Day 2 Haiti

See Haiti Day 1 Here

I wasn't thrilled when I found out that our first full day in Haiti would be a "culture/explore/souvenior/relax" day.  I was jumping at the bit to get started and start loving on orphans, but that's the way it was planned...and since I had no choice in the matter, I did enjoy our day "off" even though we technically hadn't started yet.

We all were up at like 4am because the sun came blazing in the windows and the cars and the people on the streets were loud already about that time, even though we weren't scheduled to leave till 9.  So we had a slow/lazy morning (which was nice, although I certainly would have loved to have slept in)

We started off the day by going to a scenic overview of Port au Prince. The TNM house is in the mountains and down the way a bit was this gorgeous view!

 Here is our whole group plus one of the old BattleCreek staff members who is now a TNM intern for a year. (Jessica in the red). L to R: me, Jeff, Alan, Jessica, Michael, Susan, Shane, Alex, Rachel, Mark, and Nathan.  All of them are TCABC members except Jeff and I.  We had a good group!

 This is next to the lookout, they must know Americans come to take pictures, because they were lining the streets with all kinds of souvenirs.  We bought a painting last time we were in Haiti in 2003 and we still have it.  So we passed on the paintings this time.

 On our way to the Baptist Mission (the next stop) we had lots of shots for more of Haiti. Concrete/rock is their number one export...so you see lots of rock and lots of and lots and lots of rock.

 This is a school (who is currently on break) but just to give you an idea of a school.  All schools in Haiti you must pay for whether public or private and they aren't cheap.  School is out on break right now. But usually this would be full of kids.

 The entrance to The Baptist Mission.

 This is Mark with Wallace and Eleanor Turnbull. Wallace and Eleanor's mother started the Baptist Mission in 1947 and later they were married. They've given their lives to Haiti and the people doing all they can to help them, heal them, and teach/tell about Jesus Christ!  They are amazing people. It's amazing what the Mission is today!

 They have a museum set up in the BM that anyone can walk through that has tons of artifacts, pictures, items, etc. from mostly Haiti since they started, but even from other areas. Pretty cool. This photo is heartbreaking, but shows the great need for people to come to Haiti and help even back in the 40's.  This picture was taken in 1955.

 This is a picture of the photo from the museum of the Baptist Mission today.  WOW. In the museum it tells the story of where they started and what with. To see all of this today and all they are doing (and have done for the people of Haiti) is amazing.

 ONe reason lots of Americans come over to the BM is you can get American food, or resemblance of anyway.

 This is the playarea on site.

 The restaurant area is all open, not even widows, but it has a gorgeous view of the landscape (which you can see almost every area of it is being used for crops).

 I was very happy about my fried american food. :) It was all very yummy. (but considering it was only day 2, I wasn't really "missing" American food yet...but I definitely still enjoyed it.

 Jeff got this Fruit Champagne because it was a local thing.  It was the most disgusting drink ever! Although Michael and Nathan did drink it all and said they didn't mind it/actually liked it.  (whatever!) It was straight thick carbonated snowcone syrup...

 finally got him to smile normally, but he bugged his eyes out...gotta take what i get :)

 this is another "american" area so the Haitians have set up about 15 venders outside (if not more) to sell you things...

After we left the Baptist Mission we went back to the TNM compound for dinner and a relaxing evening before our first REAL part of the mission trip :) I was thrilled about the coming orphanage care!

Haiti Day 3 Here
Haiti Day 4 Here
Haiti Day 5 Here
Haiti Day 6 Here

Day 1 Haiti

If you've ever wondered what Tulsa Airport looks like at 4am (why would you?) here's a shot...NO BODY is there. (but we were!)

 We weighed our bags at home (my genius idea to use the wii balance board) and knew this one was close to 50. The official airport scale...(it just had to be less than 50 pounds...I think we succeeded with MASTERY) :)

 Jeff kept taking pics of me.  This is my if-you-take-my-picture-one-more-time-at-4am-I-might-hurt-you face :)

I slept on most of the flights there (I was SO tired) But we finally arrived in PAP and went easily through customs and checks.  We got our bags and you have to dart out on a mission to get past all the guys wanting to "help you" with your bags. They are fierce! And they demand payment if they so much as a lay a finger for 1 second on your bag.  This is us as we were waiting past the entourage of Haitian men.

 We finally met up with our group and loaded up onto our truck called the JAC. It was about a 45 minute (ish) drive up to where we stayed.  Here is the first of MANY tent cities we saw throughout Port-au-Prince.  There are reported (estimated) over 1 million people STILL in tents after a year and a half (and 31 million dollars donated later....how can this be?)

 art in the middle of chaos. (i don't know if this was up before or made after after the quake)

 Here are few of the thousands of buildings still in shambles

 This is a Catholic church that looks beautiful amidst the rubble...

 Another tent city.  It is not uncommon to find people just showering and/or using the restroom out in public for the world to see. We saw this everyday there.

This is us on the JAC still traveling to the compound.  It started to rain on us on the way there and it felt WONDERFUL!

