Date Entered Into Journal: March 29, 2011
Days One and Two of Ministry
Monday-
Today was the first full day of our children's ministry! We went to two schools and an orphanage in the afternoon.
Our first school was a Christian private school, class of about 24 darling little ones. We shared the story of Zacheus, showed our wordless book and did our salvation bracelet craft, after our interpreters engaged the kids in song and prayer.
After the craft, we were able to spend time sitting among the darlings in their blue and white uniforms. I sure got inspected! My ears were turned back to see the backings of my earrings, my sunglasses were removed from the top of my head and put on each one's face, and the hugs! Those hugs were the best!
They appeared to like the fact that I could understand and talk back to them in French. I tried and they were visibly impressed when I could point to my body parts that they listed in french and creole. It was a surreal experience.
Our second school was listed on the sign as a Montessori Preschool, but down here that means that it was founded by them, not necessairly of that program. It was a school/orphange and a quite poor one. It smelled of stale urine and burning trash. The kids were thirsty, and it showed when they attempted to drink from our water bottles. It was located in a back alley. Instantaneously when we arrived the little ones- 2 and 3 year olds wanted to be held in our arms. Their were so small- one little boy came to me and held his arms up and went "eh- eh" to me until I picked him up and put him on my hip. ( it was mere nano seconds!! and for me not being a kid person, it was a big move!) He was so adorable, curly dark hair, big brown eyes, runny nose.
We did our program and craft. The craft was so hard as they were so young and small. They were grabbing beads jsut to have beads!
We debriefed at lunch, back at the team house. It was a fabulous homemade lunch of peanut butter and grape jelly. We also changed up the program in order to enagage the children more, coming up with a skit to illustrate our stories instead of just talking. This was a good idea as then more team members were involved, and the engagement of the kids would be priceless!
Our orphanage school, after lunch, had children aged four up to ten years. We had to walk up the side of a hill, winding path that took my breath away! We had a lot more time here and preformed our skit as well as played with the kids. We came up with a skit about the Good Samartian. I was assigned to play the Proud Man.... I over emphasized, over acted it and all I heard was laughter! My soul's nectar!! We were able to play soccer and skipping rope with the children. It was good... so good that when we attempted to leave, the kids wanted to follow us! Sam, our full time Children Ministry Leader, had to stop the truck and instruct the kids to stop!
While we were doing this, the men were building bunk beds for an orphanage.
For supper, we experienced a daily meal of the locals- beans and rice. However, we were spoiled as ours came with a salami sauce on top and a coconut coleslaw. It was absolutley DELISH!! Totally what I was expecting and more!
We were able to have share and care, a time of worship and group devotions. My shower never felt so good for only cold water and three minutes in length! It was all good once I figured out how to work the shower!
Tuesday came so fast... hardly felt like I was asleep! Up at 0630, devotions at 0700 and Breakfast soon followed that. Before you knew it, our chores were over and off we were to our ministries. The men continued to work at the woodshop and we went off to two schools and an orphanage.
Our first school of the days was older kids, I would easily call them tweens.We had fun watching Brisso, our male interpreter bring the children alive with music that we knew in english and they sung in Haitian Creole and or french, his use of word games to engage was so perfect! He has such a talent at what he does... his love shines through all that he does! We threw in another skit that we came up with- we illustrated the Zacheus story that Jenn was already teaching as an example of joy that comes from the Lord. I play Zacheus... and not because I was short! The wordless book was shared, we prayed with the kids and did our bracelet craft. The kids were totally behaved and full of good manners. They said, "Thank You" in english when assisted.
Our second school was a high school, where we participated in the second year class's chapel. It was at the church that we attended on Sunday Am. As it was an older crowd, I was able to have more fun. We added a skit, the parable of the seeds. It is so fun to just let go and be wild. The chapel leader was Pastor Zamor, who is a loving Christian man. We were thanked for coming by one of the student leaders. During our time at Hosanna, we also shared a testimony that was relevant to their age group. Pastor Zamore shook each one of our hands and thanked us personally for coming to Haiti. He said something that has really stood out to me and I find repeating... "the future of Haiti is our children. They need two things: Jesus and education." I pray that the Lord continues to bless him and his work as he attempts to do both.
