It was a lovely day here today. I spent the morning practicing Creole, relaxing, and reading. I am getting the sentence structure a bit more after the morning.
My new roommate Mallory arrived a few days ago: hilarious. She makes me laugh a lot, and apparently she finds me funny too - it makes for a good living situation. We have 2 more roommates to fit in our room, which is quite packed already. Woy!
This afternoon the lovely Diana invited me out with her and her friend Wiki. We went to Cabaret, ate at a delicious Haitian restaurant with the best sitwon juice (is that right Diana?). Then we bought candy and headed to Wiki's house for a little worship time. It was fantastic.
The highlight of the day involved my first ride on a tap-tap - seriously, it is the way to travel in Haiti. You only need a Haitian man to accompany you, but otherwise you are golden.
I won't keep you in suspense any longer...here are my song choices of the day:
1) The Perfect Match - Chelsey Scott
2) Maybe Be Alright - William Fitzsimmons
3) Kingdom Comes - Sara Groves
With that, I sign off. The generator is cranking, the fans are started, and time to settle in for the night. Love love.
May 30, 2009
May 28, 2009
Ayiti:Bon Samaritan
Not too far from MOH is an orphanage known as Bon Samaritan, or Good Samaritan, in the village of Cabaret. The orphanage was destroyed in the hurricanes last year, but all 120 kids survived miraculously. They now live in an old disco/night club in Cabaret. The kids there learned my name instantly, and whenever I go they call out "Sa-ah!" and I do my best to speak with them a little.
It was the first place in Haiti that really brought me to tears. I am so torn up over the life of the kids here - but I was reminded by someone here that it is better to live there than on the streets, like the little boy I met in the market in Cabaret with no parents, living off what he gets from begging.
And yet the kids here run happily around the dance floor, going to school on the floor with old chalkboards and little chairs and benches for the various grades. The littlest ones who are too young for school just sit on the edge, waiting patiently. The kids here are so well-behaved because they have to be.
The whole situation makes the joy on the faces of the kids is almost too much to handle. While it could be comforting to see the children so joyful when you are there, it makes leaving even worse. I can go and cuddle different kids for a few hours, but eventually I have to leave, and I have left both times with the same little girl in tears, so desperately wanting someone to cuddle her a little longer.
When the world is so broken, and you see so much need everywhere you go, how do you begin to process? And what on earth can I do?
It was the first place in Haiti that really brought me to tears. I am so torn up over the life of the kids here - but I was reminded by someone here that it is better to live there than on the streets, like the little boy I met in the market in Cabaret with no parents, living off what he gets from begging.
And yet the kids here run happily around the dance floor, going to school on the floor with old chalkboards and little chairs and benches for the various grades. The littlest ones who are too young for school just sit on the edge, waiting patiently. The kids here are so well-behaved because they have to be.
The whole situation makes the joy on the faces of the kids is almost too much to handle. While it could be comforting to see the children so joyful when you are there, it makes leaving even worse. I can go and cuddle different kids for a few hours, but eventually I have to leave, and I have left both times with the same little girl in tears, so desperately wanting someone to cuddle her a little longer.
When the world is so broken, and you see so much need everywhere you go, how do you begin to process? And what on earth can I do?
May 20, 2009
Ayiti!
Today was a day completely out of my comfort zone. I went with one of the groups to Minitri, a village close to Titanyen, where I live. I have been totally overwhelmed by not knowing the language - and the key phrases that wikipedia taught me are generally wrong and/or not useful. So today I simply smiled and said "Bonswa!"
The kids flocked anyway. I got to spend all day loving on kids, which was just what I needed to curb the loneliness and isolation that being in a new country with a foreign language can do.
Plus I learned a lot more words - a lot of the older kids were able to teach me a little. At least now I can say "How do you say..." and "How old are you?" Can't wait to be able to speak more each day!
There is a new group at the mission who just arrived and are sharing my apartment with me. I am somewhat glad to have more people in this huge place.
At that, I will leave you with this picture...this is who I get to spend my days with!
The kids flocked anyway. I got to spend all day loving on kids, which was just what I needed to curb the loneliness and isolation that being in a new country with a foreign language can do.
