I was not informed in the Haiti brochure that I would be required to Blog….
Yesterday, three of us woke up before the alarm, that is to say that 3 o us woke up before the Roosters crow. It was 5:30, and we did not hear from him, so I have written a stern letter to ……well I wrote one!
We were a little low on protein, so I invented the “Haitian Danish” – Cathy didn’t think the ants would give the coffee a true Columbian flavor, so we went with instant again. We skipped the standard beautification routine and threw on our grubs for the project ahead , putting a coat of polyurethane on the new church pews to protect them from the elements.
Walking down the stone road to the orphanage has become more of a routine, and you learn the people that you meet. I adore the woman that lights up when I say “Bon Jay Ben ou” which means God bless you – We say it back and forth and I adore her sincerity in the daily blessing!
Arriving, we found that the swing the girls had improvised in the old truck bed the night before, had been taken down and it made us sad. We got started. It was only about 95 and we wanted to get started right at 9. Apparently, my drawing of a paintbrush did not translate well, so we started the project with rollers and art foam brushes. When the heads fell off of them, we jut held the foam on with our fingers and painted with our two fingers …Sure , that’s do-able…..The polyurethane lack dripped from the sponger and plopped into our flip flops , which we now called slip slops. Soon , Raynay delivered real paintbrushes and we were in a production fury.
Some of us went to serve hot dogs to the kids. Cathy said they served 200 kids and they set up an assembly line to pass out the dogs. The joy was in their excitement when served something that we all take for granted.
The rest of us stayed to continue painting, The school kid found us fascinating at lunch. I think they are quite impressed t the big sweating Bohemian women who has all of those bug bites. The work was tough, but I always found a moment to stop and flash a duck face when the kids yelled “you , you “ –
The pastor from yesterdays service was watching too. I looked at him and said “John 15” and he smiled and said “You remembered!” Though the entire service was in Creole, the people took the time to point in our bible so we could read along. I felt his passion toward the end of His message and praised God, for the love for our the Lord translates better than anything I have seen here during my stay. Merci!
Patty came by just after lunch, which was and answered prayer. She had been back at the suite preparing with Marie for the trip to the adoption agency. I wanted to pray for them. The Haitian government is next to impossible. Please pray for all of those who are trying to bring a child to America. Patty was off and we continued, determined to get done, sticky, sweaty, dirty, and scuffed from lumber, we managed to laugh and sing “ You are Holy”, lead incredibly by Renee. Though our preparations were admirable, we did not prepare for turpentine in the eye, and had to rush Sue back to the bucket. She is amazing, because it never broke her stride, and she is always our constant and reliable rock. I have thanked him many times.
We took some time to have 3 pieces of jerky, 2 sips of Koka Kola and 1 bucket I mean, shower. It was nearly three and we were exhausted, but knew we should get back to the school before the girls were served their meal at 4.We took picture and I told the girls about Johie, Jonny an Zak, American children who sent their love to them! We have planned a with a parachute and were excited to play with the girls. After the meal, we made some fish from paper plates and spent some real quality time with the girls, tickling , “embrace” and loving – embrace is Creole for hug…..and here’s the thing, although the word is a little different, sounding different the process if exactly the same. Extend your arms and wrap them round with all the love you can mush over!
So Renee and Jessica took the parachute out to the common area and began to round the children to paint it – I cannot decide if I was distracted because of the fun I was having with the little ones, or if it rolled in faster than Naperville, but suddenly the black clouds opened and He poured a mighty rain down on us. The parachute was barely saved and there was a glorious excitement as the children ran through the waterfall and frolicked in the immediate puddles Again, God blessed us intensely – the backdrop of the cool breeze and the impromptu lockup while waiting for the storm to subside created quality cuddle time with the kids. Glory!
The stone and gravel roads that were left after the earthquake can be treacherous when dry, puddles can be incredible. We received a car ride back to our suite. When we returned, we watched the tenants here catch the rain from the down spouts in their buckets, many buckets. The intense down pour provides water for many days of washing and bathing. The kids just run in the puddles and spin in the waterfalls. I found it joyous and a boy stomped through the puddles of His goodness.
