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