7-03-10 blog
We started the day preparing to go to the Wislet orphanage. It is about 5 miles away which in PAP can take an hour or more some days. We got on the road around 9:30 and actually got there by 10. Our purpose was several fold. First since Ethan and I were the only team members to have seen the other orphanage or meet Pastor Wislet it was an opportunity to see another example of God using his faithful people to do his work. Pastor Wislet doesn’t speak any English so we used two interpreters which made the visit incredible. Andronic speaks French, Creole, Spanish and English. Maria (Hannah’s friend) speaks Spanish and English. The meeting went very well and Pastor Wislet shared his story and his faith for over an hour. It was amazing. We finished our meeting by praying over Pastor Wislet and his wife. We then delivered 10 bags of assorted supplies from the Impact for Jesus people and gave three of the children gifts from their sponsors. One of the most moving times came when Joanna gave a book of photos prepared by the Faith Church youth group to Stecy their sponsored child. Joanna showed her the pictures one by one telling her each of their names. Stecy just kept looking at each picture and really seemed interested in the pictures of the youth group sledding. Before we could leave one of the girls sat Maria down and braided her hair. In about 30 minutes Maria had a head full of rolls of braids.
The trip back took much longer. We got out of there about 12:45 but didn’t get back to Marie’s until 2. I believe that the temp was 99 when we got back which shot the rest of the afternoon for us. We needed to drink lots of water and stay inside for a few hours. We have gone through over 20 gallons of water since noon yesterday but no one has had any problems with the heat. It was good to take the trips these last two days. I got to see firsthand the rebuilding that is going on. We haven’t been in the worst area yet, that is coming on Monday, but there is obvious rebuilding going on. I was here in the end of March this year and in the areas we have been in many of the damaged buildings have been rebuilt or repaired.
Once the sun went down a little we went over to Grace House of Hope and spent about an hour singing with the girls. Sharon has brought a guitar and several of the girls just love to sing praise and worship songs with us. They know several songs in English but it is so sweet when they sing the same songs in French. After getting back Jenna our cook made a great stew out of potatoes carrots plantain and goat. Everyone seems to enjoy the goat. Maybe it is the hunger and the humility of realizing how well we are being treated just to have any meat at all.
It gets dark here about 6pm and is now about 8:30 so we will all be headed to bed soon. I know this seems early but the roosters will start working at waking us about 3am and we will be going to the church service at the orphanage at 9am. Several of us will be joining the younger group for a service at 3pm. Sharon and Joanna will be leading us in a few songs and based on how some of the orphans sing should be wonderful.
Good night and keep praying for our trip. It is Sat. night and I am sure we will soon be hearing the Voo Doo drums.
Rod and the team
7.03.2010
7.02.2010
Haiti on Friday July 2, 2010
Friday 7-2-2010
Another “warm” day with temp near 100 and a couple of hours spent with mid day sun frying the tops of toes, nose and ears as the 11 of us travel to and from our destinations in the back of a pickup truck. The sun is north of us overhead- too strange, and I’ve lost any sense of direction since arriving. We listened to much shouting as the soccer was broadcast, little pockets of fans huddled around someone’s TV or cell phone amongst the street vendors. Unfortunately, many were Brazil fans and were a bit disappointed. And now, since the game is done, our turn for getting electricity today was only 15 minutes instead of a full 6 hours like yesterday, when people were treated to a little more power in honor of the games. Battery backup is still OK so far, so we may keep the fans working so we can sleep tonight.
Took a trip to the metal works to haggle with vendors for some beautiful artwork. All are pounded out of 50 gallon drums, but you would never know it from how the pieces end up looking. As Marie reminds us, Haitians re-use absolutely everything, and for good reason, when there is so little to start with.
