My Love Affair

When one is separate from the object of their desire or affection, odd things begin to happen. The mood can darken, smiles can be less frequent,  every little thing brings up a memory of the time one had with the love. One friend told me that during an absence from someone you love, your heart tricks your mind into either only remembering the best about the relationship, or remembering such an immense amount of good that is over-weighs whatever negative might have been experienced. The obviously best conclusion to a set of the proceeding events is to reunite and dwell happily forever after. But that rarely is the outcome. My friends, my heart is sick for Haiti.
There are many little reasons why I currently miss Port Au Prince. The general response from my extended family and strangers is “Wow, I’ll bet you are glad to be back!” I want to reply, “Well, when something you love is taken away so suddenly it is hard to be glad right away.” Now do not misunderstand. Life in Haiti was the hardest I have ever known. I was not always rosy and chipper and delighted with the daily trials I had to face. But as I said, the heart helps in overlooking those things.
I miss waking up to the sounds of people chattering on their way to their market stands, farmers yelling and directing their cows and pigs that they lead on long rope leashes, the neighbor maids cheerfully singing their off tune renditions of popular Haitian songs, children kicking cans or various pieces of trash in makeshift soccer games.
I miss texting Jennifer funny mishaps and questions on how to ask my Creole ONLY speaking driver to take me to a certain store or coffee house. I miss driving through pothole streets with insanely brave drivers honking their hellos as I take my babes to church. I miss Port Au Prince Fellowship with the beautiful mix of people from all different countries- people all sharing the same heart and desire to reach the hearts and souls of the Haitian people.  I miss my brothers, SonSon, Davidson, Kenty, Jon, Alex, Absolom, and the safe, loved feeling I felt as they carried my babes to and from various destinations and led us through the mazes of the back streets of Port Au Prince. Their smiles and hugs and kisses always brightened up my day.
I miss the sense of purpose as I made food everyday in large amounts of whatever we could afford so there was always a meal ready for whomever God or Abe brought my way. Hauling my medic bag with various remedies and medicines everywhere-knowing that at least one person would be sent to me each outing whom God could use my  hands for.
Purpose and direction can change so quickly, my friends. In a matter of seconds God can, and often does, reveal HIS will over the plans and hopes you have made and take as sealed and set in stone. Two years in one place can turn into a mere four months. Arrangements made for serving or celebrating can be voided.
Last night I had a dream that I was deep in a tropical forest. I was alone with my babes living in a small shack with a banana reef roof and a clear stream of water flowing by. My babes were gathering coconuts while I washed laundry in the stream and sang a Creole lullabye to two beautiful Haitian baby girls that were strapped to my back. I closed my eyes for a moment and drank in the sounds and smells around me, and when I opened them everything changed. I was in a cool, clean American home with the sounds of busy streets around me.  Sitting around me at a large beautiful wooden table were my babes and four other children I didn’t recognize whose facial features did not match the Barlow Bunch.  They were busy laughing and doing school. I realized that in my arms was a beautiful white baby boy who was smiling up at me with oxygen tubing attached to his sweet, broad face below his adorable brown, slanted, squinty eyes. The doorbell rang and I rose to open the door to a rough looking woman whom I invited in and shared coffee, prayer and left overs with as if we were old friends. Everything around me was so different from where I was a blink prior, but I was just as comfortable and filled with the same content sense of purpose.
I have had a hard time adjusting to the idea of being back in the states. While everything was so far from perfect in Haiti, there are ways that it seemed more safe and secure. Abe had an amazingly rewarding job. I had a house furnished with all it could hold. Love and purpose was all around me. This morning while I drank my coffee and pondered the vividness of my dream, God spoke to me. “This is your place. You are no more less use to me here in the backwoods of the Ozarks than you were in there heart of Port Au Prince.  You are where I have called you. Leave behind the bitter, unforgiving thoughts towards those whom you feel took away your mission. Realize that I have moved you where you are now. Continue to follow Me and I will continue to bless you, no matter where you happen to be. The world is small and the need is great. Trust me and I will continue to fill your heart and move your hands.”
Later today when I walk down to the Uelands house to use their internet, I will start the task I have avoided for so long and change the name and outlook of the BarlowBunch Blog. While no longer melting into Haiti, my prayer is that we will continue to melt into His will and follow His path for us, no matter where it may lead. <3

Together Again...In Missouri

All of the Barlow Bunch is together again. After the loooooongest week  and two days of my life Abe somehow managed to wrangle our four babes and get them from Port Au Prince to Springfield,Mo. Hurricane Sandy held them hostage for those nine day while I recovered from surgery...waiting as the seconds ticked so slowly by. I can not begin to tell you how giddy it makes me to hear my children playing again and feel their sticky sweet kisses and super snuggley hugs.
I am healing up from typhoid a bit slower than I would like. Although any healing at all would be a bit too slow for me. ;-) I am blessed to have a good Dr here and tests show that the typhoid bacteria is completely out of my system. I suppose I should be more patient as my organs recover from being in a slow cooker for so long...
Abe is currently on his way to *hopefully* purchase a car with the last week's wages he received from Haiti. He has plans to work at whichever one of three possible places pan out starting Monday. We are praying everything goes smoothly.
Missouri has been a lot chillier than we are used to, but thanks to an old friend and the generosity and kind hearts of a few people we have jackets and closed toe shoes! The air is so much drier here so Carol's and my skin are enjoying being slathered in lotion.
I am so grateful for the many kindnesses given by our dear Uelands as they let us stay in an "empty" house on their farm and have fed, loved and drive us around. I am anxious to be independent again and pay it forward. God is so merciful to allow us to fall here.
I still tear up when I think about those I had to part with in Haiti without even a hug or a sweet goodbye. My heart aches for the needs I could be filling there as my mind wonders how much good was really done during my four short months there. We were prepared for a minimum of two years. I can only trust that the Lord has His reasons.
Unpacking our bags here we have found several little pieces of Haiti. A lovely cockroach had hitched a ride in my medic bag and a happy round spider decided to stow away in the clothes. Papers and receipts, paintings and gourdes all popped up to bring another tear to my eye. I am reminded of Dr Seuss's quote, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Who knows where our next adventure will be? For now, it is here in the middle of the Ozarks in Missouri. And everywhere we go we will be dwelling in our mission field. <3

Am I Enough?

