I saw God today...

Six days since arrival…

Word of the Day: Perspective
Scripture of the Day: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! [2 Corinthians 5:17]
Quote of the Day: The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust.
I believe in Christ like I believe in the sun: not because I can see it, but by it I can see everything else. -C.S. Lewis
Consider this: "I am not the same." - - Can you say this about your experience in Haiti? If so, how are you different?

Today we woke up and went to church. It was a bit over 2 hours and in a different language. I was lucky enough to catch which bible versus the sermon was about. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw, “He is not here. He is risen, just as he said.” This was one of the lessons that we taught to the children this week! Yes we did base our lessons on Easter since it was Holy Week, but still - - it was cool.

Also, even though church was 2 hours… the children all sat still, the adults were all focused, and God was present. I must say, taking communion in another country and another language with another culture, was very spiritual. I felt the presence of God and the congregation. The passion and faith that everyone had was so apparent. I wish that we could be more like that in the United States. The other day, we told Leo and Jo that if church service is longer than an hour, people can get annoyed and upset. They were slapping their knees laughing – Lutherson put it this way… Haitian’s love their church.

Speaking of which, we also attended an Easter Concert at Delmas89 tonight, it went on for three hours and the emotion that was so blatantly apparent in the congregation moved me to tears just as it did for so many other people.  The vocal talent of the Haitians is truly a gift from God. Their ability to move people is incredible.

Between church and the concert, Leo took us to the market. At first, something got lost in translation and Leo took us to a super market. THEN he realized we wanted souvenirs and took us to a market that sold what we were looking for. We had some fun haggling prices down and ended up leaving with some goodies! On our way back to the hotel, Leo took us yet a different route so we could see "The Palace" - their capitol building that was destroyed in the Earthquake. It has yet to be rebuilt which I believe is appropriate with the need in the country, why should the capitol building be repaired first? We also saw the large Catholic Cathedral - we did not get out here because it was not the best neighborhood, and it was far to vast to capture in one picture.

We came back to the hotel, and then went over to Leo’s house for dinner!  It was really cool to see how Haitians live (middle/upper class Haitians). We had some delicious pizza with hot dogs, green peppers, onions and ketchup – it was SOOOO good! I am going to have to make that at home sometime. Leo and his family are all so gracious and welcoming to his home. He is such a fun loving and caring person that I am sure I could learn so much from if I had more time to talk with him.

Driving through Haiti at night was a completely different experience… The lights in the mountains and hills were enchanting and in the darkness, a lot of the street vendors were gone. Though the street vendors were gone, the streets were still populated and full of people talking, laughing, dancing and singing. Children were playing, and there was life on the streets of Port-au-Prince.

Now we are back at the hotel and packing up to leave for the airport tomorrow. Unfortunately I am ill at the moment. I have a cold. And I gave away my cold pills to the person who gave me the cold earlier this week. 

Oh well.. 

Good night everyone, If I have more time tomorrow, I will post from airports!

As always please keep my team, their families, and the Haitians all in your prayers on this Easter day as we remember the rising of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

I love you - from Haiti

 - Jen

Happy Easter!!

It's Sunday!! 

Happy Easter!! We have church this morning. Please pray that God is with my team in church, which will be at least 2 hours, if not 3 since it is Easter after all. I will take my Bible and go through the story just as the pastor will and be glad in the presence of God. It is his will that we have come here, and his will that our hearts have been opened to the Haitians.

After church we are going to go to Market to do some shopping!! Hopefully I can find some wonderful things to remember this trip and remind myself every day about the experiences that we had. After market we are going over to Leo's home! He is going to make us Pizza!!! Then we will head back to Delmas 89 for the concert tonight. It sounds like we will get to drive through Port-au-Prince at night, which Alli says is a completely different experience than what we see in the day.

Oh, And I get to drink a Coke too (I had given it up for lent)!!! 

As always please keep my team, their families, and the Haitians all in your prayers on this Easter day as we remember the rising of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

I love you - from Haiti
 - Jen

I'll smile at any storm...

Day four five since arrival…

Today was our last day at Caradeux. It was a wonderfully calm day! We did Yoga, coloring, played with Oreos (minute-to-win-it style), and sang some songs in English and Creole. Then we did group games and played with the children. We went back up to the church for our closing prayers, and sing songs. We had three Haitian children stand up and say thanks to us specifically for all the things that we did for them today. It was sad to think that this is our very last day for VBS!

