Candles, Rats, Maggots, and Tranquials, Hail, and Moto Ride with Crackers….Week One Begins..and Thankful for the Little Things

Lord, what a transition. Always makes me laugh. It was graceful getting here and full of laughter. Picture this, three motorcycles in one accord, 80 pound bag on the back of each one, an American squeezed in between the bag and the driver. Ryna said it perfectly, they only time I might have had fear in Haiti was getting to Passe Cataboise on the transportation. Got a pack of crackers at the airport and was eating them on the way out to PC while we were driving. This is an everyday experience on a moto. Moto pulls up beside us and they are having a convo with my driver. They see the crackers and say, “They look good, and can I have one.” I hold it out as to make the gesture if you can get it, SURE. Don’t you know…my driver lines up with their moto and before you know it I am handing off a cracker to both the driver and the passenger and feeding one to my driver. Shared a laugh, love laughing with the Haitians, making jokes as they call it. Part of the journey, embracing life and a bit of laughter. Arrived safely, where we are staying has rats. hHhahaha, another bonus to the trip. They put out poison the day we got here, so both Ryna and I are getting wonderful whiffs of a dead rat. Last night, I said I would love a candle with a smell. Last year my one wish was for popcorn. Ryna keeps a bin here for when she comes back to Haiti. Last year I wished for popcorn and a day later we found her bin and inside was POPCORN. Last night I was talking about the smell and the need for a candle. A bit later Ryna was cleaing and unpacking her bin, and don’t you know inside was a SCENTED candle..hahaha, it was comical. Feel like her box is like Jesus turning water into wine. God, provides this little things that make a difference each year. Provides the big and little things. Last year the popcorn was just a sweet blessing that we needed. The candle this year was a sweet smell that we needed. It has been covering the death of a rat..hahah. Our wonderful Frejal, guard of the hospital, came and found the dead rat. This is good, he finds it and it is covered with maggots and a live tranquila is eating it…hahahah, o Lord, what I wouldn’t do for a clean hotel room right now. Things I am thankful for today: soap, My Ryna, scented candles, coffee, fantastico (random bottle of cleaning supply we bought) and soft bread from the baker: ) Day one finished. It was a weird quiet, think the kids are getting used to us again. They were freakishly quiet. The workers were great, the day was a success. Next week we are hoping to do some workshops with the children in the afternoon and teach them something of a talent. We are pretty tired and excited for Ricky to come in a 2 weeks, to bring the energy. We are going to need it. My body just hurts and sleep is never enough, but we are healthy and good. Having a quiet afternoon in PC. What we thought was rain is actually hail..hahah, never seem that before. The kids keep yelling, “You can eat it.” We keep saying, “Wash it first, ahhh, cholera!!!” Think washing it takes the fun out of it. We are well, day two tomorrow….grateful and resting in his peace today and the week to come. Have a new little worker that finds us in the afternoon. Her name is Michelda. She is 13, I think. She has been kicked out of her house and living with her aunt. Trying to understand it, makes me frustrated. Don’t understand all of it, but because she was kicked out her father is no longer paying for education. She asked if instead of coming to camp, if she could work. It is going to cost about 100 dollars for her to attend school. Less than that. So humbling, 100 dollars and she is willing to work for it, trying to figure it out for herself. They are tough, I will tell you that much…that little Michelda has got more strength that I will ever have. We said she could come help us from 2-4 with prep work for the following day. She was right on time. Sharpening the pencils for camp with a smile…cutting ribbon, all so she can go to school. Humbled by her spirit and drive to attend school. We serve a great great god. I have been reading a book about a woman who has been serving in Africa. She talks about the struggle of trying to understand why she wasn’t born into oppression and struggling, why was she blessed and some aren’t blessed. She writes about how God didn’t give her answer, but she did hear, “It is not for you to know why, but because you weren’t, over your whole life you have a responsibility to care for the poor.” Thought that was so neat…so many questions are hard to answer in Haiti and in this world, and are so often without an answer, that you want to question God. Why do people go hungry? Why am I blessed with a car and these people walk miles to work? Why do babies die? Why do children go hungry? Why do mothers suffer? I could write out countless questions, but honestly I have gotten to a point that I work to rest in his perfect peace and a knowing that we are called to bless those that are less fortunate. It shouldn’t be a choice, it should be a known…that is our job. There is a verse in scripture, “Seek justice. Corrects the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.” Isaiah 1: 16-17. What stands out in that verse is, CORRECT THE OPPRESSOR, and DEFEND the fatherless. It is not a choice to do this, it is our jobs to do this. Will never know the answers, because who can ever be God’s counselor or know enough to answer these questions. But I do know that God has called us to be peacemakers and be responsible to love and work with people that are less fortunate. Been a good three weeks so far..thankful for this journey and you all that have come alongside us, to support us, to love Haiti and the children. Less posts because I am in the mountains, probably two a week, but continue to pray for the camp and the time with the workers and community. Also, ask a personal prayer. My grandmother will be undergoing a triple bypass surgery today on her heart; please pray for her strength and ability to recover. Pray for the doctor’s hands and wisdom. Pray for the recovery time and her strength, pray for my family. Also, pray for Ricky who is coming in a week and my sister that will follow. She is going to throw down some paint in Cite Soleil and paint up a storm. Looking forward. Love you all…till next time! Love you all!

