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)