We had a song to sing today about Christ being in the boat so we can smile at the storm. We taught it to the Haitians and our translators did an amazing job to help the Haitians sing it in Creole! They even had some people on keyboard, bongos and guitar. They added Hallelujias and added such a wonderful tune to the song that only the Haitians are able to do. It was a wonderful time hearing God's grace enter the songs that we have to share.

I don't ever think I will look at a storm the same way again! With Jesus on my side, I can do anything!

We even had Jona, maybe 8 or 9 years old and tell us thank you for everything we brought with us and taught them in PERFECT English! Learning different languages is very important to the Haitians. They see it as an amazing opportunity to expand themselves and move forward in society.

We left Caradeux and jammed into the bus with 8 Haitians to go to Wahoo Bay Beach Resort! The ride was definitely an adventure! We got out of Port-au-Prince and into the country! I think the air quality was at least a bit better, though the livestock was just as plentiful as it is in the city with goats, cows and chickens! We made it to the beach and the resort was very nice! We made our way out to the water and the colors and amazing view of the mountains and the clouds. I have SO MANY photos, but I am posting from another computer since my battery is dead, so at the airport, or once I get home, I hope to upload TONS of photos and videos! PROMISE!

The beach was definitely some relax time with the team that was definitely needed. We had a lot of time this week that was hectic - and when you are with people for so long, it is only a matter of time before someone just needs some space or removal from those stressful situations. I got some sun... Unfortunately, My sun-lotion was only applied to certain areas of my body so it appears that I am zebra-like (not that there is anything wrong with zebras). We had a blast teaching Jo and Hudson how to swim in the ocean!

On the way back from the beach we stopped to get some mangoes, bananas, and Leo even bought us sugar cane and taught us how to eat it!! To eat sugar cane, you need to bite into it with your molars, then chew the stalk so the sugary fluid comes out, then spit out what you have left in your mouth (kind of feels like a wood chip at the end). We had Hatians on the bus on the way back, it was funny how fast they were able to eat the sugar cane versus the Americans.

We made it back from the beach and had dinner. We went through our team meeting.

Word of the Day: Possibilities

Scripture of the Day: For nothing is impossible with God [Luke 1:37]

Quote of the Day: You see things and say, "Why" But I dream things that never were and say, "Why not?"

Today I realized, that Haiti has so many different possibilities for it's future. They have rebuilt, and from what Alli and Stefanie say, there are far fewer tent cities, which is a step in the right direction. I see God working in the schools and hope that he puts faith and courage in the hearts of the girls in Haiti. They are oppressed in many ways and their advance would help the entire country.

Tomorrow we are going to church first thing in the morning, then to market for shopping. After that we are going to Leo's house to meet his family and eat pizza, then we will go to Delmas 89 again for a concert! Then, packing bags, and leaving for home on Monday! This trip has flown by. Will post more soon.

I love you - from Haiti

 - Jen

Children are hope...

Four days since arrival…

What a day today was… We switched up the schedules and headed out first thing to the orphanage. We were a bit worried because when we knocked on the door, no one answered. After about 5 minutes of knocking our general door person finally opened the door. We flashed the diapers (2 more big garbage bags full) and the man closed the door on us! He came back a few minutes later and let us in! The nuns there had told us we could come back between 8-10 today so we are glad he went to check. We started making our way down to the orphanage (into the compound a ways) and were stopped by a large group of women on their knees in prayer. They were going through the stations of the cross! As we were driving through Port-au-Prince we saw several set-ups for these! I feel so blessed that we are able to be here during holy week! 

We got to the orphanage and I went straight for Jr. and lucky me, it was time to eat! Wednesday we were feeding a porridge/cream of wheat mixture, today it was a bland looking jello-like mush. I can’t blame the little guy for not wanting to eat! It took me a good 10 minutes to convince him, but after rubbing his belly a bit he caved and ate. 

We went out to the courtyard where we cuddled for a bit. All week I have not been able to get him to interact much with me. He would cry anytime I moved him… and by cry, I mean a low sad moan that shows he doesn’t even have the energy or want to cry. I tried putting his hand to my face but he just wouldn’t make much eye contact at all. He only wanted me to hold him so he could cuddle up against my chest and wrap his thin, long arms around me. 

