Rescued ? February 22, 2011

Rescued?

Today started with a lot of listening to God and not many plans which is just the way He likes it.  Started the day with a hot cup of coffee, pancakes and Haitian bananas which Patty says are the only “real bananas” around!  The children at New Life School are going through final testing this week, so they are done with school each day about noon time.  The morning was spent with the handicap children getting to know them better.  Most of these children are very interactive and speak some English.  We shared coloring time with them and they use larger style crayons that are easier for them to hold.  Once school let out, Patty was off to continue interviewing for the sponsorship program, Joan went to try flying a kite and a try her hand at a little catch and I was off to experience English levels through matching sight word and letter games.  Of course, with every right match a piece of candy was rewarded.  Before I knew it, there was a swarm of interested children.  Joan finished up her morning refereeing a challenging game of dominoes.  They certainly take their dominoes seriously!

A quick brake to rehydrate and we were off with Miriam to visit a new orphanage and evaluate their readiness to take care of children.  A woman who met Miriam on one of her trips through the Miami Airport had contacted her as she was concerned she had been donating and giving of her time to  an orphanage since the quake and had recently felt the charitable donations might not be getting used correctly.  So it was off to this orphanage of 8 miles away.  Unfortunately, it took one hour to get there.  Bumper to bumper traffic and many large potholes later, we arrived and were greeted by many smiling faces of beautiful children.  The conditions were very poor as we toured.  Dirty kitchen and eating areas, no toys to play with and lots of dirty laundry.  Only one seventeen year old girl was taking care of 19 kids, not only caring for the children but cooking and doing all the laundry.  We just wanted to load up the truck with as many children as we could and take them back to Miriam’s.  Of course, that was not possible, but we did bring the donor back with us to let her see how New Life 4 Kids is run and World Harvest Missions hope to help them in the near future.

Upon returning, there was a little bit of time for Joan to teach some additional youth the skill of catching and we were off to dinner.  Each night, as we enter the eating area, there is a large sign that says “remove your shoes”.   So as in past nights, we continued with this ritual.  Unfortunately the dogs decided to have a little fun while we were eating and used one of my sandals as a chew toy!  So much for that brand new pair of Crocs.  Good thing I packed another. I rewarded this behavior with a good belly scratch.  You know me, the dog lover!  Another awesome dinner shared with many guests staying with us tonight.  The evening ended on a beautiful note with a team coming to New Life bringing six new wheels chairs for the handicap children that are desperately needed.  Thank you God for your guidance, patience and love today.

Renee

Orphanage rounds...Monday 2-21

Monday morning came right on time...funny how that happens.  We had delicious french toast for breakfast and with full tummies we packed our bags with the gifts and goodies we brought for Marie's orphanage and COENHA.  We were so excited to see Frenzy and Rene again and were greeted with big smiles and tight hugs.  We had a list of "stops" we wanted to make, and contrary to most men - they nodded in agreement JOYFULLY and off we went.  First we stopped to see two of the girls who were in Marie's orphanage, and now live in a tiny, little room with their Mom.  Two weeks ago we were able to help their mom purchase a menagerie of items to sell to earn money for their food so we were anxious to see if progress had been made.  The three of them were as excited to see us, as we were them.  Michelle and Merlinda's mom had her "stand" in front of their "home."  All of her produce, spices, and products were displayed in an eye catching fashion and she looked very proud of her new business.  Selling anything and everything is the street is the norm here - selling enough to pay for food to eat for that day is the goal!  The girls shared their smiles and we shared smiles and tears alike.  While they have the very basics to survive - which is the norm in most of Haiti - their struggles and hardships were hard to witness.  Michelle has a very infected toe and attempts at receiving adequate medical care have been unsuccessful.  Doctors are suggesting she have it amputated - the solution the Dr.'s often come to...Seems like - if in doubt what or how to treat - AMPUTATE!

From there we stopped at a road side vender and bought big bags of rice (marked with US AID on the side.)  We visited the children at Pastor Wislet's orphanage and they seemed happy to see us. I know I was happy to see these innocent children who I hadn't seen since last Sept.  Joan - who is part of our team whipped out her ukelele (spelling) and began strumming some fun action songs - and before long the "crowd" loosened up and smiles were taking over most of the faces.  We brought every one their own personal bag of what we would call Cheetos - so with lots of crunching going on, we walked around and took photos, shared hugs and lots of "God loves you!"  There was a Haitian social worker there, which was encouraging  to learn that professional assistance IS available.

