March 11, 2009

ROAD TRIP!!! got into Port today. school was cancelled, no other good choices. several teachers were already out, Gary/Caroline had to work Agape, I was trying to get into to see the Livesay's...so VACATION DAY! unfortunately it didn't work to see T/T, they had some family things that could not wait, so we will see where we can try again in the future. The road to Port is getting much better, paved for long stretches now, though closer to our end there are still miles of really nasty roads. One new danger with the better roads is...horrible drivers on better roads. About a week ago there was an accident where 3 buses collided. Likely one was passing another on a curve, and the third came around the bend and boom. I was told there were many deaths out of it. Big rig drivers...buses, trucks, etc....are absolutely HORRIBLE BEYOND RECOGNITION here. They go as fast as they can, don't care if you are in their way (by being in their way, that means in your own lane as they pass others...or just use the best part of the road) and they fully expect you to move in ALL circumstances. People will die because of the new roads, buses will tip over that are overloaded, a common occurence, trucks will go as fast as they can. One step forward...3 steps backwards.

Found about everything we were needing in Port, drum for the copier, oil/filters for truck, cashed check, grocery store, worked Agape, got wood screws for Al from the Eco store. really cool place, Eco. like a Loew's for Haiti. EXCEPT, nothing has a price listed. it is assumed if you need it, you will pay for it. And if you do need it, well, you DO pay for it. Prices here are skyrocketing on everything. Gary and I shopped at the grocery store (Caroline wound up staying home to work on a class she is going to teach next month in Chicago) and filling one shopping cart cost almost $400 US. Granted we got a lot of meat, cheese stuff, expensive things. There is a team coming here and we bought for Al/Bev too. But still, $400? the common people are really having a hard time as prices go up and up. Rents are up too, land prices. The UN has provided security and other essential services the government could not provide, but their presence has sent prices up regularly. They are well funded and the local vendors make prices match. Regular folks are hurting. Another day. No wonder they at times take out their frustration in "manifestations". Unfortunately when they do, they usually tear up the road, and the cycle starts over. Friday a team comes in to do medical clinics for a week. Hopefully much good will be done, as many need it.

Djebenis tout moun.

March 8, 2009

The weather just can't get better. It is cool in the morning (the Haitians are wearing parka's, stocking caps, gloves in the morning....or walking around in shorts and tank tops!) and comfortable in the afternoon. Gary and others have said this is usual winter weather...but it usually has been over for at least a month. By now, it is warmer both at night and during the day, with more humidity. But, who am I to complain? I just accept the burdens places on me....naw, even I can't go there now! it is just really nice now weather wise. Dusty and dirty to be sure, but the airtemp is bon, anpil bon!

So apparently Bill Clinton and the UN Sec/Gen Moon are coming in today or tomorrow, leaving Wednesday which happens to be the same time the Sec. Council members are arriving for a visit. They are leaving on Saturday. Several issues going on apparently. Premye, Bill and Sec. Moon are visiting to talk about the political situation with the upcoming election and the exclusion of Fanmi Lavalas, the political party of Aristide from the elections. They feel the need to make sure everyone feels good about the election and feels included...which won't happen if the exclusion holds. It appears to be for very valid reasons; the party has 2 slates up and they can't figure out what they are doing it seems. Dezyem, they are setting the stage for the Sec. Council members to come for a fact finding mission leading up the the Haiti Donors Conference in Washington next month, I believe. I have read a bit on this and, alas, it seems the world is growing weary of Haiti's never ending need for funding to keep themselves going, I assume even more now with the economic downturn. One article likened it to throwing money into a pit and burning it for all the good it does. It seems the view on giving to Haiti is When will this ever end? No answer is in sight for this question.

