Paint, Day 4, Graffiti Artist, and Vision

The days keep getting better and better. This morning we spent time with one of the local leaders and got to hear his vision for his people and Cite Soleil. His passionate heart revealed to us his vision for Cite Soleil, for the children, for the women, and for the elders. He held such passion and beauty as he spoke about his hopeful dreams for Haiti. We are excited to sit down with him in the days to come. Our prayer is that the Lord continues to intertwine our hearts, passions, and callings.

Been such a wonderful blessing to be in Cite Soleil with the people. Today we completed two murals. One on the main street and the other one that is in the center of Cite Soleil. Painting in the middle of Cite Soleil has really allowed us to work with the people and children. Today we had a car of five dudes stop to talk about the artwork. By the end of the day we were taking a picture together. The police have stopped. The children have made appearances. We had one-man today stop to say, “This is what I like, this is what I like.” Been neat to watch people stop, appreciate and talk with our workers and us.

Yesterday when our day was done we decided to draw all the men in and pray together. Today we finished and were quick to pack up in hopes to get the day done, tired and exhausted. Peter said, “Aren’t we going to pray?” Neat to see the relationships develop within our own team. We have laughed a bunch, shared random conversations, and been teachers to each other. Today I got my Creole lessons. Neat to share their language. Has really allowed me to bridge into their lives. Today they told me I was Haitian because I spoke such good Creole. To that I laughed and said, “Lets not over due it.” I told them I was black inside.

Today Caitlin and I sat together as the graffiti artist painted away and I think we were both left in awe and full of thankfulness. Thankful for the opportunity to be here at this moment and be working with God’s children in Cite Soleil. So neat to watch Ado (graffiti artist) work today. By the end of the day the mural was ours. Not the blancs, not the Haitians, but ours and for Cite Soleil, for CHANGE, for Jesus.

Tomorrow we paint again. The wall is bigger, but right in the middle of Cite Soleil. Hoping to play a little soccer with crazy kiddos and enjoy the energy of Cite Soleil. It is amazing how their energy infuses me. I often leave Haiti refreshed and ready to work. Another day, grateful and falling deeply in love with Haiti.

Jesus Music, Hard Core Rap, and the Blazing Sun

Today was a day that goes down in the books. We had about ten people on the wall today working together. So neat to watch people take a hand in the work. Hear peoples opinions of what to add, take away, or hopeful changes for Cite Soleil. At one moment in the day we had about five of our guys painting and jamming to the tunes that were playing in the background. A radio was pumping some music for Jesus and they all sang in sync. In the background our friend was on a load speaker explaining the murals to Cite Soleil. It was priceless. Peter, one of our workers (above) was jamming it out, painting on the ladder, and looking good in his shades. Brought a smile. It was one of those moments that you stop and thank god for the opportunity to be a part of what is going on.

Tomorrow the graffiti artist is going to come and paint up a storm with us. We are pretty excited about that because we want the people to take ownership for this piece of work. We have loved that the local people have been adding their talent and hearts to the project. That was our hope and vision for this project.

Later in the afternoon we made it out to the main street that goes through Cite Soleil. A little bit of a change. Sun blazing, almost lost it. So hot, but we survived. From Jesus tunes to some hard-core rap. The scene completely changed, but made me smile as we had the opportunity to be right in it, with the people, take it in, work and talk with people we did not know. The description is hard to captivate, but it was a moment for the books. Speakers pumping, tap taps flying by, vendors trying to sell goods and then two crazy blans trying to paint in the middle of the city.

Tomorrow we are back at it again. Three more to go, not one is complete, but getting closer. Please continue to pray for time with the people and community. Pray for vision. Pray for strength and endurance. Pray for change in Haiti. Pray for the children growing up to be leaders.

2nd day in Cite Soleil

Day two and we found ourselves on a busy road leading out of Cite Soleil. We started off strong and ended sun burned, swollen elbow, and tired. We had a crew of about 10 men today helping us. This picture captures the essence of the day. We painted, talked, painted, laughed at my broken Creole, and painted some more. Had some interesting conversations with the people passing by, some thought the person Caitlin was painting was Aristide, one thought it was the devil, but we ended the day with a portrait of a beautiful Haitian representing the people of Cite Soleil.

