This post is going to be a little choppy. I wrote it all day in my head, but then when I actually sat down to write it I forgot it all... neat. Thanks for that, brain.
-Today I woke up and we did our daily phone devo with Gersan. Today's was especially good and I really enjoyed it!
- I worked on cleaning the office some and re-organizing random stuff. Put things in the shelves, didn't like them that way, so I rearranged them, then realized I liked them better the first way so I put them back... Everyone looked at me like I had lost my mind. I honestly kinda love that look. haha.
-School went well today!! That's 4 days in a row!!!!
-I showed up to school and all the kindergartners start chanting my name, "NoRel, norel, norel!" Then they started chanting something about being afraid of "blancs". Turns out there is a little girl who is scared of white people and they were making fun of her. Which is pretty sad. I'm going to try to not be terrifying and become her friend!
-At school I could understand the side conversations and joined in jokingly... Much laughs all around. Because of this I was told that I speak better Kreyol than Jack (one of the guys from Frontier Camp that just finished spending a lot of time here and is wildly popular in the village.) I've been told my entire trip thusfar about how good he speaks Kreyol. Today they told me I was better... Which of course, started a fight. the classroom quickly divided between who thought I spoke better and who thought Jack spoke better. Just to be thorough I took a vote. Want to hear the results? Jack=3. Noelle=16... I took that as a win!
-There was a young woman who showed up at the end of school and was SHOCKED that I was speaking kreyol. She didn't know me before today and she kept laughing and saying, "wow! wow!" "she speaks kreyol!" "wow! she speaks everything in Kreyol!" So cute to see her reaction.
-I got told that my hairy legs were pretty!! DOUBLE WIN! Dear future husband, I might not shave my legs often. Hope that's ok. The Haitians think its pretty. Thanks, and Gig'em!
-I talked a lot today about random things that have no real need to be discussed. For example, I explained how people in Texas have accents, and people from different parts of the US talk different and treat people differently. I also explained the concept of "cowboys." That was fun! Dad, she is excited to meet a cowboy!
-One thing I'm loving about this minute is that my skype is working!! (notice I said minute, not day... there is no guarantee here.) It has been down for the past few nights and is finally alive!
-Last but certainly not least.... My dad and sister, Grace are coming to see me on Sunday!! The whole village is excited, but no one as much as me!! Love you guys!!
2.10.2011
2.09.2011
Laundry Lessons
A while back I texted my mom this message, "I'm going to start a list of lessons I learn here. Lesson number one: check the weather before doing laundry in a country where you rely on clotheslines"
Well... Today I learned lesson two.
When you leave your clothes on the line overnight shake them out because animals sometimes make them their new home.
Ever found a big frog in your bra??
....I have.
I love this place... I love it even more when my bras are frogless, but it provided a good laugh nonetheless.
remmeber this post!? Glad it wasn't in her bra!
(Have I said "bra" too many times in one post for this to be considered comfortable reading? Are any of you blushing? I hope so.... I'll try not to do this again.)
Well... Today I learned lesson two.
When you leave your clothes on the line overnight shake them out because animals sometimes make them their new home.
Ever found a big frog in your bra??
....I have.
I love this place... I love it even more when my bras are frogless, but it provided a good laugh nonetheless.
remmeber this post!? Glad it wasn't in her bra!
(Have I said "bra" too many times in one post for this to be considered comfortable reading? Are any of you blushing? I hope so.... I'll try not to do this again.)
2.08.2011
10 on Tuesday week 3
Well hello, my lovely friends.
Today. Sadly, I forgot that it was camera day until just now. (I know you are thinking, "NOELLE. Its 3 o'clock! You have plenty of time!" But I don't. I only have 2 moreish hours of daylight. I considered doing 10 on Wednesday, but that just isn't as catchy. So we are back to word pictures.
One of these days I'll do it right!
1. Every morning when we wake up, before we start our day we all crowd around Boss Varis' speaker phone and Gersan prays for each of us, and for our day. He has also started doing a little devotional from a book he likes. Its such a sweet way to start the day. Knowing that we are prayed for, and that we are all on the same page together. Its like Sr. Staff meeting at Frontier Camp, (but shorter and earlier!)
2. Today's morning consisted of preparing the office for a makeover. I got help from Boss Tchaly in taking down the bed and moving it next door. I thnk I have removed all the bedding and placed them in a spot all together. Tomorrow I will begin the nitty gritty of sorting and placing things on our fine shelves that Frontier Camp built when they were here.
3. Also, my day has been full of conversation. I have been blessed to have had a few random skype and fb chat conversations along with some phone convos with Betty and my dad. Last night I was feeling a little far away from home, but then this morning I got a fb email from a dear friend giving me all the details of her life. Even one's that aren't important or even really relate to either of us... example: "so-and-so. (a mutal friend) got a haircut." I love still knowing the details of everyone's lives. So if you ever need to word vomit details of your life on someone... I am your girl!!
