Dear reader, please understand that sooo much happens during the day that you simply must budget face time with the team after our return for the real stories. We will attempt to highlight today's events and "God sightings" but it would be impossible to capture a satisfactory glimpse in this cyber venue alone. Caveat number 2: PB is already sawing logs, and none of us knows how to make comments to the blog anonymously. Sorry we can't answer that question yet.
Now onto the good stuff. From Ecclesiastes 3: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to tear down and a time to build...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance."
A time to build: obviously that is why we're here, and tomorrow we will post photos of our progress on the new school. (A time to weep: the reason we cannot tonight is that the nightly power outage was longer than usual (in fact it continues as we type) and it is quite late. (And PB is sawing logs.))
A time to tear down (albeit impromptu) occurred at the end of the work day when PB, on his second voyage driving in the INSANE Port traffic--replete with gear-grinding, lurching, and antiperspirant failure--and while in the wrong gear, backed into a cinderblock wall. Fortunately damage was minimal to both wall (already crumbling) and truck (FOHO, we'll be making a generous donation designated 'new truck.') The rest of that story can only adequately be told in person, and with reenactment of the team's reaction. :)
We had so many times to laugh today! Couple examples....
At worksite....
Craig drops cinderblock (unwittingly) on Laura's toe.
Laura: Good thing these are steel toed boots.
Craig: Actually they're not, but it's OK--I didn't hit myself.
Pause....
Megan: Um, Craig--it was Laura's steel toe.
Craig: Ohhhh. Oops.
(a few hours later back at FOHO)
Craig drops drill battery pack on Megan's bare toe.
Megan: Ow
Craig: Good thing those are steel toed sandals!
(ba dum bum)
A time to dance was afforded at the school children's break time when PB, Dinecia and Megan taught the eager students a couple of silly camp songs in English, which they relished and learned remarkably well! Aaaaaaaaalligator was a favorite, but the teacher rang the 'back to work' bell before we could get through the whole thing. There was also lively arm wrestling, initiated by the same PB, with some of the school boys, which was wildly entertaining for them all. Dancing it did devolve into when two boys tried it without a table! (The teachers weren't crazy about that. oops).
A time to weep; a time to mourn. Pastor Leon's middle son, Jeanganzi, paid us a visit this afternoon. He came out early from his university classes to meet us. His mother and also older brother, Emoy, are both teachers at the school. In a conversation with one team member, Jeanganzi spoke about his personal heartbreak because of the earthquake. Previosuly in that conversation, he had been smiling and bright, but as the subject turned to that disaster, his entire countenance transformed into one of utter sorrow and brokenness. He said, "I cannot handle talking about it anymore now....what I feel, it is...indescribable."
As these sentiments were shared later at FOHO among our team, many broke down and wept. PB reminded us that Jesus also wept, and we share his sorrow for the loss of his beloved children, which, though unspeakably difficult at times, is at the same time an awesome privilege. We had a very meaningful time of reflection on God's love for each of his people and about grief. PB says grief is a loss, and loss can include loss of ideas, expectations, preconceptions, and hopes as well as physical loss like homes and loved ones. So we grieved a bit, in our own ways, over those things we have lost already on the trip, and for all that is, and who is, lost all around us in this country. Again, words fail. We sincerely regret that you cannot see with our eyes these experiences we so wish to convey to you to bless your spirits. But God can do that without our help. Are you available to receive his blessings tonight? We pray that you are, and that you, and we, will be drawn closer to His love and his generous Spirit during and after this trip.
Until tomorrow,
your Team Haiti
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Some Pictures
Hopefully will be able to upload a few pictures for you tonight . . .
Team Haiti on Sunday, June 28th following the commissioning service.
Arriving at FOHO (Friends of Haiti Organization)
The gentleman in the green is our main leader - Larry.
Our first meal together at FOHO
Arriving at the work site - our task is to help re-construct a school.
The temporary school and church. . . There are six classes that meet here!!
The new school which is under construction.
It is quite late and 4:30am comes quickly. will try and send more pics tomorrow!
Grace and Peace
Team Haiti
29 June 2010 Haiti Day 2
We survived our first day of work--and WORK it was! We began at 6ish having no idea what we were looking at when presented with the work site. We were introduced to the Pastor of the mission, Pastor Leon, and the eight or so local men who have been hired to work on the site. Our mission: rebuilding a school that fell in the quake. The new school is being build right on top of the old site. The work had already begun on the school before our team arrived this week, but we still didn't know where to begin when we arrived. Thankfully, we were able to go from deer in the headlights to marked progress by day's end, with teamwork, prayer (including yours!), and the Lord's wondrous presence. The temporary school, made of wooden struts and Unicef tarps, is also at the work site and we had constant interaction (or rather invasion) with the students, who ranged in age from primary to high school age. The unexpected opportunity for such frequent interaction with the children was a delightful diversion from our intended work. We shared their shelter for meals, breaks, siestas (PB), and tool storage all day long.