From there we went to Marie's orphanage - Grace House of Hope.  The girls were still in their school uniforms and looked so cute with their long blue ribbons hanging from the braids in their hair.  After mambo group hugs they sat on the half wall in front of the school like little Indians all in a row.  In no time, once again, Joan had everyone jumping, laughing and singing!  I think we probably looked the goofiest doing the Hokey Pokey - but it surely received the most laughs.  The girls also sang special songs to us that were beautifully sung in English.  The youngest four sang a worship song in English that brought tears to my eyes.  Their little voices sounding like angels and their deliverance with total sincerity.  Embarrassed giggles followed our clapping.  Our stay was limited as another team came from the  Lazarus Project and they had some fun craft projects awaiting the girls.  It is always great to be in their presence.  I sat quietly looking at each one and  took in their beauty, growth and maturity level compared to nearly four years ago.  Wonderful memories to reflect on.  I am happy that they are all in school and have the love of God in their heart.  Marie was busy with all the guests present, plus she has special services at her church each evening this week.

 While I was telling my little God daughter, Patty, goodbye - I hear music coming from the street.  There I found Joan playing her ukelele AGAIN - with five children from the street  drawn to her and the song she was teaching them.  As it turned out - she had exactly FIVE music making instruments in her backpack to share - so those with recorders were tooting away and the  new kazoo owners were being taught how to hum and make sounds!  As we drove away, waves and smiles were shared - each with a supply of "chicklets" (gum) and I suspect the newly formed band will practice into the night!  I just LOVE those unplanned interactions where children are blessed with love and give it back so freely.

We returned to New Life right in time for a delicious dinner of mashed potatoes and turkey!  We met some wonderful people from Kentucky who are also staying the night and then heading off tomorrow to provide meals and training for people in another town. We joined all the children for their nightly worship time which was a beautiful concert of 100 children praising God  - all songs sung in English. 

All in all it was a great day - and this old lady is exhausted!  Tomorrow has no specific plan - but I am sure it will be filled with unexpected, undeniable, memorable experiences.  I must share that this morning we went to retrieve our bags which had crackers, snacks and such to take with us today.  Unknowingly, we left them in a place that the rats have used as a hang out at night .... they had taken all the peanut butter crackers and ate every last one - leaving not even the PLASTIC WRAPPERS behind....they must recyle.  Anyway - being nearly phobic about these creatures.  I freaked and stood on a chair and made Renee go all thru the bag to be sure we weren't bringing any of them with us.  

Well - I'm sitting outside in the dark typing this, as the internet is only working outside our room.  There are big beetle bugs landing on my keyboard - so I shall close this blog down for tonight.  Let me end by saying that no matter how many times I've witnessed the streets of Haiti - it NEVER gets easier seeing the poverty and struggles of those I see.  We can't give up - the task seems unsurmountable - but we know of FIVE children for sure who woke up this morning and had no idea some stranger would share a song with them and a gift in return and maybe, just maybe, they went to bed tonight with song of hope in their heart. 

Patty

Heart is Filled with Joy in Haiti!

The day started early with roosters crowing and the water truck making its rounds, playing a song like our ice cream trucks at home.  It was still dark when all of this was going on.  It is just one of the melodies of Haiti we have all become so familiar with.  Then it was off to a great breakfast of eggs, oatmeal and fresh mangos and watermelon.  Worship started at 9:00am.  Service included a great deal of worship music being played by the children and a short drama and sermon.  We were welcomed with open hearts and asked to say a few words in front of the congregation.  The feeling of joy filled our hearts.   The Pastor then left time at the end of the service, as many children had come to him and asked if they could sing solos.  Five kids then came up to sing worship songs in English they had learned from Worship DVD’s that had been brought to the orphanage.  The kids were all age 4 and 5 and worshiped singing to God with all their hearts.  One child had just been at the orphanage since the earthquake and had come malnourished and seeing many horrors we couldn’t even imagine seeing in a lifetime.  We had all we could do to hold back the tears.  After church there was a jam session with many children playing instruments and one older boy playing the keyboards that is legally blind.  Many children came up to dance.   How awesome it was!

We had a little snack and then to unpack and setup for a craft.  We spent the afternoon making family quilts with the kids.  One for the girls and one for the boys were made and each enjoyed putting their special identity on their square.  We found that there are many child artists here that do beautiful work.  Many toys were handed out from dominos to gliders and each child got to pick a small gift before leaving.  We also brought down about sixty dresses made by a ladies sewing ministry from Wisconsin.  Each girl got to pick one dress and asked to model as we took pictures.  Patty and I finished the quilting project while Joan spent time with the kids coloring, playing marbles and spending time with the handicap kids.  We finished off the day playing under the Mango Tree and singing.  What a beautiful day God has allowed us to share with these wonderful, faithful people.

