn’t eat any more, and a couple kids ate beyond that point.  One little girl ate until she couldn’t swallow food anymore because there was no place for it to go.  All their little bellies stuck out because they were so full.  Most of these kids came to Gertrude’s severely malnourished, and even though they have had three meals a day for years, it’s like their bodies remember the malnourishment, and they just can’t stop.  I wonder how much their psyches remember the malnourishment and how that will affect their psychology into adulthood. 

On the way back from the beach we received good news from the folks who took Maxo for eye surgery.  The surgery was successful—Maxo can see!  I can’t even begin to imagine what his life will be like now that he can see.  So much is now available to him that wasn’t before.  They don’t fly back until Wednesday, and we can’t wait to for them to get back.  The kids are as excited about the news as the adults.  Now we pray that the surgeries for Alain and Jude tomorrow go just as well.

The school kids head back to school tomorrow which means that I can get back into my routines with the special-needs kids.  I think everyone is happy that the kids will be back in school—40+ kids in one place drove us all a bit crazy!

Two for One

You are getting two days's updates at once because the Internet was being incredibly temperamental yesterday, so I just gave up and watch a movie instead.

The last couple of days have been roller coaster rides emotionally. At times I feel really good about what I am doing, where I am, and what is going on.  Other times I feel incredibly lonely and out of touch.  The last two nights have been hard.  Other groups are here, and they have their own connections, so at time they often get together and socialize.  It's not that I'm not invited to join, it's just that I don't know their families, their children, or the people in the stories they tell.  It's that sense of being loneliest in a crowd.

I've been thinking of home a lot lately.  Things that I miss.  Things that I want to do.  Be with my dog.  Having American food.  Diet Coke.  Take a hot shower.  Not sweat.  Being with friends, people who know me.  Having time to myself.  Not having to think so hard to talk with most people.  Feeling semi-competent.  Reading as much as I want.

These thoughts hit me most at night or when the days are slow.  Too much time to think.  I don't think I realized just how busy life is in America until I came here.   Because I don't have to do all the shopping, cleaning, laundry, cooking, shoveling, lesson planning, grading, attending meetings, paying bills, etc., I have much more down time, and it's hard to fill all that down time.  I space out my reading so that I don't run out of books.  There's no television.  I'm not a huge music person.  So, I'm learning to be still.  Two of the devotions that I've sat in on have focused on stillness, and it is good for me to hear that message.  I love the passage from Scripture that reads "Be still, and know that I am God."  It's hard to live those words in the States, but God is challenging me to live them in Haiti.

That's enough of the serious stuff!  Today was a blast.  I was invited to go with a visiting group and 11 kids to the national history museum and then have lunch at Epidor.  The kids were great!  They put on their Sunday clothes, used their best manners, and did Gertrude proud!  Oh, and before we left, the women in the group made the kids pancakes.Some of them don't remember ever having pancakes before, so it was a big treat.  The kids barely chewed, they were so excited.  About 16 kids ate through five boxes of pancake mix!

                            

Lunch at Epidor was also an experience.  Some liked their food, others didn't.  We gave them a choice between a hamburger and fries or chicken and rice.  The chicken and rice came with cooked cabbage, which I think only one kid ate (I don't blame them for passing on it!).  And one boy didn't like his hamburger, but the other kids shared their rice and chicken with him.  For a bunch of kids who don't ever go out to eat, they handled themselves beautifully.  Gertrude can be very proud of the manners her kids are learning.  The kids also wouldn't eat until they had prayed.  Pretty cool.

Group Shot

Christell ate more rice than any kid I've ever seen!

Gus loved being included!

God Bless Paco

I visited the stables today to observe kids and adults from Wings of Hope receive their therapy.  I am in awe of what Paco does.  He explained the progress that each rider had made, both physically and emotionally.  While the horses were led by the workers, Paco would give encouragement to the riders.  He would also have the trainers bring the horse and rider to him so that he could work with the rider through stretching and flexing muscles and working on posture.  Paco walks with the kids when they are off the horses, really working on developing correct posture, leg strength, etc.  It is obvious that he is a great passion for working with people with handicaps.

Next Thursday I will take four kids from Notre Maison to observe this same group during therapy.  Paco asks that the first week the kids simply watch so that they can get used to the horses, see that they are not dangerous, and watch what will be happening.  Then, the next week the kids receive their first therapy session on the horses!  I can hardly wait.

We talked about cost, and it's not as expensive as I thought.  Basically, it breaks down to about a $1/minute.  And, each child is on the horse for about 20-25 minutes only because that is about all they can handle physically, especially at the beginning.  I think the funding for this is do-able.  It turns out that it will be $80/week for four children to receive that therapy.  It may sound as if the kids aren't actually on the horses for long, but the whole outing will take about two hours.  Getting outside the compound itself will be great stimulation for them.  Then, they have the completely different environment of the stables and the riding (and possibly a treat) that makes the entire process a part of the therapy.