Megan was able to use her erstwhile thought useless knowledge of the French language to communicate a bit with the children. One small boy was intent on communicating a request. In English/Kryol he pleaded "Give me my tapis!" Megan flagged Dinecia over and discovered that the boy and his family lived in a tattered post-quake shelter that leaked in the rain. He was asking me for a tent--a home. How does a privileged but greenhorn American begin to deal with such things? Other communications were humorous--Megan found herself being swatted in the behind by two small boys, and when she asked them in French what they were doing, they replied (in French) with a single word: "Dirty!"
Our total team water consumption was in excess of 20 gallons, and we plan to take MORE tomorrow! If everyone at home could please pray for light, cool rain about the noon hour tomorrow, Mary would be grateful--and she speaks for the team. Also, celebrate with us Mary's second whole day sans cigarettes! (And she's still fun to be around!)
We are soooo thankful for our team's Haitian member, Dinecia, without whom communication would be nigh impossible. Her translation services have been invaluable, and she teaches us bits of Kryol to try to remember, daily. Pastor Leon speaks some English, but the students as well as the hired workers speak little to none.
We were visited at our site by Rick and Cookie Ireland, and Bishop Roller and his son, Thaddeus. Their presence was encouraging and affirming. The hospitality of our local hosts has also been bountiful and humbling. Since something unfortunate happened to the outhouse on the work site, a neighbor lady and friend of the church, opened her home to the women in our times of need. It reminded us to take every opportunity to entertain strangers ourselves. The pastor and his church also cooked our whole team a wonderful lunch of fried plantains, tomato and green bean salad, and a delicious macaroni/potato/sausage salad. No doubt it was sacrificially provided.
We also visited the grave site of Jeannie Munos and three other ministers of the Gospel who had gone to be with the Lord in the earthquake. It was a somber moment; a reverent moment. Words cannot express what we felt standing on the site where they fell, remembering these who had directly motivated some of our team members to come to Haiti in the first place by their life's work. We were especially moved by the fact that Jeannie's own husband, Jack, has not even had the opportunity to visit her grave, as he is still recuperating in the States. Indescribable grief.
On a lighter note, we had a unique experience tonight, following a not-so-unique power outtage, which left us fanless in our sweltering compound. We were able to have devotions on the rooftop, with an almost 360 view of the entire city and coastline of Port au Prince, which was incredible at sunset. We also had the opportunity to view an array of local wildlife in our travels today, including: malnourished dogs, geckos, lizards (Carol was spooked by a family of 4), garbage-eating goat families, a hen with 6 fuzzy chicks crossing the road, an extra large cockroach which went to be with Jesus today at the hands of Ed, AND, a rat which, at first glance, appeared to be a kitty. Nuff said. But tune in for tomorrow's episode of Wild Haiti for updates!
Once again, we are very aware of God's presence and work in this country and we are grateful that it is He who has called us here and who provides for our every need, anticipated and unanticipated.
Megan was able to use her erstwhile thought useless knowledge of the French language to communicate a bit with the children. One small boy was intent on communicating a request. In English/Kryol he pleaded "Give me my tapis!" Megan flagged Dinecia over and discovered that the boy and his family lived in a tattered post-quake shelter that leaked in the rain. He was asking me for a tent--a home. How does a privileged but greenhorn American begin to deal with such things? Other communications were humorous--Megan found herself being swatted in the behind by two small boys, and when she asked them in French what they were doing, they replied (in French) with a single word: "Dirty!"
Our total team water consumption was in excess of 20 gallons, and we plan to take MORE tomorrow! If everyone at home could please pray for light, cool rain about the noon hour tomorrow, Mary would be grateful--and she speaks for the team. Also, celebrate with us Mary's second whole day sans cigarettes! (And she's still fun to be around!)
We are soooo thankful for our team's Haitian member, Dinecia, without whom communication would be nigh impossible. Her translation services have been invaluable, and she teaches us bits of Kryol to try to remember, daily. Pastor Leon speaks some English, but the students as well as the hired workers speak little to none.
We were visited at our site by Rick and Cookie Ireland, and Bishop Roller and his son, Thaddeus. Their presence was encouraging and affirming. The hospitality of our local hosts has also been bountiful and humbling. Since something unfortunate happened to the outhouse on the work site, a neighbor lady and friend of the church, opened her home to the women in our times of need. It reminded us to take every opportunity to entertain strangers ourselves. The pastor and his church also cooked our whole team a wonderful lunch of fried plantains, tomato and green bean salad, and a delicious macaroni/potato/sausage salad. No doubt it was sacrificially provided.
