Saturday the 27th, I loaded up the truck with Priss, Kathy, Kezia and Katie and headed to Port au Prince. Priss was finishing her visit, Kathy was headed to the US for a few weeks and Kezia and Katie went to Port for a visit. After I dropped everyone off, it was just me...waiting for my Dad.
I found a guy that usually helps us with teams and sent him inside the airport with a small sign to help my dad with the luggage. He made it out of the airport with no problems at all...then we started the 3 hour trip from Port to Gonaives. Well, it is usually 3 hours...right now there is a bridge out near Archaie, so there is a detour through the town, then across a small, old concrete bridge that only allows one car at a time to pass...the detour took us an extra hour and a half...but...it was just me and my dad and we got to talk!
We made it back home in time for dinner and the Husker game on the roof...Omaha outnumbered Georgia at the house that night. (Brian and his family, me, and my Dad) Sunday morning we were still getting lots of rain from Hurricane Sandy...we tried to go to church, but it was called off because of the rain...we have snow days, they have rain days!
While my Dad was here, we didn't have any major projects, just lots of little things and lots of introductions. I introduced him to Pastor Genata and his wife Rose - he got a quick tour of all of the wonderful things that are happening with his ministry. (Water business, bakery, church, deaf ministry, school, orphanage, sewing classes...) I took him to meet Jan Thompson and show him her group of 19 kids...he also got to meet Jared and Amanda who are living here helping Jan. We traveled around town on my motorcycle and met with lots of my new friends that I met from teaching or just from life.
On Sunday night, he came with me to SCOFT - (Shiny's Club OF Translators) - a group that I have been helping out with that practices English for a couple of hours every Sunday evening. We usually sing a song or two...I print out lyrics and play an MP3 for them to sing along with...music is a great way to practice a new language. But, since I had my Dad along, we brought a keyboard and he played while they sang. I printed out the lyrics in English for How Great thou Art and Amazing Grace...two songs that they know from church. (in Creole) It was a hit!
My Dad also came with me to my English school Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday...Thursday and Friday were holidays - No School! All of my students were anticipating his visit - I rarely forgot to mention how many days it was until he arrived! They were thrilled to meet Papa Scott. My father was thrilled to meet them too. Our school is made up of an amazing group of people with an unbelievable desire for more knowledge. Our school is not free, so they all are making an investment in themselves to attend...and it shows.
Our mornings started with coffee and conversations with Beaver, then we tried to see what little projects that I had on my list. We spent a couple of mornings fixing a gate and a door at the school in Jubilee. We got to go to the hardware store and he got to meet all of my friends (the employees) there. I shop there so much, I know all of the people who work there...kind of like Westlake Ace in Omaha!
On Friday morning, we had a trip planned. I wanted to take him to see some countryside on my motorcycle. On our way out of town, a pickup full of people passed me too close and his mirror hit my mirror and ended the trip early. My handlebars turned sharply to the right and we flew off the bike. It happened so fast. My dad and I got up right away checking for major damage to eachother...Thank God just road rash and maybe some bruises later. My motorcycle had a broken fender and some bent parts. The truck that hit us kept driving...several people from the side of the road came to our assistance. They poured some moonshine over my road rash to clean it up...that felt GREAT!
I used some tools in my bag to straighten out some bent parts on my motorcycle and we rode home slowly. Then, Amos took us to go see Grace (Grace's Blog) to get our wound care. We are thankful that the injuries were so minor...it could have been worse. I now have more respect for the road and the crazy drivers...I practice more defensive driving.
So, Friday, my Dad and I relaxed around the house with some ice packs and ibuprofen. We watched a movie in my room and took it easy. Friday night we went to meet up with Jake Sangster from coreluv. He is a pilot and flight instructor, so him and my father had a lot to talk about. He also has a Red Tail Hawk as a pet...kind of cool. After that we meet up with Pastor Patrice and his wife for a quick introduction.
Saturday we took the trip back to Port - detour was quick - and I said goodbye to my Dad. He told me that his hand was tired from all of the handshakes from introductions to my friends. I think he has a better idea now why I love this place. It is sometimes hard to explain many of the things that are part of regular life here...you just have to see it for yourself. I look forward to seeing more of my family and more of my friends when they come and visit me at my home in Haiti. Again, I do love this place and I do thank every one of you that reads this and makes it possible for me to do this.
If you would like to make a financial contribution to my work here, you can click on the monthly support button at the top of the page, or you can make a one time donation through my church here. Select the Scott Peters - Haiti option.
so AWESOMe that you could share all of this with your dad! he must be so proud of you!! we are!
ReplyDeletehey! russ is heading down with jim in jan. hope you will be there!! let us know if he can throw anything in his suitcase for you! bon
I haven't stopped by for a while Scott but took time today. It was good to see your Dad was able to come down. I know from experience he now can taste and smell your life for real and just not in imagination. The people and country are beautiful in Haiti. A different climate and economy for sure but wonderful people. I like their French language and their social manner. I especially enjoyed singing with them. Floyd
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