Children of God

So today we (the interns) split up and went to Guerline’s and the Children’s Home. It kind of hit us that we only have a week left and still have a lot to do. Stephanie and I went to the Children’s Home. I haven’t seen those kiddos in a while so I was glad to hang out with them. The main reason we needed to go to there is to kick into gear their daily schedule. They have one but it has been kind of laxed, so we along with Ashton went to make sure they were following the schedule. The kids were so great. We got there during play time so we took some things and went outside to play with them. We jumped rope, played soccer, and threw the tennis ball Velcro catcher game. It was hot and they were sweating, but their smiles told you that they were loving it. Next was get ready for lunch. These kids are so great, they all went back inside and washed their face and hands and sat at the table to pray and eat. We had legumes, which is the grandest Haitian dish! We were stoked! After lunch was nap time. Now normally it is just chill time and they kind of hang out, but Michelle wants everyone to lie down and sleep. That took awhile to get everyone asleep, but we managed. Shamma played his guitar and sang to help soothe them.  When they awoke it was art time! We decided that today we would work on coloring in the lines (which surprisingly for their age they are amazing at), and drawing their own picture to color. They love art time, and do so well. It is so adorable to watch them all sit at the table concentrating on their coloring and drawing. After that Daniel came to pick us up and we went to get the group at Guerline’s then headed home.

We got right outside the gate to the house when Kessy gets a call from Guerline saying “a kid fell and hit his head and its broke” (gotta love the Haitian way with words). I freaked out for a second. Those are my babies! I couldn’t imagine any of them hurt or broke! So we got to the house and Kessy called to get more details on what happened. It seemed like a big deal so we went. Michelle wanted two of us to go so we could get 2 of the children from the children’s home too. A nurse at the hospital (MediShare) is doing all the blood work for the Children’s Home for free. This will make the paperwork a little easier and cheaper for the families wanting to adopt the kids (all the kids there are up for adoption). So we got Junior (a baby boy) and Bethsieda (a three year old girl) to go get blood work and off to get the child ar Guerlines. We get there and it is Sonelson, one of my buddies. He is about 10 and the coolest dude. He is very chill and together and has the greatest smile in the world! He had slipped on some water in the house while playing and busted his head pretty good. He looked a little rough, but he was very calm. Guerline had bandaged it up so we checked it and decided he definitely needed to get stitches so off we go.  He sat in between Stephanie and I and held my hand the entire time. We finally get there and Sara takes him to get stitches and Steph and I go with Michelle to take the other two to get blood work done. We go into the pediatric portion, and the first thing we see is a tiny tiny tiny baby. He was born at 31 weeks!! So little! Then we saw a set of twins born at 32 weeks! All doing good, but in the NICU. Also there was a young girl, teens maybe, who was in a car crash and is stable but no brain activity. Prayers for her. The nurse sees us and tells Steph and I of the “abandoned children” room at then end of the hall if we want to play with some orphans…don’t have to ask us twice. So we mozy on down while Michelle is getting things ready for the blood work. There are three. Two of them, Dierry and Frans, have cerebral palsy. That is who Steph and I got to hold and “snuggle with” and the nurses called it. There was a third but we didn’t get to hold her. She has a condition called hydrocephalus, which basically from what the nurses told me is where you have a enlarged head, and a normal body. Mentally the child is normal, but her head is about the size of a basketball with a normal 8 month old body. These babies were so precious and beautiful. But hearing them called “abandoned” instead of “orphaned” completely broke my heart. I just stood there holding Frans and leaning over the bed with the baby as she grasped tightly too my fingers with a whirlwind of thoughts. These babies can’t go to an orphanage because they need medical care, and no one is going to adopt them with the conditions. They are just going to be, for as long as they can. And there are babies all over just like this, but maybe not in a great hospital with loving people, but in a tent or shack somewhere disowned by their parents because they are different. After the babies got their blood drawn we met Sara and Sonelson outside. Sara just bragged and bragged on him for being so good! He had to get four stitches and never even flinched during the numbing shot and stitching! We got back in the car to head back. Before too long I notices his head bouncing around and him getting leaning more and more on me. That poor child was sound asleep. I had had my arm around him so he had just drifted closer to me. He didn’t look comfortable, but he slept the whole way. He laid his little head on my chest and rested. I had to hold his head because we bounced around so much I didn’t want him getting whiplash or waking up. When we stopped at the Children’s Home to drop the other two off he abruptly woke up, probably thinking we were at his house. Guerline’s isn’t too far from the children’s home so he stayed awake. I had my arm around him and my other hadn’t lightly stroking his hand. Then his other hand grasped mine so tight the whole way home. He didn’t look up, just straight ahead and held my hand. My heart just leapt when he did that. (Sometimes I wish I could cry..or just a little tear) I was so touched and moved I just kissed him on the head and sat there with him. I never knew how much I could love someone as I do with these children. They are precious gifts that God has given me and the people around me. They are the Lord’s children and I see Him every time I look into each of their faces.

kicked out of VBS...

...and almost put in jail. All that makes for an interesting trip to Jimani, DR. We had a blast this past week in Jimani! We left Sunday after church and headed over. Just for informational purposes to get from Haiti to Jimani you pass through the Haiti border enter no man's land then go through the DR border. We met John Hanley the missionary that runs the Jimani hospital at no man's land. Because it was Sunday it was pretty easy to get through all the gates to get across, which included not getting our passport stamped. John said it was no big deal. We thought ok he is the expert. anyways there was a team there for the week as well from St. Paul UMC Lighthouse Youth Ministry in Largo, Florida. They were a team of about 30 people. We had so much fun with them. It took awhile for us to jump in and meet them, but we managed to not be the random interns there. Hahaha They are a sweet bunch of kids and great adults, so touched by this island. One of their main projects was helping with a VBS at the church next door to the property. Totally doable right? We go and sing with the kids (DR is a Spanish speaking country so I was totally excited to finally use my language skills!), then break off into their classes. There were so many on the team and such a small property that we weren't really needed. So we just observed, it was neat to see a new culture. As close as Jimani is the culture is really different. I loved being able to sing the "Sunday school" type songs and somewhat understand what the pastor was saying (they speak a lot slower than Hispanics I have been around). It was a lot of fun! Each night the team had worship and devo time. It was so good to sing songs in worship in a language I understood! The first night John and Melissa shared their story of how they got to be in the Dominican and in charge of the Chadasha hospital and orphanage in Jimani. It is always great to hear how the Lord led someone. 

