Haiti Team#1: Day 3

Another cloudy morning, rained overnight. We had scheduled the artisans boutique for this morning but with the rain it was postponed so that they did not have to bring all their artwork up the mountain in the rain. Before church Dave, Darryl, and Jaime were able to go to the Merlet Center and etch the floor where we will be tiling this week.

Church was started this morning on Haitian time (a little late) but when they got going it was full of scripture, song, and passionate preaching by a visiting pastor, Christnor Caririsse. It was about having Jesus in your heart.  The van showed up right after church to take us down the mountain to Jacmel. Today was the first day of Carnevelle (Madi Gras). I am not sure that Pastor Paul wanted us to go to town, but he went along with it. There was a lot of traffic and people in the streets, as we made our way to the "Hands and Feet" orphanage, a beautiful refuge for children that have been brought to them by the social services of Haiti. The staff there is awesome and doing great things. The kids are placed in family units with a house mother, a nanny, and a cook, and up to 10 kids. The children are sent to school to learn and someday become good citizens of their community.

We then headed to the beach with Carnevelle going, which made it a very popular place. In the past we just went and parked the van, and went and played on the beach. This year there was a big wooden wall that had been built and we could not park the van because there was no area left to park it.  So the driver left us at the wall and returned when we needed to be picked up. Getting thru the wall, you had to buy tickets and since we were white I think the price changed because Pastor Paul negotiated for sometime to get us all in. Once we were all in we found a table to call our base, ordered some fish, lobster, and shish-ka-bobs. Some people went swimming, some took walks, but always came back to the table and had great conversation and fun. The daylight was getting short so we headed to the van, which was a walk down the road because of the traffic.  So we took another opportunity to stop and take pictures, then headed to the van. Most of the ride back up the mountain was in the dark because it took us so long to get thru Jacmel and the traffic.   The driver did a great job.

There was more hanging out on the porch, and then one by one to bed for the night. Tomorrow will be another work day, hopefully to see a lot of progress on the Merlet Center.

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Haiti Team #1: Day 2

Woke up this morning to cloudy skies and a little on the cool side. The ladies in the kitchen did an excellent job again fixing breakfast, today it was eggs probably my favorite for breakfast down here. We decided we were going to work. Doug (American project manager) had a few things he wanted done that would make the work on Monday go a lot better.

Tom and Odlin were commissioned to plumbing professionals and they ran the water lines and drain lines to the bathrooms on the second floor of the Merlet Center. Darryl, Jaime, Dave, and Ulrick were given the task of getting the floor super clean and all the extra cement piles off of it. They have been mixing cement on this floor for various projects so we used pieces of iron to scrape the floor, then swept it and washed it down with water. We had put in a request for some etching material but there was some misunderstanding because it did not show up until after dark, so we were unable to get that done. In the afternoon we got time to relax and enjoy the surroundings, and talk to friends.  Jaime spent most of the morning and early afternoon at Peace Pals (like Vacation Bibile School) playing, singing, and taking pictures. After dinner Darryl worked on trying to get the other laptop to hook up to the wireless, was unable to accomplish the task but got it to work hard wired. The rest of the gang continued the relationship building with cards and conversation. Everyone is feeling good so far and hoping that continues. All the kids we have meet the last two years here are getting bigger and are still a lot of fun. 

What Darryl didn't mention:

Kendy kicked Dave and my butt in the card game Casino. He also added many rules along the way, but hey, that's innovation right there.

Dave had his first star gazing session last night outside of Pastor Paul's home. Today he describes them as, "Brilliant."

Jaime:

The kids at Peace Pals are full of respect and energy. When everyone was gathering, the kids sat patiently and waited for the other little dudes to enter. There were 2 male adult leaders and 4 female leaders. The kids sit together by age and are the cutest little things (of course.) They sung, jumped up and down, practiced fractions, addition, multiplication, division, repeated scripture, and danced. There was a little one who performed a song for all of us. 

