It's been almost two weeks since my last post, so I have a lot to write to you tonight. I've just not had the mental energy or good wifi to post, it can take a long time to get it juuuuust right. :)
We have been very busy at CLS the past few weeks! Groups coming and going, but doing many great things. Last Thursday, a group from Beulah Baptist Church in Florida came and did VBS at a local church we call " Pastor Charles' Church". I went with them one day and they did an amazing job.
 |
| VBS at Pastor Charles' Church |
Pastor Charles church is basically a tent, but the worship there is genuine and the people love the Lord in an amazing way. Outside of the tent (and other places in Haiti too) I see this particular vine whose leaves are shaped like hearts. They reminded me of God's love for me and for the people of Haiti. As a science teacher, I'm always looking for God in weird places.....and I always find Him.
Last week was also eventful because I got to help with a minor medical thingy....taking out stitches from a boy's ear. It wasn't that big of a deal, but it was something I had never done and I LOVE experiencing new things. Notice the progression of the pictures. I started off with gloves, then decided I needed more light so I busted out the headlamp. Then I decided I couldn't feel where the stitches were......so I ditched one of my gloves. Tammy held the stitches out while I cut them. I am pleased to say that there was no blood and no tears. So I guess I can officially take stitches out.
On a couple of other days I also had the privilege of going with the baby feeders. In case you don't know, workers from CLS go every weekday to feed the babies and smaller children that live in the ravine who will eventually come to school at CLS when they are older. This feeding program ensures that they will have developed properly so than can do their very best when they begin school. They typically get fed a half of a hard boiled egg, peanut butter sandwich, and a piece of fruit. The babies are also given vitamins, ensuring that they are getting everything they need to grow and be healthy children. I have been a couple of times since I have gotten back to Haiti, but last Tuesday, I got to really help with the baby feeders. We weighed that day to track their growth. Most of the babies were fine being held or were old enough to stand on the scale on their own. There were some exceptions though. They only wanted their mamas! My friend Katy recorded the weights in the chart, which is actually a much harder job than holding them while they are weighed. Kudos to her for being able to find all the kids' names on that list. Katelyn just arrived last Thursday, and has take over the baby feeding program. We know she will do great things with it!
I'm totally just skipping around with my days here because I can't remember exactly what I've done on which days, so just bare with me because, again, it's late while I'm writing this post! Sunday I had the opportunity to go to a Haitian graduation with my friend and summer school director, Beverly. It. Was. An. Experience. First if all, Haitians have a different sense of time than Americans do. People who know me, know I can tend to run late from time to time. However, I generally follow by times I am supposed to be places. Not in Haiti. The graduation was supposed to start at 9:00, instead it began at 11:15 and ended at 4:15ish. All I can say is that I am thankful it was indoors and air conditioned! Needless to day, we were proud of our graduate, but soooo ready to stretch our legs and breathe some fresh air.
 |
| My face after about hour 4 of the graduation. :) |
Saturday was an eventful day in that I bought a beautiful painting from a street vendor in the mountains above Petionville. The story is I was looking at the paintings and the guys are very persuasive in wanting you to buy their work. Of course, they always set the price very high, like $70.00 high. So you, of course, say no to that price because it is waaaaay to much. So then you haggle and work your way to what they say is a fair price. I begin low, of course, at like $20.00. They say that is too low so I say, I won't go above $30.00. They are still trying to get me to pay upwards to $70.00 for it and want me to name a fair price. I cannot get them to accept that I am not going above $30.00! What can I say, I can be cheap at times. So, getting very annoyed, I walk away back to where the group is standing. So what do they do? They follow me over there and are still wanting me to buy the painting for too much! Thankfully we decide we are leaving so I am able to go get in the truck. And what do they do? They follow me to the truck and are still trying to sell it to me, only they have drastically changed their minds and come down to $45.00, but I still stay no more than $35.00 (yeah I increased my limit by five). So they say okay $35.00 . Sitting in the front of the truck, sandwiched between two people, I hand them the money. They count it and say, no, that they said I would pay $45.00. So I, of course, say nevermind, forget it, and Beverly reaches to get my money back and I start to give back the painting, they quickly changed their minds and gladly took my $35.00. :) It was an interesting experience to say the least.
 |
| My painting, hanging in my room |
 |
| The beautiful paintings that line many streets in and around Port-au-Prince. |
Okay, back to CLS stuff. I've mentioned before that what drew me to Haiti and to CLS were the children. They are the reason I am here. My heart is filled with the most overwhelming joy at times by being around them, playing with them, and taking care of them. Today, Sherrie signed the papers and got the keys for their new house that they so greatly deserve.They will be moving in hopefully within the next week or so. It is a very short walk from where I stay, so I am glad they won't be very far away. Just yesterday, I was having just a bad day and decided to go out into the yard to see the kids. Little Kervenson comes up to me with a toy about as big as he is and says in his sweetest voice, "Ms. Ashleigh, will you play with me?" It just immediately melted my heart and reminded me of why I am here. I adore these kids and love spending time with them. When things aren't going right, they bring me joy and remind me of God's unconditional love and the purpose for me being here.
 |
| The new orphanage house, just down the street from CLS. |
 |
| Kervenson |
 |
Magdala and Youvelande's photoshoot.
|
As I have stated before, living in Haiti can be hard. I miss home many times. I miss the autonomy of being independent and being able to do things exactly how and when I want to. But I believe God is trying reaaaaaally hard to teach me patience and understanding in difficult situations. However, I am always reminded, everywhere I go in Haiti about how blessed I am, which is where the title of this post comes from. It is very easy for us to get caught up in things that are going wrong in the world and in the teeny tiny bubble that makes up our "world". I have been blessed beyond my capacity to even comprehend. I have always had a bed to sleep in, even in Haiti (we will forget my first night on Haiti spent on a pool float :) ), I have and probably will only ever miss a meal by my own choice. I will most likely never know how it feels
to try and fall asleep at night with the rain pouring into my home. I will never experience the pain of not being able to care for my children and provide for their most basic needs. So, now, I am exponentially reminded of how blessed I am. I think, even living in Haiti, surrounded by poverty, I can get caught up in my own bubble and forget why I am here and how my "problems"are not really problems. God gives me these reality sandwiches frequently and I am thankful for them.
While on this subject of thankfulness, I am so glad God has placed people in my life here in Haiti as friends. Both full time staff and those Americans visiting, have been so supportive and kind to myself and the other full timers, as we are called. I am so thankful for them! Seeee, that is just one more reason I am thankful. Well, the next time I blog, I should have some good stuff to share with you all about summer school, which starts this coming Monday. Getting into a routine will be very good for me, even though I won't like setting that dreaded alarm clock. You can't trust the roosters around here, they are too unreliable. : ) Please continue to lift me up in prayer, as well as the CLS staff, and children.
Bon nuit!
❤️
Ashleigh
 |
| J.J. being sweet to Jean Wilson. They love him very much and like helping to take care of him. |
 |
| Sam, my substitute dog since I can't have my own dog, Ginny, here. |