We also spent the afternoon with the girls at the orphanage. Yesterday we painted a 30 ft parachute with them (some budding artists there too) and today we unfolded the parachute and tried to show them how to grab the edges and billow it up and down and throw bean bags up in the air with it, “tried” being the operative word. Immediately the girls were screaming with laughter and running underneath it and hiding and pulling it down and rolling around under it on the rough concrete floor. Competition must be universal with children, because when the 8 beanbags went onto the center of the parachute, all 30 kids jumped into the middle, diving onto the parachute with concrete below to get them. No casualties from the repeated skirmishes, but those of us “adults” still trying to hold onto the edges were dying of laughter. When some of the little ones slowed down enough to do a fake nap rolled up in the fabric, a couple of us pretended to join them and promptly got barrettes removed and hair braided. The little ones were bit confused by straight blond hair that didn’t stay too well in little braids, but one of the older girls, Roseland, took pity on me and redid them for some of us. By that time I was also covered with fingerpaint handprints all over my arms and neck, left by the girls as they ran by to wash the paint off their hands at the pump, paint from Hannah’s great poster-art project. We now have a poster of the flags of both of our countries painted in a joint project by the kids back in Elmhurst and the girls here. They have an identical one that they will keep too. We also exchanged a video hello between the 2 groups. A beautiful exchange between the girls and our kids back home.
But the highlight of the afternoon was capturing a video of the 4 and 5 year olds teaching our "_ _-something" Rosie to dance the pika-pika as Sharon and I sang “I Will Call Upon the Lord” and “Jesus Loves Me”. And she was doing pretty well too! God’s universe is filled with such odd and amazing expressions of love and joy.
Mae and the team.
Another “warm” day with temp near 100 and a couple of hours spent with mid day sun frying the tops of toes, nose and ears as the 11 of us travel to and from our destinations in the back of a pickup truck. The sun is north of us overhead- too strange, and I’ve lost any sense of direction since arriving. We listened to much shouting as the soccer was broadcast, little pockets of fans huddled around someone’s TV or cell phone amongst the street vendors. Unfortunately, many were Brazil fans and were a bit disappointed. And now, since the game is done, our turn for getting electricity today was only 15 minutes instead of a full 6 hours like yesterday, when people were treated to a little more power in honor of the games. Battery backup is still OK so far, so we may keep the fans working so we can sleep tonight.
Took a trip to the metal works to haggle with vendors for some beautiful artwork. All are pounded out of 50 gallon drums, but you would never know it from how the pieces end up looking. As Marie reminds us, Haitians re-use absolutely everything, and for good reason, when there is so little to start with.
We also spent the afternoon with the girls at the orphanage. Yesterday we painted a 30 ft parachute with them (some budding artists there too) and today we unfolded the parachute and tried to show them how to grab the edges and billow it up and down and throw bean bags up in the air with it, “tried” being the operative word. Immediately the girls were screaming with laughter and running underneath it and hiding and pulling it down and rolling around under it on the rough concrete floor. Competition must be universal with children, because when the 8 beanbags went onto the center of the parachute, all 30 kids jumped into the middle, diving onto the parachute with concrete below to get them. No casualties from the repeated skirmishes, but those of us “adults” still trying to hold onto the edges were dying of laughter. When some of the little ones slowed down enough to do a fake nap rolled up in the fabric, a couple of us pretended to join them and promptly got barrettes removed and hair braided. The little ones were bit confused by straight blond hair that didn’t stay too well in little braids, but one of the older girls, Roseland, took pity on me and redid them for some of us. By that time I was also covered with fingerpaint handprints all over my arms and neck, left by the girls as they ran by to wash the paint off their hands at the pump, paint from Hannah’s great poster-art project. We now have a poster of the flags of both of our countries painted in a joint project by the kids back in Elmhurst and the girls here. They have an identical one that they will keep too. We also exchanged a video hello between the 2 groups. A beautiful exchange between the girls and our kids back home.
But the highlight of the afternoon was capturing a video of the 4 and 5 year olds teaching our "_ _-something" Rosie to dance the pika-pika as Sharon and I sang “I Will Call Upon the Lord” and “Jesus Loves Me”. And she was doing pretty well too! God’s universe is filled with such odd and amazing expressions of love and joy.
Mae and the team.
7.01.2010
Second Day in Haiti
Some of us who took Benadryl and two guys who claim mosquitoes seem to leave them alone slept pretty well last night. The rest are planning on catching up tonight.
We` started the day with unpacking and rearranging stuff to distribute, while Hannah, Maria, Angela and Mae were gearing up for the kids’ activities. Andy, our interpreter came and very easily got warmed up to our company. He was so delighted to open his American presents from Karen. What a treat!
Seeing the girls and couple of boys at school before and after school highlighted our day. Toni definitely won the “MVP” award for sewing quite a few dresses for the kids and women who work there. How wonderful to see their faces beam with gratitude!
