I am constantly reminded of how incapable I am to do anything apart from Christ. Like I have mentioned before I have had the opportunity to go back through the Discipleship Focus study. God is so funny how he makes everything work out perfectly and speak to your heart in so many ways at a specific time.
This next chapter is about dealing with hard circumstances in life. Everyone has them. And we all have to deal with them but we can choose to have a good attitude or a bad one about it. In the chapter it talks about how our emotions (or reactions) about a situation/circumstance is filtered through our attitude. I need to have a better attitude and respond to things in a different way. And so I set out to do so...Just to fall on my face. Its funny since we just talked about how we need to present our stuff to God because we cannot do anything on our own and here I am trying to do so.
Another aspect of this weeks study on hard situations was a challenge to be thankful in every situation. Thanksgiving is coming up folks (this word was chosen for all my Texas friends) thus we are more intentional about thinking about what we are thankful for in our lives. All good things. Yet the study, if you didn't catch what I said, challenges you to be thankful in every situation. One of the passages in this chapter is Job 1:20 and after looking at the story of Job I began to weep. I am no longer angry about my mom's death and sadness comes when it feels like it but I am not sure I can be thankful for that just yet and if ever. It seems like such a foreign concept and I see no way of me being thankful. I also have to not be so hard on myself since its only coming up on 10months. We are still experiencing all the first without her; our Birthday's, her Birthday, Holidays and anniversaries of her death. I can definitely say "Blessed be your name Jesus" but I don't know if I can say thank you for this just yet.
Kind of going along with this attitude theme this last weekend I may or may not have earned my "Grumps" nick name. To say the least I was grumpy and yet I had nothing to be grumpy about. I got to sleep in and had time for myself to work out and Brian and I would be hanging out enjoying the rest of the day doing whatever we felt like. It was supposed to be a good day. and yet I allowed myself to have a bad attitude. God is good because he never stops working in our lives and he always keeps speaking to my heart (even on days when I dont know why he would bother).
I was challenged and reminded about my attitude when we went to church Saturday night......each day is a choice, so choose life Deut 30:19. God came to give us life and life to the full John 10:10. We choose if we are happy and more so joyful in the Lord. I forgot that it was a choice and have been allowing my moods and attitude to be defined by my situation and not by who I am in Christ. My identity is in him. My security and hope is in him. I am so loved and so provided for and he never changes. And so I can trust him. I can choose the life he wants for me. Each day. One day at a time. For that is all we have been given. We may not be given tomorrow so we cant worry and stress.. I ended the day okay once I was shown that I get to choose. I am not going to allow peoples thoughts about me define me or circumstances that are out of my control decide my attitude.
To finish up this week long speaking into my life over and over again (God is so patient by the way) Sunday morning as I was looking at stuff for Children's Church for the following week I was in Ecclesiastes 3 and it explains that there is a time for everything. This spoke to my impatient heart and my challenged heart to be thankful in each situation. This was followed by a Facebook message from a dear friend that shared a verse from Ecclesiastes 3 with me to encourage me. Which it did.
So I leave you with this: "He makes everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11 That means you, my mom's death, and me.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Haiti: Coming Home
Haitian Airport. Enough said. I guess that is only true if you have spent time with some Haitians. It was for sure an adventure worth sharing.
1 long line
3 security check points.
immigration
checking in and checking bags
1.5hours later.
What is funny is there was a lady I met on the plane to Part-Au-Prince that told me she liked coming back to the airport to depart better than arriving because that part of the terminal was much better. Mind you a huge majority of the airport was destroyed during the earthquake. Although I would agree that the area itself may be nicer than when you arrive and get your baggage you are very much so still in Haiti.
There are two lines that lead from outside of the building (under and awning) that wraps around the side walk. You are constantly being pushed and there is no sense of personal space at all. The line to the right is if you are just a normal average Joe person leaving Haiti. The line to the left is for people who pay for someone to carry their bags or have made the list. Not sure what the list is or how one would get on it but if you weren't on the list they would tell you no and make them get back into ours. There are also exceptions to the list. If you are Haitian you can talk the guys that work there into letting you cut the line by being allowed to go in the left line. The two lines end up merging at the doors of the building but they let about 10 people in the left line go to every one or two people in the right. What an adventure trying to keep a group together.
