First Impressions

Where to start when you’re on sensory overload? It’s not like I’m an expert on any aspect of big-picture Haitian life, or small-picture Heart-of-God-orphanage life.  But I can give you my impressions—or that which has been pressed into my heart.  I’ll start with the motley crew I’ve been keeping company with this week. 

From Left to Right.

Junior—our local Haitian translator—lover and seeker of Jesus. Self-taught, continually strives to improve himself. Determined. And without him, we (the “blans”) would pay twice as much for everything.

Erin—our new teacher! SELFLESS, loving, efficient, low-maintenance—no one gets ready in the morning faster than she does. She’s reserved when you first meet her which could put up a wall—a needed quality for what she is about to undertake. More on her in another post—what she’s doing is THAT extraordinary.

Dave—CPA by day, passionate director for HGIM Haiti by night. Part Mr. All-Business, part fu (crazy). He always has a plan and it’s always going to be in the best interest of the children at the orphanage. He’s also incredibly comfortable with his own body odor.

Lisa—you all know too much about me as it is.

Jan—beloved co-founder and president of HGIM and kindest person in the world. Brave. She’s also our deaf trooper—as she flew in with a pretty bad cold—which is okay because she can’t tell when we’re talking about her.

Scott—former youth pastor, Director of Evangelism for HGIM, brave adventurer for God, AND driver who transports us (safely) in Mr. Toad’s-Wild-Ride-fashion on the harrowing Haitian roads.

The Airport at Port au Prince—where visitors receive a musical greeting from a live band.  It is a land of music. The airport itself has undergone needed renovations, but the electrical system is spotty—if you think it’s difficult distinguishing one black suitcase from another in light, imagine in the dark. It took a while:).

From Port au Prince to the orphanage—can you say over-crowded?  It takes 2 ½ hours to 3 hours to make the 30 miles from the airport to the orphanage. Stifling heat.  Lots of ramshackle structures.  Scrawny dogs. Streets lined with people selling their produce and wares—much of the merchandise American castoffs that get sold and resold and resold. Handguns and rifles casually slung over shoulders—most private security for businesses.  It was unsettling to buy water (at what we would call a convenience store) with an armed guard (in plain clothes) at the check-out. 

The cost of brand-name products, btw, is SKY HIGH—only the rich can afford them.  Some products like detergent are bought off-brand by middle-men and then resold in baggies—like drugs.  The business of sex and human trafficking thrives.   The outdoor markets are filled with rancid smells of meat set too long in the sun.  About 95% of Haiti’s wealth is in the hands of six extended families.

The beauty of the mountains (where the orphanage is) lies in peaceful contrast to the cities and towns. 

Our guesthouse—men share one room, the ladies another. Hot water iffy, and I haven’t been lucky yet.  Brrrrr. Two Americanized meals served each day. Forget the Biggest Loser Ranch, just come to Haiti if you want to drop a pound or two.

The children at the orphanage—also known as those who will break and melt your heart, not with their plight (which is great), but with their innate joy.  And though the orphanage itself doesn’t have electricity or running water or a sturdy roof (will explain in another post), our children are still better off than many in the area—which could be considered middle-class.  Our children go to school, are bathed, taken to the doctor, given clothes/shoes/blankets and in general are made to feel loved and valued.  And now they will have a full-time teacher to teach them English (a ticket for a decent job), who will love them and be able to give them extras they wouldn’t have otherwise.  More on the kids in another post:).  Here they are hard at work creating thank you cards.

Heart of God International Ministries—amazing what a small group of people who love the Lord have accomplished.  No red-tape or layers of bureaucracy here.  Just genuine people giving of themselves—because at the end of the day, what better way is there to live life? Some opportunities will be in our own backyards, some will be on a different continent.  All will work to make us more selfless people created in the image of a heavenly, sacrificing Father.

Thanks again for your prayers and well-wishes.  Will try to post more pictures later--sometimes uploading just won't happen.

All in Goodwill,

~Lisa

P.S. Tomorrow I'll experience church with a special goat dinner prepared for us afterwards.  Goat tastes just like chicken...right????