Looking back through various points in my life I see a repeating pattern. In the middle of marriage troubles (yes, we have those too) I heard God asking "Am I enough?"
My heart would answer, "Yes, but I still have Abe so everything will be alright."
 When my children were sick or hurt I again would hear Him ask "Am I enough?"
 "Yes, but  I have Drs and technology and money... so everything will be alright."
Through  three particularly painful miscarriages I heard Him... "Am I enough?"
 "Yes, but I still have my four babes so everything will be alright."
Upon hearing my life would be completely changed and my future was dwelling in a third world country, He pressed "Am I enough?"
 "Yes, but we still have good work and a place to live so... everything will be alright."
As my health took a turn and I found myself stuck in a foreign hospital fighting to stay alive He whispered, "Am I not enough, now?"
 "Yes, but this will soon be over. We have travel options and money and a good job so everything will soon be alright."
Recovering a country away from my little ones and feeling the emptiness of not having them near God asked "Am I enough?"
"Yes, but in just two more days I will be back in Haiti and life will continue as it should, safe and snug and everything will be alright."
I awoke from surgery in the recovery room. Everything still foggy. It all had gone very well. I was so close to having my life back. Waiting for me, just a plane ride away, were my babes. My house. A good job my husband enjoyed. My car. A growing Christian family around me. Purpose.
And then Abe said five little words that sent everything crashing around me.

"My contract was just terminated."

No valid reason. No complaints. No explanation. Just terminated.

I do not have to tell you the conflicting emotions and swirl of preparations that overfilled the next ten hours. Plane tickets were purchased, a tentative plan was hatched. I was sent alone to Missouri to recover with friends while Abe set off for Haiti for what would be a still continuing struggle to get himself and my babes back out of the country. The house was taken back. The car priveledges were gone. The "good" job denied. The only possessions we have, summer clothes and schoolbooks are packed into suitcases, waiting as Abe fights for tickets back to the states. There is no job. No promise of a worldly future. No car. All of our savings were spent on medical bills last week.

Last night as I laid in a borrowed bed, tears streaming, alone and cold... once again I heard Him.
 "My dear child. Am I enough?"
No. As long as the flesh battles my heart for standing ground, You are not enough. The constant conflict for what I want and what I need is ever before me. Until the day I die and You graciously call me home to You, I will never understand why admitting that You alone are ALL I need is so impossible for my earthly mouth. My soul cries, "Yes! Abba, YOU are all I need. You are enough." But my sinful self pitifully lies, "Yes, but..."
I can no longer find an ending. Without You there will be no "everything will be alright." Help me to always remember, as I know as soon as my family is here around me again, I will forget so easily...that You are enough. You are All. You Are.

Aint No HIPPA in Haiti

Hello, my dear friends. I have been off of this for so long-it is almost unacceptable. But let me tell you a little of what the last 19 days have been filled with...
Apparently there are several diseases that are endemic in Haiti. It makes sense as everything takes so long to happen in Haiti that ridding the land of nastiness like prominent developed nations have done should take several decades longer...
Typhoid is one such disease that you do not really hear about in the States, but is of high occurrence in Haiti. I have no idea where I could have come into contact with Salmonella typhi. It's not like we walk on sewer sprinkled streets, or buy water by the rusty truck full for our household use, or come into contact with food that could (and probably do) have a long history of touching many not so clean hands... Let me just say that I am eternally grateful that I was the one to become so greatly acquainted with Typhoid and not one of my dear, sweet babes.
After suffering on and off with what I thought was, at first, a flare up of my auto-immune disease, then a nasty flu...I finally succumbed to reason and allowed Abe to drag my fever spent body to the hospital. I spent four days in a Haitian hospital where my blood pressure was taken once, sort of. The needles used by nurses to fill my body with Typhoid fighting antibiotics were left lying around or stuck into my IV fluid bag. Abe fought off various insects for the food brought to me. Which I couldn't eat anyways. Apparently Typhoid chases away any appetite one once had. Nine total days with only IV fluid...I have lost 20 pounds. :-)
Typhoid was a formidable foe to say the least, but he called in a Calvary of gallstones to his aid. One such stone lodged quite painfully in a bile duct and left me even more jaundice, pained, and vomitous. Did you know the term for ripping a gallbladder from one's body is a Cholecystectomy? I didn't until we gathered from a Creole speaking Dr that I needed-that.
Once the battle against Typhoid could be managed with oral antibiotics instead of IV ones, we paid our bills (in full so the shot gun wearing guard would let us out of the hospital), I removed the most painful IV I have EVER experienced from my puffy swollen hand, (apparently the nurses don't do that either. I am lucky they didn't make ME put the IV in. I suppose I could have...might have hurt less) and we hobbled to pack up our things and fly to Miami.
Let me take a sad moment to interject that my sweet babes were NOT allowed to see me at all in the Haitian hospital. My dear American friends kept them safe and loved at their home, then didn't visibly blink an eye when they offered to keep my babes for another week while we headed to Miami for surgery and a real medicinal retort to Typhoid. I was able to hold them for a couple of hours before our rushed flight to Miami and as of now have not even heard their sweet voices in a week.
After a rather painful flight we arrived in Miami and have spent the last 6 days in Dr offices and Mercy hospital going through test after test after test.
My surgery is today.
At one pm.
There are, obviously, a lot more details and funny moments as well as tears and frustrations intertwined in this story, but as the time approaches for my first surgery EVER I suppose there are a few things I should do. Like shower. Plan my recovery. Mentally prepare for my flight tomorrow. And keep the excitement for finally seeing my babes tucked safely away. Wouldn't want anything to jinx a seamless surgery and recovery. ;-)
More stories and details to come...AFTER I am not doped up. Have a wonderful day and know that through it all, many miracles and blessings have been poured upon me. I am humbled at how everything consistently continues to scrape through and work out.

Scrambled Thoughts and Rambles

So, I am in the throes of trying to figure out how to get a permis de sejour. It is required if you stay longer than three months in Haiti. I am a little behind. :-p The cost is daunting-even more so when Abe called to inform me that today he had a boot placed on the car. The officer cited him for "parking too close to the corner"...SonSon was livid, saying it was more of a "white man entered bank" fee.

The "Village" we live in has another guard. It was sad to see the last one go as the kids and I were quite fond of him, and he was very fond of sharing dinner with us. :-) But apparently there was some breech of trust between him and the lady who is in charge of our place. The new guard is very young, but so far has been on top of everything and can play a wicked game of football with the babes!
Security here has been risen, which IS a good thing. Just rather annoying. Every one who enters the gate that does not reside here has to sign in a book and take a numbered visitor's badge. The lady in charge (also the neighbor whom I have to try very hard to remain sweet to) has decided that because I "never leave the village" I am the logical person to be in charge of the book. I can see the mayhem now. sigh. Perhaps this will force some better Creole into me.

