the weekend :)sorry for the wait on this one

i sit and listen to the ocean, a fountain, crickets and lizards. Rain gently falls. what a journey.  After much thought and trying to plan, i decided to 

the 'cove' right at our hotel

enjoying the beach

take the journey with 7 others from EDV and 4 from Grass roots to Jacmel.  We left our house in PAP at about 615, a shocking 15 mins after we where scheduled to.  i now sit here, Jacmel, at midnight. i believe we got here a bit after 11. that is MUCH too long, but we got lost... or rather i should say our driver got lost.  It really was an eventful many hours. Leaving PAP was busy, and hot, and some new sights for me. Passing though some sights that are now forever in my mind. Young children out in the dark just watching traffic and the activities of a friday night. hundreds of people filling the streets, women selling food and goods in the streets by candle light. burning trash, and piles and piles of garbage.  the worst of all, was a dead body and a mangled motor bike under a semi truck.  these and many more i can not remove from my mind, and at the same time i don’t want to.  sometime along our journey i also received a vomit spray shower all down my right side... that is what you get when the guy in-front of you is sick and pukes out the window while we speed down the bumpy roads. 

so Now i sit... with calmness and peace around me... but know what is going on “out there”. so i sit in a state of “surrealness”   

---reflection on weekend---(spent sometime away from my computer)

place that we had dinner, this is the next day. i did not take my camera out that night. we had a large table in the same location that the man on the right is sitting

Saturday i woke to a beautiful cove... ocean, beauty!  i feel blessed to have this rest mid trip, and to see the island, but i have many moments of mixed feelings. Saturday was bonding day. I hung out with my 2 roomates for the weekend. We had breakfast, we hung out on the beach, we played cards, we chatted, we laughed, we bonded. this is what i was waiting for.  ON the late side on saturday night we all headed out for dinner. this was a high light of my life. we doubled up and jumped on Motos.... ok i could not wipe the silly grin off my face! what a highlight! Vicki, who was between the driver and my self turned back and had the SAME silly grin on her face, haha. We shared such a cool moment. OH to be clear... a Moto is a motorbike, but kinda a scooter... kinda in between.  The streets in Jacmel are flatter then most places i have been here, and calm, and not full of pot holes. this made is all the more enjoyable. Dinner was just another cool experience. OH as Vicki and Jade(my weekend room mates) call these moments or experiences  MINI ADVENTURES. i guess it is a thing from UK TV. from the Austin Mini commercials...  the night on the town was interesting. it is a very beautiful city....many buildings that have been marked as historic. I had decided i did not want my camera along that night... so i dont have anything to show for it. BUT on that note, Vicki and i went out with Paul(from previous blog, possibly name not mentioned) and he took us for a tour and i got lot of photos! 

14 of us in the van home. this is the back half.

Front half missing a few still

Broken.... over heated....eek... now to find water

Our return trip from Jacmel even more eventful then the trip there believe it or not. It started out with a break down, on a 
steep up hill, on the side of a mountain. Locals started to surround, as well and the fog and darkness. We managed to get back on the road after cooling off the engine with some hard to find water. but THIS was only the beginning.... we broke down.... 3 MORE TIMES! and between the pile of Blancs on the side of the road and the insane activity in PAP and surrounding areas it was not dull... that is for sure. the Ra RA bands where out in full force. We often found out van surrounded and being stammed on by passing hands. They dancers, musicians and walkers getting further then we where in the van.   Some people in the van had interesting things to say, but i knew what i needed to do. Pray. At this point, it was Protection over the van and people in it, regardless of weather i agreed with their views on it all.  We made it back, LATE, and just as we hit the few blocks before the airport we experienced the final trial. RAIN, and FLOODS, rivers in the streets. Water was splashing up into our half open, half closed pexi glass windows and splashing on our feet through the holey floor of the van. We made our way, and arrived.  I was feeling rather ill at this point, and was happy to be ‘home’. i thought just that... which i found interesting since i had only had one night there, and it was not the best night of my life. 

So i find my self settling in. 

I am sure i have missed many details and stories from weekend, but i will share them as i think of them :)

sorry... MORE photos to come. they take TOO long to upload.

edv jobs 14th and 15th of april

I joined in on the build of  the last 2 of 4 tables for Julie's ware house. check out Rebuild Global, and her sandles out of tires!

learning the patter/ design for the workers stools.

i get the vision, and the pass over of title of 2x4 ripper. 

friday

Post for Friday, april 15th(sorry for the delay)

Oh last night was a struggle. BUT i has a great time talking to a few amazing friends on Facebook chat, and then i had a great sleep. thanks for the prayers.  

OK so lets back up, yesterday morning i left all my loves at GLA. i held little Blanco till just before i left, and allowed Sony final moments in my arms.  I gave hugs to all i could that told them that i was not goodbye.  i was still very sad. even though i knew there was a good chance that i would be back to ATLEAST visit before i return to Canada.  I had a really great time at GLA, if you have not already gathered that from past blogs. I have met some amazing people and strengthened bonds with friends i already had.  Dixie gave me a hug good bye and told me that if she would have known that i was going else where in Haiti to do construction then she would have kept me there to do just that.... haha not  exactly what i needed to hear at that point, BUT at the same time i like that for my future.

an over view, see all the raw wood?
that was me!

wanting to learn!

