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it’s finished

aloha friends,
 
it’s finished, with the help of pepe, wilson, and egnar we finished the orphans new home.  there are a few pieces to go up, window covers and such, but the kids are now sleeping inside.  just in time with the rainy season getting closer and closer.  last night we had another trimmer, it wasn’t as large as ones in the past, but was enough to wake me from a deep sleep!  there is a new team of missionaries coming next week, we are going to have them paint it. it was so sweet to see the orphans sweep their rooms, and get ready for their first nights sleep inside.  definitely touched my heart.
 
 if i understand correctly they want to throw a party to celebrate its completion.  i’ll send pictures if that happens.  i’m so lucky to have been part of building this, and have a feeling it won’t be my last.  just yesterday laura let me know that someone told a “hollywood” organization what i was doing, and they want to make a nice donation. yahoo, that may mean that i can come again this year, and again have funds to work with.  not to sound greedy, offering just physical work is awesome, but to come with funds to work with is really helpful.  it’s allowed me to stay productive on a daily basis, and produce great results.  i’ll let you know when i find out more.   my mom also said she is going ot win the NC lottery soon, so i can use those funds as well! haha
 
have a great weekend all,
 
bryce

the greater good

aloha friends,
 
if all goes well, today is the day we buy the tin roof for the orphans new home.  we’re driving into port au prince (always a treat, NOT!) to get it.  when i woke this morning it was sprinkling rain, and dark clouds almost promised a down pour.  i quickly haggled with mother nature for two more days, calling in on a few favors.  she agreed, and out came the sun.  i promised to have the roof on in 48 hours, so the orphans wouldn’t have to spend one more evening in a wet tent.  the structure has turned out great, and is a far upgrade from the tents. 
 
while waiting for my ride rebekah and i went on a short walk around town. the little guy in the picture followed us around like he was keeping us safe.  i’m not so sure he wasn’t!  at the end of our journey we bought him a sprite that brought on a huge smile.  i quickly noticed how he shared it with his friends.  sharing is something i see every day here. 
 
i’ve put a lot of thought into the sharing i notice here, wondering how it is that in such poverty it looks so easy. i can sum it up to this, the people here seem to do most things for the greater good.  which makes me question: how much do we do in our lives that is actually for the greater good? if anything!  ego and greed are not demonstrated in any fashion that i recognise here. no one seems to do things for personal gain. i’m sure that just because i don’t notice these things doesn’t mean that they don’t exist here. but it is apparent here that the over all culture is cultivated by doing things for the greater good. you can’t love one person without loving all people. something to think about the next time you hear an off colored joke or comment about anyone. please know that when i make these comments regarding my observations, i share them with my friends and family to bring me closer to you.  i’m really talking about me, and reminding myself that i need to continue growing in the right direction, toward having more love in my life.  this is what i meant a couple weeks ago when i mentioned slowing down.  if i didn’t slow down in my life, i wouldn’t notice these things, and i would stay exactly the same!
 
it’s a day since the last paragraph, and half the roof is already up, it looks awesome.  the orphans have now figured out that it is for them, so they are really looking forward to its completion.  renee (founder of mission of hope haiti) just told me that new mattresses have been ordered for all the orphans.  now that brings a smile to my face.  to any of you that made a donation to me, or to this mission, know that your dollars are well spent! i’m convinced that if i came back in ten years the small rug rats i see running around all day will be influencing this small community in the right ways.  through the donations and orphan sponsorship, they are receiving proper nutrition, school materials, and most importantly a good education.  teach a man to fish, and he can feed himself.  the little guys you see in my pictures are the future teachers, craftsmen/women, and local politicians.  lex (renee’s husband) is the product of a sponsored child, it works!

 
the one picture is of isabella, she is the one we put on formula only 5 weeks ago, talk about putting some weight on and looking good.  the two boys we met on our walk around town, they really wanted me to take there picture, so i did.  the boy alone was our keeper for the walk, he took great care of us.  we ran across this lady carrying things on her head, very normal style for here. 
 
i wish all of you a most excellent weekend.  i’ll be thinking of you while beach side in my tent.
 
aloha,
 
bryce

getting the day started

aloha friends, 
 
it’s early this morning, i’m trying to beat the sun as it gets hotter and hotter each day.  while i wear loads of sun screen it’s hart to avoid getting sun burned. it’s pretty different what it takes to get the day started here.  first thing i do is see how badly the ants got my legs that night, and apply a fresh layer of sunblock and off.  if i want coffee, and i always do, i have to get up early enough to start a fire for water. once it’s boiling it’s pretty easy with my coffee thing-a-ma-giggy i brought with me.  to get to the orphanage, or the office where i am now i have to cross the river, which can be a challenge in itself.  then walk the town greeting pigs, goats, and lots of chickens.  i crack up at what it takes to get to work each day.  i could wait for a ride, but i kind of like getting an early start, and a little extra exercise.  that’s my morning!
 
last night i was awaken by an intruder, mr. crab in the picture attached.  apparently it’s crab season and he was seeking a get-away in my tent.  that’s the last time i’ll leave my tent unzipped!  i was glad to see it was only him, i woke up thinking it was a rat that i was sharing my tent with!

 
well it’s down to the count down here, with just over a week left.  i haven’t had much Internet time as i’m working as long a day as possible.  the shelter at the orphanage is going great, the roof should go on in the next day or so.  talk about pressure, to know the kids sleep on the ground in tents until it is finished!  the haitian guys helping me have such endurance, i personally can only handle so much in the heat.  it’s around a hundred in the heat of the day.
 
i’ve had lots of baby time lately.  once the ladies realized i like to hold the babies, and know how to, they keep them coming.  i love the way they stare up at me, probably thinking who’s this strange white hippie holding me! they are so darn cute, so tiny.  the one baby girl i’ve sent a couple of pictures of is definitely putting weight on.  the twin girls aren’t at the orphanage any more, but i know they are doing great as well.  the mother that lost her son seems to be healthy as well, and already back to taking care of her other children and working.  can you imagine being pregnant here?  i know i’m not a female, but i imagine they can’t confirm they are pregnant until about two months.  then they just wait, no doctors appointments, no special treatment, no vitamins or additional food.  then, one day there water breaks, where ever they are.  from what i hear most babies are born very fast, no long labour, just adjust where you are, and have that baby.  it’s just the way things are.  the last baby born at the orphanage the lady sat on a cement block, and pushed it out.  that’s not an exaggeration! 
 
pictures: the one is my daily staple, beans & rice.  that is what most people here live on, i certainly have.  one is of the students in there uniforms, all students have to wear uniforms to attend school.  emmanuel is the cutest, he’s like a little old man, in a tiny little body, i love him.
 
have a great week everyone,
 
bryce

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