Praise God, Cathy had offered to crank out some Pasta Aiola ……sans garlic. It was amazing. You should see what an Italian can do with pasta when improvising! And we danced and sang “when the moon hits your eyes” – The generator went out and our Lord provided a meal by Lantern. It was a great way to end to a very full day.
The generator stopped, and the government was hanging on to their electricity, so we decided 9 pm was time to rest up. We have been praying together each morning , before each meal and each night, but His timing gave us some one on one time to spend with Him and submit our requests. I believe we have great expectations to His answers, because He has not let us down even once. I lay in bed collecting the evidence of His Glory. He provides in any circumstance, and situation. I started to think about my team, and how His design has put us together in the most amazing way.
Our great Father has sent a Leader in Patty, who’s heart can drive us to anything by its sincerity and sheer beauty. Patty exhibits His great love when she looks into the eyes of absolutely every child she meets and I find it incredible and glorious. He has sent a calm organized strength in Renee, who will reassure even the smallest soul of His great love. She directs when adversity arises and we follow gratefully. He has sent an improvising, joyful lead in Cathy, who continues to keep the situation light in the most amazing persevering, way….she brings His music with our laughter. He has sent radiant beauty and adoring love in the gentle spirit of Jessica. Her love for these girls, her compassionate heart and willingness touches my heart with the very finger of God. He has sent a steady certainty of faith in the conviction of Sue. Her spiritual faithfulness is an armor we all reach to put on throughout each day. And he has sent me, a gift, to experience and know His glory in the midst of all of this. I am hoping He chose me to share it with all of you.
In summary, praise Jesus, I have found this: GOD IS GLORIFIED IN HAITI! What a gift we are given in adversity, to know His faithful love, to know His constant provision. I believe The Haitian people know it, and there may be some of us that need to learn it. You may be wondering what it ia like to come on a mission to Haiti. I can tell you that it truly is a place where you can find His truth, His presence, His loyal love. The stages of life that we may be familiar with have been removed and what remains is creation, His creation, and His provision. You find Him in the smallest challenge, you know Him in the biggest heart break, knowing He has a plan that is magnificent. You can’t help wonder what He will do , one day with all of this, and how He will be glorified by the transition. Everything is completely different, and God is EXACTLY the same! Glorious!
I thank Him for the time to share what I can with you , I thank Him for the love He shows me, for the example of His sovereign promises , for the assurance he lends. I love Him for His death, and forgiveness of all of our sins, and I love Him for the gift He brings us all.
So…there is some commotion, I believe we are making a trip in town. Patty has promised a trip to the starbucks if it is open. She said it is sometimes closed on Tuesdays, isn’t THAT weird? But I got over it because she said it is a long Haitian tradition. She is so good at explaining things to me And she just presented me with a shower cap for the potential rain ! YAy God! Can’t wait to get home and tell you more in person so you can pray for a chance to some your selves!
Bon Jay Ben ou!
5.09.2010
At the coco-cabana!
It was another brutally hot day today. We were all dressed up and off to church with the FMSC food, the relief bags we put together earlier this morning and a blow-pop for everyone worshipping at Marie’s church today. We all broke a sweat before we even got there! The temporary church structure and the benches constructed by the previous teams are incredible. What was even more incredible was experiencing the service itself. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best, and even though we were there for more than 2 hours and we were hot and uncomfortable, every person there was worshipping with their whole hearts. Every voice could be heard! The singing and praising was all in Creole, but it was nothing short of inspirational even though we didn’t know what they were saying. As if that wasn’t enough, we went into the room the girls were in for Sunday School and they sang songs to us including Alleluia, Praise Ye the Lord, Lord I Lift Your Name on High and Here I am to Worship. They sang some English and the rest Creole, but their voices were like hearing angels sing no matter what language they used.
Needless to say, a change of clothes was in order after church. After a quick lunch of mac&cheese we were getting things ready for our first ESL (English as a Second Language) lesson when a few of us were stricken with tummy issues. Being the troopers we are, we went on as planned. We grouped the girls by age and started the lessons that Renee planned terrifically. The focus was on learning letters A through G. I was with some of the littlest girls and I lost a couple of them to the battle against nap time, but overall it went beautifully with all the girls. We were only able to get through part of the lesson because their one meal of the day was ready. We were going to get back to it after they ate, but a storm rolled in and put an end to that idea. On a good note, Patty got to visit the Coco-Cabana which none of us were lucky enough to experience.
