Day 14 | Tiara

Today was full of anticipation. Mountain Maid, Bartering, and Meeting our sponsored kids were all on the agenda. The morning started out with a devotional lead by Mark. After “amen,” both our mission group and the Haitians joined hands and bowed our heads. Mark devoted the ark to God and said a little prayer. Pictures were taken. “Thank you’s” were shared. Smiles will be remembered. After all the excitement from that, our crew headed to Mountain Maid. The food was Amazing!!!!! I wish the food that was served there was cooked like that in America! So after our tummies were full, and our taste-buds worn out, we headed back to the ark to meet our sponsored kids. Smiley was the name of my little boy ☺ and let me tell you!, after warming up to us after a little bit, he couldn’t stop jumping, and playing, and smiling!! His name said it all! Holden chased him around like a dinosaur. My, my, my, did he hoot and holler about that! When our goodbyes were shared, we went for the bartering shops. I never made it 3 feet without someone grabbing me and saying “come to my shop, come to my shop,” or “I give you good price, come to my shop!” if a Haitian sees a white person, the automatically see $$$ signs. I was once again the Master Barterer! I got 2 paintings, a wooden elephant, vanilla, earrings, and something for my boyfriend that I will not post online incase he’s reading this:P On the way out of the Bartering shops, I made Travis and Trey walk with me, run actually. People were still coming up to you saying “come to my shop, come to my shop!” Well when Travis and I looked back, a man with two machetes was running after us! I don’t think I’ve ever ran that fast in my life! I rushed into Mountain Maid and thankfully avoided him! The rest of the day consisted of cleaning up really. My suitcase is probably not even half full (I couldn’t fit another single thing on the way up here). I decided that the Haitians need it more than me. It’s just clothes anyways. I can get more anytime that I want to. These people cannot. I really am truly blessed. I have everything a 15 year old could ever want in her life. God has allowed me the privilege of having what I do. I couldn’t be more blessed. Thank you Haiti for this experience that you have given me ☺

Day 13 | Tiara

Market day, Market day, market, market, market day!! Going to the market was a once-in-a-lifetime-experience if you are ever in Haiti. Crowds of people were trying to sell or buy products for their families. Even though it was packed I didn’t mind. I was enjoying every second of it! We bartered with the locals on foods such as papayas, grapefruit, habanero peppers, breadfruit, mangos, limes, avocados, and some more local fruit that I just can’t remember the names of. I was the Master Barterer!!! I got exactly what I wanted for the price I wanted! I even topped Trey’s bartering market day! I was so proud of myself. I had help from Allie as well so she was my money girl☺. After the market, we went to the bakery. The bread was Amazing! I ate like 5 rolls. When we arrived back at camp, the 2nd team was ready to leave for the market. We finished up the Ark as well. All that was left was to shovel the sand around it. I’ll admit it. I didn’t do much work at all! Kids were pouring in from everywhere to come and play!! I taught soooooo many children how to slide, swing, climb, and even teeter-totter! Shon-Shon helped me out a lot by translating things that I said to the kids. For being only 8, he is so smart! Not to mention adorable! My favorite part of the entire day, had to be when I was surrounded by a VERY large group of Haitian girls. They were Extremely interested in my Blonde hair since they had never seen hair that color before. All of a sudden I felt a tug on my bun. One of the Haitian girls took out my ponytail and started playing with my hair. In one single motion, all the girls pitched in and started playing, twisting, tying, untying, and pinning my hair. Do you remember what it was like as a kid when you were given a lice check? That is what many described to me of what it looked like:P They actually didn’t do a bad job! I wore it like that for a while, up until my shower! I was touched, kissed, hugged, squeezed, and cuddled up to more times today than I ever have been in my life! When it was time for those girls to leave, they all grabbed my arms and waist and crowded around me. They each gave me a hug and said their goodbyes. There was nothing that could have topped today! Thank you God for how truly you have blessed me with everything that I have!! ☺

Day 12 | Tiara

So today was the last day of hard labor! You wouldn’t think sifting sand and making concrete would be that hard, nor would digging a hole. Let me assure you it is!! Madison and I would not have completed those holes without the help of some of our Haitian friends. The man who helped us the most was named Phillip. He taught me a few more words in Creole, which helped out a lot!! Lunch came and then it was back to work. This time around I took an easier job and painted. Trey, Madison, and I started the rainbow on the side of the ark. It is almost complete. You would think painting a simple rainbow would be easy. But when you have to hang on to the side of the ark and paint a straight line, it’s rather difficult! Later in the day I met a very special friend. His name was Angelo and he is 16 just like me! I taught him how to swing and to slide down the slide. He was so precious. He could speak English, somewhat, so that was a plus! We talked about ours lives and my home back in America. I told him about my family, my pets, and even God. I learned that he went to the same church that I went to Sunday!! We talked for a good 30 minutes. He was very interested in all what I had to say. I have definitely met a friend worth meeting☺

