When you think of paradise, what does it look like? Mountain tops covered in snow?
Waterfalls stretching as far as the eye can see? Piles of candy and junk food stacked across a table with no end?
How about a compound with mango trees enclosed by concrete and rock fences? Oh, and did I mention that the oceanfront was about ten feet from the Iron Gate that enclosed the beach entrance? What about islands that are visible to the left and the right, and on a good day, water that you can look into and somewhat make out the bottom of the ocean floor? If I told you that’s where we stayed, would you be a little jealous? What if I told you there was a huge circle like patio roofed by countless palm branches, and fourteen columns spaced around the outer circle of the structure? Oh, and this structure called the “Shacoon” could hold roughly one hundred people at a time. What would you think about this paradise? Oh, and did I mention the beautiful sun rise and sun set at the end of each day?
Ok, ok…enough with the questions because this is our PARADISE in Haiti. WE stay on a beachfront compound with mountain like islands to the left and right of our home. There’s even a two-story guest house (mind you that we don’t get to stay in), and a kitchen that we help “prepare” along with the Haitian women who make it possible for us to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner without having to worry about where our next meal will come from. Oh, and to top that off, we even have bathrooms with fully functioning toilets that we can flush toilet paper down, and we also have two showers on both the men and women’s sides (praise God for these things)!
As great as these things are, there is one downside to the greatness of this beautiful “paradise.” We are living in our tents for the duration of our being in Haiti. In saying that, it is the rainy season in Haiti. Need I say ANYMORE? So on the beautiful night of February 26, 2012, after heading back from church along the ocean shore in our white school bus, we were welcomed with arrays and flashes of lightning across the dark night sky. In my naïve state of mind, I only figured that it was far enough away that there would be no problems of rain, and that God would protect us from any problems that would result from it. Again, let me remind you of my naïve state of mind. No rain would hinder our night or be any problem. I’ve used this word before in a couple of my other blogs, but boy was I WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!
That night we had a torrential downpour of rain all night long. First it was a cute little sprinkle. I figured that I would go and put my rain fly on and zip my windows up so that no water would leak into my windows. So I scurried away from feedback (reflection on the day with my team) and fixed my tent situation and went back to my team. Not long after, we ended our team setting and prayed in pairs. At this point it was pouring, and people were starting to freak out. I personally had enough and gathered up my sleeping bag/pillow and any electronic that was in my tent. Five to ten minutes later, there was a murmur that places on the compound were flooding and that tents were too. Within a few minutes of that, trenches were being made, tents were being drug under the Shacoon, and water was everywhere. Did I mention the Shacoon was leaking? Ummm yeah…it was an interesting night as the rain continued on through the night. Luckily I found enough room among all the tents and chaos to sleep for the night.
As soon as the morning came, everyone emerged from the clutter to see the damage. Needless to say, tents were washed and hung to dry, lots of laundry was washed (by hand), tents once set on foundations of sand were soon constructed and built upon the rock, and trenches were dug and formed around tents.
Much by our surprise, it again rained last night but not near as bad. My tent that was flooded two nights before had only to tiny puddles this morning, and now it’s off to a new day as Team Empowered Light sticks around the Shacoon on our “domestic day” to tidy up the property, clean our laundry, help cook and prepare meals, use the internet stick when it actually works, and complete any other chores such as painting or cleaning. With five-six days left on our working schedule, time is running out in this beautiful country. The rest of the time we will debrief with our squad and “Mom and Dad” of the squad, and prepare for our next stop, Romania. So now and for the rest of the day, and hopefully I can post this blog and another one before days end, and perhaps enjoy a nice swim in the ocean if time permits. Hope you all are doing well, and I miss you all. Once again, thank you ALL for your support and prayers, and always remember that you are apart of this journey just as much as I am. Even though you’re not here or feeling the intangible effects of it, God is still using you to further His Kingdom, and I promise you that one day you will reap the benefits and crowns that God promises to those who love and follow Him. Much love and God Bless,
Andrew Holloway
The view from our house left to right
The Shacoon (Shuh-coon)
The Guest House
Our Bathroom in many languages
The Kitchen that we've been painting
Our homes for the month
