There seems to be the most views on my post with pictures, and I know I am very fond of picture books, so this entry will again be filled with pictures. :-) (no, I never intend to fully grow up and it is a shame that some of you have.)
Yesterday, Day 13, we dressed and prepared for church. Our driver was outside waiting and Son Son (Abe's "adopted" brother) came over to ride with us. The driver was new and let me tell you- I MISS CLIFF!!! Cliff, it turns out, is a Baptist minister as well as protective guard/driver. He informed Matthias that if he had to drive again on a Sunday, he would quit. So we got a new guy named Dominic. He was the worst driver I have EVER experienced. Abe said Dominic would calm down and realize not EVERYONE is out to kill us after he has gotten more experience. I am willing to bet it will take 50 years- that is how long it will take for my muscles to relax after a day of driving with him. We honestly traveled about a fourth of a mile with another pick up truck two inches- I said TWO inches- from ours. We lost a side mirror needless to say. Shudder.
ANYWAYS! Dominic took us to the wrong church so the times were off and, once again, we were unable to go. Abe was very upset, but as there was no way to yell at the driver and have him understand, Abe decided to press on.
We picked up Son Son's girlfriend and headed for the beach. The babes first dip in the ocean! While I have some pictures of our first trip through down town Port Au Prince, I did not get any at the beach for two reasons... 1. There was no where to leave the camera if I HAD taken it to the shore. 2. Any pictures taken would have included the locals and therefore would have been close to, if not pornographic. We are going to pay the 800 gourdes required to go to a more secluded beach next time. Lesson learned!
There are so many words I would like to say about what I saw on the way to and from the beach, but I find myself speechless and will allow the pictures to do the talking...
The marketplace in down town Port Au Prince.
Another view. The sellers have umbrellas advertising the various cell phone companies.
Behind the markets are the houses. Or dwellings. They aren't much like houses.
A truck filled with tiny sacks of drinking water. When you buy the water, you bite off the corner and suck the water out. My babes giggle every time and say it's like they are nursing babies.
I know this picture is sideways...
(I loaded it wrong and loading each picture takes about 8 minutes here. Your necks get to pay for my lack of time. )
Its a glimpse of the MANY tent cities we passed that are still in full use. The concrete rubble from the earthquake over two years ago is still present.
Yes, it is ALWAYS that dirty. Even on our street. Depending on the day it can get much, much worse.
Too much fun in the Ocean <3
Always ready for more!!!!!!
Thaddaeus can also been seen in this picture, but my arms were too full of a sleeping Isaiah to get a good shot of him.
I'm so happy to see all your updates! I've prayed for you all every day! I sure was worried the first couple days when we didn't hear a word from you! Mom loves to hear your updates! I print them out and then bring 'em up and read them to her! :)
ReplyDeleteI love all the stories of everyday life. You write so discriptive! Keep posting. I check your blog every day even though this is the first time I've commented!
Btw, this is aunt Liz!!!!!
Yes, we are children at heart. I will always love picture books. Your posts will become part of our daily studies: Port Au Prince Through the eyes of Ellie. There are those who still don't understand Abe's need to move you and the babes to Haiti. They are confused and dismayed at the idea that a loving God would ask such a thing of someone He loves. It cannot be understood outside the eyes of faith. I praise God He has chosen to stretch you, test you, and mold you. What an honor.
ReplyDeleteAunt Liz!!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are reading these to Grandma Dorcas. We think of her often and pray for her every day. Miss you guys so much! Last night I pouted as I lay across my bed and pushed the sweaty hair from my forehead, "Abe, I just need a Ueland girl type of person to find me here in Haiti. I need a Liz with brown skin who speaks Creole to wrap her arms around me so we can laugh through life together." <3
Mom, I covet your prayers and rely on the support of my family and friends that understand. Yes it CAN be miserable IF you allow yourself to look at it that way. Yesterday on the way home from market as Carolanne reached out our truck window and handed a barefoot, filthy man 10 Gourdes in exchange for a smile and a few bags of water, Abe looked at me and asked, "We can make it here, can't we?" Yes. Yes, with God as our guide we most definitely can!!!!!