Today was different. After a few minutes, he gripped my hand. I told him that I don’t think he would smile for me and that is OK. Then he started looking at me. So I wiggled my finger against him and all of the sudden I got a smile. A SMILE! Not just eye contact, but eye contact and corners up smiling! I couldn’t help but cry at the sudden feeling of gratitude that God would give me such a special gift to see such a special boy, so desperate for love to smile and show me what happiness is all about. He didn’t just smile one… he smiled over and over and over! I even got a full-fledged, tooth-showing grin! It was almost as if this little mal-nourished, neglected baby, knew that I needed him to smile and show me that I did my job. God gave me the gift to love these children, and I do – so a reward of a smile was perfect for me. 

As always, time to leave came way too soon…. And when I put Jr. down, he did not cry. He just looked at me, as if to say, “It’s OK.” So of course my water works turned on just as much as they did when I received the very first gift of a smile. A smile I will never forget. Leaving the orphanage was so hard to do… knowing that we wouldn’t be able to come back and hold them again. By 11 am, I was emotionally drained.

We headed back to the hotel to get changed relax and eat an early lunch before heading to Caradeux. When we got there, some of the children had arrived, some had not – so in the disorder we concluded that we would teach them the hustle! I think the translators enjoyed learning it more than the children! But regardless, it was fun! We made our way up to the sanctuary, sang a song, said a prayer, and started the lesson about trusting God, no matter what happens.

Unfortunately, one of our team members became ill at Caradeux today. Being away from home is bad enough, but to be sick in a country where finding a bathroom can be difficult, and finding a clean one is even tougher is not something any of us wished to experience. But God has reasons for all things, and though this he showed us how gracious, giving, and caring the Haitians are. Our prayers continue to be with our team member, the God’s healing embrace surrounds here and she starts to feel better soon.

While at Caradeux today, the children colored, did yoga, played games, blew bubbles, and drew with chalk. Our interpreters were great as always! And even with a few people gone to Market and back at the hotel, we still accomplished what we set out to do. Since our team has been doing well with the budget thus far, we were able to purchase food to give to Delmas 89, so they can pass it out to their congregation as they see fit. We bought rice, corn, sugar and oil. Our original plan was to bag it as a team after Easter service, but Wes might just have some other people do that instead.

Wilnande is one of our teacher helpers in Haiti. She does not speak much English, but she is incredible with the children and one of the most kind, strong, and generous people that I have met not only in Haiti, but in my whole life. She was in the school during the earthquake 2 years ago. In that school, two levels of their building collapsed, and she has some scars from where she was hurt. But she continues to give the children love and welcome us to her country graciously. 

Wilnande had sang a song that I included video of a few blogs ago, about the children being the hope of Haiti, and she spent time with Alli and I today (probably a good half hour teaching us the Creole pronunciation. I hope the children sing it again today so I can join in and get more video of this song! I never want to forget it, I even had Jamie (our most experienced translator) write it in English so I could share the meanings line by line. 

In Creole:

se bél bagay nan socyete

le gentimoun toupatou kape jwee

paron rejoui tristés yo ale

sa fem konpran ketimoun se lave

timoun se lavi, se les pwasou laté

an amkadreyo, admire, prootegeyo

se lé sa jezi va kontan pase nou

trete timoun yo fason lite mande

tout granmoun you gen pou ale

se tmoun you kiprale ranplase yo

an kadreyo, mete yo lekól,

lé sa jezi va kontan pase nou

And in English!

It is good, in society,

When we have children wherever playing,

Parents are happy, sadness is gone

And I conclude the children are life

Children are the life and the hope of the earth

Let us take care, admire, and protect them

Jesus will be happier than us

Treat children just like he asked us to do

Every older, person will be gone

But children will take over

Giving instruction, and education, by opportunity to go to school

Jesus will be happier than us

I love this song. I think that is all I can say – it is the whole reason we are here. I am trying so hard to commit this to memory in Creole, and I am making good headway!

It seemed like by the end of today, many people were running a bit ragged, tired, scared, and lonely too. It’s not that it wasn’t a good day, but it is scary to have someone get sick. We are all a bit tired, and with all the stress of our fearless leader being out and about today, others had to pull rank and take charge. Overall we did a great job, but with today being so emotionally draining day, it was definitely a challenge to say the least. 