Once we made it into the building you immediately go through a metal detector. We then went and printed our boarding passes with the help of one of the airport workers. We still had about 5 of the 9 of us all together, with the other 4 ahead in groups of two, and once he realized we were a group he went and printed our baggage tags and took our luggage before we had to wait in the next line. We were able to jump ahead of two of the guys that were a head of us. We then went through immigration and through another metal detector. You then go up stairs to find another metal detector which was ran by TSA. Wayne and Brad who made it to the gate first were surprised by how quickly our group had caught up. 1.5 hours later we made it to the gate. No more complaining about the airports in the US.
Of course the trip home does not end there. We landed in Fort Lauderdale, and when I say we landed I mean we slid on in through the clouds. It was a bit rough and makes my top 5 worst landing. Here we had to go through immigration right away. This is when one of my favorite quotes from the trip was spoken: "I'm sorry I only speak creole." Bulldog (mike) said this somewhat loud and for all to hear he was walking up to the desk at immigration.
We then went to get our luggage and go through customs. There were a few of our team that made it through quickly and ahead of the huge line that formed when the airport worker was checking luggage. Then a few more got through when the decided to break out the big room where you get searched and your luggage gets searched too. Luckily I was the small, little, innocent, white girl and I was pushed on through and did not have to go into that other room. The tough part was over and some good old American food was waiting for us before we got onto our next plane.
What an adventure. And what a great ending to a 9 day adventure were I experienced so much. This trip was not one of those mountain top experiences that just come and goes, it was one that stays with your heart because it was just good.
1 long line
3 security check points.
immigration
checking in and checking bags
1.5hours later.
What is funny is there was a lady I met on the plane to Part-Au-Prince that told me she liked coming back to the airport to depart better than arriving because that part of the terminal was much better. Mind you a huge majority of the airport was destroyed during the earthquake. Although I would agree that the area itself may be nicer than when you arrive and get your baggage you are very much so still in Haiti.
There are two lines that lead from outside of the building (under and awning) that wraps around the side walk. You are constantly being pushed and there is no sense of personal space at all. The line to the right is if you are just a normal average Joe person leaving Haiti. The line to the left is for people who pay for someone to carry their bags or have made the list. Not sure what the list is or how one would get on it but if you weren't on the list they would tell you no and make them get back into ours. There are also exceptions to the list. If you are Haitian you can talk the guys that work there into letting you cut the line by being allowed to go in the left line. The two lines end up merging at the doors of the building but they let about 10 people in the left line go to every one or two people in the right. What an adventure trying to keep a group together.
Once we made it into the building you immediately go through a metal detector. We then went and printed our boarding passes with the help of one of the airport workers. We still had about 5 of the 9 of us all together, with the other 4 ahead in groups of two, and once he realized we were a group he went and printed our baggage tags and took our luggage before we had to wait in the next line. We were able to jump ahead of two of the guys that were a head of us. We then went through immigration and through another metal detector. You then go up stairs to find another metal detector which was ran by TSA. Wayne and Brad who made it to the gate first were surprised by how quickly our group had caught up. 1.5 hours later we made it to the gate. No more complaining about the airports in the US.
Of course the trip home does not end there. We landed in Fort Lauderdale, and when I say we landed I mean we slid on in through the clouds. It was a bit rough and makes my top 5 worst landing. Here we had to go through immigration right away. This is when one of my favorite quotes from the trip was spoken: "I'm sorry I only speak creole." Bulldog (mike) said this somewhat loud and for all to hear he was walking up to the desk at immigration.
We then went to get our luggage and go through customs. There were a few of our team that made it through quickly and ahead of the huge line that formed when the airport worker was checking luggage. Then a few more got through when the decided to break out the big room where you get searched and your luggage gets searched too. Luckily I was the small, little, innocent, white girl and I was pushed on through and did not have to go into that other room. The tough part was over and some good old American food was waiting for us before we got onto our next plane.
What an adventure. And what a great ending to a 9 day adventure were I experienced so much. This trip was not one of those mountain top experiences that just come and goes, it was one that stays with your heart because it was just good.
