Our last night in Haiti is bittersweet. The Lord put together a wonderful team with many talents and we all are thankful for this opportunity to serve the Lord here. The day started with a moving drama by the "Corner of Deliverance" group from Pastor Herve's church. Here we stand at the corner of deliverance, trusting for the Lord's continued work here.
We were especially blessed to have dinner with the senior staff members this evening at the mission center. Via Pastor Herb, we were able to give small tokens of appreciation to these amazing people whose hearts are like gold.
Continue to pray for traveling mercies as the team from South Carolina will be heading out at the break of dawn, and the team from Ohio will be on their way tomorrow afternoon. Thank you all for your support and prayers that have brought us to this corner. See you soon!
Please do not post to facebook for the safety of team members and staff.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Teachers Seminar (Wednesday)
Day 3 of the Teacher's Seminar today (only one day left). Each of us has found his stride, becoming more and more comfortable with communicating through translators, sharing with the educators, answering questions from inquisitive minds, praying for each other and our new "friends."
This is the first mission trip I've been on where I've (Blake) been in my "sweet spot": teaching the scripture. It has truly been sweet! I'm teaching on leadership and really enjoying the challenge/experience.
By now ours are becoming familiar faces to the Haitians. And their faces are becoming familiar to us too. And they're so hungry: to learn, to know, to discover. The teachers here at MPCA (Mission Possible Christian Academy, hosting the seminar) and the other six MP schools make this a joyous place--full of hospitality, and everywhere, there are warm smiles.
Speaking of warm.... Someone told me before I left the US that the phrase "Hotter than Haiti" (a take-off on a better-known phrase) would have real meaning when I experienced it. He was correct. Air conditioning is a luxury we only experience in the van on the way to and from the school (about a five-minute trip from Lanzac). Michael is the only exception to this rule. He's been tackling a month's worth of problem computers in the computer lab (the only air conditioned room any of us have experienced since we arrived) and even brought several back to our mission center tonight to attempt to solve some "virus issues."
Several of us have been wanting to see more "real" Haitian life. So, after the seminar today (we teach four, one-hour seminars each day so it was around 3:30 pm) we piled into the back of a "cattle truck" (see picture) to drive up into the mountains to visit another school and community. Mission Possible calls this school "Chardene" (after its location--see picture). It's the school where Madame Mark (the former principal of the school and now lead educator for Mission Possible in Haiti) worked some wonders with the teachers in terms of quality and culture. The younger children attend school in the morning. The older (advanced) students attend in the afternoon. Some of the math problems left on the chalkboards (with their exponents and square roots) bewildered me! Charden School serves the surrounding rural community. We spent about an hour walking through this area, visiting with families, meeting the Director of the School (we'd call him a "principal). It was sobering. None of the people had access to running water (unless you count the stream) or electricity (unless you count the solar-powered cell-phone charging station halfway up the mountain [YES! That's what I said: a solar-powered cell-phone charging station!]) and certainly no sewer. Mission Possible is working with some desperately poor children, introducing them (and their families) to the love of Christ and enlarging their worlds through a first-class education. We have seen evidence of that call and their work everywhere we've been.
Thank you for your prayers for us all. God has been good to us--giving us opportunities to grow, be disturbed, share our hearts with each other and the Haitians and, as a bonus, no one's been sick so far. Keep praying. God is the only hope Haiti has. In fact, God is the only Hope any of us has. Ask Him to do what only He can do for His Church throughout the world.
This is the first mission trip I've been on where I've (Blake) been in my "sweet spot": teaching the scripture. It has truly been sweet! I'm teaching on leadership and really enjoying the challenge/experience.
By now ours are becoming familiar faces to the Haitians. And their faces are becoming familiar to us too. And they're so hungry: to learn, to know, to discover. The teachers here at MPCA (Mission Possible Christian Academy, hosting the seminar) and the other six MP schools make this a joyous place--full of hospitality, and everywhere, there are warm smiles.
Speaking of warm.... Someone told me before I left the US that the phrase "Hotter than Haiti" (a take-off on a better-known phrase) would have real meaning when I experienced it. He was correct. Air conditioning is a luxury we only experience in the van on the way to and from the school (about a five-minute trip from Lanzac). Michael is the only exception to this rule. He's been tackling a month's worth of problem computers in the computer lab (the only air conditioned room any of us have experienced since we arrived) and even brought several back to our mission center tonight to attempt to solve some "virus issues."
