>> We got to visit our host cousin in the hospital less than 24 hours after giving birth to little Baby Bella. She, her mom and dad, and big brother (Chavez is 2), all live at our house. The whole outing was an adventure of two hours on a Tap-Tap*, visiting a Haitian hospital, and getting to pray over the new baby and her momma.
*Tap-Tap - a small pick-up truck where everyone piles into the back and a man stands on the tailgate and will tap the truck with a piece of metal to let the driver know when to stop and go...I call it the Haitian version of a subway car.
>> Celebrating my 21st birthday in Haiti was definitely a highlight! I was treated like a princess, had a spaghetti "cake" (100% awesome, by the way), and got sparkling juice popped over my head. A birthday I won't ever forget, all thanks to my two teammates, Greta and Jordan, and our translator, Jimmy.
>> I learned how to wash clothes the Haitian way. I think the clothes get cleaner this way than in a washing machine back home! It takes four cycles of scrubbing, rinsing, and wringing before we can hang it up to dry. By the end, my hands ache, but at least my clothes are clean!!
>> "Can I have a kiss, Baby?" is my favorite phrase each night. My 10-year-old host sister, Nika, and I love to have our nightly snuggles, which often result in her falling asleep in my lap. I don't know where she got that phrase, but we exchange plenty of kisses when it's repeated!
>> Bucket showers are the best thing ever. That is all.
>> I ate lobster for the first time. We had a day at the beach and watched them bring the lobster to shore directly before they cooked it for us! I actually really enjoyed it, which will surprise anyone who knows me. One, because it's seafood, and two, because it was spicy!
>> Our host mom, Mona, let us tag along to the market one day. A Haitian market is a VERY crowded place with barely enough pathway for one person to walk through. She introduced us to some of her many cousins, and we saw her pick out various fruits (including my new favorite: Kowosol), and get some chicken legs from a cardboard covered bowl for our dinner. Her chicken is my favorite!
>> Invited our 10-year-old host sister, Nika, to church and she came with us!!
>> Took Mona and Nika out for ice cream for Mona's birthday. They both got so dressed up and Nika was so excited to be invited...it was so worth it!
>> Shredding coconut has become my job at our house. Unfortunately, this means that by the time I leave, I most likely will have no fingertip on my right index finger. Mona uses the shredded coconut in her bean sauce.
>> The common area at our house has become one of my favorite places. This is where everyone hangs out and where Mona cooks. It is fun to sit out there during the day and interact with the dozen or so people who come over each day.
>> Greta's and my room is another favorite place. It has become the safe, comfortable place we get to call home.
I already have a part two started because I had so many highlights in Haiti! Look for that in the next couple weeks!
Prayer Requests:
~ Safe travels to Jamaica on March 7th.
~ Health for our team. We've had our bouts of illness run through the team making it a tough couple weeks.
~ Within a week of each other, two of our teammates have returned to the States due to illness. Please pray for speedy recoveries for both of them so they are able to rejoin us soon!
~ That our final week in Haiti will be an intentional one. That each of us will grow even closer to our host families and bridge gaps in this last week.
Family and Friends, your prayers, support, and encouragement mean more to me than you could ever know. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Sierra
Love the pictures and all God is teaching you!
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