We were supposed to go to Batey 41 on Tuesday morning but we could not cross the border there. Let me explain. The bateys are part of Haiti; however they are "in the DR". There is a large lake on the border. Haiti owns all of it but the tip that goes in the border to the DR. So the bateys are on the coast of the lake and about 100yds back is the DR. So you have to drive through the DR cross the border into Haiti to get to the bateys, or you go across the lake. We went to the "unofficial" border crossing to get there but the DR soldiers wouldn't let us cross. John left to get some papers and talk with some high profile people so we just hung out. Some children came running over to see what was going on and we began to just play with them. They spoke and understood both Creole and Spanish so it made it pretty easy for people to get an idea what was going on. They loved having their picture made and attempting to have us talk with them. We were out there for a good while before we had to leave because we weren't going to make it that day. But really it was kind of perfect we didn't. We got to hang out and make a difference in the lives of those children and we would not have been able to do that if we had been able to cross right over. God so knows what he is doing. The plan was John would get up early to go talk with some people to hopefully get the ok to go. After lunch and nap time Melissa came and found us to ask us if we had long shorts or pants and t shirts. That would be a negative. All we wear in PAP is tanks and running shorts, and that is what we were told we could bring. Well the pastor apparently did not like out choice of clothing and so we could not help with VBS anymore. Kind of sad, slightly hilarious, but all for a purpose. I mean really…how do missionary interns get kicked out of VBS?! So the rest of the week in the afternoon when the team was doing VBS down at the orphanage (they had to move it to Chadasha for space) we were down in the hospital cleaning out and sorting medicine. That might sound incredibly boring and busy, but it was some of the greatest times. We had waaay too much fun. It was bonding. More and real bonding than we have done in PAP.

John never got a chance to talk with anyone, so we didn't make it to the bateys on Tuesday either. So we decided to stay til Thursday so we could go to the bateys on Wednesday. Go back and reread the top where I explained the only 2 ways to get to batey 41...yeah if we can't cross by land then we have to cross by water. The interns were so flipping excited about taking a sketch wooden boat across the largest lake on the island! John and Melissa or Hosty (the translator that works for them) have ever actually taken a boat across so it was new for everyone. We called it a water tap tap because they looked sketch and were brightly colored. We had to cross the official border to get back into Haiti to catch a boat. Because there were so many of us there was no way we could just mozy across like we did on Sunday, so we, um they, complied with the rules of crossing the border with paperwork and passport stamping. Except the interns because we were illegally in the DR to begin with so we couldn't really get checked out. We made it across no problem and found our boat guys waiting for us. It took 5 boats to get us all across. This was such a great life experience. In a wooden boat with a guy who doesn't speak our language and Melanie had a half of a milk jug paling out water so we wouldn't sink! Now if that is not a life experience I don't know what is! As we got closer to the bank children from everywhere came running to meet us. My heart just overflowed. I was so excited to meet them! We finally made it to the bank and got out. Soaking wet, but ready for the day. We talked and walked with the kids and went up to the church. Batey 41 is partnered with Chadasha and Alcoa UMC so it has funds that have a church and a school. There we divided into those who wanted to play games and things with the kids and others who wanted to walk around and pray with people. The interns sneaked and grabbed Hosty and set off to find Babas. Babas is a 2-3 year old who lives with his young mother in Batey 41. Back in June, John was told of Babas' problem. He had a tennis ball size testicle. Not okay. He went to the doctor and found out he had a hernia and needed surgery. So over the next few weeks (July) he came to PAP to see doctors and meet with surgeons and stayed with us at the Guesthouse. We got to see him and his mom several times as he came to see doctors, and this past weekend he finally had his surgery!! Everything went great! I have seen the before and after from diaper changes and a proud mama, and it is amazingly better! This child won't have any more pain or worried of it bursting. When they brought us to Jimani we dropped them off at the lake to take a boat over. He was supposed to have a check up on Tuesday but could not make it so we wanted to check on him. We followed Hosty as we went around asking where Babas was, and then we saw that precious boy! He was so excited to see us, and his mama let us check him out to make sure everything was going great and it was! He wanted to hang out with us so he went with us as we walked around the area. It warmed our hearts to much to see the beginning and end to such a great success story! We just loved on and kissed on that baby all day! As we were walking around praying we found ourselves at a hut that had a one week old baby!!! He was so beautiful! The ladies kept saying he was sick, but he seemed fine at first. Melanie asked to hold him, and got to spend some times with him. Long story short, we realized something was not right, so we got that nurse that was on the team. He came and checked out the baby. Everything was good and normal about that baby except he was seizing, badly. He would seize for 8-11 minutes and then we ok for 4-5 minutes then seize again. Constantly the whole time we were with him. We couldn't take him with us then, though we really wanted to. Praise Jesus, we got it worked out that he is coming tomorrow to PAP to see a doctor! This baby needs a lot of prayer. Our morning at the batey was beautiful and full of the Lord.

We left this morning, but before we did the youth leaders had asked us to come and share with them our experiences with the kids about dealing with coming back to America and what they could do. It was really crazy at first to think that they would want to hear from us and that I would have anything worthwhile to say. The girls asked me to open it up and start. I didn't have anything planned I just started talking, and then the Lord came in. Haha I can't even tell you what I said but I know that it wasn't me. Hopefully someone was able to benefit from what we said. We all had different experiences with that, which made the talk more dynamic and meaningful. Then one of the students asked if they could pray over us. I was touched. They barely know us, but they wanted to bless us. It was really special. They were a great bunch of kids. 