After our homemade lunch of , you guessed it. peanut butter and grape jelly, we went to an orphanage where the children were aged 2 to 14. We were greeted by the house matron who was very welcoming and warm to us. She invited us to come into the living room/sitting room area and as we sitting down, the kids came barreling in. They were so cute as they joined us on the couches, snuggling beside us, in our laps, all around us. The kids crawelled all over us and engaged us all. Nerlande, our fabulous female translator, led the kids into song and engaged the girls who were obviously looking up at her. You can see how some imitate her. Both Nerlande and Brisso LOVE these kids and love being with them. As we were singing, the men came in. They had finished their wood working and had delivered it to the orphange. (side note: it was Hands and Feet, an orphange supported by the Christian Rock Band Audio Adreline) It was the first time that they got to see what we do and play with the kids. We added something else in: after we did the Good Samaratin skit, we had the kids act it out. They needed no proding and actually just went and did the story without the narration! It was so adorable watching our previous actions being done by the kids. Craft time was quite cute- one of the guys had two little boys in his lap and I worked on each one of their bracelets with them. We were able to play outside with the kids and interact with them: skipping, soccer, toy cars, twirling them around and just hanging out. The little girls sometimes jumped rope with no shoes on, in the loose gravel... something I have never had to do! We all interacted differently: one guy sat beside a little boy playing with tiny hot wheels and without a moments notice- that little budding engineer had a two/ three level ramp going and was playing with his cars on it. Another male member of the team, picked up the kids and twirled them around in a circle, getting them dizzy! The photographer was playing with her camera and having the kids take pictures with her. Digital cameras are a blessing for this... as then they can see what they just snapped! It was just good to be outside with these darlings. We were able to leave the skipping ropes and soccer balls with the house matron. She is so loving and the kids appear to really listen.
We had chicken chili on baked potatoes with garlic bread and carrot-raisin salad for supper. Very filling and fiberous!
Our evening was already planned to be a movie outreach night. We packed up the needed technology, the movie screen, projecter, sound system and went off to find the predestined spot. Pastor Zamore joined us for this, and was the one that found the spot that we were going to claim for the night. It was dusk when we got to where we were going, which is about 1830hrs their time. We used flashlights and torches to get everything set up and running. Once the p.a. system was running, Sam played Christian Creole Music to draw the people to us. It worked! It was pitch black dark when Pastor Zamore started his introduction into the evening. The movie was just under an hour. It was "God Man" which was dubbed into Haitian Creole and had subtitles as well. It was part live action and part animated, and it was a really good explaination on the salvation story. After it was done, the College and Careers put on a play titled "Everything". It involved Jesus and a girl who was tempted by different sins such as seduction, alchohol, money, fashion, self harm. It's set to the song Everything by Lifehouse and is very powerful. Following that, Pastor Les and Pastor Zamore presented the gospel message and we had at least two people come to know the Lord, one being a little boy. We had a few women come forward for prayer and to pray with us. It was so good to see the Holy Spirit at work there. Seeds of salvation were planted as at least 30-50 people were there for the movie.
During the start of the movie, it started to spit rain. I started to pray that it would hold off and it did..... until we were on the way home! Sitting the pick up truck bed, we got soaked as it poured rain on us, a warm rain. It was more refreshing than anything. Everyone in my truck started to laugh and we just enjoyed the experience with each other.
When we returned to the team house, Dave stated that no two movie ngiht were the same. We had group devos and off to bed.
These days may have been uncomfortable for me, as I am not a kid person, however, it has blessed me to get out of my comfort zone. I fell in love with acting and perfoming once again, realizing that my use of animation is a true blessing on trips like these!
God is working in my heart... I love this culture and the people of Haiti. They are so welcoming and loving. I love sitting in the back of the truck and waving as I greet those we pass on the road. The warm sun feels so good!