The two adult male leaders and I practiced Kreyol, French, and English together. Here's a phrase for ya'll Americans to learn... :)

Mwen rele Jaime

Je m'appelle Jaime

My name is Jaime

Guest Bloggers On Board!

Just wanted to invite all of you to begin reading a series of blogs from Haiti. I was not able to go with our team this year but my husband was, as well as others from my church.  So they will be working together and sending out the journal writings this year.  Enjoy!!

Haiti Team #1: Day 1

Yesterday is a day in the past but the memories have transformed our day today. Since we didn't blog yesterday, our thoughts spilled over at the breakfast table. Darryl said the construction work inspired him. The 2 story multipurpose building, affectionately known as the Merlet Center, is looking AMAZING. Last year when we left there was just a big flat area with a big hole in the middle for a cistern. This year there is a 7,000 sq ft of that beautiful building with a roof over it. Some of the outside is painted but it still needs the stucco put on the outside. The inside walls are getting done and covered with paint.

Today our team sanded the rough spots in the stucco on the walls. Then we cleaned the floor in that room and painted two walls all before lunch.  After lunch we moved outside to rough up the Styrofoam so that the cement and stucco will stick to it. Then at the end of the day Dave and Darryl thought they would try their hand at putting cement on the walls. We were slower than the Haitians and not very good at it. By the time we were done we had a crowd of Haitians watching in disbelief with a few laughs.   Then Doug said he had two American women do a whole house in a day and it looked really good.

Pastor Paul has a second story addition going on his house with more rooms for teams to stay in and a couple more bathrooms. Also in the front yard they are building a dog free dining area. There will be a large cement table in the center with chairs around it. First class all the way.

Dave said he was surprised how the Haitians style of driving was different than ours. When cars or any mode of transportation honk, they are generally being considerate and warning others they are passing by. Right now, Friday, Dave is Skyping with his family on the roof of Pastor Paul's house. Dave's family is asking Dave to show him the building he's working on. His service is being a rebel and not connecting well. Regardless, they continue to call each other and wait it out. After a bit, his wife and him can talk. As you can imagine, concerns and laughter are being exchanged.

Ulrick, our translator for the third year in a row, said he was "Happy because I have one year without seeing you. Happy to be with all of you and be with all of you."

Odlin said, "No words. I am so glad to be here." Tom, Odlin's bestest friend EVER said, "I'm excited." I asked, "for?" and he replied, "everything."

                One thing I love about life and traveling is that hearts remain in contact. Sometimes people applaud missionaries, but the truth is we as Christians are all given the chance to be missionaries. If Christ died, sacrificed his life, and rose again for all- We are all His people. People are people are people. God is God is God. Love is love is love. We all have the opportunity to share God's goodness.    

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

“Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we've no place to go, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”  …Wait a minute!  The fire is delightful, but no place to go?  Really?  I don’t know about you, but I have plenty to do and plenty of places to go! … or do I?

We are a people on the go like no other.  I remember back in the 60s and 70s when I was growing up in Saline on the farm. When it snowed more than a couple inches, we all just slowed down and hunkered in.  There truly was no place we had to go, so we just didn’t.  The cows still got milked each morning and again in the evening, but really, the rest could wait.  I remember using that time to just be.  We would be with each other, but be slower than normal and be all that we really needed to be, no more… no less. 

Some times in the midst of some heavy snow, we would all play cards in my grandparent’s dining room, Shang Hi Rum, Go Fish, or Euchre. Other times, the boys would go off and do whatever boys do and me and my two aunts would go off and do what girls do.  We would play house with our dolls; we would embroider, knit, or sew a new project; or we would play a rousing game of Truth or Dare. 

I remember my grandmother would cook more than usual.  She would spend her time in the kitchen making a big pot of simmering soup.  The aroma would waft into the rest of the house, assuring us all it was going to be a warm and delicious day.  Sometimes my great grandmother would jump in with some Romanian favorites like baklava or crepe suzettes.  During a really good snow, we might even get a huge batch of sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls).  To die for! 

