Thoughts from the Land O' Plenty

If I were Haitian, visiting here for the first time, these thought and questions would stir in my mind ...

1. Your country smells like nothing.
2. The roads are SO smooth
3. You take turns nicely while driving.
4. People don't greet one another very often.
5. Where do you put your garbage? It is not on the street.
6. There are a lot of roadways & wide open spaces.
7. You have A LOT of hospitals and clinics. Are you ALL sick?
8. Is everyone here a Doctor?
9. Your stores have too many choices. How can you decide?
10. What is McDonald's?
11. There are lots of places indoors to empty your bladder.
12. All the places have soap and paper towels. The toilets flush.
13. Every few minutes we go by a place called "Target."
14. No one rides in the back of your pick up trucks.
15. You keep your buildings and homes at frigid temperatures - WHY?
16. Don't you have goats here? Where are they?
17. Your cows are fat.
18. Where are your street vendors?
19. Can't a guy get a chicklet?
20. Where do you keep your generators ... they are so quiet I cannot even hear them. Weird.
21. Where is the Tampico and the Toro and the Prestige?
22. Oh, what is "Weight Watchers?"
23. Your construction of homes seems to use quite a bit of lumber ... what are you using to cook with?
24. How many families live in those honkin houses?
25. What are the building attached to your house with the great big doors on them? Most of them have two or three (even four) doors. Weird.
26. I see lots of places called "parks" what is it, and can anyone use it?
27. Your airport seems to know what they are doing and have a system and a plan ... that felt really restrictive to me, I prefer to be confused and surprised each time I visit the airport. (sorry sorry, I can't let go of it)
28. Why do people throw away some of the food on their plate?
29. It is very clean and santitary here.
30. There are lots of nice things in your trash piles.

Okay ... so, some people get all defensive and spaz out over this sort of thing ...

This is my disclaimer:

I don't feel guilty about being an American. I don't feel bad or guilty that I own a nice home. I don't think anyone needs to feel bad about having things. I just think we ought to know what we have. We should recognize how huge our blessings are. We could try to do something to help any of the millions who are less fortunate all across the world. Maybe we could focus less on what we don't have (the newest whatever) and focus more on how much we ALREADY have. We should be thankful. We have plenty.

A Haitian in the village of LaDigue would be totally unable to comprehend it.

Sorry I "shoulded" on you, but it is truth.

Love and Introspection from the land of plenty,

Tara

Run the Race

Therefore, since you have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding you, lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and run with endurance the race that is set before you, fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter OF FAITH, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him...so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Packing Woes

This is the school of thought I am tempted to go with when it comes to deciding what to pack, what to ship and what to forget all together. Homer is onto something.

Britt's last subjects arrived in Zimmerman this afternoon, that was all we were still waiting and hoping for.

Back to packing.

The Playground

The new playground has been a big hit. I'm not sure if it was more fun watching the children play on it and discover all its fun, or watching the adults stare at it and contemplate its construction. Thank you to all the donors who made this project possible.

The concept of all that lumber is foreign to Haitians. Most of their trees have been clear-cut for charcoal production, and the lumber you can find is certainly not milled and green-treated.

There were a few days filled with standing and looking in awe at this wooden wonder.


Eventually, even Pastor Rony's curiosity got the best of him. Here he is trying out the tire swing. Watching him try to walk afterwards was the best part.

Troy

Cool Godincidence

Just got off the phone with Isaac. In his wise old way he said "16 sleeps takes a loooong time, but now there is only 2 sleeps left."

A minute ago we received an exciting package that I will be bringing to Troy-boy.

The story goes like this-

Troy loves photography, used to mess around with it a bit when he was younger. Our April mission team brought a professional photographer (Scott Tanner) and that led Troy to stay up nights with Scott talking cameras, computer software, and all of that geeky stuff.

After Scott left Troy said "I would LOVE to buy a Nikon D70 someday." We then had a conversation about how expensive that camera is and after a lot of back and forth we both agreed that was a way far off wish, not something we would be able to do anytime soon. That was the end of wishing for a fancy camera.

Until, Ann showed up to visit us in Haiti in mid May. Ann adopted a little boy who used to be in the same room as Isaac in the orphanage. Ann is also into photography. This led to more photography geek discussions. Troy shared with Ann that he covets the Nikon D70 and she said "I have one I am not using, you can have it." That is the box that arrived today.

