It has been quite the slow weekend. Yesterday literally was the longest day I have ever experienced. I couldn't goto the beach because of my leg and I had to stay on base for the day to give orientation for the new people coming in. I love doing it. I just also love getting out as much as I can and seeing what Leogane has to offer. Although, on Sunday everyone goes to Masaje, so I will probably never go there again on a sunday. Everyone is so cliche. Their are groups here that think they are cool, but they should realize we are here to help the people of Haiti, and not have a popularity competition. I wont allow myself to get caught up in it though. I am just going to enjoy the beauty of this place and the people I have grown to love.
Their are really so many amazing people on this base, and even more amazing Haitian people outside of this base. My new profile picture is of myself and my friend Dave who used to volunteer here for the local volunteers.
For my last week here before I take a break I am really going to focus on getting off the base as often as I can to just enjoy the culture of the markets here. Enjoy the people that want to make this country a better place, and make sure everyone I am with has the best experience of their life. It has been a long time here, and it has definitely worn on me, but it won't break me. Even though I have to work on the base during the day; I am going to make sure I get out there and soak in what is going on in this place. I have found a solid mix of people I love to spend time with and when I leave I know I will miss them more than I can imagine. I am just fortunate to even have this opportunity to have met such amazing people. I think the heat is one of the reasons I have been a bit grumpy lately. Yesterday it was so hot I really didn't know what I was gonna do. I finally took a bucket shower around 4PM and it changed my day around. It's amazing how the little things here can change everything.
THis has been quite the humbling experience. Mentally and physically. I have had many challenges during my stay here, and I feel like I have finally started to face them and conquer. Doing the duties of a base manager is tough because their is allllwaaayyyysss something that needs to be done. People are always asking questions, and you really don't get time off. Jess and Jess are some of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life. They always seem to keep a smile and just keep on moving forward. I might have to type that in every blog I write because I think they honestly deserve to hear that on a daily basis.
This week we will be finishing up building the school for the city, and it will be our first finished school here in Haiti since the beginning of the project. It's pretty cool to see things built from scratch into an operational school that the children are going to love. Also, we got in a huge container of clothing for the orphanage and their are some awesome things in there for them. We are thinking of going over there in the middle of the night with black masks and just dropping the clothes off in front of their tents so that they will all be suprised in the morning. It is really cool to have the means to do things like that. We have so many different amazing projects going on and finished that when I step back and really look at it. Its pretty amazing that HODR has accomplished all of these things. Itis really cool to be apart of this and the experience is one I will be taking with me for the rest of my life. As well as the friends I have made here. We have shared a bond together that most people can't even comprehend. Alot of us are all experiencing things for the first time in our lives and it is hard to even put it into words.
I have a bunch of written outlines I plan on writing about once I get home, but while I am here it is really tough to put everything that has happened into words. I really needa break and than I will be able to proccess the information much better and put it into a readable format.
I gotta run to a morning meeting, but I absolutely love you all at home. Only one week left until I can be reunited with the people I love, and a slightly cooler climate...
LOVE
Dan
you are doing God's work my friend, its so amazing to know thank you and keep telling your friends about us.
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