My trip back last week went well. All passengers on our AA flight had to stay at luggage carousel in Miami for three hours waiting for the lightening to let up so our luggage could be brought into the airport. It was understood by all passengers. The result was my suitcase did turn up, which made me a happy camper. Off I went to a hotel to rest before taking the morning flight home to Haiti.
Our vehicle trip from the airport in Port au Prince to the mission site took six hours, three hours longer than normal due to insane traffic jams (5 blokese yo.) A lot of the time there were six lanes of traffic, sometimes seven even, three or four trying to go one way and three the other direction where there should have been only two lanes. Put that together with far too many motos darting in and out, back and forth through the traffic, making the situation worse. Driving in Haiti is not for the faint hearted.
Traffic jam, 7 lanes of vehicles (3 2) on a two lane road)
I left Luc in Toronto in the very capable hands of our good friend, Beate. He was no doubt looking forward to that time with her. He sees and learns a lot when in Toronto. This time he is attending school with Beate every day while mama is in Haiti, attending her grade 6 class. He is homeschooled (part time Haiti and part time Canada) and this year has been doing Grade 6. He was excited about it, as were the students in Beate’s class, apparently.
Luc with Beate seeing Mama off at Toronto airport
Fun buddies
Speaking of excitement our HATS children were very excited to see Mama drive onto the compound. They all poured into my house, and spent the 1 1/2 hour left before bed time and generator shut down time. TiFi, of course, could not come to the house. I spend time with her daily. It is heart breaking to see her condition.
Mama is glad to be home. Her heart and her house is full.
With TiFi
Friday saw our school celebrate ‘Fet Drapo’ as we do every year. May 18th is always a special day for students, teachers and other employees, as a celebration of the flag happens, this year being the 215th celebration. The flag, blue, red, with a white centre with the coat of arms, is, as should be, a symbol of pride for the Haitian people.
Fet Drapo beauty – Haitian Flag Day
Dancers – respect for the flag
Returning from a long tiring march
The children and I are spending every minute we can together. it is awesome but makes it difficult to accomplish all the necessary work on my list.
My walking buddies
Josie and Karena with neighbour kids and goats
Jofky wants to make a big splash in the canal
Getting rid of snakes
Dickieson told Mama he was killing snakes. (This was after they had been gotten rid of by older kids.)
A beautiful morning
HATS-Haiti is All About the Children so I will do what I can in the mornings and spend the afternoons with the children.
God bless you all.
Karen
