We are sitting at the Ausberg finishing our meal. All have arrived safely. The LOVE Takes Root members, the Klein Family and Aunt Jessie and the DSN Nursing students are getting to know each other and ready to work together to have the children move. The weather is wonderful and there is a lovely breeze. We are tired and ready for a great night of sleep.
The drive through Port-Au-Prince was amazing for those of us who have been coming for 2 years noticing all the improvements and those who have never been here trying to understand the quick change from Miami to PAP.
As it happens here the check in at the hotel takes a long long time. And we even paid with one person. We are thankful for the opportunity to be here. We can not wait to hug the children tomorrow and spend time together. Such blessings.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
The Adventure Begins
The trip started off with a packing party and a bunch of space bags and mountains of pillow pets. The DSN girls met at their school and stuffed the 60 pillow pets into 10 space bags and then sucked the air out to make them small enough to pack among their bags. It was quite an effort but the girls faired well. Nursing students: 1, Pillow Pets: 0.
The nursing students were on a Spirit Airlines flight leaving Denver at 11pm. When checking their bags they were really excited to see that they were under the 50 lbs! Only to be corrected that Spirit Airlines' policy was 40 lbs....well shoot. Luckily, half the girls had a nice attendant who waived the fee. The other half of the girls were being helped by a less than helpful female and had to pay the extra fee. The girls arrived 2 hours before departure and easily made it though security, except for Emily, who decided to push the boundaries by wearing an excessive amount of bobby pins, carrying more than the recommended amount of lotion and having a full water bottle, Airport: 1, Emily: 0. Once through security the girls had plenty of time to spare so they headed to The Chop House for a drink. After receiving their beers and taking their first sip they were told by their waiter that they were closing and to hurry up and finish, but that the bar across the way was open until midnight. During this time the girls also learned that their flight had been delayed an hour and a half, great...more time for drinking.
They headed over to the other bar, Jimmy's, to have a few more beers. They had a great time getting to know each other and had a lot of laughs. During a moment of going to the bathroom to break the seal they decided to check the flight board to see when their flight was supposed to depart, the board read: ON TIME! It was 11:15pm and the original departure time was 11pm. The girls were in a panic! They went back into the bar to grab their belongings, and ran out leaving their almost full beers behind (luckily they'd already paid!). It's too bad we can't break into the airport security to watch the tape back of the girls running through the airport. Not only were they a little tipsy but they were sprinting and bypassed all the walking escalators which could have saved them precious seconds on their quest toward their gate at the end of the terminal. When they finally got to the gate their was no one in sight and no plane was present. For a second the girls thought they'd missed their plane only to find out that it was further delayed till 3am....you've got to be kidding! They just left perfectly good beer behind, Airport: 2, Nursing students: 0.
After laughing at the ridiculous of the situation they finally figured out where to talk to the Spirit Airlines representatives to figure out about making their connecting flight to Haiti, which was to leave out of Ft. Lauderdale at 7:15am. They were now arriving in Ft. Lauderdale after 9am. Spirit booked them on American Airlines leaving Ft. Lauderdale at 1:20pm. With nothing left to do until 3am the girls decided to head back to the bar which closed at midnight, they had about 20 minutes to have another drink. They were able to talk the waitress into giving them two drinks each if they promised to have them both drunk by 12:05am....not a problem. Pretty sure she hated them. Nursing students: 1, Airport: 2.
Once they were kicked out of the bar they headed back to the gate and found an incredibly uncomfortable spot to lay down and "sleep," which was tough between feeling like they were in an igloo and catching glimpses of the marijuana documentary going on in the background. The flight was finally boarded and took off at 3:40am and they were off to Ft. Lauderdale. The girls all slept pretty much the whole flight.
