Another great day!

It started off with devotions on the compound with all staff, the youngest children who are not in school and all the team. A great way to start our day.

Ti Fi, Bob, Martha, Jacques and Lisa enjoying morning devotions

 
All of us were very busy. Don was our errand boy and taught English to Grade 7 and helped Luckner with electrical work in the new kids house. Cathy, Lisa and Cheryl were finishing off painting the pink room in the Missionary Apartment. They drank lots of water due to the fact it was 36 degrees and very humid. Karen, Dickie, Ken, David and Bob went shopping in Saint Marc BUT no luck. But they were fortunate enough to get 2 boxes of prunes for Lisa for her obvious problem.
The sweetest part of the day was at 10 o'clock when we brought 6 classes of children from the school to fit them all out with new girls dresses and boys shorts made by ladies church groups in Newfoundland. All the children were happy to receive their new clothes. All of us who were involved felt the same.... overjoyed. Don was so overcome he fell to the floor.

Handing out clothes (the blur is Karen)

 Don was overcome

Someone thought it was Bob's turn to do dishes but he didn't until Karen spoke up and then he hopped to it.
Dickie and Vladimy were playing catch and played a trick on Karen. She wasn't amused until someone laughed and she knew it was a joke and thank goodness it was!

Baseball stuck in windshield

 David and his trusty helpers made another picnic table for the kids home and they can all eat together.
While some people worked hard outdoors Jim was working so very hard inside on Karen's computer that he needed a nap before he could finish the job.

 Hard work causes nap

Martha made another great supper, there is no dieting going on here.

Busy, Busy, But Fun

Due to the busyness at the moment by several members of the team of sorting out beautiful handmade children's clothes by groups in Newfoundland I've ended up on blog duty.

A photo is better than a thousand words so I will write very little, but will let some lovely photos of the team and my children speak to you.

But before that I must enlarge a little on Cheryl's entertainment to the Haitian construction workers, and to the rest of us I might add. The person who blogged the day she entertained us was just too nice, or too tired, to let you know what happened. We decided Cheryl would be in charge of the painting crew. Well, the first day she ended up with a container of paint, that sat on the top of a ladder, falling on her. She had paint all over her, including her head and face, and in her eyes. She had no cloth to wipe her eyes and no water. She quickly removed her t-shirt to find a corner of fabric to wipe her eyes and then sprinted, or streaked, up across the compound in her shorts and bra, with her body covered in paint. I could not believe my eyes. I laughed at Cheryl but more so at the Haitian men with eyes and mouths wide open watching this spectacle. Lots of painting will be happening all this week to prepare the missionary house for Seth and Jessie, who will join us at beginning of March. Now we are all waiting to see what Cheryl comes up with to top that for the entertainment for this week. While watching this, Cathy, quietly asked the question "Did I shave my legs for this?"

Enjoy the photos. And stay tuned, same place same time tomorrow night.

Cheryl with Karena, Jofky, & Judel

Jim & Magalie

Karen and her children

Ken & Ti Fi

Don & Josie

Bob & Ti Luc

Kathy & Leica

Assembly line meal preparation

Dickie & Sandra with Dieunel

Jim & Karma

Jofky, my 'feed me' boy

Lisa with Jofky and Dieunel at church

Karen & Timotee

Ti Luc and Papa Gwo Luc with caps from Dickie

 The motly crew and gorgeous kids

God bless. Karen

A Tour In Rhyme

The trip to the  citadel in Cap Haitian was
organized for family.  This was written by
one of them today.

When the first shower started at 1:10 AM,

We thought another fun busy day starting again.

Today to go much further into the Haiti Nation,

From Deschapelles north to Cap Hatien.

 

Not to wake Ti Luc or slam the kitchen door,

or to unfairly chill Martha on the living room floor.

Everyone wanting to try their "Tap Tap" luck-

A bunch got into the pan of the HATS truck.