Several of us have been wanting to see more "real" Haitian life. So, after the seminar today (we teach four, one-hour seminars each day so it was around 3:30 pm) we piled into the back of a "cattle truck" (see picture) to drive up into the mountains to visit another school and community. Mission Possible calls this school "Chardene" (after its location--see picture). It's the school where Madame Mark (the former principal of the school and now lead educator for Mission Possible in Haiti) worked some wonders with the teachers in terms of quality and culture. The younger children attend school in the morning. The older (advanced) students attend in the afternoon. Some of the math problems left on the chalkboards (with their exponents and square roots) bewildered me! Charden School serves the surrounding rural community. We spent about an hour walking through this area, visiting with families, meeting the Director of the School (we'd call him a "principal). It was sobering. None of the people had access to running water (unless you count the stream) or electricity (unless you count the solar-powered cell-phone charging station halfway up the mountain [YES! That's what I said: a solar-powered cell-phone charging station!]) and certainly no sewer. Mission Possible is working with some desperately poor children, introducing them (and their families) to the love of Christ and enlarging their worlds through a first-class education. We have seen evidence of that call and their work everywhere we've been.
Thank you for your prayers for us all. God has been good to us--giving us opportunities to grow, be disturbed, share our hearts with each other and the Haitians and, as a bonus, no one's been sick so far. Keep praying. God is the only hope Haiti has. In fact, God is the only Hope any of us has. Ask Him to do what only He can do for His Church throughout the world.
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| The school at Chardene |
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| Our "ride" up the mountain. |
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| Charging cell phones on the mountain near Chardene school |
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Teachers Seminar (Tuesday)
Becky is reporting from Haiti tonight and she has a message from each person here!
Darren - I am continuing to work with the discipleship boys. We are going through the book and they are answering questions.
Donald - I had another great day of talking to Haitians and answering their many questions.
Michael - I am continuing to work on the computers and making short and long term plans.
Jill - I wish my other half was here. I needed him very much today. (She keeps making friends with the Haitian kids).
Madison - I say, "no comment - again!"
Blake - I am missing my girls. I am encouraged by the strength of the Haitian teachers and pastors.
Jeannette - The hammocks have been a big hit!
Herb - It has been encouraging to see the work continuing and the faithfulness of those who have been around a long time. It was an encouragement to have a heart to heart with the senior staff. We had a great conversation. I had a quiz off with the discipleship boys and they were right on top of it!!
David - I am the newcomer on the block. I am sober but hopeful about the situation in Haiti. I see what Mission Possible is doing. Haiti has no choice but to prosper. I would definitely like to come back.
Becky - I had another fun day. The funniest thing today was teaching the Haitian teachers how to do wheel barrel races (I taught this because it increases shoulder stability for fine motor development). They laughed and laughed. It has been a joy to teach and interact with the Haitian teachers. It has been VERY hot, but God is keeping me content even in this situation. I am making peace with sweat. I miss you Cliff, our 6 kids and our 8 grandchildren so much. I have totally loved my daily notes.
Darren - I am continuing to work with the discipleship boys. We are going through the book and they are answering questions.
Donald - I had another great day of talking to Haitians and answering their many questions.
Michael - I am continuing to work on the computers and making short and long term plans.
Jill - I wish my other half was here. I needed him very much today. (She keeps making friends with the Haitian kids).
Madison - I say, "no comment - again!"
Blake - I am missing my girls. I am encouraged by the strength of the Haitian teachers and pastors.
Jeannette - The hammocks have been a big hit!
Herb - It has been encouraging to see the work continuing and the faithfulness of those who have been around a long time. It was an encouragement to have a heart to heart with the senior staff. We had a great conversation. I had a quiz off with the discipleship boys and they were right on top of it!!
David - I am the newcomer on the block. I am sober but hopeful about the situation in Haiti. I see what Mission Possible is doing. Haiti has no choice but to prosper. I would definitely like to come back.