Haiti: Some things I learned
So there was a lot that God did that week in Haiti and I thought that I would share with you all just a few things that he taught and is teaching me....
Again, The Bible transcends languages and cultures. Yes I knew this and believed it but I did not know it for myself. And generally knowing things for yourself is better. So wonderful to see it and realize it amidst my insecurities within the first 24hours of being in Haiti.
Monday was the first day that we did devotionals before breakfast and Wayne told us that throughout the week we would be giving our testimonies. He decided to start with me (since he knew the least about my story). Mind you while he said that I was like okay great I can share my testimony (because remember I was a little nervous about sharing what God was teaching me just the day before). I will remind you that I dont always like to talk in front of big groups of people but I am good at it. I have been sharing about what the Lord has been doing in my life for the last 8 years but for whatever reason I was taking it all in and really felt the need to process everything I was seeing and feeling.
So as I started off on my "2min" testimony I felt rushed and I realized it was the first time since my mom died that I was telling my testimony (in its entirety) to a group of people not just one on one. I got to my mom accepting Christ and changing her life around (when a lump in my throat began to grow). I chocked that down and continued on telling my story through high school and college. And then I had to top the cake with the most recent and still very real thing (even 9 months later...) that I am facing. I bawled. Let's get something straight though, I did not want to be crying but I could not help it. And since my mom died it seems when I start crying I cant stop so I finished up my story talking about God's goodness still in the midst of all of the pain and then also sharing about how I love to serve and am blessed to be on this trip.
I learned that I am not okay yet. Nowhere near okay. I have learned to live with the pain but I dont think I have given it away. And based on this week (Nov 8th) which was my mom's birthday I am still very much a grieving as one does in the first year even though I want to be past this and I want to be strong I know that I am not.
I love to serve and be used. I want to be helpful and throughout the week when I wasn't able to help as much due to heights and heaviness of things it was frustrating that when I could help sometimes I was unable to help.
Alright moving along. I was very content while there. I didn't worry about a thing. This comes from a worrier that needs that is constantly giving things away each day. It was nice to just be. It was a huge change in pace and believe it or not I slept more those 9 days then I usually do at home each night. When I say that I was content I really mean I felt a peace about being there and I enjoyed every moment. On the last day we were there I told you that we went up to the mountains. It was such a dramatic chage from being in the city.
It was quiet.
It was nice and cool (I even got goose bumps).
The view was amazing.
Did I mention that it was quiet.
On our drive up the mountain we had a very close call. There was a car that was passing as he was going down the two way mountain road but he tried to pass too many cars at once and we were coming up and around the corner. It was a last minute save by our fearless driver as he pulled off and onto the only extra side pull off along the mountain. I was sitting close to the cab up on a chair and was looking straight out the truck and although there came a point where I realized that this was not going to be good because the other guy needed to slow down and get back over but wasn't I was calm. I felt peace and I knew we would be okay. Mind you I believe a profanity was said by someone but all others were quiet as they held there breathe waiting to see what would happen. Someone was praying at 2pm on Saturday Oct 29th for us. And God has so much more for us then to die in that truck.
It took a few people a while to really relax and calm down after that but everyone was good to go and luckily Samuel and Hannah were unaware of what was happening so they were not to worked up. On the way down the mountain I just sat again near the front overlooking the cab and was able to just enjoy the beauty and really reflect and pray. It was a good time with the Lord to just praise and thank him. I was so blessed by the week and just completely thankful. I found myself so many times that week counting my blessing (not just having the luxuries of America) but the small things. I am so thankful the Lord gave me time apart to serve and do what makes me feel the most alive.
Something that I am excited about doing is helping sponsor an 8 year old little girl named Dashka so she can go to school. Here is a picture of her if you forgot which one of the cute children she was:
I am honored to be a part of helping send her to school and excited to see what the Lord does. She has such a tender sweet heart and it was a blessing to get to know her.
Did I mention that I was super blessed by the team of people that I went down to Haiti with, oh because I am. I got to get to know each of them a little and I am amazed at what the Lord does in our lives and what he can bring us out of.
Again, The Bible transcends languages and cultures. Yes I knew this and believed it but I did not know it for myself. And generally knowing things for yourself is better. So wonderful to see it and realize it amidst my insecurities within the first 24hours of being in Haiti.