We had a great dinner thanks to Gina! Rice, beans, and chicken along with a nice cold Prestige hit the spot. We sat around the table talking about our thoughts on the ESL experience and how we will approach it again tomorrow with colors and shapes.
Each night we have great conversations and also recount the many blessings we received throughout the day. It is remarkable to be here with a group of women of different ages, different stories, different reasons for being here, but each with a heart for Jesus and the desire to be His hands and feet here in Haiti. We are learning and appreciating each other’s God given gifts pretty quickly and are creating bonds no other experience could. We start and end each day in prayer together to keep us focused on God’s will and plan for us here. It is easy to become distracted and frustrated by the sights and experiences here, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that this is a God-sized situation and He is in control, we just need to follow Him and we can rest assured that we are doing what we should be doing in His name.
We have had power only because Marie has been running the generator for us, which we are grateful for! Having the fans is a luxury after spending the day in the heat. Another thing I didn’t ever think I would say is that I look forward to my bucket shower! I have to agree with Patty…when in Haiti…
Jessica
Needless to say, a change of clothes was in order after church. After a quick lunch of mac&cheese we were getting things ready for our first ESL (English as a Second Language) lesson when a few of us were stricken with tummy issues. Being the troopers we are, we went on as planned. We grouped the girls by age and started the lessons that Renee planned terrifically. The focus was on learning letters A through G. I was with some of the littlest girls and I lost a couple of them to the battle against nap time, but overall it went beautifully with all the girls. We were only able to get through part of the lesson because their one meal of the day was ready. We were going to get back to it after they ate, but a storm rolled in and put an end to that idea. On a good note, Patty got to visit the Coco-Cabana which none of us were lucky enough to experience.
We had a great dinner thanks to Gina! Rice, beans, and chicken along with a nice cold Prestige hit the spot. We sat around the table talking about our thoughts on the ESL experience and how we will approach it again tomorrow with colors and shapes.
Each night we have great conversations and also recount the many blessings we received throughout the day. It is remarkable to be here with a group of women of different ages, different stories, different reasons for being here, but each with a heart for Jesus and the desire to be His hands and feet here in Haiti. We are learning and appreciating each other’s God given gifts pretty quickly and are creating bonds no other experience could. We start and end each day in prayer together to keep us focused on God’s will and plan for us here. It is easy to become distracted and frustrated by the sights and experiences here, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that this is a God-sized situation and He is in control, we just need to follow Him and we can rest assured that we are doing what we should be doing in His name.
We have had power only because Marie has been running the generator for us, which we are grateful for! Having the fans is a luxury after spending the day in the heat. Another thing I didn’t ever think I would say is that I look forward to my bucket shower! I have to agree with Patty…when in Haiti…
Jessica
happy mom's day to us!
Another sunny morning has arrived - and as we wipe our brow we are thankful. We climbed out of bed when the rooster crowed the 8,754 time. While a few formed an assembly line and made toiletry bags to distribute to the people at church - others made pancakes to jump start our need to supply energy for the day. We totally forgot it was Mother's Day until Jim sent an email wishing us a great day. There is no shortage of children to love - so we will be able to do what we do best in honor of the day. NO ONE can ever replace the love we have for our own children at home who each of us miss.
While we have had so many laughs, which we really should journal, our chats about our "walk" wi
th Him is what feeds us. Isn't it funny how we think others have it all together, only to be reminded we are all stummbling goof balls, trying to find our way. We are in the process of taking our "bucket baths" and putting on our "church dresses." We are going to begin our first lesson of ESL this afternoon and are excited to see how it is received by the girls. I would say we are definitely in the "swing" of Haiti and everyone is adapting like true missionaries.
Cathy shared this morning that after Marie said last night that Bush, Clinton nor Obama have brought any notable change, she kept hearing over and over in her mind, "If not us, who?" What do we do from here?