Troy has instructed me on how I am to lovingly carry it to him, protecting it with my life and Noah's life if need be. ;-) It is all very cool and very God.
Paige has a new T-shirt that says "Coincidence - When God chooses to remain anonymous."

-Tara

Wednesday in Brief Review - from MN

Weird, random tears for no particular or identifiable reason ... that was Wednesday in MN. Did Wal-Mart-to complete the last of the list of stuff to bring home, lunch with Britt and friends, home to pack and weigh bags, then to ladies Bible Study where Britt and I were honored to see lots of church friends and share a little about Haiti.

If you stand on a scale with a bag in front of you, the scale reads "error" but if you put it on your head, it will give you a weight. Other than the neck issues and subtraction problems it caused, it was a excellent method. Five of eight bags are packed and weighed. School books really mess with your ability to keep bags under 51 lbs.

Britt and her friend Brit (Britt Squared) at lunch. We ate at our (B & T both worked there) former employer - it is way better being the patron than the server. Woot.

New Joy Church Chicks- (NJCC)

Do your pastor and his wife ride a honkin motorcycle? (Our pastor can beat up your pastor.) He does take it out of the garage sometimes too. (Troy, I took this photo for you! Are you happy?)

Lost In Translation Part Deux

In Creole, this is a bef...

Now it's time for the rest of the story. (Insert Paul Harvey voice if you wish.)

Monday afternoon, after returning to the mission in a full state of Tet Chage (see previous Lost in Translation post)...I had the following items to take care of:

Peanut's reminder that she is unhappy Britt is gone - #2 all over the porch

Move Isaac and Hope's beds outside in the sun because of possible bug infestation

Wash all bedding, blankies, mattress pads, etc. belonging to Hope and Isaac

Unload groceries roasting in the back of the truck

Try to help mother and eight-month-old baby - he was sick, wouldn't eat, needs formula, etc.

Change bandages and dressings on two patients that waited for me all afternoon

Tet Chage ANPIL.

(Head Very Loaded)

In the middle of this chaos, Pastor Rony showed up, and by the look on his face I knew something was wrong. I could also see that he was somewhat amused by my flustered state. (I know you are all feeling the same way, and I've already forgiven you...maybe.) I knew it must be serious, though, because Rony left his English class to come talk to me.

Here's where I totally got lost... This is the literal English translation of our conversation:

R: I have a problem with Eric [he's the mission's gardener and accordion virtuoso]

T: What is the problem?

R: Eric went to move my cow near the dam. He/she/it fell.

Ok, I have to stop here. See anything wrong so far? Let me help you. There is only one Creole word for He. It is the same as the word for She. Also the same for It. Everywhere in this conversation, I went with the "It" option. There have been a few cow accidents of late, maybe that led to my decision...Let's see if I was right...

T: Oh, that's not good. Where did it fall?

R: Yes, it's not good. Near the dam. You remember the place where the hill is big above the river?

T: Yes

R: Where we moved the rocks last week?

T: Yes

R: It fell there.

T: Oh, that's very bad. That is a big... searching for word, can't find it...bad place

R: Yes, it is hurt badly

T: Do you need me to help with anything?

R: Yes, I want you to come with bandages

T: Is there a lot of blood?

R: Yes [points to arm] here. It is not a big cut, but it is deep.

Ok, hold on a second. I love Pastor Rony. He knows me pretty well, I think, and knows my limits when it comes to asking for help with things. I'm starting to get freaked out that he wants to use our limited supply of medical supplies to put a bandage on the leg of a cow. I figure it must be really bad, and I know what this sort of livestock investment is worth to his family, so I continue to search for ways to help. I started pulling out the leftovers and medical stuff we don't really use, and twine to stop the bleeding, and old rags for bandages, and a crusty old tube of ointment, etc. You get the idea.

R: I want you to make bandages while I massage it.

Thought that was a little weird, but it wouldn't be the first time I saw a strange medical misconception or practice here. Plus, remember, I had a "loaded head".

I kept bringing out my second-rate medical supplies, Rony started looking at me funny, and I asked if he thought we needed anything else.

R: Do you have medicine for the pain?

T: Ummmm, no, I don't think so. We don't have medicine for cows here. The medicine I have would not work because it is too big.

R: Eric is not that big. And he's not a cow.

(Insert screeching brake noise here)

Ok, so this whole time, I'm thinking "li" means 'it' - referring to a cow.

He actually was saying "li" and meant 'he' - referring to Eric.