Our journal today is across the room for me and I don’t feel like going to get it, but I will update more on that later. Basically the word of the day was Together. It was a good reminder that we are here together as a team, and that if we work together as a nation, a congregation, or the world, we can accomplish so many things. It was a good reminder for me today, since I was feeling a bit alone. But it also had a good quote, if your presence isn’t noticed, than your absence won’t make a difference. I think we have a presence here. Especially with the orphans… when we put them down, they notice we are gone. And also about the mark that this work will leave on us. The mark on my heart will last forever, and I want a tattoo to remind me. More on that later!

Tonight we had a chance to play Apples to Apples!!! It was good to decompress and kind of relax. We have all been so tired lately that no one has had much free time. Tomorrow we are headed to Caradeux in the morning, then changing quickly and eating on the bus when we go to the beach! It sounds like we will get some mangos to take with us there, but we still don’t know after asking 3 or 4 times how much mangos cost… all Joe and Leo would say was “Cheap” or “Cheap, Cheap”! 

 

After the beach we will come back to the hotel for dinner, and then tomorrow is Easter! We will get up for service in the morning, and then we may or may not bag the food from the Market. But then we are going to go to Market and do some shopping! Leo invited us over to his house on Sunday for Pizza so we can meet his family! He is so gracious to invite us into his home on Easter! Then we will be off to Church again for the concert with Boys of Christ, and Leo is even going to be playing his accordion again! 

It is hard to believe today is our last day of VBS… This trip has gone by so quickly… It makes me sad that it is almost over, but it is an experience I will NEVER forget.

PS - I have been taking tons of pictures, but haven't had time to really sit down and go through them to see which ones I want to post on the blog. Please expect those to come on my way home during layovers at the airport. I apologize for the delay, but I just don't have time right now - it is either blog or pictures - I choose blog - I can forget what happened, but the photos will never go away!

As always, please keep my team, their families, and the whole nation of Haiti including the children I will be teaching and helping all in your prayers.

I love you - from Haiti

  - Jen

I am meant to be here...

3 days since arrival…

Word of the Day: Scripture.

Scripture of the Day: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double—edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. [Hebrews 4:12]

Quote of the Day: Nobody outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years. – Charles H. Spurgeon.

Today was another exciting day, just like all of those here in Haiti. We had established a somewhat decent schedule but starting today it is all going out of whack! Today we couldn’t visit the orphanage because it is closed to visitors on Thursdays. On top of that, our VBS is both at Delmas 89 for our last day, and Caradeux for the first time. There were some learning curves as we address a different group of people in a different location. 

Saying goodbye to our Delmas 89 friends was very hard to do today. We had become bonded to so many individuals like Esther and Kervins that it was really hard to say goodbye! Kervins wouldn’t leave our group until at last we walked away form him, then about 5 minutes later he made his way into the office room where we were eating and clung to us until Wes had to literally pick him up and take him away while he cried… We got kisses from Esther – and prayed that all that we taught them will stay with them. As Stefanie put it, we do not know when we will see them again, but if they trust God and believe in their heart – that we will see them again!

While we were playing games at Delmas 89, I had a chance to talk to Joshua (Jo) – he works with our driver Leo at the church and speaks very good English. The girls were playing with my hair and had to ask Jo if it was my real hair – since it is so different from what their hair!

After lunch, we packed 13 team members, 11 Haitians, and a bus-driver onto the green machine and made our way to Caradeux.  Honestly, I prayed that the bus stayed upright as Leo maneuvered the streets of Port-au-Prince as only he can do! If Leo had to drive in the US, I think he might get bored because it will be too easy… also, I think he would break the horns and get some fingers for using it so much! But as always, God gave Leo the ability to deliver us safely to our second destination. 

Things at Caradeux were incredibly smooth (except for transitions between activities). We had three classrooms, Amy was leading Yoga in one room, we had coloring and stickers in another room, and the last room was for our craft where we had them draw faces on construction paper and on the inside there was a verse about looking at people heart’s instead of what they look like. Rather than having a games station to get the children riled up, we decided to save games until the end and do it as a group and it worked so well! We did over/under relays and tomorrow we are going to do a VBS Staff line against all of the kids… I bet you we’ll lose!

During our game time, there were a few kids that were too little to play the game, so I took a balloon and we started hitting it up in the air and volleying it. They laughed and smiled and had so much fun that I had this moment where I just felt right. It was almost like those out of body experiences where you just look down on yourself and smile because it feels like you are exactly where you need to be in the world.

