Haiti, Take (3)

{Finally} 

The time has finally come and I get to return to Haiti for my third trip to Jacmel with Restore Haiti. 

I'm SO happy! 

I'm guessing, when you think of Haiti, being happy isn't the first thing that comes to mind. Well, I get that. Actually in the last 3 years since the Earthquake, a lot has happened, and most people aren't even thinking about Haiti. We've had countless disasters here in the good ole USA. We've had a recession, we've had unfathomable violence, and a country polarized by Abortion, Gun Control, Legalized Marjuana, Marriage "Equality" and every other thing you could possibly think of.

 Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, surely has fallen to the bottom of the list of American's priorities. I get it, I do.

 But then - I see this face. Artie. The sweetest boy you ever could meet. Speaks no English and is still so loving and happy. He doesn't have a house to live in, and sometimes has no food, but he's loving beyond measure and I realize, Artie, is why we have to remember!

 What do we remember? Kids, families, a community in repair. Changing a nation one young man, and one young woman at a time. People who are being trained, learning to work and earn their living. Learning to value family, marriage, their Children, and God.

 Restore Haiti first hit the ground in 2005. A young man named Philip Peters became friends with a young Pastor, and together, they formed a bond that has served hundreds of Haitians, hundreds of Americans, is supported by dozens of churches, and ensures that kids like Artie - get fed every day. Get to go to school.

 Have their physical needs met.

And their Heart Needs met.  

And I am grateful. Sometimes I help send. Sometimes I help feed. Sometimes I help love.

But this time? I get to go. And if you want to help me - you can. Every penny helps - the link in the right hand side gets me there. Won't you help me go?

Then you can be one who says
"I helped send. I helped Feed. I helped Love" 

i forgot

how much work it is to set up a new blog and make it look great...lol trying to get the banner and the columns and the colors right... yeah, definitely a challenge.

but I figured rather than clutter up this blog with all of my crochet projects, I should have a place specifically for them, so that I can showcase, and sell them. Right now I just post them on Facebook because I'm just not good enough at photography to put them on Etsy :) Its so obvious those ladies are not only great at their crafting but they must be professional photographers also! LOL

In the meantime - isn't this the cutest little hat? It's a newborn size, and I'm selling it for $16. Email for shipping information. $8 of the purchase price will be donated directly to Restore Haiti's general donation funds.

I promised pictures!

Clifford, as we walked to the clinic to look at the infection on his neck. 

And hopefully these will each say a thousand words about our experience this Christmas Season!

One of the remaining homes still standing after the earth quake.
 For safety reasons, all homes must be barricaded by  massive stone walls.

Clinic supply room. We really need so much. Gauze,
pregnancy tests, vitamins...

The other clinic supply shelf

Mike, the PA, setting up for work with the community

Shannon Tyler, Counting Pills and sorting medications

First patient of the day. Stomach ache

Jean Mary, and Gigi, our faithful, helpful interpreters!

2nd Patient of the day at the Clinic

Checking out the new Preschool

haha, La Tomate est Rouge,
The Tomato is red!

Pastor Rodrique, of Restoration Ministries. This
man has such a heart for children. There are (8) kids
living in his home which he & his wife care for. 

The music room. Thanks to a generous donation, the church is
able to give Keyboard lessons, and teach the kids the skill,
and language of music. 

Theresa Swain, the beauty, AND Brains behind
the magic of Restore Haiti 

Joy, taking a much needed nap on the cool floor. 

Pastor Lafleur, letting someone know exactly what the proper
protocol for working with the ministry is :) 

Theresa, Marjorie, and family member

My lovely, Sara and her sponsored girl :) 

Gigi and I, last night - saying goodbye

Garrett & Juli Wendt, pastors Life Tree Fellowship,
Pittsford NY 

Sara & Gage, I think this pic tells everything! 

Artie, being sized for shoes :) 

Prepping the bags, and getting them "to" proper airline weight

Welcome committee at the Airport. 

Port Au Prince Customs/Immigration = Insanity

Felix, and Pastor Lafleur, with gifts from
Sharon

Reggie & the President of Restore Haiti, Philip Peters 

Shoe size tools :) 

New House built by Restore Haiti for church family

Thank you letters for sponsors from the kids :) 

Pastor Rodrigue's part time job, a concession stand

Feeding program - waiting to eat :) 

Chicken leg day :) Yumm! 

