Ups, Downs & “Shopping"

Looking back at these first few weeks of acclimation is like viewing the prized “roller coaster” looming above a tiny amusement park. The excitement and adventure has come with “moments” of sheer panic, lack of control, personal revelation, and even a bit of nausea. We are on God’s path though, and so we’ve hung on each day, knowing that He is on the “ride” with us and sustains us through the gut-wrenching “dips” that we encounter.

There are no amusement parks in Haiti…but everyone living here experiences the constant rhythm of “up & down”, “on & off”, “open & closed”, “hurry & wait”...life is always in motion here, it never seems to stop. We learned a lot about paradox in our training at MTI this fall, but nothing prepared us for how complicated life in Haiti can feel. There are no easy answers here!

For example, yesterday, as our plan to go out shopping for household items developed - the questions were many:

Do we (street) shop for furniture ourselves?

What area of town would be best?

Is it reasonable to compare prices when everything is so spread out?

Do we just buy whatever we find that “works”?

Should we ask a Haitian friend to help out?

If we find something we’re interested in, do we ask the price?

Or do we park several hundred feet past, “out of sight”, and send our dark skinned friend back to ask?

What amount can we expect to “dicker” down to?

How will we know what is a “fair” Haitian price for an item?"

Our few appliances were relatively easy in comparison. They were purchased at a little chain of shops well marketed with their red signage all over town – Nino Cell. If you go to the downtown Port-au-Prince store, you will actually meet Santorino, better known as “Nino”, himself. He is a friendly guy, middle-eastern, speaks English and has the lowest prices on new appliances that we’ve found. The first time we went there to look at his selection, we ended up purchasing 4 fans. While Nino may have a more accessible way for us to acquire our household necessities here, it is still nothing like shopping and checkout at our local Target or Walmart in the states!

First, you examine the options available. This might mean rearranging half of the store to get to each of them and to look them over. Next, you choose what you would like to purchase and go to the counter to let them know. The attendant writes up a receipt. Take the receipt to the cashiers “window” and pay the total cost (bonus= no sales tax!). Before you leave the store with any hand carry items, you must wait for them to be brought from storage, watch while each are unwrapped, plugged in and examined to ensure that they work properly, since there are NO returns. Yes, this includes each & every fan, string of Christmas lights, or anything else electronic. Once everything is packaged back up again you are free to go. Unless the purchase is the slight bit “bulky”, as in the case of our 4 fans (never mind you that there were 4 of us to carry them out); at that point, an attendant will insist on carrying them to the car for you and putting them in. A tip is anticipated, of course (thus erasing your tax-free “bonus”…).

Yesterday was not as simple. We have furniture to purchase, on a budget, and the best place to get that, the only place in our price range, is on the streets! The mere thought of street shopping gave birth to the barrage of questions I listed earlier. With little choice, we opted to attempt it.

The first item that we decided to try buying, was a Haitian -style, rustic, handmade, wood & rattan love seat with 3 matching chairs. We began here, because it was something that our Haitian co-worker, Ron had checked for the “right price” on previously, since they are on a corner near his home. He was quoted “5500 gourdes, the equivalent of $137.50 American. We also decided to take Jn, another friend, with us to interpret &to help us get the “right price”. Once we arrived near the corner, scoped out a good place to pull over & parked safely on the roadside, the pressing decision was whether we sent him or went ourselves. Since neither of us had seen it close up, we decided to all go together, leaving Tynan to “watch” the car. We walked back to the corner, where the furniture had been sitting for the past couple of weeks. Jn asked “how much” for us & the builder replied $1800 Haitian dollars or 9000 gourdes; MUCH more than he had told Ron the week before! The initial disappointment began to set in, when he remained firm on the price, despite Jn’s calm attempt at bargaining him down to a fair one. After several moments of discussion and an explanation that we are not the “rich” Americans that he supposes us to be, on our ministry budget, we finally turn and walk away. Jn tries for a few more moments, then gives up and joins us at the car. We all climbed in, discouraged that our “idealistic” first attempt to both stay on budget and invest in the local economy, had failed.

In frustration, our discussion turned to what we should do next, and how we should go about purchasing anything from there on out, when a knock on the window interrupted. The artisan peered in through our dust laden window, as Jn rolled it down to interpret. He was there asking to negotiate, at last, and wondered if we would re-consider buying for the price of 4500 gourdes ($112.50 American) - half of his initial firm price & 1000 gourdes less than the offer we had made initially.  Instantly, we climbed back out and agreed! The set was loaded up Haitian style: on the roof, with seats folded down & ourselves packed in next to it. We left grateful for God’s provision and stunned with our success after all! The thought lingered though as we drove off:  “Why didn’t the seller agree to the original offer before we left?…he would have made an additional $25!”