We went back up to the church to sing a song, say a prayer, and say good-bye for the day. I cannot wait to go back tomorrow… We are going to do yoga, coloring, and do chalk drawings on the pavers outside! I think it will be SO cool to walk into Good Friday services and view the artwork of all the children under our feet!

The mix of children at Caradeux was a bit different, we had a lot of babies and many more adults bringing children and grandchildren. One major cultural difference here is that it is common to start having kids as teenagers. There are often 6 or 8 or 10 siblings to each family! It is interesting to see how different it is here versus the United States. People make sacrifices to have children rather than waiting to have them, and I am sure birth control is in small measure. At the orphanage on our first day, there was a line of young adults there. We asked what they were waiting for, and were told Sex Education. I think this may be a move in the right direction to help women in this country gain the ability to be strong and develop a life in ways that they have not been able to do before. 

We are getting down to the end of our trip, and it makes me so sad. I may be going home, but there are still so many children here who do not have a home… The kids that we are playing with are the lucky ones… The kids at the orphanage – not so much… It is sad to think that our time here is nearly up and I pray that others come here to give the children love just as we have.

To talk about our word and quote for the day: People here in Haiti, are much more in-tune with their Bible than we are in the United States. If you start a passage, they are able to finish it (in French of course). They commit much more to memory than we do as Christians. They rely on scripture much more than we do in the United States. I think we should be more like the Haitians in this manner and lean on scripture more often. 

We had pizza for dinner from another hotel nearby. It was pretty good! Thin-crust and loaded with cheese! One of them didn’t go over so well and that was the one with meat and vegetables. One of the hard things here is that pork doesn’t quite taste the same as it does at home. And they may use goat meat a bit more than our liking. But that is a cultural difference that I embraced! And all-in-all the pizza was good!

Leo also played the accordion for us too! He has been playing since 1977 and I am excited to hear him play for Delmas 89’s concert on Sunday night! It will be the last night before we leave and it will also give us the chance to praise god in song – though I do not know many words to the songs, sadly, since most of them are in French or Creole. 

Friday we are going to the Orphanage first so I can see my Jr. for the last time. I cannot this is the last time for a long time that I get to hold him in my arms. If I haven’t cried the last couple times I put him down, I am sure that I will today… After the Orphanage we are heading to Caradeux, then 3pm Good Friday Service which will probably go to about 5. Then back to the hotel for some down-time. We have yet to play Apples to Apples and I brought it all the way here!! It seems like the heat just drains our energy by the end of the day and we are all in bed by 9 or 10!

I had a chance to enjoy an adult beverage here with some of the team-members and chat with our loved ones back home – technology is amazing and the fact that we are able to call home and even see the people we love on camera is incredible! We are so blessed to have this ability even here in Haiti were some people barely have food to eat. 

Stefanie says we have some extra funds in the budget and we are going to buy rice and beans to hand out! I must say, I am SO excited for this! I am glad that we are going to be able to do this! There are so many more people in need of basic food or shelter – and we are finding a way to help them in addition to our spreading God’s word.

So far, my most influential person here is Bill. He is so good with his words about God and says things that hold wisdom and encouragement. He is living a Christian life. I want to live my life like he lives his. He always knows that God is his shepherd and that God is the giver of all. We are here for God and with thanks to God. Stefanie teases him about always having a comment on scripture or on quotes, but I am glad that he does, because I enjoy hearing what he has to say. 

I will try REALLY hard tonight to upload some photos of everything that has been going on! I also have some awesome videos but they require much faster internet access to upload than I have access to - My apologies. 

As always, please keep my team, their families, and the whole nation of Haiti including the children I will be teaching and helping all in your prayers.

I love you - from Haiti

  - Jen

Love is more important...

2 days since arrival…

Today’s word is: Prayer.

Scripture of the day: Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, fr this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-17]

Quote of the Day: Pray as thouh everything depended on god. Work as though everything depended on you. – St. Augustine

Consider this: Have you prayed about it as much as you’ve talked about it?

Today we seem to have set into a groove! We started off with breakfast then had our quick meeting. The devotion this morning was about doing mission work… I hope my heart is open the entire time I am here and I keep my mind here in Haiti rather than back home.

After breakfast we got on the bus and made the bumpy trip back to Delmas 89. We started the day in sanctuary, with songs and prayers from the Haitian children. We sang Father Abraham, and the children wanted to teach us a song. The song is in French/Creole, so one of the teachers is going to write out the lyrics for us to learn. The song is about the children of Haiti being hope and that now they play and do other things, but in the future they will be the future.

