road to jacmel

aloha friends,
 
i want to thank you for all the amazing comments and remarks i get regarding my emails & blog.  i’m so enjoying sending them, and am learning so much in receiving yours.  many of my friends and family have shared so much with me, and i’m a better person from you doing so.
 
the last 24 hours have been amazing.  yesterday lex & renee (mision of hope haiti founders) decided to take us on a road trip to jackmel.  it’s down to rebekah and me only, and we’ve both been here for 5 weeks, and perhaps we both needed a get-away, a bed, a warm shower, something!  jackmel is on the other side of the island, over the mountains to the caribbean side.  it took about an hour and a half to get here.  on the way we stopped at a church, and another orphanage that are both part of mission of hope.  the church was on the side of a winding road, on land that was given to them by the government when the new road was paved.  the church sits on the old pavement of the old road.  it was very well kept, and very clean.  the picture of the two boys outside on a hill playing outside, framed beautifully with the blue sky behind them was taken there.  the new orphanage was yet another enriching experience.  it didn’t seem to have experienced as much damage from the earthquake.  i immediately appreciated that they have taken on the hawaiian tradition of leaving there shoes on the outside of the rooms.  it was run by a super nice guy named larry, i didn’t get to meet michelle which oversees it with him.  i heard some tragic stories about a couple of the kids, and how they ended up at the orphanage.  i need not tell you the stories, but know that we are all blessed to have what we have in our lives.  it’s good for me to hear these stories, as it keeps in prospective what the orphanages are challenged with daily.  we also stopped at one of there friends home.  most of the family lived there, grandparents, parents, children, the whole of them.  they were so sweet, greeting us with the sweetest, strongest coffee i’ve ever experienced.  i’m growing hair on my chest just thinking about it.  notice grandpa wearing that leopard skin hat, he was clasic, he looked like a haitian cowboy!  they are the family of marie eve, one of the haitians i’ve mentioned from the beach site. 
 
i got a little sick for the first time this week, in one day i developed a slight fever, lots of cold symptoms, and the dreaded D!  i have to admit i was a little scared of it being maleria, but it wasn’t.  in just 24 hours i’m feeling much better, and ready to get back to work at the orphanage.  i’m very thankful for my health, thanks mom.
 
the kids continue to enjoy the seasaw my buddy jim and i made.  i crack up at how many kids can pile up on that thing.  today at the new orphanage i got a few new ideas for outdoor toys i can make. 
 
i wasn’t sure what to write about next, or at least until i arrived at the hotel in jackmel.  i found myself back in a place that reminds me of home (america): there is a nice pool, room service, a bar, and well dressed people everywhere. i have to be honest and say that at first it made me uncomfortable … then put me in deep thought about my upcoming return. what i’ve been struggling with about my return is how i will feel about my life at home, about my relationships, about not feeling judgemental in peoples waste, in my waste, and even lack of compassion.  however, i am determined to let this experience bring me closer to my friends, closer to what matters to me.  i don’t want this experience to isolate me from our modern society, but strengthen me to be a productive part of it.
 
with that said, i will need your help and patience. i don’t think everyone needs to see the way life is here in person, but i do think it’s easier to appreciate our own lives understanding what life is like for others.  it doesn’t mean we can change it, but being here has profoundly helped me appreciate what i have. i promise you this, it will be a long time before you hear me complain about anything!
 
tonight i will spend my first night in a bed since my arrival here 5 weeks ago.  i took my first shower with warm water, and my friends it was nice!

www.missionofhopehaiti.net

aloha,

bryce

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