Byenveni an Ayiti Ben and Jen! Welcome to Haiti Ben and Jen!

Ben and Jen Beachy arrived in Haiti just under a week ago.  There really isn't any easing into life in Haiti.  Their first few days have been packed with adventure and lessons as they join the work we are doing. 
For starters...

lesson #1 Power...
City Power is unreliable, inconsistent, and never enough wattage to run the microwave, washing machine or to effectively toast a piece of bread.  What happens if the back up generator or battery/inverter system fails? or when the battery shelf simply crumbles to the ground? No power. 
There are switches to understand that run the generator, change from city to inverter when more wattage is needed (for instance to run the washer), to run the water pump when we actually do have city power or when the generator is running, but not when we are on inverter power.  You guys got all that???

lesson #2  cleaning vegetables...
*Rinse with tap(treated rain) water if really dirty
*Clorox with tap(treated rain)water
*  rinse with drinking water
  *** clause...some fruits and vegetables can be simply washed with soap and water but you have to know which ones...

lesson #3  driving...
As Ben would put it "driving in Haiti is like a video game in real life"
*Keep looking in all mirrors for cars/motorcyles passing on either side
*look down the road, but focus just in front of you for pot holes or craters in the road, people, dogs, chickens, goats, or cows crossing
*the hand signal for slow down in the states means stop in Haiti, but only do it for police officers
*it's legal to drive temporarily on the left side of the road to avoid anything
*seat belts not necessary, we won't be traveling above 35mph and as a matter of fact they probably don't work anyway
*Mastery of driving manual transmission is a must before driving Delmas 33 's hills

Jen learning to drive manual transmission on a "back" road

lesson #4   Grocery shopping...
*always have enough tip money with you for 3 people, you never know how many it will take to load the groceries, water and ice
*know how to order cheese and ham in Creole - they are staple lunch foods and the deli guys love it when you speak their language
*$4,000goudes for your load of groceries isn't nearly as much as your mind wants you to think it is
*The cashiers will laugh at your pronunciation of the number 4 in Creole when you order ice so always order 5

lesson #5 Plan but be flexible...
*plans change all the time due to communication break down, traffic, weather, inventory at the stores, internet issues...nothing is ever set in stone until it happens

lesson #6  Blessings from God...
*God will break your heart over many things so that you can see people the way He sees them.
*There are people to love and help all around...love with all your heart!
*There are no coincidences here only divine intervention.  Have faith, trust, and follow!

Please pray for Ben and Jen as they soak in the beginning of their new journey and the many lessons that will come!