Getting Started

Another "first"day in Haiti.  Lots of good stuff happened along with lots of typical Haiti stuff.  Like time issues.  I have to admit I really don't understand the Haitian concept of time.  It makes it so hard to plan stuff.  Like, if you say you're going to meet someone at noon, then meet them at noon.  Not at 1:00.  Not whenever.  Or worse, not ever!  Oh, well.  At least I got drive again in Haiti!  I think Gertrude may even allow me to take the truck out on my own more often.

That's it for the rant about typical Haiti stuff.  Now on to the good stuff.  Like meeting all the new kids at Notre Maison. Like seeing the "babies" all grown up--okay, so they're really only three, but they talk and they walk and they feed themselves.  It's so cool.  Like holding Alexandria who looks so much better than when I last saw her.

Chedner

One of Chedner's new boys hard at work

 Like getting started right away at Chedner's.  Lots of good things going on.

Chedner has new kids at the orphanage.  I understand that he has taken in five older boys from Cite Soleil.  Cite is a VERY rough and VERY poor area not far from where we are.  In fact, Cite Soleil is one of the poorest  areas in the Western Hemisphere.  These guys have seen the hard side of life in every way.  I'm not sure why they were sent to Chedner's, but at least they are getting three meals a day and have a roof over their heads.  They, too, will be coming with us to the beach on Thursday.  Should be interesting.

Storage/play room while we prepped the walls

The little guy in the bed to the left is Chi Chi.  He has a beautiful smile and a huge personality.  Even though his body doesn't work so well, he's an awesome little boy.  I love seeing him light up when someone pays him a bit of attention!

Cliff--new boy at Chedner's

    The boy to the right, Cliff, is new to me.  He doesn't seem to do much except lie there.  I'd like to spend more time with him tomorrow when I can take a break from painting.




I also enjoyed seeing some of the new road construction in the neighborhood.  Progress is happening, albeit slowly.





Okay.  So, I have to go back to a bit of venting about all things typical of Haiti.  Rhonda, Susan, and I sent money to Chedner about three weeks ago so that he could be the paint so that we would be all ready to paint first thing tomorrow morning.  Guess where the paint is?  That's right--still at the hardware store!  He hasn't bought it yet.  I worry only because the last time I tried to buy paint in Haiti it took three hours.  So, if that holds true again, then we will have lost some valuable painting time.


We'll just have to wait and see!