4. Remember how last week I was discouraged about school not going well? Well, today I showed up for school and the little kindergartners (who aren't even in my class ran up to me and shouted, "Goodmorning! How are you? What is your name?") I know they didn't understand what they were saying because they ALL know my name. When I walk by I honestly feel bad for thier teachers, the entire class is disrupted because someone, always, without fail gets the whole class chanting, "Norell. Norell, NOrell." sometimes they chant my name along with other words, but I haven't yet figured out what they are saying.
5. Speaking of school... The last two days have gone very well. My first, second, and third graders had a blast with "Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes" yesterday to learn our body parts, but I had to edit the words a little. They were getting confused by the "head AND shoulders. knees AND toes." Thought that and was part of the body part. Once the ANDs were omitted it was smooth sailing. Thankfully I have learned the value of a little friendly girl-boy competition at Frontier Camp and so, of course we split the boys and girls and had some competition to see who could sing the loudest AND pronounce the words correctly.
A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E. Today went well with my Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth graders as well. No singing for these kiddos (I say kiddos... most of them are my age or a little younger.) But they did learn them all. We practiced pronouncing things correctly and then had a quiz... They did wonderfully! I was so happy! Thank you God for giving me smart kids!
6. I really wish my camera was around for this one. I can't adequately describe this to you... So... I'm getting all the materials ready for Janet (the lady who comes in the evening to cook for me). I pull the tomato paste out of the icebox (which has not been refridgerated for over a week.) But the tomato paste has been open, left in the can, and put back into the ice box.... Ok. So I go to get it out.... Black Fuzz. Lots of it. around the top of the can. Open the can... (any normal individual would have gagged, but my science brain and the past month in Haiti has really decreased my gag reflex. Y'all. I have never seen this much mold anywhere. Not even in a science lab. it was A LOT. I exclaim that the paste is not good and Janet looks at me in horror. *rough translation* "oh don't panic, its FINE! I'll just scrape off this stuff and it'll be good as new." So... I'm eating sauce made with that tomato paste tonight. I hope I don't have any adverse reactions to the new floura I am introducing to my system.
7. So speaking of food... today Guerline went to the doctor in Cap Haitian, to get some medicine. She came back with a funny little bag of... something. It looked like... something... I don't even know. White and brown. I could see that it was hard chunks of some sort of cresent shaped thing. It is about 1.5 inches thick. (I'll save some and take a picture).. anyway... one of the strangest things I've ever eaten. At the beginning it has the consistency of sand and tastes like nothing, then it tastes like a mini wheat (you know the cereal), then it turns into a toothpaste consistency and tastes like vanilla cake mix. Very... interesting. Its called 'bon bon amidon" Bon bon just means candy or snack... and apparently this is made from the same plant as cassava... Which I am planning on taking a picture of soon. Cassava is quickly becoming my comfort food/ after school snack, but its pretty healthy I think. Just a plant. Can't wait for next week when I have homemade Haitian peanut butter!
8. Tala washed my clothes today. When she was finished she came up and told me she was finished and that my underwear looked pretty on the line... "Ummm... Thank you? They are pretty much standard underwear..." I'm glad that's out there for all to see... maybe she meant that as a collective whole my clothes looked pretty on the line... I'll never know.
9. Preparing my lesson for tomorrow. Trying to think of songs or games to teach colors. Could be a short lesson. But I'll probably add some body parts that weren't covered in the song from Monday. I'm considering some sort of matching game or "hide and seek" type... we'll see...
10. Currently listening to my current favorite artist, Joshua Radin (google him. fall in love. I dare you. I even made it super easy for you), serenade me while I am talking to my mom on skype. Miss my momma. She is the best. She loves me so much that sometimes its overwhelming.. which, if you think about it, is ok! Talking to her on skype is always a joy and an experience. Partially because my internet situation is an experience all on its own, and partially because of my mom's relationship. One minute we will be talking about something serious and the next I'm trying not to wake up Guerline because I am laughing so much... MoMo, I miss being able to call you ever SECOND I think of something random to tell you, or texting you randomly throughout the day the funny things that happen in my life. YTB!
Here's to actually having photos in my next 10 on Tuesday!
Today. Sadly, I forgot that it was camera day until just now. (I know you are thinking, "NOELLE. Its 3 o'clock! You have plenty of time!" But I don't. I only have 2 moreish hours of daylight. I considered doing 10 on Wednesday, but that just isn't as catchy. So we are back to word pictures.
One of these days I'll do it right!
1. Every morning when we wake up, before we start our day we all crowd around Boss Varis' speaker phone and Gersan prays for each of us, and for our day. He has also started doing a little devotional from a book he likes. Its such a sweet way to start the day. Knowing that we are prayed for, and that we are all on the same page together. Its like Sr. Staff meeting at Frontier Camp, (but shorter and earlier!)
