We had a great last day together, whenever we both could get over the fact that she really was leaving the next day. It went by so fast! I’m glad we got to take her so many places! It was so great to have her meet all the OTB staff, she loved meeting and seeing all the adorable kids we feed every day, it was fun to have her help in the kitchen, but the best of all was having her there all week-simply so we could show her what we do, experience what we do together, and to work together, side by side, in this wild and crazy country we live in. What a treat to share that with my mom.

Of course we didn’t leave without tears and many, many hugs and kisses. My heart is so full that she was able, willing, and wanting to come and visit us. What a delightful treat to have her here, in our home in Haiti. I love that now she knows what life is like here…something that is hard to explain, even with descriptive words and pictures. But now she knows, and has experienced the craziness, wonderfulness, heartache, and joy that comes from being here.

Mom helped me make Haitian spaghetti… the best Haitian dish I know how to cook. I’m learning a few more, but don’t have them down yet! She loved using the ‘pilon’ which is what you use to mash up the garlic, onions, peppers, etc.

A fun visit and drive out to LA BAIE:

Our friends that work for nwhcm live in La Baie. They are such a sweet couple, and we look for any excuse to go and visit them. Not only do we think they are great, but they live in the middle of nowhere, with peace and quiet, on the ocean (one you can actually swim in) and so we go as often as we can! We took my mom there, so she could see the quieter, country side of Haiti, so she could meet our friends, and have a fun time swimming at the beautiful beach there. She loved it!

 

There really is no such thing here. I mean, in theory, perhaps yes. We are a spectacle no matter where we go, and it was pretty funny to see how mom dealt with it. We decided to take  her on a walk out of the city, up on hill. Once you get out of the crazy city of Port de Paix, it’s pretty quiet, a little more green, and you have wide open space. I love it. The walk started pretty uneventful, just mom stopping every few feet to take pictures ( I wonder where I get it from?) It sure is a beautiful walk, and since I never take my camera with me, it was fun to get some photos of the nearby countryside, especially with mom in it!!

Okay, now this picture below needs an explanation. Do you see the puddle behind mom and the sweet Haitian lady? Well, it rains a lot right now, creating lots of puddles, and lots of mud. We came across many puddles on our walk, and mom was able (with Brandon’s helping hand) to navigate most of them pretty well. We came to this one, and my strategy when you come to a large muddy area, is to wait and watch where a Haitian walks-they always know the small path that will keep your feet dry. We waited, and waited, and no one came. So, we ventured out. Me first, Bran next, holding mom’s hand. Well, she hit a slippery part, and in suck one shoe, then another. She of course freaked out, and ran out, sliding all around, but luckily not falling! Of course, the Haitians sitting around thought that was pretty funny, and came out to watch.  We came to the next large mud puddle, and mom was struck with fear. She wouldn’t trust us, she wouldn’t go. We tried and tried. Finally, the Haitian woman you see in the picture came out of her house. She encouraged mom, telling her she could do it. She could tell mom wasn’t having it (somethings don’t need a translation!!) and so she lead the way. She went step by step helping mom, pulling her along. And of course, it all worked out. Mom was saved, and also made a new friend!