An unexpected turn of events..

So, as many of you probably know (if anyone is still reading this) that I am now back in the good old US of A. It's a bit of a story but the short of it is that I got Malaria and Typhoid and unfortunately couldn't just man up and handle it, so I went home. But let me tell you, I don't think I have ever been so sick in my entire life. There was one point where I seriously thought I might die. On the up side I did drop a few pounds (but I really wouldn't recommend this the typhoid and malaria diet) It was hard to leave and I still wonder if I made the right decision. Now, being back in the states I just don't feel I belong here. I don't know, but I guess sometimes that's normal. Everyone keeps asking me when/if I will be going back. I tell them that I think I'm going to be home for a while now but the truth is I still am very much considering going to Africa with the DTS in January though, again, it would take another act of God. I really starting to realize how much I miss Haiti and the other staff and students. They really did treat me like family and it was hard to leave them, especially the way I did. But they were very nice and understanding about it. Haitians are really very special people.

Well, so I guess that's that. If you have any questions just leave me a comment or drop me an email. But remember: you can take Lauren out of Haiti but you can't take the Haiti out of Lauren ;) GOD BLESS MY PEOPLE!!

Oh, and by the way, the thing that I was referring to, the "Now that I know what I'm doing..." It was the whole blogger thing. Lame, I know.

An aboundance of points to everyone!

Okay, I'm dropping the comments/points thing. I have a feeling it's getting old. HOWEVER, before I do this I just want to say that I have awarded aboundance of points to Mom and Dad, Colleen, Kayla, and Michelle. (I didn't want you guys to feel cheated or anything) But I should remind you that these are Haitian points. So, you need take your points, divid them by seven and the times them by 35.8 to get your US points. (sorry I guess this is probably only funny to me because I know how the Haitian currency exchange works, and it's crazy) Whew, okay, I'm done with that.

But seriouly now, the last couple days have been kind of rough, I guess you could say the whole week actually. I found out the other day that the orphanage has ran out of food four days ago (the orphanage situation is kind of complicated right now), I'm was kind of frustrated that no one had told me and that that was even allowed to happen (It's actually not as shocking and you may think.) I mean, I know money is beyond tight around here but come on, but it ended better. I'll just tell you the story: there was a bit of a mix up in when the next shipment of food would be available for the kids and it would be at least another week before we could pick up the food but if you remember, the orphange had already run out of food four days ago. Now I didn't know if it was just that the pastor didn't come to us sooner or what but as as soon as I found out, I was actually pretty upset. And then I remembered, my dad had started this little project that he called "pocket change for Haiti" and what my dad would do it just take his change from his pockets at the end of the day and put it into this jar. He actually has some pretty neat stories about it, if you see him around, ask him about it. So my dad started this jar when i was in Jacmel the first time and then right before I went, he gave me the money to use for something in Haiti. I though this would be a pretty good time. So the next mourning we took the money to go buy food for the kids. With this money, this "pocket change" we were able to buy: 3 35lbs sacks of rice, 2 large tubs of oil, juice packets, like 130 candle and matches (they don't have electricity yet so that's what the candles and matches are for). So that should be enough to hold 26 kids over until the next shipment comes in. As cheesy as it sounds, this just goes to show you that we can really make a difference. We brought the food to them that mourning. It was a relief to know that they had food now and that food was coming but I still wasn't at ease. I had also found out that we were now going to have to come up with some money to pay for the food that was going to be available in a week or so (we thought it would be donation like it has been the last time) The price was still, compatabliy, pretty cheap. But the orphanage basically had no funding and bills and needs that are piling. Not to mention that the base itself is technically still in the red because we didn't turn down students for the DTS just because they didn't have the money yet. Sometimes I don't know how this base is still running, I mean, I've seem the books, I do the accounting, but somehow the money just always gets there and I don't know if I could even tell you how. ANYWAY, I'm getting a little off subject. Turns out, someone donated $5,000 to the orphanage, so that is pretty cool.

I actually started this entry a while ago, like maybe a week, and I kinda just want to finish it so if it seems kind of cut off, that's why. I'm also a little sick, so it might be a little while before I make another entry.

Michelle, this ones to you

Michelle recieves 9,999,999 cool points from me today because she left a comment AND because she informed me that in order to leave a comment you have to create an account (which she did because she is cool like that) However, she did lose one point for knocking my english (but only one because I know it's bad) I changed it now, though, so that you don't have to have an account to leave a comment. (no excuses now people) So thank you very much Michelle.

Also, thank you to my parents who leave comments all the time (thanks guys).

