It has been quite the day...and I am about to give every little detail so I'm sorry if this is long and mundane. Hokay, here we go...
We woke up at 6 am (and I didn't get to bed till 1 because of the heat, stickiness and stink of PAP) so needless to say, we're pretty tired. Clayton came to get us around 7ish and when he did, we had quite a bit of work to do. We had to pack the truck full of the materials with which to build the composting toilets, and didn't have enough room. Luckily, the press to make the blocks won't be here till next week and Clayton is by happenstance going back down next weekend. Crisis averted, some supplies left till Friday.
So, leaving PAP wasn't a huge deal, but we had some mountains to conquer, and considering my motion sickness, I wasn't agreeing with it much. We stopped on the way up the mountain to buy some produce. There was a new type of fruit which they called an apricot, but it isn't like the one in the states. The Haitian women were insistent upon us trying this fruit. Clayton had already dug in, Brandi was going at it, Jill had taken a bite, and I would have rather died. My stomach was in knots, but they were persistent, and I took a bite...and spit it out as no one was looking. Praise God Clayton can speak Creole because he explained my rudeness (I think that I made a horrid face upon taking a bite).
We finally made it to Jacmel where Clayton had to run a few errands. We met Bill, Brian, and some woman (whom I loved!!!) and I can't remember her name, but she gave us cake (I didn't eat that either because I was still feeling a little on the "bl-eh" side.
Clayton was checking things off his to-do list, and we were ready to head up the mountain! We had some troubles though. I know that I might have already said that Haitians are terrible drivers, but if I didn't, let me reiterate, they suck!!! So this fellow (obviously in a hurry) passed us. A little bit later, and a few yards ahead, he veered right. I saw something in front of him, but didn't think much of it till we got closer and saw a motorbike underneath the man's car. We basically watched this man on a motorbike get hit head-on by some idiot barreling down the road (these crazy people don't wear helmets either). Clayton, being the wonderful doctor and person that he is, stopped to help out. He thought that the man might have some spinal cord injuries so we drove to the clinic in the next town (aka...forward progression), but apparently, that clinic just wouldn't cut it so we had to drive back to Jacmel (lack of progress this time...about 40-mins-total-driving-time lack of progress) to some other clinic. Needless to say, we were delayed a good hour and a half to two hours by that act alone. Oh yeah, and the guy is fine, just a gash in the head. We were all really surprised that he came out with a mere gash; he seriously got nailed...hard. Clayton then added and checked off of his to-do list "save man's life."
Finally, we were on our way! Here's the thing though, once you get to a certain point going up the mountain, there are no more paved roads...there are rock, not gravel, boulders making up the streets. With that and the incline taken into consideration, our food and supplies fell out of the back of the truck. Yet another delay. It only took about 20-30 minutes though. Not much happens in Haiti (especially on the mountain) so we were the form of entertainment this evening. Every Haitian within hearing-distance was standing, watching, and (of course) laughing at our expense.
Okay, that was the last of the crazy happenings. When we got to the clinic, the children saw Clayton coming and ran. They wanted to play with us, to help carry our bags, to see the foreigners who would be visiting for a while. I fell in love instantly, not just because it is about 20-30 degrees cooler here than in PAP. :) Also, the cook retired last week, and now I am in charge of the kitchen, and only have fresh ingredients!!
Needless to say, I can't even express how much happier I am here than in the capitol. I saw those children running to help, and my heart melted. God's about to do some serious work here. Bring it on.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Acts 20:24
I've been praying for God to gradually open opportunities to share my faith. Today was one of those days...
One guy, Jae, was talking about how his parents are missionaries...Korean missionaries (he says that makes a difference, apparently). That was yesterday, but today I busted out the ukulele, and he was more than intrigued. He asked to learn some songs, and the only ones that he knew chords to were praise and worship (old school, by the way). He said something to the extent of "I don't remember some of the songs because it's been about three years since I've played...I guess it's been three years since I've been with God." Brokenness comes in many different forms. He didn't want to talk much more, but also referred to the sheep who continually ran away and how their legs were broken. He believes that God will soon do that to him, except his neck instead of his legs. God is slowly tearing down those walls.
Then two girls sat down, Joey and Anna, one asked if we were Christian because Jill had on a Young Life shirt, and I had something that said "Baptist" on mine, and she pointed that out. I began to explain that I wasn't Baptist and not in to organized religion or denomination. Her reply: "So you're a real Christian!?" We laughed it off, but I'm glad that she said it because it reiterated what God has revealed to me about what people think of "Christians" and "the Church."
