Friday, January 10, 2014

To Market..... To Market.....


...... to buy a fat GOAT!  (actually two)

First of all, Wednesday update:  Team left at 6 am from the base and then James and I traveled back on the "bus" (which became a public tap tap- picking up people along the way and dropping them a few blocks later so the trip took FOREVER).... home by about 9 am. and then I went to work quickly sorting donations and straightening up a few items.  Then, I laid down for a nap and James left.  Redgi came at about 4:30 pm, we got dinner and we made phone calls and a plan for the next few days I have in Haiti.  We were out of water so we borrowed some from the neighbor's tank on the roof to make it a bit easier- then I don't have to carry water up the steps.  Madame Marie did my laundry so she returned it later in the day (when Redgi came).

Now on to Thursday.... Redgi and I planned to get up at about 5 am and depart by 5:45 but I was moving SLOWLY.... so we got out of here by almost 6:30.  We drove to Mirebalais and met Jesula Martial along with her older brother who knows a lot about goats.  It was one of my favorite Haiti moments so far because when we got to the market place Jesula and I walked around the market while Redgi and her brother shopped for two female breeding goats. I have always wanted to walk around a Haitian market and take photos.  The photo part didn't work too well, but the walking around was AWESOME!  Every time I went to take a photo the people wanted money for the "priviledge" of photographing their merchandise.  So Haiti!  But, I was thrilled to see inside the market and all the vendors.  It was truly one of the most exciting times I have had in the four years here.

 We ended up spending a little more for the goats but both are proven mothers (have had kids) and they came with ownership papers, etc.... The ride home in the back of the Montero (yes, we broke the vehicle use policy but had no other way to get them home from market) was hilarious.  Three Haitians and two goats in the back. The two goats are beautiful and seem very healthy and the two families were beyond excited to receive them!  I praised the girls for doing so well in school and for helping their families at home.  We also gave each family a solar light for use around the house (they were thrilled) and each girl got a Bible in Kreyol.  We were also able to pay the rest of their tuition for the school year (for all five girls).

On the way home we checked out a new potential ministry location, went "shopping" for metal items, wooden items and stone at the various markets we know.  We will use some of these items for a fund raiser at the end of Feb. (I think) so stay tuned.  :)  :)

Here are some photo highlights!  How exciting it was for me!


goats for sale at the market

more goats for sale at the market

and yet MORE goats for sale....

Jesula holding the first goat we bought.... she was a pretty carmel colored one

close up of the goat's face

goats in the car ready for their trip home!

one photo of the market I managed to take

First goat gets a new home!

happily munching on grass by the neighbor's millet field

Jovania with her light and Bible

family photo- SO happy to have the goat and other things

second goat finds a home..... Darline, Mimose and Marie-Jolene were at school so we left the goat with the family

the goat at it's new home!

On the way home we stopped to check out a new potential ministry site.  A school high on a mountain with this amazing view!

Somehow they got out of order- this is goat number two before we loaded her into the Montero

Now, for the sad news - Amondine is sick again!  Look at how jaundiced her eyes are!  We tried to take her to Doctor's Without Borders when we took Lane on Tuesday, but they wouldn't see her- not urgent because she didn't have a fever or diarrhea.  So, we prayed for a solution and a way to help Madame Esther get her some care only for me to come home after the team left and see that one of the participants had left me an envelope with money saying "I would like it used for medical care - maybe to save a life that wouldn't otherwise be saved"-  Well, HERE is where your money went (I will keep your name anonymous).... we gave money to Madame Esther to get Amondine an evaluation.  She is still severely anemic so she has iron pills and other medication.  They also said she has some sort of infection but Madame Esther didn't know what!  (we will keep checking in on her)


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

more photos

Here are some photos from Jan 6th- (My husband's birthday by the way- Happy Birthday Honey- I love and miss you!).....

