So How Was It?

 

 

As we've been home now a while (David only the past week), we've gotten the question a lot..."How was it?"  There's a lot in that answer, and so I thought I'd give a (brief) overview of our last 6 months in Haiti. 

First of all, I think we felt so strongly that we were supposed to be there, that this is where God had called us to be.  So everything else aside, THAT'S what we wanted and that's what mattered.

I remember the first weekend we were there, looking in my cupboards and fridge and wondering what I was going to fix for supper.  Why had I bought only one pound of hamburger and a half dozen condiments when I went shopping last week??  I suddenly got a claustrophobic feeling...I didn't have a car of my own, let alone know how to drive stick shift or be able to speak the language....I was suddenly not an independent adult anymore, able to just cart off wherever and whenever I chose.  But thankfully that passed quickly, and we settled into a routine.

David was really busy the first couple weeks, but then it tapered off into more of a normal "8-5" job.  He really enjoyed the work and felt like he had been prepared through previous job experiences, and also that God was giving him the gift of ability to learn the complex systems throughout the hospital.

I enjoyed having more free time to spend with Orrin.  It seemed like at home I was always putting him in this bouncy seat or that walker to keep him occupied so I could get my work done.  So I felt for the first time that I was able to just be a mom!  How great!

You know some of our highlights as we were down in Haiti, and time passed quickly and went really well.  That came to a screeching halt about 4 weeks into this pregnancy.  Life became tough.  Days became long, and weeks looked too big to make it through.  And by the time I left, my attitude had really gone down.  To be really honest, I didn't want to be there anymore.  I hated the smells, the food, the people coming to my door, even the loudness of church.  But I also knew that as the sickness would pass, so would these feelings.  And I had told David a long time ago, that no matter what happens, we aren't going to blame Haiti.  Whatever happens could happen in the States.  No matter what, we were still supposed to be here.  So we've come full circle.


A few random thoughts.......

Best part:  We loved the work teams that came down, getting to build new relationships with lots of different people.

Worst part:  Being sick...both of us.  David came down with a bug several times, and me with the morning all day sickness of pregnancy.

Things we enjoyed the most:  Awesome weather year-round, being 45 minutes from the beach.

Things we missed about the states:  PEOPLE - friends and family!  And straight flat roads, real milk, AC Church, windows that close, and carpet.

Biggest surprise:  We had no idea how much we would feel like we were living in a fishbowl.  There was essentially nowhere to go to completely get away.  Everywhere we went...everything we did....felt like we were being watched.  And it made me question my actions....what does this look like to those living around me?  When I smiled and laughed or when I didn't, when I walked or rode in the vehicle, when I carried food up the hill to a potluck, when I hung out my laundry, or when Madam Ino came to cook...it didn't matter what I did, I wondered what others thought....how was I being perceived??  We missed just being able to blend in, be anonymous, but there was one thing that prevented that...us being white Americans living in Haiti.

Love the USA!

Orrin and I have been back in the States for two weeks now, and waiting on Daddy for another few days yet :(  Thought it was time to post on our experiences coming home.  

First of all, thanks to everyone for all their prayers on our travels home.  It was prayer alone that carried us through that day.  Without prayer, there's no other way that the day before we left, I could hardly walk up the hill, and then feel totally fine the next day to get up at 3am, take a 45 minute drive to Cayes, a 4 hour bus ride to the airport, wrangle Orrin through security and then in the airport for about another 4 hours, take a two hour plane ride, carry Orrin through immigration and security, and back on the plane for three hours to Ohare.  The last hurdle seemed the biggest.... crossing the road in front of the taxis to get to the middle section where I would get picked up by Paul and Loretta....with a carry-on, bookbag, and Orrin riding on top of the checked bag.  For a moment it looked almost too big, and some kind man asked if I needed help.  Heavenly.

I kept wondering when the culture shock would set in.  But it didn't.  I think I was so ready to come back to the US (grandparents, american food, milk, straight roads) that it didn't phase me too much.  There were moments, though.  I walked into Paul and Loretta's kitchen that night.  Oh wow, it looks sooo nice.  And then I walked on CARPET to put Orrin in bed.  And I came back down and drank a big glass of 2% Prairie Farms MILK!!!  It's sad when you get emotional over a glass of milk ;)

Ok, I know this is a really poor quality picture, but this is my first taste of America on the plane.

I'll have Orange Juice and Milk, please!

Orrin at the Library.  Different books!!!!

Enjoying Ice Cream at Dave's.  Thanks William and Melissa for the treat :)

"Mowing" with Grandpa Gerst.  Love the orange crocs with the orange mower :)

We've spent the past few weeks cleaning out the house, and packing up, sorting and getting rid of stuff :)  We're almost done, and having a garage sale, hoping to get rid of a lot of stuff :)  (Our house is being rented by newlyweds Josh and Katie, so they've been moving some stuff into our house while we're moving out :) )  We've had some fun times too...going to the library, watching fireworks, spending time with grandpa's and grandma's.  It's been great to see our friends and family again!  Just can't wait for Daddy to come join us!