2. Today's morning consisted of preparing the office for a makeover. I got help from Boss Tchaly in taking down the bed and moving it next door. I thnk I have removed all the bedding and placed them in a spot all together. Tomorrow I will begin the nitty gritty of sorting and placing things on our fine shelves that Frontier Camp built when they were here.
3. Also, my day has been full of conversation. I have been blessed to have had a few random skype and fb chat conversations along with some phone convos with Betty and my dad. Last night I was feeling a little far away from home, but then this morning I got a fb email from a dear friend giving me all the details of her life. Even one's that aren't important or even really relate to either of us... example: "so-and-so. (a mutal friend) got a haircut." I love still knowing the details of everyone's lives. So if you ever need to word vomit details of your life on someone... I am your girl!!
4. Remember how last week I was discouraged about school not going well? Well, today I showed up for school and the little kindergartners (who aren't even in my class ran up to me and shouted, "Goodmorning! How are you? What is your name?") I know they didn't understand what they were saying because they ALL know my name. When I walk by I honestly feel bad for thier teachers, the entire class is disrupted because someone, always, without fail gets the whole class chanting, "Norell. Norell, NOrell." sometimes they chant my name along with other words, but I haven't yet figured out what they are saying.
5. Speaking of school... The last two days have gone very well. My first, second, and third graders had a blast with "Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes" yesterday to learn our body parts, but I had to edit the words a little. They were getting confused by the "head AND shoulders. knees AND toes." Thought that and was part of the body part. Once the ANDs were omitted it was smooth sailing. Thankfully I have learned the value of a little friendly girl-boy competition at Frontier Camp and so, of course we split the boys and girls and had some competition to see who could sing the loudest AND pronounce the words correctly.
A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E. Today went well with my Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth graders as well. No singing for these kiddos (I say kiddos... most of them are my age or a little younger.) But they did learn them all. We practiced pronouncing things correctly and then had a quiz... They did wonderfully! I was so happy! Thank you God for giving me smart kids!
6. I really wish my camera was around for this one. I can't adequately describe this to you... So... I'm getting all the materials ready for Janet (the lady who comes in the evening to cook for me). I pull the tomato paste out of the icebox (which has not been refridgerated for over a week.) But the tomato paste has been open, left in the can, and put back into the ice box.... Ok. So I go to get it out.... Black Fuzz. Lots of it. around the top of the can. Open the can... (any normal individual would have gagged, but my science brain and the past month in Haiti has really decreased my gag reflex. Y'all. I have never seen this much mold anywhere. Not even in a science lab. it was A LOT. I exclaim that the paste is not good and Janet looks at me in horror. *rough translation* "oh don't panic, its FINE! I'll just scrape off this stuff and it'll be good as new." So... I'm eating sauce made with that tomato paste tonight. I hope I don't have any adverse reactions to the new floura I am introducing to my system.
7. So speaking of food... today Guerline went to the doctor in Cap Haitian, to get some medicine. She came back with a funny little bag of... something. It looked like... something... I don't even know. White and brown. I could see that it was hard chunks of some sort of cresent shaped thing. It is about 1.5 inches thick. (I'll save some and take a picture).. anyway... one of the strangest things I've ever eaten. At the beginning it has the consistency of sand and tastes like nothing, then it tastes like a mini wheat (you know the cereal), then it turns into a toothpaste consistency and tastes like vanilla cake mix. Very... interesting. Its called 'bon bon amidon" Bon bon just means candy or snack... and apparently this is made from the same plant as cassava... Which I am planning on taking a picture of soon. Cassava is quickly becoming my comfort food/ after school snack, but its pretty healthy I think. Just a plant. Can't wait for next week when I have homemade Haitian peanut butter!
8. Tala washed my clothes today. When she was finished she came up and told me she was finished and that my underwear looked pretty on the line... "Ummm... Thank you? They are pretty much standard underwear..." I'm glad that's out there for all to see... maybe she meant that as a collective whole my clothes looked pretty on the line... I'll never know.
9. Preparing my lesson for tomorrow. Trying to think of songs or games to teach colors. Could be a short lesson. But I'll probably add some body parts that weren't covered in the song from Monday. I'm considering some sort of matching game or "hide and seek" type... we'll see...
10. Currently listening to my current favorite artist, Joshua Radin (google him. fall in love. I dare you. I even made it super easy for you), serenade me while I am talking to my mom on skype. Miss my momma. She is the best. She loves me so much that sometimes its overwhelming.. which, if you think about it, is ok! Talking to her on skype is always a joy and an experience. Partially because my internet situation is an experience all on its own, and partially because of my mom's relationship. One minute we will be talking about something serious and the next I'm trying not to wake up Guerline because I am laughing so much... MoMo, I miss being able to call you ever SECOND I think of something random to tell you, or texting you randomly throughout the day the funny things that happen in my life. YTB!
Here's to actually having photos in my next 10 on Tuesday!
2.07.2011
Be still. live life.