There is still so much for us to learn here, and some situations in Haiti that even they don’t understand! Jn seemed as shocked as we were with the turn of events. But those are just a couple of stories from daily life here. The complication when it comes to families, children, poverty, and specifically orphans, runs even deeper. Pondering those, within the rhythm of Haiti, makes me very glad that we serve with the guidance and prompting of an omniscient and sovereign God, who has a perfect love and plan - both for them...and for us!

Thanksgiving & Appreciation

Though we have barely been here a month, the WO Guest House - Haiti has been up and running for nearly 18 months. Not to diminish the work of our staff here at all, but that has been a "miracle" in and of itself this past year. When God called us to manage it in 2010, shortly after its inception, we expected to arrive within months to get started with His provision. In hindsight, He clearly wanted many specifics in place for us before landing here. So He took the time to prepare us for our new life in a multitude of ways, leading us on a journey that has been truly incredible! Now we are here at last, picking up our roles and being quick to look to Him for further guidance. 

The guest house however, has been OPEN for visitors since June 2010! While Ted with several trips back and forth, and our Haitian co-worker Ron have pieced together much of its care and oversight, God has been the one faithful to sustain it.  He placed several very special people to work here & to be His instruments for that purpose.

First is Rosalee – She is our head cook and housekeeper, the anchor in a storm when teams are here. Rosalee was a cook for the well-known, five story, Hotel Montana before the earthquake demolished it. She survived and God led her to us several months later. In need of a job & a Christian woman, she agreed to come on board, though we know it was for much less than she made before. We learned recently that the Hotel is rebuilding, and called to offer her a job again. While she could go back and probably do much better financially there, she says that there is more to a job than money. She feels a sense of love & family here that is worth far more! We are SO grateful for Rosalee…in ways far beyond the outstanding meals that she is quickly becoming famous for here.

Next, Rosalyn – The smiling assistant cook and housekeeper that Rosalee brought in to help. Rosalyn is a joy and delight with her quiet ways and we love to hear her chuckle as any praise or humor meets her ears. Rosalee is hardworking and always ready to take on a challenge. She blesses us with her insight and knowledge, yet has an open heart to learn and Rosalee has taught her much this past year. We could NOT keep this place afloat without either of them!!

Joseph – A large, shy, bright-faced young man of 19 that serves as our house maintenance and security guy. Joseph was on his own at 17 when he came to live at the guest house & take on this position. It has given him an opportunity to finish high school now and to have a “chance” in life. He was an orphan, but has a place to belong now, and we all love him like “family”.  At 19 he is blossoming – if you can say that about a 6 ft tall Haitian guy – and we are all blessed by his honesty, loyalty, protection, and good humor.

Jn Robert – Jn (pronounced like Zhaan) is not actually “on staff” here at the guest house, but has been a regular driver for our teams over the past year. He is a friend and supporter for the work that World Orphans does here, and is always willing to lend an extra hand however he can. He has been studying English very hard & hopes to help as an “official” interpreter for our teams one day soon! Meanwhile he is always happy to explain life in Haiti and the language, to learn about EVERYTHING in the world outside Haiti, and to interpret whatever he can. We LOVE his companionship and heart for the orphans of Haiti!

Last, but not at all least is Ron – Our co-worker, Director of the OVC program, interpreter, cultural guide, businessman, philanthropist, and amazing FRIEND! Ron is a force to be reckoned with. He cheerfully and wisely shepherds the growing relationships between our partner churches. For a young man he is beyond his years in godly advice, having a life open to God’s calling, and in putting his faith into action. Ron works for the Lord before he works for WO, and it shows in everything that he does. I’m not even sure if we have learned yet all of the ways that he serves the orphans and the needy of his beloved country, but can confidently tell you that it goes far beyond his work with us. He has an endlessly ENORMOUS and generous heart! Ron not only visits the Haitian pastors regularly to see how their programs are going, but organizes each of the teams while here. On top of that, he kept everything at the guest house going this whole past year! We cannot thank God enough for the blessing he is in our lives and the joy we have serving with him…and soon, Vanessa, his future “wife”!!

It crossed our minds that there was so much to be thankful for this past year from our journey ending in this new home to the way that each of these individuals has served the Lord in their work this past year, that the only way to celebrate our “holiday” this year was to acknowledge both! So, as a last minute idea, we gathered the women together and asked if they would help us by cooking together on the weekend - a thanksgiving “feast”.  It ended up being a fantastic and abundant blend of American and Haitian cuisine! Each of the staff brought their family members; we fellowshipped and laughed together all day as we worked and into the evening as we enjoyed the meal. Ted gave a “speech” specifically thanking each of the above individuals for their work on behalf of the Lord and the orphans, and we shared from scripture:  Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” …to remind each one of us that everything we do is not only for the orphan, which is a great cause, but actually for Him and Him alone.