Easter/Monday 4-25-2011

I arrived at New Life 4 Kids at about 5 PM Easter Sunday and the celebration was well underway. The 100 or so kids had just been given their Easter treats of candy and toys and they were filled with excitement (and sugar). I am told they had been worshiping and singing praise all day. It was quite a celebration.

Monday—up at 6 AM. We set aside this day to visit various friends in Haiti and catch up on their lives. We met our friend Rene who now works at New Life as a driver and anything else they can keep him busy with. Rene drove us to Marie’s house and the Grace orphanage, after a brief stop to see a Syrian friend who runs a small grocery store and picking up our friend Frenzy who would join us for the day. Marie is doing well and is expecting a team from Kentucky on Tuesday. The girls are doing well and we hung out, did some coloring in coloring books, sang songs, and did lots of hugging. It was great to see all of them. Then we stopped to see our friend Debbie at the Lazarus Project and caught up with her.

I had not seen my friend Johnny and his wife and their little two year old John Kelly for the last several visits because Johnny has a job and they have moved from Marie’s neighborhood to a “tent city.” Tent cities are still home to about 1,000,000 people in Haiti who have been displaced by the earthquake (15 months ago). When I was here two weeks after the earthquake in January of 2010 several of the workers who were working on the demolition of the orphanage had taken the day off to stake out some land that they heard the government was going to give away to those in need. It was a rumor but they still left to stake out their own space—an opportunity to have a piece of land to call your own in Haiti is not obtainable for almost all Haitians. I remember the line of people walking down the road to get to this land—thousands upon thousands of people in search of their dream to have land they could call their own. These are not acre lots they are small lots that are based on the number of people in your family. Johnny, his wife and son along with his nieces and nephews have a space that is about 10 feet by 20 feet. The house occupies about 2/3 of this space and there is a little garden on the rest of it. The house is built out of plywood (unpainted) and rusty tin that was salvaged from somewhere. It is raised up about a foot off the ground sitting on four by four posts so when it rains the water runs under the house and not through it. The public restrooms are not too far away and there is a well to pump water within a mile of his home. Our friend Philistine and his wife and two kids have a similar space right across the dirt road from Johnny. They haven’t completely moved in yet but they will be soon. It is hard to believe that they are living their dream—land that one day they hope to call their own…and a home they can call their own. There are no schools in the area so most of the kids are not in school…if they are they have a long way to travel to get there. Johnny is still active as a deacon at Marie’s church and he travels there several times a week. His wife and two year old were heading there after our visit for a prayer meeting. It would take them an hour or more to get to the weekly prayer meeting but that is not an obstacle…just a way of life for many Haitians. This was another humbling visit to see our friends in this setting which we would think of as “unlivable”…and they are full of joy, living the high life, and always praising the Lord.

The kids there were playing a game that would only be played in Haiti—called Cholera—really it’s a new form of Haitian tag—when you’re “it” you are the one with Cholera and when you tag someone else you say “Cholera” and run…then they have Cholera and they are “it.” It sounds sick but there has been a public awareness campaign about Cholera and washing your hands and keeping clean…so the kids are even aware if it and hopefully it will help. Cholera continues to be a big issue in Haiti.

We left Johnny’s to go to see Michelle and Merlinda. They used to live with Marie at the orphanage but they were released because they were old enough to leave (age 16). They now live with their mom in a 10 by 10 foot room that they lease. They want to move from there because the public restrooms are awful (if they say they are awful I’m not sure what word we would use to describe them…I didn’t want to ask if we could take look).They are both in school and we hope they continue their education. We had previously attempted to help their mom get started with a small “concession” stand but she claims she lost everything to voodoo…someone in the marketplace took all her money using the power of voodoo? Haiti is always Haiti!

We arrived back at New Life with Rene and Frenzy about dark. They had to take a “tap tap” (taxi) back to Marie’s neighborhood where they live. It probably took them an hour and a half to get home. We had a good day with them.

Last night there were a couple of nearby gun shots that woke us up. No one here is concerned about it though since we are inside a secured compound. We hear that there is some continuing political unrest (why not—there has been for 200 years) because of a new president and the old regime who still controls the legislature. Nothing new for Haiti.

The people here are generally loving and peaceful and filled with the Holy Spirit keeping God at the center of their lives. We don’t hear much about that in the US…we only hear “newsworthy” stuff. Glad to back and happy to have touched base with our friends...and once again we are humbled by the lives they so happily live!

