Canaan

Good morning!

It’s 6 A.M., and I’m starting this letter. That’s unheard of for me J but after struggling for 3 hours off and on to sleep, I might as well do something worthwhile. There are 3 reasons for that:

1) Caleb woke up a couple times

2) The inverter power went off, and the humidity and fighting off mosquitoes got me.

3) (and worst of all) there was a rat in my room, eating away at something – plastic? Shining my flashlight, I saw him a few times, but he was in no hurry to leave. What do you do with that at 3 o’clock in the morning?

I guess these reasons are part of why I am writing this specific letter. This is not a newsletter. To make up for this, I promise I will write one soon. J

It is over 3 years since I came to work and manage the clinic here in Haiti. It has been an awesome 3 years, seeing God work and dealing with so many people. I want to continue doing what I am doing, but after 3 years I think I’m starting to get burnt out – the heat and humidity, the rats, the lack of space and privacy (especially with a baby), the lack of electricity, tadpoles in water, and the difficulty in keeping supplied with good drinking water all are taking a toll on me. These are all doable for a while (I have been doing it for 3 years), but as time goes on you start wondering what normal, like what we would have in North America, would be like. I have been thinking about this for quite awhile, and have been keeping an eye out for a place I could rent not far from here, while continuing to work for Canaan and the clinic.

Now, looking for a place to rent here is not the same as in N.A. because you have to consider things like safety, electricity and water supply – besides the cost. So finding a place that would suit me and a baby has been almost impossible.

The costs of renting a house in Haiti has skyrocketed since the earthquake, due to so many NGO’s coming in and needing places. One place that was charging $1,000.00 a month is now charging $7,000.00 and I heard another organization is paying $15,000 a month (these are probably not small houses). But everything has gone up; plus you’re responsible for getting a generator and the gas and security (with a guard most likely) and all the other hassles of being responsible for a place here in Haiti. It has just seemed so overwhelming to me, I haven’t done anything about doing it.

Now, though, there’s a wonderful place (apartment) that has opened up as a possibility for me. It has almost everything I need.

100% secure and safe

Only a mile from Canaan

Electricity 24/7 and internet

No rats J

I can’t imagine a more ideal situation for me. It would be hassle free; only food to worry about – no generator/gas, or other things.

There are only 3 issues I need to deal with before I can do it.

1) Caleb’s custody (I don’t think this will be a problem. I’m hoping to work on this next week or so)

2) The cost of the place. Though the price may be reasonable for here and other places, it is still more than what I can do on my own. Up until now, I have lived off of an investment I made before I came, but that is not returning the same amount now, and it does not cover the cost of the rent, plus food at this place.

3) Transportation. Although it is only a mile or so, I feel it is too far to walk every day with a baby and it’s stuff, in all weather (heat and rain), plus I would need to go do my own shopping etc.

So I am writing this letter to let you all know where I stand, and if anyone would like to help me with my expenses here, it would be much appreciated. It would enable me to continue working in the clinic here.

I appreciate all the prayer support you’ve given me through the years. Without prayer, I know I could not do this.

Sincerely,

Elsie