Day 11 | Tiara

When I woke up this morning I was someone who though she knew it all. High school is hard enough without all the distractions involved. Do you know what’s sad? It took me being in an entirely different country to make me realize that the way that I have been living a selfish, selfish life. I don’t deserve what I have. I really don’t. During church this morning, the only sentence spoken in English was “don’t turn your back on God, for God will Never turn his back on you.” This hit me HARD. I cried admitively. What have I been doing for this past year!? I have had a huge hole in my heart ever since. The hike cheered me up however. The waterfalls were gorgeous! Only Madison, Allie, myself, Holden, Brent, Dawn, Nate, and Johnny made it to the final waterfall. Everyone else tuckered out:D Yes, the trail was VERY difficult, and some parts I thought I wasn’t going to make it home, but it was worth it in the end. It was funny when Madison, Allie, and I were the first to arrive back at the “camp”. What was even more hilarious was that I had time to take a shower before the others arrived home!!! Haha, it was Great. I took a power nap before dinner and Sunday night service. I found out after I woke up that I was apparently in some awkward positions during my little nap. Embarrassing for sure!! But hey, I’ve had a good day for sure. I had a major heart-check and I am ready to be the obedient daughter God has planned for me. ☺

Day 10 | Tiara

Life is so full of wonders. If I could live here, I would in a heartbeat! No questions asked! The people here are Amazing, the landscape is beautiful, there is no drama, no distractions,… it is just simple here. And I’m loving every second of it!! God was on our side today. Breakfast was good- cooked by my own father might I add!:p Pancakes, toast, bacon was on the menu! I spent A LOT of the day painting. Painting boards, slides, scripture, you name it- I painted it!! I also helped weaved a rope bridge together, which a board busted when it was “Micky Tested”. That board was weak anyways, soooo not Micky’s fault!! But something that was truly amazing was my mom. She lead a Haitian man to Christ today. (you have to read her blog!!- Shawn Hunter) His name was James. I had the pleasure of welcoming him into the family after he accepted Christ. Along with James, there was an adorable boy named Shon Shon. He was cute as a button. Madison Oney quickly fell in love when she saw him! ☺ He was the first child, other than Josiah, who has able to play on some of the equipment! His face lit right up when he raced down the slide. I’ve taken around 50 or so pictures since I’ve been here. I’m really missing my family back home- including my boyfriend, but they know I am on this trip for a greater good! This week is going splendid though, and a lot is getting accomplished through God! I can’t wait until the ark is finished and I get to play with the children!! Keep our team in your prayers ☺

Day 9 | Tiara

First official day of work completed!! Oh my legs feel like jello! I chiseled, hammered, and screwed so many screws in I thought my am was going to fall off. But let’s get off of my aching bones and talk about my day now shall we. Breakfast was god, I helped prepare it- I was the EGG MASTER!! Sausage, eggs, and toast were all served. Yummy! Next came the work. I started out working on chiseling, and then after lunch I switched over to screwing in the nails on a platform for the small slides. I met some cool people today. Everybody here is so nice and friendly. You can’t help but have a smile on your face. What is really cool is that myself and a group of friends were playing Frisbee, I saw a Haitian man watching our game. So when I invited him to play, his face lit up! It was Great! We had a fun time teaching him, even though he couldn’t quite get the hang of it! In the meantime however, we had attracted a small crowd. A few more Haitians joined in to play. I had a blast today, and am soo looking forward to tomorrow!

Day 8 | Tiara

Where to start, where to start!? Well we all have to start somewhere right. So first comes the trip up here. For all of you back home, driving for 14 ½ hours takes its tole on your body! My Gosh I didn’t know if my legs were going to be able to move for weeks! The Hotel was nice and cozy, which definitely helped. Saying goodbye to the ones I Love back home definitely had the tears rolling! I will miss them this entire duration of the trip. Next comes the landing in Port Au Prince. I was TERRIFIED!! I had a death grip on Allie’s backpack during the walk to our bus. I felt so helpless when surrounded by the native people of Haiti. The bus ride up here was an adventure in itself! Everywhere you went you saw the devastation of the earthquake, the many shops and markets-which I am ready to explore by the way, and all the people who call this land their home. The people here are really nice. So when I start working on the playground I will be perfectly happy working alongside them. I’m Anxious and Excited to see what God has in store for us!