On the up side, we are soon going to get our own well so we will not have to pay for water to be hauled in AND the abundance of tadpoles in my wash water should diminish greatly! Razor wire will soon be twirled up on top of the concrete fence that surrounds us and flowers are soon to be planted into our empty beds. The four remaining empty houses are soon to receive their new owners. We were told the other day that we moved in before the place was "fully functional". I asked if that meant there would be constant electricity and a cease fire in the fight for water. I was laughed at. Hey, a girl can dream can't she?

I was able to find a way to receive packages from the states without using the postal service here. Which is a phantom, by the way. I am nearly certain it does not exist. I am crossing my fingers as I wait to receive our first box from our home church in Moab.

Oh dear. My sweet daughter and adorable baby are breaking rule number 3. Don't play in the rock pile. Such a terrible rule, I know. Carol's shirt is currently filled with gravel and dust. Isaiah looks like a ghost. It IS rather cute, but rules are rules. I suppose I shall have to punish them with a bucket bath and a few tickles. Better get on it while the sun still shines...

Bath successful. You can only haul that bucket so far and bringing all that mud and dust into my house sounded absurd so...they got a Haitian bath. Outside in a bucket. :-D There were a few too many giggles for it to be a punishment but I made sure the neighbors heard me sternly admonish their romp in the pile first.

Yesterday while I was driving to the bank and market the front left tire on our old Honda CRV completely turned independently to the left and then proceeded to bend towards the ground. It was right in front of a sweet toothless lady's "shoe store". I felt bad that we were blocking the view of her wares from passerbys, but she was sweet enough to hand Abe a burlap sack to sit upon while we waiting for the company mechanic to arrive. I wished I could have bought some shoes from her, but as we had not gotten to the bank yet I had to be content leaving her with a small coin. I REALLY wish I had been able to buy some as the flip flop I was wearing broke later in the day. :-p
We were rescued from the heat and stares by a sweet American friend who has been there, done that. We have been so blessed to find a church to worship in and new friends.

Sigh. Babes are requesting dinner and the floors are whining about the dirt they have acquired today. It is time to start the generator too. The neighbors here can not, or will not exert the energy to start it. I made a Haitian driver laugh the other day when he learned I started my own generator, hauled my own water, hot wired my own car (the starter doesn't work :-P) and drove all over Port Au Prince. White American Women may be impatient, but we get stuff done. ;-)

Have a wonderful night. More later!

Husband, Food and 80 days

Yesterday I experienced the first total bomb of a dinner since arriving in Haiti. It is with a degree of humility, believe it or not, that I tell you creating yummy dinners is a specialty of mine. Perhaps my brain was fried from the constant battle for usable water and occasional power. The size of my pocketbook usually does not dictate the quality of dinner in the Barlow home. But for some reason, my usual three ingredient challenge overcame my Super powers, and dinner....well it was really quite horrid. I am anxious for pay day so I can restock our cupboards and try again.

Abe has been working every single day of the week, leaving while the neighbor's roosters prophesy the coming of the sun and arriving home long after she resigns in beautiful, exotic hues and leaves us to the gentle solace of warm tropical rain. The school they are trying to finish opens on Monday and they will resort to working from two in the afternoon to two am. We have played at that shift before and I feel I can successfully slide our schedule a little to ease his. I used to think the older the kids were the easier it would be to keep them quiet while Daddy slept-but I have learned that bigger kids make bigger noises. ;-) I am anxious for this job to be over. The dark circles are starting to move in and Abe can hardly form a coherent sentence that does not include "Stud placement" "Plah Bon" or "Magboard"...

This week Abe was able to witness the graduation of several of "his guys" from the work program. You see, when Abe left us in the states earlier this year and came here for three months alone, his main work was teaching general construction to a group of unemployed Haitian men in a classroom, then continuing their education "hands-on" at various job sites. Since coming back in July Abe has been supervising and working with the very men he trained. They have now finished their training and were awarded not only with pieces of paper stating such, but with a sense of pride in their accomplishment and hard work. Such a blessing to see a successful training system at work. My husband puts in tireless hours with these men, repeating lessons over and over until they are learned, rising above frustrations, overcoming language and class barriers-earning their trust and confidence. Some of the stories Abe shares with me about the lives of the men he mentors are heart breaking and sensitive by nature. I try to remember to pray faithfully for them. For their families. For their salvation. For their dreams and aspirations. So much is possible when opportunity is given.

A lot has come into perspective for me in the last 80 days and I have no doubt my heart and mind will continue to sway and bend as God shows me the path HE wants for my life. My time spent has changed from holding two jobs for the public service, being active in my church and community and playing super soccer mom, to being a stay at home mommy. And while "stay at home Mom" in the states is considered an ironic oxy-moron, a "stay at home Mom" in Haiti is exactly that. I stay at home.

Twice a week, three if we are able to go to church, I venture from the security of my little house and take in the world around me. Both afternoons are filled with market shopping. One afternoon inevitably ends up filled with make shift clinic meetings with the family members of the men Abe works with that have maladies varying from traumatic injuries obtained from daring falls to infections to feminine concerns... For a few moments while writing notes and getting a history from so and so's sister's friend's brother, I am nostalgic for my EMS work in Moab, then I rush off to purchase various remedies and restock my bandage supply. It still makes me smile when I think of how those in need come into contact with me. I don't set out looking for them. Usually they come on days when I have resigned my lot to be content with stay at home mothering. ;-) Being able to apply a bandage, give a medicine, hand a few gdes to an empty hand is like dessert after a satisfying meal. It would have been enough to have the tasty dinner, but the occasional dessert just sets everything perfect.

All of my food similes must be transferred through brain waves as my babes are asking for lunch. Let's see if we can manage some simple, tasty bread.

Be well, my friends... and go thank whomever is responsible for your tap actually pouring water into the sink. ;-)

Proverbs a la Ellie 1-30

I was reading Proverbs this morning after Abe left and before the babes woke up. As I drank up such tidbits of wisdom as "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise" and "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it" and "Do not devise harm against your neighbor, while he lives in security beside you"...

I started to think of a few of the wise things I have learned while living with the Haitians so far...

