11.05.2011

Last day of this trip!


Last day at the orphanage. What a sad day emotionally. Went with Tim and Rene to the Onaville, a tent city community where Pastor Max has a church. He is married now, and his wife is expecting! It was very, very hot up on the hill where the settlement is located. The water situation has not changed from my previous visits, they are still purchasing 3000gal tankers that is being delivered. Even with not much of changes, the spirit and the believe in God is truly amazing. 
We also stopped at the Orphanage in the tent city. The kids were not there, school day. So we walked around the brush and looked into the school house. They had one very small room building that was too small to fit all of the 20 kids. Very, very hot under the tin roof, with kids sitting on the stoop. This was a very sad site, but an amazing site, in these conditions kids are in school and all in uniforms!
Back at New Life had a lot of emails and picture to catch up for Miriam (she continues to be under the weather). Went with Tim to see Alex, he was sitting up in the crib, and was reaching out for Tim. Tim picked him up and Alex clang to him. Alex is doing doing a lot better, and this is a picture that I will remember!



 Tim was able to go through all of the rooms with Frantzy to make a list of repairs that will be needed to be done over the next few weeks. 


For the last evening I offered to record girls and Iranes as many times as they would like. Other then Iranes, all of the girls sang without music, after each recording I played back so they would hear themselves sing and learn how they are using their voices. They never had a chance to experience this before. Some of them were more shy then others. Some of the voices were crackling but all of them in their unique way sounded like angels! We recorded from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.  

Leaving is always sad for me, especially when you leave a place that you could call home. I will miss the morning prayer over Alex, smiles of the children as they load the buss for school, smiles of the staff, always so cordial and and so pleasant to see (any time of the day). I will miss the voices of the children, their signing and perseverance to survive in this harsh life that is full of God and His glory! Leaving home will be always sad for me, since I do not know when I will be back, but I will be back!

11.04.2011

An emotional day, full of God's glory

Morning started the same way as other morning routines for me, with a prayer over Alex. Seem like he was doing somewhat better, but I could not get too comfortable yet. Kids went back to school after the 2 day Holiday, so I was at the bus to see them off as well. Tim and I worked on the spare bases for the pews. It was also first day that the hardware store was open, so off getting supplies I went.
Upon my return, Miriam had a list for me already, just in case I was bored. I had to measure the the attached property that was bought earlier this year and go over conceptual lay out on that property. Also, Miriam gave me a long list of building supplies for one of the buildings planned for the main property. This was a bit harder challenge on the surface since the store would not give quotes over the phone. However, Frantzy was able to get an email address that he was told, we would able to get a price. Would you believe that even in Haiti, in few hours I had a full quote for the prices!
At noon, what a surprise, Miriam came out with Alex! He was very alert and “alive”. He even managed to put a lollypop in Miriam’s hair (I was able to get it out). What a great sight this was. God is really great!
After the kids got back from school, we reassembled at the church so we could record some of the songs that we practice day before. This was another task that God teaches patience! All the girls had to change and get them selves ready, so you can imagine, all I could do is wait! Our recording went long, I missed dinner at 5:00 pm and got to eat after 8:00pm. 
This experience turned out very emotional to me, as one of the recordings I did was of Iranes, he wanted to sing to me (he has never sang before, only the girls). First of all, all songs that I recorded were original songs that he written. In his performance he was praising God and thanking Him for all that he has. This is a 29 year old that is legally blind, has been at the orphanage since he was 2 years old and seem that only two things that he has to his possession is a keyboard and a small hand held recorder which I got for him. I have to admit that his song moved my heart. I was able to post that song on Facebook last night. So if you are interested in hearing the song that Iranes sings, please visit my Facebook page (Bill Plaza) and read his bio at www.newlife4kids.com under the sponsor a child. May your heart be moved for Iranes and the other 130 kids at this orphanage. 
To listen to Iranes sing, you can also click on the link below.

http://soundcloud.com/lithoman2-comcast-net/iranes

Bill
Iranes practicing with the girls.  

11.02.2011

A Haitian Day

Started early today (6:00 am), but do not feel that we’ve accomplished a lot by the end of the day. Worked on spare basis for the church pews, but we only got half way. Tim ventured out with Rene to the market and I spent 2 hours with Miriam teaching iPad. 
Today was the second day of the Holiday, so the major stores were still closed.
In the afternoon I had Iranes come home at 1:00 pm and set up in the church to work with the girls on 3 songs. However, I was worn early that they needed to practice today and did not want to record since they have not practice these songs yet. So we spent the time working on the songs and rehearsing. After 3 hours girls had enough and we agreed to record tomorrow.
I have to compare this practice session to our Oswego church rehearsals. God teaches me patience during those, and today was not an exception. Even though I was sweating just sitting and listening, I was learning to accept was I was getting.  
I had a chance to visit Alex late in the evening before returning to the room for the night. The nurse told me that he was able to eat little bit through the day and was able to hold his food. 
So today was a Haitian day, I did not get much done, but what I did get done was very, very rewarding. May God reword you for all you do in the days work as well. 

Bill



Picture of Alex with his father from 2 weeks ago.