 

Before daylight most boarded a mini bus

and HATS truck followed with the rest of us.

What photos to take? Which photos to choose,

from the multitude of scenic Haiti views.

 

Just to cite a few examples would make a long list

and you know the old story that "many would be missed".

But, for the views not photoed, and there would be many,

they'll be fondly etched forever, in our collective memory.

 

From Pont Sonde north to Gonaives,

through unique landscape, hard to believe.

Through Cap Hatien Mountains an hour and a half

awesome, majestic and any other superb adjective.

 

Another special story to briefly tell

of the hour and a half horseback ride up to the Citadel.

It is massive and very impressive to see,

a famous segment of Haiti's history.

 

Of course, many good laughs during our home return,

though now a different anticipation (bed) and less energy to burn.

Great thanks to Karen and Luckner and Timotee (Tim O tay)

Martha, Daniel and all others who helped in any way.

 

Oh, Haiti!  Ayiti!  Land of beauty!

What an honour for this opportunity,

to see your land and different shapes,

from your highest mountains to seascapes.

 

As the sun brings warmth to your plants and soil,

it brings that wonderful warmth to that Haitian smile.

That smile has persisted throughout so much adversity,

and it deserves to outlast eternity.

 

A smile to remind many bigger richer countries

of their over exaggerating their many lesser difficulties.

A smile that indicates a deep inner strength,

a symbolic gold medal of a Nation's endurance.

 

Slavery, International blockades, unfair killings, storms, hurricanes,

the earthquake, cholera..... How deep are the Nation's pains!

An impoverished country, thoroughly victimized....

but nothing has conquered that smile or the twinkle of the Haitian eye.

Too Much To Do, Too Little Time

Sorry for delays with the blog BUT we have been working/playing too hard to find time to get here.
Yesterday was a day you get once in a life time (according to several derrieres, that is a good thing!)
Cathy's first words at 3:00 AM were "who was taking a shower at 1:10?" The day started early and went late, but what a day it was! As soon as our security arrived we all piled in the truck (13) and headed to pick up Luckner and Timottee and then off to meet our Tour Bus``.

Tour Bus for the motley crew

Door of tour bus tied closed

At 4:50 we were all piled in the bus and truck and started our trek to Cap Haiten and the Citadel. We had a few `not too well` people after a few hours of driving winding and rough roads BUT they all pulled through. We saw some magnificent scenery and normal Haitian life along the way arriving at Cap Haitien around noon. We grabbed a sandwich then were lead to our horses for the 7 mile climb up the mountain to the Citadel, and what a ride it was! Many walked some of the way, some walked a lot of the way, but all got to the top hot and tired.

Our trusty team leader

Karen with citadel in background. Long way still to go

Getting tired anyone

We grabbed a cold drink for us and our helpers and then we got a tour of the Citadel...amazing building and history. We will question Luckner more when he slows down enough for us to catch him.

Motly Canadian crew arrived at top of mountain

Dickie, Ken, Lisa & Cheryl with guide

Trip down the hill...a lot more walked, some walked all the way, and again we all arrived at the bottom hot and tired and thirsty.

Music band waiting for us when we descended the mountain

We headed for cold drinks and Luckner even found some popcorn and we enjoyed every bite. It was by then 5:00 PM and it took us 7 hours to get there so we needed to head out asap. We tried to find a place for Justin who was going to stay at Cap Hatien BUT to no avail so he woke up here again today after thinking he was rid of us! We drove for an hour or more then we stopped for soup, rice and beans, rice and chicken, Pringles and more cold drinks and off again to head for home. We were royally entertained in our bus with stories and jokes by David Buckle and I think the group in the truck were enjoying Luckner`s wealth of knowledge about Haiti. The closer we got to home the quieter we got and arrived at 11:30 PM safely and were all in bed very quickly....no showers even though we were all dirty! I don`t think anyone was up before daylight today but already everyone is hard at work with their sore legs, bums and all.

