Sorry it's been a while since I've been able to update my blog, send emails, or skype with you all. I've been with very poor internet access, unreliable power, and no computer. Now, I am back in Port-Au-Prince for a few days, and so I am catching up with the world outside of Haiti.
I was able to finally see the site of the retreat center in Mirebalais (or technically in Marogue, a town outside of Mirebalais). It is a humble concrete block building, nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by rolling green hills and mountains. The building is in decent shape structurally, but it needs a lot of TLC. It has a large common space room, a kitchen, 4 bedrooms, a bathroom and a utility room. There is plenty of land attached, so I plan on doing plenty of gardening. It is a beautiful location, perfect for retreats :) We will hopefully be moving there this Tuesday to start our work. We will be living in the building as we renovate it, giving us more motivation to make it a comfortable, homey sort of place to be.
My past few weeks have given me a variety of different views and vantage points of this tiny country. I have to say, the pictures we get on the news about the poverty and continual reminders of the earthquake, although true, are not all there is to Haiti. I just passed two weeks visiting Desarmes, a small city in the Artibonite Valley. MCC has a team stationed there, doing the important work of reforestation. I spent a week at the newly renovated office/guest house, and was able to help in the painting of the new second story. I was accompanied by Jides, a hard working 18 year old boy who became a good friend in my time there. He was always around to walk to the market with me and help me make purchases, or to help me put minutes on my cell phone. I'll miss working with him.
The second week in Desarmes, I headed up the hill to a small community called Kristan. I stayed with an older couple and their 20 year old daughter, Lovely. Lovely and I did everything together. She was my guide for the week, and a fun guide to have around. Lots of giggling went on as I attempted to hand wash my clothes in the same style as the women did. We giggled as I tried to balance a "kivet" or basin of newly washed laundry on my head as Lovely and her friends gracefully walked along with 5 gallon buckets full of water balanced with ease. I am amazed at how early children start carrying water on their heads, and in general, how much work young children are able to do for their families.
Life in Kristan was easy going, and relaxed. There was plenty of time for porch sitting, accordion playing, and singing. We ate grapes off the vine, and drank freshly made passion fruit juice. Our nights were spent either walking to church for prayer services, or sitting around the kitchen table by oil lamp, telling stories, learning new songs, or exchanging Creole vocabulary words for English ones. I will miss it there. As I will not be living with a host family for the rest of the year, I consider that family - Sangardien, Eritan, and Lovely- to be my Haitian family.
And now, for some pictures. I know you've all been waiting for them. :)
The exterior of the retreat center building (that's a mango tree dangling above)
My friends' dog Tebow on the way to hike through a beautiful mountain river. This is before he got carsick and puked all over my leg :( He's no Chessie, but he's fun to have around.
The main room at the retreat center. Fixing the water damaged ceiling will be our biggest task.
Two of my friends from my homestay at the top of a small mountain. My host father wanted me to see this place, because MCC has done a lot of work reforesting this area. From the top, we could see the whole Artibonite Valley. Very beautiful.
My host family Sangardien, Lovely, me, Eritan, and a few neighbor friends. I'll miss them!
Beautiful land, happy girl.
Miss you all back home! Hope you're doing well. Don't forget to write :)
Peace
Annie
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