Lifesaver

Not the candy ~ the actual two words life saver is where I went today with 9 of the girls while they had a day off from school.  You see, a team who came through the guesthouse back in November asked us what the girls needed.  Our answer was not in the realm of clothes/school supplies and the like.  Instead it was an opportunity to serve in Haiti, the way so many people serve them through sponsorship and prayers.  Fast forward to today, we were able to buy rice, beans, cornmeal, flour, sugar and oil with their donation.  Our trusted friend Serge joined us on this adventure and we were even able to buy some items at his wife’s new store!  We prayed, sang along to songs on the radio and eventually arrived ~11am.  The children at lifesaver were in the midst of school in the only building they know for school/church/meals/sleep, but we were welcomed with open arms by the pastor that oversees it all.  I am not sure who was blessed more – the children we visited or our girls and me.  The girls were the ones that explained why we were there and helped carry food into the orphanage.  The girls were the ones that I tried to round up when we were leaving, only to find 3 of them – including one of our tough little ones - helping put a little boy in his bed for a nap and soothing his cries with kisses on his forehead.  The girls were the ones who when we were back in the gro machine gris (big gray van) talked and shared with heavy hearts, knowing the children they visited don’t always get to eat 3 meals a day like they do.  This was my first trip to lifesaver, but Lord willing not the last.  There was a lot difficult about this visit, but it was an awesome opportunity to bless another orphanage and hopefully plant some seeds that will help develop the character of our girls as they mature into Godly women in Haiti.

Market Day

Today was the day we bought the fresh vegetables and fruit for the guesthouse. We shop for a weeks worth at a time, however a typical Haitian household would go to the market everyday to buy what they need and can afford.  It came to mind today that this weekly adventure has become part of my routine ~ in one years' time, I have learned how to navigate the roads, where we are going and by God's grace return with groceries in tow!  It is such a joy to see and be seen by the lovely ladies who we buy from.  When we arrive there are big smiles, warm greetings and of course beautiful produce.  They understand when the big gray van arrives, it is a good day for their business as they have come to learn that Mme Serge buys a lot.  My job is to serve as the driver, money carrier and door opener/closer.  You see, I cannot actually do the shopping as the price would change (ie. get bigger) but I can watch the negotiating.  I've always been an avid people watcher and living in Haiti, there is so much to take in.  I see in the ladies eyes a lifetime of stories and hope to someday be honored enough to learn just a few.  I see the beautiful headwraps they wear and how they truly enjoy the company of one another.  I see how proudly they display their produce (even Whole Foods would be proud!) and wonder how many people that days wages needs to support.  There are times like today that I am surrounded by beautiful Haitians and forget that my skin color is different than theirs.  I talk with and sing along on the radio with Mme Serge to songs I know (even if I don't know all the words).  There is so much that Haiti is teaching me and it is days like these that I have a chance to stop and take in the culture of this new country we have been called to live.  There are and will continue to be days that are just plain hard, but today for just a short while I enjoyed and felt comfortable.

The haircut

It feels altogether vain to be blogging about a haircut – in Haiti - but give me a moment to explain.  Before moving here, I (Julie) had entertained the idea of growing out my hair to be culturally aware/sensitive - even going as far as getting others opinions that travel to or live in Haiti and decided my shorter hairstyle would fit in just fine.  However those with short hair know that it is a) imperative to find someone you trust to cut your hair - not much or any "wiggle room" for mistakes when it is short :) and b) hair will need to be cut every 4 or 5 weeks depending on style.  The one piece I did not fully think through was where I would go to get my haircut in Haiti as the ladies here have much coarser hair thus cutting it is much different.  (Side note: Anyone interested in coming to Haiti to cut American’s hair and teach the techniques here, please let me know as there are atleast 10 ladies that I know who would LOVE to benefit from this!)  Two haircuts and 11 months later, I was talking with my dear friend Yvenise and she said she could help me … I almost broke out in the Hallelujah chorus!  The morning we met at the studio, I didn’t know what to expect but knew that I trusted Yvenise and God reminded me that every day in Haiti is an adventure!  Here is the "before" picture that Gerritt took:

Here is the "after":

While I really like the style, the cut itself was uneven in parts so my wonderful husband came to the rescue to clean it up!  This is on the list of "much easier in the United States", but the months of waiting make for a good story to share with all of you :)