A full year in Haiti

It is hard for me to believe, today is my one year anniversary of arriving in the country of Haiti. I have had the privilege of being a mother to my 2 children now for 1 whole year, and the changes that I see in them is just mind boggling! I have learned so many cultural things including things that I can relate to and things I cannot! I have begun to speak the language, although probably at about a 3 year old level!!!! I have learned so much about myself, what I know, what I don't know. What I like, what I don't like. What I can live with and what I can live without! I have had the opportunity to travel not only to different parts of Port-au-Prince, but also to various villages slightly north of the city, 2 hours south of the city, and 2 hours east of the city. I don't claim to know or have seen everything that this country has to offer! In fact, the more I learn and see, the more I realize that I don't know and haven't seen! This is such a land of unpredictability and delight! Thank you for your support of me and my family as we strive to help children with disabilities and missionaries with aches and pains! luvs from Haiti--Cheri Kay, Jaryse and Ecrissa

Therapist in Training!!!

Kids are great! Today, I found my son pretending to do therapy on his little friends back!! He has watched me during many therapy sessions here in Haiti! He was pretending to get lotion and rubbing her back and he was moving her around like I make my patients move from position to position! It was really fun to watch! I am just amazed every day at how much my 2 children are growing. They are imitating everything, their language is increasing by the minute. My little girl, who is deaf, is using more signs all the time, and the little guy pictured above is using English, Sign Language and Haitian Kreyol. It is an exciting time for me as their mommy as I watch them develop. We are still waiting for the legalization of the adoption. We are praying that it comes soon so that we can move forward with the passports and visa's soon. Well, I hope maybe that I have a little therapist here in this little man, and maybe he'll continue what I am doing here in Haiti when he grows up! Such an exciting thought--What will they be when they grow up?????

Daylight Savings Time update!

Or sorta anyway!!! So, it is official, Haiti did not move their clocks ahead in recognition of Daylight Savings Time--Not yet anyway! The rumor is........They will do this on the first of April. That is what we found on the internet on www.worldtimezone.com. However, from what I have heard, the current President of this country does not like Daylight Savings Time, and the last time he was President they did NOT ever recognize time changes. So, who knows! I guess we'll see come April 1st!

Daylight Savings Time.......

OR NOT?????? We were told last week at church, to remember to set our clocks forward this week in observation of daylight savings time. Then, throughout the week, we were told that Haiti would not observe daylight savings time this year by some people, and that they would by others. Yes, that is what I said, this year. Apparently, Haiti observes daylight savings time every other year---Or that is what we heard anyway!!! The last thing that we heard was that we would observe the daylight savings time, even though they had observed it last year. Are you confused yet???? Well, so were we, but we decided to move our clocks ahead and make it to church on time for the service. And we did--and we made it AN HOUR EARLY!!!!!!!!! Or so we think!!! But we did have to wait an hour as the service started as if the time didn't change. But honestly no one is ABSOLUTELY for sure what is going on. No one really knew what time it was all day today! I am not sure when we will know! I guess we'll just figure it out as the days go on. All day today we met people who had changed their clocks and people that had not changed their clocks!!! Oh the things I learn in Haiti. I consistently learn that in Haiti, the only thing that is consistent, is that nothing is consistent!!!!! I love this place, it keeps me on my toes and I am never bored!!!!!

My friend's wedding

I know it has been 2 weeks since I have posted--Please forgive me!!! It has been an interesting 2 weeks. Our satellite here that provides our internet services has been not working well and often I am kicked off of the internet. But, I won't blame my lack of posting just on Haiti satellite!!!! It has been a busy couple of weeks. I went to a wedding of a Haitian friend of mine and that was quite the experience. The wedding invitation said that the wedding was to begin at 1:00 pm. We arrived at the church at 1:05 pm and there were only 4 other people there. Hmmm, wonder what that means?? Well, that meant that the wedding started at 2:20 pm. So weird!! But, it gets better!!! People were still just arriving at 3:00 including the groom's parents!!!! The wedding itself lasted almost 2 hours. Now you are wondering, other than starting an hour and half late and lasting for 2 hours, was it much like an American wedding? It wasn't that much different. There was a ring bearer, a flower girl, a maid of honor and a best man. The bride wore a beautiful white gown and the groom was in a nice tuxedo/suit. There were about 4 pastors though. And the bridal party, instead of standing like we typically do, they all sat down. Which I thought was odd, until I realized that the wedding was lasting for so long! I also noticed that the groom was on the Pastor's right hand side, instead of to the Pastor's left as we typically do in the States. It was a fun day and exciting for my friend Tony, the groom. He has been saving money and preparing for this day for 8 years. That is right, they have been formally engaged to be married for 8 years!!!

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