And she cooks too!

Hey All! 

I've been doing some more kitchen work and thought I would share my latest lesson.  A friend came by and taught me how to make haitian beans and rice. Three hours and lots of sweat later, I managed to cook another traditional haitian meal. Enjoy!

Beans & Rice

Ingredients: Dried beans, rice, coconut, rock salt, green onion, green pepper, garlic cloves, Haitian spices (this is what I refer to as the brown things), fresh cilantro and rosemary, water, cooking butter, maggie's seasoning cubes, and oil.

First we took the dried beans with water covering them and put it on the stove to boil. It took close to an hour to boil completely. 

Here we are sifting through the beans to remove the bad ones

Next, we then took a coconut and cut off the outer hard layer. Then we grated the flesh into a bowl. We added water to it and let it sit. (This step can be removed by just buying coconut milk)

Grating the coconut flesh

While the beans were boiling and the coconut was sitting, we chopped garlic cloves (about 4) and green onion (2) into chunks. Then, we added that to rock salt and these brown things that looked like small branches into a mortar and smashed it all together. We also slivered half a green pepper and cleaned the fresh cilantro and rosemary and put them in a separate bowl. 

Smashing our ingredients in the mortar

Our green pepper and herbs

The unknown brown spices (note: they smell a bit like black licorice)

After doing our chopping we returned to the coconut. We drained all of the pulp from the water and threw the pulp away. We made our own “coconut milk”!

Our coconut pulp and water

Homemade coconut milk!

We knew that the beans were cooked when we were able to completely smash them with our fingers. We took them off the stove and dumped everything into another bowl so we could use the pan again.

We returned the empty pan to the heat and left it to become hot again. After it was hot we added oil and waited for the oil to pop. To the oil we added our garlic/onion/salt mix from the mortar and spread it throughout the oil, frying it. Then we re-added the beans and fried them in the oil. We let the beans fry for about 10 minutes. 

Our mortar mixture we added to the hot oil (top left hand corner)

Beans frying in the oil

To the frying beans we added coconut milk, cooking butter, green peppers, and herbs. We let that boil for about 7-10 minutes. Then we added water and 2 maggie’s cubes and brought it to a boil. 

After the water was boiling we added our rice and stirred. 

We topped with a lid and let it cook until the water cooked into the rice, stirring one time. We kept on low heat for a bit longer and then served!

Cooking success!

Desperation

The night we returned from our honeymoon our car was broken into. Someone scaled our security wall, shattered our back window, and rifled through the car looking for cash and anything of value. We awoke that next morning to a knock on our door and our neighbor pointing us to the aftermath. 

When I went outside I was initially confused. I thought that maybe the young boy living behind us had accidentally broken it. Sadly, upon further inspection there was no doubt that it was a deliberate attempt to steal. All potential hiding spots for money were opened and emptied. Our radio buttons were broken off in attempt of removal. Our locked doors were unlocked and the doors left open. 

My first reaction was anger. For those who know me well, I usually respond this way and say things I later regret. I was upset that someone would choose to be so very selfish. That they would break our car window and then take things inside like it was their own. Let me take you to that morning. 

Enter the scene of the crime with me.......... 

Beth: (Gasp) Whaaaaaaaaat?!

Zizou: (calmly) Be careful, there is glass everywhere.

Beth: They broke the window! How did we not hear it?

Zizou: The windows on this car have a plastic on them. They know how to do it quietly.

Beth: What could possibly make someone do this? (said with biting irritation) 

Zizou: Calm down. 

Beth: What is wrong with people!? (losing all restraint to take it in stride)

Zizou: (the now voice of wisdom) Cheri, people who do these things are risking so much. They know at any moment someone could hurt them or even kill them for trespassing and stealing. They never know when it will be their last time. Don’t forget Christmas is coming, they are really in need of money.

Beth: Oh.

End scene

After listening I had to make myself return to the reality that this theft was not about me. Even though I felt like a “victim”, it wasn’t a deliberate attack on Beth. I continued thinking about it several days after the event. I was still angry, but God kept bringing one word to mind.....desperation.