Next we proceeded to get back to PAP. Keep in mind we aren't supposed to be in the DR. So Sara and Kensly (translator and driver) and Ashton (missionary kid) came to get is in a normal pickup truck. Even though there were 8 of us we all managed to get in the cab. If we were in the bed, which is where we usually are it would cause suspicion and possible passport checking which we couldn't have. Because it was market day there were people everywhere and slow slow traffic. Which just made it more nerve racking because we wanted out before we got caught.  Well we couldn't even make it to the DR border. The lady at the gate saw us and began asking questions, she took our passports and sent us to immigration because only Sara and Kensly had stamps, none of the interns or Ashton had them. Immigration means we are basically going to jail for illegally being there. Our guy that had been with us and suppose to help us cross the border and some other began yelling and talking then yelling at the lady. We were getting ready to get out of the truck when they got the lady and began motioning us to leave. So Kensly began backing out and heading to the border. We had tp pay the guy$60 for helping but that is better than $200 per passport!! We made it though! Now on to the Haiti border. We get stopped again, but Kensly flashes some papers saying we were Haitian (the truck plates are still DR) and we went on. We got asked to stop and get checked three more time before we were home free to PAP! That the most intense hour of my life!

After we made it back we rested some then a few of the interns and a couple translators went to Guerline’s orphanage to get them water. The guys dropped us off to play with the kids while they filled up the water. The kids were so sweet and excited to see us! Some of the girls gave me a Creole lesson, which was hilarious and a lot of fun! To learn our body parts we did the head and shoulders song in creole. That was a sight. Then the older girls started bringing us sick children. Some of the young ones had fevers, really bad fevers. And a lot of them have real bad coughs. Of the fever we had a 99.3, 100.5 and 101.6. We were running around trying to find medicine and cold clothes and making phone calls because none of the staff went with us. Renoldo who is 3 and had the worst fever apparently has had the shivers for three days, and he almost passed out while we were trying to help him. We were able to get some medicine down him. We left instruction with them to check the temps and call us if they did not get better. Please pray for these children. There is only so much we can do and everything the Lord can do.

This has been an incredible week. A lot if the most randomest things happened, and a lot of God happened. I have been so touched by this week and what all we have learned and experienced so far. Excited to see what is to come!

Prayer Requests:

The little baby that is coming to see the doctor. That they have safe travels, and knowledge to the doctors and the medicine to help him.

Renoldo and the other children at the orphanage. They are so sick and need some healing.

The interns, we have one full week together. Our time is winding down. That we may hear the Lord and go out with a bang. (We leave the 5^th, 6^th, 8^th, 9^th, and 14^th)

it's ok we are the interns

So I realized last night that I have not blogged in a week! Ay yi yi! And then we had no interenet last night. So here I am sitting on the balcony looking at the most beautiful view in the world ready to tell you about the past week in Haiti!

Monday we spent lots of time at the airport to get 3 beautiful interns Melanie, Stephanie, and Brittany! Flights were delayed, communication missed, and several hours in the sun later we were all together. That makes a total of 5 interns! Yay! I am so excited that they are here! They are wonderful! The rest of this week has been a bunch of randomness. Good work that needed to be done, but always something different each day. Tuesday we spent the majority of it running errands all over Port-au-Prince. We went to the bank, the grocery store, lunch, and all of this 9 people in a Montero! It was interesting. We spent that afternoon at Guerline's and the Children's Home so the new girls could see what we would be doing for the next few weeks. Wednesday we spent the day at the house, but by no means were we hanging out. We got all the suitcases full of donations, sorted and counted them. Clothes, school supplies, arts and crafts, medicine, toiletries, etc. Then we refines and detailed our information from the profiles that Erica and I have been working on. After that we began on "the plan". The plan is the schedule that I have mentioned that we were to plan for Guerline's orphanage. As of right now they eat, play and have worship at 12. And that is it, So we all got together and proceeded to brainstorm what were possible options for the day in the life of a child at the orphanage. It took some time, but we finally figures out a good rough draft. Part of the day is art time, so then we made a weekly art schedule so they would be using different techniques that would also help them. After we showed it to Sara, she suggested that we make a schedule of different bible stories and activities that could be implemented during Bible Time. This was probably the most hilarious and most fun part of the week. We decided that we would start from Creation and go down the line until the end. We got the "Story Cloth" which is a cloth of pictures telling the story of Christ from the Creation to the ascension. We laughed the whole time as we tried to use our expert Sunday School skill to determine what story was in each picture without cheating and using the Bible. Then we went through the Bible for all the other stories that aren't directly related to the birth of Jesus (Jonah, Daniel and the Lions den, etc. ) We came up with crafts and activities/games for each of them. It was so fun. Like planning a really long Sunday school plan for kids. Thursday we went and got water for the orphanage, We had 12 five gallon bottles and assembly lined it from the door to the truck. Then we went to the airport to get Michelle and Ashton!! Greg and Michelle are the missionary couple that are here in Haiti and the owners of the house we are staying in. They have two kids Dustin and Ashton. Michelle and Ashton came Thursday and the other two are coming next week. We are sooooo excited to have them back! Because they are back, we had to do a little room swapping. Before, Erica, Melanie and I were in Dustin's room and Stephanie and Brittany were in Ashton's. Now ALL 5 of us are in the downstairs spare bedroom! Not even kidding. Five girls in one room! It is a neat room, and two girls share a big mattress and the other three have cots along the wall. It is like a big slumber party every night! Friday we spent the day at Guerline's orphanage hanging out with the kids, coloring, reading stories, and playing. It is always a blessing to be with them. Saturday is our day of rest so we spent time together and relaxed for the coming week. Today we all went to church and then the girls and Zeke took a tap tap back to the house! We love out tap taps! 

Now we are getting ready to head to Jimani. Jimani is located on the border of Haiti and the DR. Here is where Chadasha first started many years ago. They have a hospital and orphange located there where teams can come in and serve. There are what is called "bateys" which are the poorest of the poor of Haitians. They literally have nothing. Of the five only one has been there before so we are all excited for this new place. We will be there until Wednesday coming alongside the team already there. Please pray for safe travels and that we are touched by this new place. I am sure I will have lots to tell when we get back!

tap tap

So today I rode in my first Haitian tap tap. Now you may be thinking to yourself, "What in the world is a tap tap?". Let me explain: people in Haiti don't drive. Cars are too expensize, when do you have time to learn, there is SO much traffic, etc. So they either walk or ride a tap tap. A tap tap is like the taxi of Haiti. That is basically all you see on the roads tap taps and relief vehicles. It is a tiny truck with a covered bed, and bneches. In America we could fit maybe 6-8 people, they fit like 15! You don't hop in and tell the driver where you want to go, each truck has a stretch of road they drive, adn you just wave them down. You hop on and when you want to get off you "tap tap" the back glass to let the driver know you want off. Then you pay normally 5 goudes a ride (which is basically 8 cents). Tap taps are usually brightly colored in the craziest patterns.The funniest thing about tap taps is that they always have something about Jesus across the front, "I love Jesus". "Thank you Jesus", etc and the back or sides are covered with names and faces of rappers! It's hilarious.

