Beautiful Day in Jacmel

Rick,Barb and Doug woke up to no power and no water in our hotel. It makes you so happy when you have cold water! Rick walked Barb to where the nurses are staying and then Rick and Doug walked to hospital. Rick to do some surgery and Doug to meet Dentist. The nurses with Barb went to vista an orphanage that was recently built by the same builder. We also brought stuffed animals for each child. Thank you Alana for carrying them to Haiti and thank you mom2moms for the donation.  The nurses then toured the work sites.  Already rafters were up and the foundations were staked for additional building! Next week the nurses will assist the Haitians working side by side when the nurses are not giving lectures to nursing students or assisting with primary care clinic. Rick and Doug met us attune work site and we all took a tap tap ride to the beach. The breeze was refreshing and so was the cola. When we returned we did practice walks around Jacmel so everyone could know the landmarks when they get lost! Rick, Barb and Doug had a wonderful dinner, a visit with Dr Oda and some time to reflect!  Good news before bed the water came on and we loved the cold showers!
Grateful, Barb

Nurses Are in Jacmel it is HOT!

All the nurses who are recent graduates and board certified, from Iowa Lakes Community College have arrived in Jacmel. They took a walking tour of Jacmel and visited St Michelle Hosptial. Rick was doing surgery all day and most of the evening. Tony is a nurse that speaks french fleuently which is a real plus. The nurses are easy going and slowing down the pace to meet life in Haiti.Randy and Tennie left for PAP. Not before walking many, many miles to greet the nurses. They were returning to review planning meeting and assignments that had been requested for greater understanding the schedule and jobs within the current orphanage. They also had a visit to the orphanage to say Auvoir.
Rick, Barb and Doug were able to eat dinner with Elisse and Michele. We found Rick's pizza spot and it was so good. We were so hungry. The nurses played street soccer, Brianna too.  The night air was hot. Our hotel without water, but sleep was a thankful rest.

What day of the week it is?

Losing track of time and days. We started early this morning going through the market to investigate what we can purchase locally and how much things would cost. We looked at stove tops, school uniforms, shoes, pots, pans and dishes.  The market is FULL of people going in every direction and quite amazing. It is hot with strong smells making our Grocery stores looking amazing very modern convenience.
We then in the afternoon went to the beach. We swam, cooled off and did have some grilled lobster. Sounds like something out of a resort pamphlet! We all thought this was like a spa day- first we had the sauna experience and sweat any toxins then we had a long salt bath!
Later in the afternoon we met with Dave and Darilus the couple who lives here and is the contractor of the building. We went over details at the building site. From heights of hanging sinks to shower heads. Then ended the evening at a Haitian restaurant in the mountains.
We heard from Frantz that the Iowa Lake Nurses have arrived in PAP and we will meet them tomorrow in Jacmel.
Grateful,  Barb

WOW!

Rick, Barb, Randy, Tennie and Doug went to Jacmel early Monday morning. We did stop for a short hike along the way.  When we arrived in Jacmel we went to the orphanage building site and WOW! The fence is up, the foundations are poured,  the well is in, and the metal studs are up in the first dorm!  After being in the small space in PAP we all just stood there with visions of children running outside in our heads.  We reviewed all plans in detail.  We then went across Jacmel an to see the orphanage that was also built by Calvary International Development Ministries.  It is great to see a complete project.  I told everyone it was just like a cooking show where they take out the baked dish after they have just mixed it. We then went on a walking tour of Jacmel and to dinner at a small resturante in town. It was a day filled with emotion, joy mostly.  The night was hot and did not cool off but our bodies and minds were tired.
Grateful,  Barb

Fathers for Many

Greetings!  Rick, Randy and Doug got to experience Father's Day with many children on their laps! It was a very productive and tiring day. Randy, Doug and Barb walked early to the orphanage.  All the staff then left for the off site seminar/business planning session. Doug and Randy set up a dental office in the back of the orphanage and did exams on each child.  Along with the exam was some time to spend with each child and they received a Tie Day shirt done by Katie Gibson and group from Sioux Rapids. It was easy to identify who had not been examined yet! Barb held down the front area with reading many picture books, teaching addition and singing. We then handed out the pencil cases with  2 markers, thank you to Kathy Anderson and notebooks to everyone. Many of the pencil cases were microphone shape and we had a "show".  Later in the day we also gave gift bags to the children from St Joe's in Milford. The children all lined up in two's to share a bag of goodies.  It was exciting for sure. The orphanage was above 100 degrees and after 8 hours we were ready to get back to the hotel.
Rick and Tennie came by Tap Tap to the orphanage after a very successful meeting and we all walked home via Rick's short cut.  It goes right through the back neighborhoods of Carrefour.  Rick greets everyone we see, for the rest of us it feels like the old Sesame Street game, which one of these things just doesn't belong. As we arrived back at our hotel everyone was tired and hot ready for some food.  The Seminar/ business planning meeting was an excellent experience for everyone who attended.  It was very interactive for everyone. As we sit at dinner and reflect on our day we are filled with joy and gratitude for all the work everyone has done to assist LOVE Takes Root and the difference it has made.
Blessings!  Barb

We Are Here!

Today Rick and Barb Wilkerson, Randy and Tennie Binzer and Doug Van Hofwegen arrived in PAP Haiti.  We went from the airport straight to the orphanage to see the children.  They were in the process of eating and quickly ate to spend some time with us.  The present site continues to be less than desirable,  but the new building project is in their dreams. And soon to be reality. Thank you to all the work so many have done with this project thus far!  Being with these wonderful spirits makes us recognize again their talents and gifts.  The potential they possess for the future of Haiti.
For all the past visitors with LTR, Robinson and the door less van picked us up at the airport.  Driving PAP is a horn blowing experience!  The improvements with the airport and clean up of tent cities warms your heart and shows progress.
The Auberg continues to be a paradise moment in the day. And fans too!
Tomorrow will be an early day. Rick and Tennie are having a seminar and planning meeting with all of the orphanage staff off site.  While Barb, Doug, and Randy are taking care of the orphanage. I am sure we are going to have a lot of stories tomorrow night.
We are ready for bed after a 17 hour day!
God Bless and Grateful,  Barb

Learning how to add pictures

Well as  you can see my lesson did not work.  But exciting pictures will be sent to SEEDS.  If you would like to receive SEEDS just contact us at www.lovetakesroot.org and we will send you a monthly update of LTR current project.
Busy week for LTR  Cupcakes and Wine  Style Show at Wild Rose Inn Okoboji
Thursday June 13th at 7:00 pm Tickets $25 all proceeds to building project.
LTR Board trip to Haiti leaves on Friday!
If anyone knows how to add pictures to this blog please teach me!
Grateful,  Barb