RETURNED and READY - February 2, 2012

I haven’t been able to gather my thoughts to Blog until today.  When I return to Haiti, while everything looks the same and smells the same and feels like the despair I left, it still takes time to let all that pass and wait for the “realness” that keeps me coming back.

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It’s always a wonderful reunion to see the employees here at New Life who I love so much and who work so hard day after day.  I didn’t even go see the children at the orphanage the first night – too exhausted to have such an emotional experience. 

Yesterday –being the first full day was a total joy.  I hate to report, to all my mid-west friends and family, the weather can’t be more beautiful – a constant light breeze with temperatures only in the 80’s.  A sheet is actually needed at night with NO fan – can you imagine?

Seeing Rene’, Frentzy and Fedner was so exciting as they never leave my heart when I am home.  We had a great chat.  There was another man who joined us and they asked many questions about the United States.  I explained what the recession has done to our country and the prejudice that exists toward so many different races and for the various reasons.   It was quite interesting to explain to them what it means to have your home/car repossessed.  It was a concept they couldn’t imagine.  Of course – they don’t know what a loan really is – or  what it means to file bankruptcy when you have SO many nice things.

They didn’t realize the level of  crime, murders, drug addictions, and homeless we have.  They didn’t know what a random drive by shooting was – or that gangs just fire at people to show their power and many times innocent people including children are killed.   I found the more negative things I described the more aware I became of how broken our country is, too.  I think they even started feeling thankful that they lived in Haiti – maybe for the first time.  I told them about the millions of people who don’t believe in God in the U.S.…but DO believe on getting more and more and more trying to find happiness -  only to find it doesn’t last for any length of time, especially when they meet someone with more than they have.  They shook their heads in amazement.  Of course they experience this, too – but to a level WE wouldn’t understand.  For example – if you have BEANS in your rice vs. just rice – you have a better meal.  And if you just have cornmeal – you are really eating like a peasant.  Then there are the people in the mountains where I was in October – who would walk miles just to have a meal of cornmeal.  Isn’t life crazy?  As a human race – it doesn’t matter where we live or the color of our skin or the language we speak we ALL have the same flaws of judgment, jealousy and greed – only we each think it’s only apparent in others – not ourselves, or surely not at the same level.   

Rosena is the little girl I felt such an attraction to and knew she was pointed out to me for a reason at one of our clinics in the Pestel area in October.  I couldn’t wait to see her.  I knew she wouldn’t remember me, as she is only two years old.   When I found her, she was asleep in her crib.  I stared at her as I did the day I left.  Unexpectedly, tears came to my eyes – as they are as I write this.  What will happen to this dear child who has stolen part of me?  I checked on her for several hours – STILL sleeping.  When I returned after dinner I spotted her.  I walked her way and when she saw me she ran to me and I scooped her up and with her tiny little hands she patted my back over and again.  While I’m not SO naïve to think she had a clue who I was, I felt God had her console me and remind me that HE has her covered and I can lighten up a bit of my ongoing concern for her.  In October, she was basically sick, shy and frail, so I never got to experience her personality.  Well – she is so precious that I couldn’t take in all of her antics, laughs and mumbles in Creole which I so wished I could understand.  She had on little outfit that had a very tiny pocket.  I peeked inside and found what looked like a checker.  She quickly grabbed it away from me and tucked it carefully away in her pocket.  Then she held her tiny little hand over the pocket as if it was a precious jewel that she clearly wanted for her very own. It took all I had not to sneak her into my room and hide her in my covers – her and about 10 more.  The blessing is that for almost four months of this child’s life she has had her own crib with a real mattress, clean clothes every day, someone to respond to her cries and no pains of hunger.  All things thousands upon thousands of children will NEVER experience in Haiti and around the world. 

A team of about 12 came yesterday for only one night as they left Haiti this morning after being in northern Haiti for the past week.  They spent a portion of yesterday at the orphanage with the children.  This morning at breakfast several from their team ended up sponsoring FIVE of the children as each had fallen totally in love with their selected child.  Maybe we should post a sign upon arrival:  BEWARE OF CHILDREN – YOU WILL LEAVE CHANGED (enter at your own risk.)

Oh how I have been recharged!  I told the guys earlier the story of the Haitian man who came to the States and was wined and dined for a week  and the night before he left he was having an exotic meal at a four star place and someone asked him if he was going to have trouble going back to Haiti where he would have nothing again.  He responded that he was anxious to return, as there were too many things in the States that distracted him and got in the way of his Lord.  Yes – there is something about being here that puts God back where He should be in your life.  What joy, what peace.

Mid afternoon Renee and I went to visit Marie and the girls.  Hoping to have a little party, we stopped at the only place we frequent when we are here and bought pizza, French fries and a cake with thick gooey frosting!  Another stop for and orange drink and we were ready.  Of course that only took about two hours to accomplish plus the oven broke at the restaurant and the three pizzas we ordered were all burnt, plus weren’t the expected size!  I began to have a mini melt down and had to be reminded that I’m in Haiti – and that’s how we roll!

The girls were all waiting for us in a circle of chairs.  I haven’t seen them in 6 mo. so was amazed at how much a few of them had grown.  They enjoyed the “party” and literally licked their plates clean.  Burnt pizza didn’t faze them in the least.  They were more concerned about comparing the size of pizza they received to the girl next to them.  Songs were sung, hugs were exchanged and as usual, it was difficult to say “good-bye.” 

Renee and I are now back in our room exhausted – physically and mentally – Time to get rest and see what tomorrow will bring.  Another emotional roller coaster ride, I suspect….    

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!

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.  

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.

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