nails

Sorry Chado and Robin. My pink paint job did not last for long since I live around 8 yr old girls. I have to learn to say NO. 

Mom- please make a nail appointment for December- CALL NOW. 

chadwick and andy

And now for the full report on Chadwick and Andy....

Well I do not think it will be a surprise to anyone to know that Chad fell in love with Haiti instantly and Haiti fell in love with him. If you have followed from the beginning, you know Chad has been my number one fan through the whole process- quiting my job, moving cross country, leaving him. He was always there with encouraging words, a smile, prayers, goodbye parties and bizarre going away gifts. To say Chad has been "supportive" of me coming to Haiti would be a disservice to him. He has been part of the process the whole time- and I am fairly certain at some points he was more excited than I was. And now I feel even more honored that he would take vacation time and an expensive flight to travel these many miles to see what all the hype was about. Basically he is the best boyfriend ever.

It was even more of an honor for him to bring his wonderful pops along. It was so sweet to watch their tight relationship. I think I lost count of how many times they would randomly put their arms around each other and say, love you man. 

The moment they landed they got right to work- getting their hands on whatever projects had to be done. 

I sat and watched and of course provided ample water. 

I was so thoroughly impressed by his father wanting to come to Haiti and care for these children because Chad and I care for these children. He was a joy at all times and (just like Chad) could be 100% comfortable in any situation he was stuck in. Chad and I soaked up all his wisdom about life, listened to his thoughts and delighted as he told sweet stories about his wife. 

Chad and Andy: Thank you for coming to Haiti. I appreciate the time it took to get here. I appreciate that you are both glass half-full type men and sat in a Miami mall all day Sunday because you had to leave early. And you did it with a smile. I appreciate that you are both men of the Word and provide wisdom and encouragement to those around you. I think you are both really funny but you can turn serious and sincere in a moment. I love that you were happy whether I stuck you in a crowd of Americans, Haitians, children or political rallies in tent cities. I felt 100% loved and supported by you both. You give such Godly advice. I enjoy that you are both feelers (sometimes). I love that you jump on board and embrace every moment of life. Happy that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  I love that you saw Haiti as a wonderful place, as do I. I love that you both are still thinking about how to help Haiti. I love that you love each other. I love that you love me.

Thank you. Love you. Come again soon. 

elections

I have to admit I not one to closely follow politics. Not proudly, but I usually don't follow many elections as I should. And I take my right to vote too flippantly. And take for granted that for the most part my vote is counted fairly.

Life in Haiti is so different. Let me paint you a picture.

Today was election day in Haiti. This is the first election since the earthquake. This is a presidential election. There are 18 candidates running. You may have heard Wyclef was attempting to run a few months ago but was disqualified. There is another rapper currently running (and possibly in the lead) that has crude lyrics, dresses drag and calls himself a rebel that will fight the system. Another candidate is the son-in-law of the current president (the supposed shoe-in).

This election has been talked about for months. Much anticipation and apathy at the same time. Haiti has the attention of the world since the earthquake yet most Haitians you asked did not have much hope for change or think their vote mattered.

Today Haitians headed to the polls. School has been cancelled Friday and Monday due to anticipated riots. Chad and his Dad had to change their flights and fly out a day early due to anticipated riots (large dislike). Today there was a ban on driving ALL DAY. How are people supposed to vote you ask? Great question. Can you imagine banning DRIVING in the states for ELECTION DAY? This is Haiti. Things here don't make American sense.

I read on this blog that years ago Haiti could not decide if they were going to participate in daylight savings. The official government answer was, 'maybe'. So the day came and went and no one knew what time it was for days until the government finally answered, 'No we are not participating'. This is Haiti.

Yesterday, political flyers were dropped from the sky by airplanes. Apparently none of the candidates are running on a trash clean-up campaign. Today, the streets were quite- eerily quite. Yet, RUMORS WERE FLYING EVERYWHERE. I heard that the current president was starting rumors of rioting to keep people from voting. He also cancelled school Monday and Friday to provoke fear. All day I was searching the internet to know what may be happening beyond my walls... funny that I got my news from the montreal gazette to know what was happening in my city.

Polls are now being closed down to "massive fraud". Some polls were not open until hours after the designated time of 6am. Many voters showed up find their name not on the list so therefore they could not vote and were turned away. Most polls were very disorganized. There has already been a reported two deaths and gunman shooting. Much violence. 12,000 UN were armed in riot gear. Is there going to be a re-do election day? Tomorrow will tell.


Dear retired, sweet old people that volunteer at American election polls,
Thank you for being organized, honest and giving your time. And thank you for "I VOTED" stickers.
I appreciate you.
Kaitlyn

I have never prayed more for an election than this one (sadly). Keep praying because you and I know God is bigger than polls and more powerful than presidents.

