Hello Dear Ones!
This is Lana on a fine, hot Haitian day writing from the AIM base -- first of all, HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY Cole!!! We love you dearly son and are keeping our hearts close to you even though we are in Haiti! You are growing to be a wonderful young man & we know God has great plans for you! Hello Miles and McKenna! We love you too!
Unbelievably we only have a few days left! In many ways it seems like we have been here for a long, long time.... and in other ways we are so sad that we only have a day and a half left. I am so very proud of all the students and adults on our team. God has been working in us, around us and through us.
Yesterday (Wednesday July 21) we worked on removing rubble from the home of a Christian man named Enoch. We resembled a colony of ants picking up one piece at a time. We had 4 wheel barrels, shovels, plastic buckets and work gloves. We shoveled, heaved, transported the rubble to a huge pile on the main street and got covered in a thin film of broken concrete mixed with heavy sweat. I made a special friend named Melinda. She was a Haitian woman from the church who jumped on our "tap-tap" (our transport truck you can rent like a taxi -- it is called a tap-tap because you tap on the roof when you want to get off). She did not know what she was getting into, but worked cheerfully beside us all morning. Haitian people are very demonstritive of affection. She and I held hands walking back and forth. She would sing hymns in Creole and I would sing a verse in English. It was a precious time of being one in the Lord.
That evening we joined the local church for worship. We began by singing "Day by Day" for 35 solid minutes. Later, JD introduced our group, we sang some songs ("This is How we Overcome" is the favorite!) and he was invited to share a message. It was a beautiful evening of worship and movement and JOY JOY JOY!
Today (Thursday July 22) we went to another orphanage. It was beautiful to watch the smiles blossoming all around! Our students shared bubbles, little toys, and coloring activities. We taught them how to sing "Jesus loves me -- without the me" and they taught us how to say "Bondye beni Ou" which means "God Bless You"
And so I need to end with that same blessing upon you! We love you and will see you all too soon!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Haiti - Part One
Wow.
There is simply no other way to describe it.
Upon arriving in Haiti, we exited the Port-au-Prince airport smothered by waving hands and anxious porters - all emphatically trying to "assist" us with baggage and finding us a Tap-Tap (a local taxi). I stayed at the front of the group, having already prepped them for this type of Haitian greeting, trying desperately to find our hosts. Amazingly enough, though our hosts were not present, and though one particular porter would not leave us alone, a strange Caucasian man seemed to appear from nowhere and gave us directions to find our waiting party... and then disappeared! It was just the type of direction we needed to begin this adventure, and would represent the type of uncanny happenings that will most likely be spread throughout our trip.
We found our hosts from AIM, boarded an old run-down school bus and made our way through the city toward base camp. Words can not describe the smells, the thick air, the smothering heat, the chaos, the trash, the unique mixture of beauty and filth, of shining sea and soot-covered streets... We traveled to our camp with jaws dropped, cameras clicking, and speechless awe. There is no way to exaggerate the picture - Haiti is a country desperate in need of help, but a country filled with prideful people, smiles, laughter, handshakes and a kiss on each cheek.
Our accommodations are actually better than we expected - though far from comfortable. We are living in an orphanage sponsored by a local church. Bed mats are rolled out on concrete floors, the toilet flushes only after you pour a bucket of water in the bowl and place used toilet tissue in the waste basket (toilet paper clogs the plumbing). The food is excellent - mostly rice and chicken - and the showers are taken by pouring cupfuls of water over your head. While the heat is intense, we are blessed with an occasional ocean breeze.
Mornings begin with an oatmeal breakfast with fresh Haitian fruit, a short devotional, and quiet time for journaling. Late mornings involve a new discipline called "prayer walks" where the group is seperated and sent out to pray over the city, the people, the country as a whole - all the while waiting and listening for the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Admittedly, this is a difficult task for myself, and others as well. Few of us have grown up with this type of approach and the discomfort of starting conversation with strangers on the street can be intimidating. However, this practice is breaking new ground, challenging our preconceived ideas of evangelism and pushing the boundaries of our faith.
