Riots and Lock-Downs

This past week has been filled with many frustrations as well as hidden blessings. As many of you probably know, the country of Haiti has been in a state of civil unrest. Since the announcement of the election last Tuesday evening, the streets of Port-au-Prince have been in riots and the violence has been growing. I was only able to leave my apartment twice in the past week just to get groceries and to get some supplies from my school while the riots died down at times. The rest of the time I have been confined to my apartment only to watch the city burn outside my window and wait for signs of hope from the news and local connections.

I found the time to be very frustrating as all of our programs and schooling were put on pause for the time. It is hard to know that there are children out there ready to be put into our housing who will continue to live in the slums because of the political situation that is out of our hands. I completely understand the reaction of the people based on the fraud that took place on election day and I support their standing up for their rights, however it is difficult when so many good things are put on hold because of it. I was safe through out the riots, but my heart goes out to so many here who were not as fortunate. Not a day goes by where Haiti is not in need of much prayer.

The blessings from all of this came in very interesting surprises. Being in a lock down with no end in sight gave me the opportunity to catch up and reflect on a lot. I have found myself getting extremely busy here lately and needed to take some time to unplug and refocus myself. Now that I have had this time, I want nothing more than to get back to working with the children of Haiti.

Mirlíene is an excellent student and loves coming to the after-school program

Another exciting piece of news is that H.E.R.O. (Housing, Education, and Rehabilitation of Orphans) is proud to announce that we will now be offering sponsorships for our children in our street kids program. I have the amazing opportunity to teach these children and I am continually impressed by their work ethic and excitement for education. There are countless lessons to be learned from these children and I am so blessed to have them in my life. If you feel that you can help us offer education and meals to these students, please visit: http://www.haitihero.org/sponsor.html.

Today also marks four months for me in Haiti. It is incredible to think of everything that has happened in these short four months and what God has in store for me in the upcoming years. I have learned more than I ever had in mind and can’t imagine the lessons I have yet to learn from my life here. This weekend I will be traveling to Chicago to be with friends and family for the holidays. Please pray that the riots do not start up again and keep the airport closed like they have been. Please also pray for me as I take the trip, as trying to explain Haiti to North America has been one of my biggest struggles of moving here.

As always, keep Haiti on your hearts and know that I appreciate you all very much.

For an incredible look into what is going on right now in Haiti, please check out the website of a photographer I met here: http://bendepp.photoshelter.com/

We Have Only Today. Let Us Begin.

Haiti continues to take me on a rollercoaster of ups and downs. So much of what I do here is completely out of my hands and I find comfort at the end of every day knowing that God is the only one in control. I know more than ever that the only timing is the Lord’s timing.

This week I enjoyed my first Thanksgiving in Haiti. We had a wonderful celebration at Union School and all of my students enjoyed the festivities. As a school we decided to tone down the normal Thanksgiving meal and give the money we would have spent on the meal to some local charities. It was very heart warming to see second graders getting excited to lend a hand. Thanksgiving day was spent up at the school nurse’s house (Nurse Betty) where we had a Thanksgiving spread that would rival anything being consumed in the States. I kept the American tradition of overeating and napping and there was even the football game on in the background.

I was very fortunate to have enjoyed the Thanksgiving dinner as the next day I had to get an infected molar removed. After getting a double root canal on Monday during my lunch and prep periods at school, the infection did not setting down enough and as a result I have one less tooth in my mouth. The pain is residing, but it has not been the most enjoyable experience of my life and I am glad to know it will only get better from here.

These past few weeks have been all about the Lord’s timing as we work hard at H.E.R.O. This past week we made the final strides to prepare the home that will be used as a transition home for orphans coming into our program. Monday marked a disappointing day as our two first children did not move in as planned. After a twist of stories and some last minute thoughts of an aunt to the children, the two children remain living in sub-par conditions with her as she keeps them from entering the program. We know this situation is out of our hands, but it is heart-breaking to see it unfold this way. Now we wait patiently as the country of Haiti comes to a halt for the elections and not much can be done for a few more days.

The last thing I will leave you with is an experience I had yesterday with my good friend Kez from my church. Kez is a nurse here who does a million and one things. Because I had the day off on Friday I went along with her as she did ‘home’ visits to the children in several neighborhoods. By ‘home visits’ I mean more like tent, street, sidewalk, ravine, etc visits. It was incredible to see how her visits with a backpack of meds, a stethoscope, and a notebook of jotted notes on each child could do in a country like this. Along with the medical attention she brought to these people, was a sense of strong hope and love. It was a wonderful and intense morning. Here are some pictures to give you a glimpse into her life.

Remember to keep Haiti close to your heart.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2050130&id=67600728&l=a78e9a026e

Another Side of Haiti

This past month has been filled with so much I hardly know where to begin. I have been able to experience more of Haiti, witness more hardships, and count more blessings. My life in Haiti is proving to be more eye opening than I ever imagined.

