It is hard to believe that February has come and gone. January seemed to drag along and seemingly would never end. February flew by so fast we hardly knew it was here. But much has been accomplished.
Several teams have made this their home over the past weeks. It is enjoyable to read the Guest Book and note the positive comments. All have seemed to be comfortable and feel at home. Even those here the night when 20 had to make do with the 2 bathrooms!! That night we had to slide Sandy and Len out to Jean Michael's house to make room for all.
Much work has been done on an orphanage about 1/2 hour out called Bigghouse. There are 80 orphans, mostly due to the economy, who are housed and provided education. One morning we made over 100 peanut butter (mumba) and jelly sandwiches, packed cookies and packets of juice and took there for a special treat for the children. What a great time!!! Sandy and Len and others have made that special place a target for their efforts. Another team ,with a doctor and physican assistant, did a physical on each of the children. Found some scabies, evidence of parasites and malaria, and overall malnutrition. Food high in protien is needed. New beds are being built and mattress provided. Sheets and mattress covers are on their way from the States. Food production is being planned. This could be a model project for others to look at. Do we ever make a difference?? Sometimes for a few.
Our motto has become - A little bit of something is better than all of nothing !!!!
Here at the Guest House - Hospitality Center - progress has been made. We have beds for 20, as you read earlier. Some of the new twin beds have been made into bunks. Jack and Len engineered that and have made ladders so getting to the top is relatively easy. The front room windows are screened along with the doors. Makes for a more pleasant area as well as fewer mosquitoes.
Some new outdoor furniture allows some people to eat on the veranda when there are large groups here. Colorful cushions add to the homey and tropical look. A new small table and chairs in the front room office allow more comfort for meetings and more eating space. We can now serve meals in buffet style with the addition of a fiberglass folding table at one end of the dining room.
A small Botique in the dining room allows our guests to do some shopping for locally made art work. It has been popular and gives some of the local artisans another outlet for their work. Our chef, Jocelyn, also does beautiful embroidery work. We have his work on display and for sale. The work of a local basket maker, Pierre Paul Pierre, is very popular. The jams and jellies made from locally grown fruit and processed in our kitchen are favorites for taking home with guests as reminders of the "bounty in the midst of scarcity" of this area of Haiti.
No wonder February flew by!! We were all too busy to notice the passage of time.
We look forward to the next few weeks which will bring us many more new friends and some former friends returning. I will try to get an update posted before this next month is over.
Virginia, Jack, Len, Sandy and Sarah - The Guest House Staff
1
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Nearly One Month in Haiti
Well, January is nearly over. The time has flown by and we have been busy. We have hosted several teams and have been doing some more to make the Guest House a welcoming and comfortable place.
A new white plastic table and 4 chairs have been added to the downstairs veranda. This makes a good place to play games in the evening and to have meetings in the afternoon. Bright tropical motif fabric cushions have been added to the white rocker and the wicker chairs there as well.
Some of the wicker furniture was moved to the upstairs veranda and bright fabric cushions and pillows added. This makes a good place for teams to gather in the evening or for reading and "sunning" in the afternoon. Both places are very colorful and inviting.
Our Botique is set up on the corners of the dining room. We have a variety of local crafts and some of our jams and jellies for sale. Actually it has been very well received and we have over sold our original investment.
A serving table has been added in the dining room so that we can serve buffet style meals and folks can set where they want including going to the veranda. This has been a real time saver and makes mealtime much smoother.
There was a team of 12 here for overnight last night. They had been doing a medical mission north of here in the mountains. They brought down 5 active children. Four of them were on their way to an orphanage in Port au Prince due to the inablity of their families to care for them. The one older boy had suffered a stroke at age 10 so will stay here in Cayes for some therapy and the treatment of a severe burn on his leg.
The sweetest part was that they also had a baby with them to go on the PaP to an orphanage. This baby was 3 months old and weighed only 5.5 pounds. He was smaller than a new born. When the mother brought him to the team he had not eaten in 8 days. She had no milk to nurse him and there was no formula to buy in the store in their village. This is not an isolated case. It happens more times than we would like to believe. It was a tough decision to not keep him here to be sure he would get the care he needed. Feeding was nearly constant due to the small amount he could take at one time. We will continue to pray that he continues to thrive.
A team of 18 will be here next Friday. That will be a real test of our abilities.
Please continue to pray for all of us, the Haitian people, little Johnny, and others who have no "daily bread".