Plus I learned a lot more words - a lot of the older kids were able to teach me a little. At least now I can say "How do you say..." and "How old are you?" Can't wait to be able to speak more each day!
There is a new group at the mission who just arrived and are sharing my apartment with me. I am somewhat glad to have more people in this huge place.
At that, I will leave you with this picture...this is who I get to spend my days with!
May 18, 2009
just do it, whatever it is
KCI at 5:11 in the morning is a great place to be. It's black outside. and all the students going to Paris and London are flocking together, taking things out of their 65 pound bags.
My bag (my ONE checked rolling duffel with sheets, towels, clothes, and an entire CVS pharmacy courtesy of my mother) weighed in at 43.3 pounds.
Booyah.
My carry ons are small and hold mostly food (courtesy my mother).
Can I just tell you: I have the best mom in the world. It's a fact, and you can't fight me on that. She stayed up late watching Pride and Prejudice with me; she bought me sour candy; she put up with my forgetfulness yesterday; she prays for me and hugs me when I cry; and she wakes you at 3 AM to take me to the airport. She does all of the above while maintaining her wit and dry sarcasm - I love that about her.
So half my suitcase is half clothes-half miscellaneous. I hope I have enough but not too much. Don't want to be underprepared or excessive.
I hope I come back a different person - though I hope some things stay the same.
Alright friends, Ben Lee beckons...
"Are you changing, are you changing, are you changing? Do you know it? Do you feel it? You know it?"
OH! One last thought: perfect love casts out fear. Been praying that all Sunday and again this morning.
"It is not our level of spirituality we can depend on. It is God and nothing less than God, for the work is God's and the call is God's and everything is summoned by Him and to His purposes, the whole scene, the whole mess, the whole package..." - Elisabeth Elliot
My bag (my ONE checked rolling duffel with sheets, towels, clothes, and an entire CVS pharmacy courtesy of my mother) weighed in at 43.3 pounds.
Booyah.
My carry ons are small and hold mostly food (courtesy my mother).
Can I just tell you: I have the best mom in the world. It's a fact, and you can't fight me on that. She stayed up late watching Pride and Prejudice with me; she bought me sour candy; she put up with my forgetfulness yesterday; she prays for me and hugs me when I cry; and she wakes you at 3 AM to take me to the airport. She does all of the above while maintaining her wit and dry sarcasm - I love that about her.
So half my suitcase is half clothes-half miscellaneous. I hope I have enough but not too much. Don't want to be underprepared or excessive.
I hope I come back a different person - though I hope some things stay the same.
Alright friends, Ben Lee beckons...
"Are you changing, are you changing, are you changing? Do you know it? Do you feel it? You know it?"
OH! One last thought: perfect love casts out fear. Been praying that all Sunday and again this morning.
"It is not our level of spirituality we can depend on. It is God and nothing less than God, for the work is God's and the call is God's and everything is summoned by Him and to His purposes, the whole scene, the whole mess, the whole package..." - Elisabeth Elliot
May 14, 2009
"I don't want yo nasty spit"
Location: Panera.
Companion: Liz "Pookie" Powell
Subject: Essentials of Pediatrics
Activity: Blogging
---
Most pointless study session...ever.
Friday.
Saturday.
Sunday.
Malaria Monday #2/Go to the airport at 3:30 am
The room is half-packed, and this time tomorrow it will be summer.
Summer means Haiti, Alaska, Washington, 23 S. Fairview. It means oceans and frisbee and laughing and spending money and making money and Kelly Clarkson in Des Moines and TURNING 21 and re-learning how to ride a bike. I mean...
Guys, I tried to ride a bike last semester. It was the first time since I was 10. And you know what, the saying "it's like riding a bike" is so stupid. I can't ride a bike anymore. I am awkward and unbalanced and inevitably come off the bike with bruises on my calves. And OH MY GOSH DID THE SEAT ALWAYS HURT!?