I want to thank you for all of the prayers over the past few weeks with the cholera outbreak and hurricane threats. The teachers and I were safe from the epidemic as we have access to clean drinking water and took extra precautions. The reality is that most of Haiti does not have the same connivances as we do and do not have clean water available to them. In the midst of this tragedy we were then informed of the threat from Hurricane Tomas. As school was canceled on Friday, we waited anxiously in our apartments as the rains came down and we couldn’t help but think of the 1.6 million people in their tents. The day ended with an overall feeling of relief as the storm passed Port-au-Prince with only some rain. Our hearts still go out to the other parts of the island that were hit and all the people living in conditions that are so heavily affected even by the lighter rains.

This past weekend also allowed me the opportunity to see another side of Haiti. Some other teachers and I made the hike from just outside of Port-au-Prince to the southern coast by Jacmel. It was like experiencing a whole new country after being here in Port-au-Prince for so long where we can so often feel overwhelmed by the craziness and congestion of the city. The countryside was beautiful and I was so glad to be hiking it and not just driving past it all. It was incredible to have little interactions with families going about their lives as we came on through. The reality is that the poverty and hardships of Haiti run deep and even when my spirits were lifted by the beautiful scenery, my heart was still breaking for the people.

Life here in Port-au-Prince is still going at full speed. Second grade is still an amazing time and I am gearing up for my parent-teacher conferences starting tomorrow. My ESL students are doing a fantastic job and we have been hitting some heavy topics in their conversations. The after-school program for street children is up and running and the children are very eager to learn. Our residence home for street kids and orphans is almost ready as one job after another is done. You can’t help but look around and see how much the Lord is at work here.

We are nearing the opening of the housing here in Port-au-Prince and we should be moving in the first children in just over a week. Wiseley and Melissa are the first two children that will be taken into our care with H.E.R.O. The brother and sister lost their mother before the earthquake and their father tried desperately to find a home for them. The earthquake then took their father’s life leaving them orphaned and under the care of their aunt who cannot provide for them. It is hard to describe all the emotions that are building as all of this is falling into place and we make these children part of our family.

Me with Wiseley

Thank you all for your support and I am excited to fill you in as I continue my life here in Haiti. Please keep us in your prayers and God bless you.

Here are some pictures I took on my hike and a video update I made. Enjoy!

Photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2049530&id=67600728&l=5565a1d96f

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NneLgwAhzrc

Busy, Busy, Busy

Life here in Haiti is running at top-speed now and I love it. My days are packed and the work never seems to end, but it is all good work and I love doing it. My plate is now filled with teaching second grade, after-school ESL, and working with H.E.R.O. in all the other spaces.

Teaching has been going very well and I really enjoy my class. The kids are getting into their routines and we are having a lot of fun. I am realizing more and more though, how difficult it is for some of them that are coming from the French schools to make the adjustment. Some of them are still becoming comfortable working in groups, which is taboo in the schools they are coming from. Either way, the students are excited to be at school and I am having a blast teaching them.

The ESL (English as a Second Language) started up this week and I am teaching the level 3 class. I currently only have three students signed up and only two that have shown up, but this is Haiti. I am sure soon I will have more of a class, as everything seems to start slower here. My students are a lot of fun and I always find a lot of joy in teaching English.

At H.E.R.O. we have been busy with so much. As we hire staff, register children, raise funds, set-up internship programs, make connections, fix our car, and somedays just try to get the simplest task done, we can see how this process is a day by day, step by step adventure. Having the realization that things will happen when they should and keeping our focus on getting kids off the streets has been what gets us through and keeps us going somedays. It is rewarding work and I am so proud to be a part of it.

Outside of all of these things, I am finding myself enjoying my life in Haiti a lot and like I have said before it is home to me. I have found a church here in English that is very international and really gets to the heart of Haiti and what is going on here.

Please keep Haiti in your prayers, as I could never express to you the amount of need that exists in this country. It is such a blessing that I have the opportunity to be here during this time and the daily lessons I learn here I will take with me for the rest of my life. The Lord continues to care for me every day and the blessings never stop flowing. Thank you for all of your support over the years and please keep me updated on your lives as well.

Here are some pictures from the public school we partner with and the new property we are renting in Delmas 95, Port-au-Prince that will soon house street kids and orphans and eventually volunteer groups as well. Some of the pictures were taken by the kids themselves and I am hoping to start some sort of photography class for the kids there in the future.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2048488&id=67600728&l=6485cf35bb

One Month to the Date!

Today marks the one month anniversary of my life in Haiti! I am not sure how to answer the question of how long I feel like I have been here. In some senses I am still in shock of so many sights like I just walked off the plane this morning and at the same time I feel like life began right here.