God has placed that on my heart recently. It has been a growing conviction and is beginning to get heavier. I've been reading through the book of Acts and studying the early church with "The Seven" and how much they rely on the Spirit to move and work instead of their words with a set of rules. They were called "The Way" because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He claims the church as His own. When He reveals Himself to Saul on the road to Damascus, He asks, "Why do you persecute Me?" We are a part of who Jesus is. It is our job to show that. I've also been studying Jesus' teachings in the Gospels: turn the other cheek, not to pray with many words, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength and to love others as yourselves. We learn that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. He came to love, show mercy and grace, and to save. He hung around the prostitutes and the thieves because it is not the healthy that need a doctor, it is the sick. I could go on and on, but God has revealed Himself to me immensely in the past few months. I believe in His commission that in His name we will speak new languages, drive out demons, and lay hands on people and heal the sick. I believe that the Spirit is as powerful today as He was then. Nothing has changed. He is still powerful. The power that rose Lazarus and Tabitha (aka Dorkus) from the dead lives within each and every person who has accepted His love. We of little faith.
This didn't have much to do with Haiti per Se, but the topic sparked after my conversations. That's all.
One guy, Jae, was talking about how his parents are missionaries...Korean missionaries (he says that makes a difference, apparently). That was yesterday, but today I busted out the ukulele, and he was more than intrigued. He asked to learn some songs, and the only ones that he knew chords to were praise and worship (old school, by the way). He said something to the extent of "I don't remember some of the songs because it's been about three years since I've played...I guess it's been three years since I've been with God." Brokenness comes in many different forms. He didn't want to talk much more, but also referred to the sheep who continually ran away and how their legs were broken. He believes that God will soon do that to him, except his neck instead of his legs. God is slowly tearing down those walls.
Then two girls sat down, Joey and Anna, one asked if we were Christian because Jill had on a Young Life shirt, and I had something that said "Baptist" on mine, and she pointed that out. I began to explain that I wasn't Baptist and not in to organized religion or denomination. Her reply: "So you're a real Christian!?" We laughed it off, but I'm glad that she said it because it reiterated what God has revealed to me about what people think of "Christians" and "the Church."
God has placed that on my heart recently. It has been a growing conviction and is beginning to get heavier. I've been reading through the book of Acts and studying the early church with "The Seven" and how much they rely on the Spirit to move and work instead of their words with a set of rules. They were called "The Way" because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He claims the church as His own. When He reveals Himself to Saul on the road to Damascus, He asks, "Why do you persecute Me?" We are a part of who Jesus is. It is our job to show that. I've also been studying Jesus' teachings in the Gospels: turn the other cheek, not to pray with many words, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength and to love others as yourselves. We learn that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. He came to love, show mercy and grace, and to save. He hung around the prostitutes and the thieves because it is not the healthy that need a doctor, it is the sick. I could go on and on, but God has revealed Himself to me immensely in the past few months. I believe in His commission that in His name we will speak new languages, drive out demons, and lay hands on people and heal the sick. I believe that the Spirit is as powerful today as He was then. Nothing has changed. He is still powerful. The power that rose Lazarus and Tabitha (aka Dorkus) from the dead lives within each and every person who has accepted His love. We of little faith.
This didn't have much to do with Haiti per Se, but the topic sparked after my conversations. That's all.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Isiah 58: 6-7
Well, we've finally made it! Coming out of the airport, there were Haitians everywhere wanting to help with luggage in order to make a buck or two. We walked the pathway to our ride and people were begging outside the fences...for money, for food, for a smile even. I saw dogs drinking sewage water...I saw people drinking sewage water, and, on a much lighter note, I have never seen such terrible driving...and so little wrecks.
We're staying at a place called Grass Roots United, which is basically a hippie camp for humanitarian work. We're living tent city style, and it is HOT! I haven't stopped sweating. Everyone is here for some different reason. For those of you who are familiar with it, HODR is quite similar except GRU does not have all the rules.
Last night, Jill and I read over the plans and basically learned everything that there is to know about composting toilets in about 2 hours. Soon after, we slept. I was surprised that we even did because I was so hot, but we were obviously incredibly tired.
Today we have helped with small chores around the base and Brandi went with some of the people here that were headed to the market so that she could buy a Haitian phone. Brandi is taking great care of us. She definitely knows what she is doing, and the fact that she is so calm has helped my nerves.
We'll be gathering resources (i.e. tin, lumber, pvc pipe, cement, etc.) for the next couple of days, and on Sunday morning, Clayton (from Cloud Forrest Clinic in Seugin) will be picking us, and all of our resources, up and taking us up the mountain. For now, when we aren't shopping for supplies, we're hanging around the Grass Roots base, talking with people, helping with small chores, checking the interwebs, watching chickens...seriously.
We've been doing a lot of praying. Praying for movement of the Spirit, praying for souls, healing, peace... The base where we are staying is not founded in Christian beliefs, but they are genuinely concerned dabout the well-being of others. I've never felt more safe than with these people, but safety on earth is worth nothing for the Kingdom. We're praying for the Spirit to use us to bless this place and these people in the four short days that we are here.
On another note, I had a spicy peanut butter this morning for breakfast...apparently the butter was infused with black pepper...apparently I was the only one intrigued. Weird looks from every direction. I guess that we've given up everything else for 12 weeks, normal food is just one more thing to add to the list.