Patty
While we have had so many laughs, which we really should journal, our chats about our "walk" wi
th Him is what feeds us. Isn't it funny how we think others have it all together, only to be reminded we are all stummbling goof balls, trying to find our way. We are in the process of taking our "bucket baths" and putting on our "church dresses." We are going to begin our first lesson of ESL this afternoon and are excited to see how it is received by the girls. I would say we are definitely in the "swing" of Haiti and everyone is adapting like true missionaries.
Cathy shared this morning that after Marie said last night that Bush, Clinton nor Obama have brought any notable change, she kept hearing over and over in her mind, "If not us, who?" What do we do from here?
Patty
5.08.2010
Back in Haiti ...Day 2
It’s wasn’t the ride from the airport sitting on piles of luggage, hanging on to each other for fear of being catapulted from the bed of the truck at the next huge crater in the road. It wasn’t the smell of diesel and burning garbage in the street that immediately absorbed our clothing. It was arriving at Marie’s and the orphanage and being overwhelmed with the clutter and piles. That defeated old feeling returned of “Where do we begin? This feels so hopeless!” A mind set I detest!
But, by last night I thankfully fell back into a more realistic perspective. All of the unrealistic expectations I concoct when I am at home were put back into “When in Haiti…” American based dreams would not be applicable if they did come true. No one is sitting around crying or begging us to rescue them – they are going about their daily chores and share a smile when we offer one their way. There is no way we can even keep up with their stamina and determination. Marie runs circles around us all day long.
I must say the heat is a bit draining. It wasn’t this warm when I was here in March and it’s nearly impossible to ever get cooled down. We’ve decided that Kami is receiving a Haiti baptism every day as the girl looks like she was continually immersed. Speaking of Kami, she is also the reason I googled “cockroach bites”. She has more bites than we could count and can’t figure out who or what is doing the nibbling. We are trying a new bed for her tonight and going to pray the bed bugs don’t bite.
Today was filled with many blessings. Marie was gone most of the day shopping. We were excited to anticipate a new refrigerator which actually works and we were waiting for the power to come on so we can actually chill what has NEEDED to be chilled for weeks. She also purchased 6 new batteries so we have power again through the inverter. The country functions just fine in the dark without electricity – but to us it’s an “event” which we found less than desirable, I might add. Marie even started the generator so we spoiled brats could have a fan to woo us to sleep in our sweaty nightwear under our mosquito net.
The roosters seem to get way too much attention on this blog sight – but let me tell you that they need to be gagged and put into a gunny sack until at least 9:00 a.m. We finally got ourselves together this morning and carried three large, HEAVY plastic bins of toiletries to the orphanage. Merlinda – the oldest girl explained to the children that they were going to be missionaries, themselves, and make “relief bags” for the people in the tent city near Marie’s house. It started as chaos – as most projects do, but pretty soon we had a group of girls rolling up washcloths and putting them into a baggie, while the smaller girls filled the bags with shampoo, lotion, toothbrush/paste and a bar of soap. We made up 100 bags which some men who live here at Marie’s will take to a tent city nearby. We will also be filling a quart size bag of rice to include, as well. I’m really excited about this because my heart aches for these people living in such desperate conditions. It is truly hard to comprehend and absorb.
After our “mission project” and a small bag of M & M peanuts, the girls each got to pick, from the youngest to the oldest a box that housed a beaded bracelet made by a generous supporter. They were so excited to have the bracelet AND the box. We ended our visit with doing the Hokey Pokey with about 10 of the youngest who looked at us like we had lost our minds – but still shook it up with every body part announced.
We returned to Marie’s hot and tired and welcomed in the new frig! We threw away some things we couldn’t quite recognize in the frig and discovered that the foul smell we had been trying to locate was behind the old frig. I will keep you in suspense of what we found which was the cause of us holding our nose for the past two days. We are having FRESH goat tonight, which Marie felt compelled to show us earlier – uncooked. I understand that the hind quarter is a delicacy…I suspect we will be fighting over the cute little tail which was exposed.
Our team has totally jelled. When we asked Marie of her utmost desires during our visit – she said laughter! We have surely given her a few of those, but as usual – she wins the award for creating the most laughter – the most tears - and the most profound Godly advice. Oh how good it is to be back!