There was always the aftermath of a snow storm that unfolded, as well.  Once the winds died down and the snow transitioned from dangerous to beautiful, we would all begin the process of getting dressed, layer by layer, in order to become part of the pristine winter landscape we call snow.  We would start with oversized long johns, and then add a pair of smaller jeans over larger ones, and then top it off with an old school one piece snow suit that zipped from your lower calf all the way up to your chinny chin chin.  Then we’d add extra socks on both our feet and hands before adding a hat and scarf.  And off we’d go!... straight off the porch with a superman jump into the nearest snow drift.  From there we’d make snow angels and snow forts.  We’d ride dinosaur snowmobiles and be thrown from saucer sleds.  We’d build snowmen and go ice skating, let snowflakes land on our tongues and suck icicles like they were lollipops.  And when it was all said and done, we’d come back in leaving a pile of snow gear the size of Mount Zion by the back door.  Then we’d all pile on the floor heaters with a blanket until it ballooned over us like a parachute, filling with hot, soothing air to dry wet undies and wind parched cheeks. 

I didn’t notice any kids outside this week… even with a day off and fresh snow on the ground.  I heard people grumbling because they had so much to do and needed to get their cars dug out to do it… but I didn’t see any saucers or snowmobiles, snow forts or ice skates. 

I have always wondered if snow days are really gifts from God? You know, a Father-forced day to actually s l o w down, to spend time together laughing and playing, no matter our age?  I hope we aren’t all in such a hurry that we miss this gift… afterall, we only have it a couple months and then it’s gone.  “The fire is slowly dying, and, my dear, we're still goodbying, but as long as you love me so, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”  

Hmmm... What to Do?...

The New Year is well under way and planning is going on all around me.  I see people planning their vacations, upcoming education events, and even doing their tax planning.  I actually have all those on my list of To Do’s these upcoming weeks, as well.  But for now, I am planning this year’s teaching series here at Concord United Methodist Church.  The Worship Team and I sit around and ponder what is it we are really in need of learning?  What areas have we, as a faith community, struggled in this past year?  What teachings of Jesus, or even God’s stories from the Hebrew Bible (our Old Testament), could really have an impact on our daily living today?  And then we begin planning.

We decided to start the year with prayer.  Duh!  That was a no brainer.  In year’s past, I have taught on different forms of prayer, the importance of prayer, and how to become a devoted pray-er.  This year I’m offering up a few familiar prayers (to many) but going a bit deeper.  It’s easy to rattle off a prayer like the Lord’s Prayer and really not even know what you said.  Se we’re walking line for line, word for word through four prayers this month in hopes of bringing their meaning back to the surface, thus empowering them to be all they were intended to be in our faith lives. 

Then we’ve planned a couple of teachings on love. What better thing to have swirling around our heads the first two weeks of February?!  Love God and Love Others.  Now there’s a novel concept.  After that… (sit down… you won’t believe this…) we will start our journey toward Easter.  Yes! Easter!  I know.  My Christmas trees aren’t taken down yet either.  My great grandmother used to leave one up so she could put hearts on it for Valentine’s day, shamrocks for St. Patty’s and then eggs for Easter.  Always a good Plan B if I don’t get to them soon. 

This year’s Lenten (the 40 days prior to Easter… excluding Sundays) Series will be on spiritual disciplines.  We do a great job at CUMC reaching out, taking care of our widows and the poor, repairing homes, and even caring four our community’s youth and children.  Among all that serving though, it can be easy to forget our internal state, our holiness.  So I’ll be teaching some wonderful tools like fasting, solitude, and meditation as ways to bring ourselves back to the One who can keep us centered.  Satan is real folks and all it takes is a busy Christian to give opportunity to fall on our face.  Pornography pops into our lives.  Adultery is more than tempting.  Lying to an employer, cheating on our taxes or stealing a song offline without paying the rightful artist can easily become cracks in our holiness.  Instead of relying on God, we come crying to God as we live out the consequences of a less than holy life.  Should be a great series.

