Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Just got this letter from Erin in Haiti, and she asked me to share it here on the blog...

Bon jour Ladies!!!

Things here are going good so far. Carla and a friend/ band mate took us to the tent city in PAP(Port au Prince) that Mona is living in… they are “off the grid” for assistance. We took maxi pads, diapers, 4 tents and tarps, Advil, toothbrushes etc., and contributed money to dig/build a toilet. There is NO water… people are carrying water from wherever… I never saw where the water came from. I did see a woman bathing. I held back tears as best as possible, and when I did cry, Haitian women had hugs to give. I haven’t smelled any bodies or seen any dead people. We are cooking for our neighborhood kids and everyone is so happy to have us here. We are planning to serve a meal up at our friend Elysee’s house in the mountain above Jacmel.

Everyone is so happy to receive the tents and the clothes and hats!!! Everyone lights up like a light bulb at the things we were able to bring from AK!!! Especially because we are not an NGO or part of a larger organization. It feels really good. It is too hard to put into words how I am feeling right now… happy but sad, frustrated but proud.

I have to admit that the warm weather is treating me right…mentally and physically, just being barefoot suits me. We have had rain, anpil lapli!!! I happened to be on a motorbike ride back to Timouillage from Jacmel with Ely and a taxi driver, (Ely’s bike got a flat earlier when we tried to leave) then the taxi broke down, in the one part of the road with no homes or businesses, I ducked under a banana leaf and held the flashlight while Ely and the taxi driver changed a sparkplug. We arrived at the house soaked-- head to toe… no need for the shower I had planned on after a hot dusty day in town. This is just one example of how things go in Haiti, everything is an adventure, when you make plans the Gods laugh… I get it. The Alaska Ayiti connections are everywhere. I can’t wait to talk about it with you all. Christian is shooting video of the projects we are working on and is going to make a short film, it will be very powerful!!!

Love you all!!!
Erin and Christian
Men anpil chay pa lou.
Many hands lighten the load.

4 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for the update.
    Much love, keep up the good work.
    m@b.

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  2. How exciting!!! I can't wait to talk to you in depth about the Alaska and Ayiti connections everywhere. Sounds like Christian's video is going to be AWESOME and super powerful. Fantastic! I would love to see the ladies faces light up to get new clothes. Feeling and looking good is universal. As always I hold a light in my heart that shines brightly for healing of the people and land in Ayiti and that the healing may continue. And as always there is a prayer and light in my heart for my personal ambassadors of hope for Ayiti Erin and Christian Behr.

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  3. I am so excited to get info from you - thank you! I wish you had a helmet cam and could record your every waking minute! The work you're doing sounds amazing - Haiti with a purpose! I can't wait to hear more. We pray for you every day and you are never far from my thoughts. Much love to you both!

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  4. Erin and Christian -

    So glad to hear all is well and you are both safe. I can imagine the huge impact that you and Christian being there has had on the people of Haiti. I think it is incredible. I still have that check I would like to donate to your fund. Please let me know the best way to get the money to you.

    LOVE ALWAYS
    The King Family
    Chris, Stephanie, Christian and Alayna
    xoxoxoxo

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