1~Sometimes the water you draw from the well will have bugs in it. And tad poles.
2~Always be kind to your children when they make mistakes or get hurt while playing too roughly. It will set a stark contrast and set an example of kindness to mothers around you.
3~Even the old gramma lady begging in the street needs to eat.
4~"One week" in Haiti really means one month. Or two. Or three.
5~Let go of your schedule and plans. They will never come to fruition if you are counting on them.
6~ALWAYS carry a little medical kit around...with a lot disinfectant.
7~The man who smiles happily at you at the job site's gate behind his shotgun every day is a person. He has problems. Possibly big ones. Pray for him. His daughter may be dying because there is not enough of her type of blood in the bank. His girlfriend might be pregnant again with no way to supplement their meager income. Just smiling back is not enough. Pray.
8~A bundle of six carrots can be bought for less than 500 gdes. sigh. Just remember to talk down the skin tax!
9~If you are driving a vehicle, it WILL break down at some point during your day.
10~If you have a driver, he will be late. Very late. But he will smile and say "Bonjour" like nothing was wrong...
11~A paper towel makes an acceptable coffee filter, but clean it out after use or you will find pretty pink fluffy mold in it the next morning.
12~The little boy that is ALWAYS standing at the same street corner in the same clothes might not get any other gourdes except the few you hand his way.
13~Just assume that everyone you meet is hungry and would like to eat. Act accordingly.
14~Not everyone has water flowing from their kitchen spout. If you do, be very very grateful.
15~The yummy looking little packets of juice powder at the market have aspartame in them and are NASTY!
16~ Mosquito bites will, eventually, stop itching.
17~ALWAYS have at least two extra servings of dinner prepared each night, because chances are Abe will bring four extra men with him for dinner after finding out they have no food at home for the night.
18~Adding some water and extra seasoning to supper stretches it quite nicely when four extra empty tummies turns out to be five. Or six.
19~Trash can be turned into the most interesting toys. And household items.
20~The flour and pancake mix you buy at the market will probably have four generations of bugs at various stages of growing and decomposing in it.
21~A piece of mail is reason for much jumping, squealing, yelling and dancing.
22~Never be surprised at a stranger telling you exactly what they think about your parenting skills. It will happen. And it won't be pretty.
23~Hand stitching is tedious and boring, but the smiles after you complete the project make it so worth it!
24~If there is only one liter of drinking water left for the evening, it will be spilled.
25~You will be so lonely sometimes you will start talking about your day and troubles and happy moments to the maid across the way- and she will smile and say "yes,yes" even though she has no blessed idea what you are saying.
26~A husband who works seven days a week, for 12+ hours a day will be tired. His wife having a hot meal ready and a sweet tempered mouth is essential to his well being. If you have a particular trying day, be sure to unload to the maid before he comes home. Always smile while unloading so she doesn't think you are possessed.
27~If you buy something that needs to be refrigerated you will be without power for the next three to seven days in a row.
28~One can get over the gag reflex that follows the inevitable whiff of a nearby sewer. Sometimes it will catch you by surprise so always have an empty cup or trash bag close by just in case.
29~Aprons are just as useful now as a century ago. Have many.
30~Whining about a circumstance without making an effort to change it is like leaving chicken raw in the pot because you do not want to light the fire. Sure, the matches here sometimes explode when struck, the fire building can be messy and painful, and the chicken may take FOREVER to fully cook. The pot might overturn and spoil, or the wind might blow out the fire forcing you start at the beginning again, but you must start. Strike the match. Keep at it. Make a difference.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Existing is not enough. You. Must. Pray. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A serving of fun, with just a pinch of my heart...

I am very tired tonight after experiencing the joy of running around Port Au Prince ALL day. Grandma sent some $ for a gift and the babes and I set out early to see what treasures we could find. We ended up with a soccer ball, a dart gun, a musical drum/shaker/tambourine set, and pop beads. :-) Mommy got a little set of 4 coffee/tea cups with saucers (if you know me, you know my PASSION with tea cups and having coffee ready for visitors) and the icing on the cake?!
                                                     !!!!!!!!PILLOWS!!!!!!
We have managed to live two months without them and I had finally pinched enough to get us each a plumpy pillow. The kids were excited to sleep "American style" as Adam put it, and I am anxious to lay my weary head on my own new pillow. A spiderman top sheet that we brought with us from the states will soon be cut and hand stitched into four  pillowcases. We are very happy Barlows.

I was able to drive around all morning while with the babes under the instruction of a Haitian driver. After our shopping I came home and met our wonderful Tender, Asaline, and the babes settled down to play the rainy afternoon away. It is so good to see how treasured and joyfully used new toys can be when they are the only ones in the house. We brought several cars and legos for the boys, but they were stolen while we were living at the Guest house waiting for our own safe place to lock up. CarolAnne made it with one baby doll, but lost her barbies there as well. I am not altogether sorry for our loss there. Some little child is playing with our lost toys, I am sure. And now we have the fun of starting over again. :-)

After I left the kids I headed back to Abe's work on the other side all by myself. I am somewhat proud of that accomplishment. I only made 2 wrong turns which is a blessing considering EVERY street corner looks alike! Abe and I were able to get some frusia le creme on the way home and even managed to have a real conversation while driving through the rain and flooded streets. (It has been raining a lot lately)

After returning home I drew the short straw and drove Asaline home. It gave me some time to use the radio and who should I find floating through the waves than Tenth Avenue North and Matt Redmond. Such a blessing to my weary heart! You see, I have had terrible trouble lately dealing with anger and resentment towards a few people in my life, both here in Haiti AND back at home. Oh, I keep it quiet and try to show grace and love but deep inside, I know the bitter gall that wells up in my soul when ever I think about certain circumstances and things that have occurred and been said. I have been struggling and praying about this so much. And do you know...the song that played as soon as I turned on the radio (I honestly did not even know we had a Christian English station here!) Was Tenth Ave North's Losing. A few of the lyrics are as follows:

I can't believe what she said

I can't believe what he did

Oh, don't they know it's wrong?

Don't they know it's wrong?

Maybe there's something I missed

But how could they treat me like this?

It's wearing out my heart

The way they disregard

This is love, this is hate...

We all have a choice to make

Oh, Father won't You forgive them?

They don't know what they've been doing

Oh, Father, give me grace to forgive them

'Cause I feel like the one losing

Well it's only the dead that can live

But still I wrestle with this

To lose the pain that's mine

Seventy times seven times

'Cause Lord it doesn't feel right

For me to turn a blind eye

Though I guess it's not that much

When I think of what You've done.