A Day for the Books

What a day! Last day of camp in Cite Soleil and it was a great one at that. Walked in today and the children were all dressed up and ready to show off their work from the work. The church looked amazing. Had all their work hanging up, teachers were there, and children were singing up a storm. Three of my favorite boys, with crazy fun energy and character got up to sing. They sang in english, "We are the world, we are the children," and I was pretty close to crying. You are right, you are the world and you are the children and we need to keep being concerned about you, loving on you, remembering you, teaching you, and sharing life with you. So neat to watch them sing. This is them below. The other picture is of one of the same boys busting a move during the recess time. They love to dance, we just had a great, big party today. These particular boys had some much energetic, funny faces, energy and joy. Loved it.

Just a neat day all together. We talked about Luke 10:27 and about the importance of loving your neighbor like yourself. We had the children make cards for their teachers, moms, dads, they got to pick, but it couldn't be for themselves. It was so neat to see how much it captured their attention. They all drew their own photo, colored it, and wrote the longest letters inside. I got the opportunity to receive a couple of them and they are truly some of the best thank you cards I have ever gotten. Just neat to read about what made them happy, what they loved, thankfulness for the community coming together to support THEM. The skit of today, supporting the helping your neighbor theme, was the Good Samaritain. Lord, the staff got so into it both Ryna and I were roaring with laughter. We even had a donkey..hahah, it was great. The donkey being Elton, our great leader in the camp. Comical. Mario even broke out bandaids and tape as he was the good samartian and he needed to treat the beaten man. The children loved it. We were so blessed with a great staff, made the camp that much more fruitful.

Neat picture of Paloulou checking out the childrens artwork.

This is Marsal and the children he worked with for the last two weeks. So neat to watch him engage with the boys and share art with them. Such a blessing to watch it unfold.

The teachers with the children.

All the staff. We were so blessed by them. Got the chance to visit with Dorthy and meet her father. Neat blessing to share that with her. Love her joy and presence.

Good day. Full of emotions. The children's joy was something that will be hard to replicate. Something about it today, full of spirit and energy. It was contagious, it was hard not to laugh out loud and dance with them. It was one of those days that I will forever remember. Turned to Ryna today and said, "Might be one of my favorite days in Haiti." Just so neat to see JOY come ALIVE in a place that seems desolate and without JOY and ENERGY. So grateful for this place and how God moves. We head north tomorrow for another three weeks. Pray for our travels, bags, and energy. Pray for Ricky, he is coming in on July 29th, pray for his transitions and time in Haiti. Pray that God continues to cover this ministry and work, pray for FAVOR. Love you all and so thankful for you and walking this journey with us! We couldn't do it without you all:) The staff. Amazing group of people with great, great talent and joy to serve!