Monday was the first day that we did devotionals before breakfast and Wayne told us that throughout the week we would be giving our testimonies. He decided to start with me (since he knew the least about my story). Mind you while he said that I was like okay great I can share my testimony (because remember I was a little nervous about sharing what God was teaching me just the day before). I will remind you that I dont always like to talk in front of big groups of people but I am good at it. I have been sharing about what the Lord has been doing in my life for the last 8 years but for whatever reason I was taking it all in and really felt the need to process everything I was seeing and feeling.
So as I started off on my "2min" testimony I felt rushed and I realized it was the first time since my mom died that I was telling my testimony (in its entirety) to a group of people not just one on one. I got to my mom accepting Christ and changing her life around (when a lump in my throat began to grow). I chocked that down and continued on telling my story through high school and college. And then I had to top the cake with the most recent and still very real thing (even 9 months later...) that I am facing. I bawled. Let's get something straight though, I did not want to be crying but I could not help it. And since my mom died it seems when I start crying I cant stop so I finished up my story talking about God's goodness still in the midst of all of the pain and then also sharing about how I love to serve and am blessed to be on this trip.
I learned that I am not okay yet. Nowhere near okay. I have learned to live with the pain but I dont think I have given it away. And based on this week (Nov 8th) which was my mom's birthday I am still very much a grieving as one does in the first year even though I want to be past this and I want to be strong I know that I am not.
I love to serve and be used. I want to be helpful and throughout the week when I wasn't able to help as much due to heights and heaviness of things it was frustrating that when I could help sometimes I was unable to help.
Alright moving along. I was very content while there. I didn't worry about a thing. This comes from a worrier that needs that is constantly giving things away each day. It was nice to just be. It was a huge change in pace and believe it or not I slept more those 9 days then I usually do at home each night. When I say that I was content I really mean I felt a peace about being there and I enjoyed every moment. On the last day we were there I told you that we went up to the mountains. It was such a dramatic chage from being in the city.
It was quiet.
It was nice and cool (I even got goose bumps).
The view was amazing.
Did I mention that it was quiet.
On our drive up the mountain we had a very close call. There was a car that was passing as he was going down the two way mountain road but he tried to pass too many cars at once and we were coming up and around the corner. It was a last minute save by our fearless driver as he pulled off and onto the only extra side pull off along the mountain. I was sitting close to the cab up on a chair and was looking straight out the truck and although there came a point where I realized that this was not going to be good because the other guy needed to slow down and get back over but wasn't I was calm. I felt peace and I knew we would be okay. Mind you I believe a profanity was said by someone but all others were quiet as they held there breathe waiting to see what would happen. Someone was praying at 2pm on Saturday Oct 29th for us. And God has so much more for us then to die in that truck.
It took a few people a while to really relax and calm down after that but everyone was good to go and luckily Samuel and Hannah were unaware of what was happening so they were not to worked up. On the way down the mountain I just sat again near the front overlooking the cab and was able to just enjoy the beauty and really reflect and pray. It was a good time with the Lord to just praise and thank him. I was so blessed by the week and just completely thankful. I found myself so many times that week counting my blessing (not just having the luxuries of America) but the small things. I am so thankful the Lord gave me time apart to serve and do what makes me feel the most alive.
Something that I am excited about doing is helping sponsor an 8 year old little girl named Dashka so she can go to school. Here is a picture of her if you forgot which one of the cute children she was:
Did I mention that I was super blessed by the team of people that I went down to Haiti with, oh because I am. I got to get to know each of them a little and I am amazed at what the Lord does in our lives and what he can bring us out of.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Hait: An overview of the week at the work cite
Monday Morning we started working on the house.
Most of the week's schedule kind of went like this:
-Wake up at 5:45a
-Devotional with everyone at 6:15a (Wayne would share a little bit with us and then have one of us share our testimonies). This would be outside by the pool.
-Breakfast at 6:40ish I have not talked much about the food but it was pretty great! There was only one night that it did not agree with my stomach and was out of my system just 20mins after eating. It was not because it tasted gross but because I worked a little too hard that day and was a little shaky. Needless to say I went to bed at 7:30pm that night.
