Wednesday 10.03.18

Mayette

11:55pm

Today we went to the market. I had such a good day today. We had so much fun.

Ok. So this morning, we had actually planned to tear apart the thatch roof gazebo that we’ll be replacing, but Tim wanted to go to the market and I’m always down for excitement. Lol.

So we grabbed the keys and headed to Cotes De Fer in the truck. I wish I would have asked Cherline if she wanted to go – it wasn’t until after we came home that Patrick said she had wanted to go. I was so busy getting myself and Marlowe ready, I just forgot to ask Cher if she needed anything or wanted to go along.

We met up with 2 girls from the States, they said they could help us with prices if we needed. One of the girls was Marie Yoder, her sisters used to be teachers at the Amish school close to Yoder. Small world.

Shopping went surprisingly well. We would pause and listen to others buy things, and then figure out the fair price, before we proceeded to buy. Only one woman tried to charge us too much (because we’re American) but she was quickly scolded by a lady passing by, saying, “ahhh! Don’t ask that much from them because of their skin color! They know what you’re doing!!” I think getting fair prices is somewhat easier when you speak the language.

We met Mirlan there too. She helped us buy 3 chickens. Marlowe was very excited so I quickly told her no, babe, we’re going to kill them. So she started talking about how yummy they would be, instead of how fun they would be to play with. Hahahah

We bought different produce, juice, milk etc. When we finished at the market, we headed to Madam Darilis (i’m not sure of the spelling but eh close enough) and exchanged some money and got a few small things we couldn’t buy at the machi (market).

We took the American girls to LaHaute, where they had left their 4 wheeler. They couldn’t cross the river with it, so they left it close to Lysner’s house. Then we bought a hammock and mosquito net from Mama, a friend from LaHaute.

Then we headed home, three chickens in a bag, awaiting their terrible fate! When we got home, pastor Willie from Amazon (the village on the mountain, not the online shopping amazon) was there, visiting. We ate lunch with him and then I went to boil water while Tim killed the chickens. Marlowe was a bit freaked out, I guess she didn’t fully understand what I tried to tell her. 😂😂😂

Now we have delicious chicken in the freezer! Plus Cher is happy because I gave her the chicken feet, a Haitian delicacy. We had fried chicken and sweet potatoes, and cabbage salad, and cokas for dinner, made by yours truly. Then we talked around the table until midnight! Now it’s bed time.

Love from Mayette

9.27.18

Mayette

4:29pm

It’s a beautiful day in Mayette. Hot, but beautiful. Clear skies and a nice breeze coming up from off the ocean.

We’ve been discussing a few things the mission does here in Mayette. We’re looking to improve and expand in some areas. As you all know, we’re working towards a trade school.

In a nutshell, the trade school will teach Haitians skills like woodworking, building, cooking, sewing, etc. It will teach them the importance of doing jobs well, so that the businesses that will come out of it will stand, grow, and be successful. We will teach business skills, some English, and even some math.

The school will be open to the public, for the most part. Eventually, the kingdom kids graduates will have the option to join the trade school. These will be Christian young adults who have the heart to serve. There will be a tuition, and students will help with things… for example, if we have an agricultural class, they can grow food that the cooking/nutritional class can use to make and serve the whole school. They can eat at tables made by the wood working class, and when we want to add a new trade, the building class can have a hands on experience. So you see how it will start small and grow, while paying for itself eventually.

The exact timeline of the trade school being built and operated is tbd, depending on funds. To get started, we will need to buy land and build at least a few small buildings. So it will start small and grow over the years.

I’m so excited about it. You guys. If ya need something to pray for, pray for this to come into existence. So many good things can come from schools like these. With the Holy Spirit guiding Living Word Ministries, I know that He is able to do more than we can dream. Exceedingly above and beyond!!!!

He has put the desire into our hearts, and He will fullfill His plan.