We think pain is owed apologies and then it'll stop
But truth be told it doesn't matter if they're sorry or not
Freedom comes when we surrender to the sound
Of mercy and Your grace, Father, send Your angels down!


Oh, Father, give me grace to forgive them
'Cause I feel like the one losing
I feel like I've been losing

There. It spoke to my heart, and if any of you saw the crazy white woman wiping her eyes while driving down the bumpy mess of a road that is Frerre with music on so loud you could feel it, thank you for not staring too much. :-)

Have a blessed night. 

<3 Ellie

Two Months In Haiti! (With Pics ;-) )

(Due to the loading and reloading made necessary by the power system here, the blog loaded oddly. My apologies!)

Two months in Haiti...Our old life drifts farther into memory with each day. How diffferent each challenge here is from those I faced back home. At the end of some days now I feel stronger and more confident. Accomplished. When my babes are all tuckered out from a productive day filled with school, laughter and outside play and are sweetly snuggled onto their beds in their little room while wearing only undies...When the kitchen is gleaming, the floors mopped and the toilet flushed successfully with ONE bucket of water...When supper is warm and waiting for my husband to enjoy in soft, but necessary candle light when he arrives home... When laundry is washed and waiting for the morning sun to whisk away the last drops of water...

These endings are starting to out number the bad ones.

You know, the ones with giant spiders ready to haul off your first born, neighbors who REALLY want you to go back to America-and stay there, buckets of water sloshed on the tile resulting in a domino effect of little bodies slip sliding away-then cry crying all day, food spoiling as you go through yet another day with no power, MILLIONS of flies deciding to join in on your living space...

Those days. :-) 

 

 

The past week and a half we have been living at our new home in Pernier... (Chalk drawing are such fun and wash right off in the rain at night)

 

Adam made several robot suits out of boxes

 Melinda came and helped assemble furniture, which meant Dawee got to come too! It was a squishy ride in the four seater truck, but we managed happily Haitian style.

Carol was too excited to be of much help ;-)

 

 

After a full day of assembling furniture and cleaning we headed back to the Guest House for our last night there. Sunday after church we got the last of our things and and then spent the first night in Pernier. (Just so  you know, it it still in Port Au Prince.)

 

Monday Morning smiles!

 

We adopted a little female kitty who was unfortunately VERY wild. It has taken two weeks for her to warm up to me and much to the dismay of the Babes, she still runs at fast movements and loud little mouths. We really never see her during the day, but at night she comes inside to eat and get some loving. The kids named her Panda, but secretly I call her Louisa. Just seems like it fits better.

 

 

 

Here there is no running water in the houses. We are hooked up to the tanks,but the plumber has not finished the final touches yet. In the mean time we haul our single bucket to the corner of our community and dip water from a small well type structure. The water stays cool within the concrete walls, but after a while it does start to smell a little musty. I am eternally grateful that water is so accessable. The nearest well that the locals here haul water from is a block away, and I have seen many travel nearly a mile to fill their buckets.

 

Laundry, when done the proper Haitian way, is executed with at least two smallish size tubs and a vast array of different soaps. I Just couldn't envision squatting over the tubs for hours and instead used a modified method that my mom used when she had to wash our clothes in a bath tub. With hauled water. Sometimes I wonder if Mom was a Haitin in another life. Seriously, I am doing nothing different in keeping house than SHE did while we waited for power and water while living in Arizona. She is my ideal, and while I am not entirely sure she did not whine and whimper whilst off in a quiet corner like I sometimes do, I never heard her complain...

Ellie Method- Haul several buckets of water and dump them into "tub" (It took a bit of figuring to stop it up) Add soap and dirty laundry- stir with a thick discarded piece of PVC pipe and let soak until you have caught your breath. If the clothes are especially stained or dirty OR are sock and underwear scrub Haitian style with a bar of laundry soap. Yes. They make bars of laundry soap. Next, stand in the tub and put the old Aerobics instructor to shame with the best version of the "washing machine" ever seen. Continue until the clothes on your back are wetter with sweat than those under your feet. Drain the water, refill with fresh water and add the Downy. Stir the cloths again with the pipe. Soak until you can breath again. Drain the water. Wring the water out of each article of clothing. Practicing war yells can aid in this step.

 

Remember to NEVER hang your underwear where they can be seen! Old Rebar from the fench can be bent down to make lovely underwear drying racks behind the house. Be sure to wash the rust off!

 Finding a communal drying place should be easy. Just find the nearest spot with a good amountold electric wire and twine that can be twisted into a spider web of drying space. The maids across the street strung up a very nice place under
the water tanks that
still do us absolutely
 no good. Notice the
Adam smiling at you??

We have settle into our 342 sq feet very nicely. My babes agreed to model the house for you...

Carol got stage fright and decided to leave it to the boys...

Our little fridge and FOUR drawers!           My dishes

My adorable little stove. I used the oven today for the first time to make bread. The tempreture stops at 240 degrees, but it was still greatly successful! I have a feeling our Thanksgiving turkey will be roasted outside over a fire.

  OH! And by the way....

A great thanks to my sweet sister, Anita Jean, who's letter made our first week even brighter! Second piece of mail so far! Love you Annie!

And, Ladies and Gentlemen, as promised-

MY COOKING POT!!!!!!!!

 

Thank you all for being so patient with my sporadic blogging. I will be soooo happy when we can have power EVERY night (As will my fridge!)  Goodness, could you imagine having power during the day?!?!?!?!
                                                      All our love and prayers to you!

A quick update!

The sounds of drills, saws, and men speaking loudly are all around me. I have come to use a little bit of internet time at the job before Abe is ready to head home with me!

Melinda had a friend who needed a little employment... So Assanine is our new nanny two days a week. The kids already knew her through Melinda and she has such a sweet temperament. I am very blessed. Each Tuesday and Saturday she comes over to Pernier (the ACTUAL way to spell Penye) and cleans the house, baths the kids and washes what laundry has accumulated since Sunday. I am able to take one babe to the market with me each week and have Darlin time also. ;-D

The little girl from across the street, named Alyssa, had found her way into our house and woke me up this morning with bright Creole chatter and big brown eyes. She stayed for breakfast. And Lunch. And Snack. ;-) She was enthusiastic about helping us do school, and to the credit of my easily distracted babes-they ALL did very well. Today Alyssa learned how to use scissors. Sort of. She is IN LOVE with the glue stick.