Catch the next edition in a week or so. Virginia and Jack
A new white plastic table and 4 chairs have been added to the downstairs veranda. This makes a good place to play games in the evening and to have meetings in the afternoon. Bright tropical motif fabric cushions have been added to the white rocker and the wicker chairs there as well.
Some of the wicker furniture was moved to the upstairs veranda and bright fabric cushions and pillows added. This makes a good place for teams to gather in the evening or for reading and "sunning" in the afternoon. Both places are very colorful and inviting.
Our Botique is set up on the corners of the dining room. We have a variety of local crafts and some of our jams and jellies for sale. Actually it has been very well received and we have over sold our original investment.
A serving table has been added in the dining room so that we can serve buffet style meals and folks can set where they want including going to the veranda. This has been a real time saver and makes mealtime much smoother.
There was a team of 12 here for overnight last night. They had been doing a medical mission north of here in the mountains. They brought down 5 active children. Four of them were on their way to an orphanage in Port au Prince due to the inablity of their families to care for them. The one older boy had suffered a stroke at age 10 so will stay here in Cayes for some therapy and the treatment of a severe burn on his leg.
The sweetest part was that they also had a baby with them to go on the PaP to an orphanage. This baby was 3 months old and weighed only 5.5 pounds. He was smaller than a new born. When the mother brought him to the team he had not eaten in 8 days. She had no milk to nurse him and there was no formula to buy in the store in their village. This is not an isolated case. It happens more times than we would like to believe. It was a tough decision to not keep him here to be sure he would get the care he needed. Feeding was nearly constant due to the small amount he could take at one time. We will continue to pray that he continues to thrive.
A team of 18 will be here next Friday. That will be a real test of our abilities.
Please continue to pray for all of us, the Haitian people, little Johnny, and others who have no "daily bread".
Catch the next edition in a week or so. Virginia and Jack
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Two weeks later
Again, hello from Haiti,
Well, we have been here for two weeks. Len and Sandy Boguski from PA have joined us for the next 2 months. Makes things a little more lively and some help. I went to Port au Prince on Monday and picked them up on Tuesday. It was dark by the time we were about half way here. The alternator of the car was not working properly so the lights kept getting dimmer and dimmer. Finally they went out completely and, of course, it was in an area where there was no cell phone service !! So kept driving by shining a flashlight out the window to see the side of the road and another out the side back window so other cars could see us. Finally called and someone came to rescue us. Changed batteries from the pick up to the car and proceeded on. It started to rain and the windshield wipers did not work!!! Very difficult to see as there was much dust on the window which was fast making mud. Finally washed itself off and we continued. When we were about 10 minutes from home the clouds cleared and that beautiful full moon emerged!!! God does have a sense of humor!! We were safe and thankful !!!
Have a new light in the kitchen so we can actually see what we are cooking !!! Made a double batch of Mango Jam yesterday from mango we had put in the freezer last summer when they were so plentiful. Will make some more today.
Also, we will be planting some seeds today: zuchinni, yellow squash, dill, lettuce and what ever other seeds we have. There are so many ornamental plants in our front yard, but they are in a state of disarray and in ugly pots. Are planning to "spruce up" that area today and in the following days. An old Haitian man who works beside the street in front of our house makes cement pots. Will get a few new ones for the project.
Have a team of 4 women coming on Monday to look over some schools that need assistance. The following Monday there are 9 people coming from Louisiana and Kansas. On Sunday, after church, we will go to the beach at Port Salut. Last week we could not go because of the fuel shortage. There is a man who makes baskets along the way, so we will stop and start stocking our gift shop here at the house.
Well, that's the update for January 17th. You in the north, stay warm as we are trying to stay cool. Virginia and Jack Bell
Well, we have been here for two weeks. Len and Sandy Boguski from PA have joined us for the next 2 months. Makes things a little more lively and some help. I went to Port au Prince on Monday and picked them up on Tuesday. It was dark by the time we were about half way here. The alternator of the car was not working properly so the lights kept getting dimmer and dimmer. Finally they went out completely and, of course, it was in an area where there was no cell phone service !! So kept driving by shining a flashlight out the window to see the side of the road and another out the side back window so other cars could see us. Finally called and someone came to rescue us. Changed batteries from the pick up to the car and proceeded on. It started to rain and the windshield wipers did not work!!! Very difficult to see as there was much dust on the window which was fast making mud. Finally washed itself off and we continued. When we were about 10 minutes from home the clouds cleared and that beautiful full moon emerged!!! God does have a sense of humor!! We were safe and thankful !!!