Canada? Where's that?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sundays are meant for this....
Date Entered Into Journal: March 27, 2011
We woke up this morning at 0600am. I won't tell you what the 0 stands for! We were gently awaken by worship music playing in the living room, which was a great way to start a Sunday! It was fun to get dressed for church in sundresses and sandles- as it is still winter at home! It was kinda wierd to do my personal devotions in a room full of people, however, it was still nice to be able to do it with worship music and the warm sun shinning on me. Coffee sure tastes different... it's so much better than Starbucks, and it was soothing to me! After breakfast of eggs and spam with fresh fruit salad containing mangoes, bananas, pineapple, papya there was lots of free time. (I know it sounds like a horrible meal, however, it tasted so good!) I used this time to think about where I was and about my patient back home- praying for his strength and an opportunity to share with him once I returned home. I also had moments of feeling really down and pensive due to not feeling like I belonged on the team. Everyone seemed to know each other so well, and all seemed so close. I never know how to handle that other than to pray and make myself more extroverted.
We went to church at a "Baptist" church that is attached to a seminary school. Found out that because it was founded by a Baptist Missionary, it took on the Baptist name. We met an American Missionary who had served in France for 35 years prior and is now teaching for two weeks at the Seminary. I remember my own Bible College/Seminary days when we had visiting professors... and how they were a blessing to us. I pray that the students in Jacmel are as blessed by his presence. The church is a building with doors, windows and roof . The walls are made out of stucco, and a tin roof. Lights and fans were going, and it helped with the humidity. I am able to recognixe the worship music and able to sing along, especially when Pastor Zamore sang in english! When I sang, I attempted to do it in Creole, not well, but at least I attempted it. Romans 12 was the sermon and it brought me to tears to hear the entire congregation read the work of God together in unison. We saw and participated in a baby and child dedication. I caught a few works in French as well. Psalm 119.9 was hand written in black on a white poster on hung the wall. The Haitian women and men really dress up! It was hot! and they wre in hats, suits, Sunday best clothing that we would wear to a wedding or a formal event, with lots of accessories and jewelry! (Jewelry is an export of Haiti and what they sell to the tourists) Pastor Zamore is one of the associate Pastors at that church and is one of the Calvary Chapel Haiti Innitative's Evangelism Outreach Pastors. We will be seeing more of him on Tuesday. The Haitians really enjoy worshipping our Lord, they are very emotional in their worship.
I am getting used to riding in teh back of pick up trucks!
Lunch was delicious- tuna salad sandwiches!! It is one of the daily chores to make lunches, which Kirsten and Julia do so well and with much love and attention.
A surprise was that the quick favorite snack food was JellyBelly Jellybeans. Bless the person that thought of those! They were a big bonding item, we all have our faorite flavors and strong dislikes- and what one did not l ike, there was another that did! And the subject of many games!
Beachtime this afternoon! It was undescribly beautiful! Palm trees with coconuts, trees heavy with plantains and bananas, mango trees with almost ripe mangoes all mainly by the beach. The water is blue green with the white surf. The sand is a little golden with some white sand. Rolling with strong waves and getting knocked down by them was a blessing- as I had forgotten my netti pot, I was given a natural one by the waves! It was a great afternoon of swimming, playing soccer with the boys and some Haitian children on the beach, and a time of relaxing. The CCHI provided sodas for us at the beach, which was a really nice touch- Sprite and Cokes. It was bottled in Port Au Prince, as it was its own flavor, just like how Canadian and American pops are slightly different. There were a few Haitians there to sell us their artwork and jewelery. They can be pushy to make a sell, creative in their artwork and in the way that they are selling, and you really have to bargain. There were so many beautiful carvings, paintings, necklaces, bracelets, hats to choose from.
Crime rate in Jacmel is really low. Crime, when it does happen, is that of opportunistic. If you leave something unattended, it will go missing.
Our team house is a true gift from God. 2 levels, balcony, private rooms for the staff, 2 large bedrooms for teams, a gigantic sunken living room which also doubles as our dining room and open kitchen and three bathrooms.