We're staying at a place called Grass Roots United, which is basically a hippie camp for humanitarian work. We're living tent city style, and it is HOT! I haven't stopped sweating. Everyone is here for some different reason. For those of you who are familiar with it, HODR is quite similar except GRU does not have all the rules.
Last night, Jill and I read over the plans and basically learned everything that there is to know about composting toilets in about 2 hours. Soon after, we slept. I was surprised that we even did because I was so hot, but we were obviously incredibly tired.
Today we have helped with small chores around the base and Brandi went with some of the people here that were headed to the market so that she could buy a Haitian phone. Brandi is taking great care of us. She definitely knows what she is doing, and the fact that she is so calm has helped my nerves.
We'll be gathering resources (i.e. tin, lumber, pvc pipe, cement, etc.) for the next couple of days, and on Sunday morning, Clayton (from Cloud Forrest Clinic in Seugin) will be picking us, and all of our resources, up and taking us up the mountain. For now, when we aren't shopping for supplies, we're hanging around the Grass Roots base, talking with people, helping with small chores, checking the interwebs, watching chickens...seriously.
We've been doing a lot of praying. Praying for movement of the Spirit, praying for souls, healing, peace... The base where we are staying is not founded in Christian beliefs, but they are genuinely concerned dabout the well-being of others. I've never felt more safe than with these people, but safety on earth is worth nothing for the Kingdom. We're praying for the Spirit to use us to bless this place and these people in the four short days that we are here.
On another note, I had a spicy peanut butter this morning for breakfast...apparently the butter was infused with black pepper...apparently I was the only one intrigued. Weird looks from every direction. I guess that we've given up everything else for 12 weeks, normal food is just one more thing to add to the list.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Galatians 5:24
Hey, you all! Tomorrow is the day, and since I'm so good with planning my time, I just finished packing. Here is the beginning of this little something that I would like to call adventure. I'm feeling a bit melancholy, but I'm trying to keep in good spirits. I know that Haiti is where God wants me (talk about a culture shock), but fleshy comfort wants to keep me here, in the rolling hills of East Tennessee. So, here I go.
Looking around this comfortable, familiar house, I see a warm bed, an abundance of food, plumbing, clean water, and frivolous luxuries such as the television, computer, Internet, and ipods. For these things, I am thankful. I see something as simple as toilet paper and wonder how I will live without it for twelve weeks. More than these things, I will miss people, the children of God whom I call friends. I will miss my family, especially my brother. He will stationed in OK while I'm in Haiti, and I'll return to his empty room probably changed in color and design by my parents who need to cope with his moving out...for good. Simply, tonight is the last night that I still have my childhood brother. Apparently, he's an adult now (but by his maturity level, you could have fooled me). I'm going to miss the way the sun sets on this lake during the humid month of July. I'm going to miss the smell of grilling hot dogs and hamburgers (although I wouldn't eat them). As weird as it sounds, I'm going to miss the local news. I'm going to miss the boat rides, the sleepovers, the camping, the bonfires, and the urgency to do nothing, and my bed.
Yet, although I am going to miss many things about this place, I'm so pumped that I'm finally getting a break from Jefferson County. 20.5 years...I'm always here. So here's to a bit of an escape from life, from family, from friends, from surroundings, from mindless musings, from familiar faces, from childhood, from grades, from worries, from daily routines and patterns, and here's to adventure, to the unknown, and to straight up fear. Bring it on.
On the bright side, I still get to watch the season finale of Glee tomorrow night, otherwise, this could be a rough trip.
Looking around this comfortable, familiar house, I see a warm bed, an abundance of food, plumbing, clean water, and frivolous luxuries such as the television, computer, Internet, and ipods. For these things, I am thankful. I see something as simple as toilet paper and wonder how I will live without it for twelve weeks. More than these things, I will miss people, the children of God whom I call friends. I will miss my family, especially my brother. He will stationed in OK while I'm in Haiti, and I'll return to his empty room probably changed in color and design by my parents who need to cope with his moving out...for good. Simply, tonight is the last night that I still have my childhood brother. Apparently, he's an adult now (but by his maturity level, you could have fooled me). I'm going to miss the way the sun sets on this lake during the humid month of July. I'm going to miss the smell of grilling hot dogs and hamburgers (although I wouldn't eat them). As weird as it sounds, I'm going to miss the local news. I'm going to miss the boat rides, the sleepovers, the camping, the bonfires, and the urgency to do nothing, and my bed.
Yet, although I am going to miss many things about this place, I'm so pumped that I'm finally getting a break from Jefferson County. 20.5 years...I'm always here. So here's to a bit of an escape from life, from family, from friends, from surroundings, from mindless musings, from familiar faces, from childhood, from grades, from worries, from daily routines and patterns, and here's to adventure, to the unknown, and to straight up fear. Bring it on.
On the bright side, I still get to watch the season finale of Glee tomorrow night, otherwise, this could be a rough trip.
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