One of the things that am learning here is to be still. To live life as it comes and not make things happen. To be content to LIVE here. I'm learning and seeing more and more that I am not on a "mission trip", but I have simply been called to live this chapter of my life here. It seems like a very short chapter. I'm almost a quarter of the way finished with it. In some ways I miss things back home, but in some ways I never want to go back to the states. The people here are slowly becoming my family for now. They will never EVER replace my family and friends back home, but for now they are my family.
This weekend was definitely a picture of what life is like. There was no work this weekend. Just life and laughs.
On Saturday we decided to hike the mountain in the backyard. I was so excited. I had hiked it once before and it is one of the most beautiful places I've seen. Where else can you see mountains, valleys, and the ocean in one glance? Not Texas... So because of the beauty this is a photo heavy blog... enjoy.
I mentioned the other day that I had found and claimed the land for my future house. As we were climbing the mountain I stopped to take some snapshots from my future porch!
North
West
South
Before long Guerline was tired and ready for a break.
(Also, for those of you who have read my last few blogs and seen the pictures... she does change clothes... but she has like 4 yellow shirts... hence the appearance that she doesn't change.)
Our fearless leaders... waiting for me and Guerline. The entire time Guerline was complaining... why are you running? Why are you walking so fast? Slow DOWN!! This only encouraged them to walk faster... thanks guys.
I don't know if you can see it clearly, but there is a black snake in the tree in the middle of the picture. Guerline had already expressed her fear of seeing a snake on the mountain (apparently there are different snakes up there than down here... the ones that live there are more scary like cobras... I think its a rumor.) But since neither of us are fans of snakes I told her I'd bring along the machete. Yes, I a whole mountain with a machete strapped to my back. I felt a little awesome... not gonna lie. But when it came time to kill the snake we decided against it, because it was peacefully in a tree, and to kill it I would have had to lean over and risk falling down the mountain.... into the snake tree. Since it was essentially doing us no harm we decided to let it live.
View from the ALMOST top!
Again. Our fearless leaders. Jonny (R) and Herman (L)
(I'm pretty sure that is the American spelling of their names... not the Haitian one.)
Happy to be almost there.
At this point. Once Guerline has sat down it was all over. She broke out her sugar cane and declared that she wasn't going any further. We were probably no further than 300 yards away. If that far. But she had decided it was over.... So alas, we didn't finish the climb. We turned around here. I wanted to give her some tough encouragement, which is needed sometimes for mountain climbing, but didn't know the correct words in Kreyol without sounding mean... oh well. Maybe next time
This is the view from the point that we turned around. If you look carefully you can see the ocean, and, if you've been here before and know our island you can see that too.
At this point we were descending. This is not my favorite. I am bad at going back down and almost fall with every 3rd step. They made a walking cane for me and then made fun of me because they said I looked like a blind grandma with my cane... and insisted on taking a picture... thanks guys.
On the way down
Happy to be going back down!
Not as happy to be going back down, but couldn't resist the urge to Gig'em!
Once we were back at camp we decided to make ourselves a little afternoon snack... after all, what's better to eat after climbing a mountain than sugar?
These guys are professional marshmellow roasters.
And eaters.
Guerline had never had a marshmellow in her life... much less a S'more... needless to say she was pleasantly suprised.
We spent the afternoon napping and drinking colas in our hammocks.
Oh Jesus, thank you for this beautiful day!!
Sunday was much like Saturday in the resting aspect of things. I went to church, which made me a little sad. It was great to worship God in another language, but after a month without my churches back home I'm really missing them. In Tomball I have started to feel like part of the Redeemer Bible Church family and have been so blessed by the love for Christ and for each other that the body has. In College Station I recently became a member of New Life church, and the people there have blessed me so much. A few of my young mommy friends from New Life have just had babies or are about to give birth and it makes me sad that I'm not around. I was plugged in to two very healthy, God loving, people loving, Bible loving, church loving churches, and now I'm not. I am in a church where I don't understand much, and I'm stared at the whole time. Ever move I make is watched by someone or another. I can't even find the songs in the hymnal, so my neighbor has to help. I miss being able to sing my heart out to Jesus, cry if I need to, close my eyes and still know all the words, and know that those around me aren't staring and whispering to their neighbor about me.
(These are just things that I miss. I am not saying I want to come home or that I hate it here. Please don't worry about me!)
I am so thankful for technology, and have been listening to podcasts on sunday mornings from my church.
Sunday afternoon rolled around at Tala came by to say hello. She asked if we could go "upstairs" to the little hill that overlooks the valley. Guerline had some sugar cane that her dad brought for us, and so we went upstairs to watch the sunset. As we sat and watched the sun set the only noise "cruch, slurp, chew, slup, swallow, crunch, spit" repeat of us eating our sugar cane. (If you have never personally chewed on sugarcane that is what it sounds like... and I highly reccomend that you try some soon)
This was our sunset. Mostly fog. But we enjoyed looking at the valley. This valley looks different every day.
God never ceases to amaze me with His beauty.
These two are currently some of the sweetest blessings in my life.