I have also made it through my first week as a second grade teacher! I love my class and cannot express how rewarding it is to finally have a classroom. There are so many people that I want and need to thank on a daily basis for getting me here. You all have an open invitation anytime to come and visit my class.

Exciting news continues to build with H.E.R.O. In recent news we have gone from purchasing a half acre of land to nine acres of land to use for the building of the orphanage! We were also donated a car this past week and the blessings continue to come flowing in. Our goal right now is for $100,000 in 100 days. This can only happen through the continued support that all of you provide. Please get connected on www.haitihero.org to keep updated on how you can be involved! Every bit counts!

Here are a few more glimpses into my life in Haiti:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2048136&id=67600728&l=1fb8930322

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2048104&id=67600728&l=fcdd39426d

Settling In

After two weeks in my new home in Haiti, there is much to talk about and even more to personally process. From the moment I found myself here I felt at home and that sense of home is only getting stronger as I find my place here.

We have finally been getting into the school more and have started the process of getting our rooms ready for the students. With only a week before school starts, there are plenty of obstacles to overcome. Slowly, my books and supplies are making their way to my classroom along with plenty of dust and mess. There are still several key elements to my curriculum that need to surface from the many boxes that were packed from the earthquake but I have high hopes that they are just around the corner. Please keep me in your prayers as I have my first day of class next week and for the students who will be coming back for the first time since the earthquake.

Other than being busy with school, we have found ourselves very well taken care of by our friends here. The hospitality shown to us by some of our friends from the school has been unbelievable. Last week we took a trip out to the beach and had a wonderful time enjoying not only the amazing beach, but the great company as well. This weekend we found ourselves at the receiving end of more hospitality again when a fellow teacher took us all to her family's place up in the mountains surrounded by a breath-taking view, delicious food, and overall just a time to unwind and enjoy each others' company.

This weekend also brought about the opportunity I had been praying about long before I ever stepped foot in Haiti. My friends Steve (a former teacher at Union) and Michele (a current teacher) have started a non-profit called H.E.R.O. (Housing Education and Rehabilitation of Orphans) and have asked for my assistance with what they are doing. I am excited for what lies ahead and how we can reach out to a country in tremendous need. Please take the time to visit the website and see how you can get involved as well (http://www.haitihero.org/index.html).

Continue to pray for Haiti and all that continues to go on here. There is more need and devastation than I can even begin to describe through text or photo. Every rattle of a window or the sound of a large truck driving by puts people on edge as they worry another earthquake could tear apart their lives again. Every rain brings fear as a large portion of people are living in tents and the Haitian rain never falls lightly. As the elections draw nearer, so does the anticipation of not knowing if a worthy leader will be stepping into office or not. These are just a few of the many examples of the state of Haiti right now and your prayers and support are very much in need.

Thank you all for the support you have given me and will continue to give me as I live my new life here in Haiti. I thank the Lord for you and I hope I can do my best to keep you informed on on what is going on here. Also, some long over due photos are here and can be found at the following link.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2044091&id=67600728&l=2e89a5e39c

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

I have finally arrived in Haiti and I have been blown away by everything. I am not sure even where to begin when talking about Haiti. Every story I hear from the people here puts every news cast to shame on the intensity of the situation and how much farther we have to go. Just taking a walk down the street can be emotionally draining. Even though the hardships that the Haitian people have been through over their entire history are worn on every person, a deeper joy and sense of hope pour through each of them as well.

Today I had my first meeting with all the teachers at the school and I instantly felt a part of the family. Haitians are wonderful to work with and are very warm people. There are still three weeks before school starts, but there is a lot to get ready for and we have some amazing opportunities being given to us right now. My classroom is still not ready to be used because of the damage from the earthquake, but it should be ready to go sometime this semester. It will be a different year compared to my time in Chicago and I know a lot of flexibility will be required, but I am ready for the challenge.

Please keep the people of Haiti in your prayers as they go through challenge after challenge. Their stories are too much to even try to put in writing and the sorrow is too deep to try to comprehend. The elections are coming up and we are desperate for a leader who has what it takes. The political situation here has never been one to look up to and a change is in desperate need. Pray for me as I find the balance of living a city in so much pain and finding my place here where I can be of service. I feel more blessed every day I am alive and please never stop counting your blessings no matter how hard things of this world may seem at time.

I invite you to check out this photo journal I found that I feel captures the hearts of the people here and the vibe that is so alive.

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Voices-of-Haiti/628958

Chicago.