After a lunch of PB&J, the group gathered their sports gear and headed out to the soccer field for some "sports evangelism". Within minutes of playing soccer amongst ourselves, children quickly congregated upon the field - some hanging to the surrounding fences, others running up to play. The skill of their game was enviable, their ability to play with such grace - though living in such destitution - was breath-taking.
Evenings have been filled with worship. From the first time we began to sing, our hosts have encouraged us to sing - to sing frequently. We have been invited by a local minister, Pastor Jean-Claude, to sing to the congregation this Wednesday night. The beauty of these evening sessions is found in the unity of our voices with those of the orphanage and other invited guests. We have found a unique connection to Christians, to the Haitian people through worship. And while we have so little knowledge of their culture, the language barrier seems to be less present during these times. It is an amazing way to end each day.
The group is well, spirits are high, and there seems to exist a strong sense of unity within our group. However, we have also had some bumps in the road...
Abbey Stewart experienced a minor seizure early Monday morning, resulting in a ride to a local hospital. She is doing fine and recieved excellent care by both the hospital staff as well as by our team leaders at AIM. Anna Pylkas also suffered an injury during yesterday's soccer game, when she collided with... Sword Donnell. She is now limping with a broken big toe!
Amazingly enough, Luke Rottier is still completely Uninjured (keep him in your prayers!)
In closing, I feel it necessary to express our love of the Haitian people. There is so much to say... Haitians are an oppressed people - a nation born of a slave rebellion, but still suffering from the slavery of poverty. The solutions are far from simple, the life is hard, the land polluted. And yet, through it all, you find a people that still holds joy, still smiles, still reaches out to strangers.
There is simply no other way to describe it.
Upon arriving in Haiti, we exited the Port-au-Prince airport smothered by waving hands and anxious porters - all emphatically trying to "assist" us with baggage and finding us a Tap-Tap (a local taxi). I stayed at the front of the group, having already prepped them for this type of Haitian greeting, trying desperately to find our hosts. Amazingly enough, though our hosts were not present, and though one particular porter would not leave us alone, a strange Caucasian man seemed to appear from nowhere and gave us directions to find our waiting party... and then disappeared! It was just the type of direction we needed to begin this adventure, and would represent the type of uncanny happenings that will most likely be spread throughout our trip.
We found our hosts from AIM, boarded an old run-down school bus and made our way through the city toward base camp. Words can not describe the smells, the thick air, the smothering heat, the chaos, the trash, the unique mixture of beauty and filth, of shining sea and soot-covered streets... We traveled to our camp with jaws dropped, cameras clicking, and speechless awe. There is no way to exaggerate the picture - Haiti is a country desperate in need of help, but a country filled with prideful people, smiles, laughter, handshakes and a kiss on each cheek.
Our accommodations are actually better than we expected - though far from comfortable. We are living in an orphanage sponsored by a local church. Bed mats are rolled out on concrete floors, the toilet flushes only after you pour a bucket of water in the bowl and place used toilet tissue in the waste basket (toilet paper clogs the plumbing). The food is excellent - mostly rice and chicken - and the showers are taken by pouring cupfuls of water over your head. While the heat is intense, we are blessed with an occasional ocean breeze.
Mornings begin with an oatmeal breakfast with fresh Haitian fruit, a short devotional, and quiet time for journaling. Late mornings involve a new discipline called "prayer walks" where the group is seperated and sent out to pray over the city, the people, the country as a whole - all the while waiting and listening for the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Admittedly, this is a difficult task for myself, and others as well. Few of us have grown up with this type of approach and the discomfort of starting conversation with strangers on the street can be intimidating. However, this practice is breaking new ground, challenging our preconceived ideas of evangelism and pushing the boundaries of our faith.
After a lunch of PB&J, the group gathered their sports gear and headed out to the soccer field for some "sports evangelism". Within minutes of playing soccer amongst ourselves, children quickly congregated upon the field - some hanging to the surrounding fences, others running up to play. The skill of their game was enviable, their ability to play with such grace - though living in such destitution - was breath-taking.