  OK .  Because i stayed a few days longer at GLA because of when i was going to get a ride down to EDV my 5 kids that where assigned to me where passed on to others.  SO Molly found some jobs for me to do. I had been working on  the playground up at the toddler house for a while, and had not been very successful finding all the bolts that i needed to finish. SO i finally found those, after sorting through all sorts of rusty and greasy things. Tuesday morning i  took on the challange of finishing that, i had already pulled a night shift of grinding off the rusty bolts, night shift because that is the safest time being the kids are all in bed. So i was happy to have all the parts to finish that project. the final touches where done with a large crowd of kids around me. Widley got saw dust in his eye and was not too impressed, but was eager to still stand close to me while i finished. 

Lets try out the new bridge!!!

my helper, as we pushed the
other two and the tv out of the room.

Molly asked me if i would be  willing to build a bunk bed, for Sonson. (he is the young man that does the gate and many other things around the toddler and volunteer house) I was so happy to hear this, because just the night before i noticed that he was sleeping on  mattress on the floor. this did not sit well with me. Turns out he had a bed, but the bugs had gotten to it and it was not a very good design either, so it was no longer functioning for him. I sat down and designed a bunk bed, and planned out what wood i would need. in the mean time i asked Sonson if he would like to clear everything out of his room, since it is VERY small,  so we could look at the space and such. i noticed some mold in the corner, and i decided that him and i would CLEAN his room, so we did  just that. Scrubby brush each and some good cleaning water/ product we went at it. 

before... and no at this point the did not
help... they watched the game haha

Again, this is a very small room, so it did not take long. I was looking at how badly it could use some paint, so i went to ask Molly if this was possible. YES she said, to my delight! she even had EVERYTHING i would need, so we started! it was YELLOW! wow i am talking YELLOW.

many helping hands

a place for Sonson's things, and you see he is quickly putting it to good use!

I felt so wonderful about this project, i have really bonded with Sonson over my last 3 trips to Haiti, and even more this trip. He is in one of my first blogs, a photo with 2 guys and 2 girls.  A few days back i had noticed that he was kinda sad. he had come back from being away seeing his family over the weekend and i just noticed something was up. Now remember, i speak very little Creole, and he only speaks some English, BUT body language was huge in this case.  I decided that one night when we got home i would ask him. He told me that his brother was very sick, and he was sad for him. My heart broke a little more from the look in his eyes, i wanted to do SOMETHING.  I am happy to report that he came back from the next weekend in a bit better spirits, his brother has something wrong with his head is what i understand, but he is going to see a good doctor.  The fun and smiles that we shared over the two days we worked on his room felt so wonderful. I think that the very cheery yellow and the new bunk bed and BONUS shelf (because he should have a place for his thing, rather than a broken chair and scrap of plywood) he took such pride in doing the final coat of paint, and the sanding of the shelves.  Time with Sonson was what i was able to share, and some well deserved comforts.  For now, this sits well with me.  My prayers will be lifted in regard to his brother 

the outcome! i am very happy with it!

Me leaving GLA was tough, but night 1 at EDV was even tougher.  As my mom does say though, things always look better in the morning. And i knew they would. i was happy that i dove right into working, i spend the afternoon helping 2 other ladies working on building some tables for ‘julie’s project’  which is a location for the recycled flip flopproject to grow. they make them out of USED TIRES! how cool is that! now she with help of others are taking them off the streets, so rather then being burnt they are being turned into something useful! i love it! My carpentry skills came in very handy, thanks DAD for all the wonderful teaching.   HA the only learning curve that is really going to mess me up IS they where all designed in CM rather then INCHES. wow how strange!  but i am adjusting quickly.  Thursdays are Poker night at EDV,but i just did not have it in me. I was very happy to chat with a couple friends, and spend sometime on my computer. Some people where friendly, but i think  that has to be a two way thing, and i was just not into it.  i was very blessed with an awesome sleep, after much frustration with my misquito net. i ended up sleeping in a closet, but that was just fine, i slept pretty great. I was not sure what to do with my self in the morning, but i guessed that projects awaited, so up i got. And soon things really did look better. Kinda bizarre concept... 2 of us walking to our project for the morning. Backpacks loaded up with tools and off we went.  We did not have much to finish on the tables, i actually think the walk there and back took longer then the work. But that is all part of it.  i shake my head OFTEN... i am really doing this, i am working in PAP, Haiti, the place that was drastically changed Jan 12th 2010. Me... here...

(photos of EDV TO COME.)

so much more to report...

All that to say, thursday night was tough... but friday morning looked much better. i am settling in, and getting into the groove.

wanted to take this peanut to Port Au Prince with me

hard to leave a face like this!

