Proverbs 8:34

The past two days have been relatively uneventful.  We don’t have the compressed earth presses so we don’t have the major tool to make the bricks that we need for building.  We figured that we could go ahead and get some dirt piles started and dig where we are going to build the first toilet, but Clayton was sick all day and couldn't get out of bed to talk with us about where to build (which was fine because he definitely needed a break and some rest).   So we've had some time to get a full Haitian experience.

Yesterday, we needed to go to the market to buy fresh produce to cook with.  Two of the Haitian guys, Melise and Junior (easy to remember his name), came alongside as interpreters.  We were very glad that they were there because I was in way over my head.  After much indecision and debate, we finally left with limes, onions, garlic, oil, beans, and rice (the latter three which we already had at the clinic…who knew?). 

Two nights ago was incredibly interesting:  we went to Haitian church.  There is a Christian church just down the hill, and they have night church every once in a while (basically when they feel like it…none of that Sunday morning stuff that we are used to).  I really enjoyed it, but I feel as though I would have enjoyed it more if I could understand anything they were saying.  Luckily, my ear caught the melodies of “You Raised Me Up,” and “This Little Light of Mine.”  One thing that I did find amazing is that no one knew harmony.  Maybe that is just because I have music running through my blood, but I didn’t know that harmonies had to be learned.  I mean, I had to teach myself, but I know of people who just start doing it with no feat.  That’s not incredibly important; I just thought it interesting. 

Since we are not doing much and Clayton was overwhelmed a couple of days ago (and sick yesterday), we got to teach English class.  Now, I know that in the States, there is a process of educating the educator, but they don’t care much for that here, so Brandi, Jill and myself became teachers in a matter of 2 seconds.  Regardless of the lack of training (or experience), they learned their vegetables and random articles of clothing, and we found out after class that they had learned a Shania Twain song ("You're Still The One") so today we are going to learn “Hit Me Baby One More Time.”  I know, we may be corrupting them, but they love it either way. 

We’ve also had to reevaluate our design for the toilet because we discussed that they Haitians may not use the composting units.  Now we’re going to do gravel pits, and we’re pretty sure that this will work because there will be no maintenance as far as the emptying and stirring of the compost goes.  Basically it is the same model except now they don’t get to use the compost for fertilizer (which Clayton and Dr. Henry [a local Haitian] said they wouldn’t use anyway).  So that was our project this morning: redesign.  Apparently it is now fool proof. 


We also have this little issue with beetles.  They really enjoy flying around the room at night, landing on us, and crawling on us...basically coming out of no where sometimes (I found one in my pants...what?!).  Two nights ago we decided to take control of our situation and the death toll was around 1-200.  We "beetle proofed" the room with duct tape, but after spending a majority of the evening on the roof, I opted to sleep under the stars.  It was cold, but incredibly worth it...except that the Haitians were having church till 2 in the morning, and started back up around 7:30 (they're not playing games here), and they are loud.  Either way, wonderful night.  I didn't get much sleep because I was distracted by the stars, but I'll nap today sometime.

This is a bit out of the air, but I’m pretty sure that I've had peanut butter for every meal so far.