I am packing my skirts and very few shirts, swapping out my jeans and scrubs for lightweight clothes and sports bras. I am packing away my blow dryer and make-up (though I may sneak in mascara!) Gene and I will be apart for the first time ever. I won't go back to my parent's house after Monday at 3:30 AM. I am taking my hair that hasn't been cut in months and praying that the humidity will make it so out of control that it won't matter how dirty it is.
I can't be more excited.
I can't be more FREAKED OUT OF MY FREAKIN' MIND.
Fear is so scary and a little fun.
Ok.
Thanks Panera for the memories.
Companion: Liz "Pookie" Powell
Subject: Essentials of Pediatrics
Activity: Blogging
---
Most pointless study session...ever.
Friday.
Saturday.
Sunday.
Malaria Monday #2/Go to the airport at 3:30 am
The room is half-packed, and this time tomorrow it will be summer.
Summer means Haiti, Alaska, Washington, 23 S. Fairview. It means oceans and frisbee and laughing and spending money and making money and Kelly Clarkson in Des Moines and TURNING 21 and re-learning how to ride a bike. I mean...
Guys, I tried to ride a bike last semester. It was the first time since I was 10. And you know what, the saying "it's like riding a bike" is so stupid. I can't ride a bike anymore. I am awkward and unbalanced and inevitably come off the bike with bruises on my calves. And OH MY GOSH DID THE SEAT ALWAYS HURT!?
I am packing my skirts and very few shirts, swapping out my jeans and scrubs for lightweight clothes and sports bras. I am packing away my blow dryer and make-up (though I may sneak in mascara!) Gene and I will be apart for the first time ever. I won't go back to my parent's house after Monday at 3:30 AM. I am taking my hair that hasn't been cut in months and praying that the humidity will make it so out of control that it won't matter how dirty it is.
I can't be more excited.
I can't be more FREAKED OUT OF MY FREAKIN' MIND.
Fear is so scary and a little fun.
Ok.
Thanks Panera for the memories.
May 9, 2009
Haiti Updates
If you would like to be added to the e-mail update/prayer list during my trip to Haiti, please leave your e-mail in a comment or send me an e-mail at parsonss@william.jewell.edu with your contact information attached. I will do my best to write often. Love to you!
May 7, 2009
Things that make me roll my eyes...
1) The phrase: "I'm drowning my sorrows in [fill in the name of the sweet here]."
2) The song "Come On Get Higher" - or anything by Matt Nathanson
3) The man who comes into the back while I am working and criticizes the way I put the frozen custard machine together.
4) The creeper who comes into work, stays ten minutes, leaves for twenty, comes back for an hour, leaves for fifteen minutes, then comes back. He doesn't buy anything. He just sits
5) The awkward couple who makes out on the couch upstairs at BTB.
6) Any PDA past hand holding.
7) Becoming a fan of anything on Facebook.
8) Facebook quizzes.
I am in a cynical mood this evening.
On a positive note, two more classes, an article review, and three tests until I am free...To freak out about not being ready to go to Haiti.
This is what I have learned...
Salu. M'rele Sarah. Kijan ou rele? Ba'm youn dola. Kiyes ki Papa'w?
Translation:
Hello. My name is Sarah. What's your name? Give me a dollar. Who's your daddy?
M renmen w. (I love you)
2) The song "Come On Get Higher" - or anything by Matt Nathanson
3) The man who comes into the back while I am working and criticizes the way I put the frozen custard machine together.
4) The creeper who comes into work, stays ten minutes, leaves for twenty, comes back for an hour, leaves for fifteen minutes, then comes back. He doesn't buy anything. He just sits
5) The awkward couple who makes out on the couch upstairs at BTB.
6) Any PDA past hand holding.
7) Becoming a fan of anything on Facebook.
8) Facebook quizzes.
I am in a cynical mood this evening.
On a positive note, two more classes, an article review, and three tests until I am free...To freak out about not being ready to go to Haiti.
This is what I have learned...
Salu. M'rele Sarah. Kijan ou rele? Ba'm youn dola. Kiyes ki Papa'w?
Translation:
Hello. My name is Sarah. What's your name? Give me a dollar. Who's your daddy?
M renmen w. (I love you)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)