Weekend

Our first large team arrived yesterday afternoon.  My mind has been gearing up for them, so it was wonderful to have them here finally.  There are 13 people ready and willing to serve in whatever ways are needed.  They immediately jumped in and started caring for kiddos, changing diapers, taking inventory of the tools, charging batteries, and getting settled.  They arrived on the absolute hottest day we’ve had since I arrived back.  I was struggling to stay hydrated, but thankfully kept the headache and lightheadedness at bay.

Before the team arrived we (Ruth, Christian, Franckis and I) went to a Summer Bazaar hosted by the American Embassy Employees at the Union School.  I’d never been there, but it’s in Petion-ville, and it’s an American school, and it was like stepping onto the campus of a school in St. Louis.  Kind of alternate reality in the middle of the city.  There were artisans from all over Haiti.  I saw the most beautiful stonework bowls and dishes.  Gorgeous dark wood salad bowls, serving utensils.  Original paintings depicting ‘normal’ life in Haiti.  Bead work on bags, wall hangings, and shoes.  Greeting cards with banana wood creating the designs.  So many beautiful things, created by Haitian people.  There were local musicians and dancers performing, and a pickup soccer game on the soccer field.  I enjoyed my first iced blended latte in Haiti.  Ahhhhhh…so tasty on the hot day. 

On the way home, we stopped at this place that overlooks the entire city of Port au Prince.  I’ve never been there before, and the view was breathtaking.  To truly see the enormity of the city, sprawling as far as the eye could see.  From there we could see the airport, National Palace, Aristide’s tower, Cite Soleil, Delmas 31, and everything in between.

I woke up this morning feeling the need to hydrate hydrate hydrate.  I was also singing ’99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall’ in my mind.  No idea why.  Maybe I should change it to 99 Bottles of Water…

We’ll head to church and then spend the afternoon at the orphanage.  I’m excited to get to know this team better.  I already learned that one of the women grew up in St. Louis; we graduated the same year, and have a friend in common.  Who knows what revelations today will bring.