Guerline is on the left. Tala on the right.
Trying from another angle. Not quite successful at getting all of us, but this adequately captured our joy.
Thank you, Jesus for sweet friends!
2.04.2011
Impromtu roomie night... and the rat attack.
Made breadcrumbs... I'd never done that before and had no idea how, but they turned out really good!!
Made ready our eggplant
Set up our assembly line
...and fried our eggplant!
I have a picture of ur finished product, but after trying to get it to upload for almost an hour I have given up. You will never know what the end product looked like. I'm sorry. They call this internet "voila" but I'm pretty sure I could get them on a false advertising law suit! Just imagine what the end product looked and tasted like... (hint... it was pretty great!)
After greatly enjoying our eggplant creations, we scrambled the extra egg, so not to be wasteful and ate that with our appetizers!
As I was heading to bed I grabbed a granola bar for breakfast to put in my bag. WHY IS THERE A HOLE WITH BITE MARKS IN MY WRAPPER?? yep. the rat had found my food. ugh. I wanted to throw up. But I didn't. I held it down. After making sure that the rats weren't currently in the bag we took the bag to my house to survey the damage done. Apparently rats like applesauce and nuts more than Lara bars and soup.
As I started to throw away the bars that the rats had munched on I heard Johnny, a young orphan who works here at camp digging them out of the trash. I didn't even know what to think. Disgust for my mountain of granola bars that I brought? Pity for this boy who wanted to eat what the rats left over? As we sat in my room separating out the good from the bad and the ugly I had a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. I could not believe I had all this food. I mean honestly I don't eat a lot of it. The Haitians think I'm some kind of crazy person because I never eat. Today I ate lunch simply because my friend Tala was mad that I hadn't eaten. Sometimes I wonder if they don't understand what "I'm not hungry" is because they have never felt that way. I tried to make the feeling of guilt and disgust go away, but it wouldn't. Finally Guerline broke the silence. She made a few jokes about rats that I'm not sure exactly how to translate, but they were funny.
Eventually we started talking while we were sorting through the food. We talked about her family, how many brothers and sisters she had, we talked about her nieces, we talked about my friends that she knows who have come here from camp, and we even talked about her ex-boyfriend! I was suprised with my kreyol while we were talking because I was able to communicate and understand basically everything that I wanted to.
God is so good to me. So unbelievably faithful. On wednesday I really missed my friends and family back home. Today I got the text message from Texas A&M that school was cancelled for the snow. It made me a little sad to know that I wasn't there to go play with my friends. I miss doing life with those back home. But God has provided me with wonderful friends here. The relationships are not as deep, we don't talk about our hearts and share every detail of our lives. But Guerline and I have been fast friends. Tonight God was so gracious to give me a fun roomie night. Last time I cooked with my roomate kylie we ended up sitting on the floor laughing so hard that I thought she was going to pee her pants and I was going to pass out from lack of oxygen. That isn't exactly how tonight ended, but it was very fun and needed nonetheless!
2.03.2011
Lets compare and contrast....
Ok. So I know we've all written compare and contrast papers. I am a little out of practice, so I thought I'd choose something easy with lots of differences. How about..... ... Yesterday and today?
EASY. here goes.
Yesterday... awful.
Today... awesome.
need details?
So yesterday I woke up (later than I had hoped), I wanted to go up on the mountain to do my quiet time and pray, but it was too hot by the time I woke up to go, so instead of really enjoying my time, I rushed through quiet time. I spent the morning working on my kreyol and preparing for school, but preparation was difficult because I still wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. Around noon I headed to the school for my first English class. I was pretty excited, but also a little nervous. I mean, I can speak English, but that doesn't mean I can teach it! I struggled through class, the kids didn't really understand what I was trying to teach them. (Good morning, how are you?) I mean. I didn't really think it was THAT difficult?! There were about 30 students in my class, maybe more. (I took a picture, but accidentally deleted it.) I ended class after about 30 minutes because I couldn't think of anything else to say. (When you have a limited vocabulary its easy to run out of things to say!) I trudged back to the camp compound where I live with a somewhat heavy heart. I was a little discouraged, I mean, I didn't think "Hey how are you?" was that hard. But whatever. I got home and this lady said something in a rude tone to me in Kreyol like she was mad at me. Having no clue who she was I brushed it off and decided maybe she had me mixed up with the other white girl that lives in the village... (for those of you new to this blog... I am the only white girl for miles around.) Well I was informed about 15 minutes later that she was here to see me. So I walk back and ask her what she's here for. Turns out she was one of the patients that we treated last week at the clinic and she had a diabetic ulcer on her foot that she wanted me to put a dressing on. "Ok. no big deal. I can do that!" As we were walking over she said a few things that were not very nice and hurt my feelings (remember, I'm already a little hypersensitive because of school not going well.)
here begins the mood. This mood affected my understanding of Kreyol somehow. I couldn't understand anything that anyone was saying to me. Maybe I wasn't trying anymore. I don't know.