-By 7:20a or so we would be on our way to the job site. Thankfully this 40minute ride was in the back of the truck with plenty of air and ability to see out.
-Work with the group of Haitian workers that have been hired on to help with each of the houses Homes for Haiti has and will build.
-Lunch about 12:30ish (bathroom break for the females usually was us hurrying and running away from the kids to go hide in the cemetery and bushes).
-We would work until 4:30ish and then head back to the Villa with time to jump in the pool or shower and catch dinner at 6pm.
(wed night we left at 5:30 because we had to finish the bond beam so it could set and dry over night).
Some highlights of the trip:
The first morning we went and picked up some extra supplies. We stopped by a gas station and got gas for the generator. Mind you, they look like regular gas stations (the inside store area usually is not up and running) but there are definitely guys out guarding the pumps with shot guns.
The first two days at the job site included me sifting dirt and shoveling dirt that needed to be sifted. This was no big deal (flashbacks to building houses in Mexico!) Yet for whatever reason (maybe because I am not playing sports and have no upper body strength (even more so now than in High School) but I sure was sore on Tuesday and Wednesday. Luckily for me there was rain almost every night where we were building the house so that made the dirt even heavier for day two of sifting. Lanice (I am guessing on the spelling of his name) was my partner for this. He did not speak English at all so we had fun communication in other ways with each other. He was super strong and he could work (much like all of the other Haitian's we got to work with).
Something that I had been praying for was that we would have kids around the job site. That was always one of my favorite things when we would go down to Mexico. I brought lots of stickers with me and they loved to put them all over their bodies.
Hayley and I had a great time loving on them. And in turn they loved on us a bit too....
Culturally Haitian's care a lot about how they look and cleanliness. Half way through the day they will go wash up and change. The day that they were playing with my hair (which ended up hurting a little) Lolo sat in my lap and took the handkerchief from my neck and wiped my face to clean it off. And then whenever we would stand up the kids would brush off our pant legs and help clean us off. It was awesome to see the way they took to us.
I promise we really did build a house...
We decided to go and buy a bunch of snacks and drinks for the house dedication on Friday afternoon to give out. we were also blessed to be able and give out some bibles, coloring books and some dolls.
Most of the week's schedule kind of went like this:
-Wake up at 5:45a
-Devotional with everyone at 6:15a (Wayne would share a little bit with us and then have one of us share our testimonies). This would be outside by the pool.
-Breakfast at 6:40ish I have not talked much about the food but it was pretty great! There was only one night that it did not agree with my stomach and was out of my system just 20mins after eating. It was not because it tasted gross but because I worked a little too hard that day and was a little shaky. Needless to say I went to bed at 7:30pm that night.
-By 7:20a or so we would be on our way to the job site. Thankfully this 40minute ride was in the back of the truck with plenty of air and ability to see out.
-Work with the group of Haitian workers that have been hired on to help with each of the houses Homes for Haiti has and will build.
-Lunch about 12:30ish (bathroom break for the females usually was us hurrying and running away from the kids to go hide in the cemetery and bushes).
-We would work until 4:30ish and then head back to the Villa with time to jump in the pool or shower and catch dinner at 6pm.
(wed night we left at 5:30 because we had to finish the bond beam so it could set and dry over night).
Some highlights of the trip:
The first morning we went and picked up some extra supplies. We stopped by a gas station and got gas for the generator. Mind you, they look like regular gas stations (the inside store area usually is not up and running) but there are definitely guys out guarding the pumps with shot guns.
The first two days at the job site included me sifting dirt and shoveling dirt that needed to be sifted. This was no big deal (flashbacks to building houses in Mexico!) Yet for whatever reason (maybe because I am not playing sports and have no upper body strength (even more so now than in High School) but I sure was sore on Tuesday and Wednesday. Luckily for me there was rain almost every night where we were building the house so that made the dirt even heavier for day two of sifting. Lanice (I am guessing on the spelling of his name) was my partner for this. He did not speak English at all so we had fun communication in other ways with each other. He was super strong and he could work (much like all of the other Haitian's we got to work with).
Something that I had been praying for was that we would have kids around the job site. That was always one of my favorite things when we would go down to Mexico. I brought lots of stickers with me and they loved to put them all over their bodies.
