The Rest of the Story

We've been home now for a couple weeks and I feel that I must complete this story.

On Thursday, while the rest of the team organized, inventoried, and packed our remaining supplies for our next trip, Leslie and I met with 160 women from 6 of Pere Kerwin's 7 missions to introduce them to Daughters of the King. I attended as an interested observer, photographer, and cheerleader for Leslie. She did a great job describing DOK and the US chapters at Christ Church and St. Mary and St. Martha's interest in serving as prayer partners for their new chapters. One of the women from the Haiti DOK Board gave a very spirited speech in which she invoked the power of women several times. She told the women that they should organize and solve their problems themselves, rather than  always seeking Pere Kerwin's assistance. The women from each mission volunteered to serve on each local board and elected officers. During the next few months, they will study and prepare for their induction into their newly formed DOK chapters.

Following the DOK meeting and Eucharist, which rocked with enthusiastic singing and spirited music, Leslie and I joined the others.

Later in the afternoon, several of us walked with our translator Watson out to the beach where we saw the ships coming in from LaGonave with the loads of charcoal and livestock. The boats are wooden sailing ships, which are laden with people, animals, and supplies. I always feel like I'm in a geography book when I see this sight! We were caught in a storm and arrived back at the guesthouse ready for dry clothes and a Prestige.

On Friday, we traveled to Jacmel, which is a tourist town (as much as there is one in Haiti). It has beautiful architecture and is known for its carnival before Lent (like Mardi Gras). We met a guide in town, and traveled over the Jacmel River (really through the river!) then up a mountain, where we parked in a dirt lot. We were met by other guides, and agreed to take 3 more with us on our trek to Baisson Bleu (The Bleu Waterfall). With 8 more (not the requested 3 more) guides, we headed off walking further up the mountain. We arrived at the first of the 3 pools and Steve S. and Daphne decided to sit there and wait for us. There was a young woman there washing her clothes (and later bathing) as they waited for the rest of us. We continued our trek up the mountain until we reached a narrow ledge at which point we had to remove our shoes and rappel down the cliff to the pool. This is where those extra guides came in handy! One was directly behind me as I climbed down the cliff with the aid of the rope. It was worth the effort and fright! We were rewarded with the sight of a gorgeous waterfall and a refreshing swim. Some of us climbed to the first rock and jumped.

A few brave  (Julia) and foolhardy (Kerwin and Fred) scampered (Julia and the guides scampered) and lumbered (that would be Kerwin and Fred) to the top of the waterfall. The guides dove off the rocks and our group jumped with various levels of grace and athleticism. It was great fun! We're looking forward to repeating this fieldtrip next year.

We trekked back to our vehicles with Steve S and Daphne in tow. Then we headed to the beach, with Kerwin's vehicle getting stuck in a dry tributary of the Jacmel River when he took a wrong turn. After extracting Kerwin's vehicle from the sand, we continued to the beach. The weather was beautiful, the water was bath water warm, the Prestige on the beach was cold, and the grilled fish and other food was delicious. A fabulous time was had by all. This was the perfect end to a wonderful week of service.

Saturday, we headed to the airport early. Some of us said farewell in Miami as we left to head back to our homes. Others of us had one last meal together at the airport, before going our separate ways.