Karen here. Good job Sandra. We will send this without photos of the group and my gorgeous kids. Stay tuned folks, later today and tomorrow.

I apologize to all family members who have been nail-biting at home waiting for some word that we arrived home safely last night. I actually unlocked the office at midnight and tried to sit to write my kids. Note - tried to sit. Too much pain to sit, due to all the jostling on a horse, and too tired to type even one word while standing, so allowed myself to close the door and stagger to my bed, where I fell dirty and very tired. No excuses why it has not been done earlier today other than I have been needed by many people, many times this morning. Please forgive. We will try to do a better job of keeping you informed from now on.

Hi Ho Hi Ho

After spending an extra day in Montreal due to mechanical difficulties, Air Canada blessed our entire crew of ten with first class accommodations and service.

First class treatment

The whole day ran much smoother and we arrived to an enthusiastic welcome from the children and staff of the orphanage. Most of the crew were still pretty stressed and exhausted from the extended trip and some our ears were still ringing from Lisa trying to direct Haitian traffic in full voice. After a delicious supper prepared by Martha, a HATS treasure, we enjoyed what was left of the evening being told just what was expected of us by the little red headed general and setting up our tents. We enjoyed the night being serenaded by dogs, roosters and voodoo drums. There were also some local wood cutters at work in the tents around me.

An early start to the day getting our own breakfast and joining the staff for devotions then got right right to work to try and make up for lost time. Dave and Ken started on cabinets, Bob cleaned the battery terminals, quite a shock, then helped Dave and Ken. Dickie was his usual whirlwind and Sandra spent her day running around asking "Anyone seen Dickie."

Dr Bob Cleans batteries

Cheryl, Cathy and Lisa started painting the mission house starting with the ceiling. Cheryl tried a little self improvement and provided the local construction with some entertainment which seemed to cause them quite a start.

Painter at work

All that modesty will allow

A number of children were presented with gifts from their sponsors. Bob presented to three kids, his own and two of his friends back in Corner Brook. The first young lady sponsored by Bob and Elaine was Doutchina Gerard. She was wearing black rather than her school uniform because her grandmother died recently. She is in grade 1.

The second presentation was to Sylvio Chelon who was in grade 7. He is sponsored by Holly and Patrick of Corner Brook.

The third presentation was to Socliffnia Julien who is in preschool 1. She is sponsored by Kelly Ann and Jamie Pelly of Humber Village.

Now since our tour bus is showing up at 3:30 AM we are going to call it a night. Someone else can fill in the holes tomorrow. Tim if you would post this to the web site I would appreciate it. Goodnight All.

Team Arrives Safely

The new team arrived safely today and after a reunion with the kids and introductions all around settled in for a fine meal then decided to send this note. Priorities you know. We will send a full blog tomorrow. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers of support.
Team Huxter and guests.

Team Delayed

They did not make it today.

The family and friends workteam scheduled to arrive in PAP this afternoon did not make it.   After sitting on the flight in Montreal for some time, and after contacting me in PAP to say they would be late, Air Canada decided to cancel the flight.  The flight is now scheduled to arrive in Haiti tomorrow afternoon around 1:15.

Luckner and I, along with two policemen, left for PAP this morning at 5:30.  We planned on taking care of a bunch of things before going to the airport for 2:15.    Yeah right.

We got one thing accomplished and then heard the police had gone to the hotel where Baby Doc Duvalier and his wife were staying to arrest him.  We knew there was a  possibility of trouble so we decided to not take any chances on getting caught anywhere but the airport.  We headed there immediately, arriving at 10:15 for a four hour wait for the team.  Approximately 1 1/2 hr later we received word there was a problem with the plane and they would arrive late.   Shucks.  Not the day to be late.  We wanted to get the group and get out of PAP.  Later we were contacted again with the bad news the flight was cancelled for today.  We headed home and we will head off again early tomorrow morning and see what happens then.