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.