While we were visiting with the little girls, the construction the orphanage is making progress.
The day was hot and breezy. We’re thankful that the World Cup is not going to end until the 10th of July; so far, we have been blessed with “city power” all day, afternoons and evenings. Fans are going and drinking water is cold. How we take things for granted in America!
Dinner- Gina prepared pressure-cooked beef (not goat), vegetables, and black rice and beans.
Our team seems to be hitting it off; we should be thinking of a team name. Marie spent some time talking to us. Fascinating stories… we encouraged her to really write a book about her life experiences and stories about each child that has stayed in grace House of Hope. We even thought of one Christian journalist who could do a good job write her story beautifully.
Sharon, Rod and Mae have been asking me if I was done with my blog. I have trouble typing without a mouse.
God is really good!
Rosie and the Team
We` started the day with unpacking and rearranging stuff to distribute, while Hannah, Maria, Angela and Mae were gearing up for the kids’ activities. Andy, our interpreter came and very easily got warmed up to our company. He was so delighted to open his American presents from Karen. What a treat!
Seeing the girls and couple of boys at school before and after school highlighted our day. Toni definitely won the “MVP” award for sewing quite a few dresses for the kids and women who work there. How wonderful to see their faces beam with gratitude!
While we were visiting with the little girls, the construction the orphanage is making progress.
The day was hot and breezy. We’re thankful that the World Cup is not going to end until the 10th of July; so far, we have been blessed with “city power” all day, afternoons and evenings. Fans are going and drinking water is cold. How we take things for granted in America!
Dinner- Gina prepared pressure-cooked beef (not goat), vegetables, and black rice and beans.
Our team seems to be hitting it off; we should be thinking of a team name. Marie spent some time talking to us. Fascinating stories… we encouraged her to really write a book about her life experiences and stories about each child that has stayed in grace House of Hope. We even thought of one Christian journalist who could do a good job write her story beautifully.
Sharon, Rod and Mae have been asking me if I was done with my blog. I have trouble typing without a mouse.
God is really good!
Rosie and the Team
6.30.2010
Haiti Blog 6-30-10
We made it! We started the day bright and early with a check in at O’Hare that ended with our 2 pounds of fake, fake cheese (Aldi brand Velveeta) being confiscated. Evidently it looked too much like C4 and we looked too questionable. Actually, they were sad they had to take it away from the Impact For Jesus people but rules are rules. The flight to Ft. Lauderdasle was uneventful and we finally adjusted to the fact that we would be cheeseless for the week. Our layover in Florida was longer than expected due to inclement weather a few hours earlier but we were finally off.
Ethan was at the airport in Port Au Prince waiting for us when we arrived. I thought getting our baggage went fairly well after all the stories I’d heard about everyone trying to get money. Everyone except Mae, Toni, and I rode in the back of the truck. Angela says it was fun. Rod said it was because the back of her head was to the dirt. Joanna got the dirt full face.
We arrived at Marie’s and unloaded. It took us a while to get things sorted out but we all eventually sat down to a meal of Gina’s brillion, which means stew. Yes Diane it was made with goat meat and yes we ALL ate it. After supper we sat down to do a little planning – all subject to change of course, based on how the Spirit leads us.
Well that’s all for now. Our beds are made and Je suis tres fatigue! More tomorrow. One with you all in His Spirit.
Sharon
Ethan was at the airport in Port Au Prince waiting for us when we arrived. I thought getting our baggage went fairly well after all the stories I’d heard about everyone trying to get money. Everyone except Mae, Toni, and I rode in the back of the truck. Angela says it was fun. Rod said it was because the back of her head was to the dirt. Joanna got the dirt full face.
We arrived at Marie’s and unloaded. It took us a while to get things sorted out but we all eventually sat down to a meal of Gina’s brillion, which means stew. Yes Diane it was made with goat meat and yes we ALL ate it. After supper we sat down to do a little planning – all subject to change of course, based on how the Spirit leads us.
Well that’s all for now. Our beds are made and Je suis tres fatigue! More tomorrow. One with you all in His Spirit.
Sharon
6.25.2010
Slump Day?...I don't think so!