Thankful

We went around the table and said where we all were last year and I realized I celebrated Thanksgiving at Neverland Ranch last year (home of Michael Jackson). Let's talk about contrast!

Grateful to be THERE last year. Grateful to be HERE this year.

My list of thankfuls could be endless this year. endless. (shoes, food, parents, healthcare)

But VERY thankful for a wonderful visit with Chad the past few days... (dets to come on that one).

1. Thankful for long tables filled with FOOD. 

(also thankful a dessert table which was equally as long. and thankful for two hands to carry two plates full of desserts. not so thankful the next morning) 

2. Thankful for Thanksgiving card GAMES. 

3. Thankful for little boys and girls that let you hold them and KISS them. 

4. Thankful for a BOYFRIEND and boyfriend's father that will travel many miles to enjoy HAITI. Not thankful they had to evacuate a day early due to elections. 

5. Thankful for Haiti. Thankful for God's GRACE that placed me here. 

shoes

Okay, okay. I promise this is my last post about shoes. Geez Kaitlyn, blog about hunger, the poor economy or the elections!  

But I can't help it. Looking down at these children's weathered feet is a stark reminder of where I am. They are dirty, swollen, cut, bruised, bleeding and just down right disgusting. 

Obvious, blatant difference b/w my childhood and theirs. 

a few weeks ago I asked for some shoe donations and they started rolling in. Don't you remember my great friends?

And boy, did those shoes roll in.

So now girls and boys like this, don't have to miss school b/c of lack of shoes.

 In the spirit of thanksgiving, I am thankful for girls in the United States that rallied together in a matter of weeks, and provided shoes for little Haitians. And there are still more shoes coming...

Thankful for Ashley Alleman, Carrie Daly, Jen Goebel, Lisa Holmlund, Lauren Stewart, Sarah Yoder, Kristen Sorber, Artic Island, Sorber family, Colette Dotters, Yodmom, Lauren Cecilia, Amy and Parker Fox, Meg and Jay Hoffman, Ashley Doyle, Stephanie Morris, Christine Arruda, Ed Woods, Dave Evans, Gail Carey, Debbie Pekowski, Chadwick Trabucco, Andy Trabucco.

And many more that helped and prayed. And probably many others who were behind the scenes. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Daddio

Pleased to have experienced Haiti with my Daddy dearest this past week. I tried to prepare him and Ashley appropriately before they came but I forgot to prepare myself. It was difficult for ME to watch my loved ones go through the hardships and life changes that are inevitable.

but none-the-less i felt uber special to have my wise ol' dad grace me with his presence- share his kind words of wisdom- fall in love with Haitians- assist me with menial jobs- be out of his comfort zone- take 1000 pictures- love me unconditionally- impress all those around him- and give me his blessing about being here. I was proud to show him off.

Clearly he did not get along with the Haitians,

 Just a little awkward

Obvi they loved me.

 Just some sweet little faces. 

  

It makes me sad when I see a half-white, half-black child living in the slums. I try not to assume the worst of their father. I try not to assume he is an evil man. I try not to assume he has no idea he has a child living in the pits of poverty, dying from starvation. Maybe he was a nice handsome man who fell in love with a beautiful Haitian and he died an early death. I doubt it. 

 Livin' the dream 

Clearly, the rocket scientist brought along play airplanes. Can you see he is hard at work? I think his explanation of aerospace dynamics was lost on them. oh well. 

 Of course, my dad got right into the Haitian spirit and pitched his own tent to sleep in for the week. He so woullldddd. 

Thanks for coming pops. Love you forever! 

ouch

At clinic the other day....

me playing doctor. don't tell Brooke. 

This sweet little thing came and cuddled up next to me on the floor while her brother was being treated. Sometimes I feel like such a celeb being white. Kids always wave at me, touch me or stare. My ego is going to take a real shot when I get back to USA. the first white child I see- what? you don't want to touch my hair? odd.

(the one on the right)

(or braiding my dads arm hair is a fun game too) 

well all that to say, I cuddled with this girl for about thirty minutes and she was perfectly happy to be in my arms. I attempted my butchered Creole and she politely smiled at my mockery of her language. Paddy cake is usually a universal language. 

Eventually, her mother came over and rattled something off to me in Creole. The girl looks up at me with big brown eyes and says, My mom wants to know if you will take me?

ouch, ouch, ouch. 

What do you say to that?? Um, no. 

So many things to take in- As a single, 25 yr-old, could I offer this girl a better life? Define.better.life. 

The mother did come and ask me a second time before she left if we could take her at the orphanage. Translated by her daughter. I just can't imagine ever translating those words from my own mother- My mom wants to know if you will take me?