Jim Meyer

A good Friday

April 22, 2011   A Good Friday

Two more days have quickly flown by and I’m already counting on my fingers how many more days I have left, and trying not to begin whining about how I wish I could stay longer.  I spent yesterday at Grace House of Hope with Marie and the girls.  Fedner was my driver for the first time!  He’s 22 years old and Marie’s only boy/man at the orphanage.  His tasks are many.  I have always had a huge soft spot in my heart for Fedner – so I enjoyed our time together in the car amongst all the traffic.  Without stop lights, designated lanes or any semblance of order it’s amazing to me that there isn’t an accident every 30 feet.  It’s nothing to have a motorcycle with four people on it (one probably caring a live chicken) cut in front of you and then cross over a sidewalk to an adjoining street.  The action on the street is more than you can take in.

Marie and I had time to chat and catch up before I went down to see the girls.  As I came driving up I could see little faces sticking up over the security wall.  I was so excited to see each one.  Even though I had just seen them in February – they all seemed taller!   Being a bit partial to the younger ones – I just wanted to scoop every one of them up and hug them until they screamed.  They had tables already set up with chairs for every one of them and were ready to get down to business, as they know I always bring a project of some sort.  This time I brought them their OWN color book with a set of crayons.  The older girls got activity books with word search and such – which will keep them occupied here and there for awhile.  It was so quiet at first.  Everyone was so focused.  Then the “Look, Sister Patty!” started and I ran from one table to the next admiring and exclaiming on every stroke of the crayon.  When they would smile with such pride my throat would tighten and I had to hide the dripping tears.  I don’t think the girls realize the impact they have on my life.  The oldest six girls are getting so mature and it’s very obvious they care about their appearance – as their hair was braided so beautiful and shiny lip gloss on each of their lips.  They are getting that mid-teen look of “coolness.” 

After marshmallow chocolate bunnies and Easter Egg bubble gum I lost their attention – but I just love to watch them interact and so wish I could understand Creole to know what they are buzzing about to each other in their precious voices.  I wasn’t as sad leaving them, as Jim and I will be going back to see them next week - after he arrives here on Sunday.

I ended up going to bed at 8:00 p.m. last night. After being in the heat all day – this old body starts shutting down.  Jim can attest that I hate getting up early.  But every morning so far I am up 6:00 a.m. and enjoy sitting in the morning sun and breeze to do my devotions.  I can hear people singing hymns from somewhere and the activity of the children here has already begun.  It is truly serene.

There is another guest here named Tammy who arrived yesterday. She brought three filled 50 lb. bags of Easter goodies for the children.  She had many friends and such donate so the menagerie of items and candy was unbelievable.  The majority of the day was spent filling over 600 Easter eggs with candy and sorting.  By late afternoon we had successfully made a personalized Easter treat bag for 97 children.  The littlest ones are getting a cute little metal bucket filled to the top!  The oldest 23 boys are getting a baseball hat filled with eggs, candy and fun stuff.  The 16 oldest girls are getting a canvas bag with the same goodies – but with lip gloss and fingernail polish – of course!  The remainder of the children have a cute Easter bag with such fun things…made me remember the fun when our children were younger.  (Who wouldn’t like an edible bracelet and necklace, for old time sake?)  So, after church on Sunday – the chaos will begin.  They have never had anything like this before – so the Pastor will explain to them the tradition in the United States and the religious tie in.  I can’t wait to see the excitement in their faces.

I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting under a little hut with about 15 of the kids doing puzzles and “word search.”  They love doing that!  Then I started writing out mathematical problems to solve and the requests were unanimous and even more children joined in for the challenge.  It was something how they found solving math problems was such fun.  I was very impressed with their arithmetic skills and rarely was there a wrong answer.  Bubble gum and root beer barrels are always a good incentive for a job well done, of course.  I started turning into a mosquito magnet – so was relieved that tonight is Friday night – and that means movie night.  Math problems aren’t that much fun when you can huddle in front of the tv to watch a movie. 

