Hi all: Another week has gone by and with it a few more experiences to add to the coffers of "life in Haiti". The most recent was yesterday afternoon. We had the pleasure of sharing some Haitian culture with our visting team from New York State / Ohio as we attended the church ceremony of the marriage of one of our primary school teachers. In order that our VOH chauffeur would not be home too late, our nearby friend, Marie, agreed to let us use her vehicle and chauffeur as they are so nearby. We arrived at the church just in time as just after we were seated the bridesmaid's started dancing their way down the aisle. It is always to beautiful to see how they sway and move to the music as they make their way to the alter. The bride was beautiful (aren't all brides) and the groom handsome in his dark suit, maroon coloured shirt (to match the colour of the bridesmaid's dresses) and his white gloves. We enjoyed hearing the hooting and hollering of the congregation as the happy couple gave each other a chaste little kiss on each other's cheek after they were presented as a couple.

We snuck out before the end of the service to start our way back home. Heading up to the service, we had a little car problem when smoke and a very toxic smell started coming from the front of the truck. After a short stop and investigation the driver assured us it was just some oil burning off (burning off what???...I don't know ) and all was okay. So back in we hopped and off to the church we arrived without further incident. Due to this little incident we headed back hoping it would go well. We got about halfway back, when trouble began as the vehicle kept stalling out.....this in the middle of rush hour traffic. You can imagine the vehicles behind us were not too happy to be stuck behind a stalled vehicle. After about 3 or 4 times of this halting action, the one fellow who accompanied me came to the back to tell me he thought we were out of gas. What next I wondered! So I told him to head to a gas station. Two stall later we arrived at a pump and gave the car a "drink". Then thinking our problem was resolved we headed off once again.....then horror of horrors we stalled again. By this time we were very close to a major intersection that was now totally gridlocked due to the going home traffice and now worsened with the pouring rain that began to fall. I was fortunate to be sitting in the back with folks that had a good sense of humor because before too long we were totally soaked to the skin. Meanwhile I am thinking of what to do because by this time the battery had totally died on the car and the drive couldn't even get it to turn over ...even one little whine. Luckily we were not too far from Jean Dimanche who agreed to don his rain coat and come up to get us. Knowing that the route he would have to take would also be backed up, I told the gang it would be best for us to get down, cross the road between all of the stalled vehicles and then start walking down the road to meet up with Jean and some further point. ...and yet another adventure awaited. We got to the corner and ended up in water rushing past us, up to our knees as we slogged our way across the intersection and started our march down the road. Although we all looked a bit like drowned rats...especially those of us who had been in the back, we were lucky in that it had stopped raining as we were walking along. It was interesting hearing the comments of the Haitian folks as they saw this little line of "blancs" making their way through the water and down the road. ....what fellow said....."this is Haiti for you" and another asked Bert "what are you doing out in this".. Not too far down the road I heard this voice saying Mme Debbie here I am . Soon we were all piled in Jean's vehicle ...all 9 of us. Yes, we were crammed in but we were so thankful to be thus.! I did feel badly leaving the two fellows in a middle of the mess to take care of the car situation, but I was happy to be having the team on its way back to Hope House.
I learned this AM that their was a problem with the fuel pump and the fellows got back to Marie's around 10:30......Althought it was late I was relieved that they got home never the less.

Once back at Hope House, we all disinfected ourselves and our shoes with chlorinated water......it was dark so we didn't see the water through which we slogged but we could just imagine all of the garbage and other materials that would be floating around in it.

As we sat down to a warm bowl of soup we had reason to give thanks for it, the dry clothes we had on and that we were safe and sound at Hope House. These blessings were especially appreciated as we know so many others around the city were not so fortunate.

Another highlight of the week was helping out at the Easter lunch provided to the kids.....chicken and juice being added to the usual rice and bean menu. The team were also ambassadors for a church school in Florida as they handed out home made Easter cards to the pre school classes.
The Kindergarden teachers had been busy decorating eggs for their kids to take home along with other Easter decorations and goodies in their paper Easter baskets.

While we enjoyed these activities we could hear the jackhammer in the background as the fellows on the work site chipped away at the hard rock they have encountered as they prepared the holes and trenches for the footings and retaining wall. I give them credit as they go about their bone jarring work under the hot noon time sun.

Port au Prince remains calm after the announcement of the election results for the President but according to the news this AM it is not the same in some of the smaller areas around the country as they announce the results of elections for the senators and deputies, who are the departmental (state) representatives in the legislature.

So I leave you today, it is with thoughts of spring and rebirth and the beauty that it brings to us all....wishing you many Easter Blessings as we celebrate this Easter weekend.

Debbie

Hello everyone: Yes we are alive and kicking here in Port au Prince. I just returned from a 16 day trip in the US and Canada while Bert and Roberta held the fort in Haiti. Five days were spent in the Washington/Virginia area, 5 days in Boca Raton/Kissimmee area and the rest in Hamilton with my mom.

The Washington/Florida legs were to attend Regional meetings for supporters of Village of Hope ..new and old. I was able to greet many former Mission team members and got to know some new faces as well. It was such a pleasure to be able to give everyone an update regarding our activities in Haiti and to also say our "thanks" in person for all of the support and efforts that so many go to which ensure that we can keep things "ticking in Haiti" .

Beside the pleasures of the Regional Meetings and being spoiled by my hosts/hostesses, I was able to finally see the infamous Cherry Blossoms in Washington as the Cherry Blossome festival began the weekend I was there.

Another highlight was the time I spent with the school children at Trinity Lutheran church in Kissimmee. Their questions about Haiti and the Village of Hope sure kept me on my toes and it was amazing to hear the breadth and depth of them.

While I was flitting about Bert and Roberta kept things going in Haiti.....taking care of everyday business, overseeing the construction work and welcoming and working with the team from Prince of Peace.

Finally the work of moving the earth around for the clinic has been completed and today when I was at the school a number of young men were beginning to dig trenches and holes for the footings.

a..a..a..h...the beautiful Washington Cherry blossoms

Presentation by Grade 8 kids at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kissimmee..with a promise to have the box filled and more, with school and medical supplies to be sent for the new School year.

Pastor Andy Hagen giving a Board update to the participants at the Advent LC Regional meeting in Boca Raton.

Enjoying special church music presented by the Haitian church band and singers that worship in the Friendship Hall at Advent church each week.

These fellows deserve medals as they chip away at the hard rocky earth, under the hot haiti sunshine, to prepare the ground for the footings.

Many say that rocks grow in Haiti and you may now believe it too as you see the pile of rocks that have been saved to be reused for the retaining walls.......we are glad our engineer has a "waste not want not attitude to his work"