Becky - I had another fun day. The funniest thing today was teaching the Haitian teachers how to do wheel barrel races (I taught this because it increases shoulder stability for fine motor development). They laughed and laughed. It has been a joy to teach and interact with the Haitian teachers. It has been VERY hot, but God is keeping me content even in this situation. I am making peace with sweat. I miss you Cliff, our 6 kids and our 8 grandchildren so much. I have totally loved my daily notes.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Teachers Seminar (Monday)
Among the highlights of our first day of the Teachers' Seminar, were the Haitian meals prepared for us. We were honored guests for lunch as the superintendant Madame Mark, wants to show her appreciation for the work in helping train the teachers of Mission Possible schools. Dinner has also been an experience in Haitian taste. Here are a few other highlights from team members:
Jeanette- "I am so happy to see familiar faces and to hear my students sing the peanut butter and jelly song that we had so much fun with last year."
Madison- "No Comment-lol!"
Jill-Today has been a day I have been anxious about for weeks now, so I'm glad Day 1 is behind us. Nerves are much more relaxed and ready to face tomorrow.
Michael-"Enjoyed the AC in computer lab!"
Donald-"I had the most popular class!"
Blake-"Impressed with the number of young disciples that came out for this week's seminar! You can see the investment this ministry is making in Haiti's future generation."
Lindsay-"Heading out tomorrow and I'm going to miss this Haitian food. Finally got to eat bread fruit this trip!"
Darren- "It's been great being back in Haiti! I love working with our discipleship boys. Looking forward to the rest of the week... and the awesome food!"
Jeanette- "I am so happy to see familiar faces and to hear my students sing the peanut butter and jelly song that we had so much fun with last year."
Madison- "No Comment-lol!"
Jill-Today has been a day I have been anxious about for weeks now, so I'm glad Day 1 is behind us. Nerves are much more relaxed and ready to face tomorrow.
Michael-"Enjoyed the AC in computer lab!"
Donald-"I had the most popular class!"
Blake-"Impressed with the number of young disciples that came out for this week's seminar! You can see the investment this ministry is making in Haiti's future generation."
Lindsay-"Heading out tomorrow and I'm going to miss this Haitian food. Finally got to eat bread fruit this trip!"
Darren- "It's been great being back in Haiti! I love working with our discipleship boys. Looking forward to the rest of the week... and the awesome food!"
Donald Teaching
Enjoying our Haitian Lunch
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Haiti Teachers Seminar (Sunday)
What an amazing day! We began the morning with a church just outside the gates of the compound. We arrived just as they were finishing up Sunday School and joined in for worship. I think everyone in the group experienced sheer joy watching the congregation praise and worship through their songs and prayers. We were all eager to join in when we were invited to stand and clap! An entire hour was devoted simply to praising God in song and seeking his presence through prayer. We had an interpreter for the sermon. It too, was a blessing to hear. Sitting in the pews of this small church worshipping with brothers and sisters in a language foreign to many of us fills you with so many emotions! Joy! Passion! Love!
We were able to spend a little time visiting with the families outside of church before returning to the compound for lunch. Comunication was a little difficult, but we gave it
We were able to spend a little time visiting with the families outside of church before returning to the compound for lunch. Comunication was a little difficult, but we gave it
our best attempts! We were able to get a few giggles out of the children!
The afternoon was spent reading, preparing for tomorrow's classes, fellowship with the team and some even caught a little nap. It's hot, but so far we have been blessed with a short rain in the evening which helps cool things down.
We are all eager to get out tomorrow and start our classes and to see what God has waiting for us. We ask for prayers to deliver what God has put on our hearts and to be a service for Him and a blessing to those who await us.
Good Night loved ones!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Haiti Teachers Seminar 2013- Travel
Hello friends and family, we made it to the Mission Center. Our travels went well and we are looking forward to church in the morning. Time to get some rest though after a busy day. Thanks for the prayers... please keep them coming!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
We finished VBS this afternoon. Today we had 240 and it was a much more manageable group. The Lord was with us. The team did a great job.
Tonight we begin to pack up and we head to Port-au-Prince in the morning.
We all are reflecting on our time here and will process for the weeks to come how the Lord moved in each of our lives.
I'm sure many of us will call family and friends when we hit US soil. Oh, many are planning already what they are going to eat first when they arrive in Atlanta. Several just was something with ice. :)
Trace
Tonight we begin to pack up and we head to Port-au-Prince in the morning.
We all are reflecting on our time here and will process for the weeks to come how the Lord moved in each of our lives.
I'm sure many of us will call family and friends when we hit US soil. Oh, many are planning already what they are going to eat first when they arrive in Atlanta. Several just was something with ice. :)
Trace
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