The Lord is Good

Week 2 almost done...crazy, time seems to be passing faster than I thought it would. Week two even better than last week. The older children have been the sweetest joy and the community continues to amaze me. Probably one of the neatest children at camp is a boy named Jhon. He has a quiet demeanor, but seems to come alive when he gets working at something. He lost his leg in the earthquake when he was 13 years old, but that doesn't stop him from serving. As the children filed outside today he asked how he could help. Helped passing out supplies, markers, just neat to watch him serve and see the strength behind his heart. One of our workers said he got there early this morning to help set up the chairs and the benches. Just made me smile to see a beautiful servant of the Lord working to serve others in the midst of what many could say was a burden. Tough child, with a beautiful heart. My other sidekick showed up today without pants. He is 5 years old and quickly an adult told him to head home home and get pants and come back. He kicked it with me the entire afternoon. He "helped" me roll yarn. He more so made a mess of it, but it was sure funny to hear him talk as he thought he was helping. We danced around while everyone else worked and he then proceeded to "try" and do what the big kids were doing. Held it up with pride, had to laugh inside as it was only one piece of string with a bead on it. Love the little kiddo. Been so neat to grow with the community and work with the children. Today a worship song came on during out workshops and it almost brought me to tears. It sang about Canaan. Just beautiful as it filled he church and the children sang in one accord. Just been full of spirit in a place that can often feel lifeless and dead. The skits have been crazy great for the children. Today we did the story of Zache, one of our workers climbed up the beam of a church to pretend he was in the tree trying to see Jesus. The children loved it. Our Zache had dreads and tattoos..hahaha, think that might be new. Ryna and I followed it up with a skit about why it is important to was your hands after you go the bathroom. We used glitter to show how germs spread. I spent about ten minutes practicing how to say diarrhea in creole, all the workers laughed at me. Couldn't get the accent right, but we made it work. We have had some good laughs together. Been grateful for the crew that we have been given. Saturday we head north for another 3 weeks in the mountains. Continue to pray for the group, the children, the bags. We don't have much transition time. We get there late Saturday and do camp on Sunday. Going to be a quick turn over...but know our youth are waiting for us. Continue to be so grateful for all of you and your support to us. Thank you. It might be awhile to the next post as heading into the mountains doesn't give me much internet access, but wanted to post some pics before we left. Until next time...

Skit for the Prodigal Son

Jhon. A sweet servant

Us "rolling" yarn.

Little buddy trying to do what the big kids were doing. He was proud of it:)

Ryna kicking it with Owl and throwing down some Creole.

Crocheting...they are throwing it down:)

Paloulou working with one of the children

Ryna and I rocking the skit of the importance of washing our hands.

We found some artist!!!!

Ryna is HERE and Week 2 here we COME

Ryna is HERE. Such a blessing to have a friend in this adventure. We spent the day getting ready for week 2. Prepping for the week wasn’t as bad with a partner in crime. Love her, she has such a beautiful heart for this place and one can see it as she is present in this place. Her love and joy to serve the people in Haiti is contagious. She shared this song with me tonight and just wanted to weep: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=516Qg_1AUok. It is called, “All the Poor and the Powerless.” The main line was, “ All the poor and powerless and all the lost and lonely, know that you are HOLY.” Feel like this week I have been looking into the eyes of the poor and the powerless, but God continues to reveal their great beauty and holiness. Feel like God has been moving in the past week. There has been this little 5 year old and he has been working on my heart. He is so happy when we dance. He will be so sad, or hungry, or upset that someone took his marker and then I grab him and we dance and he just laughs and laughs. Friday I plopped him on my back and continued to work. He just hung there and didn’t speak a word, just content. He humbled me everyday. He came hungry everyday, had a large abscess on his back, but somehow he could laugh and see joy in the day. Week 2, day 1 and I feel like it is week 4…I forget I am getting older. Great day. The older kids are fun to watch. They are more engaging, which is fun when we do the theater part of the day. Tomorrow Ryna and I are bringing a skit for why it is important to brush you teeth, putting a health lesson into the day. It has been a neat addition. Today we talked about worms, and then gave a de-worming pill to all the kids before lunch…bet that doesn’t happen in America..hahah. Tomorrow..the importance of brushing your teeth...and I have to say I am pretty sure the blancs will bring some laughs. Sweetest moment of today…I was exhausted…but they have been cranking the music in the church, so fun. Brings life to the place and the children. At the end of the day I got a couple of kids out in the middle of the church and we danced…just laughed, so much fun to just be JOYOUS WITH THE KIDS. I told Ryna I love acting like a fool in front of them and making them laugh. When we were done dancing I was sweating like I just finished a marathon…if only my future husband could see me in Haiti. That has become Ryna and I’s joke of Haiti because we are often messes by 5 o’clock. Love it…day 2, week 2 tomorrow….. Paint is here, love it, it was swift and easy... there were bumps in the road, but got to the hostel today and it was here. Love it, just showed up…thank you Jesus. Continue to pray for the time working with the people, pray for the others that will join us in the weeks to come. Pray for our travels North on Saturday, pray that the bags get there with us. Pray for the camp up North, trying to bring more opportunity for the youth workers to take leadership this year.