 Before we knew it the dinner bell was ringing.  We had a wonderful dinner of chicken, rice and salad finished off by homemade pudding.  We spent a thought provoking evening with three men from Florida here on a mission to share their professional expertise on water well drilling.  They are here, with the help of church donations, testing well water for purity and teaching the basics of well drilling.  Another sad story about Haiti infrastructure, as they shared results already completed.

We finished off the night planning our Monday schedule, hoping that God is working in our hearts filling us with peace and love.  We will be visiting Marie and the girls, Pastor Wislet and Michelle and Merlinda.  Thanks to all for donations and prayers and allowing the three of us to represent you in Haiti!

AN ANNIVERSARY OF SORROW --- January 12 - 2011

I woke today to the sound of people singing in the distance and a voice thru a loud speaker chanting "Merci Senior." (thank you God)  I had a strange feeling come over me of sorrow as I laid there and remembered how one year ago I was in such shock and despair watching CNN practically every waking moment.  How must the people feel one year later?  Schools were not in session and there were many church services.  The "nannies" and all the children gathered at the church here and sang worship songs and then a moving part of the service was when Miriam talked about how fortunate each of them are to have survived the quake when so many (300,000+) had died.  Their damage consisted of  areas where the security walls collapsed - otherwise - their premises was filled with literally hundreds of rescue workers sleeping in tents or anywhere they could find space - The church was set up as a hospital and many injured people were brought here.  I believe that there are at least three children here who were oprhaned after the quake and remain. One little boy about 6 lost his right leg.  I watched him today keeping up with the other little boys running with his crutches going so fast I just stood in disbelief.  Another boy about 8 tells of being trapped in his house/rubble and being able to see his mother, father and the friend who had come over to play, lying dead and trapped as well.  Miriam also talked to them about the importance of being who God planned on them to be so someday when they leave the orphanage and have to enter the streets and life of Haiti outside the walls - they can be a light to others and be the change in character that Haiti so needs in order to go forward.  As they left the service all were to walk around the grounds with thanksgiving for all that God has provided for them and their safety.  It was so moving - too difficult for me to adequately describe or capture in words.  They walked by themselves - others with a friend and sang and walked all over the property.  They stood by their garden and bowed their head - and by the small chicken coop, rabbit cage - etc. thanking God.  Then they all gathered under the infamous mango tree and the drummers kept a rhythm going as they danced and drank coca cola as a treat!  I contributed a root beer barrel! - Whoo Whoo!  Later in the day I gave the dresses  and clothes I had brought from four different groups.  The dresses were sewn by a sewing group - the children called for me and presented a "style show" and a hundred photos were requested. Soon after I was handed "thank you" drawings for me to take to the providers.  I spent more hours getting information on the children so I can bring the information home and share for anyone interested in sponsorship.  Miriam came back from a busy day very excited as she learned of a Crusade that she wanted us to attend tonight.  Turns out - a young man who grew up here at the orphanage and worked with Miriam for some time, had organized a Crusade with a Pastor from Florida.  We all piled in her car and off we went in the dark.  All you see in the streets are little flames of people cooking on the side of the road - or a candle burning otherwise it is pitch black.  The event was being held in Cite Soleil - which has a histroy of being very violent with many shootings.  I decided it was time to buckle up and enjoy the experience, as I have never attended a "revival/crusade" before.  We drove thru horrible condiitons - although they all start looking the same.  When we pulled into this area - there were hundreds of people all standing and I could hear very loud preaching.  By Miriam knowing this gentleman - I felt like we had back stage passes.  When we got out of the truck it was solid with people - little did I know this was the overflow - the people who didn't fit in the big field in front of a make shift platform/stage.  We were brought to the front side of the stage and when I looked out into the "field" there were hundreds upon hundreds of people.  It was quite incredible.  By the Pastor being Amercian - there was actually  translation for the Haitians - instead of the usual translation for us.  Women held babies in their arms for hours - and many young children held on to their mother nearby.  It did make me happy to see them dance around and sing with such energy - I told myself that for that short time they were seemingly happy and not focused on all their needs.  I had several children and mothers approach me begging and saying how hungry they are.  KILLS ME!  I could just see hunger in their eyes.  One young boy picked up a dirty, empty bottle of water and asked Sara (who is staying at New Life, too - my room mate) for a drink of her water.  She poured water from her water bottle into the one he held and his eyes lit up - as did his mother's standing near by and he thanked her with such sincerity.  To be thrilled for warm water from a strangers dirty bottle is something no one I know has ever had to experience.  I could write to dawn about the experience - but unless you can exerience it first hand - it's difficult to adequately describe.  Even then - it's almost impossible to process.  This is "normal" here..day after day, after day.  The days have flown by and I leave tomorrow.  I'm not ready to come home - and once again I feel like I have done nothing of real value.  It's very humbling - because I couldn't last the night in a tent where I visited, or in a tiny room with only a candle for light and a small bed which has to accomodate six!  I ate abudantly while I was here and had all the amenities I needed.  So - yet again, I leave Haiti strengthened by its people and I will go back to my excessive, crazy life - wishing I had the joy they have that makes them dance and sing and raise their hands to the heavens.  Thanks to each of you who care.  We must together figure out a small way to keep them strong enough to dance