So everyone was in all different places this morning, but Erica and I still wanted to go to church. Our gatekeeper/security/body guard of the house said he would take us. He does not have his license so we would take the tap tap to church. Totally fine, and really excited. We had to get the full Haitian experience. The thing with tap taps is you do call one up to come get you, you have to get to a pick up spot or to a road and wave one down. So we had to walk in true Haitian style to the road, Down our big hill, down the road a ways to the main road people drive. After a few full ones past, one came by with just enough room for us. We took this tap tap down to the big intersection. We got off and walked down to the pick up spot to get to church. There were so many people walking around, and waiting for tap taps. The streets are covered in mud and trash and we had to carefully walk through it to find a tap tap. Eventually we hop on one. Next stop First Baptist Church of Pernier, or so we thought. We get a little ways down the road and we here a big pop! The tire had completely busted!! I felt kind of bad for the guy, but what could be do. So we walked the rest of the way to church.

After church we waited and waited and waited for a tap tap. We probably stood outside of the church for 30-45 minutes waiting for a tap tap. But they were all so full!! No way we could fit. So one of Zeke's friend had a vehicle being washed across the street so he gave us a life to the big intersection and we took a tap tap to the turn off to our house.  What an experience! I felt like such a Haitian. Walking around in the heat, hoping on tap taps, and tapping away. Though it was a lot of waking and waiting, I am SO glad we did it. Such a fun story and a great experience!

As we were walking the mile or so to the house I began to realize that this is some peoples everyday life. It really hit me how good we have it in America. I mean I understand the cultural difference, but some of these people walk for forever in the heat carrying children, going tp work, going to church, going to the store. Anything in their daily life is spent fighting over a seat or hand raining in a tap tap so they can get where they are going. Or walking for hours in the sun trying to provide for their family. We complain about having to walk around campus for 15 minutes between classes in the heat or cold, when a lot of these people don't even know what air conditioner is. I pray that I don't lose that since of appreciation for what I have been blessed with. I love that He gave me this great day, and I hope to take a tap tap again!

ki nimero pyew?

This has been a great week with a wonderful team! We went back to Guerline's orphanage on Wednesday so the team could work on the bunk beds, and brought a lot more shoes for the men of the community. And intense turn out! There were so many people that showed up, which meant lots of feet to wash and shoes to give away. Erica and I beasted through the profiles and got the rest of them done! We had a couple wonderful girls from the orphanage that helped us grab kids and spell names! Kessy had higher priority interpreting to do so Erica and I were on our own. But the older girls helping could tell what I was trying to say and helped me perfect my Creole and making sure the kids answered me. It was so fun! I got the "What is your favorite color?" down pat, but "What is your shoe size?" took me forever to get. They eventually had to write it down for me. (the blog title is what they wrote down for me to say)They laughed every time I tried to ask, and then asked the child for me. It was really neat getting to meet each child and see their name. I don't have them all memorized, but I am working on knowing all their names! These kids have wriggled their way right into my heart.

Thursday we went to a tent city on the outskirts of Caanon,which is the largest tent city. It is a little community of permanent houses that were built by Wold Vision. We broke off into groups and went around praying with people. It was a different place than I had been (I have been to Caanon). We just went around on a prayer walk, and as we saw people we stopped to ask if we could pray for them. Several were on healing, and a few on staying with the Lord. It was definitely a neat experience.Afterwards we wanted to take the team down town to see the earthquake damage but their were "demonstrations" in the city because it was Aristade's birthday and therefore not safe.

Friday we went back to Guerline's so the team could finish the bunk beds. They were able to complete two this week! Praise Jesus! This makes a total of 6! Now 32 to go! Anybody want to bring a team and just do construction on bunk beds to get them knocked out please let us know! the kids are sleeping on mats in the floor at the moment. The beds look so good! The kids did some coloring and glitter paint while we were there and made pictures for us. The girls came and asked how to spell Erica and I's name so they could make us picture. It was so precious! I got some and plan to frame them! Also today one of the team members who is a dietitian was able to speak with Guerline about portion control and alternative foods for the children to help their nutrition. After Guerline's we went to The Apparent Project. This is a place where people can come work to get back on their feet. It is an artisans program and they make different items and sell them. Each person gets 100% of the items they make that are purchased through The Apparent Project. Some items are even mass ordered by designers like Donna Karen and others from New York City! I knew about TAP from when I was here in March, but was so excited to actually see the place, and meet some of the artisans

Today the team left. It has been such an incredible week with them. They have such incredible hearts. I will remember them dearly. They opened the doors to those kids at Guerline's. We cannnot get over how different these kids are from last week and this week. God sent them at the most perfect time. If they had come earlier then the nutritional information would not have been well recieved and the kids health would still be in trouble. There were so many Type A personalities there that they got things done! It was so cool just to watch them do their thing each day. They were definitely the most perfect first team for Erica and I. 

Keep them in your prayers:
Pastor Ron
Beth
Charlotte
Coleman
Debbie
Jack 
Ginenne
Laurie 
Mike
Nancy
Vladimir

haitian rain

When I think about rain, I think about the smell. The smell brings me back to my childhood spring time, where we would play in the puddles and dance. Rain to me brings life to the world, a newness that only comes from the Father. But there are other views on rain, the begging of a storm, tears, the dreariness of life, it all is how your experiences have shaped you and how your psyche interprets them. But then there is the washing away and cleansing of the soul. This is the rain I am the fondest of. Yesterday that is the rain we had.