Our "Strong as an OX" worker

This is our security hard at work. A little boy resting in the heat of the afternoon, precious!

Marcel, our art teacher is teaching the boys to draw a sunset. He is great with the kids.

Me busting a move with the children.

Some pictures from the days…Ryna found her “twin.” Hahaha, NOT. He is one of our workers and wants to come to America, he said she could say that they were brother and sister because “their teeth look alike.” Hahahah, he is a riot. Been a sweet joy to the camp and children. Love him.

A Day of Many Emotions

We got to Cite Soleil late today because of transportation issue, but I will tell you, it was probably the best welcome I have ever gotten from anyone. I walked in and the children in one accord said, "Leah," with the most precious smiles. Then my little buddy who danced with me yesterday just ran to me with open arms, almost started crying. There JOY amazes me. Amazes me. Good day, had a day full of camp. The afternoon was another spirit filled afternoon. They have been cranking music for the children in the afternoon and today a song came one and I looked around the room and most of the children were singing along. I almost started to cry, it was just beautiful. The songs chorus was, "We adore, we adore our god. He is the only one, the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega." So neat to just watch the children sing in one accord and work at the same time. They kept repeating the song for me because they saw that I liked it so much, hahaha. They played it four times in a row:) Sweet moment to the day. Another sweet moment was watching a father trying to teach his daughter how to crochet. They worked for about 30 minutes and she couldn't get it, he started to walk her to the door and I said no with a smile. Told him it takes more than 30 minutes to learn it, keep teaching her. About an hour later he called me over, he had a beaming smile on his face, she got it. He taught her. He was so happy. A sweet day. A hard day in my heart. I have had the opportunity to watch this community come together in a mighty way. It is glorious, but at the same time my heart breaks for this place. It is so full of talent, energy, ambition, hope, and smiles that can easily get lost in the shanties and streets. Today at the end of the day one of the workers and I broke out in dancing. We acted like figure skaters, we were ridiculous and I am sure everyone in there thought I was crazy. But what made me smile about this moment was this worker can be a very hard person. He used to run in a pretty tough gang and I know I don't know the half of it, but here I was today watching him break out in dancing with a smile that could light a dark room. Made me smile because I could see him being softened in his spirit by the atmosphere, people, joy, the Lord, and the community. What if this was present everyday in this place? My thought for the day....Made my heart break because I think about leaving Cite Soleil in two weeks and this coming to an end. Feel like God wants us to do so much more with his people in Cite Soleil. Last day of camp tomorrow, then one week done. Kind of crazy how quickly it comes and goes. Continue to pray for the camp, community, and team. Ryna comes in tomorrow, excited for a side kick. Pray for her travels, the bags, her spirit, and strength. So exhausting getting to Haiti, pray for a swift flight. Love you all...till next time...

Moments of the day

We made mask today. Camp is finished at one and at 4 I looked out to see this little girl cruising by on her bike. She popped a U turn and cam back to take a photo. Love that she was still rocking her precious mask 3 hours later.

This is PURE JOY. We all decided to jump on each other, their laughter was contagious. I lost it.