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| This is Dashka (8) and LoLo (2 or 3) they were by far my favorite! |
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| LoLo (Angelo) |
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| They got a hold of my hair and yes it does look sweaty and gross but they loved it |
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| Jerry loved Brian! :) He followed him everywhere |
Culturally Haitian's care a lot about how they look and cleanliness. Half way through the day they will go wash up and change. The day that they were playing with my hair (which ended up hurting a little) Lolo sat in my lap and took the handkerchief from my neck and wiped my face to clean it off. And then whenever we would stand up the kids would brush off our pant legs and help clean us off. It was awesome to see the way they took to us.
I promise we really did build a house...
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| Hayley was a hammering rock star...I on the other hand was not good at the extra hard wood and extra long flimsy nails |
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| I didn't spend to much time on the roof (or really any but I did help Brian and Hayley with tying rebar to get ready for the bond beam) |
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| Working on the Ceiling |
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| The team and the Family |
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| Look at Dashka! :) Warms my heart every time. |
Haiti Day Two
We woke up somewhat early (to roosters and the sun shinning at 5am!)
Enjoyed breakfast and got ready for church. It took about 45mins to drive over to the church.
I think that it is awesome that we got to experience a Haitian Church service. It was fun to see the joy in even the children (yes the children sang all the songs with so much enthusiasm and knew each of the songs and they did not just dance around and mouth the words) during the worship time. They had some solo or group led songs and then also the whole congregation. I wish I knew what the chorus to one of the songs meant in English (Michael did not know since it was a variation of a song he knew) because to watch them sing it almost brought me to tears because of the life that was in that place and the hope and joy that was evident in worshiping the one true God. Thankful for that experience.
Yes it was somewhat frustrating not being able to understand what was being said but thankfully Michael was not far from where I was sitting and whispered a little bit throughout the sermon aspect of the church service. God is awesome. He is perfect and bigger than we know. While listening to the service, having the language barrier and my own insecurities still very present because Wayne (pastor at FUMC Waco who led the trip) said that throughout the week he would be putting us on the spot to share and it might be while at church, I was a little overwhelmed. What do you share about what you are experiencing, seeing and learning that with transcend cultures. Mind you if you have not realized yet from the numerous pictures on Facebook and on here the culture if very different in Haiti (not in a bad way). If I spoke in front of people I wanted them to be able to get something out of it just as the team I was on would. Again my insecurities were also due to me not focusing on the great gift of the Holy Spirit who speaks through us.
But like I said God is perfect, good and so BIG. As Michael was translating for us I realized the stories of the Bible transcend cultures. Not just languages. The actual experiences of different people who have gone through more than I can ever imagine and have so much need. So for example from the service when teaching about patience the story of Abraham and Sarah and God promising them a son, can and does make sense to everyone.
What a blessing to be a part of that church service and to get to meet some people who love the Lord was amazing. Our next stop was about and hour and 30min drive from the church to a really nice Hotel/resort in the mountains for lunch. Lets just say in the back of a 12 passenger van through Haiti's traffic I was somewhat car sick and very much so ready to get out of the car (luckily it would only be about a 45min drive back to the villa from there and I got to ride up front that time). This was a great way to see another side of Haiti. If you were blindfolded at the airport and driven there you would not even know what Haiti at its core is like because it was so removed.
We then returned to the Villa and gathered some of the toys, candy and stickers that we had brought with us for the Orphanage visit we had planned. It was about a 5-10min walk up the mountain from the Villa. We took the "short cut" which was quicker but a little steep especially in a skirt. The kids were awesome...
We experienced and saw so much in that one day...but it was a true gift and an honor to be a part of it all.
Enjoyed breakfast and got ready for church. It took about 45mins to drive over to the church.
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| Our team at church with Samuel and his dad (whom we would be building the house for). |
I think that it is awesome that we got to experience a Haitian Church service. It was fun to see the joy in even the children (yes the children sang all the songs with so much enthusiasm and knew each of the songs and they did not just dance around and mouth the words) during the worship time. They had some solo or group led songs and then also the whole congregation. I wish I knew what the chorus to one of the songs meant in English (Michael did not know since it was a variation of a song he knew) because to watch them sing it almost brought me to tears because of the life that was in that place and the hope and joy that was evident in worshiping the one true God. Thankful for that experience.