So today was pretty cool. I got to go to the Haitian market. It's cool because I feel the most "like I'm in Haitian" when I'm at the market. There are people everywhere shouting and people trying to sell you all sorts of veggies or fried food or clothing or ANYTHING (but chocolate of course). That is one thing I definately like about being with all Haitian, I don't know of any other mission organisation (or any organization for that matter) that would let me walk the streets of Haiti so freely. Yeah, maybe there is a bit more risk, but the experiences you have are WAY worth it. Actually, I feel perfectly safe in Jacmel, most of the time. It's really is a great city.

A friend of mine from the Dominican, Peterson, came yesterday. He's going to be staying here for a few days and he might be coming back to work as staff later, so that would be cool. He is actually haitian too, but he speaks english, spanish, french, and creole. So he's a good person to practice with whatever language I feel like practicing.

It was him, Lucson, and myself that when to the market, so again, I spent most of the day talking spanish. It really does a number on your brain when you trying to learn two languages and teach another. While in town I was looking for this type of Haitian dress that I wanted to buy and we went to the little shop and met this part french, part haitian women and she said that if I found the fabric that she would make the dress for me. So we went and found the fabric and I actually ended up getting a pretty good deal on it. The whole dress ended up costing me only about 550gdes (which is maybe $15-$20 US) which is actually pretty good because she took my measurements and everything so it going to be made especially for me. Also, when I went back to give her the fabric she invited us to sit out in her back pourch area for a little while. It was really nice little area with flowers everywhere. The women was really sweet too.

So that was pretty much my day. Oh, and I also made the worst mistake ever, I came back late for dinner. When you come back late for dinner, they load your tray for you and, of course, you're still expected to get seconds. I can't remember the last time I was so full. Also, if you remember, you can pray for me because for the last three days, I've been drinking the city water (they keep forgetting to get the purified stuff) I don' t think I will get sick or anything but, just in case....

Well, n'wa pita!

Lauren
Jacmel

Haiti reached a new level of cool

Haiti and the people of Haiti have reached a new level of cool today when eveyone agreed that we could have brownies for lunch and that it would be okay.

I showed everyone at the base today how to make brownies (I needed chocolate, it was getting serious). Little did I know that that was all they were planning to have for lunch. I explained to them the brownies are a dessert, but, it didn't seem to matter. Haitian are cool like that. Also, get this, they said that next time we didn't even have to cook them, we could just eat the batter. Wow, hey, does THAT sound familiar to anyone. I think I must be haitian. So next time you see me with my brownie mix and spoon, don't be hatin' its just the haitian way. Don't worry, I think the states will come around, they're just not as advanced as Haiti yet.

However, we did end up having more then just brownies for lunch (they actually did it for me, I think) but it was really good except for that I ate WAYYY to much. I also went on the roof and picked some Lanm (I think it's called bread fruit in english??) and we fried that up too. Good meal, good company, good day. ANNDD I get to watch LOST TONIGHT...ONLINE! I'm so excited. Well that's all! N'wa Pita!

Lauren

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YWAM JACMEL!!!

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you ! Happy birthday dear YWAM Jacme-el! Happy birthday to you!

Today was the YWAM Jacmel base's first birthday! In celebration, we all got the day off. It was WONDERFUL! The guys took me to town. It was soo cool to see more of the city too. We walked there, it's about one or two mile only, so, not too bad. But they spoiled me. Everytime I would ask was a food was, they would buy it for me. Evenually I stopped asking but they just kept buying. We ate, "chinos," (in spanish) and "zoranj" (in creole) but I have no idea what it was it in English (and, no, it wasn't an orange) it was kind of like an orange but it was green. If you know the name in english let me know, you can leave a COMMENT...COMMENT, or whatever. Anyway, we also had these fried dough things with cheese in them, and also peanuts, and sugar cane (pretty good by the way). They did at least let me by the water (which only turned out to be 15 gdes (1 gdes = roughly 3 cents US, I'll let you do the math, don't worry I won't even make you factor in the "haitian dollar," now THAT gets comfusing) so that was pretty cheap. Then we went and sat by the beach and ate it. OH! and I got to ride in a tap tap for the first time (tap taps are the haitian public transportation. They are usually very brightly painted and are filled with WAYY to many people. I loved it. You haven't done Haiti until you've riden in tap tap)