Our schedule continues after supper meals: to do chores, group devotions that we dubbed as share and care. Then free time before 1030pm lights out. It is mandatory quiet time from 1030 to 0630am. We have a cook, laundry helper, groundskeeper, all whom are Haitian, and beautiful inside and out.
The ladies of the team serve each other meals. It is really unique to see the men being served before the women. I was raised to serve the eldest to the youngest, and that is how I do it... however, I guess it must be a Romanian thing, as everyone reacted when I did that.
I feel so unprepared for tomorrow. I really hope just now that I don't have give my testimonry- it needs so much work. I'm not ashamed to share, I just don't know how to say it all, what to include and what to exclude.
AMI, is the female full time missionary, who is from Fort Lauderdale, FL. She is tall and beautiful. She is so helpful and knowledgeable for someone only being here for less than three months.She is the one that updates facebook and shares the work that goes on down here.
I love how the CCHI involve the Haitian Christians in serving their own.
SAM- is the full time male missionary also from Fort Lauderdale. He speakes french, Creole. His heart is so big for the Haitian people- you see the love while he interacts with the people and especially the children.
Super tonight is baked ziti pasta with garlic bread.
No matter what feeling come up, I am here to serve and to be used of God. Emotions can't be reliable, Satan can attack through that. I will be strong and try to fall deeper in love with my Lord and the people here I am to serve. If I can serve my team, the missionaries here, then I will be successful!
Tonight I will be falling alseep to sounds of frogs, goats, puppy dogs while I ponder the natural beauty of the country Haiti and its people.
We woke up this morning at 0600am. I won't tell you what the 0 stands for! We were gently awaken by worship music playing in the living room, which was a great way to start a Sunday! It was fun to get dressed for church in sundresses and sandles- as it is still winter at home! It was kinda wierd to do my personal devotions in a room full of people, however, it was still nice to be able to do it with worship music and the warm sun shinning on me. Coffee sure tastes different... it's so much better than Starbucks, and it was soothing to me! After breakfast of eggs and spam with fresh fruit salad containing mangoes, bananas, pineapple, papya there was lots of free time. (I know it sounds like a horrible meal, however, it tasted so good!) I used this time to think about where I was and about my patient back home- praying for his strength and an opportunity to share with him once I returned home. I also had moments of feeling really down and pensive due to not feeling like I belonged on the team. Everyone seemed to know each other so well, and all seemed so close. I never know how to handle that other than to pray and make myself more extroverted.
We went to church at a "Baptist" church that is attached to a seminary school. Found out that because it was founded by a Baptist Missionary, it took on the Baptist name. We met an American Missionary who had served in France for 35 years prior and is now teaching for two weeks at the Seminary. I remember my own Bible College/Seminary days when we had visiting professors... and how they were a blessing to us. I pray that the students in Jacmel are as blessed by his presence. The church is a building with doors, windows and roof . The walls are made out of stucco, and a tin roof. Lights and fans were going, and it helped with the humidity. I am able to recognixe the worship music and able to sing along, especially when Pastor Zamore sang in english! When I sang, I attempted to do it in Creole, not well, but at least I attempted it. Romans 12 was the sermon and it brought me to tears to hear the entire congregation read the work of God together in unison. We saw and participated in a baby and child dedication. I caught a few works in French as well. Psalm 119.9 was hand written in black on a white poster on hung the wall. The Haitian women and men really dress up! It was hot! and they wre in hats, suits, Sunday best clothing that we would wear to a wedding or a formal event, with lots of accessories and jewelry! (Jewelry is an export of Haiti and what they sell to the tourists) Pastor Zamore is one of the associate Pastors at that church and is one of the Calvary Chapel Haiti Innitative's Evangelism Outreach Pastors. We will be seeing more of him on Tuesday. The Haitians really enjoy worshipping our Lord, they are very emotional in their worship.
I am getting used to riding in teh back of pick up trucks!
Lunch was delicious- tuna salad sandwiches!! It is one of the daily chores to make lunches, which Kirsten and Julia do so well and with much love and attention.
