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