We also visited the grave site of Jeannie Munos and three other ministers of the Gospel who had gone to be with the Lord in the earthquake. It was a somber moment; a reverent moment. Words cannot express what we felt standing on the site where they fell, remembering these who had directly motivated some of our team members to come to Haiti in the first place by their life's work. We were especially moved by the fact that Jeannie's own husband, Jack, has not even had the opportunity to visit her grave, as he is still recuperating in the States. Indescribable grief.
On a lighter note, we had a unique experience tonight, following a not-so-unique power outtage, which left us fanless in our sweltering compound. We were able to have devotions on the rooftop, with an almost 360 view of the entire city and coastline of Port au Prince, which was incredible at sunset. We also had the opportunity to view an array of local wildlife in our travels today, including: malnourished dogs, geckos, lizards (Carol was spooked by a family of 4), garbage-eating goat families, a hen with 6 fuzzy chicks crossing the road, an extra large cockroach which went to be with Jesus today at the hands of Ed, AND, a rat which, at first glance, appeared to be a kitty. Nuff said. But tune in for tomorrow's episode of Wild Haiti for updates!
Once again, we are very aware of God's presence and work in this country and we are grateful that it is He who has called us here and who provides for our every need, anticipated and unanticipated.
Monday, June 28, 2010
June 28 Haiti Day 1
Thanking the Lord for safe arrival--of all 14 persons and 35 checked bags (plus at LEAST 14 carry-ons) through 4 airports, 2 countries, and mobs of unpredictable people—to FOHO (Friends of Haiti Organization) in Port-au-Prince.
The airport was just as crazy as ‘they’ say. We were privy (little closer than we’d have liked to have been) to an argument that got physical between some local individuals at baggage claim, and had much confusion and a bit of mayhem between customs and our ride to the dorm. However, prayers for safety and ability to stay flexible and unified as a team were answered perfectly well.
The driving was just as crazy as they say. No rules. Less courtesy. We saw an eyeful en route to our FOHO dorm. Everything from poverty to earthquake damage to the tent cities to homeless children running wild in the streets to people just living life in apparently very mundane ways.
The weather is just as hot and muggy as they say. It’s still about 68 degrees F outside, at 8:45pm (that’s 9:45pm NY time).
We are settling in and preparing for our first day at the work site tomorrow—beginning at 6am. That’s when work actually starts—not when we get up and get to the site, about 20 minutes away. Gotta beat the heat!
Bottom line: God went before us, He is here, and He makes straight our paths. We are thankful to be in His presence, and super excited to see where He will lead us tomorrow.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
OUR TEAM
Over the last several weeks we have undergone a few changes to Team Haiti. Three original team members have had to drop out for personal reasons. We have added three new people to our team: our own LouAnn "Hollywood" Volpe-White; Dinecia Pierre-Louis from Harvest Chapel Free Methodist Church in Fredonia, NY.; and our latest addition, Chris Landon, a new graduate from Gowanda High School and a member of the Gowanda Free Methodist Church.
Team Haiti now consists of: Carol Bailey (Team Leader), Jamie Chalmers, Kevin Dabil, Laura Dabil, Megan Hoose, Chris Landon, Mary LePoint, Craig Lockwood, Bill Lowery, Ed McDonald, Dinecia Pierre-Louis, Dot Neal, Paul Saya, LuAnn Volpe-White
Thank you to all who have provided financial and prayer support for our team. Please continue to pray for us as we make the final necessary preparations.
In each of our worship services this coming weekend (Sat. iWorship 507pm and Sun 10am Worship) a time of Commissioning Team Haiti will be held. Special guest speaker for the weekend is Superintendent Mitch Pierce. Please come and join us for these wonderful opportunities to worship and give thanks!
Team Haiti now consists of: Carol Bailey (Team Leader), Jamie Chalmers, Kevin Dabil, Laura Dabil, Megan Hoose, Chris Landon, Mary LePoint, Craig Lockwood, Bill Lowery, Ed McDonald, Dinecia Pierre-Louis, Dot Neal, Paul Saya, LuAnn Volpe-White
Thank you to all who have provided financial and prayer support for our team. Please continue to pray for us as we make the final necessary preparations.
In each of our worship services this coming weekend (Sat. iWorship 507pm and Sun 10am Worship) a time of Commissioning Team Haiti will be held. Special guest speaker for the weekend is Superintendent Mitch Pierce. Please come and join us for these wonderful opportunities to worship and give thanks!
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