The nursing students were on a Spirit Airlines flight leaving Denver at 11pm. When checking their bags they were really excited to see that they were under the 50 lbs! Only to be corrected that Spirit Airlines' policy was 40 lbs....well shoot. Luckily, half the girls had a nice attendant who waived the fee. The other half of the girls were being helped by a less than helpful female and had to pay the extra fee. The girls arrived 2 hours before departure and easily made it though security, except for Emily, who decided to push the boundaries by wearing an excessive amount of bobby pins, carrying more than the recommended amount of lotion and having a full water bottle, Airport: 1, Emily: 0. Once through security the girls had plenty of time to spare so they headed to The Chop House for a drink. After receiving their beers and taking their first sip they were told by their waiter that they were closing and to hurry up and finish, but that the bar across the way was open until midnight. During this time the girls also learned that their flight had been delayed an hour and a half, great...more time for drinking.
They headed over to the other bar, Jimmy's, to have a few more beers. They had a great time getting to know each other and had a lot of laughs. During a moment of going to the bathroom to break the seal they decided to check the flight board to see when their flight was supposed to depart, the board read: ON TIME! It was 11:15pm and the original departure time was 11pm. The girls were in a panic! They went back into the bar to grab their belongings, and ran out leaving their almost full beers behind (luckily they'd already paid!). It's too bad we can't break into the airport security to watch the tape back of the girls running through the airport. Not only were they a little tipsy but they were sprinting and bypassed all the walking escalators which could have saved them precious seconds on their quest toward their gate at the end of the terminal. When they finally got to the gate their was no one in sight and no plane was present. For a second the girls thought they'd missed their plane only to find out that it was further delayed till 3am....you've got to be kidding! They just left perfectly good beer behind, Airport: 2, Nursing students: 0.
After laughing at the ridiculous of the situation they finally figured out where to talk to the Spirit Airlines representatives to figure out about making their connecting flight to Haiti, which was to leave out of Ft. Lauderdale at 7:15am. They were now arriving in Ft. Lauderdale after 9am. Spirit booked them on American Airlines leaving Ft. Lauderdale at 1:20pm. With nothing left to do until 3am the girls decided to head back to the bar which closed at midnight, they had about 20 minutes to have another drink. They were able to talk the waitress into giving them two drinks each if they promised to have them both drunk by 12:05am....not a problem. Pretty sure she hated them. Nursing students: 1, Airport: 2.
Once they were kicked out of the bar they headed back to the gate and found an incredibly uncomfortable spot to lay down and "sleep," which was tough between feeling like they were in an igloo and catching glimpses of the marijuana documentary going on in the background. The flight was finally boarded and took off at 3:40am and they were off to Ft. Lauderdale. The girls all slept pretty much the whole flight.
They landed in Ft. Lauderdale at 9:15am and luckily their connecting flight gate was next door to the one they got off. And, even more impressively, it was the original flight they were suppose to be on, which had also been away, evening up the score, Nursing students: 2, Airport: 2. They had enough time to hit the loo, grab some coffee and get in line to board. Once on the plane the girls were instantly the minority, they were the only six white girls on the flight, the adventure begins! The flight was a fairly quick and easy one with only slight turbulence for about 30 seconds. Once they landed they headed through customs, grabbed their luggage and headed out to find Frantz, their driver who drove a van with no door, but as Barb described, "is ok because he's a really good driver." They waited about 15 minutes before Frantz found them and led them over to the van which was about a 2 minute walk. Some of the girls made the mistake of letting some of the locals roll their bag for them. Once loaded up they then demanded money...opps.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Leaving Minneapolis
Well all the bags are packed with Sheet, Towels, Pillow Pets and Cups. Thank you to Lucy Steffen that did a lot of run around and Sam Geyer who can pack like a champ! To Jamie Billings for the sponsor donations. A special thank you to Hailey Johnson and the Fourth grade in Ames, Iowa for hand decorating our cups.