Desperation: Acting with extreme measures because of hopelessness. A state of despair that leads to rash behavior. 

When I began thinking on the word desperation, God started changing my perspective. I began to recall how many times I had done things out of desperation. The list began piling up. Interestingly enough, I began recollecting how many times my acts of desperation had hurt other people. Almost every time I either hurt others or hurt myself.  It seemed that the person who broke into our car and I were not too different after all.  

What a good lesson for me.

Jacmel and other happenings

Hello everyone! I am SO sorry that I haven't written in so long. My life has been busy with clinics, visitors, and the ever falling rain.  Here's what I've been up to!




1. Jacmel

Two weekends ago Zizou and I got the chance to travel to Jacmel, Haiti.  We, along with four friends, went by car through the hills, twists, and turns of the Haitian countryside. Upon arriving and after asking 10 different people directions, we headed to a hotel that I read good reviews about online. When we got there it was everything that I expected. The area was thick with trees, shrubs, and flowers. The rooms were tucked away behind all the lush greenery. The front desk welcomed you with wind chimes and mosaic tiles. The people were friendly. The drive seemed absolutely worth it. It even had a private beach. Unfortunately, and very unlike me, we failed to make a reservation and every single room was taken for the night. So, we got back into the car and head 15 minutes further south to an area recommended by the hotel staff. 

Fifteen minutes later we were positioned in the middle of town with our eyes open for a hotel. We found one that seemed to suit our needs and we sent Zizou in to get a room. In no time he returned with the unfortunate news that this hotel was also full for the night. My panic mode started to kick in. Would we have to turn around and go home? Assured that we would find a room we kept looking. After calling around we decided to drive the 15 minutes back to town and stay at hotel we saw on our way in. The hotel was named Hotel Florita and it was absolutely charming. We decided to get one big room with enough space for all of us. The room was quaint and winsome.  The walls were covered in brick patches and the windows were painted metal that opened to the outside. It had enough beds for almost all of us and a deck with 6 wicker rocking chairs overlooking the quiet street. It was the just the getaway I needed from the noise and hurry of the city. 

After settling in and knowing that the setting sun was upon us, we quickly changed into our bathing suits and headed for the pool. We swam until well after dark and called it quits only when our food was ready. The rest of the night was filled with talking, laughter, coca cola, and good stories. In different intervals we all nestled into bed ready to wake up early and dip our toes in the sand at the beach located about a block away. 

The next morning we ate breakfast and drove to the beach. The atmosphere was just right for spending time by the water. After drying off we hopped back into the car and drove 3 hours back to Port-au-Prince stopping only for fruit and drinks. We got home just in time to enjoy one last meal together before my friends had to go back to the states. It was definitely a trip worth writing about. What a sweet escape. Pictures below!

Our private patio

Jacmel beach

A couple of our visiting friends

2. Cooking with Derline

Almost a month ago I decided that I wanted to learn how to make Haitian food. Not only do I like eating Haitian food, but soon I will be adding a Haitian husband to the mix of my life. Learning is essential. Im not sure how I convinced sweet Derline, Zizou's sister in law, to accept the position as teacher, but she seemed willing and ready. The first week I came prepared to learn. I had washed hands and an open mind. I soon found out how spoiled I am in an American kitchen. The first thing we had to do was light our own fire over coals, outside. In fact, everything was done outside. So, while I was busy searching for lighter fluid she lit the fire with matches and wood. How very smart of her. 

 Next we hand washed the vegetables and rice in a series of dishes. Finally, we set the pan over the fire to get hot before adding our ingredients.  Two hours and several intricate instructions later, our meal was finished. I had learned how to make white rice and Haitian sauce with okra! Might I  also add that it was the best meal I have tasted since my arrival. Coincidence Im sure. The next week I was determined to take pictures, but I forgot. I was instructed on how to make Haitian milk juice. It sounds disgusting, but is quite refreshing. Finally, last week I kept my camera out and photographed our progress. Our cooking was a success. After three hours we made Haitian fried chicken, fried plantains, and picklese.  Below are pictures of my third cooking adventure.