It leads to a larger question that many if not most of the people who work these problems can't or won't see. For all the money that has been poured into Haiti for so many years, why is there no traction building for any economic growth? I remember Bill Clinton making a speech when he was President. He said during it that he found faith in the basic goodness of people. I believe that is the belief of most all of the post modern world. If we could just find the right formula for each place, we could unlock the basic goodness of people and live happily ever after..... I truly believe this world view is the reason these programs fail over and over again. Example: Chris and Leslie Rollings run a mission called Clean Water for Haiti, a wonderful mission that works to get sand filters for water into homes to prevent the problems associated with unclean water. One of the really good humanitarian programs around. Chris told me that when they started, they gave the filters away. The goal was to help people only, and not to burden them with financial responsibility they could not shoulder. The result was that the people trashed the filters, would not care for them, and received no benefit. When they started charging a nominal amount for the filters, the program found success. Moral of the story: giving away things DOES NOT WORK. It seems to me that points to an internal dynamic going on in people that is not flattering. If people were basically good, wouldln't they appreciate things like free water filters and take care of them? Why would someone NOT appreciate and care for them? Maybe because things given to them have no value whatsoever. The value system appears to be, whatever I can get for free I will use and abuse, which in my mind kind of disavows the notion that people are basicallly good. We are not. We are selfish an self centered. We always have been.....always will be. Unless I am MADE to be responsible, I don't want to and will fight to avoid it. Kind of like small children, yes I am!

How does one teach responsibilty? Missions around Haiti and the world are beginning to learn that humanitarian giving must have a personal cost component to the people or it will usually fail. Help people with management and idea's to SUCCEED FOR THEMSELVES. Obviously there are emergency situations of dire need where that is not the case. But LONG TERM the giving of aid causes more harm than good. It makes people dependent on the aid and destroys the local economies. Micro loans are a booming business in 3rd world countries and the work. From the humanitarian side, it seems to be the way to go. Unless people have something of their own invested in an enterprise, it just isn't worthwhile to them.

So, that is my two cents for today. I plan to work on my taxes on line (amazing isn't it?) and listen to a lot of worship music today, I NEED IT. Thinking on the spiritual part of the equation here is more daunting, but that is for another day. Being a guy, I have used too many of my words today as is. I am running low, have to save some for later.

Djebenis tout moun.

March 7, 2009

Funny how the longest trips come while you sit in one place. Sometimes we go thru valleys, over mountains and thru deserts while sitting in one place. Or, at least I do. Several years ago I saw a link on the Livesay website for Church of the Open Door in Minnesota. This had been their home church in the states and they recommended it, so I dialed in and got hooked. There was this series called "The Way of the Rabbi" about this guy named Jesus and how He lived and talked and walked, and they studied Him for about 18 months. Nothing else, just who He was, who He is, and how He invited us to live along with Him.

Well, as many of my good intentions went, I was impressed, bought the cd series, or at least part of it, and......left it in a box for several months. When I finally began to get ready for the "big trip" I started thinking of what I wanted to bring with me. It seemed like a good idea to bring something that may be edifying. While I know what the word means, I really don't like it. For whatever reason, I always think of Eddie Haskel, a goofball character on the old (yes, really old) tv series "Leave it to Beaver". Even I was young then. You know, we used the hand crank tv then...... Anywaaayyy.......I always think of Eddie Haskel, a no account, trouble causing, selfish guy always trying to get the innocent guys into trouble. So, I have issues with words....doesn't everybody??

Well, I started to get edified listening to the cd's and after listening to a good 10 or 15 minutes of one, decided I needed to bring them with me. So I promptly delegated the loading of the cd's onto my computer to my oldest son Luke, who did a wonderful job. And time went on, I show up here and the edifying process grinds to a halt. In fact I think for a while I was de-edifying.... more word issues! So one day I decide to actually start listening to the cd's. I mean really listening. Amazing thing, this edifying stuff, once you actually want it for yourself. You see, before this I had started reading some stuff about abiding in God, and real discipleship, and in doing that, being Eddie Haskelized (better) seemed more desirable. So I started listening, and this pastor guy David Johnson started talking to me. Actually started talking to me, we had conversations, really. (Haiti does bring out the best in you, I believe!) While we are having these conversations (he is a good talker and gives good answers, but isn't much of a listener as far as I can tell yet) it seems I start seeing things like myself and the world differently. People appear differently to me, not part of a culture as much, though I know we are all a part of one, but more as individuals. Yes, I still have a way to go in this as my posts clearly demonstrate. I am, however, seeing things in a differrent light.

So, if there are any Eddie Haskel fans out there, or those who remember him as not that a great a guy......heck, if you remember him, maybe you might want to try http://www.thedoor.org/ as a walk down memory lane. Even if you don't and maybe want to get knocked off your perch (let's all line up for that!) give a listen, they have podcasts. Along with the 'casts from my church Frontline Fellowship, http://www.frontlinefellowship.com/ they seem to keep me grounded....and ungrounded.....all at the same time. Interesting experience, that is.