Kirk, Doug, Keetah, Rick and I are ready for a wake up call at 4:00 am. We were given wonderful tee shirts with spirit by First Congregational Church. We are so excited and also know there is a lot of adjustment in this trip for many. As I prepare I just think of the amount of love that has been given by so many. It is so humbling to have so many people work together caring for the least of us.
Follow our blog this week so you can journey with us and also the pictures on Facebook! Walk on!
Grateful, Barb
Kirk, Doug, Keetah, Rick and I are ready for a wake up call at 4:00 am. We were given wonderful tee shirts with spirit by First Congregational Church. We are so excited and also know there is a lot of adjustment in this trip for many. As I prepare I just think of the amount of love that has been given by so many. It is so humbling to have so many people work together caring for the least of us.
Follow our blog this week so you can journey with us and also the pictures on Facebook! Walk on!
Grateful, Barb
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Tuesday June 25th
Today was another great day in Jacmel. Three of us nurses got to go to the CCH Clinic and work with the doctors and nursing staff there. We split up two followed two different doctors during their clinic visits and the other nurse in our group took vitals and weights. We interacted and helped these patients in the clinic all morning. It was a great experience! The rest of our group went to another orphanage in town and helped brighten each child's day with hugs, kindness, and open hearts. All of us had a positive day and we are so thankful for this opportunity to serve and every opportunity in our lives!
Nursing group LTR
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Auvoir for now
The time in Haiti always passes quickly with a slow Haitian pace. Rick, Barb and Doug will be leaving late this afternoon. We feel pleased with all the things accomplished in one week and quietly wonder if more could have been done. So American in our thinking. The gift of not being able to be here longer is that we empower our Haitian partners. This relationship and shared trust makes the values of LOVE Takes Root organization to work with projects that are self sustainable attainable.
As we leave and arrive in Haiti, the first and last thing we do is hug and kiss each sweaty, sweet child. The spirits and potential of each child is felt. You see future fathers and mothers. Future teachers, nurses, farmers, business owners and leaders. As I stand dripping and filled with love, in my mind runs the words; Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, they are yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world. As Jesus taught us Love our God, and Love one another. I reflect that everyone who has worked to make this project a reality has loved these children. It does not matter if you assisted with the LTR web site, organizing a fundraising event, wrote thank yous, ordered tee shirts, donated pencils, sponsored a child, donated money, traveled to assist- you have loved. Our hearts are filled with gratitude our bodies are tired and hot and are spirits are overflowing with joy.
We will hit Miami and the pace will increase dramatically and quickly. We will take out our phones and the cortisol will increase. There is work to be done and funds to be raised to finish the vision.
God Bless you today!
As we leave and arrive in Haiti, the first and last thing we do is hug and kiss each sweaty, sweet child. The spirits and potential of each child is felt. You see future fathers and mothers. Future teachers, nurses, farmers, business owners and leaders. As I stand dripping and filled with love, in my mind runs the words; Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, they are yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world. As Jesus taught us Love our God, and Love one another. I reflect that everyone who has worked to make this project a reality has loved these children. It does not matter if you assisted with the LTR web site, organizing a fundraising event, wrote thank yous, ordered tee shirts, donated pencils, sponsored a child, donated money, traveled to assist- you have loved. Our hearts are filled with gratitude our bodies are tired and hot and are spirits are overflowing with joy.
We will hit Miami and the pace will increase dramatically and quickly. We will take out our phones and the cortisol will increase. There is work to be done and funds to be raised to finish the vision.
God Bless you today!
Saturday, June 22, 2013
HOT ENOUGH!