The reason that this is a day late is because yesterday was so emotionally and spiritually draining that there was no way to put into words what I and the team witnessed. The team, Erica, Sara, John and Kessy all went to Guerlin's orphanage with the intent of giving the kids some shoes and building some bunk beds. First of all the kids were not the same kids Erica and I have been with last week. These kids were loving and playful and so excited to see the team (all for the first time). We could not get over the difference. We got there and it was obvious that the shoes weren't going to fit the kids.  Pastor Ron saw in the field next to the orphanage some men working and felt that is where they should go. So some went out there, and men started coming from everywhere. They gave away all the shoes they brought for the day. Footwashing and spreading the gospel. It was such a beautiful site to watch. The other part of the team and I were with the kids. Hanging out playing and coloring, and others were beginning the work on the bunk beds. At 12 the kids have worship time which means they all go in the church room and sing, dance, and pray. It is a really precious part to watch. It went a little different than normal.

The kids sand and prayed and then they wanted to sing to us. So sweet! Then a few of the older ones grabbed Kessy and had messages they wanted to share. They mostly were of thankfulness to Jesus for Chadasha and for the team. It was just a blessing to hear the words. Guerlin then said a few words, and her husband. When he got up to talk he told the story of how Chadasha found the orphanage. The story of Jean Michele and how is life was so purposefully lived through his last breath. It brought tears to my eyes to hear this story I know so well from the "papi" of the young boy who saved the lives of so many kids. It was absolutely beautiful. Pastor Ron and Jack wanted to pray for the kids and the orphanage. They began (without this in mind in the beginning) by anointing the hands of Guerlin and her husband, and then prayed. They asked everyone to point there hands in their direction and pray. All in my head was that I hope they are touched by what happens today and know that it is all ultimately for the kids and all this fighting needs to cease.

Then Guerlin said the kids wanted to pray for us. And all the team gathered together and I watched as every kid surrounded the team (including Erica, Sara, Kessy, John and I) and lifted both arms in the direction or laid hand someone and shut their eyes so tight and prayed. All at once 50 Haitian orphans were praying over us. I lost it. I cried my eyes out. And as a lot of you know I don't ever cry. Even if I want to I can't. But at that moment I felt so unworthy to be prayed over by these kids, and that it was us who needed to pray for these kids. They have nothing and we have whatever we want, yet they know about their Father. I have no idea what they said, but I don't even care. It would probably make me cry even more if I did. I still get worked up thinking about it. I held the little boys hand that was next to me and just wept. After "Amen" they all came and hugged everyone of us. Which at that point I couldn't stop crying. These kids have blessed my heart so much. There is no way I can leave them in August.

We stood there, a few team members and the kids, and just took it in. Then I noticed Pastor Jack laying hand and praying over Kessy. I wept some more as I saw my friend being loudly prayed over. Then Guerlin began singing, and none of the kids were singing with her which was strange. Then she stopped started twitching, and yelling in an unknown language. At the same time the Spirit hit Jack and he began praying louder and in tongues over Kessy. Kessy fell to his knees and wept, Jack still praying. Guerlin then stopped, and walked around giving hugs saying "Thank you thank you".  We got the kids out of there, and Jack continued to pray over Kessy. Then he began to pray over the room. After it was all over with I composed myself and started thinking about what I had witnessed. I firmly believe that an evil spirit left Guerlin, at the same time the Lord entered that place and began speaking through Jack. I have never encountered speaking in tongues or evil spirits though I know they both exist. We all mentioned later that night that we felt extremely calm throughout the whole event. Which was solely the Lord, because when you sit back and think about the fact that an evil spirit left and that that same evil spirit had been around these beautiful children for a long time, it terrified us. As I walked out of the room, I cold barley walk. I was shaking so much, and felt such a heaviness come over my whole body. A heaviness for this country, for the children, for those children. I wanted to save the world, but I can't. Those kids have been through so much, Haiti has been through so much. I just want them to feel the joy and happiness that exists. The rest of the afternoon feels like a daze, a dream. It was hard to correctly function with so many things going through my mind. 

After supper I went straight to my room and began dealing with it. Journaling, praying, and thinking. I took a shower to shake everything off. Erica came and said the team invited us to their meeting. So Erica, Sara, John and I all attended the meeting with the team. We talked about what happened and then Pastor Ron wanted everyone to get in groups and grab a Haiti team member to pray for them. So three wonderful women grabbed me and we went to pray. They asked me about what happened and what I specifically need prayer for. We talked for a long time and then they prayed for me. And again the teams came, every word they uttered was words of encouragement and intentional prayer. I needed to hear every word of it. It was so beautiful because afterwards I felt light as air. Everything had been lifted from my body and purpose was placed there. There was purpose for me being there yesterday, for knowing these people, for being in Haiti. It is all part of the great vision God has over my life. I have never felt more close with the Lord than I did yesterday. Probably because His spirit was here. I have encountered the Lord in a way that can never be fully described or understood. But Lord is not something we can fully understand anyways. He wouldn't be God if we knew everything. I feel a somewhat different relationship now. A more intimate and raw relationship. He encompasses my being and everything I am.

After I left the room yesterday to go outside where the kids were, it began to rain. Just a little bit, but it was raining. It hasn't rained in weeks, and I was told this is supposed to be the rainy season. As the afternoon went on it began to pour. It rained off and on all afternoon, and thunderstormed all night. I have never seen a more beautiful storm than last night. The lightening went on forever and seemed to never stop. It was different colors, and happened every other second. All I could think about from the first raindrop I felt was the washing away of the past and the sin. Just like we are all washed new, that orphanage and relationship was washed new and cleansed in one powerful way. I do not know what the outcome of yesterday may mean in the long run for the orphanage, but I know that that place and those kids are blessed because the Holy Spirit was in that place yesterday. I saw Him, I felt Him, He was there. He then washed away the mess with His Holy rain and made life in that place. Life like no other can bring. I can rest well knowing that the hand of God is always on those children.