A surprise was that the quick favorite snack food was JellyBelly Jellybeans. Bless the person that thought of those! They were a big bonding item, we all have our faorite flavors and strong dislikes- and what one did not l ike, there was another that did! And the subject of many games!
Beachtime this afternoon! It was undescribly beautiful! Palm trees with coconuts, trees heavy with plantains and bananas, mango trees with almost ripe mangoes all mainly by the beach. The water is blue green with the white surf. The sand is a little golden with some white sand. Rolling with strong waves and getting knocked down by them was a blessing- as I had forgotten my netti pot, I was given a natural one by the waves! It was a great afternoon of swimming, playing soccer with the boys and some Haitian children on the beach, and a time of relaxing. The CCHI provided sodas for us at the beach, which was a really nice touch- Sprite and Cokes. It was bottled in Port Au Prince, as it was its own flavor, just like how Canadian and American pops are slightly different. There were a few Haitians there to sell us their artwork and jewelery. They can be pushy to make a sell, creative in their artwork and in the way that they are selling, and you really have to bargain. There were so many beautiful carvings, paintings, necklaces, bracelets, hats to choose from.
Crime rate in Jacmel is really low. Crime, when it does happen, is that of opportunistic. If you leave something unattended, it will go missing.
Our team house is a true gift from God. 2 levels, balcony, private rooms for the staff, 2 large bedrooms for teams, a gigantic sunken living room which also doubles as our dining room and open kitchen and three bathrooms.
Our schedule continues after supper meals: to do chores, group devotions that we dubbed as share and care. Then free time before 1030pm lights out. It is mandatory quiet time from 1030 to 0630am. We have a cook, laundry helper, groundskeeper, all whom are Haitian, and beautiful inside and out.
The ladies of the team serve each other meals. It is really unique to see the men being served before the women. I was raised to serve the eldest to the youngest, and that is how I do it... however, I guess it must be a Romanian thing, as everyone reacted when I did that.
I feel so unprepared for tomorrow. I really hope just now that I don't have give my testimonry- it needs so much work. I'm not ashamed to share, I just don't know how to say it all, what to include and what to exclude.
AMI, is the female full time missionary, who is from Fort Lauderdale, FL. She is tall and beautiful. She is so helpful and knowledgeable for someone only being here for less than three months.She is the one that updates facebook and shares the work that goes on down here.
I love how the CCHI involve the Haitian Christians in serving their own.
SAM- is the full time male missionary also from Fort Lauderdale. He speakes french, Creole. His heart is so big for the Haitian people- you see the love while he interacts with the people and especially the children.
Super tonight is baked ziti pasta with garlic bread.
No matter what feeling come up, I am here to serve and to be used of God. Emotions can't be reliable, Satan can attack through that. I will be strong and try to fall deeper in love with my Lord and the people here I am to serve. If I can serve my team, the missionaries here, then I will be successful!
Tonight I will be falling alseep to sounds of frogs, goats, puppy dogs while I ponder the natural beauty of the country Haiti and its people.
Friday, April 8, 2011
We have lift off in Canada and Delivery in Jacmel, Haiti!!
Date Entered into Diary: March 26, 2011. After a day and a bit of travelling through North America to get to Jacmel, Haiti.
We left Calgary, Alberta, Canada at 0700am, being at the airport for 4.45am on Friday, April 25, 2011. Our first flight took us to Dallas/Fort Worth. This was a good flight, with no entertainment and a little sleep. I sat with one of my teammates, Kirsten and got to know her. It was our youngest team member's birthday and the Flight Attendant annouced it over the intercom on the plane, which resulted in the entire plane singing her "Happy Birthday!" We had an extraordinare Flight Attendant who blessed us in her caring ways and words.
At Dallas/Forth Worth, we had a few hours for lay over. Our luggage was all checked to San Juan, PR so we didn't have to worry about our bags. As a team we had lunch at the airport that the churched had sponsored. I had a Fiesta Salad with avacoda, cherry pepsi (made just for me!!) and a shared dessert of chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream and rasperberry sauce. Good thing we shared that !! It was a good last meal in North America. Good Food with Good Company!