Djebenis tout moun

March 4, 2009

It has rained the last few nights here, though last night was dry. It leaves the place a muddy mess. The ground can't take that much rain on top of dry dust, it just causes mudpiles and minor/major flooding. Downtown is a mess, roads clogged with mud and garbage from the canals that has been washed out by the flooding. Literally they bring in dozers and backhoes to scrape the mud and garbage off the streets after rain like this.

On the way back today from taking the kids home from school Gary and I witnessed something that just boggles the mind. An old, mentally disabled man was walking the street in rags for clothes. A young man on a bicycle slowed up and came next to him; tapped him to get his attention, then slapped the man before riding off, laughing. Gary and I talked about the guy; he knows of him and knows there apparently is nothing that can be done for him. Unless you want to take him into your home and care for him, he really can't be helped. And the odds are, he wouldn't come to your home anyway. He resists help, and when you can help it doesn't help. Gary has given him some money before and has found out that as soon as he turns to leave, people of the kind mentioned come up to him and take it from him.

I know this stuff happens everywhere. It does not make it any less tolerable just because it is not that unusual. Think of those young American idiots who video themselves beating homeless people for fun????

Haitians are friendly overall. They help their families generally, but more so out of cultural obligation than anything else. The basic characteristic I see here is the amazing self centeredness of people. It shows in how they live, drive, walk the streets, etc. It seems that most, as far as I can tell, give absolutely no thought of what their actions may mean to someone else. I know Americans have more than our share of this quality, but I will say not to the extent I see it here, and it's not really close. This characteristic would make it very difficulty to bring people together to work towards a common purpose and that again appears to be maybe the problem here.

For every trip that I take where I find things like this, I also must say I see regularly small children that are just adorable, smiling and enjoying themselves. They will smile and wave and this is becoming my purpose. The adults here I have to honestly say I don't know that I would want to work with. The children, however, can be helped. First they can learn that there is a God and that He cares for them, and then that Jesus came for them. Then they can be educated and taught to care for others. THAT MUST BE TAUGHT TO THEM. It doesn't occur naturally, it appears to me, not here or in the US. Sometime it kind of stinks to be in the business of small victories. Then I remember why I am here, and Who called me to come. It takes my eyes off the circumstances, then you can go on. Take care in the States. Good luck with the government, I begin to think I am not sure which government is worse, the US or Haiti's.....

Djebenis tout moun.

March 2,2009

It is March 2. All day. Amazing how the time goes. Missed mission meeting yesterday, have a touch of somekind of bug. My stomach is not providing for the common welfare so I declare it in a state of rebellion. Not that it really cares much about that, but it makes me feel like I have control...which I obviously don't. :) The weather is warmer, we received quite a bit of rain last night, it rained most of the night as far as I could tell. So the dry season begins to wind down. There will still be mostly dry weather for another month-6weeks or so, then it will begin to change. Hopefully a much calmer season than last for Haiti.

School is going fairly well. I am learning to deal with goofball teenagers again. The teen group at church did not prepare me to deal with this stuff here. They were relatively calm compared to the stuff here, and that is mostly culture I know. We had not gotten many deported teens from foreign countries to enter our teen group so that lesson was lost on me. I am learning, though reluctantly.

I guess the main thing I have learned so far is that there is a method of dealing with isolation here, and I am learning my method as I go. I think everyone is different. One missionary I know has a very isolated situation and it really get's to her after time. Here it is not as bad but still, you are in a different culture and can't communicate well and you are a target because of your skin color and it just isn't easy. Taking a relaxing walk here just doesn't really happen for me. Now Jessica went on walks all the time, but I wonder how comfortable they were. Feel free to let me know Jess. For me it is a little harder to acclimate, but give it 7-10 years and I think I will get there. :)

The bug guy just came and sprayed. Yes, Gary found a guy to spray for bugs. The thing you worry about here is that they use stuff mostly banned in the US so I try not to breathe when they are around. Added on top of my rebellious stomach and it makes for.....fun! So I think I'll go and be nauseous in a different part of the house for variety. Take care in the cold!