Astreede with Berry!  (Dr. Becca- Berry kept asking for you but Astreede sat and gave her enough love/hugs to last a while)

group shot with the orphans

Renee with some of the children... (she got a note from Josephine- the one in the white on the far left)

Mike and Kelsey by the ocean before testing potential English students  :)

James is taking the job of director of the training and discipleship center  VERY seriously.  I am proud of him

We taught the children a lesson about how Jesus washes away our sins and then we wrote a sin or something we struggle with on strips of cloth.  We "washed away" the words in a basin of water and then tied the strip on our wrist to remind us that we have given it to Jesus and no longer have to live as we have in the past.  A powerful New Year's lesson!

Skyler with a buddy - Widline Pierre!

Breanna showing photos to the little ones (that she had taken of them)

Monday, January 6, 2014

More goodbyes..... :(

It's hard to believe that we only have one day left in Haiti! It seems like just yesterday we arrived on our tap-tap in Port-au-Prince. Today was a hard day for me. We had our last afternoon with the children at Life is Wealth, and all of us have developed relationships with the children there. Personally, it's amazing how much they've taught me despite the language barrier. Every smile, hug, and just simple hand-clapping game has taught me so much about joy, simplicity, and gratitude. It was so hard to say goodbye to the children I have grown to love so much. It's even harder to leave them, knowing that my world will go on back in the United States, and they will still be there, because a lot of them have no place else to go. I can't even wrap my mind around not having my mom when I'm sick, or sad. But to see the smiles these children have despite the things life has thrown at them, has taught me so much about the joy of the Lord. So, for that, I'm thankful for Crystal, Redgie, Pastor Yves and all of the other people who spend so much time throughout the year filling those kids' lives with joy and giving them the strength and support they need to go through this life. Anyways, enough for my sappy post, except, WE MISS YOU MALONE GIRLS!!! It's definitely not the same without you guys around!! See everyone in the States!

Love,
Ally

And then there were 12

Day 9 On The Island....
It is nearing the end of our trip and the first 3 of the 15 on our team took off today for home.  We miss Gwen, Jaclyn, and Brittany(Lane especially) terribly. We spent the day cleaning up around the house so we can leave it just as nice as when we came and doing a few projects to help some of the people in the community.  We are helping the landlord re-do the clothes lines that are sagging terribly and fixing the basketball hoop for Madam Esther's orphanage down the road.  We have visited them a few times this week and we wanted to do something special for them.
We spent the afternoon at the Life is Wealth Orphanage.  We did a bible lesson about how God has washed away their sins and played for hours. A few of us were treated to a new hair-do from the girls.
Lame...i mean Lane, received his second round of x rays today. This time they were over exposed and still have no information.  He will however get special accommodations on our plane trip home. Lucky duck.
It is good to hear the Malone Girls are getting home safe. We did not just have to say good bye to them today we had to say good bye to a few of our translators because it will be the last time we will see most of them.  It was so good to meet them and we were blessed to have them be a part of our trip.

P.S.  What is the weather update?

First departure day :-(

Well, today three of the team will leave us because they begin classes again for the spring semester on Wednesday.  How different things will be without them!  We are planning a final debrief for all this morning followed by a quick driving tour of the city and then a last trip to Life is Wealth.  Tomorrow is planned to be a day full of blessing others with the team creating a clothesline for the roof, making and installing a backboard for basketball at OSE orphanage, cleaning the base building (scrubbing the walls and things), and other projects.

Yesterday started with a very moving church service here at the base.  We talked about our lives, prayed together and took communion (Mike led that).  It was such a good time as a team- first communion of 2014 and talking about what God has revealed to each of us this trip.

Then, in the afternoon we met with a bunch of prospective English students for the new training and discipleship center we are starting.  We broke into small groups and "interviewed" the people to get a feel for how much English they do/don't know.  We also just hung out with them and talked about things so they could practice.  It was AMAZING for me and many on the team enjoyed it.  Unfortunately, the class for the health team didn't happen.  They were going to try to teach some basic health info. to the community, but no one showed up.  That's strange because we have always had interest in ANY classes we have offered.  It makes me kind of think that it was not promoted properly since we were not in church.