Patty
But, by last night I thankfully fell back into a more realistic perspective. All of the unrealistic expectations I concoct when I am at home were put back into “When in Haiti…” American based dreams would not be applicable if they did come true. No one is sitting around crying or begging us to rescue them – they are going about their daily chores and share a smile when we offer one their way. There is no way we can even keep up with their stamina and determination. Marie runs circles around us all day long.
I must say the heat is a bit draining. It wasn’t this warm when I was here in March and it’s nearly impossible to ever get cooled down. We’ve decided that Kami is receiving a Haiti baptism every day as the girl looks like she was continually immersed. Speaking of Kami, she is also the reason I googled “cockroach bites”. She has more bites than we could count and can’t figure out who or what is doing the nibbling. We are trying a new bed for her tonight and going to pray the bed bugs don’t bite.
Today was filled with many blessings. Marie was gone most of the day shopping. We were excited to anticipate a new refrigerator which actually works and we were waiting for the power to come on so we can actually chill what has NEEDED to be chilled for weeks. She also purchased 6 new batteries so we have power again through the inverter. The country functions just fine in the dark without electricity – but to us it’s an “event” which we found less than desirable, I might add. Marie even started the generator so we spoiled brats could have a fan to woo us to sleep in our sweaty nightwear under our mosquito net.
The roosters seem to get way too much attention on this blog sight – but let me tell you that they need to be gagged and put into a gunny sack until at least 9:00 a.m. We finally got ourselves together this morning and carried three large, HEAVY plastic bins of toiletries to the orphanage. Merlinda – the oldest girl explained to the children that they were going to be missionaries, themselves, and make “relief bags” for the people in the tent city near Marie’s house. It started as chaos – as most projects do, but pretty soon we had a group of girls rolling up washcloths and putting them into a baggie, while the smaller girls filled the bags with shampoo, lotion, toothbrush/paste and a bar of soap. We made up 100 bags which some men who live here at Marie’s will take to a tent city nearby. We will also be filling a quart size bag of rice to include, as well. I’m really excited about this because my heart aches for these people living in such desperate conditions. It is truly hard to comprehend and absorb.
After our “mission project” and a small bag of M & M peanuts, the girls each got to pick, from the youngest to the oldest a box that housed a beaded bracelet made by a generous supporter. They were so excited to have the bracelet AND the box. We ended our visit with doing the Hokey Pokey with about 10 of the youngest who looked at us like we had lost our minds – but still shook it up with every body part announced.
We returned to Marie’s hot and tired and welcomed in the new frig! We threw away some things we couldn’t quite recognize in the frig and discovered that the foul smell we had been trying to locate was behind the old frig. I will keep you in suspense of what we found which was the cause of us holding our nose for the past two days. We are having FRESH goat tonight, which Marie felt compelled to show us earlier – uncooked. I understand that the hind quarter is a delicacy…I suspect we will be fighting over the cute little tail which was exposed.
Our team has totally jelled. When we asked Marie of her utmost desires during our visit – she said laughter! We have surely given her a few of those, but as usual – she wins the award for creating the most laughter – the most tears - and the most profound Godly advice. Oh how good it is to be back!
Patty
Haiti - Meeting Her People
Met a young woman and her new baby that live on Marie’s compound today. The baby is a newborn and looked so angelic, smiling and beautiful. I can’t help but think what awaits him when he grows, struggling to get a good education, constant worry about meeting his basic needs and working for wages next to nothing. I ask myself why would someone want to bring a baby into this kind of a world, especially since the recent earthquake. As I spend more time getting to know Haiti and its people I am reminded of three important blessings God has taught us, faith, hope and most importantly, love. Without these, how could the people we meet still be marrying for life long commitments and having their firstborn be so happy , orphan children continuing to dream of growing up to be doctors and young orphan girls who once very shy, open their loving hearts unconditionally to perfect strangers serving in the name of our Lord and Savior. They are teaching and reminding us about the joys of a simple life. I know I can find it in my heart to keep helping them no matter how small a difference, can you?
Renee
Renee
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