Haiti Happenings 2

Day 2- We switched airplanes and flew from Miami to Port Au Prince. Our massive plane was filled with humanitarians, doctors, architects, Haitians, and others that we wish we could have interviewed as to why they were there (obviously not for vacation purposes). There were a lot of good people on that plane, ready to do some good. After getting through customs, we grabbed our bags (it was a zoo) and headed out of the airport to begin our life-changing journey.

This began with a slew of men dressed in blue shirts desperately trying to get a hold of our baggage (trying to "help" us out so that we would have to pay them). It was out of control. Peter warned me about them and told me be strong and hold my own (it was a bad idea to pull out cash in front of large groups of people there... no matter how badly we wanted to give them money). We both ended up losing the battle and paid them as discreetly as we could.

In the middle of all the craziness we saw our dear friend Fritzner waving and smiling at us. It was so wonderful to see Peter and Fritzner embrace... they had a special bond as mission companions and still have it years later.

We pushed our way through the insanity and hopped into a truck... a truck that had air conditioning!!!! (it worked when we drove, and stopped when we stopped... I prayed for no stopping :)). We met our driver for the trip, "Captain" as well as our security guard (not kidding), Richard. Captain was pretty good with English, so we bonded immediately. It was fun to listen to Peter and Fritzner catch up in Haitian Creole with lots of laughter intermixed.

Our destination was Saint Marc, a town about 50 miles north of Port au Prince. It took about 1 1/2 hours to get there due to the roads, the crazy drivers, having to drive slowly through random towns (so we wouldn't hit anyone), etc. I was amazed at all of the buses with people riding on the top with no personal space, the women carrying large things on their heads (anything from baskets, to large bushels of bananas, to water jugs), the men just sitting around watching the women work, little kids running up to the window to beg for money, vacant "homes" waiting for someone to finish them, the horrible "tent cities" that were their current homes, people riding donkeys on the side of the road, etc.

We finally arrived and I immediately saw such a difference from Port au Prince where we had just landed. Saint Marc seemed to have survived the earthquake much better.

The devastation was small. We drove through town keenly aware of all the looks we "blancs" (white people) were receiving. We definitely stood out.

Our first stop was in town to see the youth center Fritzner runs.

He received a grant from the US to open this center that helps educate teens on the effects of AIDS and Malaria. It also teaches them how to volunteer in their community which often leads to jobs (a rare commodity there). I was becoming more and more impressed with Fritzner and his dedication to his country. He is an ambassador for Haiti, travels to the US often, and could move his family here in a heart beat, but refuses to turn his back on his country that needs help... especially help from someone as loving and capable as Fritzner.

We then stopped by the LDS church in Saint Marc. Not only does Fritzner own and run and orphanage and a youth center, he is the Stake President. The church was gorgeous and it made me feel at home. Everything was the same... the hymn books, the pamphlets, the posters on the walls... just in Haitian Creole.

I loved just walking around seeing how well the grounds and building were treated. It was a little piece of heaven in a country that seemed to be going through hell. What a blessing the gospel is.

We hopped back in the truck, drove a short distance, then all of a sudden Captain honked the horn, a nice girl opened the gate, and we pulled into the orphanage "garage".

Immediately to the left, we walked into Fritzner's office. I imagined in my mind the women who have walked through that very door and sat in those office chairs to sign over their baby to Fritzner and then walk away. It was something I couldn't comprehend, yet as I walked up the stairs to find a beautiful, sturdy home, with beds and food to eat, I couldn't blame a mother for wanting a better life for her child. The faces I saw seated around the big green table were heavenly.

I went around and shook all the children's hands, asking them their name. They were horribly shy. I had to think of some way to help them understand that we were there because we loved them.

I noticed signs all over the walls that said "Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Waldron"... we did feel so. Especially as we were taken back to our room... a beautiful room with tile floors and a queen sized bed. The windows had screens and it even had a working toilet!! I imagined myself sleeping on the floor, underneath the mosquito net I brought, getting attacked by bugs (we did, however, have some large bug friends sleep with us in that room). What a welcome surprise. I know we took Fritzner and Carole's bed, it felt horrible, but they were thrilled to give us that space. Richard brought the load of suitcases into our room as we sat down to an incredible meal of rice, beans, goat, fried plantains, green beans and a spicy clove sauce.

I knew at this point that my hope of getting dirty and helping out was out of the question... they were going to treat us like royalty. After about 10 attempts in my English dorkiness to express to them that they didn't need to do so much, I gave up. They were all so excited to have guests and to treat those guests well. I shut my mouth and enjoyed the beautiful space, the kind welcome signs, the incredible food, and the special moments that the generator was turned on :).

We were then given a tour of their home/orphanage:
-the kitchen...

the "laundry room"...

up the hill, in front of Captain and Richard's home...

After lunch, I was still determined to make those beautiful kids my friends, so I busted out the Twister hopscotch game we brought them. Peter and I set it up, Peter explained how to play, and they shyly one-by-one took their turn.

It was kinda fun, but definitely not an ice breaker. We left the room for a moment and came back to find the game disassembled, the rings in the hand of a beautiful girl who was throwing them for another little girl to catch. Now THIS was fun.

As I watched the kids, I quickly fell in love with 3 month old Lovely. She was the best baby... so content. I loved holding her. She smelled like a combination of formula, sweat, and baby... a divine smell I will never forget. She was heaven.

We hopped in the back of the truck to go pick up Kemley (Fritzner's daughter) from school. Once again, I loved the looks geared towards the blancs hanging out in the back of the truck.
When we arrived back home, I pulled out my camera and started taking photos of the kids. I took a picture of adorable DJ, turned the camera around to show him the photo and he was amazed.

I quickly realized that digital cameras were a new thing for them. After each photo, the kids would run to the camera to see themselves. I can't even begin to tell you how happy they were when I put it on video mode. Guess what... we were all now friends :).

After playing with the kids and eating our yummy soup dinner, we gathered for Family Home Evening.

As I sat on that couch and listened to Fritzner give the lesson from Mosiah 18 and D&C 4, my heart swelled with emotion (as did my eyes) as I felt his love and the spirit so strongly. Peter was quietly translating for me and we were both incredibly touched by the kind lesson. Fritzner shared stories from their mission. They were companions when Fritzner's mother died. She was on top of one of the "tap taps" (taxi buses) when it rolled over. Fritzner became emotional as he shared the story of how Peter was there by his side in the hospital, at her funeral and throughout his mourning process. He continued to tell the kids that he and Peter are more than just friends... they are brothers, and they have been there for each other ever since. Peter responded with just as much admiration and love for Fritzner. I cannot even begin to describe how it felt to be in that room.

After the powerful lesson, they asked me to say the closing prayer (which I did often... they liked hearing it in English) and then we handed out the peanut butter cookies, couretsey of our friend Olivia from the airplane (see previous post).

When the kids were in bed (they slept 2-3 on each small bunk bed mattresses), we walked upstairs to the roof to sit and enjoy the night breeze and the bugs :). It was beautiful up there in the pitch black with only the stars in the sky. We sat and chatted with Fritzner and Carole (Peter chatted, I listened ;))... a perfect way to end an absolutely unforgettable day.