It was neat to see the people that the painting drew out. During our sitting moments it was neat to embrace conversation with the people and talk about the mural. What words to add to the photo? What to draw on the mural? Was neat to watch them take it over. By the end of the day we had a graffiti artist join us and help with the drawing. He was not too fond of the tears that Caitlin was creating on the mural. He decided to contribute his skills. He is coming back tomorrow to work with us.

It has been so neat to be in the streets of Cite Soleil. We have been blessed with workers and men to help with painting and security. Today Caitlin crossed the street and one of the guys that was with us watched her like a hawk. He did not like that. Been neat to form relationships with the team and people. Looking forward to tomorrow as it will be another day on the streets with the people.

Highlight of the day had to be taking an hour to sit with the guys and talk about Haiti. Haiti continues to captivate me. One of our workers and I got into a discussion about Aristide. Was neat to hear him speak about how he does not put his trust or hope in Aristide or Man, only God. His smiles and conversations have been highlights of the day.

Continue to pray for safety and time with the people. Pray for endurance. Pray that God would expand our borders and conversation with the people. Pray for this trip that it might continue to birth vision and fruit for Haiti and Making Roots.

Cite Soleil

8 small signs to 5 murals. Cite Soleil 2011

The day started with a young man telling me I was prettier last year. Hhahahah, almost lost it. Day ended with a little boy breaking it done to Micheal Jackson and showing us some karate moves. Good beginning and close to the day! My sister and I almost lost it. I think people are wondering about the crazy “blancs.”

The trip has been encouraging so far. God has provided every little detail. The trip was a blessing. Every plane on time, bags here, paint here, we are safe.

We were anticipating 8 small signs while we were here. We arrived to find walls. The first “sign” we found was definitely a small mural. All of them seem equally big, but we love it. The crew that we are working with has been pure joy. Mostly men, and one gal that if I were to give her a name it would be, “Rough Rider.” She seems like a trooper. Looks tough, but such a sweet spirit, willing to help wherever we go. We were tromping around the city today. By 12 o’clock I felt like it was time for bed. We were able to prime all the walls and get some time to enjoy sitting with friends.

Falling in love with Haiti all over again. Tomorrow we head in for another day of sketching and painting. Please continue to pray for safety as we are working in the city. Most of the time we are on our feet working in the city. Pray for safety, endurance, and time with the people. Here are some photos of beginning stages of our “signs,” which we are now calling murals.

Our crew of Workers

Our crew of workers this year was a beautiful blessing to the camp and children. We have had the same 6 for the last three years and it was so neat to see the growth. The worked beautifully together. There was a deeper richness to the team this year, almost felt like family. At one point we were drumming and laughing and Titus, Children’s Pastor at church took off dancing in circles with the children. It might have been one of my favorite moments to see him cut loose with the children. Bobbing his shoulders up and down, singing, getting kids to join in, it was precious to watch it all unfold.

Each and every person added a piece to the team. Wilfete and Lou brought strength and humor to the day. They were a team. Side by side, fun to watch them interact. One day Wilfete and Lou acted out the story of the Lost Son. Wilfete the father and Lou the lost son. As Lou came running back to Wilfet and embraced in a hug their smiles showed great friendship, joy, and love. It has been so neat to see that cultivate over the years. They didn’t really know each other year one.

Titus, Children’s Pastor was a riot. Brought laughter to the day and strength to the singing and stories. Also brought discipline when out voices didn’t seem to cut it. Lin Lin and Michelda brought a sweet peace and love to the crew. They working hands were always nice to have when we were singing. Lin Lin is a quiet, young, woman. We put her in charge of leading the singing. One day she was trying to focus the children to sing, but somehow the drums were carrying over her voice. Instead of getting frustrated she grabbed a drum from an adult and started drumming faster, louder, and with more JOY. It was hilarious. Made me smile.

Great team. We would not have been able to do it without them.