The evening was to consist of us showing a movie (DVD) to the church family.  About 250-300 people showed up but we could not get the DVD to play- even after trying it on the laptop and having it work fine just before church and then again just after we announced it was not happening and people had left (while we were waiting for the tap taps).  It was sad, but we all came home and had more team time.  Also, while we were at the movie showing Redgi and the medical people took Lane for another examination.  This was with an orthopedist who thinks there may be ligament damage but not fracture.  Lane has full range of motion and no pain with someone moving his foot side to side but up and down (pointing toes and lifting up) is VERY painful.  We will try to get another xray today and meet again with the orthopedic doctor.

Thanks again for the prayers.  We now have WATER and ELECTRICITY! Life is good. Pray for the three who will travel today since we have heard that the weather is nasty and we pray their flights are on time so they can get back to family.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

chez médecin

Yesterday, I tagged along with the medical students to Dr. Carl's house. He was having a medical clinic there in which the public could sign up for an appointment and come to his house. Brittany, Jaclyn, and Gwen helped out with the welcome stations and took things such as weight, blood pressure, and the major complaints. Crystal hung out and prayed with the patients before they went up to see Dr. Carl. Overall, the entire morning was a great experience and I was glad that I could follow them throughout the day! Here are some photos that I took during that time.

We only have a few short days left. We as a team are extremely appreciative of your prayers and thoughts and we thank you for them!

-Skyler


Brittany taking blood pressure for a patient.



Jaclyn and Astreede, our translator, talking with a blind woman who had some stomach problems.



A little boy getting his weight checked.



The medical clinic welcome center in Dr. Carl's courtyard.



Jaclyn checking a pulse.



Brittany checking a patient's throat.



Dr. Carl helping out a patient in his office.



Dr. Carl has his own pharmacy in his house in which the public can come and buy medication, if needed.



Dr. Carl explaining the medication routine to a patient.



Dr. Carl explaining the medication routine to a patient.



Lane had a lot of fun playing with Dr. Carl's son.



The medical students with Dr. Carl (from left to right: Gwen, Brittany, Jaclyn).

Update

Yesterday was quite an exciting day with the finals of soccer and then the medical crew going to a clinic at Dr. Carl's house.  It was awesome and we were able to bless many and be a blessing as well.  Auston posted photos so I won't do them too since we just lost power (but we DID get the line to the house fixed and had power all through the night which makes for great sleeping cause you can use the fans).  We also had two large water tanks delivered by the owner to keep filled downstairs in case we get into the same situation we did with losing it.

Love to all back home and thanks for the prayers.  Lane's foot is feeling better but still VERY swollen, painful and a beautiful shade of purple around the toes and in other various locations.  I still think it is broken but we are just trying to keep it immobilized, elevated, warm soaks, etc....

Today we will have our own church service and communion- led by some of the team (since we have experienced Haitian church twice) and then we will work with the English students/teach health ed - both at the training & discipleship center Hearts United is starting this month.  Then, in the evening we are showing the movie Courageous in French and someone is sharing about what it means to have a Godly father.  We are praying to impact some of the fathers here to "step up" and to be more involved with their families.  We are not trying to change culture or make people into Americans, but to follow a Biblical example of fatherhood and God's example of marriage/family.

Tomorrow morning the Malone University students will leave.  How different it will feel because the WHOLE GROUP is like one unit.  We have all become very close and are having a great time sharing about God and growing in our relationships with Him.  -Crystal

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Pictures!

Here are more pictures from the last few days. We all have been having a great time seeing what God is doing and just having fun with each other. Some of us are a little red from the soccer camp which we wrapped up today, after three days of intense play.