Hello to you all from Haiti! Sorry I have been so negligent in updating this. To use the internet I have to take a motorcycle to Dabon, which is about a 15 minute ride, or walk..which takes a while. Anyway, this is only my second time using the internet here.
I've been here for just over a month, and things are going really well. The first week I was with my family in LaKolin was really tough. I've never really felt so homesick before...but I got through it and I'm really glad to be here. My family is wonderful. I live with Gladys (my mom), Ingrid (my sister...25), Pirite (Gladys's mother), Keshwin (Gladys's niece, 15), Yvendel (Keshwin's brother, 18), and Gladys's son, James, is visiting from the DR (he has been working there) for a bit. I dont think I have ever laughed as much as I have in the past month with these beautiful people. Somehow, the humor is found in EVERYTHING...literally, everything.
The community I'm living in is great. There are a ton of children, and a ton of really amazing, strong women. I have already learned so much from them. I have played approximately one million card games with the kids, pumped water with them, danced, sang, you name it.
So much has happened, its hard for me to know where to start! I guess I'll start with my being the constant source of entertainment for everyone. Everything I do seems to be hilarious, whether its simply brushing my teeth, or fumbling around trying to figure out how to make food. It has been a very humbling experience, thats for sure. I always thought I was good at laughing at myself, but I can say that I have now mastered it. You have to...or else you would cry. :)
There is so much to learn here, it can be a bit overwhelming, but one thing I find to be incredibly important is how everyone here takes each day as it comes, constantly living in the present. One of the most common phrases I hear is "demen, si dye vle" which means tomorrow, god willing. Everyone follows just about everything they say with "si Dye vle". Its pretty telling of the culture and the way life flows here.
Huh..well, sorry this update is so boring. Its not that I don't have hilarious stories to share...I don't have much time, and well, I don't really feel like it at the moment ;)
I think about you all every day, and I miss you all something fierce. Keep praying for me and Courtney, as we pray for all of you!
Until next time,
-Sarah
