cracking a coconut

I am always trying to think of things that are 'different' here in Haiti. Or finding something interesting that you might want to read about. So many things are just 'normal' life now. I loose track of my other life in the United States. But yesterday as I was skyping with my mother she asked me about how we crack coconuts down here. She had bought one from the grocery store in Milbank, SD in Febuary and wondered how we do it here. So I thought you all should know.

First you have to get the coconut so someone - often times a young boy climbs up the coconut tree to knock them out of tree. I have seen this many times and am still baffled by it; they take off their shoes and just sort of shimmy up the tree. They reach up and grab and shake the tree until they drop to the ground. After they shimmy right on back down the tree.
Then they take a machete and chop it around one side. Sort of forming like a icecream shape bottom. Then when they are close to the middle they slice the top. When the white tender spot that is barely exposed is visible they stop and you carve out that part with a spoon. Then you drink the juice. Sometimes they put it in a glass for you too. But personally I prefer it straight from the coconut.













After they take that machete again and chop it in half. Then you dig out the center from the coconut shell with a spoon and eat the tender part in the middle. I like to just eat half it is very filling. From my experience with the other Americans it is usually half and half on who likes it and doesn't like it. But always the whole event is a true treat of a situation. Of coarse the favorite part is the climbing of the tree.
So I don't know how my mom ended up finishing her coconut. But I bet she didn't have the entertainment before hand.

when you put a prayer into the universe

If you have been reading up on my blog you may have remembered one called "What can we do? http://angelicaheartforhaiti.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-can-we-do.html
This was a house that really needed replaced but we had to do something so it made it to the top of our repair list. This is the house now as you see.

The team a couple weeks ago for the house repairs started on it. And seeing how close the house was to just being replaced they asked how much more it would cost to just finish the whole thing. It was only another $250 to complete the whole house. So what a blessing the team decided to complete the house. I was overjoyed when this happened and new there was a little divine intervention at hand. This last team that was here was also able to work down at this house too. And today the boss men are down in Shilo working on putting the stucco on the outside of the house. It brings true joy deep in my heart seeing this house come together and all the hands that were involved in the process.

Continued progress on the house - Febuary - 21st Christy and I visited and tried our hand at mixing concrete.

Collaboration in Haiti

Some amazing collaboration efforts going on in Haiti. The work and construction in Haiti has always been a joy for me because people from two different cultures are able to come together to accomplish something. It is really quite remarkable especially when you don't speak the language. But somehow we are all brought together to make a difference in each others lives. I do say each others because anyone who has ever been on a mission trip knows that you actually get back 10 fold in return for the work you do in that one week or 10 days.


So let me share with you some other collaboration that has been taking place lately and bringing folks together. Last week there was a team (1st team)down here who started repairs on 5 houses. They actually got to work hands on, on 3 of them in the Shilo area. Now we have a team (2nd team)here who is working on 2 foundations for 2 other houses. They have already completed one foundation and are waiting on materials for the second foundation that is almost complete as well. Then these homes will both be finished built in April by a 3rd team. Since the 2nd team is waiting on materials they have been working on the repair homes that the 1st team started. So not only are 3 teams coming together to accomplish the building of 5 homes but I too want to share with you the interpersonal connection.
The leaders of this current team are Jerry and his mother Pastor Melany. Jerry first came to Haiti when he was only 13 and has been coming every year since with - (ready for it) the 1st team that was here to start on the 5 repaired homes that Jerry's team is now working on.
The team leader for the 3rd team in April, Jill - just so happens to be coming tomorrow for a couple days for medical related things and to talk with another organization. So the 2nd team that is starting the foundations for the houses her team (3rd) will compete, will get to meet her too.
I just want to put a little shout out to God because that is the only way this complicated scheme could have all come together. Nice work buddy, keep it up.

Basen Bleu

The trek there was steep, steep down the side of the mountain. But it was worth every second of it. Such a beautiful hide-away in Haiti. What a blessing to get to experience such amazement. Sometimes people find it hard to find such beauty in the country. However I believe it exists everywhere I turn.

Connected to Natural Beauty

I experience natural beauty in Haiti everyday. I am blessed beyond words to have this experience. About a month or two ago we were able to get internet in Mizak where I live. This meant that I didn't have to go down to Jacmel on the long, dusty, whindy road twice a week. I thought this would be a great blessing, as most of you can imagine. Or can't imagine seeing how most of us in the United States have internet everywhere we go; we have it at home, at work, and at the local coffee shop. For a couple days I was loving it, but after two weeks I noticed I was getting a little depressed. About a week later I discovered that I was missing my spiritual connection with nature. When I ride down those long, dusty, whindy roads I soack the beauty that God has created. I think about the time I have been in Haiti. I think about the beauty in the faces I meet all along the roadside. I reflect on the determination and sheer strength of the Haitian people.
With the internet 'in my home' I discovered I was missing out on all of this. How many of us at home are missing out on some of the beauties of the world when we are at home on the internet and watching TV. We loose our connection with what God has created, and then we start missing the point all together and getting disconnected from who we as individuals were created to be.
My advice - go connect with some of creation. Look out the window (without the TV on) and just watch the snow. Drive down the road and look at all the colors of the trees or enjoy a sunset. Go have coffee with a friend and appreciate the beauty in there face because God is creating everyday and you can particitpate in that.

always learning

Putting in Gardens in Haiti. Every turn we make in our lives seems to be an opportunity to learn if you let it. This last week with the team from Traverse City I learned about drip irrigation. Can't say that I thought that would happen in my lifetime. But there I was learning a little bit about drip irrigation. We had two gentlemen from Haiti (Dominic and Bibi)helping put in the system. They were very energized and excited to learn the process. They worked alongside with Jerry, Mike and Ann and a couple other people from the team on different days. There was also an interpeter Harold which worked excellent with them. He was anticipating things to tell him the guys before they even gave the instructions. All three men were so interested in the system they wanted one for themselves. Thanks to the new internet at the house that team was able to contact the next team and they brought down 2 more systems for the garden. Since the team has left the 2 guys have been checking on the system regularly.
We also have the Peace Pals involved in the garden process. The kids have been coming over afterschool and watering the garden.
The process of working hand in hand beside each other to make something grow has powerful implications. It is really what many would like to see in Haiti. More importantly first we worked hand in hand and now the Haitians are taking over the system and continuing to help others with what they have learned. It is very inspiring.