Back Again!

We are back! I hope nobody was worried ;) But Kathleen and I arrived back in Fauche Friday night after a bumpy seven hour drive. Let’s just say that I was very excited to get out of the back seat of the truck. I tried not to complain too much. I am telling you, us Americans have soft butts compared to the Haitians, they all sit on the back of a motor bike or the edge of a truck bed for hours without a second thought. It amazes me! Haha
The two weeks away were a blessing and a break. To start our trip we went to church in Gonaives, this church is three hours from home. It was a good way to break up the trip. Unfortunately, the streets in Gonaives have been changed around a few times so we were a little late in getting to the service. But on Haitian time that is not a big deal! When we arrived we walked right through the singing congregation, up onto the stage, and sat facing everyone singing while we didn’t have our song books. We did the best we could by clapping our hands and smiling, but I am sure I just looked like a blanc up on stage looking a little clueless. Granted there were some entertaining kids in the front row my kreole is not good enough to pick up a sermon. Since we were late sat for about 40 mins, visited the cement latrines, and headed to the pastor’s house. We (okay mostly me) feasted on fried goat (kabrit), deep fried smashed banana (banann pese), boiled plantains (banann), French fries (tiny homemade ones!), lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and this delicious sauce. I dumped it all together and enjoyed every bite. They were very generous. It is an interesting balance eating at a pastor’s house like that. You eat every bite with the knowledge that what is going in your mouth is not going into a Haitians mouth. Yet, you also eat with the knowledge that they want you to eat and feel that they are blessing you when you do. So I ate until I was full saying many a thanks along the way.
(We took this pic of the boat we road on from La Gonave back to the Wesleyan Warf outside of Port)
We finished up the drive and arrived in Fairmount at the Baptist mission. Kathleen and I were put in an apartment duplexed with the Thede’s. It was AMAZING! Our apartment was at least three times the size of our house! So we enjoyed the space as well as the weather that was cool enough to wear a light sweatshirt and jeans! It made Kath and I remember that it is fall back in IN and IL. After two nights we went to La Gonave to see the hospital there and the Wesleyan mission. This is where the Thede’s used to live so it was neat to be able to put a place with all the stories. We also got to connect to some young adults in their twenties. Kathleen knew one gal, Justine, from college. It was great to hang out with some youngsters our own age and enjoy some time of hanging out. After a day and a half we were back in Fairmont. We spent the rest of the week and weekend there relaxing during the day and playing cards and games at the Baptist missionary’s home. It was really nice.
(This picture is us going from the Wesleyan Warf out to La Gonave to visit the Wesleyan Compound and friends... I know the pics are out of chronological order!)
Monday morning we headed to coast for our missionary retreat. Global Partners treated us really well! We had great accommodations, great food, and were ministered to very well. We spent a lot of time in the pool, eating, enjoying the a/c, in meetings talking about what we as missionaries are doing in Haiti and respective countries, and enjoying hanging out with old and new friends.
Unfortunately it is during the “retreat” that Kathleen began to feel a little “off”. She just wasn’t interested in food and left one of the meetings to go lay down. During the day she usually did alright though and we made it back home before she really started to not feel well. We got home on Friday and by Saturdary night she was sick. She felt really hot and had some rashes on her elbows and knees. Sunday we took her temp and it was 103.9! My wife is tough! Everytime I would ask her how she was doing she would say, “I could be worse.” Well, it is now Tuesday and her fever has subsided, but she still has a very itchy rash on her soles and palms that we are treating. She is tough though and she wasn’t even a grouch to me! I know I would have been short with her at least once, but that just goes to show you the quality of woman that I married.
We are back and starting our routines again. We don’t know what is in store for us in the next six months, but we trust there is a lot left for us to learn. The thought of six more months seems like a little much to me, but I know that if we take each day as it comes we will do just fine. Thanks for reading and your interest in what is happening in Haiti.