No good. We both laughed hysterically as we realized what was going on and I discarded all the junk in exchange for real medical supplies for treating an actual person.

Here's the short version of the rest of the afternoon - We walked through the village to Eric's neighbor's house where he was laying on the floor. I patched up his (not the cow's) scrapes and one large hole in his arm. We gave him medicine for the pain and Rony began giving him the massage he mentioned. (I'd still like to see how one massages a cow...) We found Eric's thumb was dislocated. It was causing him (Eric, still not a cow) a lot of pain. Rony looked at me as if I'm the expert. I told him it should be put back in place, but that would really hurt. I was starting to cringe already at what was about to happen. Eric closed his eyes, signalling that he was ready and understood. I wanted to blow a whistle and stand up and say "time out...hang on...hold the phone..." while I found a better solution. Meanwhile Rony was holding his wrist and palm and telling me to "pull". So I did.

OUCH. I'll never forget that cracking noise, or the strange "pop" I could feel under my fingers. Eric is one tough dude. He let out a little tiny squeal when we pulled, and then a big sigh afterwards.

I'm not as crazy as Britt is for that medical stuff...but that was pretty cool. And I'm glad it wasn't a cow.

The story about the miscommunication has now spread throughout the village (thank you, Rony).

Everyone is very amused.

This is Eric. (Even in Creole, not a bef.)

-Troy

Quote

He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside, He came to those men who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: "Follow thou me!" and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is.

-Albert Schweitzer
The Quest of the Historical Jesus

Weird Things that Weird Girls Do...

...like,playing with pig feet. Tuesday night entertainment for some cute young babes.
Tonight Jen and Marcia came over so Britt and (Dr.) Jen could have a suturing lesson. Jen taught Britt a few things by practicing with her on pigs feet.

Marcia and I just tried not to rip on them for being weird medical geeks. Noah took this photo of Marcia, and his finger.

Britt says it was very helpful and fun. Thanks Jen!

These are new friends, but the kind of friends where you know it is not fake or surface ... that you actually can hang together and have easy conversation and lots to talk about. We really hope it will be possible for them to come to Haiti in November and December so we can see them again soon. -Tara

Lost In Translation

After a day in Port au Prince yesterday, I fully understand the phrase ‘lost in translation’. Really, really lost.

The first stop was a government office to pick up our registration/licensing papers for the mission. These papers are very important and have been six months in the making. Upon investigation, I noticed that there was a slight translation problem. Our organization is called “Children’s International Lifeline”. The front page referred to us as “Children’s International Light Line.” Elsewhere, it was translated “Light Life”.

Come on, people. Even I, with my limited language skills, can correctly translate the words Life, Line, and Light. Here you go: Vie, Ligne, and Lumiere. Where do I sign up for my government translator job? It got worse, I found some places where the name was left in English, but was still mistranslated. Even the English to English translation got lost. I have been assured the corrections will be made and we’ll have the papers back by the weekend. Riiiiiight.

Next task – find a medical wholesale store that I’ve heard about in Port. We’ll need to find a place to purchase our medical supplies and medicines in bulk once our clinic opens up. Everyone I talked to and asked has also heard about this place. Unfortunately, no one actually knows where it is. BUT they’ll all tell you how to get there. After making a few calls and stopping people on the street and walking into numerous pharmacies, I realized that everyone was just guessing. They were all very accommodating and friendly, but had no clue. We were literally driving in circles at one point. Lost. One of our circles brought us past Dominos Pizza. Hope and Isaac voted unanimously for a pizza lunch, and I was ready for a break.

I pushed on the Dominos door. It stuck. Locked. Looking inside, I could see an employee behind the counter who had absolutely no intention on making eye contact with me. I asked a passerby if the place was open, she told me “they open at eleven o’clock”. I looked at my watch. It was eleven forty-five. We decided to wait them out. I needed time to make calls and continue to try and locate the medical wholesaler. Fortunately, I reached John McHoul, who knew of the place (like everyone else) and confidently told me exactly how to get there (unlike anyone else). Note to self: should have called John in the first place. Things were looking up.

After about ten minutes on the front steps, another Dominos employee walked by on the outside of the building. I asked him what time they would open. He said – “when we have electricity” and mumbled something about a generator. I distracted Isaac and Hope from their disappointment by promising to stop at the other pizza place in Port on the way to the wholesale store. It’s called Pizza P’am (translated My Pizza). When we got there, I noticed the street sign had been removed in front of the place, and when pulling in the parking lot saw the empty building and darkened windows. Hope and Ike and I now translate Pizza P’am this way: major disappointment.

