two weeks ago i traveled to Haiti with The Adventure Project.
it was a very quick trip where i was able to see the inside workings of the stove project.
YOU donated $6270... We sponsored 313 stoves!!!
THAT is so wonderful!!
and together the entire Adventure Project raised over $24,000 for stoves in Haiti.
eight women from different areas of The Adventure Project met up in Haiti.
we were in Port-au-Prince the entire time.
the first stove vendor we met with has her stoves set up for sale in a big market.
she is the top saleswoman in this project.
most people we were in contact with spoke french.
so we had translators to ask our questions and to give our responses.
when we told her what we were doing there she said "well if they can fix my car i could sell a lot more stoves."
that is thinking like a business woman!
it never hurts to ask!
anyone hungry?
this was kind of mind blowing to me. rabbits running around for sale? turtles?!
to eat.
mmm.... delicious?
as our group walked through the market we had a few men "protecting" us from anything they saw fit.
they were self appointed protectors. they saw us pull up and rushed to "help"
our local guides talked with them in french and it was all ok so the rest of us just followed along. :)
in return sarah and i bought some of his paintings.
because i really did appreciate the protection.
he made me a leather bracelet with my name stamped into it.
i love it.
and here is where we used the bathroom that morning. :)
we paid to pee in a trailer that had stalls in it...and dudes in it...
and the guy gives you toilet paper in your hand before you go in!!!
shy bladders would not work in Haiti.
and did i mention.... there were DUDES IN THERE!
ha ha ha
i was being a chicken and said i would wait.
then thought "this is no better than anywhere else" so i decided to go.
rebekah came out and said "it's not that bad... you'll be fine"
so i went up the stairs and to the only open stall and there was no toilet seat.
i popped my head out and asked rebekkah (but the whole crowd can hear me)
"not that bad?! did yours have a seat?!!"
she said yes and to wait for that one.
i sound like a baby i know but when you are facing everything opposite that you know.... like peeing in a truck with men with toilet paper from the guy outside the stall and there is no toilet seat.... it's hard to not sound like a whiny brat.
i tried very hard though.
i am sure i lost.
near the next stove vendor these children were playing together.
they were doing a dance for us and cheesing for the camera.
it was an orphanage.
beautiful babies....i have been praying for them.
we went down a very steep hill to get to Isaaic's home.
he is the only male stove vendor in the project.
his sweet little boys were so shy with all these ladies showing up in their home.
i don't blame them one bit.
and that baby... i wanted to snuggle him and keep him forever.
but he was quite well loved i could tell. :)
i took this one with my phone.
he was drooly and had the biggest brown eyes in the world.
we traveled onto another stove vendor's home.
she told us about her business and had lunch cooked for us... on her stove!
she made us rice & beans with chicken on the side.
she served us plates in these food covers to keep our clothes clean... i think.
while we in her home Becky's sister called on Face Time.
she is a teacher and her whole classroom facetimed with us in Haiti.
technology is rad.
yellow and turquoise.
this was the last stove vendor my team met with.
she sells lottery tickets also.
we drew a crowd....
chicken on a leash.
peacocks and geese for sale.
fabric store.
fruits and veggies.
poinsettias in bloom in pots!
this was so cool to see in real life.
in kansas these are ONLY available at christmas shipped in from wherever.
my favorite pot in haiti. :)
these vendors were outside of our hotel.
we all bought souvenirs from them.
they are SERIOUS about sales.
if i made eye contact i was sunk.
they can play me like a piano.
but i did come home with a bull horn canteen.... soccer season is around the corner ya know.
most interesting plant i have ever seen... it's very dr. seuss.
my grandmother would have been SO intrigued.
my favorite wall in haiti.
the "buses" were decked out in colorful design... very cool.
our hotel had wi-fi off and on so when it was ON then we were ON. :)
spelling out T.A.P. the minute before we left for the airport.
funny girls.
i was in no photos...and jody had already left for the airport when i decided to take headshots.
and judging from the customs agents responses.... it's best i was not photographed.
I love the heart of The Adventure Project.
i love that they have a fire for ending poverty in the world.
that is not an easy battle to fight.
God calls his people to care for the poor.
that is why i am a part of The Adventure Project.
i want to do something.
if i don't... then my life is all about me.... what i buy, what i eat, where i go.
But the world does not revolve around me - NEWSFLASH.
I want my heart to be for what Jesus wants.
Helping & Giving where i can.
and telling others about how they can help... telling others how much God loves them.
God loves you just as you are RIGHT NOW.
no matter where you live.
no matter what you look like... he thinks you are beautiful.
He loves you because you are HIS and He made you.
He wants to be in a relationship with you.
He wants you to know you are special to HIM.
that you are IMPORTANT to HIM.
that you matter.
and i am going to keep telling you.
i am going to keep traveling places to see where God wants to use me.
and i will keep telling you about different ways to give your time, your heart and your money.
because how many cardigans (i just bought another one yesterday!!! i am an addict!) how many lattes, how many pairs of shoes, how many purses can we buy that will make us happy?
it's temporary.
we NEED a sustaining love and hope in something MORE.
and that is Jesus.
the One who saved me from sins.
the One who set me free.
the One who loved me before i was made.
He is the way.
:)