We had a mid afternoon flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico- where we would be spending the night. This flight seem to take forever!! I was very tired as I had only slept an hour the night before and about 20 mins on the Dallas Flight and only a light doze on this flight. I was seated in the back of the plane, by the bathroom. After the first movie was over, I got to see about 65+ people walk back to the washroom and stand right beside me. As I am short and seats were low, I got to see a lot of buttocks!! I was getting walked on, bumped into and squished- but THIS DID NOT DAMPER MY SPIRITS!!! We grabbed our bags and took a cab to the Sheraton Convention Centre- highly recommend this place!! The rooms are gorgeous and well maintained! I was able to text message home to find out it was snowing and I was in 79oF weather!! I attempted to go for a swim, however, the pool was closed ( but it was so beautiful, what I could see!!) I was fast asleep by midnight, which was a good thing.
A good thing because.... we were up at 4am and at the aiport for 04.45am to get our flight to Port Au Prince. I was thrilled to find out that I was seated mid plane!! We had a stop over in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to let some of our fellow passengers out. What a wild landing! We were shaken all over our seat from side to side and up and down!! We all were asked to deplane in order for the airline to spray the interior of the plane with what they called a toxic spray. I later found out it was mandatory operation for all planes coming into the D.R. to do. What I could see from the landing strip, the DR is really pretty!!
After thirty minutes in the plane, we were landing in Port Au Prince, Haiti! Our landing was smooth and easy. We gathered our bags after clearing immigration- which was a breeze! We were given green sheets to fill out prior which I am sure helpe ease the work load for all! After clearing immigration, we were greeted by Nader, our contact in PAP. He is a joyous, loving Haitian Christian brother, who helped navigate the team through customs and to the national domestic airport. He had to leave us for a moment just outside of the arrival station of the international airport and told us to 'stay right there'. And right there is where we stayed!! Haitian men who wanted to earn money from the 'blancs' (white folks who dont belong) kept asking us if we wanted or needed anything- one man even brought Pastor Les a cellphone and told him that the call was for him- asking about our transport needs! We followed our instructions to the key and we made it just fine!
Upon our arrival to PAP, we prayed prior to going thougfh customs. I was brought to tears as this has been a life long dream, a life long jouney to here. I have never felt so close to my purpose in life that I did at that moment.
Our short flight to Jacmel, Haiti was about 15 mins long and adventourous. We were in a 20 seater and felt the turbulance quite easily! It was bumpy going over the Haitian mountains and the view.... what a view! Words cannot describe the destruction of Port Au Prinice- the houses mid mountain- the blue green water- green vegation. Our pilot was amazing- he was able to fly us out of turbulance and resume a peaceful ride.
At the Jacmel airport, we were met by Ami and Dave- two of the full time missionaires taht work there at the Calvary Chapel Haiti Innitative. Dave is the Innitative Coordinator, aka Boss Guy and Ami is the administrative assistant/team hostess/catch all. Ami is very outgoing and cheerful- you can feel God's love flowing through her. They drove us to the team house in the offical Haiti transport system- truck beds! Once at the house, we were introduced to the staff of the house, the cook, the laundry attendant, the ministry leaders and translators.
After a quick orientation of the house rules, a quick q and a session soon developed. They had questions of the team and we had questions for them. This all helped us to understand what and how Calvary Chapel is trying to serve the Haitians. Lunch consisted of hot dogs, buns and picklis- a hot and spicy haitian coleslaw that has cabbage, carrots onions, habanero pepers and few tomatoes. Just after lunch as we were getting ready to take a tour of the CCHI property (workshops, tents, property, etc), our baggage arrived. It had to come by truck as there was no space on the our charter nor could the weight be accounted for. Once that was settled, we went out for our tour. In our tour, we went to the project site where the benches, the trusses and wood working is done. Huge tents that were donated from the Hurricane Katrina site are now being used in Haiti to hold services, conferences and meetings.