i am weak but HE is strong

This phrase as never hit me like it has the past couple days. But let's back track because I haven't updated in awhile. Saturday the team came in! Yay! Erica and I's first team! It is a group of 11 from Charlotte, NC. They are with Samaritan's Feet, which is an organization that gives out new pairs of tennis shoes! They do it through telling the gospel and it is beautiful to watch! When they got here we just kind of hung out with them, and chilled. Sunday morning we all got up and got ready for church. Church was beautiful as always. One of the biggest differences in Haitian and American Christianity is the term "lukewarm". Now I know in Revelations it talks about how we are not to be lukewarm because that is just as bad as not being at all. But I feel as if most American Christians are just that "lukewarm" they are comfortable in their place within the religion. Church has become more of a social gathering than a place of surrendered worship and teaching. But in Haiti it is only hot and cold. They don't really have a concept for what lukewarm Christianity is. And it is beautiful. To sit there in that service and see people worshiping with every ounce of their being makes my heart so happy! Then I remember that very few times do I see an entire service loving on God. I can't tell you how many times I have been asked by christian Haitians if I am saved, even knowing the group I am with. At church on Sunday the visitors had to stand up (not our teams though they have a special welcoming), and then are asked if they know Jesus!! That would never happen in America. We (including myself) are too worried about rejection and offending someone that we think of round about ways of asking the question. And yes it is a culture thing, but does it have to be? Seeing the way Haitians few Christianity is so refreshing and convicting at the same time. There are only on fire believers and non believers (mainly voodoo). They know what the Bible says, tell everyone, so they do. It is a great reminder of what the great commission says to do. "Go make disciples of all nations..."

After church we headed back to the house to change and then head out to lunch. Well on the ride back I started feelin funny. And the vehicles we use never make me sick, so I just thought it was the heat and moved on. Boy was I wrong. I managed to change and walk to the Guesthouse (which is where the teams stay when they come and we eat and meet and things), but was feeling pretty rough so told Sara I was going to lie down and get cooled off. So everyone leaves and I go to the house. I put both our fans on me, and tried to rest. Ha! I started getting the sweats and throwing up and the most intense pain I have ever felt! (Let me just remind everyone that I never get sick! Strep throat in the 1st grade was the last time) No one is home so I just have to deal with it, finally they get back and come check on me. Getting worse. They turn the AC on and move me right in front of it with both fans to see if I can get cooled off. Sara prayed a prayer of healing over me which was really a blessing. They tried to give me sprite but I eventually throw that up too. They leave again. I am literally yelling for God to make it stop. I am so weak from no food and water that I can barley make it two feet to the bathroom door to throw up. As I lie there in the most intense pain, almost yelling, I start thinking of this line, I am weak, but He is strong. Though I am at my weakest point, with nothing and no one else, He is still strong and the protector of my life. Satan is attacking and trying to distract me (and everyone else who was freaking out like me over what was happening), but the Lord is strong and wins over all things. And he wasn't going to win over me. I began to pray and next thing I know I am being woke up so they can check my temp. I had fallen asleep! Yay Jesus! I was able to rest out the rest of the bad part. When I woke up I wasn't able to move a lot, but at least I wasn't in extreme pain. 

This morning I woke up, and felt so much better! I was extremely weak, but after lots of water and a little food at a time I am about half way there. I still get sick feeling, and pretty weak, but I can do things. I was able to go with the team to an orphanage today. Our staff needed to have a meeting at Guerlin's so Erica and I went with the team to help out. It was at a place that I had never been before but it was a lot of fun! I was able to watch the team hand the shoes out, and do the foot washing! It was one of the coolest things I have seen! One of the team members brought nail polish and the girls went crazy! I thought that was such a great idea! So she had a little salon set up doing finger/toenails! They boys played basketball and talked with the men (they knew some English and one of the team member is Haitian and speaks creole!). They brought out jump ropes, colors, necklaces, and jacks! The older boys played basketball with the men until the guys couldn't breathe anymore! It was a joyful day! I could not do a whole lot, and had to stay seated and in the shade. But I made necklaces with the girls, and they fixed me hair. I managed to walk around and take some pictures until the sun got to me. The children spoke more English then we expected, and were very active in interacting with evryone. It was mainly older one, 12+, and a handful of elementary.

It was hard not being able to do much with the kids, but I knew if I over did it then I would miss out on some wonderful days in Haiti. I have never felt this weak for this long, and really known the sense of the word. Having to take things slow, and really pay attention to my body was new too. I was constantly thinking of this song. And how we are able to solely lean on Him because He is the ultimate of strength, and nothing that weakens us will ever wary His step. He has His arms out ready to catch us when we can't make the steps anymore.

overalls

Today I feel in love. I love all 17 of the wonderful children at the Childrem's Home and there are a few of them I really am praying they get adopted slash I really want them closer to me in the states because I love them so much. But today when we went to Guerlin's orphanage to bring some food and supplies this absolutely adorable 2 year old comes running to me and lifts his little arms up for me to pick him up and he stole me heart right then and there. He was wearing nothing but a small pair of overalls, no shoes, no shirt, and no diaper. He was smiling and giggling and talking. Just a fun laid back kid. Kind of chunky, but ever so cute. I cannot wait to spend more time with him. I wish smuggling children to the states wasn't such a harsh crime or I would take him home with me in a heartbeat! 

Over the last few days we have spent some time at both the Children's Home and at Guerlin's. They are two very different types of children at these places. It might be because of their past, their present conditions, or the nature at which they are loved, but to me they are just beautiful children. When you go to the Children's Home whether it is your first time or your one hundredth time those kids are standing at the door waiting for you to come in and they run to play and give you a hug. Their eyes are so full of joy and happiness. They play so great with each other and with whoever is there. They love to come sit with you while you hold a baby and give it sweet little kisses before they play. They all are such loving kids. I can see why almost half of them are in the process of adoption. They are so much fun!

Then there are the children at Guerlin's. Everytime we have come there they just sit and watch. Sometimes they are playing and most of them are just hanging out. They just kind of look at you and move on. The younger ones for the most part have eyes of being sad and innocently hurt. They don't quite understand what is going on and are being cared for and protected by the older ones. And when I say older ones I am not meaning teens (they come back this weekend) but middle school 10-12 year olds. When you see their faces you see wounded children with a story to tell. Almost a sense of maturity, but not the good kind you develop as an adult. The kind that only a child can have after a life of pain and agony. They don't want anything to do with us and keep their eyes on the younger ones as sometimes they venture off to see what we are like. Today as I just walked around and watched (because we got to spend more time their today than we have this week) my heart just broke as I looked into their little faces and saw what is probably only a tiny part of what they are feeling and have been through. 