I spent some time in the activity room today where children (up to age 10) all enjoyed coloring for a good 30 minutes! COLORING! The kids were so grateful to have the ability to color with crayons and cut with scissors! Then we went down to the courtyard and spent a good amount of time playing with the children. All the kids wanted to see the photos I took of them, and so many wanted to take pictures or us! Two sisters, Brigeline and Vilene kept grabbing my hand and taking me to play with them doing one thing or another. They kept touching my skin to see what it felt like since it looked so different. We blew bubbles and played jump rope. It was such a treat to have a chance to just see the kids play in their own element.

We went to sing more songs and dismissed the children for the day. We had a chance to relax and eat lunch but then one of our contacts here, Wes had a group of students that wanted to talk with us and ask us some questions. The group is called “The Blues” and “Boys of Christ” is a part of “The Blues” We had a chance to find out what they thought about our country – It seems that they think we always have a political agenda behind anything that we do, and we only do anything for personal gain. Bill, one of my group members had a very good answer to this question… He told them that we have no personal gain. It costs us money to come here. It costs time off of work. And some of us had to even raise money to do this. Our purpose for being here is to do the work of God. 

We had a chance to learn about each other’s worlds. So few people here have the ability to go to school; One of the major issues with the culture here is that they undervalue the female population. Some of the best advice from Wes and our group is that Haiti needs to start functioning on all cylinders and treat the women as first class citizens. Boys are encouraged with creativity and ability to do what they please, but once girls reach a certain age, their education veers to a more practical education about chores, and cleaning. The strength of the nation resides in the population and their eagerness to help others.

One of the student’s asked… what can you tell us that will help us to develop ourselves as people? An idea that first stemmed from Pastor Justin has really called me to take action. I’d like it very much if BOC (Boys of Christ) came to Michigan to see how the United States works. There are about 8 members and their needs would be funding to travel (plane tickets) and possible passports. We’d need to send them a letter of invitation… We would need to provide them with food and housing while they are there. Pastor Justin wanted to bring them in for Mission Day (in Oct or Nov) but someone from Brazil may come instead. It is my goal to talk to PJ when I get back to see what we can do to make this happen. I will also need to take it to the mission board, the LWML, and even the small groups and congregation. Cost totals would probably be 8 or 10 thousand dollars. But BOC I believe is talking about doing their own fundraising.

We pushed the idea of creating a DVD or CD that we can use for fundraising opportunities, because if they could come and share their love of God with others, showing people that do not have the ability to come to Haiti how strong their faith is despite challenges and the whole country and world being against them! It will also give them the opportunity to see how things work in America, and bring the information with them back to Haiti. Then, they can continue to share what they learned with others when there is not a mission team available to them here. Rather than sending people to them for a week or so, it gives them the opportunity to make a difference themselves by equipping them with knowledge and information to move forward in the world and do good. I know it is going to be a challenge to convince Trinity that this is something that we need to do. I am probably going to get a lot of no's. But Wes also said something today when we were talking about books. He looked at the Stephen King book on the floor and said... Stephen King got rejected 49 times before someone agreed to publish his books, he was telling the Haitians that they need to expect to hear no, and keep persevering until they hear yes. There will be challenges, but the love that we can teach Les Blu so that they can take it back to Haiti with them is more important. To me it is the difference between buying someone a gallon of milk and buying someone a cow so they can have milk for years. We heard two more songs from BOC today and I cannot wait until Sunday night – there is a concert at Delmas 89 that I believe we are attending. 

After our time with the school, we made our way back to the hotel to drop off our belongings – then made our way back to the orphanage with more diapers today. The nuns were so grateful for the two full garbage bags of diapers that we had for them! When I got there I went straight for Jr’s crib. He was sitting up and reached right for me! I grabbed him right away and held him the entire time I was there. He just melts into your body when you hold him and he wraps his arms around you like he never wants you to let go - If I didn’t have to, I don’t think I ever would. He took his medicine, then I had the chance to feed him! At first he wouldn’t eat for me, I was so worried since he is still so skinny… So I kept trying and trying and trying… finally after 6 or 7 minutes of blatant resistance, sticking hands in food, spitting food out, and clamping mouths closed, he finally began eating! He was eating so well! We finished his food and I took the dish back inside – he started crying the second I went through the door thinking that I was going to put him down, but that would have been impossible.