Our fresh ingredients

Oh, just watching as she sets up campfire

Cutting the chicken and adding our spices

The chicken boiled and ready to fry

Our delicious picklese

Where my forearms were resting during my serious cooking lesson. Clearly it was intensive.

Our plantains cut and resting in salt water

The plantains first fry

Our contraption to press the fried plantains flat before their second fry

Our flattened plantains

Their second and final fry

Unfortunately, I didn't get time to take a picture of our finished products. Zizou and his brother ate a good portion before my camera could snap a shot. Hopefully there will be more good food to come and pictures of my experience!

3. The clinic I work at, that was started by a famous man, and that must not be named

I recently realized that I had been caught in a cycle of performing all the ultrasound exams and not training the doctors. After much nail biting, I put my foot down and went to the head of the hospital. I explained to her that my time here was being somewhat wasted if I didn't impart what I could on the people who would be working here for years to come. Much to my surprise, she agreed. We quickly came up with a plan. The plan consists of partial teaching and partial one on one training.  The challenge now was getting more than two people interested in learning this skill. Happily, I can report that after a brief introduction last week, I have 10 people signed up for my class! I am very excited at the prospect of teaching ultrasound. I realize that I have my work cut out for me, but I am willing to be patient and work hard with them. I will continue to blog my progress on this matter!

In Case

Just in case you were skeptical about whether or not Haitians read the shirts they buy....

This is what Zizou came over wearing the other day:

It reads "Grandmas are moms with LOTS OF practice!"

The Discovery

The last few weeks in Haiti haven’t been terribly eventful. Besides the storm that never came, excitement has been between zero and nothing. Right now it is seasonably hot, mosquito infested, and avocado season. I am beginning to have a set schedule and I am adjusting to my weekly routine. Despite that, every now and again there are bumps in the road. I would like to share a bump with you today.

A couple weeks ago Zizou informed me that a gecko had gotten itself stuck between an opening in my window and the wall.  I, not wanting to touch the gecko, asked Zizou to take it out. He quickly followed up with the hard reality that the gecko had probably been stuck for some time and it was now dead. “Oh”, I said, “Then we’ll figure out what to do with it later.” The next morning was an early clinic day. I left around 730 am and didn’t get home until dark. When we arrived back at my house Zizou instantly noticed a smell. “Its the gecko”, he said. “It can’t be the gecko Zizou, it didn’t smell like this last night!”, I retorted. He just shrugged his shoulders as I began checking every room for the source of the smell. As I got closer and closer to “the room” the smell became overpowering. In my mind I wondered how in one day it could decompose at a such a rapid rate. Hadn’t it been dead for awhile? Recalling that it had been an especially hot day, it began making sense. As we opened the door I swear my body folded in on itself from the smell. It was practically unbearable. While Zizou made a wire hook, I rummaged through my toiletries and found a bottle of coconut body spray. We were ready to get it out. 

The beginning of our mission consisted of me holding my nose and carelessly spraying coconut body mist around the room. Then, I went directly to the gecko and sprayed him too. Zizou followed with his hook in hand. While I held the flashlight and sprayed sporadically, I watched  Zizou try to reach in and push it out. After several different attempts to get the gecko from inside and outside the house, we decided that a new plan was necessary. We figured out that we needed to pierce it with the hook and then pull it out. About 5 minutes later we had success and the dead gecko was free. After flinging its body over my back wall we sprayed the room 15 more times and called it a night. The smell lingered for about another day,  but all things considered it was pretty smooth bump in the road for us. Who wants to stay at my house?!

In very recent news:  The container has finally been released! Tomorrow an inspector will come and we will work to empty it out completely. I am extremely excited to move my things into my house and fill it up!  Thinking back, I can remember the big items we placed on it, but the contents of the rubbermaid containers remain a mystery! I will post  pictures of my full house once I get all situated! 

Some New Things

I will begin by apologizing because I haven't written in quite awhile......sorry. I have had quite a few new things in the mix and wanted to share it all!

Last Tuesday I was bitten by a bee. I was upset and it hurt.