I didn't understand how their could be such difference in these children's faces? Then it hit me. It is not what they have been through (well part of it) but what their future holds. At the children's home these kids have art supplies, and school books and see their friends being loved on and their director loving on them constantly. To them the future has great possibilities. But at Guerlin's, yes they have a huge house, but they have come from a tent orphanage in a tent city in one of the roughest towns in Haiti. They have seen the dark sides of this world and subconsciously just assume that that is where they will be one day.

But these children deserve better, they deserve to be kids. My prayer list for today is a short one: pray for the the orphans at these homes. Pray that the ones in the process of adopting will be finalized quickly so they can return home (it is an awful awful process to adopt from Haiti), pray for the children at the home that they retain their joy, pray for the orphans at Guerlin's that they might find that place that they finally know that they are in a better place, with consistent food, safety and love. Pray for them to be kids again. And finally pray that these orphans find a family, find a home that they can go to.  Because these kids deserve to be loved.

Haiti Mart

Today Erica and I were able to spend most of all day with the children at the children's home. They were SO excited to see us! They are absolutely the most precious kids. I have only been here four days and I already can tell how hard it is going to be to leave. We pretty much had full control of the day which was kind of fun. We got their during their normal "school" time so we decided to stick with the schedule. We went over the ABC's and they did wonderfully! We played a game with learning them, which was a little harder for the younger ones, because the letters weren't in order, but it went fine! Then we did numbers and colors. They do them in french first then in English. They are doing so well with both! These kids are going to have sountern accents after its all over. (5's and I's are hilarious from a Haitian child) After school time is play time. Erica's VBS kids made lots of Frisbees for the orphans so we brought some along and went outside to play with them. The kids went nuts. They didn't really know how to play with them, but they enjoyed themselves none the less. After lunch is normally nap time then art, but they kid of got rolled all into one. So we had crying babies and paint splatters all afternoon. Crazy, but I wouldn't change any of it. 

Funniest part of the day though was when one of the younger boys brought me big bubbles bottle to make bubbles. So we went out to the patio and I made bubbles. The kids when bananas! Surprisingly enough the babies more bananas then the kids. This one baby would yell so loud in an excited way to see the bubbles. He would laugh so hard when they came flying up in the air. I was laughing so hard it was hard to blow the bubbles. One baby was like a ninja and climbed on the chair to sit right in front to have a front row seat of all the fun. We did bubbles for ever. I never would have thought how long their attention span would be when doing bubbles! 

There are some parts to Haitian culture that we are getting used too. They see child raising very differently. For example their are 8 babies, and they just do their own thing. If someone starts crying then they just cry. So Erica and I are always picking up babies trying to make them feel better and the ladies their just look at us and laugh and motion that its ok to leave them. We can never do it. But we can only hold so many babies! All in all it was still wonderful to be there. When Sara came to get us, the kids just latched on telling us by. I had like 5 kids all gripping so tight. It was so sweet. Being there is going to be so much fun.

The rest of the day was spent going to stores to get supplies for Guerlin's orphanage (cups, plates etc). And yes you heard that right, stores. It is kind of like a Wal-Mart in Port-au-Prince, and kind of not really. If Save-A-Lot, Dollar General, and Wal-Mart all mixed together and shrunk that is what it would be. Everything is pretty normal except the food. A box of cereal was over $6 in American!!! Crazy! It was slightly amusing being there. We went to several, Bel Mart, Deli Mart, and Mason Handal. We were trying to get to Mega Mart (which Sara kept calling "Haiti Mart"), but never made it. I never really experienced culture shock as you read in one of my first blogs, but I think that was because America and Haiti have nothing in common. But being in those stores which were like distant cousins to American Markets was definitely different. But more so they made me laugh. I just got a kick out of walking around and seeing all the varieties of things there, American brands and not.

It was kind of like a reality check that this is a real place. Haiti sometimes seems like a dream, like a far away place that is not really real. But it is. It is a place full of poverty, strife, hunger, danger, beauty, and hope. I loved getting to ride around in PAP and see all the sights from before. It reminded me of why I wanted to come back in the first place.

From heartbreak to Haiti

Today has been a day full of every emotion possible. It has been sad, glorious, beautiful, spiritual, and meaningful. When all those hit you at once you know it is going to be an interesting day. I want to start off by explaining why this is such a mile marker of a day.

One year ago today my grandmother, Bettye Summers, passed away. That was probably one of the worst days/weeks I will ever go through. Gran was a great woman of God. As briefly mentioned in my other post she wanted nothing more than to be with her Lord. She lived everyday as if in waiting. She lived every moment of her life to please the Father, and she did that. There isn't a doubt in my mind that when they opened the pearly gates even Paul looked at her in awe. She loved to love. Anybody and everyone. She had the most joyous smile and laugh that would brighten a whole room. Everything was beautiful to her. She loved her precious Edd more than anything else. They were soul-mates and the most beautiful vision of love there was. She loved her grankids/great grankids. She talked about us with everyone as most grandmothers do. But her her heart for missions and the Lord is the reason why I am sitting here in Haiti this very minute. 

Gran was always on a missions trip, planning a trip, running a whole states missions, teaching missions, everything out of her mouth was missions. She loved the people of the world. TBC, SBC, WMU she was on them all. President, Executive member, boss lady, she was the one everyone turned too. She never pushed missions or church on any of us. It just came natural for me. It was a common heart string we had. Through her life and outspoken love of Christ I began to feel those heart strings pull from another source. The Lord was letting me know that this too was what He wanted for my life, whether in the same volume as hers it is too soon to tell.

I had trouble deciding whether to be at home or Haiti during this time. July 4th was their first anniversary apart, and today was the first anniversary of her joining of Christ. But the thought was only for a moment, because I knew that Gran would personally take the lightening strike from God to hit my tail end if I chose to be sad than to come do what my heart says. To her missions and evangelism was the thing to do. Not something you worked at. Which is where I hope one day I can say the same. So I came on to Haiti. Through all the trials and temptations I made it here with the perseverance that only comes from Christ. And today was even more an assurance that this was the right thing to do/

Today Erica and I went to the Children's Home (background on previous post). We were able to spend most of the day there. The kids just flocked to us. We were there to give the ladies a rest and help the director run his program to get an idea for what works for when we come up with our own program for Guerlin's orphanage. They are so beautiful. We didn't really know what to expect. I ended up at the table with the non babies as they were working on their workbooks. Next thing I know we are learning our ABC's in English and then they taught me in French (not creole because they are trying to be better at french). So much fun. We did them all kinds of ways. There was a definite language barrier and no translator, but with kids a lot of times there is really no barrier. They think you are funny, and use dramatics anyways. They would get so tickled when we would get to harder letters like J, G, H, W and they knew that I knew they knew it but got stuck.They would laugh and cover their faces until we said it together. Next thing I know they are fluent in English ABC's. They are so smart to know almost nothing. Their little brains want to soak up all it can. As I was sitting there helping them it hit me that this is what Gran did for so many years. She loved children in America and International. And on this day in her remembrance I was doing just that. Loving on and teaching children. It was so beautiful. It is hard to describe what kind of feeling that was.

