Goat Trail

Do you remember the first time I took the goat trail shortcut? I do. I honestly thought I was going to pass out and the kids were going to have to find a way to carry me back to Willem's. At several points during that accent, I wondered what I had done to Arold that he would suggest I take the shortcut. Surely he was trying to kill me! After that day I vowed that I would not try the shortcut again until December.

I am proud to report that I have been faithfully taking the shortcut home everyday since around Thanksgiving. It really is shorter, and I find that I prefer it to the longer, more unstable route they call the road. There are a lot of loose rocks in the road, and the goat trail is solid. It's also less time in the hot sun, which makes a difference.

Here's a picture of some of the boys on the goat trail.

Goat Trail

Do you remember the first time I took the goat trail shortcut? I do. I honestly thought I was going to pass out and the kids were going to have to find a way to carry me back to Willem's. At several points during that accent, I wondered what I had done to Arold that he would suggest I take the shortcut. Surely he was trying to kill me! After that day I vowed that I would not try the shortcut again until December.

I am proud to report that I have been faithfully taking the shortcut home everyday since around Thanksgiving. It really is shorter, and I find that I prefer it to the longer, more unstable route they call the road. There are a lot of loose rocks in the road, and the goat trail is solid. It's also less time in the hot sun, which makes a difference.

Here's a picture of some of the boys on the goat trail.

Funeral Procession

This month has been a difficult one for Gramothe. There have been at least 3 deaths, if not four. (I’m still a little certain if the uncle Micka told me about is the husband of the woman I was talking to later.) All of the people who have passed away were older and had health complications that come from old age. (None of them had cholera, just for the record. We haven’t had any cases of cholera in Gramothe.) The most recent funeral was on Tuesday, and I happened to be going to class when the funeral procession passed by the high school on their way to the cemetery.

This is the Gramothe cemetery.

I know this isn’t going to sound right, but it was really neat to experience the funeral procession. Before I could even see the procession, I could hear them singing a song. It was very loud and caught my attention. I saw some boys carrying the wreaths and flowers down from the village, so I stepped off to the side where some of my high school students were sitting. As the procession got closer I could see that some men were carrying the casket with the family and friends following behind. The song they were singing was very beautiful; I wish I knew it. As the procession got closer, I realized they were going to walk right past where I was standing. I felt bad that there were so many students gawking as the mourners made their way to the cemetery, but the students were very respectful. As bad as it sounds, it was an incredible experience to stand in the midst of the people as they sang their mourning song. There weren’t more than 35 or 40 people, but their voices were so loud and beautiful. I was a little mesmerized by the whole thing.

After the procession passed by, I slowly made my way to my classroom where I could see the people walking single file down the trail to the cemetery. They were still singing. I’m not certain what they did when they got there, other than put the casket in the tomb. They were not there very long. I had to prepare for my class, though, so I did not get to watch what happened.

Funeral Procession

This month has been a difficult one for Gramothe. There have been at least 3 deaths, if not four. (I’m still a little certain if the uncle Micka told me about is the husband of the woman I was talking to later.) All of the people who have passed away were older and had health complications that come from old age. (None of them had cholera, just for the record. We haven’t had any cases of cholera in Gramothe.) The most recent funeral was on Tuesday, and I happened to be going to class when the funeral procession passed by the high school on their way to the cemetery.

This is the Gramothe cemetery.

I know this isn’t going to sound right, but it was really neat to experience the funeral procession. Before I could even see the procession, I could hear them singing a song. It was very loud and caught my attention. I saw some boys carrying the wreaths and flowers down from the village, so I stepped off to the side where some of my high school students were sitting. As the procession got closer I could see that some men were carrying the casket with the family and friends following behind. The song they were singing was very beautiful; I wish I knew it. As the procession got closer, I realized they were going to walk right past where I was standing. I felt bad that there were so many students gawking as the mourners made their way to the cemetery, but the students were very respectful. As bad as it sounds, it was an incredible experience to stand in the midst of the people as they sang their mourning song. There weren’t more than 35 or 40 people, but their voices were so loud and beautiful. I was a little mesmerized by the whole thing.

After the procession passed by, I slowly made my way to my classroom where I could see the people walking single file down the trail to the cemetery. They were still singing. I’m not certain what they did when they got there, other than put the casket in the tomb. They were not there very long. I had to prepare for my class, though, so I did not get to watch what happened.

Snapshots

Wesley and Alain, the two boys who rushed to help me when I fell.

Willem supervising some of the men as they build the foundational walls for the hospital.

Beth and Robenson after church.

Johanna and me after church. Isn't she beautiful?

Part of my fan club.

Eric taught David how to use his big camera while he was here. David has an artistic eye.

Snapshots

Wesley and Alain, the two boys who rushed to help me when I fell.

Willem supervising some of the men as they build the foundational walls for the hospital.

Beth and Robenson after church.

Johanna and me after church. Isn't she beautiful?

Part of my fan club.

Eric taught David how to use his big camera while he was here. David has an artistic eye.

Haiti Q & A: How are you paid for teaching in Haiti? Part 2

Q. How are you paid for teaching in Haiti? or How do you get money?
A. I am a true missionary this year, meaning I am financially supported solely by the generosity of other people. I explained the support raising process previously, so you should read that post if you haven't already. Once someone decides to partner with me as a financial supporter, they send their monetary gift to the Mountain Top Ministries office. When the ladies in the office receive a donation that is designated for my ministry, they put it into my fund. (When they receive gifts for other projects they put those donations into other funds. Deb, who handles all the money, does a fantastic job keeping track of where all the donations are going.) Because the money that is being donated goes to a 501(3) non-profit organization instead of directly into my hands, it is all tax-deductible.

In September I started receiving monthly paychecks from Mountain Top Ministries. The money in the paycheck comes from my fund at MTM, which is the money that my supporters have given. On the first of each month, a direct-deposit paycheck is made to my U.S.bank account. I am able to use my debit card at many stores, and I get cash by writing a check at the local grocery store. For the US expenses that I have, I am able to use my bank's online banking feature. It works out really well.

Any other questions about this topic, let me know. I'll be happy to try to explain it better.