The good news: Next we found the wholesaler right where John said they would be. That was a major relief. The place is perfect- very nice and helpful, great selection, even handed me an inventory list. I almost fell over. No communication problems, nothing lost in translation. Hallelujah.

The bad news: Upon leaving, we were stopped in the road at a U.N. vehicle inspection point. The “peacekeeper” who approached was from Argentina. I am from America. His native language is Spanish I believe, or perhaps Portugese. Mine is English. Seeing as how I am now in Haiti, I have learned some Creole. He apparently has not. He tried Spanish, I tried French, we got nowhere. The Haitian Police usually request a driver’s license and insurance papers at their checkpoints, so that’s what I offered him. He waved them off and continued to say what sounded like “blahbity blah kookily flippity doo?” Ummmm, hello? Feeling lost again now… I just kept smiling and shrugging my shoulders. Eventually he gave up and shrugged and smiled, too – then waved us through.

The Haitians have a saying they use often when they are at wit’s end:
Tet Chage. Literally translated – Loaded Head. When I got back to the mission, Tipap asked me how the day went. All I had to say was Tet Chage. For once, I was understood perfectly…nothing lost in translation there.


-Troy

Song Only

I've lost two posts of great length to computer/internet issues recently. I'm too frustrated to try again for now. Trust me, they were good, you would have really enjoyed them. I promise.

This song is coming true.




-Troy

Chesterton, One Smart Dude

Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair.

~G.K. Chesterton

Photo Credit Scott Tanner, LaDigue, Haiti 2006

Today's Song

Just kidding, but it is Monday, and it did rain this afternoon, and my wife is gone so I thought it fitting. The best part is I had to double-check to make sure it's Monday right now. Give me a break, it was a busy day, I'm in Haiti where time is an enigma, and did I mention my wife is gone?

Just be glad we're still eating. Tonight may be corned beef casserole night.

Thoughts on Monday from MN

This has nothing at all to do with Haiti. It is just a sad story worth thinking about and contemplating the greater meaning behind it.

A nice lady, who I have never met in person, sent a box for Hope and Isaac from PA to my parents house so I could take it home on Saturday. (THANKYOU!)

But, the box did not end up at my parents house. It was addressed correctly - yet it ended up about a mile from their house. The people called to tell us they had it.

On Sunday my mom drove to try and find it while I was gone with friends. She had the wrong address and came home empty handed. Today, we called the folks again and asked for their address one more time so we could try again to go pick up the box.

The wife had mentioned to my mom that they had been getting lots of boxes of stuff that belonged to their son. Their son had been killed in December in Iraq. She figured the mailman just grabbed a stack and did not notice that one of the boxes was not for them.

When we found their house today I hopped out to greet the man. They had a Marines flag flying under their USA flag. Knowing about their loss, I didn't think I should just grab my box and go.

I said "My mom told me that you lost your son in December in the war, I am so sorry." He instantly started telling me about the loss, his son, and offered up the fact that "my wife and I are not doing too well." It was heartbreaking. His son was 35. He is a sad and proud dad. He shared other details in our brief five minute encounter in his driveway.

I left his driveway and cried on and off for the rest of the afternoon. I just kept thinking about how I don't think my box ended up over there on accident and I don't think the guy shared all that info with a stranger for NO reason. I am not sure what my part is yet. I know that I feel it is important to pray for these people, they lost their son right before Christmas and the rest of the world has moved on while they still mourn.

I am linking here to the Obituary. Even if a few of you would join me in praying for this sad and still hurting mom and dad ... who knows what God might do with our prayers.

There is a resounding theme in the last few days. Here it is...

Love will change the world.

That is a portion of the sermon I heard Saturday night at Open Door. It is the conversation I had with Erik and Nik on Sunday. Politics will never change the world. They just won't. Money will never change the world. It just won't. Reaching out to hurting people and loving them in their hurt COULD change the world.

I used to very purposefully not talk to people, I wanted to stay focused on my own problems and not reach out. I also did not want to tell them about me, in case they were going to judge me. HOW LAME! That really sucked. I think we are surrounded by people who just need someone to listen to them and love on them. You don't have to have solutions to reach out. It is okay to simply say "I'm sorry you hurt."

