Gauvreau en Haiti

Friday, December 24

Since December 9 when there was a riot, I did not write a lot for the blog. We have pictures taken the day after the riot. (See photo December) It has been 6 months since we arrived in Haiti and we still have a lot to learn.

We are learning how to take care of our water pump to bring water in the tank on the roof of the house. The other one broke and we went downstairs in the well to fetch water. I was so frustrated that I told the caretaker what I thought of his promises and that nothing was done. He was repeating that the technician was too busy to come. I told him to find another one and he answered me that he could not take just any technician. We took the phone number of the owner in Florida and of the technician. And as if by magic, the morning after he had found a technician-plumber, but we had to pay for the pump because the caretaker did not want to pay for it. The problem here is that when an owner buys a water pump most of the renters leave with the pump when they are no longer renting.

After, we put a lock on our well. Our downstairs neighbours were taking water from our well. They were blocking out our water pipe and were getting all the water from the city and we are paying each month for that. On top of it, they were fetching water from our well. That way, they do not have to have a water truck comes in which costs around $50 US. We have now pipes that connect from the roof pipes to our well. When it will rain we will have water coming in our well, because the neighbours downstairs are controlling the valve for the rain water so we receive very little of the rain water and they have it all. Now the other peoples, who have wells on the property, put a lock on their wells as well.

We are trying to maintain a good interpersonal relationship with our neighbours. We are also learning to take care of what belong to us and to put a lock where needed. This is what the whites do when they have Haitians leaving with them. It is not pleasing, but they take us as if we were a bank and it is not all the whites who have a lot of money.

We bought a Christmas tree (See photo December). We bought all the decorations and the girls decorated it. When we went shopping, I realized that the girls do not often have the chance to be in a large store for the rich people and the stranger. I remember that the girls were holding the baskets and Georges and I were choosing all the decorations. After that we went to the grocery store and it was their second time; this time it went better. The first time, they were looking everywhere and they pushed the baskets on me quite a few times. They did not want Georges to push it, they wanted to do something. You will also see pictures about the Christmas tree at the Toddlers House.

It goes well with the three girls. There are always adjustments to do and it is normal. I must remember what our boys were doing when they lived with us. This puts things in perspective.

We also worked a lot at Fort-Jacques. We made 61 Christmas boxes for the Haitian personnel who work at the orphanage. (See photo December)

We had a container given to the orphanage, but there were a lot of water jugs on it that broke and leaked in the ballots of clothing (57 kg – 1267 lb each). To sort all this is not easy. (See photo December) This container was in the port since February, it was supposed to help give water to the earthquake victims. It shows you how customs take times and are fastidious on details.

Last week, I was very discouraged. I was crying all the time. I asked God to send me someone to whom I can talk. Saturday night was the worst, I cried all evening. But God had something for us on Sunday, a big gift like only Him can do. Our pastor in Haiti Joel Trimble and his wife Yvonne invited us to the restaurant “Floriville” in Kenscoff and they did pay. We had a blessed time and I feel better since then. I know now that I can talk to them. They have been in Haiti for 35 years.

Today, Friday we are going to our pastor for a supper followed by a service to the Glory of Jesus. All the foreign workers of the orphanage who are spending the holidays in Haiti will also be there so we will be around 15. I am looking so much to going.

Tuesday, December 28

Our Christmas Eve evening was a very nice evening of fellowship and discussion of the country’s news. We got back hoe around 10 PM.  There were lots of people in the streets and even the stores were opened all night. Christmas is mostly to celebrate Jesus and there are praise and worship services in all the churches.

We went to bed and the next day we prepared the turkey, which was 22 pounds, by cutting it because I did not have anything big enough to cook it whole. We were five for supper, Georges and I, Yannick, Locita and Regi. Kathiana went to les Cailles for a wedding and celebrate Christmas.

On Sunday December 26th, we went to the church (Baptiste de la Compassion de Christ) which is led by pastor St-Cyr. We went there with Pastor Trimble and his wife who minister in that tent city. It is the biggest tent city in Haiti and is situated on the golf course of Petionville. The church is situated on the 8^th hole. The camp is home to 53,000 people. I like Pastor St-Cyr who is very lively. His church recognised the 35 years of ministry of Pastor Joel Trimble and his wife in Haiti.

It was very moving. A young boy sang in English for them “Crucified”. He has a wonderful voice. (See photo December)

After that, we have been invited to the front to address the congregation. We had one minute to speak. Georges explained why we have come to live in Haiti. At the end I wished them blessings in Creole.

After that, we went to our regular Sunday service at Pastor Joel. After, we went to the orphanage for lunch and we had good discussions.  For the time being, there is only one volunteer so the personnel have more time to talk to each others. For Fort Jacques, we are a little discouraged to see the scope of the work to do.  We have to sort the clothes as a large part of them are wet and as of now a third of it is mouldy.  We have started to burn them. One of the security guards asked why we were burning them. I explained to him and showed him the mouldy clothes and then he understood and said (gaté, gaté) which means rotten, rotten and after that I did not see him near the fire pit. We have to put the wet clothes on clothes lines to dry them but there are often clouds and the clothes do not dry. They finally were brought to the main house to dry. We are happy that the girls are on vacation as they come to help along with Regi and they do a very good work. (See December pictures)

We stayed at Fort Jacques for supper as they had a wiener roast. They also had salads, beans and desert. It was a nice evening to learn to know each other better and mostly to warm ourselves up by the fire. It is not very warm at night and even during the day as it is winter also in Haiti. (See December pictures)

Thursday, we should receive one more container. This is the last one for the year.

Thursday, December 30

Here I am sitting in the Port au Prince’s port in Mr. John’s car (Owner of the orphanage). Yesterday, Georges and I were on our way to Fort Jacques to work but just before Thomassins 32, around 9:15 am, the fan belt broke in many pieces. The car overheated and we had steam coming out from under the hood. We were able to turn the corner unto Thomassins 32. We waited for a member of the personal of the orphanage to arrive and tow us to the Main House. We had lunch there and after we went to Land Rover to get a new belt with Mr. John’s car. Georges let me off at home on the way.

Georges went back to the Main House to put the new belt on but the garage had given him the wrong one. It is very pathetic as we were to use our car to tow the trailer which is on the container. Now, Mr. John has to rent a flat bed truck to bring it up and it cost a lot of money.

You will see pictures of our last container being unloaded to put on trucks at the port of Port-au-Prince. And then to Fort-Jacques to be unloaded in the warehouse. (See December pictures)

The day after we went back to Land Rover. It took 30 minutes to Georges and two other mechanics to make the guy, in the parts department, to understand that he had given the wrong belt. I hope that we will be able to repair our car this time.

You will see pictures of our last container being unloaded to put on trucks at the port of Port-au-Prince. And then to Fort-Jacques to be unloaded in the warehouse.

Friday, December 31

Tonight is New Year’s Eve, and the girls will go to church. Georges and I are staying at home; Georges is tired and I do not like loud music. It is the time to share the “Joumou soup” (like pumpkin) and to visit the family and friends during the evening and the night. The stores will be closed on January 1^st.

And Yes! Georges was able to repair the car. This time it was the right belt.

I will let you know about what will go on the day of the anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. Many churches are working together, with Pastor Joel Trimble as the director, to prepare a Praise Celebration at Champ de Mars, in the heart of Port-au-Prince. We will be there at 6h am till 11h am and for the evening we will go in Leogane for the other Praise Celebration.

Prayer of Release:

I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until the day of His return.

Much love!

Jocelyne and Georges