The other exciting thing about the stables is that I went by myself!  It's the first time that I have gone anywhere in PAP on my own.  I took a motorcycle taxi there and back.  I know I paid too much, but as a "blanc" it's hard to NOT be overcharged for things.  The motorcycle riding wasn't too scary once I got used to it.  It was okay on the side streets because there are so many bumps and holes drivers can't go super fast. That changed on the paved roads.  My first thought was "If we crash, I will die because either my brains will be splattered all over the pavement or all my skin will be rubbed off."  I had to walk a bit on the way back before I found a "moto taxi," and then we only got lost once.  Not bad, I'd say, for a first time out on my own!

Group photo

Gertrude

Lunch time!

Me

          Today at the school the teachers planned some Valentine's Day activities, so I posted some of the pictures.

Rosine--she will be a part of the horse therapy!

I also want to thank everyone for the words of encouragement on the blog, on Facebook, and in e-mails.  I never realized how much I would need those words until I was were.  So, thanks.

Cade--he's a part of the horse therapy!

Slow Day

Today was very flat.  The large group was leaving, so I wasn't able to work with the kids until late in the morning, but my heart just wasn't in it.  I did bring the babies and Phonsley up, but that was it.  I just didn't feel like doing more.

Instead of bringing more kids upstairs to work with them, I thought I'd head out to the back area with the special-needs kids and work with them there.  That didn't inspire me either.  To be honest, every child I picked up to work with needed their diapers changed, and I had reached my limit on diaper changing.  I'm starting to figure out that the nannies just don't change the diapers because they know I'll do it or they wait until they have the time to change it.  So, instead of really working with kids, I just sat next to the new girl.

I really struggled to keep myself busy until 3:00 when I open up the playground for the kids.  Usually that's pretty fun because I bring the kids in wheel chairs in to swing on their special swing, but the "regular" kids were being so naughty that I had to focus on them instead of the kids swinging!  I think tomorrow I'm taking a day off from playground duty.

I do have some prayer requests:
1.  Safe travels for the kids and adults heading up to Cap-Haitian on Friday.
2.  Successful cataract surgery for Arlain, Jude, Maxo, and Gertrude's mother.
3.  Improved health for Mickey who is still in the hospital.

That's it for tonight.

Bits and Pieces

I know I'm posting this on the 12th, but it's really about my day on the 11th.  I was just too tired last night to post.  The day itself wasn't super busy, but my cold was rearing its ugly head again.

Starting at the butterfly in clockwise order:
Mimose, Kethia, Shirley, Lovely, Christell

Starting at the butterfly in clockwise order:  Keloke,
Jameson, Wolton, Edson

I did some organizing and sorting for part of the morning.  Volunteers leave supplies here when they leave (which is good), but those supplies often stay in the suitcases or are piled up different places, and it's hard to find what you need.  So, I went through about three suitcases worth of donations, organized them, and put them away in the appropriate spot.  Honestly, I loved it!  It's a task that had a beginning, a middle, and an end.  That doesn't always happen here in Haiti.

The 3-5 year olds!  Start at the butterfly and go clockwise:
Christine, Jonathon, Jackie, Michael, Jephte

The school kids have the whole week off for Carnivale.  Just imagine 20 kids under the age of 10 running around trying to entertain themselves.  That will be life at the orphanage until Monday!  I did pull small groups of the kids upstairs to color for about 45 minutes at a time.  I must confess, however, that the group of 3-5 year olds only got 25 minutes.  That's all I could handle!

I also went across the alley to watch a soccer match for a bit.  It was official, with a referee, announcer, and uniforms.  If they play again today, I'm going to take the four older boys to watch.  I think they'll enjoy it, and they will behave.  

I sent out a lot of e-mails last night to a number of horse stables around Batavia.  I'm hoping to drum up some sponsorship for kids to receive horse therapy.  If any of you are interested in supporting that therapy, you can make a check out to New Hope Lutheran Church, put Haiti Mission on the memo line, and mail it to  New Hope Lutheran Church, 115 Oak St., North Aurora, IL, 60542.  If you know of anyone who might be interested in helping out, please pass the word on to them!

Today will be more of the same:  therapy, coloring, soccer, playground.  Life is good!

Okay.  I wasn't able to post this morning because the electricity  was turned off before I could finish.  Turning off the electricity in Port-au-Prince is different from the States.  In the U.S. if a person doesn't pay the electric bill, the power is shut off to that house only.  In PAP, however, if the city doesn't receive enough money to run the electricity, it just turns off power to whole areas.  None of this house to house stuff.  The city just turns it off without warning.  There is no schedule or rhyme or reason as to when the power will be on.  People just learn to go with the flow.  It's just about time for me to go open up the playground.  The kids know that "at 3:00 o'clock" it is time to play.

Not that it isn't always crazy around here, but it's about to get a bit more hectic.  Two more groups arrived today, and a large group leaves tomorrow.  Then on Friday another group arrives.  I think on Friday Maxo, Jude, and Alain head up to the Cap-Haitian area for their eye surgeries.  Please pray that that all goes well and that their caregivers feel confident about doing the follow-up care back in PAP.  

Church and Worship

Church today was different and not at all what I was expecting.  We left late, which didn’t surprise me, and the walk to the church was uneventful.  The church is outdoors.  The altar area is set up under an old UNICEF tarp and a tin roof.  There was plenty of seating under the roofing, but many people still had to stand in back or sat along the cement wall of the compound.  We were so far away that I couldn’t hear much even though there was a loudspeaker set up, and I couldn’t see much because of the truck parked in front of me. 