I spent the rest of the afternoon halfway between Eyore and Oscar the grouch. Except Oscar only said mean things in my head in English. Janet, the lady who makes food for me was there, she got upset and impatient when I couldn't understand her, then a few other people came and tried to help translate. This escalated into me feeling like they were talking to me like a little baby alien. They were using baby Kreyol AND treating me like I was from outer space. I had to fight tears for 4 hours straight. It was awesome. I knew that I was in a bad mood and just needed a good 10 minute cry and an attitude adjustment, but I am supposed to stay in the kitchen when Janet is here, which, yesterday was for 4 hours. So the mood just got worse and worse. I started crying 6 times...
Finally she finished and I told my roommate that I was tired and going to bed. What I wanted to do was go be somewhere alone and cry forever. Mostly because I was frustrated because I was in a bad mood. I struggled a lot with the "why am I here" question and came up with no answers.
Anyway. the night ended with me going to bed at 5pm. I decided it was best just to sleep it off. Which I did. 13 hours later I woke up feeling much better. Which brings us to TODAY.
TODAY was great.
I woke up early enough to go up on the mountain to do my quiet time, but we found 4 inches of water in the pantry... I guess we found the lowest spot on the slab! Oh well, TIH-this is Haiti. We spent the next hour or so trying to get all the water out of the pantry. At least I was working with friends. P.S. I did work when they let me, I think there is a rule that whiteys can't sweep... little do they know what a great sweeper I am (inherited that trait from my mom.)
So here we are sweeping water out of the pantry. Don't be fooled by the iceboxes... not plugged in. haha.
So after this little hiccup in the day everything was smooth sailing. I felt like I could understand almost everything said to me and actually had a few conversations that weren't pertinent to life. Like, just hanging out and talking type of conversations. It was great. Before school I called Gersan and Betty, my Haitian parents, and they prayed with me over the phone. It is such an encouragement to me to know that they (and my American parents) are in full support of what I am doing. Even when I feel like I'm not accomplishing anything here. Or I feel like I can't do anything worthwhile, they tell me they are glad I'm here and that they KNOW I am blessing people and loving people. So after praying with Gersan I headed off to school. Guerline, my roommate, and Tala the lady who climbed the mountain with me on Tuesday said they would miss me. As I was leaving Guerline yelled at me, "Mwen renmen ou, anpil!" (I love you a lot!) That made my whole trip worth it!!
I went to school all prayed for and feeling more confident. Today school went much better, probably because the students were older, or maybe they just hid their confusion better than the little ones. I'll never know.
After school I came back to camp and did some more hanging out and chatting with my friends here. Today I understood almost everything! And I learned some new words...which is always a plus!
Overall. Today was much better! God is good. So very good. I'm trying to keep myself not focused on what I see myself actually accomplishing (I mean, its ridiculous to think I can have the whole village speaking English in 3 days.)
I decided today that my motto, at least for the week is:
"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart." Prov. 3:3
EASY. here goes.
Yesterday... awful.
Today... awesome.
need details?
So yesterday I woke up (later than I had hoped), I wanted to go up on the mountain to do my quiet time and pray, but it was too hot by the time I woke up to go, so instead of really enjoying my time, I rushed through quiet time. I spent the morning working on my kreyol and preparing for school, but preparation was difficult because I still wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. Around noon I headed to the school for my first English class. I was pretty excited, but also a little nervous. I mean, I can speak English, but that doesn't mean I can teach it! I struggled through class, the kids didn't really understand what I was trying to teach them. (Good morning, how are you?) I mean. I didn't really think it was THAT difficult?! There were about 30 students in my class, maybe more. (I took a picture, but accidentally deleted it.) I ended class after about 30 minutes because I couldn't think of anything else to say. (When you have a limited vocabulary its easy to run out of things to say!) I trudged back to the camp compound where I live with a somewhat heavy heart. I was a little discouraged, I mean, I didn't think "Hey how are you?" was that hard. But whatever. I got home and this lady said something in a rude tone to me in Kreyol like she was mad at me. Having no clue who she was I brushed it off and decided maybe she had me mixed up with the other white girl that lives in the village... (for those of you new to this blog... I am the only white girl for miles around.) Well I was informed about 15 minutes later that she was here to see me. So I walk back and ask her what she's here for. Turns out she was one of the patients that we treated last week at the clinic and she had a diabetic ulcer on her foot that she wanted me to put a dressing on. "Ok. no big deal. I can do that!" As we were walking over she said a few things that were not very nice and hurt my feelings (remember, I'm already a little hypersensitive because of school not going well.)
here begins the mood. This mood affected my understanding of Kreyol somehow. I couldn't understand anything that anyone was saying to me. Maybe I wasn't trying anymore. I don't know.
