What an amazing weekend! Friday night I had a "slumber" party with the Pennsylvania HACC Nursing School team and was asked to share my story of how I got to Haiti - it's not my story, it's God's story. This group of ladies has just been a joy to my heart all week. It is truly a privilege that they have welcomed me to their mission trip.
We departed early Saturday morning on the Coaster bus to Citadelle. Click on link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadelle_Laferrière
There's a Broadway play called, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" Well, 'a funny thing happened on the way to the Citadelle'. The Nike tennis shoes that were given to me last summer from a friend, as "hand-me-downs" finally succumbed to the wear and tear of walking the streets in Ouanaminthe and the heat and humidity. I ended up walking up and back, approximately seven miles each way, with the sole off my right shoe! A testimony to Nike - no back pain from the disparity.
One of the highlights of the trek up the mountain was the Haitian band playing along the trail and taking a break from climbing to dance with them.
The views, oh, the views...The fellowship, the photo opportunities, the structure itself was something to behold. And, the history. WOW! Someone once said to me, if you haven't been to Citadelle, you haven't seen Haiti. I now understood what they meant. This country has such depth - deep and wide - in history.We had a fantastic guide - Patrick. If any of you ever go to the Citadelle, remember to ask for Patrick as you arrive at the former palace in Milot. After I complemented him on his excellent guidance, he told me to tell people to ask for "Patrick" when you arrive in the Milot parking lot. I promised him I would share his name, so there you go!
Yesterday was Mother's Day in Haiti. Many choirs performed at church. Two of them are my favorite - a haitian women's choir that sings in an Africian style. And a young men's choir that harmonizes like I've never heard before - those were my Haitian Mother's Day gift!
Last night, the mission team, their translators and I went to Pleziers Gourmande for dinner and the jazz band performed. Very lovely and fun evening. And some new friends of mine who own K-Sy Market where I shop (a real grocery store in Ouanaminthe but without the produce) came for dinner with their baby daughter. I was in heaven, swaying to the music, holding this little bundle who dozed off on my shoulder. It was her first time out to a restaurant so I wanted to give mom and dad a little time to enjoy their time out. Met Jac (one of our administrators and founders of Institution Univers) and his family came to the restaurant, too, so it was a special evening to visit with everyone.
I had a chance to talk with Jusbine, Met Jac's daughter, for a bit, as she's a little nervous to come to the U.S. for the ESL Experience, but excited too. She will be one of the two top ranking seventh grade students who will be in Northeast Ohio for the month of August. I still need up to three families to host one or both of these students for a week. Please email me or comment on my blog if you are interested in participating in this life changing event for these students.