I knew I wouldn’t understand most of the words because my Creole just isn’t that good, but I was hoping for feeling as if I were worshipping.  And I didn’t have that.  It just felt as if I were standing in the sun waiting for it to be over.  I don’t even know whether the church is a part of a denomination. The preacher did wear ecclesiastical garb, so I assume it belonged to a denomination.  Maybe Catholic since Gertrude is a former nun?  I thought maybe I would recognize different parts of the service—kyrie, Lord’s prayer, offering, etc.—but nothing seemed familiar.  I did happen to see the pastor holding up a wafer, so I knew communion was about to happen, and I figured out the sharing of the peace when the kids started shaking my hand. 

I was disappointed.  Not in the Haitian church, but in my lack of feeling as if I had worshipped.  I wanted to experience something, and I left having felt nothing. 

However, even though my church experience this week lacked feeling, I did worship upon my return.  I changed clothes and took my bible, my journal, and this week’s letter from my church up to the roof top.  This week’s letter was from Marilyn Ellefsen.  The line in her letter that inspired me today was “children light the world no matter the circumstances . . . .”  How true that is.  I decided to use the simple index at the back of my bible to look up references to the word “children” to see what Scripture said.  I read numerous verses, and many of them focused on the innocence of children, the childlike belief in God that is needed, and to receive the Kingdom of God like a child. 

I wonder about the innocence of the children at Notre Maison and St. Joe’s.  How much innocence do they still have after being orphaned, abandoned at the gate, or left on the streets?  I wonder how much they have already grieved and lost at such a tender age.  Having already gone through so many traumas already, how innocent can they still be?  It’s not just the kids here or in Haiti who have suffered, children around the world have faced the same things.  What, then, does it mean to have like a child?  To receive the Kingdom of God like a child?  Does that mean the innocence of a child born into a economically stable home, with two loving parents to take care and nurture the child?  Or does it mean the “innocence” of a child left on the streets as a three year old to fend for herself?  Does it mean the “innocence” of a child abused at home who wills herself to die because living is just too hard? 

I don’t have answers for any of my questions.  But, I do know that the children here “light the world no matter the circumstances” as Marilyn wrote.  The new girl here—I still don’t know her name; no one seems to know it—is slowly coming out of her shell.  She’ll let adults touch her, so we sat on the bench today.  She wanted to sit in my lap and just snuggle.  Later, I put her in the swing for handicapped children, and she just laughed and smiled like nobody’s business.  She has the most beautiful, genuine laugh that I have heard in a long time.  It comes from her belly and just bubbles out.  I love it.  She lit up my world this afternoon.  So did Christine.  We put her in a walker for a bit and pulled her up to the bench where the new girl, Phonsley, and I sat.  She and Phonsley “played” by giving stuffed animals back and forth to each other (okay, most of the time they fell to the ground and I had to pick them up, but the intent was there!).  Christine also enjoyed pushing herself away from the bench a little bit, figuring out how her legs worked.  The wonders that face-to-face play with a peer will do for a child.  

Horse Therapy

Paco and me

I had a great day and have great ideas for new therapy activities.  Our first stop was an equestrian center about 15 minutes from the orphanage.  It is absolutely beautiful, and they do therapy with handicapped kids regularly.  I am going to go back next Thursday to watch a group called Wings of Hope who brings handicapped kids every week.  I want to see how it works, what type of child they bring, what the adult to child ratio is, etc.  Oh.  And I have to determine the cost per child.  My plan then is to bring four kids back the following week (2/21) for a therapy session!  The first one is free to see how the children respond, and then the others need to be paid for.  Fundraising for that therapy will become a new goal of mine.  I really want to see some of the kids benefit from such a great opportunity that is so close!

Trainers

Krezi Horse Cafe

My friend Karen (and a horse)

The next stop was the La Plaza Hotel.  We wanted to talk with the manager there about using the hotel’s swimming pool for water therapy.  The trick will be whether they let us use the pool for free.  If they won’t, I want to check out the Methodist guest because I know they have a pool.  I just don’t know how deep it is or whether it has stairs going down into it.  And, of course, the child to adult ratio is also key.  We need to have a 1-1 ratio, and I don’t know whether the orphanage can spare that many staff members at one time. 

So, please pray for funding and staffing for both these activities.  The kids would benefit from both, and they desperately need consistent access to these types of therapies. 

An update on my health—I am feeling much better, though I did get a headache today.  But, I think that was from riding in the car over BUMPY roads in downtown Port-au-Prince.  It’s been good to get out and see different parts of the city the last few days, but I miss being here working with kids.  One, I just miss them (and I think they miss me.  When I show up, they smile).  Two, they need consistent attention. 

I’m going to try to get to church tomorrow.  The kids leave for church at 7:15, which means I should be able to go with them if I wake up in time.  I just need to not be lazy and get up right away instead of lying in bed.  So, hopefully tomorrow night I can write about attending a church service in Haiti!