After breakfast every day we move our little table to the couch (so Mom can have a seat) and the school day begins. Adam usually goes outside to sit on the porch as it is quieter. We try to get everything finished before lunch as right at noon it gets nearly unbearably hot in the house and we find ourselves lying out flat on our tile porch begging for breezes. The maids that keep house right across from us do the same and the early afternoon is spent with lazy looks and friendly smiles.

We received our second piece of mail here in Haiti-a letter from my little sister Annie. For those of you who do not know, I have an amazingly supportive, loving family back in Arizona. I am the eldest of 8 and my four youngest siblings still live at home where Mom continues to homeschool. It was recently my Daddy's birthday so today's outing included searching for envelopes so we could send the many drawings and cards my babes made up. I still have to figure out where the post office is...

Alright Abe is here. We need to hurry home! More later

NEW HOUSE!

Well, my dears. We did it. After  60 days we finally made it into our new house. I chuckled this evening when I realized it is the first house we have lived in that is brand new- and just by judging the quality of the construction it appears to have been lived in quite a while already. ;-)

There is no power hooked up yet, which is the reason for my loooong absence!  Tonight we have a generator and are able to play a little bit.

School has gone very well and served to distract the babes from the little things they are doing without- power, running water, a vehicle at our disposal... I am grateful for the four hours I am able to get out of them each day. It makes waiting for Daddy to come home so much easier!

I was resting on the couch wishing for a breeze Wednesday when I started counting tiles. I checked with Abe to be sure our math was correct and we have somehow managed to fit six people into a 342 sq ft home. Give or take a couple of inches. The babes have a bedroom just for sleeping, Abe and I have a bedroom just for sleeping, and a little table and four chairs sits opposite a rather comfy wooden couch with pillow like cushions in the living area. The room we would definitely miss if we were living in the middle of down town is made up in the yard of the small gated community we are now in. The babes find all sorts of adventures within the guarded gate and they all have very impressive tans.

The kitchen consists of a small camping type fridge and freezer, a single sink set in three feet of pretty countertop, one full cupboard and the CUTEST little stove/oven I have ever seen. It doesn't have a spot to fit so it resides in the back door with an equally adorable propane take attached out the back. I have not used the oven part yet as I do not have anything to bake in, but am hoping to get a pan and try to squeeze two or three cookies into it!  I was able to score six plates, four forks and a frying pan at the street market, Oh, and an old pot. :-) I love my pot!

Without electricity most of the time I have been forced to buy only what we can eat in a couple of days which has done wonders with money management.  The lack of running water has been a bit of a frustration as we have to walk to the corner and fill up our only  bucket there. I am SUPER grateful for a toilet that can flush, however, and the guard has been most obliging in fetching me a random bucket of water here and there. The babes did not even blink twice at being bathed from a bucket, although I found it rather painful to try to wash my hair unassisted!  The laundry situation... I will comment on THAT one later. sigh. (I miss Maytag...)

We have a car lined up for us and soon Abe and I will become truly acclimated to Port Au Prince as we will be forced to navigate the streets unaided. I am anxious and excited! I will still have a guard to ride with me and the kids when we venture out. Don't worry. I just will no longer take up the company's driver's valuable time.

I am leary of taking too long with this as the fuel in the generator is due to run out very soon. Know that we are alive, well, and yes- happy. It never ceases to amaze me how much appreciation and joy you can get from such simple things. Like a pot. Did I mention I LOVE my old pot?? I will have to post a picture. <3

Mobile Clinic Wannabe

While dragging myself out of bed to traipse through Port Au Prince in the rain with a raging headache and drippy nose was not on my list of preferred activities yesterday, I am ALWAYS glad to get out and about.

Abe woke me up with a phone call and arranged to get me shopping money for the market and then proceeded to line out a meeting with some ladies who suffered from various maladies needing antibiotics, assessments and medication. Relatives of members of the crew he runs who's illness was brought to his attention. Abe is always so good at actually listening AFTER the programmed "How are you today" greeting. And if everything is not okay, well then he finds a way to make it so! When it was all said and done, I am glad I was able to be a part of a few people's better day.

The driver picked me up and Davidson, who just happened to still be in town, came along for the ride to interpret. He was a trooper as we drove through slow windy streets to eventually squish into a tiny bedroom where he translated a long list of potentially embarrassing female issues. How thoughtful of God to bring someone into my life who actually had a job interpreting for an American Dr in a local hospital. He always has everything planned out to a T!

I had a slight idea of what the patients were going to need so I stopped by a few pharmacies and stores to get certain items and pills I knew they would not be able to afford. Cut into our grocery budget a bit, but all in all I was very pleased to be able to find most of what I needed. It surprised me how many scary items are available to the public here without a prescription. Also duly noted is the lack of FDA approval on everything I purchased. I am eternally grateful for the small arsenal of remedies I was able to bring from the States.

After spending FOREVER drilling into the ladies how to properly execute the treatments I gave out we headed for the market. I should have added earlier that, as it was Adam's turn to go to the market with me, he was forced to patiently tag along in all my adventures. His GI Joes got a LOT of play time with him.

We used the rest of my weekly allowance and even found someone willing to sell me eggs for a fair price. Right as we were wrapping it up Abe called and asked for me to hurry to the job site. While one man was taken to the hospital for attempting to sever his hand on a saw, another fell from a ladder and was not behaving normally. They didn't have a driver to take him to the hospital and as they make glorified band aid stations look desirable, the nearby hospital would not be able to scan his head for injuries even IF he would be able to afford it. I was anxious to get my hands on some real trauma again, but you may all rest assured that my blood lust is still unquenched. Once I arrived he had come to and while he had the typical symptoms of a decent concussion, his skull, neck and back were sound. I patched up his shoulder, elbow and knee without needing to break out the suture kit and left him with pain killers for the morning and strict instructions for his brother to watch him. I wanted him to go home, but finally succumbed to promises from Abe that he would stay off of ladders and sit for the rest of the shift. Well, it was good for me. ;-)

I made it home as the end of my headache medicine and Theraflu approached. Tired and happy to be useful again I organized and reassessed my supplies. I will need some refills soon. Any one wanna come visit?!

a Few Pictures

After we made it home Sunday Daddy still somehow
 had enough energy to help the babes "fly!"

Isaiah goes the highest!

Wish I could add the giggles!

Dawee does NOT like to fly. He prefers
to laugh and watch.