The least I can do is write these parents a note, tell them that their son did a brave and good thing for all of us, tell them that I am sorry and pray for their healing. I have no idea if they believe in God or where they stand. I just know they are hurting, like so many others around us.
There comes a time to take your eyes off your own problems and SEE what is happening across the street, or in the next cubicle, or on the other side of the world. -Tara

If you wish to be on our snail-mail mailing list please email us your information at TL7inHaiti@yahoo.com .

Hope you're having a great Monday.

Progress? No, not really.

This is the "storage room" in the basement of our house. It is/was the worst bedroom in the house. Small and cold and dark, and the only one downstairs.

It used to be Paige's room, then it became Noah's room. Once when we first moved in, it was Britt's room. We never had Hope or Isaac down in the basement ... it is some sort of reverse discrimination against the Blancs I guess?

In the photo to the left you will see what I saw when I arrived in Zimmerman. You will understand why I curled up in a little ball on the floor and rocked myself as I cried. ;-) After I cried I worked.

See all the changes I made? See how organized it is now? ha

In photo to the left there is wallpaper border showing and Britt's strange blue paper mache light thing is mid-room. There is a box with a black crate on top of the TV.

In photo to right it is stacked higher and a stand-mixer is on the TV instead of the box. Britt's blue light is closer to the ceiling and pushed back a bit.

It only took me two hours.

Is it a mystery why I did not find my wedding ring in this room?

I have to go back before weeks-end. I have to find some compression socks for Krispe and drop off a few things. I was once in the "tight sock" business (really I was!) so I have socks there that Britt wants for Krispe.

I bet it will only take me six or eight hours to locate them.

If our renter lights a match to this room, she will be doing us a huge favor.

Saturday Night and Sunday

Saturday night Lumen cooked a Haitian meal for us. Hope helped. Hope loves to help and be a little lady...earlier in the day she cheered with excitement when I brought out a basket of laundry to fold. Let's hope that continues. The meal was excellent, and the three of us ate with Lumen and her daughter, Roselande. Roselande also re-braided Hope's hair while they were here, which was very nice - and made Hope very happy. The menu was chicken creole, picklese (a cabbage and lime salad with a kick - I love it) Rice with Beans, and fried plantains. The plantains weren't as good as Britt's, but we had to make do. Hope, who usually eats like a bird, kept asking for food off of the other plates and looking in the empty serving dishes. I guess she likes her own cooking.

We are missing Tara and the girls and Jack very much. Only six more sleeps. Here's a song for you, honey:



Church was great today, it's filling back up now that missionaries are coming back from their summer vacations. The music was great. We had a small band today, and a great set of worship songs. Pierre, a Haitian who works with Campus Crusade for Christ, sang with us and it was great. He loves Haiti, loves to witness, and LOVES the Lord. That was fun for me.

We picked up a few groceries on the way home, then stopped in at the Tlocek's for lunch - they were having a birthday party for Byron. We ended up overstaying and overeating lasagna and having a wonderful time. (Please pray for Byron - my unprofessional but field expert diagnosis is that he has Dengue Fever, and their son Andrew currently has Malaria.)

This week will start off with a bang...I have an appointment with Eddie first thing in the morning. GREAT. He has some important paperwork for me to pick up, though, so I'll squeeze him in during my errand day in Port for the week. Pray for us as we drive around and try to accomplish much amidst a sea of people without much to accomplish.

Photos from MN

P.F. Changs is the greatest place in America. Starting at the right and going counter-clockwise- My dad, Britt, My Bro-in-law Matt, strangers at the table behind us, Noah, My mom, My sister Tina.

Britt, Matt, and new baby, Porter TroyNoah being cheesy with cousin Aidan, Matt and Tina's oldest.
Tina-Mom-Me More cheesy cousins

Must Sleep

I should be sleeping, but instead I am messing around reading blogs. I came across this post and liked this lady and her moxy. I know lots of you are from the world of adoption so I thought you might appreciate these thoughts. I did.

I miss Troy-boy. I am ready to go home now. I did not find my wedding ring yet. I have six more days for it to appear. Until then, see my new sterling silver band to serve as a TEMPORARY replacement. I gotta find it.

All three kids are going to church with me at our home church, we are excited. Then PF CHANG'S belated birthday lunch ... WOOT WOOT. I have been thinking about it all day. Sorry Troy. I should have warned you not to read this post. I will eat extra Kung-pow Chicken for you. Travel to church safely. I love you and miss you.

Have a good Sunday, be blessed.
tara