Another boy was wandering around the nursery room and somehow made his way outside! He couldn’t have been older than 2… No one was watching him, so I ended up holding two babies at once for a while… I put the spare baby back in the nursery room and went to sit with Jr. for a while longer. His name is Jr. Silus Jean, he is 23 months old, and he came to the orphanage in February. I saw another baby today that someone else was holding and realized that her birthday was the same as my niece Katelyn’s!

When Stefanie said it was time to go, I again nearly cried, just thinking of having to put Jr. back in his crib. I tried so hard to get him to sit up and stand up on my lap, but he just cried and reached back for me, melting back into me the second I let him snuggle up against me. He was sweating because of the heat (even in the shade) but Love is more important than being hot.

Some of the mom’s come back to the orphanage to feed their children. Many Haitians do not believe in breast-feeding. The nuns do their best to try and convince these mothers (sometimes young teenagers) that it is the best action for the baby. Some babies at the orphanage have parents that were killed in the earthquake. Some have parents that can’t afford to take care of them and sign off on all rights to them. Some have parents that drop them off and do not sign off. And some have parents that come to feed them but cannot afford medical attention for the children. The children that are not signed-off, cannot be adopted.

I am starting to think that this is a trip of a lifetime that I never want to forget. I want to get a tattoo of a footprint on the opposite side from my current tattoo (about the same size) to remember the children that I met here that touched me so deeply. Not quite sure if I want to bring in Haiti, or Jr. or 2012. Or even a Haitian Creole phrase, but this is not a trip that I ever want to not be reminded about. Love is more important to me.

We came back to the hotel, went for a quick swim, got showered and went down for dinner. Team meeting had lots of prep for tomorrow – we are doing both Delmas89 and Caradeux! No orphanage for us tomorrow, but we will go Friday morning after Good Friday mass (9:15- 11:30am). Saturday we are doing Caradeux and possibly going to the beach. Sunday is Easter Church and then we are going to Market. First thing Monday morning, we depart for home!

It is hard to believe how fast this week has gone. I am loving every minute of it. Love is more important.

As always, please keep my team, their families, and the whole nation of Haiti including the children I will be teaching and helping all in your prayers.

I love you - from Haiti

  - Jen

I made a difference today...

1 day since arrival…

Today was a big day. It was our first time at VBS, at the orphanage, and honestly- our first real day in Haiti. It began with breakfast… sort of.  Ally said last night that we should get there right at 6:30 or there would be no food left… so I got up at 6:30 and was the ONLY one! So… I took some cool pictures around the hotel. It is really late and I can’t lie – I am exhausted… so when I have a bit of downtime I will post some of them. The Palm Inn Hotel really is a small paradise in the midst of a city in turmoil and we are very blessed to be able to stay here.

 (The sign for our hotel)

 (Our hotel!)

 (A beautiful flower on our staircase)

(The street sign for the school at Delmas 89)

After breakfast we had a quick meeting and loaded onto the bus for our first day (of course after sun block and bug spray!). We made our way to Delmas 89, the school that we started our first VBS session at. We opened the day with prayer and with song – the children sang Father Abraham in either French or Creole, and I didn’t understand a word but their motions, smiles, and LOUD-vibrant-happy-joyful-incredibly talented voices were AMAZING! I can still hear the song in my head.

We moved on and played games and did crafts. One little boy kept asking me a question, but I didn’t understand. Turns out he wanted to know if he was allowed to use the red crayon… out of ALL the crayons we bought to use and leave behind when we go, this child isn’t asking for a different color, but the one in his hand as he was afraid to use a new crayon. We also realized that some had never used scissors before – what a learning curve! Some of the kids decided that in the lesson about looking to one’s heart instead of their outward appearance, they wanted to write “I love you Jenny” or Matt or Stefanie! Then rather than taking their project with them, they gave them to us. These children that have nothing to themselves… so freely give away what we give them. It is incredible.

We played many games with the kids including tennis ball throwing, pencil grabber and chop stick chap sticks then sang more and dismissed the kids breaking for lunch. The children were all SO grateful and excited.  And their songs of praise amazed me with the fervor and love that they put into it.