Evenings have been filled with worship. From the first time we began to sing, our hosts have encouraged us to sing - to sing frequently. We have been invited by a local minister, Pastor Jean-Claude, to sing to the congregation this Wednesday night. The beauty of these evening sessions is found in the unity of our voices with those of the orphanage and other invited guests. We have found a unique connection to Christians, to the Haitian people through worship. And while we have so little knowledge of their culture, the language barrier seems to be less present during these times. It is an amazing way to end each day.
The group is well, spirits are high, and there seems to exist a strong sense of unity within our group. However, we have also had some bumps in the road...
Abbey Stewart experienced a minor seizure early Monday morning, resulting in a ride to a local hospital. She is doing fine and recieved excellent care by both the hospital staff as well as by our team leaders at AIM. Anna Pylkas also suffered an injury during yesterday's soccer game, when she collided with... Sword Donnell. She is now limping with a broken big toe!
Amazingly enough, Luke Rottier is still completely Uninjured (keep him in your prayers!)
In closing, I feel it necessary to express our love of the Haitian people. There is so much to say... Haitians are an oppressed people - a nation born of a slave rebellion, but still suffering from the slavery of poverty. The solutions are far from simple, the life is hard, the land polluted. And yet, through it all, you find a people that still holds joy, still smiles, still reaches out to strangers.
We will do the best we can to stay in contact! Please continue to pray for us!
God bless....
JD
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Keep Calm and Carry On
How does one begin to describe the myriad of thoughts, emotions, anxieties, hopes, spiritual excitement... Perhaps the best solution is to simply allow the tangle to be just that - a tangle.
So many questions! What happens if...? When will we...? How will they...? And my inadequate, unhappy answer is this: "I don't know!"
And yet, that answer is what makes a trip like this so important. While most of us, especially those of us who are parents, prefer absolute clarity, we are not granted it. Not because of a lack of preparation... we simply can not know what the full itinerary of God's Purpose will be. Some of us grow frustrated, others begin to feel the pains of anxiety. While these are natural human tendencies, we must remember to adhere to the old WWII British motto, "Keep Calm and Carry On".
It's called Faith.
We preach it, sing about it, even occasionally "amen" it. But when the moment comes we often get a tight knot in the throat and allow the fear of the unknown to paralyze our spiritual movement. This mission trip will test our faith, our ability to move past the knot, past the paralysis and reach out.
Twenty people are leaving for Haiti tomorrow, July 18. Twenty people, of which none can predict the divine itinerary: the struggles, the moments of apprehension, the moments of victory, the sights, the sounds, the temptations, the laughter, the cries, the grit, the beauty, the hands of a prideful people, the plight of a broken nation...
May God give us the courage to keep calm, to move forward, to have faith and carry on.
Pray for us on this journey! We will have limited access to internet service (if at all) and will do our best to update our blog... but regardless, we rely on the prayers of our family, our church.
Thank you for your support, your encouragement, your prayer!
-JonDavid Partain, youth minister
So many questions! What happens if...? When will we...? How will they...? And my inadequate, unhappy answer is this: "I don't know!"
And yet, that answer is what makes a trip like this so important. While most of us, especially those of us who are parents, prefer absolute clarity, we are not granted it. Not because of a lack of preparation... we simply can not know what the full itinerary of God's Purpose will be. Some of us grow frustrated, others begin to feel the pains of anxiety. While these are natural human tendencies, we must remember to adhere to the old WWII British motto, "Keep Calm and Carry On".
It's called Faith.
We preach it, sing about it, even occasionally "amen" it. But when the moment comes we often get a tight knot in the throat and allow the fear of the unknown to paralyze our spiritual movement. This mission trip will test our faith, our ability to move past the knot, past the paralysis and reach out.
Twenty people are leaving for Haiti tomorrow, July 18. Twenty people, of which none can predict the divine itinerary: the struggles, the moments of apprehension, the moments of victory, the sights, the sounds, the temptations, the laughter, the cries, the grit, the beauty, the hands of a prideful people, the plight of a broken nation...
May God give us the courage to keep calm, to move forward, to have faith and carry on.
Pray for us on this journey! We will have limited access to internet service (if at all) and will do our best to update our blog... but regardless, we rely on the prayers of our family, our church.
Thank you for your support, your encouragement, your prayer!
-JonDavid Partain, youth minister
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