We have now been in Haiti for about two months, so I thought I’d just give you a quick update on how we’re doing and settling in to our new life here. As we’ve stated, everything is so different and there’s so much to learn – new culture, language, people, ways of doing just about everything… It has been a difficult transition, but we feel that each day gets a little easier and we learn and understand just a little bit more about Haiti.
Our first month at the guesthouse was very busy as we had a lot of guests from all over the place doing many different things – working with orphans, building a school, setting up an adoption agency in the U.S., helping out medically in different places… It is really neat to see so many people with hearts to serve and give. We have enjoyed being the “house parents” as people call us, and being available to help people process their experience here, answer questions, and attend to any needs that come up. Though our role is very demanding and tiring at times, it is even more rewarding and energizing.
Our second month here was a lot slower, and we had time to rest a bit more and settle in. We have been able to visit a few places such as a beautiful waterfall up the mountain, go to Indigo Beach for a day off (soooo beautiful – you feel like you’re transported to some other place far away), and go to some restaurants in the area with great food (pizza!) and even swimming pools. We are thankful to be discovering some places to “get away” and recharge.
Our days are still very random, filled with buying groceries for meals, buying diesel for the generator, fixing random things that break, planning meals, confirming reservations, changing money, Ryan helping Heartline with computer issues, and anything else that comes up. We have also been taking Creole classes three times per week, and we have already learned a lot. It is really fun to be able to communicate with our Haitian staff in their language and get to know them.
So overall, I’d say we’re doing okay. Definitely still adjusting and missing things and people from home, but as I said, it gets a little easier each day. We truly appreciate your prayers, phone calls, Skype chats, and comments on our blog. It means so much to know that you are along with us on this journey, and we can learn and benefit from each other’s experiences. Thank you to everyone for your support!
* Pictures taken by Evan Hunt
4 responses to “First Two Months in Review”
Keep going!!
Melissa – the girls and I talk about you often and we all miss you. I pray you are happy and safe. Shari
Melissa – I can’t find the email you sent me to ask about piano. I am sorry – I must have deleted it by mistake. Piano is fine – but not the same. The girls miss you dearly – and miss your lessons. Joanne is very nice but has a different approach that Julia hasn’t adjusted to yet. She keeps holding out hope that you will return – I said not to start hoping for a couple years! They keep the practice schedule you had them on. We talk about you often – most often on Wednesdays when I ask them how their lessons were! Just as you were a wonderful example to them as their piano instructor, what you are doing continues to be a wonderful example to them of devotion to God’s people. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I pray you and Ryan are well and happy. We miss you. Take care, Shari
I’m so glad that there are places the two of you can escape to in order to recharge yourselves. It is so hard to imagine the difference in living conditions between where so many live in their tent cities, and to that of the areas that have waterfalls and restaurants. It will be interesting to view these differences when we visit Haiti.
Thanks for the updates.
Dad