This is the main street below our house.  You see people selling things on every street.  Everything from clothes, shoes, to meats, veggies, fruits, trinkets, and paintings...

 This is the view from our balcony. GORGEOUS

 This was our home for the week. A very nice and large 6 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home!

 That is the large bucket that collects rain water for us to use in the house (we had a Culligan for drinking water).

 We went with BattleCreek who had partnered with Thirst No More

 Living room, aka reading room and debriefing room

 upstairs hallway.  There is a living room, and 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths upstairs.

 this is the bathroom the 9 (both male and female) shared for the week...we were blessed to have had such quarters.  The Haitian people (most) do not have such luxury!

 GORGEOUS staircase!

 That is the living room downstairs and under the stair case is what used to be a koi pond (we used it for all our soccer balls!)--thank you OU Women's Soccer team!

 This is the guys quarters downstairs, that is or could be 2 seperate bedrooms. It's very large (and has lots of windows...)

 This is the dining area off the kitchen (and the guys room).

This is the kitchen, which is great in Haitian standards....there was a small refigerator (we weren't allowed to use it, but they had one). Then there was a microwave (only used when city power was on, which was rare), a small stove and oven, and some cabinets (and I think I saw a deep freezer maybe, it was small).  But all of these things (even the kitchen itself) is WAY more than most Haitians have in their homes, especially if they are still in tent.

 So that was the first day for the most part. Travel began at 3:20am and we arrived a little before 4 at the airport.  Our first flight left at 6am.  Then we went to through Dallas and then on to Ft. Lauderdale.  We arrived in Haiti at about 4 (if I remember right) and went straight to the house.  Each night we were served a yummy dinner by Vonna (who is Thirst No More's cook).  She was great.  In the picture of the kitchen you can see Joelle.  He was a nice but very quiet young man who is also hired by TNM to be the grounds/maintenance/doorkeeper :) We loved the TNM staff and love that they've hired Haitian locals to help them (and help us!).

Haiti Day 2 Here
Haiti Day 3 Here
Haiti Day 4 Here
Haiti Day 5 Here
Haiti Day 6 Here

Happy BERGday Charleigh

Tonight we celebrated with a "nice" spaghetti dinner (one of her faves) and we used our "fine china" for the first time in our new house!  I made brownies because I didn't have any cake mix and my parents came over to join us for a small little celebration of this sweet baby on this special day!~

 I feel like Charleigh has been a part of our family for a million years. 

 I don't know why, but that's just how I feel.  Obviously, she's not even 2 and so it's impossible, but I just can't imagine life without her and barely remember what it was like before her arrival.  We've had her in our arms since 14 hours after she arrived from the womb of a precious and brave young woman.  (We knew of her after 3 hours, and that we'd been chosen for her, but the hospital visiting hours were over by the time we received the call, the wait through the night was insanely crazy!)  We waited 3 long months before we had all the signatures needed to breathe easy and sleep soundly.  

Then, after 8+ months of having her, a year ago today we stood before a judge in Washington County and officially became Charleigh's legal parents. Forever.

 A day (7-7-10) that forever changed many lives.

(our first official picture as a legal family of 5)

I know that as we celebrate her life and her name, however, that it's not necessarily an easy day for her birth families.  I also know that each year as she understands more about God's plan for her life, this may not be easy for her either.  So, today my heart is unbelievably happy and proud on one hand and yet reminded of the sensitivity I need on the other.  Adoption is amazing, and open adoption is awesome, however, it doesn't just remove the emotions on special days for all parties.  I am so thankful for Charleigh's birth mom and her family (and her birth father as well).  I wouldn't have my precious crazy haired bundle without them.

I tread lightly and humbly on this journey as I celebrate and also mourn at the same time. It's not always fun and easy, but it's so worth it.  We are thrilled be considered worthy to be chosen to be her parents and a family of 5.  Charleigh your big brother and sister adore the heck out of you! (and so do we)!

We're back.

We are back from Haiti.  This is just merely a teaser because I am too tired to post.

We had a wonderful time.  It was an amazing opportunity to serve in the places and ways in which we did! I love that Lord allowed us this time to just go love.  We did.  Oh the smiles and the laughter and the hugs.  I know I blessed, but was so much more blessed in return!

More to come!

Haiti

We leave for Haiti in less than 22 hours. I can't believe it.  This go around I have 3 precious children and so leaving is harder, much harder than it was in 2003. I am so thankful my husband will be with me, however, it makes the fear that grips me that much tighter.  I am having to pray and quote scripture constantly and would COVET your prayers over us, our trip, and my children. Tears well up so quickly as I am absolutely exhausted and emotional and I haven't even begun the trip. I know the Lord has big plans and I will come back looking more like Him, or with Him one or the other.  The needs are great there. I want to serve. I want to love and to love well. I want Him to be known, and all for His glory.  This trip is going to be life changing and I am ready.  Here I am Lord, send me....

Lord willing, I'll post pictures and details upon our return.  Please please pray for our trip every time you think of us.  THANK YOU.