Not sure I can find words to describe the heat we have experienced today. It actually started last night with the single fan on the wall on and off, waking in the morning already covered in sweat. Then a very extended car ride from Jacmel to PAP with sitting traffic and no air movement. For a long time. We stopped for some fruit for the children at market and then went to the Orphanage. The orphanage was like sitting in an oven. The children were very quiet, dripping and hot. Barb held Indiana for a treat and she fell asleep. It was like holding a hot box in a sauna. Doug was wilting but more heat was to come. Rick, Barb and Doug with Frantz went to visit Mr Baptiste and his wife Nicole. Mr Baptiste is the gentleman we purchased the land from. The ride through PAP was bumper to bumper for 80 mins with a very small vehicle, high temperatures and no breeze. BUT the visit was such a joy. We sat and visited, showing them the land progress in Jacmel. Learning about their family and touring the beautiful gardens that Nicole works in daily. She will be splitting some plants for the orphanage in Jacmel! Frantz and Rick talked about the possibility of buying the back piece of land that was removed from the original purchase for raising food. It was a good discussion and Frantz did a wonderful job talking and expressing himself! More discussions to follow.
During the car ride to PAP we had a good discussion with Frantz reviewing the time table of the building project. We also talked about the Bastien Family doing all the painting for the inside buildings at the orphanage. They will be excited to do this, it will save money for project and really give them ownership. Frantz did say he had his homework done for Tennie before she left! We will go to orphanage tomorrow morning and also have a meeting with Frantz.
The nurses were off to the beach today! I am sure we will get some good blogs from their adventures. We are much cooler now with the sun down and a soft wind blowing. Not to mention we each have a gin and tonic. No one has needed a bathroom yet but hopefully sometime during the next 20 hours.
Being in the orphanage today was hard because the conditions were even worse with the heat. I sat silently praying that September will be here faster. Felt like a seven year old waiting for Christmas!
May everyone have a wonderful rest and God Bless You All!
Grateful, Barb
During the car ride to PAP we had a good discussion with Frantz reviewing the time table of the building project. We also talked about the Bastien Family doing all the painting for the inside buildings at the orphanage. They will be excited to do this, it will save money for project and really give them ownership. Frantz did say he had his homework done for Tennie before she left! We will go to orphanage tomorrow morning and also have a meeting with Frantz.
The nurses were off to the beach today! I am sure we will get some good blogs from their adventures. We are much cooler now with the sun down and a soft wind blowing. Not to mention we each have a gin and tonic. No one has needed a bathroom yet but hopefully sometime during the next 20 hours.
Being in the orphanage today was hard because the conditions were even worse with the heat. I sat silently praying that September will be here faster. Felt like a seven year old waiting for Christmas!
May everyone have a wonderful rest and God Bless You All!
Grateful, Barb
Friday, June 21, 2013
Friday in Jacmel
Jacmel day 3
This morning all six of us nurses, Barb, and Rick to the Notre Dame nursing school. This was about a mile walk from Isaiah house. Once there we met the senior nursing students that had three semester of classroom and clinicals then their final year is studying for their boards. Barb and Rick taught the class about the pediatric assessment and gave a great presentation. We met Dimitric who was a management student that was a excellent interpreter. Next we took a tour of the grounds and sat through a meeting between the school and love takes root. After the nursing school we walked back for a great lunch at the at the Isaiah house. We then relaxed for about an hour then Rick, Barb, Tony, and Elisee went on a hike up the mountain to Papas house! To start the journey we jumped on moto bikes for a two mile drive.....crazy experience! Then started the hike. It was about a two hour hike along a beautiful river up into the jungles across the streams mountains! We had to stop once on the trip up cause I was dying...( out of shape last two months nursing school took a toll). From there we climbed on we had another twenty minutes or so to Papas house. Once there we gave a hat that my bible school decorated and other goods to James ( a orphanage who takes care of papa) sweet sweet little boy who loved all the items. He was in need of them! We also gave two more hats to two little boy and girl on our way. We took many pictures! Then after visiting we ventured down the mountain. They have every tropical fruit tree/ plant you can think of. Once we made it down greeting all the wonderful happy community members. We jumped on moto bikes and made it back to Isaiah house just in time for supper. It was a awesome experience that I will never forget!!
God is great and we are so blessed!!
Briana RN!!
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