So i know i say this a lot but today is just what i needed but everyday i say it, it is just what i needed. Last night and earlier today i was in a bad mood. I really didn’t want to be in Haiti any longer. I actually started counting down the days and hours that I still had to be here. I didn’t feel like God was using me at all through this experience. This story will get a little PG-13 rated here pretty soon so look away if you are worried. Anyway i figured i hadn’t taken a shower in a couple days.... since i didn’t do anything those days i didn’t feel the need...so i went to the shower. I put on my music because i like music when i take my shower. Anyway I was listening to Demon Hunter and the song “Deteriorate”. this has quickly become one of my favorites. The lyrics are as follows
Time has had its way with me
My broken, tired hands can’t build a thing
The wires that have held me still
Embedded now in flesh, define my will
The idle of my days has won
The empty I have fed has made me numb
Despite what you will find in me
The failures of my past still swell beneath
I need a heart that carries on through the pain
When the walls start collapsing again
Give me a soul that never ceases to follow
Despite the infection within
Our careless feet leaving trails
Never minding the fragile dirt we all end in
This is where I find my fall
The cares that held me life don’t work at all
And every step away from here
Is closer to the plague I hold so dear
Awaiting my end
Breathing in the day that finds me new
Redemption begins
Bleeding out the flaws in place of you
Our careless feet leaving trails
Never minding the fragile dirt we all end in
It talks about how we may begin to follow the world and mindlessly follow after awhile. Talking about how why would we try and do anything because we will die someday.
This accurately describes the feeling i was having. After i got out of the shower Rene came and invited me to go play soccer with some people in the area. I politely accepted and jumped on the back of the motor scooter. When we got there of course i was the only blanc (white guy) there. I watched for awhile but joined in when they told me I should of course i was horrible but swapped out for the goalie until another guy came. I spent the rest of the evening watching them play. Rene said early in the evening that they were happy that i came and was watching them play. The thought that me just being there watching was making them happy...oh man. When I was sitting there i learned how to ride the motor scooter so I rode around for a bit but ultimately came back and watched. Thinking these guys do this everyday because they love it. The field wasn’t regulation size. It had a place in the center where no grass grew. The goals were cinder blocks about 10 feet apart. but these guys were happy. Young and old playing soccer together. Rene invited me back tomorrow so i think i will go. This is the story of the day. I thank God for always providing a way out of the slump for me. I know that he will always pull me out of the pit i may be sinking into. I guess that is just his little (to him) way of thanking me of being a good and faithful servant.
Ethan
Time has had its way with me
My broken, tired hands can’t build a thing
The wires that have held me still
Embedded now in flesh, define my will
The idle of my days has won
The empty I have fed has made me numb
Despite what you will find in me
The failures of my past still swell beneath
I need a heart that carries on through the pain
When the walls start collapsing again
Give me a soul that never ceases to follow
Despite the infection within
Our careless feet leaving trails
Never minding the fragile dirt we all end in
This is where I find my fall
The cares that held me life don’t work at all
And every step away from here
Is closer to the plague I hold so dear
Awaiting my end
Breathing in the day that finds me new
Redemption begins
Bleeding out the flaws in place of you
Our careless feet leaving trails
Never minding the fragile dirt we all end in
It talks about how we may begin to follow the world and mindlessly follow after awhile. Talking about how why would we try and do anything because we will die someday.
This accurately describes the feeling i was having. After i got out of the shower Rene came and invited me to go play soccer with some people in the area. I politely accepted and jumped on the back of the motor scooter. When we got there of course i was the only blanc (white guy) there. I watched for awhile but joined in when they told me I should of course i was horrible but swapped out for the goalie until another guy came. I spent the rest of the evening watching them play. Rene said early in the evening that they were happy that i came and was watching them play. The thought that me just being there watching was making them happy...oh man. When I was sitting there i learned how to ride the motor scooter so I rode around for a bit but ultimately came back and watched. Thinking these guys do this everyday because they love it. The field wasn’t regulation size. It had a place in the center where no grass grew. The goals were cinder blocks about 10 feet apart. but these guys were happy. Young and old playing soccer together. Rene invited me back tomorrow so i think i will go. This is the story of the day. I thank God for always providing a way out of the slump for me. I know that he will always pull me out of the pit i may be sinking into. I guess that is just his little (to him) way of thanking me of being a good and faithful servant.
Ethan
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