SO blessed

Monday April 12th 
You know, i was reminded today and a few times over the past few days that it really is true, ONEBYONE that is. I am so small in a big world. But i serve the All Mighty that is so BIG in a small world. He did create perfection in 6 days, and continues to create perfection all around me. I am again so blessed to be a hands-on part of loving these Haitian people. I have fallen more and more in love with this place everyday. The mountains that surround me on all sides, the lightening that fills the skies tonight, the tiny hands that reach out to lifted into my arms, the cries of beautiful children that i have bonded with, with slow pace, the markets that fill the streets, the ladies selling snacks under a small shack coverings, men that slowly work on the latest construction.

My desire to stop and talk with the faces that meet mine, to be more then just a white face that makes heads turn upon the sight of a foreigner.  My desire to be an encourager, a friend, and a neighbor, a local even though i am not a national. 

Today i experienced the events of YHWH’s divineness. It started last night with a outside visitor last night, who as it turns out knows many people that i know, and might have a part in my future days in Haiti. OK lets make that clear, i am not speaking of marriage or anything here. JUST actually being a  part of planning what i might end up doing here in the fall, and i thought it was tough getting ahold of people while i am in Canada, turns out i was brought right here to the place i love and got to talk in person. Mysterious ways.  As my dreams and my life unfolds i am in AWE of the hands that hold it all.

I have been blessed to spend the last 2 weeks getting to know 5 precious children, My oldest just turned 2 in Nov. i think about the 2 yr old that i take care of at home, and how different their lives are. My little Boy in Haiti, Sony know my face when i walk in to the nursery, he wraps his little arms around me as far as he can reach, he rests his head on my shoulder, he giggles as i tickle his adorable little face, neck, arms and feet, he listens to my heart as he falls asleep feeling comfort, safety and love. He has taken a piece of my heart that i am happy to give him forever. I have found a piece to give each of them. My beautiful dainty Jasmin and her big and strong twin brother Jeremy. my active MiKerline, who has grown from a tiny immobile girl just a year ago. now FULL of personality, and expressions. My precious, tiny Blanco who seems to fit perfectly in my arms. I give them each a piece of me. I ache a bit for leaving them, for selfish reasons mostly... i know that they will be cared for, and provided for, and loved. but i am sad i think about it not being me. 

 I have known peace to say ‘see you later’ in the past, but i struggle for that same peace this time.  I am so rich with friendships that have changed me, and who inspire me. 

May i be aware, of the lives around me. 

Of the people that could enrich me, and influence my life.

Blessed am i to be the current hands and feet. Please i pray, be blessed future hands and feet. 

here is a song i have listened to often over the last couple weeks. wanted to share it with you all.

What if there’s a bigger picture

what if I’m missing out

what if there’s a greater purpose

i could be living right now

outside my own little world

so i would break my heart for what breaks yours

give me open hands and open doors

put your light in eyes and let me see

that my own little world is not about me

i dont want to miss what matters

i want to be reaching out

show me the greater purpose

so i can start living right now

out side my own little world

--matthew west--

Much love, Angela

me and my gangster Christof

 My little beauty!

 The moon, looking amazing... it was only a sliver, BUT my camera rocks!

Sony and Berline! LOVE THEM!

bruises

wow i find my self bruised and TANNED! that is what you get when you work up at Fort Jaque for a few days! i will tell more about that later.  but i have a smile on my face this evening once again, like the end of most days. I am really enjoying myself!

I sure miss my babies though, today i was gone all day and when i got back i was doing some work around the main house. One of girls on staff had my baby Sony, and was doing an assessment on his development. so i sat down with there with her and him. First he reached over and took my hand while i told the staff member what i had noticed about him since being his volunteer.  only a couple minutes later he reached over and wanted me to take him. I did and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and clung on. I had some more work to do, and so placed him near me to watch, and he did just that. It was a sweet moment every time i would look at him and see he was watching me. CUTIE!!!

RAIN!

We have gotten some rain some evening since i have been here, we have also had some SMOKIN hot days! last night it POURED! unlike i have seen, we drove up the hill to the house and it was like we where driving up a river! and from the house to the truck we where SOAKED. SO Micaela, Melissa(from france) and I decided to dance in the rain for awhile. we figured we where soaked anyways, so why not. i should have grabbed some soap.

 Yesterday a group of us went to "the waterfall" really just a walk/ hike/ rock jumping! which some of you know that i LOVE! and it was great. i have been to the water fall 2 times before, and this time there was next to no water.  but i am thinking that after the rain we had last night there might now be some more.  we scaled the small first waterfall and headed up for a long ways, i wanted to hike to the top of the mountain, but it did not happen. maybe another time. I saw my first tarantula! yuck! wow! he was in his little hole in the path, and my friend Wilmond pointed it out to me. i did not stick around long enough for him to crawl out... did not want to mess with that.  the mountains here are beautiful! and i am surrounded by them!

I have 3 awesome room mates! we have some good laughs! Melissa is from France, and we laugh pretty hard....she has some phrases that much sound better in French... cuz i dont like them very much in English. Like "if you keep singing, it is going to rain"  turns out it is true... but probably has nothing to do with my singing.

today 3 of us took some little ones out for a walk! my little sweety, Sony, walked while holding on to my fingers for a long time, i was so proud of him.  it is fun to walk and see the area, the kids really enjoy it too. I put Sony down in the 'grass' today and he was full of smiles.