Besides that, Kingdom Kids is a program that is reaching many children. It’s a great one-day-a-week bible school, teaching Haitian kids the gospel. These are children who haven’t had the chance to hear the gospel before. The kids love the program! There are games, bible stories, activities, and a hot meal.

The sad news is, there are over 200 kids in the program, but only around 50 have sponsors right now. I believe that all the kids can have sponsors by next year, wouldn’t you believe this with me?? The sponsor pays for the child tuition for kingdom school, which means their lesson and their meal. But then, it also pays for their tuition for regular school! As well as a new backpack each year, and school supplies, plus tennis shoes! These kids walk miles to school, so good shoes are very important. If not for the sponsors, many children wouldn’t be able to go to school at all. So, for all of this, can you guess how much it costs per day? Less than we spend on a coffee on the way to work. How much per month? Less than dinner for 2 at a nice restaurant. If you wanna do something you know is making a difference, let me assure you, sponsoring children is a way anyone can help. Sponsoring is a blessing. God knows what we give. Patrick told me to imagine giving money to someone in need, as borrowing money from God. Isn’t that a picture?!! God counting the money He owes you!!! That’s building a treasure in Heaven.

Patrick has plans for a new house for “the poorest couple in Mayette,” (Patrick’s words), a few roofs that need repairs, as well as a few things the mission compound needs updated. One long building has a bad leaky roof that will be ripped off and a second story will be added to that building. It will host the Kingdom Kids program as it expands, as well as be a start for the trade school. The woodworking class is ready to open and can start in that building once the renovations are complete.

It’s incredibly hard to be a missionary. I’m not talking about me, I’ve been here for 2 weeks, I’m fine. Lol. But the way the mission runs completely on donation and when the funds aren’t there, it doesn’t operate!! Wow. It takes faith. I don’t know how they do it. Remember that a good wage here is $3 a day. The mission has about 10 people on payroll. Often, they can’t afford payroll!! The mission runs on generous donors, often people who pay monthly. But some months, there are no funds, (the funds aren’t set, so every month is different and completely relies on God and the donors to provide) and the vehicles break down, as the roads are TERRIBLE here lol, y’all wouldn’t believe. And the buildings need maintenance just like anywhere else, and there’s just so much that goes into this mission that a lot of people miss. But God has always provided, and the mission keeps growing.

With all the mission does, with its outreach program, pastoral teaching, English/Creole class, clinic, kingdom kids, and churches, there’s no doubt that God has His hand in it.

The house we’re building now is for Ronald. Those of you, who have been following know that he is getting married on October 27th. The people Patrick chooses to bless with houses aren’t selected at random. Usually the houses are for people who absolutely need them. LWM has built houses in the past for widows, hurricane victims, or the poorest of the poor people. Ronald however, is not just a ‘charity case.’

Patrick needs Ronald to move closer to the compound (he currently lives 2 mountains back, in Demoline, about an hour drive on moto), because he will be the lead Pastor here at the church in Mayette, once Patrick retires. He is also a school teacher. Patrick says he is one of the best. He takes his role in teaching very seriously, he studies the Bible and is dedicated to serving through teaching. He’s a great guy, he is very wise and he’s been helping me some with Creole and understanding the culture.

Please pray for Ronald this month as he gets ready for his wedding and to make the move to Mayette!!!

As for today, we finished putting tin on Ronald’s house. We decided to run it sideways as a way to save money. It took less lumber this way as we didn’t need girts. We also did a hipped roof, so the house, in my opinion, looks nicer than some of the others we’ve done in the past. There’s always room for improvement, I believe!!

We’re going on a walk now. I’ll try to Hope y’all read the whole thing without falling asleep!

Love from Mayette.

9.26.18

Miragoane, Aken, Mayette

4:35pm

We just got home from our adventure of the day. We’re sitting on the balcony, watching rain fall.

A few days ago, I mentioned that I’d like to go to the market on Wednesday, and Patrick said I can do you one better! And so we took a trip today!