I miss my grandmother so much, and would give anything in the world to have her here to see this. That is probably the hardest part about this trip, and about doing missions. She isn't here. To get her wisdom, here more stories, to share these experiences, none of that can happen now. It is tough. But I know that she is where she always wanted to be, and is dancing for her Jesus now. I like to think that she has met Jean Michele there. He is a 16 year old boy from Guerlin's orphanage that was flown to Knoxville for heart surgery and didn't make it trough the procedure. But through his life Chadasha was able to meet Guerlin and her and Sara made a bond that allowed us to come alongside her for the children. All 77 orphans. This is how God works. He makes things beautiful, even when it is hard to see.

*In Loving Memory of Gran*

February 5, 1934-July 6, 2010

Summer 2008-Right before I started college at UT

Bonswa!

Well we made it! After a cancelled flight and delayed departure we are finally here. I cannot believe it yet. It still feels like a dream, a very good dream! We made it into Port-au-Prince and hit the ground running. Though we both had been up for forever we went with Sara and Kinsly (one of the translators that works for Chadasha) and ran some errands. Kinsly has some mad skills. Not only was he driving a stick in Haitian traffic (which for those of you who don't know, Haiti has no traffic laws, yeah think about that), but with the power steering out!! Hilarious! Got back just in time for supper. And let me tell you, besides all the beautiful babies, Haitian food is on the top of the list of why I love Haiti! After finally getting a hold of my parents to tell them I made it (Verizon screwed up and now I can't use my phone), Erica showered and went to bed early. So glad to be here!

Today was kind of a chill day. Sara wanted us to be able to rest up well before we got going strong the rest of the summer. So we spend the morning getting settled in and waiting. We had to wait to get a vehicle to do some visiting. While we were hanging out I got to spend the morning with the most precious baby! I met her when I was here in March. Her name is Melissa and she is a little Haitian baby with down syndrome. She was so tiny when we were here last and now she is so much healthier and stronger! She has been staying with two of the translators while she is being adopted. She is so beautiful and the funniest baby. She will just make faces at you all day. My heart just melted when I got to have her. 

The afternoon consisted of the orphanage and the children's home. Erica and I got to play with the kids while Sara and Kessy (another translator) took care of some business. A little back ground on what these places are.

    *Children's Home: The Children's Home was founded and run by the missionary couple Greg and Michelle Roberts. This a place where the heart is kids that are being adopted have a place to stay out of an orphanage while their parents are working out the dirty details. When I came in March with Calvary, on the last day our team was able to come and clean up the place, put sheets on the bed, sort clothes, etc. Getting it all ready for the children who were coming in the next couple weeks. It has a boys room, girls room, and a baby room. With a bed for an adult in each room. Along with play room, kitchen, dining room, porch, balcony etc. It is beautiful! It was so cool to walk in there and see all these children actually there and their artwork on the wall, and see the outcome of what we did. I was speechless. It warmed my heart so much to see all these children. And they just smiled and played with you. so much joy and happiness in their little faces! For those of you there with me Junior (who is now Mathieu) lives there now as he waits to go home to Tennessee! He is doing so well now! He has gotten so big, and he loved giving kisses to the babies! He also loves his new name Mathieu and will correct you if you say Junior. Kimberly (who is now Caris) is also living there, but was not at the home when we were. She will be adopted soon and moving to the states in a couple months. 

     *Guerlin's Orphanage: This is the orphanage that was washed away by the floods, and then Chadasha came up alongside to help reestablish it. There are 56 kids with 20 more coming. They now have a great big house and play area. They were a little unsure of Erica and I but when some of the little ones ventured on then they all came! We love loving on some Haitian children!! They were all very sweet!! This is where Erica and I will perform a lot of intern duties. Such as making a file on each child, picture and all personal information, implementing programs like education and nutrition and hygiene. As of now they just do whatever, and eat more than my brother and his football player friends can for a meal only twice a day because their little bodies are still in starvation mode and they shovel food down and it not helping their health. But we are excited!

This has been a great first day! I am so excited to see what God has in store for this next week!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-Wilna, who is a good friend of Michelle's, translator, Olympic runner, and keeper of some babies, two of her cousin's were shot today in a random shooting. There were criminals running through a crowd an police were chasing them and everyone was shooting. Please keep them and her in your prayers. 

-Wisdom for our team. There are some issues going on at the orphanage and they need to be dealt with in a efficient but timely manner for the sake of the children but we aren't sure how it is going to go down.

-One of the house mothers at the Children's home is very sick.

haiti don't let it fade

disclaimer i am having to do this on my phone in the Miami airport and there are some features that i cant use so bare with me

Well we made it Miami! We are so so excited that in a few short hours we will be setting foot in the PAP!!! The plane ride was incredibly beautiful! I journaled for awhile then I couldn't sleep so I pulled out my iPod and listened to the "Hope for Haiti" album iTunes made when the earthquake happened. The songs were so beautiful and perfect and meant so much more now that I had been there. Then Beyonce's retake on her Halo song came on. I began listening to the song in a new light and tears began streaming down my face. It was talking about Haiti having a Halo now and not letting it fade, and that Haiti is our angel now.

God has given a gateway for us to Haiti. I remember growing up in school and learning about Haiti and the DR, the way we learned to distinguish the two was "hate is Haiti". Which meant that this place was full of hatred and mean people and that you could never get in. But that is not the case anymore. Through the poverty and devastation that the people have had to endure it has opened up so many possibilities for the Lord to move in that place. Haiti is slowly on its way above water and we cant allow her halo to stop shining.