11.01.2011

Another great day at the office

11/1/11
Kids were off from school today and they are off tomorrow as well. Today is a Voodoo day (or as we call it Halloween) and tomorrow is a Holy day (almost like a Christian counter to the voodoo). It was a very big day for the Orphanage, big clean up day that is. Every one participated one way or another. A lot of bleach and scrubbing took place and the kids worked so hard. By the time late afternoon arrived, it really smelled clean at the orphanage.
We (Tim, Rene, Frantzy, Fednere and I) worked on finishing some of the other projects. Boys bathroom that Tim was working on, got a major renovation with new doors for the stalls, new stand for the sink, shower curtain rod (just need some shower curtains), remounted screen doors (hopefully will last a while) and 5 foot mirror. 
Boys found this mirror in the storage so we’ve made a frame and mounted on the wall for them. Fednere still needs to finish the plumbing, but we could not get the parts today.
I was able to finish making the replacement legs for the chair (unlike at home where everything like this is placed by the curb for garbage pick up). I have to say that the finished product even supprized me, just little bit of stain and it looks like new (well it works like new, well it will do the intended job).
I had time to repair a wooden bed frame for one of the guest rooms, Renee with Frantzy worked on welding up a metal bed frame. My challenge for the day was to repair collapsed frame of the box spring. I did not take a picture of it, but needless to say it was a very interesting construction under the fabric! I was able to make it usable again. Oh, Tim and I also repaired gate around refuse, so the dogs would not get in there. So today was a very typical Haitian day, got some things accomplished, had to make due with parts and supplies we had, and the rest of stuff will get done tomorrow!
On the more serious note, Alex is still hanging to his life. He had some liquid last night but not much. However, this afternoon he had some rice to eat. Let’s pray the this trend will continue. When I went to visit Alex, the two brothers were eating their dinner as well. The 10 year old was feeding the 10 month old, it was such a great site (sorry I did not have my camera with me). What an example of brotherly love! I never got along with my sister like that (sorry sis)!

Bill    

Heading Home...10-31-11

I’m on the plane heading home from Haiti and my thoughts are going from one thing to another. As usual, my emotions are just as scrambled.  One minute I’m picturing all the children in their colorful uniforms boarding the bus for school this morning.  I smile to myself when I recall their little waves and kisses blown my way from an open bus window.  My smile and yelling “I love you!” didn’t really represent how sad I was, knowing it was our last contact for several months.

 Then my mind recalls the image of the listless little boy we brought back from the mountain medical trip.  Miriam feels confident that he would have died by now, had we not brought him back to New Life.  His father accompanied him, but he and the parents of the other four children who were also brought back to New Life for medical treatment, all returned back to their homes in the mountains on Saturday.  Each one signed over their child’s custody to New Life, each hoping their child will receive the needed medical care and will have a better life than what they were capable of providing. On Saturday when they left New Life and walked away for the final time from their children – my chest ached and my mind couldn’t even comprehend how that must feel.  I am in no way suggesting that they didn’t love their child, rather it was the love for their child that helped them through this difficult decision. But now this dear, dear, boy lies alone, but probably for the first time in the comfort of a crib on a real mattress.  He’s no longer able to put his arm around his father’s neck.  Who knows, he may not even realize that his father will no longer be a part of his life.  We have prayed over the little guy so many times asking God to spare his life and to use the care givers to persuade this child to eat and drink – which he refuses to do most of the time.  I want to ignore the fact that refusing to eat can be a sign of impending death.  It seems unimaginable that simply a lack of food may take his life – as it has hundreds upon hundreds of children in Haiti.  What must God think of our lame efforts to “care for the least of these”? 

Now I’m sitting at my gate in Miami waiting for my flight to Chicago.  I’m thankful to be back in the states where my options are unlimited.  Where everywhere I look is “stuff” – diverse food choices and even many upscale stores at an airport, no less.   I was picturing myself as a Haitian who came to the states for the first time – wondering what they would think of an escalator, the sky tram, the bright lights and the carpet on the floor.   Then, out of nowhere this woman walks up to me and starts speaking Creole so I know she’s obviously from Haiti.  She doesn’t speak English and has no idea how to find her gate or what to do.  I can sympathize with her as I had just left her country, couldn’t speak the language, and would feel just as lost if I was left all alone on the street to find my way.

As I look at the people walking through the terminal I’m aware that most have on clothes that match, shoes on their feet and aren’t covered in dust and dirt.  I look down at my dusty shoes and pants, my legs and arms speckled with bug bites, ratty looking hair and since the woman next to me just changed seats – there’s a pretty good chance that I might smell, too!  I’ve been to Haiti over 20 times now, but this particular visit to Haiti which included the mountain medical mission, was the hardest experience I have ever had both physically and emotionally.  I told myself I could do anything for one week that thousands do day after day after day – but let me tell you, I felt at times like I was on the show “Survivor.”    How fitting the name – because that is what ever person there is trying to do – merely survive.

I can’t seem to adequately summarize this trip nor bring closure.  How do you digest the fact that I met a little boy who we brought back to New Life who had never ridden in a car before or seen a light bulb, or the orphaned boy who roamed the village who had nothing but what he was wearing, or the woman who gave birth on a cot by flashlight which was viewed as luxury accommodations, or the burned children who will need medical care for months to come, who are most likely back at home in their house made of sticks with no medication or bandages – assuming they even survived.  And to think these conditions and situations are shared by THOUSANDS of people.  There are also Haitians living on the very small islands off the coast of Haiti who have to truly live off the land and many have never even seen a white person before!  And to think this exists an hour and a half from our border. 

The other sadness which I hate to admit is that in the days that follow the chances are pretty great that I will gradually return to the American mind set and begin complaining about the piles of dirty laundry – instead of being thankful for all my choices of clothes, not to mention a washing machine.   Or I’ll stare into a fully stocked pantry and say there’s nothing good to make for dinner.  And I’ll throw away enough leftover food down the garbage disposal that would have saved the lives of countless children.  Or I’ll complain about the long checkout line at Jewel, and forget I could be walking through mud and human excrement in an outdoor, crowded market in the unbearable heat. 

Here is am feeling pity on the people of Haiti – who persevere day after day, with most relying on God for their needs and hope – Maybe this trip was meant to remind me yet AGAIN to stop being a spoiled brat and to thank Him abundantly as the Haitians do, for all that I have been given and to live for Him with Him!    To God be the glory…



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