We went to Miragoane, a city close to the water on the north side of the western strip on Haiti. That’s where the ships dock, from the states, and other containers. So the truck we’re sending over will arrive in Miragoane.

We had to go to Miragoane for metal screws for Ronald’s house. We found them quickly and easily. Then we picked up pépé, which means ‘clothes to resell’. Patrick will give them to a very poor lady, and she will use them to start a business for herself. She will sell the bag of clothes and then give Patrick enough money to pay for another bag. She can keep however much she makes on top of that. The bag cost $2500 Haitian (US $178). This should keep the lady busy for a month. She should be able to make close to $3500 Haitian (US $250) from selling the clothes. Then she’ll give Patrick $2500 Haitian (US $178) back, to buy another bag. That would leave her with around $70 profit. For those of you who know, this pépé is for Fani, one of the ladies who lives in the duplex, a Kansas team built last year. (S/O to Maranatha, Kansas team)🙂 He’s done this, and other resale, before. So in this way, Living Word Ministries is creating small jobs for people who need them.

Then we headed back towards Aken. We made a few stops along the way, including ICE CREAM 🍨. I also found some yogurt(!) 😋 For Marlowe’s breakfast the next few days.

10:31pm

When we got back from Miragoane, we had a rain shower that lasted maybe 20 min. We watched it from the porch and then jumped in the truck and went to visit Billy and Debbie. They are American missionaries who live down the road. We stayed till 8:30, they gave us dinner, and they told us to come back.

I’m guessing I’ll go visit Debbie more often in the future.

I have more stories from today but I’m too tired to write 😂😭 today was a good day. Hope yours was too! 😉

Love from Mayette

9.17.18

Mayette/La Haute

10:02 pm

Laying in bed, Marlowe is sleeping already. We had a busy day.

This morning at 6am Tim rolled over and whispered that he was going to work and that we should sleep in and come later. Pop. Marlowes eyes popped open and she sat straight up and said mich geh mit dich daddy!

So we all got up. We headed to Ronald’s house where we planned to start concreting early. But, whaddya know by the time we were actually ready to concrete, it was past noon! So we decided to wait until early tomorrow morning when the sun wasn’t so hot. It’s a lot of prep work to get ready in Haiti; hauling water from the river, sand and gravel from the beach, etc. The water we scooped out in gallon jugs from the river and poured them into 50 gallon drums on the truck bed. But the drums had no buchon (Haitian word of the day: buchon means lid, I just learned this today!)!

So by the time we reached the Jobsite, half the water had been spilled!! Not to mention, the tailgate flew open and the gallon jugs we had filled flew off and broke. 😥😥😥😥😩 poor Ronald! He was soaking wet!

Anyway, we loaded the concrete and took it to the land, but then decided to wait until morning so we loaded it back up and unloaded it again at the compound! Hahaa actually the last time we unloaded it, Tim did it all by himself. 😩 20 bags of idk how heavy cement… 😅😅 good thing he’s strong eh. 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

Tim and I decided to go to cotes de fer to deliver something for Merv Mast.. for a boy they sponsor. Patrick and Cherline hopped in, as they wanted to pick up the other truck that had been in the shop for some time already.

S/o to Harls for delivering that part so the truck could finally be fixed!

Halfway to cotes de fer we realized we had forgotten the envelope for Schnieder, the whole reason for going!! Lol. We went anyway, figured we’d just come back another time.

After dropping Patrick and Cherline off at the shop, we headed to La Haute, or as we know it, Lysner’s village.😁

First stop, Kerven and Kervenson’s house. The twins Tim and I sponsor. They were very excited to see us. Their mama almost couldn’t believe I still knew the boys from each other. Lol. They are doing well, 15 years old!! 9th grade.

