July and August found me on foot for several weeks as my car was having starting problems.  It was hard as many of the missionaries that I know were out of the country.  Praise the Lord, He provided some tremendous help during the times.  Of course it was during the times I had many obligations so I had to use the public transportation.  Again that helped renew my perspective on the peoples every day hassles and hardships.  It has literally been years since I have had to use public transportation and I found that some things had changed.  The gas prices here from being equal to the US, to $5.00-5.50/gal depending on the grade.  Thus the fare has gone up from 3 gourdes to 7 or 10 gourdes.  Many times I was put in the front of the truck as opposed to the back so I saw what the people gave the driver or the person who collects the money.  Time and time again it was not the proper amount.  So many times there were delays as the money collector had a “few words” to say in hopes to get the proper amount.  There was one driver who when I greeted him upon entering the tap-tap did not say a word and kept a down cast face the whole trip.  By the time we arrived at my stop I knew possibly why.  There was very few who gave him his correct fare.  I felt for him as with what he received he must buy more gas, keep the vehicle running, buy food, clothes and pay for his housing, also pay the person who helps get people to fill his Tap-Tap and the money collector.  The first day I had the exact change of 7 gourdes (a 5 gourde coin and 2 one gourde coins), after that I just gave two 5 gourde coins and did not wait for change.  It brought a smile to many a money collector’s face.  Why do they allow it?  Perhaps it is that they know how hard a life of existing is.

Susan Perkins, Haiti