I have begun going to a new hospital in Bourdon, Haiti. This hospital has two BEAUTIFUL ultrasound machines that I will learn and then train the physicians on. They see around 2000 patients and deliver 10-20 babies each week! They have an incredible reputation within the community. In fact, it is so good that last week Zizou and I witnessed a woman's loyalty to them. We were sitting outside the hospital when a beaten up Honda Accord pulled up the driveway. When I looked inside I could see a woman holding her pregnant belly and hunching over. "Yay", I thought, "a baby will be born today!" A man hopped out of the drivers seat and called for help. He began yelling across the car to a nearby nurse that his wife was in labor and she refused to go anywhere else except this hospital. In one fluid motion he opened the back door (did I mention I was sitting perfectly eye level with the back seat?) and a young girl fled the car leaving only the pregnant woman. My eyes traveled up the car and I could see there was blood and fluid covering the floor and bits of the seat. Then, as I looked up at the woman, I noticed she was squatting above the seat.  Perfectly perched underneath her was a newborn baby. She didn't make it in time. The baby's manger was a Honda with cloth interior.  I sat there unmoving and speechless. I watched as the doctor ran out, cut the cord, wrapped the baby, and carried the woman inside. I began to look around and met Zizou's eyes. "Did that just happen?", I said. "Yeah", he replied. "You're going to put that in your blog, aren't you?" Friends, of course I was going to put this in my blog! Im very excited to begin working there and meet these daily happenings!

On Thursday of this week I scanned a woman with triplets. At first, I only saw two and told her that she had twins. Her eyes grew large and she put her hand over her chest. Then, as I kept scanning, I noticed a third. I looked at her and held up three fingers.  Her next response was laughter.  All the women in the clinic began gathering around her, touching her legs and arms. They were awed by her blessing. It was quite beautiful to see their response. She left beaming and so did I.  Did I mention they were all boys?

About two weeks ago I got to visit with my beautiful friend Ruth. Zizou and I made a trip to see her and her team in Gressier, Haiti. While there, we attended a 10 couple wedding that the team had been planning for months ahead of time. They brought donated dresses, tuxedos, make-up, perfumes, gift bags, bouquets, shoes, veils, and the list goes on and on. We all helped the brides and grooms get ready for their big day and then went to the ceremony. It was evident that the couples were overjoyed to get married and blessed that a way was provided for them! We had such a great time!

Getting the couples ready for the ceremony

The bridesmaids dancing into the ceremony

My Ruth and I!

Lastly, I am happy to report that after 11 days of harsh antibiotics my stomach bug is gone! Now is the time that I should stop drinking regular coca cola for calories and really watch what I eat and drink. I will have Zizou remind me tomorrow.

Just in case

In case you were wondering how I was doing driving my car, you can ask this man below.

He is fixing the clutch that I broke off....completely. 

Ronald

Zizou doesn’t know a stranger. He makes a new friend every place we go. In my mind I have averaged him knowing at least 2 new people a day. That’s a staggering 14 new people in one week...and he remembers all of their names! I have felt very blessed by this character trait of his. One reason why is our friend Ronald.

Zizou met Ronald one night when he was in need of transportation by motorcycle. Coincidentally, Zizou is one of the many voices that will be quick to lecture you on the dangers of a riding a taxi moto. “Seven people die a day on motorcycle”, he tells me. So, being in desperate need, he approached Ronald. After questioning Ronald about his safety practices, Zizou was reassured that Ronald had a safety first attitude. He also learned that Ronald had previously done motorcycle shows in the Dominican Republic. Zizou was sold and later told me that he was sure Ronald was one of the best taxi moto drivers in Haiti. Ronald and Zizou exchanged phone numbers for future moto needs. 

A few Fridays ago we had moto needs. I needed to get to my clinic in Sarthe and the Toyota was “sick”.  So, Zizou called Ronald. I had not yet seen the force on two wheels that was Ronald, but after that Friday I too was convinced of his talent. Have you ever wished that you had a camera because words could not explain what your eyes witnessed?  Yes? Then bear with me as I try and explain we looked like on this motorcycle. Starting at the front end of the motorcycle: front wheel, steering column, ultrasound machine in suitcase, Ronald, me, Zizou, back wheel, fumes. 