Dave and Ami drove us around the town of Jacmel after this tour. What an incredible sight- broken homes still being lived in, more than likely not safe. People washing clothes, their bodies in the river that the animals came by. This was also their drinking water. Women carry all kinds of things balanced on their heads, and they smile and wave as they "blanc" people drive by. Texaco gas station- where mopeds, scooters were all being fueled. Fried plantains cooking on the street- music being pumped out from houses and businesses. Passed a physio and psych therapy building. On the backdrop of beautiful mountains, people are living in the direst of straits.... but they still smile, still wave and interact with us as we drive by. There are NO RULES on the road... just don't be walking! The bigger the vehicle, the more right of way on the road. Horns honked, people waving each other around. Tons of scooters or motorized bikes with 3 - 4 - or 5 people on them.... these are a form of taxi. Tap-Taps are a covered 4x4 truck that have people riding along the side of the truck box - another form of taxi- named tap tap as you tap tap the side of the truck box to let the driver know that you want out.
It is humid- warm 35oC with puffy white clouds and a beautiful blue sky- totally reminded me of mid July in Ontario. The plants are all so green- flowers have vibrant white, purple, orange colors. Mangoes are ripping and coming into season- got to feel one on a tree! I was told not to pick, as it is a form of stealing- the haitians pick fruit as a form of employment. Beautiful people- wonderous land.
Stats: 48 % of Haitians are all UNDER the age of 18. French is the business language, Creole is daily language. Hot Sauce and Ketchup are placed on the table for every meal... used like condiments are in North America.
We have arrived.... ready to do God's will.
We left Calgary, Alberta, Canada at 0700am, being at the airport for 4.45am on Friday, April 25, 2011. Our first flight took us to Dallas/Fort Worth. This was a good flight, with no entertainment and a little sleep. I sat with one of my teammates, Kirsten and got to know her. It was our youngest team member's birthday and the Flight Attendant annouced it over the intercom on the plane, which resulted in the entire plane singing her "Happy Birthday!" We had an extraordinare Flight Attendant who blessed us in her caring ways and words.
At Dallas/Forth Worth, we had a few hours for lay over. Our luggage was all checked to San Juan, PR so we didn't have to worry about our bags. As a team we had lunch at the airport that the churched had sponsored. I had a Fiesta Salad with avacoda, cherry pepsi (made just for me!!) and a shared dessert of chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream and rasperberry sauce. Good thing we shared that !! It was a good last meal in North America. Good Food with Good Company!
We had a mid afternoon flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico- where we would be spending the night. This flight seem to take forever!! I was very tired as I had only slept an hour the night before and about 20 mins on the Dallas Flight and only a light doze on this flight. I was seated in the back of the plane, by the bathroom. After the first movie was over, I got to see about 65+ people walk back to the washroom and stand right beside me. As I am short and seats were low, I got to see a lot of buttocks!! I was getting walked on, bumped into and squished- but THIS DID NOT DAMPER MY SPIRITS!!! We grabbed our bags and took a cab to the Sheraton Convention Centre- highly recommend this place!! The rooms are gorgeous and well maintained! I was able to text message home to find out it was snowing and I was in 79oF weather!! I attempted to go for a swim, however, the pool was closed ( but it was so beautiful, what I could see!!) I was fast asleep by midnight, which was a good thing.
A good thing because.... we were up at 4am and at the aiport for 04.45am to get our flight to Port Au Prince. I was thrilled to find out that I was seated mid plane!! We had a stop over in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to let some of our fellow passengers out. What a wild landing! We were shaken all over our seat from side to side and up and down!! We all were asked to deplane in order for the airline to spray the interior of the plane with what they called a toxic spray. I later found out it was mandatory operation for all planes coming into the D.R. to do. What I could see from the landing strip, the DR is really pretty!!
