As a continuation from last week, here is this weeks update posted to our personal blog :)

October 13, 2013

Greetings from Haiti,

We have learned that in Haiti there are two rainy seasons: the first is in the Spring and the other is this time of year.  What this means is around mid-afternoon the thunder starts rumbling and rainfalls begin by 6pm or 7pm.  With the rain typically comes wonderfully cool breezes, which make for great sleeping at night :).  In talking with the girls about the storms of late, we’ve learned there are two “camps” ~ some love them (like Gerritt) while others do not (like me).  It is fun to keep learning new things about each of them AND special to us that they allow themselves to be so vulnerable/open with us about things like this that either scares them or they dislike.

On Wednesday, we went on a bit of an adventure … to find a mattress factory in Haiti!  A church in Michigan along with another group have generously shared money to buy bedding for the 17 girls.  So off we went with the factory name, a general knowledge of the area from perusing GoogleMaps and the gate or “barrier” color.  You see, navigating in Haiti is not as direct as in the states – no MapQuest or GPS to tell you lefts/rights or even street signs to figure out where you are.  Thankfully we found it without needing to ask for directions – we felt like locals!   Upon driving through the gate, we first had to pass by security (ie. man with big gun) and then drove past the recycling center.  Yes, you read that right – metals, plastics etc. are collected by individuals and brought to centers like these to redeem small amounts of money depending on the quantity or items value.  As we continued, we saw an unlabeled building on the left and thought this must be it.  We parked, walked inside and greeted by a receptionist.  She brought us to the factory right beside the building where we could see, look and touch the various options.  What we saw impressed both of us – there were 3 or 4 “stations” that represented the different stages of building a mattress or box frame and an automated machine that sewed the finished product!  Side note: Really wish I had brought our camera to share pictures of all this.  We were not ready to make a purchase that day, but are excited to return someday soon and walk away with mattresses for the girls!!  This finding-our-way-around-Haiti is fun and makes us feel like this is becoming “home”.

The girls are continuing to do well in the adjustment back to the schedule of school etc.  I have been particularly impressed with how most of them dive into homework in the afternoon.  This is in large part due to their tutor that works alongside them.  Please be praying along with us for "D" as she has not fully embraced the idea of doing her schoolwork and has the teenage eye-roll and hand on the hip perfected when any of us adults tell her it is time to work.

In the next few days, we will send off the guests that are currently in-house and the guesthouse will be quiet.  It is perfect timing as the girls will have a day off from school this week, so we will have time to plan an activity for them.  Also this will be the 3^rd week for Gerritt and I each to attend a bible study – his is Thursday mornings and mine is Fridays.  This has been a wonderful time to get to know others, more than a quick hello on Sunday mornings.

Blessings from Haiti, Julie and Gerritt