Living here in Haiti is truly the definition of any oxymoron. It’s unreal. The lows and highs are so extreme – literally within hours. So bizarre. Here are some updates:

Our location! Please keep us in your prayers – we are hoping to get a house near the football stadium. For those of you that have been to Haiti, it’s the current LaKay (LaCou/LaKay program) orphanage. It’s an amazing location, and all the kids are familiar with it. We will find out in the next two weeks.

We got a bunny! And she loves riding around on the moto J. She is such a sweetheart. I went up in the mountains to pick her up. The level of poverty was astounding. Literally, the people were living in box-style shacks, with newspaper roofs. I was happy to purchase her, in at least providing a little bit of money to this family, who was extremely in need. I bought the cage, bunny, food, etc. for a little under $15 US. She did try to pee on me while we were going down the hill – which almost landed me in a small accident (picture me: freaking out – yelling – and trying to “abandon ship” with one leg in the air). Luckily, Tipapi is a skilled driver, and about twenty people got a belly-shaking laugh out of the site. Including myself after I successfully dodged the yellow shower. Tipapi’s foot wasn’t so fortunate.

“They named her “Ti-Nou-Nouse” (Little Teddy Bear) because of her fuzzy hair (conditioner!)…”

She was a complete muddy mess (kept in a cage with multiple rabbits in a mudhole) so she needed a shower. Everyone was laughing as I gave her a bath, asking why I was washing their dinner. She may be the softest, fuzziest, best smelling rabbit in all of Haiti. This shower resulted in me donating shampoo to multiple people who again asked why the bunny got soap?! They need it too! I was happy to share. She then zoomed over to the street kids. Everyone got a chance to hold her in their lap, and play with her. They named her “Ti-Nou-Nouse” (Little Teddy Bear) because of her fuzzy hair (conditioner!). It was so cute to see these rough kids petting her gently, and they took to “parenting” pretty quick.

Please keep Sony’s mom in your prayers. She fainted last Saturday, and I spent the majority of the day with her in the hospital. The doctors believe it is a result of low blood pressure. She is fine now, but it was a little scary for her and her family. I had NO IDEA just how big Sony’s family was, until I spent the day with them. I got to see their homes, meet Sony’s aunts, Sony’s little brothers, etc. It was a scary moment, but I loved getting to know all the family and hearing their stories. At one point in the afternoon, I felt a tummy rumble – which has become common – but panic strikes, nonetheless. IS THERE A BATHROOM HERE? (This is a common theme, on a daily basis). I located a restroom – but NO TOILET PAPER. People don’t talk about this – but this is a serious concern here, so I have to share. At this point, I know something bad is about to happen and I start a little sweat. How can this be?! Please, please God, there has to be a way. I start frantically searching med rooms for some gauze, cottonballs, something…ANYTHING! Right when it was about to be a disaster – I remembered Tipapi (moto driver) purchased gauze rolls for me, to treat street kids later that day. I RAN to him, grabbed a small roll of gauze, downplayed my cold sweat, and took off. I have never been so thankful in my entire life –  for gauze. Phew – it truly is the little things.

John Caesar is my son. It’s a done deal. He is leading the running effort (he is a street kid that I built a relationship with when I was just visiting Haiti) and I love him with my entire being. It started with three older boys that hang out by the Kokiyaj (local “7-11”). We ran at 4:00pm each day, and if I didn’t show up, I had to pay them, and if they didn’t show up, they had to pay me. We have now grown to 20+ kids. We have a morning shift and an afternoon shift – based on their schedules. I have a huge chart in my house, with their names listed under their scheduled days. I place a sticker next to their name, every time they run. After earning a certain amount of stickers, they get gym shoes. Then, they earn more, they get sandals. Then they earn more, and they get to choose what type of shoe they want. They take this program SERIOUSLY. Last week, I had over 20 kids show up at my house to check in on their progress – and neighborhood kids joined in too! It’s so amazing, and I can’t wait for everyone to see the photos (to be posted soon). With that many kids showing up at my place, I got a bit nervous on how the neighbors (and my landlord!) would feel about this. EVERYONE came outside their homes to see what was going on. I explained to the kids that they needed to be calm and quiet, or my landlord would send me back to America! To my surprise, they listened. They put their sticker up, gave me a hug, and headed out. I then spoke with the neighbors and my landlord (sheepishly). To my even bigger surprise – they loved it! They fully support the sports/running effort and think it’s great. The other bonus – IT MAKES THE KIDS TIRED! And the kids love that they have a person waiting for them at a certain place and time, and we announce the names (they say “here”) and they know they are important…and missed if not there.