Haiti day 3/4

Whew... it's so hard to remember everything. I think it'll be easier once I can get pics uploaded, but for now - today's quick recap was that we went to the clinic to help distribute anti-parasite medication, take care of the sick, and give vitamins and just help. We have a nurse and a PA here this trip so it was great.

Also, Gabby was sooo sweet. He brought me a coconut that he cut out of a tree and then opened for me with  a machete. I shoulda got a picture, but he sent it into the clinic with someone else, and they said "Kesa, gift from Gabby"...lol They all call me Kesa, which means "what" or "why" in Creole. It's funny... because they always ask what is my name... and I say "Kisha" and then they say... what is your name again...lol thinking that I am asking them "what".... lol

Anyway laptop is dying and it's almost dinner time, So I'll be back soon! :)

Haiti day 2/3

Just a quick update because my laptop is dead and I need to grab a shower before the tap/tap comes to take us back to the church for dinner. There's a wedding at the hotel tonight so I might not be able to be in the lobby/common area for the wi-fi access later....

Today we distributed the remaining Sponsor gifts, and then to the kids who aren't sponsored. Currently, Restore haiti/restoration ministries is feeding over 400 children daily, of which only approx 300 are sponsored. The rest are sponsored by the church until individual/family sponsors are found. After those 100 or so kids on the priority list, there's an additional 150 kids on the 'waiting' list... and then... *sigh* there are dozens, and dozens, and simply dozens of kids who aren't even on the waiting list yet. Sooo much need!

I was really inspired today, walking back to the church with one of the other team members, who is a lot younger than I am, says she sponsors (5) kids! Five! Wow... that just blew me away. Another girl, age 18, has a sponsor child her same age, they are practically in 'college' together!

After the gifts we had feeding program. Two batches of kids, over 200 in each shift. It was huge. Sooo much organized chaos. Can't wait to get to a better internet connection to load up the pics. We had the most amazing rice, and chicken legs... soooo good!

Anyway - laptop is dying, I need a shower, and I will update more as I can!

Love to all!

Kisha

Haiti - day 1

We're here! Wow that was quite the trip. Up at 3am, off to the airport by 3:45, checked in by 4:30.. thru security no problems. Except for Juli's toxic candle which had to go thru the scanner twice... oh and my mini pat down because my belt is actually attached to my pants and i couldn't take it off.

Wilber - the Blanc Helper! 

  

Jean Mary coming to pick us up :) 

We landed in Newark no problems, had about an hour layover and then off to PAP (Port au Prince). We landed in PAP around 1:30, and ran into a few minor hiccups. Of course, Customs is always nuts. So many people, so hot, no air conditioning, and barely enough carts. Then once you get thru, get your bags and get outside, it's so hard to figure out who works at the airlines, and who might try to take off with your bags. Juli has a friend "Wilber" who hangs around the airport helping the Blanc's (whites) get their bags into the right cars, and into the right hands. He knows all the staff at Restoration Ministries, and our vans/tap taps, so he stayed with us because Jean Mary (Marie) was late to pick us up... but after about an hour or so he comes sauntering along looking like the Old spice guy (and sounds like him too!).  The other thing was that we (3) from NY were to wait at the airport for the rest of the team flying in from Nashville, which were late, and delayed. So we hung out at the PAP airport until 6pm. Then we could finally pack all of our things, and all of the toys and gifts for the kids into the vans and head (3) hrs over the mountains to the Hotel. After a quick stop, we ran up to the church for dinner, and then back to the hotel. We are staying at LeVya Hotel in Jacmel. It's much bigger, more modern and very pretty compared to the loving light, but water, electricity, and internet are not nearly as reliable... so it's kind of a "get it while you can" situation. Seems like we "have" it right now! LOL

Well I won't give you a complete play by play, and since pictures tell a better story than words, here are a few pics from the day - which was incredible. Up at 6, out by 7:30 for breakfast, and then sorting and distributing Sponsored kids toys. We did that till about 1:30, broke for lunch, and now back at the hotel for a few hours of rest... and then back to the church for a concert they have prepared for us. Great great day.

Best part? I'm rooming w/my previous room mate Sarah Ross. LOVE her, and MISSED her big time!

my favorite haitian boy - Gabby! 

Artie and his sister, opening their presents for Fete Noel :) 

Less than 12 hrs!

