I posted maybe a month or so back about Rose and Edris. To sum up, they live in Port de Paix and are a more well off Haitian famiily. And so, for years, they have used extra money to help local kids. They provide meals for children who have no parents, children whose parents can’t or don’t feed them, and they even house several kids and families for free. This has been harder and harder to do since the earthquake hit, and they have had to close their restaurant and not much money is made from their store either. So now, with the food from OTB, they can continue to provide food for those they were, and even feed a few more!!

We instantly loved this family, and as we have gotten to know them, they have become family to us. I went to visit a week or so ago, and since there wasn’t a mission truck available I took a motto. After our conversation I asked them to flag a motto down for me and negotiate a price ( I only do it myself if I have to!) They were horrified that I was going to ride a motto. They insisted I get in their car, and they drove me back to our house. Rose told me that the sweet couple that introduced us (Brice and Amanda who are missionaries teaching at a school here) are family, and that automatically meant we are their family too. They told us to call whenever we needed anything, big or small, and they would help since we are family. Tears blurred my eyes as I thanked them, and told them that their love and kindness made me miss my family even more-and that I was so thankful for family here too now.

We went to their house yesterday to meet more kids that they take care of. The children usually come and get the food, and a few eat it there, while most take it ‘to go’. But, since they knew we were coming, they set up what used to be a restaurant in the back of their shop, for all the kids to sit and eat so we could take photos. (They no longer operate their restaurant because after the earthquake the many people who had money to eat out, simply do not anymore)

We had such a fun time meeting the kids. They all range in ages from 3yrs-15yrs old. Rose likes to try and add special things to the food she gets from us-today it was avocado, sometimes she’ll add in chicken or veggies.

All the kids call Rose mama, and it makes my heart so full to see how she takes care for them. In fact, the whole family gets in on helping out-even dad and a few of the seven children they have of their own come to help. This verse comes to mind when I see what they are doing:

1John 3:17 &18

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

It’s said to be the eighth wonder of the world. The Citadel. And rightfully so! It took an hour to drive there on a very nice road. When we pulled up the guy at the gate wanted 95 dollars for random fees and charges. After speaking to him in Creole the price did go down a bit, but we only paid for our ticket in, and skipped the tour guide, motto ride and donkey ride.

This is the first part of the citadel-the castle in which Henry Christophe lived. Even in ruins it was amazing.

Oh, I didn’t mention it’s about 4 miles to the top, the citadel sits on top of a steep mountain.

You can pay to take a motto to the half way point, which is about 3 miles. We wanted to walk the whole thing. All the guys there laughed at us, thinking once again, that we were crazy blancs. We set off on foot lathered in spf and with plenty of water. It was a hard walk uphill, but we were enjoying the exercise. However, we were not alone. For the first mile we had two guys who men who rode on horses infront, behind, and next to us. We kept politely telling them we didn’t need the horses we were going to walk the whole way, four miles straight up! I gathered from their persistence their money was on me, thinking I wouldn’t make it to the top! Every time I would stop to catch my breath, they would jump off their horse and offer it me. I am stubborn enough to realize that it was just that act alone that kept me going. It was hot and hard, but I was determined to show them I meant what I said! They finally gave up. The whole way up was lined with houses, and people selling drinks, jewelry, and food. We didn’t really want anything, but loved that they were trying to make a living, so we purchased a little bit from a few of them.

We made it to the top after about two hours of steep climbing, only to behold a breathtaking site. Not only was the citadel amazing, but so was the 365 degree view of Haiti!

The walk back was much easier and quicker. This photo shows the most common site on the way back, and really in most of Haiti… when the women do laundry here, they hang it out to dry, anywhere they can. Which usually includes trees, catcus, balconies, anywhere. I have come to love the familiar site…

Remember how I told you our pastor and his son (along with four other awesome people) came to visit us in Haiti? Well, our pastor, JD, was so excited about his trip that he wanted to tell the whole church!!! So, after first and second service he did a “grandpa’s slideshow”  with pictures, videos, and shared about his trip to Haiti. It was so encouraging to see his continued excitement, enthusiasm and support for what we are doing-and then to share that with members from our church-it was such a huge blessing.  Another cool thing that happened that day was we went in during sunday school and shared with the little K-3 graders and the Junior High. They both give their gifts and tithes on Sunday to help feed children in Haiti. How awesome is that?? Kids helping kids. Kids giving money here to feed children there, my heart rejoices over this!! And, my favorite part was in our time with the K-3 children, was at the end one of the kids came up and prayed for the children in Haiti, and Brandon and me. Oh Lord you used the little children that day to restore  and refresh my soul!!

 

 

 

 

One other great thing we did was bring home some of the Feed My Starving Children food (the exact same food we cook in Haiti) and made it at church!! Two couples volunteered to make the food exactly how we make it in Haiti. They added all the same spices, oils, and additives to make it authentic!! They even cooked it on an outside pot, which was great cause it got the attention of everyone going by! This was so fun to have the people at our church try the food we are serving in Haiti. And, the consensus was….”This is actually really good!!” “Tastes like rice a roni!”