Sidenote: Im not sure the Haitians even noticed the cramming of people/objects on the motorcycle. Instead, they were mesmerized at the white girl on the taxi moto.

If Zizou wasn’t completely for Ronald before, then this job sealed the deal. Ronald was now our official moto man. I, being a big advocate FOR taxi moto, now had a reliable man on the job. He took us to the grocery store, the cyber cafe, and even to look at cars. Ronald and I exchanged smiles while Zizou and he exchanged words. Unfortunately, now that I have a car, we don’t need his services as often. 

However, last week we had moto needs again. My car needed to go and get looked at in a garage far from my house and we needed a ride home. Zizou called Ronald and he was at our service in the blink of my eye. We had to wait inside the garage for about 50 minutes and Ronald waited outside without a single complaint. On our drive home I began questioning Zizou about what I should pay Ronald. I explained how I only had one bill and it was 100 Haitian dollars (roughly 12.50 american). He, like always, told me that Ronald didn’t care what we paid him. When we arrived at my house I gave him the bill and Zizou asked him for change. He said he didn’t have any and tried to give our money back. Remembering all the times he took Zizou places for free, I told him to keep it all. 

The next day I began talking to Zizou about Ronald. I wondered aloud if he had a wife or babies. Zizou told me that he had a wife and four children at home. I was shocked. “You mean to tell me that he has 4 children and he tried to give our money back yesterday”, I said. Zizou began to tell me how Ronald was a good man and just wanted to help us. He conjured up my memory about a night two weeks ago when he called Ronald to take us to the cyber cafe. I remembered that night clearly. I felt like we were committing an injustice on Ronald because we spent so long at the cyber cafe. Even when I was finished Zizou worked on the computer for another two hours. I was angry that we made Ronald wait. When we finally arrived at home I gave him $20 American dollars for all of his time we took. “When I called him to take us he was at home and was happy to take us there”, Zizou said. He went on to say that “Ronald told me how much you gave him that night. He had so much joy because he didn’t have any food in the house or money to buy it.”

It was then that I had not only high respect for Ronald’s driving, but his character. This man was willing to give us back our money because he didn’t have change when his needs were far greater than mine or Zizou’s. I feel blessed by knowing him. I hope that I can learn from him about being kind and giving to others. 

The Value of a Child

Meet Sheloh

He loves to sing and dance

and sit with you

and be silly

Shelo is a little boy I met at the We Advance clinic. His smile is infectious. He knows how to say exactly three words in english: I love you. With those three words he likes to sing a song, "I love you, I love you, I love you." I don't know where he lives or why he was all the way at the clinic by himself, but everyone(including me) loves to see him. He helps around the clinic and gives really good kisses. It is no wonder that Jesus liked to surround Himself with little children. 

Also....I finally got all the paperwork finished on my car! Here you can see my new license plate!

(The BB is coincidental)  

A couple of weeks ago Zizou and I got the chance to travel to the mountains with a visiting group. We stopped at an overlook where you could see the entire city of Port-au-Prince. It reminded me of how small I really am. Here are some pictures of our time there! 

Im probably saying, "Hurry up Zizou, you know I hate getting my picture taken"

Zizou in his ALMH t-shirt

Port-au-Prince

Dying to Self

While in church on Sunday morning I came across a paper in my Bible that a good friend gave me many years ago. The title of the paper read  “Dying to self!” and is about a half a page long. On it were 7 examples of how you can know if you are dying to self. Now, I admit that this idea is not usually in the forefront of my mind. I also admit that I was browsing through the contents of my Bible instead of listening. Nevertheless, I do think that it is no mistake I came across it.  

As I was reading the words I realized how incredibly selfish I have been. In my heart I have been so demanding of God. Somehow, I have been rationalizing my poor behavior on issues such as heat, time, and change.  And because the truth hurts, the words on the paper felt like I was being completely exposed. Yet, with this gentle reminder from God I still wanted to fight against it. I wanted to find one way on the list that I have succeeded in dying to self.(funny, right?)  To my dismay, I couldn’t find one. It was then that I knew in my heart I was not yet dead. 