Djebenis tout moun

February 28, 2009

Bon maten tout moun! yes, I know I have not been writing much. I haven't really felt like I had anything to write about. It seems the longer I am here, the things I would marvel and be amazed at previously now seem everyday. I guess it's like the frog placed in the pot of water. You slowly raise the heat and the frog stays there, gradually accustomed to it, and will stay in water till....well, till you have frog soup. It seems life here, like anywhere else, grows on you. I no longer look at Haiti as a grand, exotic experiment in my life. It seems much more like, well, home. It certainly has it's share of inconveniences, but then again, so did living in Madison, Il. Here there are really some advantages. Life is run, just differently. There is not much hustle and bustle if you don't want it. Gary and Caroline have a more busy life because they are involved in the things like Saturday Bible school. They have to prepare for it every week. Then there are the teams that come in, scheduling, arranging, itinerating (?!?), all that stuff.

For me, life is slower. I am gradually getting more comfortable with the Creole. This morning Rose came in to get money to go buy food for the school for the next two weeks. She looked at me and started going on in Creole until she saw the look on my face. At the same time she smiled and laughed I was saying "DOUSMAN, TANPRI, DOUSMAN!" that means slower, please, slower! so she slowed it down and I got about half of it. I knew most of the words but those I don't know as well take the time to run around in my brain for a second going thru tradwi (translation) and I miss the next 3 words. It is improving, though.

A funny thing about life being slower, it gives me time to think more and actually life here seems to go so fast. Maybe it is because I don't spend as much time thinking about the garbage of life as much. I spend much more of my time thinking about people and God and pouki sa sa, why this or that. I can't believe February is over, it JUST STARTED YESTERDAY! I will be home in a few months and my plans are to work at the VA in a summer job that is coming available. Darcy is having a baby (anko=again!) and is taking the summer off. Funny thing how she has her babies in the summer all the time... :) I will get to work as contract labor for the VA and it will be a great blessing to me financially. I am hoping the business thing will still work out for me to do audiology work here, assuming I return full time.

I am thinking I will, but I do not assume circumstances and how things will happen. I think I am growing into something here, but maybe that is for God to use thru me back home, who knows? I know my view of the world and it's people has changed forever. Third world country has a meaning now it did not have before, and part of that is "home". The people here have their problems and issues but, who knew, so does everyone! I look at America and see the disintergration of a once great country brought on by greed, deceit, cultural collapse, selfishness, lying politicians AND a people who have learned to lie to themselves so well they believe it. Then I see the people here, who do the same just in different proportions. The advantage is they do it here with far fewer rules and regulations! :) Wayne, I am working on the video thing, really. But as you can tell, not quickly!

Drive careful everyone, I see there is snow again in the forecast.

Djebenis tout moun.

Friday February 20, 2009

it is Karnival! the whole town is dressed to kill, partying, music playing. I was told that the gov't gives out thousands of dollars to each town to finance the partying. It IS the event of the year. the parades and such are amazing in that these are the same folks that will tell you they are starving the next day. I guess every culture has it's priorities and it's party time and this is it for Haiti. The side Americans don't see are the voodou themes and such. They celebrate the death of Jesus in these parties. Their religion, but many folks who would tell you they are Christian participate in these things.

we had a video by G. Craige Lewis, I think the name was, for the older kids today. an in your face preacher who talks about teen dating and how the church has just fallen on it's face letting our young kids make so many mistakes. He makes a very interesting point. You have to have reached a certain age to drive, purchase cigarettes, alcohol, even spray paint and some chemicals in most states now. Why? because the law assumes you aren't mature enough to be able to safely use these products until a certain age. But kids can date when they are 13,14. They are setting themselves up for disasters. Heck, most adults can't handle relationships, why would you think a teen ager could??

went to the orphanage yesterday to visit the kids and pray. Alexsson is sick and it may be malaria. Gary got him some childs choloroquine and he is on it now,we are hoping he will recover quickly.

a few days ago we had missionary meetingat Bev/Al's/Barb's place. Chris and Leslie Rollings brought Olivia with them. and Olivia did what kids do, explore. She had her face plastered up against the screen for awhile and came away with this face. needless to say Bev has been cleaning her screens this week! all in the day of a life in Haiti.

Gary and Caroline will be in Port this Sunday speaking at a conference. The trip is long and hard and w/o any upside for myself, I am planning on staying right here. Maybe I can get a little extra peanut butter in me that day. I have become a peanut butter freak here. The Haitians love it, the kids eat it every day and I have it for breakfast about every day. And, I am losing weight doing it. SO, peanut butter for everyone! bye for now

Djebenis tout moun