Lunch was wonderful – not because we had time to just sit as a team, but we also had a chance to talk to Wesley (one of our contacts here) about his life here versus his life in the US.  We talked about issues in society here versus issues in the USA – it seems that the US has more first world problems.  But we also talked about worldly problems. So many people from Haiti or Cambodia or other countries that have less seem to believe that Americans walk on streets of gold and money grows on trees. Wesley said that people have a hard time believing that people from USA have to fundraise to be able to afford to come here.

Just after lunch we had the opportunity to meet with some teenagers, the goal was to ask questions about each other’s worlds and learn more about them, but we didn’t have a whole lot of time for that since we had yet to go to the orphanage… so I believe it is on the agenda for Wednesday after/during lunch. Instead we had a wonderful treat of hearing the Boys of Christ sing to their guitar. 

Boys of Christ was formed from Delmas 89 church members, they are all young and they all came together with a common love for God and the talent in their voices was truly sent from above. They first sang,  “He Knows My Name” by Tommy Walker (I took a video of this one) and I had no idea that I was able to get chills in 90 degree weather with major humidity! Then they sang a song in Creole that was based on 1 John 1 that meant Walk in the Light. It is on my to-do list to ask Wesley or Lutherson to write the name of the song in Creole for me…  Even if we were to pool the most talented back at home, I am not sure that it could rival this group. Their talent is purely God-given and they wish to set examples for other people. They right now are hoping to go to Brazil, but we hope they can be put on You-Tube so people can see what they do! Also, I would love to help make it a reality for them to come to Trinity for Mission Sunday – or even just for a week! Their faith and talent is nothing to be blinked at.

We got on the bus and headed back to the hotel, we had a quick meeting and  a quick break before leaving everything behind but our water. We donned our “orphanage clothes” and headed on our way. It was only a few minutes from the hotel, but when we turned down the street you could see people lined up for help. We took some of the diapers and when the attendant opened the gate, we showed what we had to bring. He let us in. Stefanie knew where to go and we followed. Later I found out that last year there were no buildings on the compound. This year there were! So it is such a blessing that they were able to grow in the ways that they have. We gave the diapers and the attendant was grateful. Then we started hearing the cries of babies just begging to be held…

There were about 4 nuns/ attendants, and 2 of them luckily spoke English! I held one boy who had just gotten off of oxygen and wanted so bad to eat, but could not because he would get sick… Then the next boy I held was Junior. The nun took me to his crib and told me. This is the kind of baby that needs love. His mother had him and would get up and put something in his mouth for food, then leave for the day to go sell (there are vendors set up on all of the streets selling all sorts of goods) then come home at night, feed him again, and go to bed. This baby was home (or in a tent-city) by himself EVERY day. He was so skinny I could feel all the bones in his body… he didn’t have the strength to hold up his own head, or crawl… but he was 2 years old! He opened his mouth to cry when I picked him up and I saw he had teeth! Yes… this baby needed love. And I held him for more than half the time we were there.  His upper arm was about the thickness of my thumb… and he just laid on me and played with my necklace… the cross…  Junior touched my heart… It is something that I can never forget. I don’t think his name will ever leave my prayer list.

When Stefanie told us it was time to leave I nearly cried – somehow I had held it together for the duration – though I have no clue how other than the Grace of God. We got on the bus and everyone was fairly quiet… we talked about our experiences… When we got back to the hotel we all had a bit of decompression time… Then I went swimming with most of the team before going to get ready for dinner… I finally took a shower, but the water pressure made it a bit difficult. Being here however, so many people do not have showers – so I feel grateful.

Dinner last night was good. I feel bad about turning down the salad portion, but we cannot risk getting sick because lettuce is washed in the water here. It feels so wrong to leave food on my plate where people 2 blocks away are hungry.  After dinner we had another team meeting and talked about our Journals for the day… Unfortunately I have not really been journaling, but that is because I have been blogging – believe it or not this takes some time!!

Today I feel as if I made a difference. I made a difference to Junior... I made a difference to the children that I played with... and I believe I made a difference to Haitians.

Journal re-cap:

-  Song for the day “Will You Be My Love” by MercyME

-  Scriptures, Romans 8:38-39 & 1 Corinthians 16:14

-  Quote, “Dear God, Thank you for giving me this beautiful life and forgive me if I don’t love it enough. 

As always, please keep my team, their families, and the whole nation of Haiti including the children I will be teaching and helping all in your prayers.

I love you - from Haiti

  - Jen