Day 3 11/19/13

I awoke this morning after a good nights sleep excited and nervous about my trip into the city.  After breakfast I returned to my room to get ready for the busy day ahead.  My ride arrived at 9:30 and we began the journey to Petionville to meet with our attorney.  I showed him the documentation that was requested and after viewing if for a few minutes he looked at me and smiled stating that everything we needed was there and complete.  I get anxious when meeting with anyone down here because requirements seem to change each trip.

He took copies for his record and we left for IBESR to turn in the documentation to complete our file.  We were led down a series of hallways before going into an office the size of a closet to meet with a supervisor.  He asked for our dossier number and after producing it for him asked for a copy of the receipt where we paid to begin the process.  I did not have a copy and called our attorney to see if he had one in our file.  He did and we traveled back to his office to pick him up and produce the appropriate forms to IBESR.  We arrived 20 minutes later and the agency official reviewed the receipt and approved.

After further discussion in Kreoyle I could tell that there was something else needed that we were unaware of.   I was told that the supervisor needed an original copy of our presidential dispensation from Le Moniteur.  We had a digital copy and he informed us that it would not work.  We again jumped into the car battled the traffic and went across town to Le Moniteur office to get a copy of the original.  We waited for 30 minutes and again traveled back to IBESR to drop off the final document requested this time.

While at IBESR I noticed that they had their decorations up for Christmas with a tree and presents.  As we travelled through different cities I saw at many marketplaces that they had tree branches painted white and placed in coffee cans.  After further conversation I learned that they are Christmas trees.  Today was a great learning experience in regards to how other countries celebrate holidays and I am glad I was able to witness it.  After 5 hours of travel we stopped at a restaurant in Petionville to eat lunch.  I could not read the menu and asked for a bacon cheesburger with buffalo wings.  After eating we traveled to the American Embassy to try and get an appointment for a interview while I am in town.  There was a lot of traffic jams and disabled cars in the road that blocked traffic and by the time we arrived at the U.S. Embassy it was closed.

Driving through the city today it seemed as though everyone was on edge and I had some concern because of the riots yesterday.  The smell of smoke from burning tires and garbage was still in the air and the piles of burnt tires and steel strips littered the road.  The traffic was awful as usual and at one time we were three cars wide on a two lane road with motorcycles traveling in between.  I counted two small children and two adults on a motorcycle at one time today.  I witnessed two cars collide today as well as a car driving up a tight alley collide with a car that was parked and continued driving without even stopping.  I could not drive in this town and hiring a driver is worth every dollar it costs.  There were crowds of people huddled around business and street corners today often times spilling over into the street.  I learned that they were watching a soccer game.  Soccer is a huge part of the Haitian culture and it is not uncommon to see people take turns sitting on each others shoulders to catch a glimpse of the game.

We finally arrived back at New Life after 8 hours in the city and after the roller coaster ride in the vehicle and at the offices I was ready to slow down.  I dropped my bag off in the room and rushed down to see Wisbens.  I gave him a hug checked on his school day and sat with him as he played cards.  After dinner I talked with him about leaving in the morning and he asked when he would get to go home to Kentucky.  I told him that I was not sure but working hard every day and praying that he would be home soon.  His birthday is December 23rd and I asked him what he wanted and it was for us to come back to visit and take him home for Christmas!  He has no idea how many people he has at home praying for him and love him already.  I cannot wait for the day he actually gets to meet his immediate family but those who have been with us on this long journey to bring him home.

I fly out at 10:30 in the morning and will try and go see him before he leaves for school in the morning. Thanks again for following our journey to bring Wisbens home!

Day 2 11-18-13

I woke up excited this morning because Wisbens is out of school and I am was able to spend the day with him.  After breakfast I went to visit and they were having a meeting with the older boys.  They sat attentive and asked questions when requested.   When the meeting was finished I was able to spend time with Wisbens and work on some school work with him.  The kids love to gain knowledge and take every opportunity they get to learn.  Wisbens did an excellent job picking up on the assignments and reading and writing them all in English.  We have always wondered about his ability to read in English and he did an excellent job today.