Even Adam is not too big-yet!

The concrete pics I promised.

Loading the mixer

Test video. Hope it works!!!!

With that...have a great night!

Mental Pictures

Tomorrow will mark day 50 in Haiti! And I have the nastiest cold. Sigh. I've felt it coming on for a couple of days and today I have officially turned into the swamp monster. Dripping, whining, grouchy, tired, "make one more bounce on this bed and I'll make YOUR head fall off with mine" type of awfulness.
Yesterday we arose on time, got dressed, fed, SonSon and Davidson came over to accompany us to church...and then-we waited. And waited. And waited. And waited. Needless to say despite dozens of phone calls we never actually got to see our driver.
Around noon SonSon mentioned taking the tap tap to his mother's house-she had been planning on us sharing dinner with her after church. As the time for church service had come and gone, we smoothed out our wrinkles, rebrushed our hair, reapplied our shoes (Yes, my boys STILL take them off every chance they get) and headed out the door.
If I had a Christmas wish it would be a camera. There was so much beauty to capture on our adventure! If I had pictures this is what they would have been of...
~Carolanne snuggled into Davidson as he carried "my baby" EVERYWHERE. His over 6 foot frame and long strong arms made it that much sweeter.
~Isaiah pulling his IJoe monkey everywhere with him-and sharing it with a stranger on one of the 6 tap taps we shuttled on.
~The smile of aforementioned stranger who looked like she was having a REALLY bad day.
~Thaddaeus's big blue eyes as he unabashedly said hello to everyone in EVERY tap tap.
~The contrasting enormous soft brown eyes of the beautiful baby boy I was able to hold as we bumped down the streets in a very crowded, hot tap tap.
~Adam's endless energy as we walked, rode, bumped, hiked, climbed, and slid through the wet muddy hillside of Port Au Prince.
~The long, wet, winding, narrow alley cracks and crannies we marched through endlessly while attempting to reach SonSon's family's home.
~The naked local children smiling and cool from a rousing water fight amongst the goats and pigs in the trash piles.
~Tents being rebuilt out of tarps, wood and scrap metal by smiling, singing men and women.
~Bright colors that were on every wall of the home that was opened to us.
~Kisses and hugs and play time that were shared with the 3 children living in the small one bedroom dwelling.
~SonSon's mother's smile as she filled our bellies.
...I could go on forever. With the power being off due to the storm we were not able to charge the cell phone I use for my pictures. The next time we go, for I dearly hope for a next time, we shall try for a day with power and charged phones. It was a wonderful day. <3

Concrete and Hurricanes

I know I have not been posting as I should. I PROMISE it is not due to me tiring of writing to you all. I wish it was because I am as wonderfully busy as I used to be. I've just honestly been in a bit of an Eeyore mood and writing to you in that state is never a good idea...

We have been awaiting the arrival of Tropical Storm Isaac all day. The latest word is that it will turn into a hurricane before it hits us. While living in Missouri and Tennessee I have seen a few tornadoes, this will be my first experience with a hurricane. I have the feeling it will not be my last. :-/

 Abe went to work for a bit but ended early. We were able to pick him up and then head out to Penye to see how ready our little houses ISN'T. Another week perhaps. Who knows. sigh. Patience has never been my strong point and it is clear God has been giving me chances to exercise that muscle.

While picking Abe up for work we got to see a Haitian concrete delivery. I am quite impressed. Two rows of men lined up on the ground, up the ladders and onto the roof where they were pouring the concrete. They handed bucket after bucket rapidly along the line like they were trying to put out a fire. Positioned at the beginning of the line was an old mixer and men shoveling concrete mix, crushed rock and water into it. Quite the efficient system. Of course, I took pictures. I will post them once the camera charges up again!


Abe is in the kitchen cooking up the pancake batter I made. I had a slight melt down that involved Melinda, money, food, and bugs. Once again working that patience muscle. Abe took over making the pancakes so I would not find it necessary to activate a different muscle towards something that might be living. I love my Abe. I think the hormone cream I have been using might be working a bit too well...

We were able to skype our dear family in Missouri this evening. It was a rather crazy, crowded call with everyone (including Dawee) trying to talk at once and fill the camera space. It was so nice to see their faces and connect with them. Even got to see Grandpa Ueland and Uncle Steve. :-)

The wind is starting to pick up now. My friend in the Dominican Republic just informed me that their power is out as they feel the effects of the storms outskirts. hmmmm. Freaky. There went our power.  I am glad we have this back up system.

Adam has arrived with my pancakes. I am off to love on my kids, kiss up the hubs and wait out this storm. Wind is really picking up now. Love to you all!

Grandma Dorcas

I wish I could say I have been silent this passed week out of busy-ness. But it was the declining health and eventual passing of a dear sweet woman of God that quieted my heart and slowed my fingers. May I take a moment to remember and give thanks for the wonderful role model, encouraging mother figure, and strong godly woman that was our adopted Grandma, Dorcas Ueland. 

When Abe and I explained to our babes that she had gone to Heaven, Adam grew very somber and thoughtful. Carolanne started crying. Thaddaeus looked confused... but Isaiah's reaction was priceless. He took a moment of thought then his eyes grew so big and the brightest look of hope I have ever seen came over his little face. 

"Mommy, Grandma Dorcas DIED?!" he exclaimed.

"Yes she did, Sweety." I sniffled.

"Then she is in Heaven! With Aunt Jemima's little tiny baby!" He then did the sweetest victory dance that stopped almost as soon as it started. His brow wrinkled with concern.

"But she won't be with baby Cherry anymore." I could see his four year old mind working hard. "I have to love baby Cherry while she's gone in Heaven." 

I assured him that Aunt Jemima, Grandma Dorcas' daughter, would give all the loving sufficient for her second daughter, Cherry. As soon as the care of the babies were sorted out Isaiah was content. 

What a sweet reminder that we are to focus our attention not only on the one who left this world, but most importantly to those left behind to grieve. Those who are waiting to see her again. My prayers and love go to Grandma Dorcas' ten children, husband, and brother Jimmy who will continue on here while eagerly looking forward to embracing her again-whole and well, in a place where cancer has no home. 