I can hardly believe that in less than 12 hours I will be on a plane bound for Haiti. Well... technically NJ first, then Haiti. I can hardly believe that in about 19 hrs i will be able to hug my dear friends from Nashville, and in 24 hrs I will be hugging on my dear friends from Jacmel! God is so incredibly good to me.

I'm telling you if I had to

Get on the plane today... I don't know that physically I could do it. The past two weeks have been completely insane... and I'm seriously looking forward to my downtime. Today I have no plans other than a skype call later this evening. Tomorrow just a little volunteering and more cookies... tuesday - more cookies and getting together with friends. Wed I have (2) Christmas gatherings, but they are small and intimate so I'm looking forward to them. I do have some gifts to finish up, but other than that.. should be nice and relaxing.

And in JUST a week, Christmas. Christ's morning. The morning we celebrate the Birth of the Baby, who would grow in just (33) short years to die, on a Cross, as the sacrifice for all man kind, if we'd simply... Believe. Such a merciful tale and I'm forever grateful.

and then... in JUST (1) short day after Christmas, I fly to Haiti. So excited to get there. (So glad it isn't today). Can't wait to see all my precious friends, and all the faces of those sweet kids :) But really.... looking forward to a nap more than anything else!

a little of this, and a little of that

So life has been pretty good lately. Have to admit it's been a lot of fun. Between getting to know Jeff and all the activities that keep us busy, workin on my return trip to Haiti, and learning my job at work, it's been a whirlwind of activities!

This week is a unique experience as we're hosting (2) English teachers from Thailand. They are lovely ladies - Gayoon (Gaye-une) and Mrs. K! Gayoon is from Central Thailand and is an administrator at an English immersion school, and Mrs. K is an english teacher at a Thai school. Both are thrilled to be here, both brought me beautiful Thai gifts, and last night, they cooked us an authentic Thai meal of Chicken soup and Beef curry, which they said wasn't very hot... but after a few bites I found that my pallet was on fire! ;) It was awesome though! The entire AFS WNY team is helping a lot by planning activities and outtings for them when they aren't observing in different area schools - so already they've been to the AFS orientation, Niagara Falls, Fowler's Chocolate, a tour of the Buffalo Pier, and Buffalo State College. Tonight they are with another AFS host family cooking for them, and making an authentic Thai meal. Pretty cool because the girls this family is hosting are from Pakistan and Egypt and maybe have never had Thai before?

Right now Zoey is here, and she's getting so big! started pre-school this year and wow, talks up a storm!

Struggling to post!

Seems the last few times when I've tried to post something, for whatever reason it gets lost out there in the internet black hole :( Well here's another shot at it, since I'm not ready to give up entirely!

How do ya like my new blog banner? Yeap - did it myself in Gimp. What a great little, free, program! :) Well it's not photoshop, but it is handy - better than nothin!

SO life is progressing normally here with 3 teenagers in the house. They are all really great kids so I have little to complain about. Been doin some pilates with the girls, and Tye is kind of in his own world at this point... and that will just continue I think the older he gets.

Opened my own Etsy shop - yeap "ThreeCozyKittens" - I'll be sellin my handmade scarves in order to help raise money for Restore Haiti . I'm also hoping to get back to Haiti at some point this year, but first I really want Tye to go so that he can experience it as well. Gotta work on the support letters this weekend.

Other than that we're snowed in, and battened down for the winter. I'm really looking forward to my spring garden comin up. I miss all my cheery flowers. And I've got some work to do for the fall gardens. I'm starting the planning now, and my Nephew Jay said he'd come help me dig stuff up and get it going - which is great because he's strong...lol

Well that's about it - here's some pics of the girls and their 'pilates' attempts... soo funny!

Sooo sad

that my camera is broken. I'm looking now to see what can be done about it by the manufacturer, but somehow I don't think there is much they will be able to do :( I feel so naked without it. I'm ready to run out and make an impulse buy, but If I wait till after Thanksgiving, I'm sure I can get a better deal. in the meantime here are a few of my Haiti pictures while I was there...

some of the broken buildings that have had no clean up. Could you imagine? a building like this hanging around in the US for over 10 months?

The epicenter of the earth quake which literally cut one of the biggest mountains there in half...

The Feeding program. Over 200 children every day receive a hot meal and school because of the sponsorship program :)

A little girl at the small school we visited, with her new backpack full of school supplies.