Have a new light in the kitchen so we can actually see what we are cooking !!! Made a double batch of Mango Jam yesterday from mango we had put in the freezer last summer when they were so plentiful. Will make some more today.
Also, we will be planting some seeds today: zuchinni, yellow squash, dill, lettuce and what ever other seeds we have. There are so many ornamental plants in our front yard, but they are in a state of disarray and in ugly pots. Are planning to "spruce up" that area today and in the following days. An old Haitian man who works beside the street in front of our house makes cement pots. Will get a few new ones for the project.
Have a team of 4 women coming on Monday to look over some schools that need assistance. The following Monday there are 9 people coming from Louisiana and Kansas. On Sunday, after church, we will go to the beach at Port Salut. Last week we could not go because of the fuel shortage. There is a man who makes baskets along the way, so we will stop and start stocking our gift shop here at the house.
Well, that's the update for January 17th. You in the north, stay warm as we are trying to stay cool. Virginia and Jack Bell
Friday, January 2, 2009
Hello to all,
We have arrived in Haiti. Yesterday was an intense travel day. We left Miami - late by about 1 hour. Made up a little time on the way to Port au Prince, but still late getting in. There was a welcoming committee - the staff from the Guest House in Port au Prince where we worked. What a great reunion with them , especially our god-daughter, Jessica. The time was too short as our driver from Cayes was waiting and wanted to get on the road as soon as possible.
The trip was about 4 hours. Some parts of the road were very good, and some parts were terribe - many potholes and a detour on a road that was so rough and dusty that is was almost impassible. It was around a place where the hurricanes had completely washed the road away.
It was dark before we arrived which is extremely difficult driving in Haiti. So many people walking along the side of the road, so many bicycles, cars without adequate lighting, more pot holes and such. Finally we could see the "gates of the city" and were thankful to have arrived safely.
The Pumpkin Soup was ready. That is the traditional New Year's dish. It was hot and spicy and lots of it !!! We were hungry after only stopping for a plate of fried plantain and a few pieces of fried pork as we left Port au Prince.
Today is quiet as most people here enjoy a few days of "holiday" with family and friends at the New Year. That is good as we are both a little travel weary. I did not remember there being so many "different" noises in the night. Birds singing, roosters crowing, pigs snorting, cars and horns and a few firecrackers !!! Morning came much too quickly !!
Until later, Jack and Virginia Bell Stay well and warm in 2009 !!!
We have arrived in Haiti. Yesterday was an intense travel day. We left Miami - late by about 1 hour. Made up a little time on the way to Port au Prince, but still late getting in. There was a welcoming committee - the staff from the Guest House in Port au Prince where we worked. What a great reunion with them , especially our god-daughter, Jessica. The time was too short as our driver from Cayes was waiting and wanted to get on the road as soon as possible.
The trip was about 4 hours. Some parts of the road were very good, and some parts were terribe - many potholes and a detour on a road that was so rough and dusty that is was almost impassible. It was around a place where the hurricanes had completely washed the road away.
It was dark before we arrived which is extremely difficult driving in Haiti. So many people walking along the side of the road, so many bicycles, cars without adequate lighting, more pot holes and such. Finally we could see the "gates of the city" and were thankful to have arrived safely.
The Pumpkin Soup was ready. That is the traditional New Year's dish. It was hot and spicy and lots of it !!! We were hungry after only stopping for a plate of fried plantain and a few pieces of fried pork as we left Port au Prince.
Today is quiet as most people here enjoy a few days of "holiday" with family and friends at the New Year. That is good as we are both a little travel weary. I did not remember there being so many "different" noises in the night. Birds singing, roosters crowing, pigs snorting, cars and horns and a few firecrackers !!! Morning came much too quickly !!
Until later, Jack and Virginia Bell Stay well and warm in 2009 !!!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Looking forward to 2009
Jack and I will be returning to Haiti on New Year's Day, 2009. We are providing Guest House services in the city of Les Cayes in southwest Haiti. We will be interacting with teams as they come to serve the people in Haiti. Our main focus now is to refurbish schools that were damaged by the series of hurricanes in the fall of 2008. Some of the work is rebuilding with blocks and mortar and some is providing benches for the students or doors to secure the buildings. There is always a need for supplies for students and teachers. We invite you to be a part of this worthwhile experience.
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