After thirty minutes in the plane, we were landing in Port Au Prince, Haiti! Our landing was smooth and easy. We gathered our bags after clearing immigration- which was a breeze! We were given green sheets to fill out prior which I am sure helpe ease the work load for all! After clearing immigration, we were greeted by Nader, our contact in PAP. He is a joyous, loving Haitian Christian brother, who helped navigate the team through customs and to the national domestic airport. He had to leave us for a moment just outside of the arrival station of the international airport and told us to 'stay right there'. And right there is where we stayed!! Haitian men who wanted to earn money from the 'blancs' (white folks who dont belong) kept asking us if we wanted or needed anything- one man even brought Pastor Les a cellphone and told him that the call was for him- asking about our transport needs! We followed our instructions to the key and we made it just fine!
Upon our arrival to PAP, we prayed prior to going thougfh customs. I was brought to tears as this has been a life long dream, a life long jouney to here. I have never felt so close to my purpose in life that I did at that moment.
Our short flight to Jacmel, Haiti was about 15 mins long and adventourous. We were in a 20 seater and felt the turbulance quite easily! It was bumpy going over the Haitian mountains and the view.... what a view! Words cannot describe the destruction of Port Au Prinice- the houses mid mountain- the blue green water- green vegation. Our pilot was amazing- he was able to fly us out of turbulance and resume a peaceful ride.
At the Jacmel airport, we were met by Ami and Dave- two of the full time missionaires taht work there at the Calvary Chapel Haiti Innitative. Dave is the Innitative Coordinator, aka Boss Guy and Ami is the administrative assistant/team hostess/catch all. Ami is very outgoing and cheerful- you can feel God's love flowing through her. They drove us to the team house in the offical Haiti transport system- truck beds! Once at the house, we were introduced to the staff of the house, the cook, the laundry attendant, the ministry leaders and translators.
After a quick orientation of the house rules, a quick q and a session soon developed. They had questions of the team and we had questions for them. This all helped us to understand what and how Calvary Chapel is trying to serve the Haitians. Lunch consisted of hot dogs, buns and picklis- a hot and spicy haitian coleslaw that has cabbage, carrots onions, habanero pepers and few tomatoes. Just after lunch as we were getting ready to take a tour of the CCHI property (workshops, tents, property, etc), our baggage arrived. It had to come by truck as there was no space on the our charter nor could the weight be accounted for. Once that was settled, we went out for our tour. In our tour, we went to the project site where the benches, the trusses and wood working is done. Huge tents that were donated from the Hurricane Katrina site are now being used in Haiti to hold services, conferences and meetings.
Dave and Ami drove us around the town of Jacmel after this tour. What an incredible sight- broken homes still being lived in, more than likely not safe. People washing clothes, their bodies in the river that the animals came by. This was also their drinking water. Women carry all kinds of things balanced on their heads, and they smile and wave as they "blanc" people drive by. Texaco gas station- where mopeds, scooters were all being fueled. Fried plantains cooking on the street- music being pumped out from houses and businesses. Passed a physio and psych therapy building. On the backdrop of beautiful mountains, people are living in the direst of straits.... but they still smile, still wave and interact with us as we drive by. There are NO RULES on the road... just don't be walking! The bigger the vehicle, the more right of way on the road. Horns honked, people waving each other around. Tons of scooters or motorized bikes with 3 - 4 - or 5 people on them.... these are a form of taxi. Tap-Taps are a covered 4x4 truck that have people riding along the side of the truck box - another form of taxi- named tap tap as you tap tap the side of the truck box to let the driver know that you want out.
It is humid- warm 35oC with puffy white clouds and a beautiful blue sky- totally reminded me of mid July in Ontario. The plants are all so green- flowers have vibrant white, purple, orange colors. Mangoes are ripping and coming into season- got to feel one on a tree! I was told not to pick, as it is a form of stealing- the haitians pick fruit as a form of employment. Beautiful people- wonderous land.
Stats: 48 % of Haitians are all UNDER the age of 18. French is the business language, Creole is daily language. Hot Sauce and Ketchup are placed on the table for every meal... used like condiments are in North America.
We have arrived.... ready to do God's will.
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