Every day I’m more and more surprised at the respect they are starting to show. Granted, it’s a WORK IN PROGRESS and we have our good and bad days – but I definitely see progress, and it’s awesome.

I have started testing them more and more, and now have a group of older boys that run errands for me. Its small things, but I want to see how they handle the money- Will I get my change? Will they take off and never return? Etc. It’s amazing to see my Haitian staff in shock when they show up with the items (oranges, avocados, etc.) AND my change. Beneficial all the way around. You HAVE to give them the chance. Ishmael took my glasses at church 2 weeks ago. When I asked for them back, he told me he didn’t have them – and I took him for his word. I KNOW he had them, but I wanted his conscience to work and see if he’d listen. Sure enough…5 minutes later, he came over to me and gave them back. Score!

“They broke apart the lapels on some belts they had, and sewed the jewels into my jeans. They brought them to me, so proudly, this evening. I will wear these jeans all the time.”

In fact, today, one street kid showed up with a pair of my jeans – BEDAZZLED! Last Sunday, we went to the movies, and the kids commented that my jeans were ugly. I told them fine – if you don’t like them, you can decorate them. I gave them my jeans (of course thinking…these are gone). Was I wrong or what?! They broke apart the lapels on some belts they had, and sewed the jewels into my jeans. They brought them to me, so proudly, this evening. I will wear these jeans all the time. I AM SO PROUD of this – I’m actually teary-eyed as I type. They never cease to surprise me.

For those that know Kay Anj orphanage, you will be pleased to know that I see Victor and LeiLei frequently – and I meet with them individually twice a week. They are both doing great, and I’m thankful that their families allow me this time.

We HAVE A CHRISTMAS TREE! Thanks to the street kids and a good friend, YuYu, who did some TOUGH negotiating. It is hanging by a towel string on our porch. My assistant Dieceul, got a tiny Santa ornament for the tree, our only ornament – bet our deficient tree is loved by the kids… and the neighbors!

“…so I asked where the rest of his change was. He used it to by the street kids some food. He said that he wants me to know he cares about them too…”

I am SO proud of my Assistant, Dieceul. We are working on budgeting right now. He seems to go out and spend his entire paycheck, the DAY he gets paid. You can imagine my shock, when I returned from the Dominican Republic to find that he purchased a HUGE radio/soundsystem for the house! I said “Dieceul! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO EAT this month?!” Apparently, food takes a backseat to music. Ugh! Definitely a work in progress, and yes – I am guilty of spoiling him at times. I have to work on this as well, I know. I have SUCH a hard time saying ‘no’. I pray about the ability to “discipline”. It can be so hard here. However, 2 days ago a friend of mine paid Dieceul $3 to do an errand for him. That evening, Dieceul walked in with a package of Vienna Sausages. After I gagged, I asked him where he bought them and with what money. He told me he used his own money, and he was so proud. I knew the total, so I asked where the rest of his change was. He used it to by the street kids some food. He said that he wants me to know he cares about them too. (Sometimes, I get frustrated with the staff because I want them to feel passionate about helping these kids, not just for the pay check). He overheard me venting about it, so this was his way of showing he cares too. Although, I harped on him again about budgeting, it warmed my heart at the same time. And, there’s nothing I love more than Haitians helping Haitians.

Speaking of…we have a new hire! His name is Johnson, and he is going to be managing all of our social media, photos, facebook, here in Haiti. This is his first job (out of college) and he is SUPER excited about it. Praise the Lord – another family provided for. His family definitely needs this.

Amidst the best of it all, one of my journal entries last week was titled “Nothing works in Haiti – not even a pencil eraser.” I had a breaking point when literally nothing I asked for was completed correctly, I couldn’t get the supplies I needed, and at my highest frustration – my eraser broke off as soon as it touched paper. I knew it was silly to cry, but haven’t you had those moments where the smallest thing happens and the straw breaks and you just want to give up? This happens AT LEAST, once a week. AT LEAST. Maybe once a day. BUT – then you hear a kid say your name, or they drop off a bedazzled pair of jeans, or a little guy just gives you a hug and says “I Love You” for no reason, and your fire reignites.

I don’t know how people do this without Jesus. I don’t see how it’s possible. Can I get an amen?! Love my life – LOVE MY CRAZY KIDS – Will be in touch soon!

God bless and Merry Christmas…

—

IF YOU WISH TO DONATE GYM SHOES FOR THE KIDS’ RUNNING PROGRAM PLEASE FIND THE DETAILS OF OUR CURRENT “SOLES FOR SOULS” DRIVE HERE!