We’ll also spend some time teaching on money, missions, and even humor.  But as spring turns the corner to summer, we’ll be heading back into time, back to some of our mothers and fathers of our faith.  We’ll be sitting at the feet of Mother Teresa, St. Francis of Assisi, and John Wesley.  We’ll read some of C.S.Lewis’ work and ponder deep into the writings of Teresa of Ávila.  We’ll even jump forward to the current century and take a listen to some contemporary voices still speaking in the darkness like Shane Claiborne. 

I’m getting excited just writing about it!  Planning: it’s a great way to look ahead and pave a path toward goals worth achieving.  If you haven’t done any planning yet this year, you might want to slow down long enough to do so.  You know how it is… it’ll be 2014 before you know it. 

To Resolve or Not to Resolve? That is the Question

By the time you read this, it will be 2013.  Hard to believe another year is gone… I mean GONE!  I find it crazy anymore how quickly a year comes, and a year goes.  But it does.  So I thought I would go back and read what I wrote last year this same time.  I knew what I was getting myself into, but hey, it’s a new year, right? 

If you’ve been reading my column for a while now, you might remember last year’s.  It was a list of New Year’s Resolutions basically summed up as 

1) get up earlier

2) put correspondence after spiritual disciplines

3) get off of sugar, get back to exercising, and get back on the healthy track before I turn 50 

4) and live a life of grace toward myself, accepting myself as good enough.  

Well, I’m not sure how good you did on your resolutions, but I did just as bout as good as most Americans: about 45 percent of Americans make resolutions, but only 8 percent keep them, according to 2012 statistics from the Statistic Brain Research Institute.  “The most popular goals are losing weight and staying fit, getting organized, spending less and saving more, and enjoying life.” Those sound so reasonable!  Why do 92 percent of us fail? 

Another study tracked 3,000 people and their new year’s resolutions. They found that men are 22 percent more likely to succeed if they set a specific goal or focus.  Women are 10 percent more likely to succeed if they tell their friends and family about their resolution or are encouraged not to revert to old habits.  Well piffle! I set specific goals AND told all of you and still didn’t succeed. 

It would be easy to just give up.  Walk away.  Be done with it.  Sleep as long as I want.  Allow emails and Facebook messages to consume my life, taking over all chance of a spiritual foundation.  Eat as much sugar as I desire, become a diabetic someday, and put on as much weight as naturally occurs from eating any way I want, any time I want.  And constantly beat myself up about what a failure I am, how I disappoint most everyone at least some of the time, and others most of the time!  Take that, New Year’s Resolutions!

But I would be even more a failure than missing three out of my four resolutions each year.  I would still miss out on all the great reading, prayer time, and special time with my Father each morning.  I would still feel sluggish and get those reoccurring stabs of pain in my left temple when I consume too much sugar, not to mention the muffin top that is quickly forming around my waistline, if I’m not willing to buy a new wardrobe at least one size larger.  And most of all, I would miss out on the incredibly beautiful and loving act we call grace.  Deserved or not with resolution accomplishment, I am a wonderful, beautiful, beloved child of God… and so are you. 

So, just as I didn’t quit quitting smoking for years on end, I won’t quit setting New Year’s Resolutions.  Heck! It paid off eventually!  I’m a non-smoker now.  The chances of me succeeding on some of my other resolutions are just as feasible.  And who knows, this may even be the year all of us accomplish more than just one!  So don’t give up and don’t give in.  Keep working toward a better, more healthy, more Spirit-led, grace-filled life.  You’ll be glad you did!  And so will all the friends, family, coworkers and neighbors around you.  

Cheers to 2013 and good riddance to 2012.  It’s a new year and I’m excited to see what it holds!  Game on with a new score card… to success and good health: body, mind, and soul.  Cheers! Happy New Year, my friends!  It’s going to be another good one.