Yes it was somewhat frustrating not being able to understand what was being said but thankfully Michael was not far from where I was sitting and whispered a little bit throughout the sermon aspect of the church service. God is awesome. He is perfect and bigger than we know. While listening to the service, having the language barrier and my own insecurities still very present because Wayne (pastor at FUMC Waco who led the trip) said that throughout the week he would be putting us on the spot to share and it might be while at church, I was a little overwhelmed. What do you share about what you are experiencing, seeing and learning that with transcend cultures. Mind you if you have not realized yet from the numerous pictures on Facebook and on here the culture if very different in Haiti (not in a bad way). If I spoke in front of people I wanted them to be able to get something out of it just as the team I was on would. Again my insecurities were also due to me not focusing on the great gift of the Holy Spirit who speaks through us.
But like I said God is perfect, good and so BIG. As Michael was translating for us I realized the stories of the Bible transcend cultures. Not just languages. The actual experiences of different people who have gone through more than I can ever imagine and have so much need. So for example from the service when teaching about patience the story of Abraham and Sarah and God promising them a son, can and does make sense to everyone.
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| So simple and God was very much so present |
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| Mike "other known as bulldog" got to share while Michael translated |
What a blessing to be a part of that church service and to get to meet some people who love the Lord was amazing. Our next stop was about and hour and 30min drive from the church to a really nice Hotel/resort in the mountains for lunch. Lets just say in the back of a 12 passenger van through Haiti's traffic I was somewhat car sick and very much so ready to get out of the car (luckily it would only be about a 45min drive back to the villa from there and I got to ride up front that time). This was a great way to see another side of Haiti. If you were blindfolded at the airport and driven there you would not even know what Haiti at its core is like because it was so removed.
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| The view was great there! |
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| She was a little upset |
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| Much Better |
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| One of the bedrooms |
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| As we were leaving the kids were eating |
It was such a gift to be welcomed so warmly by the children, they just grabbed our hands and led us inside.
The View from the Orphanage's roof top:
We experienced and saw so much in that one day...but it was a true gift and an honor to be a part of it all.
Haiti Day One
To say the least Haiti was awesome. I was super excited to go and very glad that the Lord spared my health while I was there.
Not sure where to begin but I guess I will start at the airport. I was nervous to go through customs and immigration (just because I have never done that before). I didn't know what to say or what they would ask (and at the doctors office I get anxious that I will not be able to answer the questions they ask...so you can only imagine). I should also mention that it didn't feel like I was going to another country when we left Miami since I was just on a plane (and I have flown to a lot of places before) and when we got off we were for sure nowhere I have ever been.
Once we landed in the Puart-au-Prince the Haitian's on the plane (because surprisingly enough there were a lot of non-Haitian's on the flight) began to climb over people and push their way down the isles of the plane. There was no concept of wait until everyone filled out in front of you. Haiti's airport was insane. There is no order to baggage claim and you walk through one guy doing customs and then out the front doors where people are trying to take your bags and help you so that you will pay them. We were greeted by Jasmine (Haitian driver that helps out and works with the Schaferly's who took us to where the van and truck were waiting for us.
Michael, Sarah, Samuel and Hannah is the missionary family that hosted us. Michael was born and raised in Haiti (his parents were missionaries) other than vacations back to the states and 4th and 9th grade until he went to the states for college. This was a blessing because he knows the language, culture and how to drive down there! They have been down in Haiti since January and our team worked on the 13th house that "Homes for Haiti" has built. Michael drove the work truck for all of our luggage while Sarah was our tour guide in the Jasmine's van. It took about 45mins to get to the Villa because of the crazy traffic...
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| Just another day in Haiti |
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| Market on the street |
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| This is where they burned all of the bodies from the earthquake |
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| Taptap (taxi) which is just benches in the bed of a small truck that is covered They can get about 10-15poeple in there. |
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| The Villa - This is where we stayed |
We were able to get settled and had dinner and just got to get to know the team (whom most I had never met before). They are awesome and such a blessing to go serve with them...
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