By today being Good Friday – they had special devotions and a special meal of fish at dinner.  The Pastor for the children came to me and said that every day the oldest group of boys gather with him for prayer.  I had seen them in the center of the soccer field – but assumed they were working on strategy.  In reality that was where they were all praying.  He told me that as they were praying they heard me say to one of the children, “You have a special person who is your sponsor!”  He said the boys were so excited that they just started thanking God over and again that He is sending people to be their sponsors.  It was very humbling to hear and learn what an encouragement that is to them.  The Pastor lifted his hands to the sky and said their prayers are being answered.  What a gift.

Lastly – You may or may not know that two of the dogs here had puppies to the tune of 17!!  They had their pups two days apart so at five weeks old they have mastered the ability to cry all night.  THEN – yesterday it was discovered that the female goat had a “kid.”  So much for the goat has a “tumor” theory.   Won’t be too much longer and this could be a “petting zoo.”  Something tells me that raising the goats, chickens, rabbits, and tilapia for food isn’t going to happen….not the way they are coddled and loved.

Throughout the day when I recalled Christ’s death on the cross for each of our broken, sinful lives, I had waves of unworthiness.  I will never grasp the depth of love He has for us, as well.  The reason that originally brought me to Haiti eight years ago was because I wanted to “go and do” in His name, for His children.   I never expected for a second that it would turn into being such a big part of my life.  The problem is, the harder I try to bless others with His love --- the more He gives the blessings right back to me through these wonderful people of Haiti.  Their love is the closest thing I have experienced of unconditional love.   Try giving it away – you’ll see what I mean.

Why I Came?

Why did I come…?

After a “no pilot” delay leaving Chicago, and then returning to the gate after the plane engine sucked in   a bouquet of helium balloons, followed by weather issues causing yet another delay  - I made it to Miami with seven minutes to go before my connecting flight to Haiti was to leave.  I fell into my seat, throat dry from running and hauling my carry-ons – only to be delayed AGAIN!  But – once we landed and I felt the warm breeze and typical smells of Haiti – all of the trials of travel were gone.

Whenever I come back it’s as if time had stood still since my last visit.  The scenery, activity and seemingly no progress is always the same.  I still look out my window in disbelief – wondering how people can live this way day after day.  But then I remember my life of the past six weeks since my last visit here and could ask myself the same thing…Why do I cram so much into a day and keep myself so anxious and worrisome about “projects” and what to make for dinner!!   How do I CONTINUE to live that way?

When I drove through the gate of New Life Children’s Home and saw the handicapped children in their wheelchairs all around the shade of the huge mango tree with some of the other children off to the side playing, a peace came over me and it was if I left all my “flight frustrations”  and self induced anxieties behind.    A few girls ran to greet me and their hug explained why I came.  No real agenda this time – no planned events – just here to share God’s love and receive it back 10 fold so I CAN return home in 10 days and be recharged to handle MY LIFE – they all seem to be doing just fine.  Yes, their clothes are a bit tattered and mismatched.  Yes, they are probably wearing their only pair of shoes – being flip flops (I happened to bring SIX pairs of different sandals – SICK!)  Yes, they probably ate the same dinner they had four other nights this week…but food is eaten to sustain their body – interesting concept -  we spend more time reading labels, demanding choices and variety and complaining about long checkout lines than we  actually do eating!

I don’t know – it’s different this time.  Usually the first couple days when I get back I feel a bit depressed by how little things change and how “hard” life is here – but this time the simplicity and being free of the chaos of home brought me peace. 

I went to bed at 7:30ish – exhausted – and just listened to the night noises and waited for the fan to oscillate my direction as I laid still in the heat.  I was aware that I had seen three salamanders on the wall in my room earlier – and I’ve even grown used to those.  (I still don’t do rats well, however!)

After a good night’s sleep – no longer hearing the roosters – similar to living by a train track and no longer hearing the train – I got up early and read my devotions outside in the sunshine and beautiful morning breeze.  YES – all my mid-west friends – there IS something called sunshine and beautiful warm weather! I was even excited to take my bucket bath and pour water over my head.

I just returned from morning devotions with all the children where they sang one song after another with just fervor.  I didn’t feel worthy of all the love and hugs I received at the end as they each waited their turn to hug me….how could I ever explain to them that God uses THEM to bless and teach ME? When have I ever given God that amount of time in MY day, EVERY day?  I’m sitting here feeling so humbled.  I’ve asked God many times to remove my prideful ways….I guess that was HIS agenda for me this trip, beginning today.  Let not your heart be weary….you’ll miss the gifts He has for you today.

Patty M