I spent the rest of the afternoon halfway between Eyore and Oscar the grouch. Except Oscar only said mean things in my head in English. Janet, the lady who makes food for me was there, she got upset and impatient when I couldn't understand her, then a few other people came and tried to help translate. This escalated into me feeling like they were talking to me like a little baby alien. They were using baby Kreyol AND treating me like I was from outer space. I had to fight tears for 4 hours straight. It was awesome. I knew that I was in a bad mood and just needed a good 10 minute cry and an attitude adjustment, but I am supposed to stay in the kitchen when Janet is here, which, yesterday was for 4 hours. So the mood just got worse and worse. I started crying 6 times...
Finally she finished and I told my roommate that I was tired and going to bed. What I wanted to do was go be somewhere alone and cry forever. Mostly because I was frustrated because I was in a bad mood. I struggled a lot with the "why am I here" question and came up with no answers.
Anyway. the night ended with me going to bed at 5pm. I decided it was best just to sleep it off. Which I did. 13 hours later I woke up feeling much better. Which brings us to TODAY.
I woke up early enough to go up on the mountain to do my quiet time, but we found 4 inches of water in the pantry... I guess we found the lowest spot on the slab! Oh well, TIH-this is Haiti. We spent the next hour or so trying to get all the water out of the pantry. At least I was working with friends. P.S. I did work when they let me, I think there is a rule that whiteys can't sweep... little do they know what a great sweeper I am (inherited that trait from my mom.)
So here we are sweeping water out of the pantry. Don't be fooled by the iceboxes... not plugged in. haha.
So after this little hiccup in the day everything was smooth sailing. I felt like I could understand almost everything said to me and actually had a few conversations that weren't pertinent to life. Like, just hanging out and talking type of conversations. It was great. Before school I called Gersan and Betty, my Haitian parents, and they prayed with me over the phone. It is such an encouragement to me to know that they (and my American parents) are in full support of what I am doing. Even when I feel like I'm not accomplishing anything here. Or I feel like I can't do anything worthwhile, they tell me they are glad I'm here and that they KNOW I am blessing people and loving people. So after praying with Gersan I headed off to school. Guerline, my roommate, and Tala the lady who climbed the mountain with me on Tuesday said they would miss me. As I was leaving Guerline yelled at me, "Mwen renmen ou, anpil!" (I love you a lot!) That made my whole trip worth it!!
I went to school all prayed for and feeling more confident. Today school went much better, probably because the students were older, or maybe they just hid their confusion better than the little ones. I'll never know.
After school I came back to camp and did some more hanging out and chatting with my friends here. Today I understood almost everything! And I learned some new words...which is always a plus!
Overall. Today was much better! God is good. So very good. I'm trying to keep myself not focused on what I see myself actually accomplishing (I mean, its ridiculous to think I can have the whole village speaking English in 3 days.)
I decided today that my motto, at least for the week is:
"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart." Prov. 3:3
2.01.2011
(Almost) 10 on Tuesday
Well hello friends and happy Tuesday to you!
I must admit for half of the day I forgot it was Tuesday, so I wasn't taking pictures. The other half of the day I didn't have my camera handy, and then when I did something worth documenting my camera didn't have the memory card.
So, here is my (almost) successful 10 on Tuesday. Which is really an 8 on Tuesday because I'm going to draw two word pictures.
*disclaimer* Not all of these photos were actually taken today. BUT, when I took them I had the 10 on Tuesday in mind... so I'm going to use them. Keep your blogging judgement to yourself! I'm still new at this!
1.
Meet my neighbors. They live just across the ditch from me. The little one is the Kendy (the one I wrote about earlier, but misspelled his name... oops!) Every morning when I walk by they greet me,"Bonjou Norell!! NOrell!! noRELL!!" and they continue to yell until I come over and talk to them across the ditch. They always ask me to cross over to their side, but so far have had no luck. its not that I don't want to go play with them all day, but honestly I'm a little scared of what is living in the depths of this very large ditch.
Either way, I love to have such great neighbors! (and cute too!)
2.
This is the little baby that I wrote about last week that I held forever and then missed getting peed on. Yes. This is her. Doesn't she melt your heart. She is the daughter of one of the security guards at the school. I don't actually know this little one's name, so we call her "piti lafimen" "The smoke's baby". The entire village calls her dad "the smoke". Not sure why... he's not a smoker. I'm learning that nick names are a big deal in this culture. Maybe I'll get one soon... oh wait. they already call me "blanc" (white). I'm working on letting everyone know that I'm not white, I'm Noelle. baby steps.
3.
This little guy keeps me company all day (and night). He is tied up behind my house feels the need to let me know how he's feeling at 4 in the morning. Its a close relationship! It will be even closer when he turns into dinner in a few weeks...
4.
Same baby as in picture two. Lafimen knows how much I loved having her around, so he brought her to "play" the other day and give mom the afternoon off. We walked around camp and then laid down in the hammock for a while. You can see how that ended. Adorable. Also, she grew a little bit of an attatchment issue with me (which, if I'm being honest I'm ok with), whenever I would try to put her down she would grab my legs and lean on them like she didn't want to stand up. Or if I tried to let someone else hold her, she would grab my clothes and wimper. I was ok with it :)
5.