I LOVE the food they sell off the street here. We have a place that is pretty close to the base the sells stuff at night, like fried bananas (amazing, if you haven't never tried one, get ahold of me when I get back and I will make them for you), fried fish (yeah pretty much everything is fried) and, my personal favorite, this thing called "marione" (I have no idea how to spell it or even if I'm saying it right) but it's like fried dough, almost like a donut but a little more crunchy and it's not sweet but its just made with different spices mixed in the dough. absolutely amazing. Then they also have this little, like, salad or almost like a cole slaw-type thing that they scoop in the bag with it. I was told that it's made with, cabage, carrots, lemon juice and salt, but, whatever it, when you put the two together, oh my goodness. It almost makes up for there not being any chocolate in this ENTIRE CITY! I know. We look. I mean, when I signed up for this whole "missionary thing" I knew it wasn't going to be easy. Washing all my clothes by hand, that's fine. Not having electicity or running water half the time or air conditioning or flushing toliets ever, whatever. Sleeping with bugs, doesn't bother me. But not cholocate?!? Gosh, I don't know about that, that's almost, well, barbaric!

Well that was pretty much my day, all in all, pretty awesome. I'm starting to feel more comfortable here, I'm even getting used to people staring at me like I'm an alien and continue to do so even when I look right at them, or the occational screaming of "blonk! blonk!" from a child or whistle or kissing sound from the Haitian men (they do love that white skin) I must have a big sign on my head that says, "get your green card!" But it's not too bad, all part of the cross cultural experience.

Well zanmi mwen yo (my friends) I guess that about does it for this time. Don't forget to leave a comment and you will become my favorite ;) I love you all and God Bless!


Lauren McConkey
The beautiful city of Jacmel

hey, I figure that if maybe I make littler updates, it would be easier instead of making you (if anyone is reading this) read these big, long entries.

Today was okay, it was Saturday and I slept most of the day (I haven't really been feeling good lately) Then I went and worked on some office stuff for a little while and then had dinner. But after that, Lubens was going to take the guys out and teach them how to drive (they had been wanting to learn for a while) and I went with too (any oppotunity I have to get out of the base an see more of Haiti, I take it) It was kind of funny because they were all a little nervous. They also didn't believe me that I could drive. It was kind of funny because Lucson was talking about the truck that they were using to drive and he was saying that it would be easy because it was an automatic. He said it was a "women's car." heh. Now for those of you who know me well, you can probably guess what I was thinking, but I know that I couldn't say much about it. I just said "excuse me?" He laught a little, but still meant it. I though this was funny, seeing as how I was the best driver out of the four of us (me and the 3 students). It was actually pretty funny watching them drive. There was this field and they would just drive around in circles for practice. At the end that wanted me to try, so I did. Then Lubens had me drive back to the base. That's right, I drove...IN HAITI. It was funny because they all got in the back, including Luben. So here's this truck with four haitian guys in the back and a white girl in the front just driving down the streets of Haiti. I thought that they were going to be all like "your going to slow." but then when we got back to the base they were all like "did you race cars at home?" Apparently I had been going a little fast? But they all voted me the best driver. Did you hear that, Bill?? They voted ME the BEST DRIVER. Well, I guess that maybe just gives you a better idea of what driving in like in Haiti, if they thought I was good. I have a feeling though, that this will not be the last of my driving in Haiti, Lubens was even saying something about how they needed to get another vehicle so that I would have something to drive, heh heh heh.

Well, so that was pretty cool. Yesterday was kind of fun too. Lubens got a whole bunch of instruments from Port-au-Prince to bring back for us to use during worship time or whatever and it was so much fun. He brought back like, this big drum thing, and maracas, and tambarines (sp??) and stuff like that. It's just cool when they all pick up an instrument and just start playing and singing. It definately gives you the Haitian feeling. We don't really do that in the states but I think we should. They also played this game where they would go around in a circle and each person would have to make up a song. They made me do it too even though I tried to protest. It was fun though. Two of them, Amos and Nixson made up a song for me. It was really nice. It was about how they were glad I was here and that they thanked God that I came to help them with there school. It was really sweet.

Well, I guess this still turned out to be pretty long. Sorry. OH! and I also have some addresses if you want to send me something:

If you want to send me a letter or something lighter the 5lbs, you can send it to:

YWAM-Jacmel,
Att: Lauren McConkey
PO BOX 407139
Ft. Lauderdale FL 33340

If you want to send me a package, you can send it to:

YWAM-Jacmel,
Att: Lauren McConkey
3402 SW 9th Ave.
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33315

(all this info is also on the Jacmel site under 'Contact us')

OORR, if you can to call me you can call the cell that I have here (but I don't think its cheap):

001-509-758-8496

We are working on trying to get a internet phone that will would be considerably less costly, but like I said, we're still working on it.

Well I guess that's about it. God Bless and Good night.