Beach Day

Today we spent a lovely day at Kaliko beach. This is where the St Vincent's kids come for one week of summer camp, called Camp Jacob. Lovely pools as well as a fabulous beach. See our twitter feed for photos. Our team enjoyed "adult beverages" (Mango Rum or Gin and Tonic), cool breezes, lawn chairs under palm frond umbrellas.  Lots of sunscreen. Nonetheless a few sunburned faces and arms by the end of the day, especially the group who went snorkeling.

On the way to the beach we stopped at the memorial site where thousands of people were buried after the earthquake. Sonya Yencer wrote eloquently about our experience, check out Sonya's blog at redthreadpromise.org. Go to (copy and paste into your browser).    redthreadpromise.blogspot.com/2014/11/haiti-saying-no.html?m=1

Beach day is a day to unwind and to enjoy the beauty of Haiti, to realize that not all of Haiti is grinding poverty, that her beaches are as lovely as any in the Bahamas or Jamaica or the Dominican Republic.  

Sitting together on the beach this morning, drinks in hand and a cool breeze on our faces, we started a list of Haiti quotes.  

1. What I like about this breeze is there's not a stink at the end of it

2. When I get home I leave my suitcase outside for 2 days.  That way the smell doesn't get into the house and any critters I brought home have a chance to run away.

3. I drink in two places.  Haiti and the American Society of Microbiology.

4. What is it about my toenails turning brown in Haiti?

5. Haiti is a land of contrasts at every corner.

6. So you have to tie the door shut.  What's your point? (Referring to the door on the bus we ride everyday )

7. Haiti melts my chocolate and melts my heart.

I am happy at the end of the week, knowing we have all done our very best to bring care and healing to the handicapped children at St Vincent's.  Tomorrow we return home to our families and loved ones. We are exhausted, sunburned, and some who have been to  Haiti for the first time will grieve.  It is heart wrenching to leave the children and worry about how they will get enough food, enough attention, enough of everything they need to grow and learn. But in traveling to Haiti all these years I have learned a secret.  The children thrive and grow, pa de pa as they say in Haiti. Little by little. And God takes special care of these children.  What we give during our time in Haiti is only a small part of God's plan for them. 

Susan Nelson