This photo started with one child and me. It turned to this and my face looks like this because it is 10 seconds before I fell. Good day with the kids.

A father was trying to teach her to crochet. About 30 minutes into it he was ready to quit and walking her to the door. I told him, "Nope, takes longer than 30 minutes to learn." He laughed and kept going. Within another 30 minutes she had it. He called me over with excitement for me to watch. Best moment of the day. To watch a father engage with his daughter and teach her.

Father's daughter that learned to crochet.

W and I being funny. One of the best workers we got. Always ready to help.

Making it work with what we got. Kids are chowing down. So many of them this is there first meal of the day. Had a couple crying this morning saying they had a hurt stomach. Don't know how they do it.

Favorite moment of yesterday. We have been cranking Jesus music in the church and two of our workers took the mic and began to rock out. Made my day, it was precious. Then one proceeded to the middle of the room to dance with me like we were figure skaters. hahaha, priceless. Yes, I am still a child at heart.

Let the SPIRIT COME and Faces of HOPE

Pure JOY!

Two of our helpers learning to crochet

My little buddy who just grabbed my hand to dance.

Father come to help his daughter work.

A little play for the children. Jesus loves the little children.

Learning to be an artist.

This picture was hilarious. He got right up there and did this...like he was planning it all along. Priceless I am currently wolfing down my food like a man that was just in battle for days and just returned home. People are looking at me funny, hahaha. I eat in the morning and wait til night, hate to eat in Cite Soleil when so many people barely get a meal a day or go days without eating. So tired, but somehow God fuels me up for the next adventure. Today was a day of the spirit moving. We are working in a church that was just built in Cite Soleil. They have a good sound speaker and we were cranking the music. One boy grabbed my hand and just started dancing with me. He was the boy from the picture I posted yesterday. He has become my best buddy, can’t really do anything, but is so proud of what he does. We started dancing and within minutes we had about 20 children dancing around, it was pure joy. Was pouring sweat by the end, but I will take it. Just felt the spirit move, it was amazing. The day was good, Caitlin has come up with a great schedule for the kids and it has been rocking it out. The staff has been great and making it work. The afternoon was the same, just felt full of spirit. One point half of the groups of children were singing to the song that was being played, so neat to just see peace and joy in the midst of what could be considered chaos outside. Can’t complain, God has been so good in all of this. Our budget was met and even in the last two days we have received more blessings of donations. The staff has been great, the children are pure joy. My mom wrote tonight and said she talked with her friend about Haiti and he said, “How can she keep going there when it's a place of NO HOPE!?" Haiti is and isn’t many things. One thing that Haiti is, is hope. Think that is why I keep coming back because in a place that could appear hopeless, if you go deeper all you can see is hope and faith. A simple conversation can reveal that, the hope of a father for his children, the hope and joy you see in a child as he/she engages in something with you, hope for a better tomorrow. Hope in two men sharing a conversation and learning to crochet together…see that as hope as Cite Soleil is a place where gangs thrive, but watching two grown men laugh and learn to crochet is a bit comical. Hope in watching to men grab the mic and sing for Jesus in a place that could seem hopeless. Hope is all these children smiles as they take their photo and know that they will get one copy of it the following day. Hope in 10 boys as they learn how to draw from an artist. I once heard a woman call Haitians, “Little resurrections” and I have to say it was the best analogy for a Haitian. At the end of the day, they almost seem like they could die because their days are that hard, but somehow they wake up the following day and do it all over again. Little resurrections. They are such a beautiful reflection of hope. It is hard to explain, you almost need to get a glimpse of it for yourself, but in the midst of suffering I have seen great hope. I have watched people from the community come out to support the children this week because they have hope in their community; they have hope in their leaders, hope in their children, hope in the Lord, hope in themselves, and hope in a better Cite Soleil. This place continues to humble me and crush my self. Thankful and blessed today…love you all and so grateful for you all. We could not do this work without you all. Continue to pray for the travels of our volunteers. Pray for the camp and the community. Pray that God’s glory would continue to REIGN and SHINE in this place. Til next time….pray that Hope continues to SHINE.