After a lot of traveling by bus, plane, car, shuttle and walking, I am finally back in Chicago for a short time. My travels began on Tuesday night last week with an overnight bus to Lima. I was able to spend the day in Lima with my friends Juan Diego and Rafael before my overnight plane to Boston. It was great to finally make it to New Hampshire for my friend Buck's wedding and find myself surrounded by my closest friends in a beautiful lake house. The wedding was a great time and I also got to enjoy New England a lot by hiking, swimming, and just relaxing. I will admit though, I was going through a bit of culture shock and am still missing my home in Peru greatly. The only chance I had to get back to Boston was on Monday, but my flight was on Tuesday and I was left in Boston without any connections. Of course the Lord provided and I found myself staying with a friend of a friend I had never met before in an apartment overlooking the Boston Harbor and cruising around in his boat for the evening. I was also able to see a lot of the sights around the city during the day and really enjoyed the time just to take it in without an agenda of any kind.

Returning to the States is always a challenge for me, but it is very exciting at the same time to be home again. Most days I wish I could be in two or twelve places at once. I have a little over a week here in Chicago before I board another plane to Haiti. As the excitement builds, so does the reality of getting everything together and preparing myself for this next major step in my life. Now I must find the balance of seeing friends and family, preparing for Haiti, and still continuing everything that is going on in Peru. Good thing the Lord is on my side.

From One Home to the Next

These past few weeks in Peru have been incredible and I am by no means ready to leave this place that has become my home. I am still teaching at the high school and enjoying that age more than I thought I ever would. Our last day before winter vacation is Tuesday and that night I will be getting on a bus to Lima to begin my travels home.

This week was full of excitement in so many ways. I somehow found myself in our school play dressed as a typical Peruvian from Cusco and was the only Gringo in the whole production. It was a total riot and and really enjoyed seeing my students display their culture.

Another surprise of this week was a new ministry opportunity that has come up. I have been doing after-school tutoring for a college-aged student this summer and through the mother of the student I found out about the mines here in Trujillo. I was able to go out and visit the families that live out in a very poor neighborhood near the strip mines. The majority of the children I met have no education or opportunity for it. They work in people's homes from age eight and by age thirteen they go to work out in the rock mines. The kids are known as the 'Children of the Salt' because of the rock dust they are always covered in. Very little has been done for these people and few people even know these families live like this. IncaLink has been able to donate some warm clothes to these children who live in a very cold area up in the mountains. I was able to make some connections and hopefully in the future we can have clean water, a Bible study, more clothes, and food provided for these people and eventually a way for them to attend school and not work!

Last week we were able to throw a birthday part for our friend Ruth who just turned thirteen and works in the garbage dump. The party was a blast and it was great to give them a rest from their hard work and share a beautiful experience with them. It broke my heart when she had to leave her own party to sort through more trash. It blows my mind to think how much we believe we are entitled to for our birthdays even if it is just a day off.

Every day I see how the Lord is at work here and I feel his presents everywhere I go. It is not easy working among situations like these, but I see the joy of the Lord in the people here. Like I said before, I am not ready to leave this home, but I know I have great things ahead of me. I am beyond blessed to have my family that I live with here and I will miss them greatly.

Now I must prepare for my next few weeks of travel. I leave here Tuesday for Lima and by Thursday I will be in New Hampshire for my friend's wedding then off to Chicago for ten short days. On August 13th I will be moving to Port-au-Prince, Haiti to teach second grade and really can't answer the question if I am ready or not, but I know that I am in the good hands of the Lord no matter where I go.

Peru '10

First off, I apologize for the delay on the blog post. I have been very busy since finishing up teaching in Chicago and coming back here to Trujillo, Peru but am throughly enjoying everything!

My time here started off with my mom and aunt joining me and getting an inside view into my life here. They both enjoyed their time and it was great to finally have them see my other home. My days here are occupied with teaching English at a high school, working with the teams, and working with the ministries of the churches and garbage dump. My days start early and end late but I feel more connected than ever here and feel very much at home. I am living with a Peruvian family this summer and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. My Spanish improves daily and I get a deeper insight and connection to the culture here in Peru. I love how my relationships have strengthen over the years with the people here and being able to see the ministries progress is such a blessing.

Teaching here is a world away from my teaching experiences in Chicago. The age difference, resources, and classroom setting are among some of the vast differences that have presented both challenges and rewarding experiences. The students are energetic about learning English but have a very different classroom structure that I am adjusting to.

My heart is still right here where I left it in the poor areas of Trujillo where people live and work in the garbage dumps. At times it feels like there is no hope left for the situation that these people live in, but after every visit I am left with just a bit more hope as I see the joy of the Lord shine through the people there. My friends there show the greatest extent of love I have ever found and I feel that the toothbrush and fruit I provide for them does not compare. Please keep these people in your prayers as they bring up families in the midst of garbage and rejection.

I get up in the mornings at 6am and still need to iron my clothes for tomorrow so for now here are some pictures I was able to take with someones camera after mine was stolen in Lima. I hope you enjoy them and please know that my prayers are with you. Thank you for all of your support and I promise to write again soon.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2042787&id=67600728&l=4664127fd3