After lunch I made attempts to confirm my meetings tomorrow and follow up on the current riots that are taking place in throughout Port Au Prince.  Some are rioting against Michael Martelly the current president and unhappy with his progress.  People have been protesting because they feel like no progress has been made and there is too much corruption.  I make a point to ask a Haitian each trip how President Martelly is doing specifically since the earthquake and most are happy with the progress.  Haiti has struggled for many years in all aspects of government and it is going to take some time to see positive things happen.  I have made numerous attempts to contact my transportation into the city tomorrow and have not heard back.  We will make a decision in the morning about leaving New Life.  We have important documents that need to be delivered to continue and it has to be taken care of this trip. 

After the kids had an afternoon snack I was able to sit with Wisbens and some of the other kids and work on basic math and reading.  Wisbens English continues to improve and I was impressed with how much he has learned since our first meeting.  I continue to be thankful for New Life for giving him the means to learn and go to school.

I ate dinner outside tonight and had a front row seat to the New Life kids playing soccer against another team.  I felt as though I was watching a professional match as these kids take soccer serious and when they have free time practicing on their skills.

The weather has been warm compared to home and I am excited to get to my room and have a cold shower every night.  Please pray for progress and safety if we choose to travel in the city tomorrow.

Day 1 11/17/13

My day started at 3:00 a.m. for a 6:15 a.m. flight to Miami.  I arrived in Miami and had a three hour layover before leaving for Port Au Prince in the afternoon.  I had plenty of time to eat lunch and rest before making my way to Haiti.  I could have taken an earlier flight but appreciate the layover especially if there are any delays.   After landing in Port Au Prince the anxiety began to build because I knew that I would soon be off the plane, through customs and looking for my transportation to New Life Children's Home.  I navigated through the organized chaos of the airport through baggage claim and realized that my flight had arrived early.  I had to make a decision to wait inside longer or take a chance on my transportation being there and dealing with the crowds.  I took a chance on my ride and made my way outside where I was immediately approached by individuals wanting to get me a taxi, carry my backpack for me and escort me to other areas of the parking lot to wait for transportation.  I did not need any of their services and know that the pushiness they have could mean the difference between having food or not.  This is one of the most stressful parts of the trip because of how fast it all takes place.  I went through my usual routine of wearing sunglasses and repeatedly saying no over and over and calling New Life to follow up.  I purchased a Haitian phone in July and so far it has been a lot of help especially for potentially difficult times.  After what seemed an eternity of waiting my ride arrived and I was on my way to see Wisbens.

The traffic was slow today and I have realized after a few trips that Sunday is the best time to travel to Haiti.  After getting to New Life I put my bags down and began looking for Wisbens.  I found him at the chicken coop feeding the chickens and moving them to clean cages.  I hugged him and we spent time catching up on how things have been since I left last month.  We talked about the recent and upcoming holidays that we celebrate at home and I showed him pictures of Maddox at Halloween.  I explained to him the concept of trick or treating and he seemed surprised that kids wear costumes and knock on doors for free candy.  

I can always count on him asking me within the first 15 minutes of arriving when I am leaving and when will I be back.  I explained to him my purpose of the visit was to not only spend time with him but to continue the work of getting him home soon.  He did ask if I could bring him home to Kentucky this trip and I would love nothing more than to pack him up and bring him home.  

Tomorrow is Vertieres Day/Armed Forces Day and the kids are out of school for the holiday.   I talked with some other families who are currently at New Life in the adoption process about taking Wisbens to the beach tomorrow.  Although the kids are home tomorrow it is potentially unsafe to travel outside of the orphanage.  There are planned protests towards the government tomorrow and some have already begun in Cite Soleil.   I have asked about what the protest are about and it seems as though some Haitians are unhappy with the current president and plan to try and get his attention.  

I have all day tomorrow to spend with Wisbens and I look forward to a great day.