Pas Bliye Nou

Don’t Forget Us

A goat project recipient and her children

A farmer.  I asked him how old he is and he responded, "Bah.  My mother is dead.  My father is dead."  Old.

     We’re home now and I’ve had a few days to rapidly catch up on the kids, work, our animals and home.  It is good to be home.  Anna Ray ran to our bed screaming with joy on Sunday morning and Leo had saved ten hugs and ten kisses, Luc met us with his slow smile and sweet hugs.  We are so blessed. 

Leo with his baby chick, "Bananas," the day before we left.  He wanted to know why his picture is not on this blog.  So, here you are LEO!

     We made the long trek home on Friday and Saturday.  We rode on the back of a ‘moto’ from Port Salut to Les Cayes.  Once in Les Cayes we waited and waited and finally took a bus from Les Cayes to Port au Prince.  Then a flight from Port au Prince to Miami, Miami to Denver, and Denver to home.  All along the way we were accompanied by friends and every good bye was hard and filled with the words, “Pas bliye nou.”  Don’t forget us.  It’s hard, though, as we step back into our lives roaring at full speed.  Of course, we come back with gratitude- gratitude for the obvious; good roads, lights and cars that run, the ability to read and write, medical care, food and a home for our children.  But, also, a great gratitude for the life example that our Haitian brothers and sisters give us.  They take time there to say thank you, to sit and to talk, to wait for things that are good and coming.  And it is these acts of great kindness and courageous hope that I want not to forget.

Our chaffeur and ride to the airport in PAP

The blind woman who walked many hours, by herself, to the meeting.

The first meeting.

The gifts.

The board of directors for the mircolending project

     We leave Haiti with great hope that we will be back and that our friends and this village community that we have come to love will continue on in life and living.  We will try not to forget and will surely fail, but every trip back is a reminder of what a gift this country and her people are in our lives.

Thank you Haiti.  Thank you.  

A woman weaving in the market.

This woman has only peppers to sell in the market.  The project will help her to grow her inventory.

Sweets.