snapshot into my time here...

Hey everybody!

So I thought for this post I would take the time to upload some photos: give you a snapshot into just some of the stuff that goes on here, in Haiti!

So, without further ado:

Church!  This is the first Haitian church I went to and I can assure you it was a very different experience than church in Canada.  Even with all its differences, it was great to be in a room full of believers worshiping together.  I even met two North Americans that morning, one being a young lady who is here for almost the exact time period that I am here (late January to late April).  She is spending 3 months with her sister who, with Haitian husband and children do ministry here.

Carneval!  In late February, everyone piles into the streets at night with music and dance all around the neighbourhoods.  Some people dress up, flags are waved and whips are cracked.

We did not participate just because it can be very dangerous (and there is also a lot of voodoo incorporated into the celebration) - but we still had a great time!  The energy of Carneval is contagious!

Some of our neighbourhood friends!

The Citadel

The Citadel, located in Milot, is a huge fortified structure that was built 2 hundred years ago right after Haiti's independence.  The self-proclaimed King of that time was extremely fearful of another attack from Europe, so he spent decades and countless lives to build this huge fortress.

It is so high up in the mountains, we were in the clouds!  From the top you can see for miles; to the ocean and beyond.

The Citadel was never finished because this "King" committed suicide.  The French never did return for a fight, and so now the Citadel sits at the top of the mountain, a reminder of the needless sacrifice endured to build it. 

Let me take this time to introduce you to some people:

Ladies and gentlemen, if you have been following this blog, this is a familiar face!  This is Candy, the wonderful lady I am learning form here!

I love this photo!

This is Candy in her element: with the people.  She is mobilized on the ground, always looking for opportunities for relationship so we can share God's love and improve the quality of people's lives.

…she also happens to be a lot of fun ;)

God bless her!

We do a lot of house visits to the elderly and marginalized - the people who are often neglected.

These are some old folks that we visited just this last trip.  I love this photo!  Candy is beginning ministry in a new part of town, so currently we are developing relationships with people and finding out their needs.  Back here in the DR we create profiles of the people, brainstorm ideas, determine the greatest need, then we head back to Haiti to partner with the locals to figure out how to meet these needs.  We always try to solve the problem from within whenever possible.  Often, external funds do play a role in these advancements but it is the locals who make it happen.  Empowerment of the people!!

For example, the latrines that are being built are funded primarily by brother and sisters (different church communities) in North America (Bethany now included!), BUT it is the Haitians that build them - all without pay.  Neighbour helping neighbour.  Brother helping brother.

This unity is very uncommon in Haiti, and it is a true testimony to the life changing impact of the Word of God in our lives.

This is Wakson!  The dynamic youngest son of the people we stay with while in Haiti, Bito and Nelta Floreal. 

Ruth is the youngest daughter of Bito and Nelta.  She is strong, kind, and loves to laugh!  She serves her family with joy :)

This is the young man Volmi!  He just turned 18!  This is Nelta and Bito's eldest son.

Fredlyne Floreal is a wonderful, bubbly young woman with ambition!  She is becoming a good friend.

Nelta in her element!  Nelta is always working hard and humbly serving her family.

And that is Bito, and Candy, in Bito's element: his farm.  Bito has a plot of land where he makes a small income from his produce.  A lot of the farming that he does is sustenance farming.  All of his work is down by hand.

This is Candy and my bedroom.  It's cozy, isn't it?

Onzy, enjoying a leisurely morning.

A special breakfast! Boiled plantains with vegetable stew, hard boiled eggs, and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.  This is luxury… seriously.

the dining room

the shower/washroom

the morning dishes

morning quiet time

and the work begins!

house visits, latrine updates, construction, and much more!

talking with some friends...

…and goofing around!

There is no electricity, so at night the lamps and candles are out!  Typically, we all end up around the table or outside on the porch telling stories, talking about faith, trials, joys, problems.  Family :)

A view from the back door, can you see the kitchen?

Well folks, there is a little bit of a peek into our lives here.

As you can see I am healthy, and so well looked after.  God provides!

Before I sign off, I would just like to make a few prayer requests:

1)  Pray for me as I begin to brainstorm and put together a few lesson plans to teach in a local school in Haiti!  I feel ready and confident to do what I intended to come here to do which was to teach the Truth of God to kids through art and music.  The main theme of the lessons will be about how we are loved, accepted, and significant.  If you have any ideas; songs, activities, stories, crafts; feel free to shoot me an e-mail!  I would love to get as many ideas as possible!  haleigh.pickett@gmail.com

2)  Pray that my Spanish would improve, por favor.

3)  Pray that God would continue to speak to me through his word and that I would continue to be drawn closer to him.  He is doing amazing things here, truly.

4)  Pray that I would continue to be enriched by my experiences as to grow my testimony for Christ's glory.

I am so blessed to have this opportunity to be here and to be learning!  I cannot wait to share with you in person all that has gone on here these past one and a half months!  I have another one and a half to go and there is still so much to be done!  I will surely not return home the same…. 

Thank you for your continued support,  I love you so much,

Haleigh