We also saw Carmelle, Phadia’s mama, Kali, Mili, Jerry, Mama… and lots of others! Spoke to Mirlan (nun) about moving to Brazil! She is very excited, her husband has already left and she’s not sure when she will go yet. Her daughters (not biologically) won’t go along. Mirlan seemed very bothered by that, said she didn’t know where the girls will live and she won’t leave until they have a home. So pray for fanfan (Kari’s sponsor child) and Gigi to find a good home. Gigi was excited to see me but disappointed when she saw Kari wasn’t with me. I didn’t see fanfan, she was at a friends house.

Carmelle made us dinner, fri tay, or fried stuff. Banans(plantains), lam(breadfruit), and whole sardines, eyeballs and bones and all. Ummmmmmmm, yum? Fried crispy like a chip. They are…. you should try them.

We stopped at a new gas station in la haute, got some gas, and some cokas.

Then we headed home, through the dark. Had a man ask for a ride to Machi Kabrit, which is on the way, but after debating, we decided not too. Machi Kabrite is known for having some small gangs and we’re not comfortable enough yet to deal with these things 😂😂😂 better safe than sorry. Then, as we were driving through Machi kabrite, a man yelled something and started running towards the truck! Tim took off fast and he chased us for a second before we lost him. I’m sure it was just a silly Haitian trying to get a scare out of us, but it did get my heart racing a bit. Lol.

Now we are home, ready for bed. All safe and snuggly.

Love from Mayette, your Haitian family, Tim Lori and little “Malori”😅

9.12.18

Mayette, Haiti

7:09pm

Whew I’m tired. We had a long day. Didn’t sleep at all at the airport, terrified if I would fall asleep we would miss our flight. Plus my 2 year old had energy like she had chugged caffeine and ate pure sugar. (She didn’t, she just acted like it!) she ran up and down the escalators and begged to go on walks outside so we did, at 2am, half asleep. She finally crashed at 4am as we were going through security. She then slept for 10 hours straight (?!?!?!?), and woke around 2, halfway home to Mayette.

We waited on Patrick for about an hour at the airport, but he made up for it very quickly by buying us spaghetti meals and delicious mangoes.

The drive to Mayette went well, despite the fact that it took about an hour longer than it should have due to road blocks near Maraguan. No big deal, just waited until they cleared.

Made a last stop at Darius’ store in Cotes de Fer before heading on home. But just 3 miles from the compound the truck went plop and Clerveou jumped out to check for flats. Good news is no flats! Bad news is the axle had popped off the rim. Tim says that’s not actually what happened, it was a ball joint or something. Idk. So we waited for a while, I could have walked to the compound with Marlowe but I was too lazy. The guys fixed it quick enough and we made it to the compound around 5pm. Dinner was ready, diri ak sas pwa. Rice and bean sauce. Plus a stew sauce with goat meat. It was delicious. I was impressed with how much Marlowe ate! She must’ve been very hungry.

I planted my garden tea in front of the house after dinner and prayed it grows. You should all pray it does too because it is my favorite and my thumb is… the opposite of green…. purple? Anyway. 🤷🏽‍♀🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿

We were so dusty, tired, and hungry when we reached the compound that the showers and cultural foods were like heaven on earth. The used $16 mattress Patrick bought for us just days ago feels like a serta temperpedic looks in commercials. (Someday I’ll own one)

We hung the mosquito nets and plugged in the fans and took a nice cool shower and are all settled in snug. 🐜🦗🕷🚫🚫🚫

Marlowe and Tim are looking at pictures from Becca, her favorite so far is of her and Caroline for some reason.

No internet yet, haven’t gotten Haitian sims yet.

Oh! Tichrist and Nerline had a baby girl today!! So tomorrow we will go visit them. The baby has yet to be named, Patrick says it could go days, sometimes over a week to name her. He says, they need to see her face! And her personality! How can you know her name if you haven’t even seen her! Hahah

That’s a long letter. Don’t expect so much in the future ahhahah ok goodnight americanos 🤙🏽

love from Mayette