A Reunion of Hearts January 11, 2011

It was an emotional day and despite the tears shed I am happy to have spent the day with Marie's girls, along with Rene and Frenzy - great friends of the many who have come to Haiti and met them.  They picked me up this morning at New Life and I could see their smiles from across the yard.  It was like old times as we talked away (for sure I did!) to catch up on their life.  We stopped at the school of Rene's daughter, little Patty, my godchild, who came running in her little school uniform (she is three years old) with big white ribbons hanging from her braids - looking like the typical school girl in Haiti.  Rene says she asks when her "blanc mamma" is coming back nearly every day.  I expected her to be shy - but she ran to me and I scooped her up and she grabbed me around the neck, rested her little head on my shoulders and patted my back very softly --- THAT STARTED the flow of tears.  I had her eating candy before we made it down the first narrow, dirt road with huge holes every six feet.  We went and played back at Marie's house in the outside courtyard.  Patty's family rents a room from Marie. I brought her all the "trimmings" for dress up so in no time she was prancing around from  her plastic high heel shoes to clip on earrings.  With her sequin purse over her shoulder she strutted here and there as we all roared with laughter.  About 50 photos later and a quick video of her dancing we headed to the orphanage.  It was so wonderful to greet all the friends I have made thru the years as I walked down the dusty road. It is as if time has stood still as very little has changed.  The girls at the orphanage were happy to see me and we spent the first half hour sharing hugs, kisses, and I love you's.  There were front teeth missing on some - while others had new front teeth that have fully come in.  A craft with stickers I knew would be a hit - and that  it was.  They took me inside the new orphanage - as they hadn't moved in when I was there in Sept.  It looked pretty darn orderly!  I can't imagine keeping 27 girls organized.  We had a good time together with lots of singing, silly photos and I gave them one treat after another which wasn't refused!  As expected - it was difficult to leave - but another opportunity to love them some more will happen.  Before returning to New Life me and "the guys" stopped at our favorite little place that has A+ french fries - so we had more time together.  Life is very, very hard.

Once back at New Life I got to hear about everyone's day here, as well.  David, the young Dr. here and Miriam were able to get a large supply of  antibiotics last night at the hospital in addition to other medical supplies.  They went by helicopter to a make shift hospital with the helicopter packed to the max with supplies.  There they found two tents with patients lying on cots, bedframe bare springs, and a few on cardboard.  There is ONE doctor for 80,000 people in this town - many living far away.  He has NO vehicle or any way to get to them - so the people walk for hours to get to him.  David said he looked totally exhausted.  They don't even have a source of WATER at the clinic.  They do have a small generator to produce light - but little fuel - so have to limit its use.  Before they arrived the Dr. literally had several small bottles of medication and basically NO other supplies left.   Unless supplies are brought to him - he has NO way of replenishing or getting anything. He did have the help of a visiting physician, who was so glad to have all the IV therapy to administer.  The patients were there with either severe malnutrition or cholera.  The Dr. said about 150 have recently died because of no supplies.  What an amazing experience for David to have on his first trip to Haiti.  He said the country is so  beautiful with natural beauty as you fly over it from above - the Caribbean Sea is so blue - and the mountains - and then you land and can't believe the conditions of the people.  I sure wish I had been able to go with them.  Someday I hope to be part of a medical mission  in this area - which is where many of the children here have come from.

Tomorrow is my last full day and I can't even believe it!  I'm just getting warmed up!  (Literally, as well!)  I hope to spend time with the children here so I can learn more about them to share with people when I get home.  The needs are great at New Life --- they are very visionary and strive to give the chidlren the best opportunities they can provide so when they leave here they have a firm foundation, high moral and ethical standards, a good education and trade.  It will take a NEW generation to make a difference in Haiti.  Tomorrow is the horrid anniversary of the quake.  Many people have been fasting the past three days in the country and holding special church services to mourn those whose lives were lost - and to pray that SOMETHING will improve in their broken country where thousands remain homeless.  So much for the hope the world put in their heart last year that never came to be...I have concluded that their persevearance is received from the heavens.  So much for me to learn from them - their ways never cease to humble me and make me want to change to be more like them.
Please pray for there to be in unity tomorrow and not any violence from their degree of frustration.  Their patience surely exceeds mine.  I guess I need to quit asking - why is this happening - and start a plan of action!