Mommies and Prayer

This morning I lost it. And so I did what any little girl does when she needs comfort and guidance. I called my Mommy. I told her all that I am going to share on here, and a lot more that I just can't. I laughed with her as we discussed the similarities of my husband with hers (yes, I married a man JUST like my Daddy) and I "laid my head on her shoulder" and cried HARD over things I feel powerless to change. After detailing all the heartaches and troubles and impossible things to do, her final response was... "Go to it! And PRAY before you go at it!" I am so blessed to have a mother who kisses my boo-boos from so far away and ALWAYS encourages me to give it my all. I LOVE YOU, MOM!

<3 My Mom<3

Well. Ahem. Anyways. The past few days have been eventful. :-D

Thursday I took my babes out to see our little house in Penye. I was discouraged at the lack of progress that has been made, but Josue (the project manager) seems dead set that it will be ready for us next week. I am setting my sights for next month so I don't get disappointed. The kitchen cabinets WERE mostly built. It was fun to watch as the carpenter planed and sanded each piece by hand with NO power tools.  See the wonderful red colored walls in the kitchen??? LOVE IT!

Three houses along the Right side are all the same. Concrete with little slat windows- good for hurricane season!!!

This one is actually our house. The 1/2 white wall will soon be bright yellow
:-)

Everywhere we go my kids have guardians. ESPECIALLY whenever they try to touch the floor with their skin. Even with their barefeet skin. If one of my babes drops food on an inside floor and reaches to pick it up-even if it is inside the house, EVERY adult hand reaches out to slap their hands away. At first I thought it was rudely overprotective. Then reality slapped me a bit. Shoes walk on the floors. Shoes have been outside on the streets. People poop and pee on the streets. DUH. We carry hand sanitizer everywhere we go now and my babes are learning that the 3 second rule is VOID!!! Even a toy on the floor is quickly scooped up and washed. NOTHING goes on the floor. Melinda is constantly running after my babes and trying to put their shoes BACK on them. She is fighting a battle... but I am now on her side too.

NO SHOES!!!!!

We went to see Daddy's progress on the school. He is doing so well managing the crews. I am super proud of him. Son Son bought us dishes of fruit from the Lari (street) nearby. Yummy!

Handsome Thaddaeus

The Boss

Making progress!

After our stops we went to Epi'Dor. The restuarant which is quickly becoming our favorite. We ordered a large, yummy pizza for just around $7. This time I was prepared for the throng of little boys and had bills folded up just so for easy grabbing. I handed the first group a bill each, and then one particularly greedy little one started to grab out of another boy's hand. I scolded him and moved his hand away when I saw my mistake. I had given him 10 less than the others. I took it back gave him the right amount. The second wave hit and we headed out soon after. I only had so much. The only English word the boys say when asking for money is "Mommy." Talk about a heart gripper. Little boys holding up one finger, eyes pleading, begging, "Mommy, money?! Mommy?!" The icing on the cake came as were nearly back at the house. We stopped at a traffic light and I looked to my right. A little boy, so tiny and skinny with holes in his shirt, a dirty face, and men's flip flops on his little feet looked my way, held up his finger and said, "Mommy!" I couldn't not. Resisting the ever present urge to grab him up and take him away forever I opened my wallet. I didn't have any more small bills, and don't get me wrong- while what I gave him was twice what I had handed each of the Epi'Dor boys, it still is not a lot. Enough for four sodas, or a hot meal with chicken. I handed him the money. My driver's laughter made me look out at the boy again. The biggest grin I have ever seen had erupted from his little face. He was glowing. I watched as he walked down the street smiling and pulling at his clothes. He finally settled on stuffing the money into a hole in the sole of his flip flop. The driver explained to me that grown men often beat up little orphans and steal their money. He was hiding it from them. This made my heart weep. I told the driver how much I wanted to take all the boys home and feed them every day and love them. He looked at me seriously and said, "Then you start an orphanage." Simple as that. Just do it. 

Today I awoke coughing in a haze of smoke. I bolted out of bed expecting that the haphazard wiring in the house had finally ignited. One glance out the window showed I was, thankfully, wrong. A building down the street was engulfed in flames and thick black smoke was billowing upwards. About ten minutes later I heard the sirens and saw the firetrucks. There is no such thing as a fast response for ANYTHING here. I called Abe and he said that an hour prior he saw the corner power pole sparking. It had caught the nearby building on fire. Thankfully it seemed that everyone in and nearby were unharmed. I am so anxious for Penye and new, although still Haitian, wiring. 

Adam felt sick this morning as did Carolanne. I noted it was day four of no running water to clean with. The toilets had been overflowing, baths had not been given. Living like a local with an outhouse behind the house would have been a welcome relief to the stench and nastiness. The water pump has been broken for four days now and everytime I confront Melinda about it she says that someone is coming to fix it. Still nothing. I got breakfast for the kids and came back upstairs to make my bed. That's when Carol came running in to say Adam had a potty accident.

Now, I will spare you the details that I am sure you can imagine. Just add to that NO WATER to clean up an embarrassed, sick 7 year old. I used freezing cold drinking water that I tried to warm with my hand. Freshly fueled by this and Carol saying her tummy hurt and NOT liking the idea of her puking over a full toilet, I picked up the phone, made arrangements and prepared to leave a piece of my mind with the lady in charge of our housing. Water or hotel. I tucked my sickies in bed with a movie and left them in Melinda's capable hands. I heeded Mom's advice and prayed as I waited for the driver. 

I made it to the office, marched passed the guard, up the stairs and sat down at the desk. 

"I need to have a solution to the water issue at the guest house. And if it can not be resolved now then I need a hotel room for my children and I immediately." 

She looked at me. "I do not know of the situation or how to fix it."

"Well, I have all day. I will wait." I crossed my legs and stared at her amicably. She met my *hopefully* fierce blue eyes with her brown ones. Saw my determination. Picked up the phone and FIXED THAT WATER! Among several other issues that have been hanging in the air undone. I left feeling satisfied and didn't even have to yell or shoot anyone. We now have running water and the secretary doesn't hate me. WIN!

After the office visit I went to pick up Abe and rode home with him. A good breather for us both. On the way I was able to snap a few shots of the market for you to enjoy :-)

Fresh...did I say FRESH chicken?
Yes, they are alive with their legs tied together.
The roosters are blindfolded.
 Poor little buggars.
The are awfully tasty though...

Look to the left at the shoe store. TONS of black shoes laid
out neatly on the street.

The walking pharmacy. The leaning tower of Pillsa.
Any over the counter remedy and vitamin.

 And now my friends, good bye for now. Always Remember:

We miss you *this* tall...

Love you *this* much...

Wish you *this* much happiness...

And  joy!!!!

GOOD NIGHT!