I am reminded in this very moment of the grace that is upon me. I consider it a blessing when the Lord stirs my heart. I don’t want to remain the same Beth. I want God to raise my affections towards Him. Although painful, like any change, these moments are good for me. 

Here is the list of dying to self....painful, but good. (Thank you Krista!)

****************************************************************************************************

DYING TO SELF!

When you are forgotten, neglected, and purposely set at naught and you don’t sting or hurt with the insults or oversights, but your heart is happy being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is dying to self. 

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice is disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient loving silence, that is dying to self. 

When you lovingly and patiently bear all disorder and irregularity and impunctuality and annoyance, when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensitivity and endure it as Jesus endured it, that is dying to self. 

When you are content with any food, offering, raiment, climate, society, solitude, and interruptions by the will of God, that is dying to self. 

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or to record your own good works, or if after any commendation, you can truly love to be unknown, that is dying to self. 

When you can see your brother prosper, and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy nor question God while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances, that is dying to self. 

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly finding no rebellion or resentment lighting up within your heart, that is dying to self.

****************************************************************************************************

In other news:

A little late, but a picture of my dear friend Terri who came to visit me in June!

On Friday while in clinic I felt an “aftershock”. I am not completely sure how long after the initial earthquake you can call movement an aftershock, but I felt it. It was crazy for me. I described it to Zizou as someone standing behind me pushing my chair forward. I told him that when I turned around no one was there and that’s when I noticed the desk drawers were rattling too. Then, nothing. I began to tell him that no one in the clinic seemed too alarmed and they kept on with their business. “Its crazy to me how normal it is for people here”, I said. He looked at me quizzically. He began to tell me that it will never be normal for people here. How they must not have felt it or they would’ve scared me with their panic and running. My only response was, “Oh”, but on the inside I was still weirdly excited at what I had felt. Now you must understand I realize that many people have felt these kind of things before, but I haven’t. This was the first time for me. Compared to the earthquake of 2010 this was nothing, but I sat in wonderment at how it could physically move my body. Whoa.

I finally got a car! I am now the owner of a Suzuki Sidekick. It is such a process to find a good car in Haiti. I had two trustworthy men on the job and they delivered. Having this car will completely change what I can do in Haiti. I no longer have to wait for a shared car and hope that I can make it to the clinic before it closes. No! I can go on time! Another plus is that I can drive in Haiti. My Illinois license works here too. The only negative is that its stick shift. Admittedly, I was taught how to drive this type of car, but never put much effort into mastering it. Now, on the pothole filled roads of Haiti, I will give it another go. Im sure I will bring much comedy into the the lives of onlookers. “Look at the white girl trying to drive, does she know that if you keep killing it you won’t get anywhere?!” Pray that I get my license plates fast so that I can hit the road!

Someday in the future when the doctor announces that I have skin cancer, I won’t be surprised. I recently went swimming with Zizou and his friends. Because I didn’t want to sheepishly lather on sunscreen in the corner of the pool, I put in on at home. I couldn’t reach my back and made a mental note to have someone help me. Well, I forgot. When we arrived at the pool I quickly jumped in to enjoy the cold water. I swam for the better part of two hours when I started noticing that my face was hurting. It was then that I realized my epic fail. I quickly asked Zizou if my face and back were red and after a thorough inspection he told me no. I began thinking that maybe I was alright. I was practically in the water with my back covered for most of the time and I put sunscreen on my face. So, we stayed for another hour. When I got home and looked in the mirror I realized that I should always trust my instincts. The mirror revealed a stark contrast between the skin under my bathing suit straps and the skin that was exposed to Haiti’s sun. I was about to be miserable. Over the night my skin created a nice set of blisters on my nose and shoulders. I was also given a fresh set of snake skin on my back. I am the luckiest. In a few days I will shed this skin cocoon and become a bronze butterfly, but for now I remain a pained caterpillar that can never learn her lesson on sunscreen.