The veiw from my front yard. The house with the chair on the porch is mine. Don't worry, I have plans to take pictures of everywhere and everything and post a photo tour very soon. Also I have plans to climb that mountain on Saturday!!!
6.
This is the best picture of my room that I could get in one photo. My bed complete with aggie blanket, my shelf that Greta graciously left me for my books. The shelf has handy little nails to hang Daniel's headlamp that he let me borrow and my fanny pack. The laundry basket is authentic Haitian, purchased in Limbe last market day. The other shelves are from mommy. She told me I would thank her every day for them and so far they have been WONDERFUL. They are outfitted with my clothing and colorful baskets from Target. You can barely see my colorful curtain in the far right of the picture. It divides my room from Guerline's. Guerline is my roommate. She is great! Pictures to follow!
7.
This is my desk. No I am not in 2nd grade. I was making flashcards today, color coded with my crayons. I color coded verbs, nouns, adverbs, adjectives, etc.
8.
So earlier this morning I mentioned to Tala, one of the ladies that works here that I wanted to go up on the mountain today. I went up yesterday and it was so beautiful I decided to go back. Now yesterday I went on a decent hike with Gersan and Betty to look at the property and I claimed my land for my future permanent house. It is beautiful. Soon, I'll go back and take a picture of the view from my future wrap around porch so you can be jealous! So after I mentioned that to Tala I got called away to do something or another and totally forgot about it. Tala went home for the evening, she lives about 2 miles away, she caught a ride in a truck that was going in her direction. About an hour after she left I hear her voice on my porch. 'Madmwazel, nou ale la mon!" She had gone home, changed into clothes better suited for walking, and came back to go hiking with me. It was the most precious thing ever. It came at the perfect timing as it was just starting to set in that I was alone here at camp. Betty and Gersan left this afternoon to go back to Port Au Prince, so now I'm the only English speaker. I've been the only whitey for about 5 days now and its been fine. And honestly tonight went well on the communication front, at least I thought so. I got the general idea at least of what everyone was saying. So anyway, this word picture is a little scattered, but its the picture of a friend at perfect timing, and how she came back to get me and walk with me to a special, beautiful place. (I tried to take a picture, but my camera didn't have the memory card. Sorry!)
9.
This.... not a high point in my day. Here is the story. So. We have doors on our cabins, they have locks, sometimes they lock behind me when I don't intend for them to. There is only one key per cabin... and when that key is inside... we have problems. So that's what happened tonight. I was in my cabin, not wearing my ball of chain of the key set (look how many keys I have. Its like 30 for those of you that can't see. I almost need to walk crooked because there are so many.) So... I put my keys down to work at my desk and went on the porch to talk. The door closed. :( Boss Varis and I removed the screen from my window, good thing Richard showed me how they work when he was here, and Boss Varis went fishing for my keys. Last time this happened Boss Tchaly just climbed through the window. This method was a little easier, and produced a great picture. Doesn't he look like a little kid with his first big fish?
10.
This just happened as I was in the middle of writing the description of picture number 8. I got called outside by Windel one of our security guards because he needed me to turn on the inverter for the camp to have power. (Now don't forget this isn't all in English, so there was some charades involved.) so we go out, he tunrs off the generator, plunging the camp into deep darkness. Have I ever mentioned I'm not a huge fan of the dark? Well thank goodness I wasn't alone and I had remembered to grab my trusty headlamp. I usually just carry the headlamp, but tonight I decided to put it on my head. So Windel and I walked to turn on the inverter and I was wearing my headlamp and feeling like a coal-miner, which made me laugh to myself and decide to include the word picture of Noelle, the coal miner! It made me laugh.
So I hope you've enjoyed this 8+2 on Tuesday. I'll do my best to get all 10 pictures next time and actually take them on Tuesday.
I have lots of prayer requests right now, but not enough time or brain power to type them out fully.
-Mainly be praying for English classes which will begin tomorrow. I'm a little nervous, but then again what's the worst that could happen? Failure? I can deal with that. I'm white, they will still love me.
-Pray for my language. I'm working very hard on my kreyol and its starting to pay off, but just barely. Most things are still charades or pictionary on my whiteboard.
-Pray for the church in the area. They are having some problems. (More to come about that later.)
-Pray for the people. I'm currently listening to voodoo drums and chants that sound as if they are very, very close. I'm 99% sure I know where they are coming from.
-Praise!!! The voodoo drums have been silent most of January. I have been here since Jan 5th and this is my first time hearing them. This is because Gersan told them he was going to be having people here to stay and to do ministry in the church. They did not beat their drums or chant like this out of respect for Gersan and for our God. Praise Christ! Pray for their hearts.
- My ministry here is one of relationships. Pray for those.
I'm going to write a more detailed prayer update very very soon!
Love you all!
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