heavenly people in a hellish place

apologies for my absence. 

I have been blessed with the presence of my dear friend Ashley Alleman this past week. And am currently being blessed with my father dearest. 

Having my treasured Ashley here was a true gift. It was enlightening watching someone I know so dearly experience Haiti. to watch her face go through the ups and downs and then more downs. to hear her raw thoughts and reactions. to feel her encouragement. With her and my dad visiting this week it was interesting to see how different things upset different people.  

During a LONG debrief last night Ashley observed, "this is a hellish place with heavenly people". Profound Ash.

Excited to hear more of her thoughts as she enters back into America. 

In true Ashley fashion, she came prepared with a servants heart. 

"The ASHLEY EXPERIENCE":

Loving on the little kiddos. 

Feeding a mentally handicapped, malnourished child. 

Loving on Kaitlyn. 

Oh but wait. yes. The servant heart did not stop there: 

She gave me a pedicure. mmmm.What.A.Friend.  Yes-she scrapped dirt from my toenails. Ash, Can you do anything about that sandal tan? 

 And a manicure. 

The pampering does not stop. Plucking my eyebrows. 

(apparently I was in pretty bad shape... pun intended) 

Uh-huh. A facial and massage. DOES EVERYBODY WANT ASHLEY TO COME VISIT THEM TOO???

And then cooked up divine Mexican cuisine. 

She too got sick of rice and beans. 

In case you are wondering, that kitchen was about 110 degrees. Bikram cooking. 

But the "Ashley experience" would not be complete if I did not comment on the problematic encounter with bugs... 

Yup. the bugs. 

 Ashley and mosquitoes were not friends. 

Good night ASH! 

Oh and we met friends like this too. 

Yet, one treacherous night in one fateful care ride... we are traveling trapped in a dark trunk with no where to go...

 When we meet this guy. 

  

Pictured is not the actual monster. This is the younger kid sister of the creature that we met later. The sizable beast that attacked 10 inches from my head while trapped in a trunk was the size of a Misses Fields Cookie. (ashley deemed that technical size while she screamed in horror verging on panic attack)

So needless to say, younger kid sister spiders found later in the week were only touched by 10 ft poles. 

Haiti misses you Ashley! Come back soon!  I love ya!!