Back Tracking Haiti~Day 2

Day two-Sunday-in Haiti started off with a semi-short ride down the mountain in the back of what we lovingly refer to as "the cage." Literally, it is a steel cage with not so comfy seats, mounted on the back of a truck. As we prepare for the ride filled with diesel fumes and all other types of smells we cannot put names to, the driver locks us in and takes off. The locking of "the cage" is always somewhat of a mystery to me. Is it to keep us Americans from handing out everything on our persons to the children begging between stopped traffic which could start a riot or is it to keep the Haitians from grabbing everything within the back truck-including the people? Hmmm...something to ponder about.

See the cage around us?

We soon pulled up to our morning destination, the tent-camp of Petion-Ville. Otherwise known as Sean Penn's "Hollywood" camp. This tent community was shortly established right after the earthquake on a golf course. We were going to visit Pastor Cyr's church within the middle of the camp. Let's just say, you heard it before you saw it! Do to the pastors love for sound equipment, he had HUGE speakers blaring out the message for the day, which was given by Dr. Dada. As we traveled into the camp, the roads were so muddy that we had to take two trips with Dan's smaller truck. The tents we're a colorful mixture of gifts sent from America, Korea, and Brazil. They were all jammed up against each other in a way that made me feel suffocated and confused about how daily life was lived there. As the morning went on and the rain softly fell,  I was overcome with emotion as I watched children wading calf high through the mud, old folks sitting talking to themselves in a crazed state of loneliness, middle-aged men shouting and sweating to move the muck away from their front stoops, and heavy bellied women balancing the days fare atop their heads. It was too much and yet, I saw Haitians around me continuing to lift their hands in worship of the Father, thanking them for His love and mercy.

Could your family survive in these conditions? They are.

Nick and I soon parted ways after the rousing church service. Nick stayed to take part in Femi Awodele's study on living holy while single and I left  to go work with a group of 30 young girls in an orphanage.  Nick has had a burden lately for marriages and has studied Femi's materials thoroughly. Forgive my small plug here, but if you or someone you know could benefit from some teaching on Godly marriage principles, please visit: http://www.christiancouples.org/ or give Nick a call, he would love to talk to you!

Our team leader Bib and my soon to be sister-n-law Saidah, came with me to the orphanage to work with these young girls. If you don't already know, they were sexually abused and misused after the earthquake last year. Some were even sold. Some as young as 11. We got there in the heat of the afternoon to find all these shy girls sitting in a room waiting and watching us with calculating eyes.  I have to be honest here, I was a wreck! A bag of supplies was missing, I was tired, and I didn't really know the emotions that would wash over me as I looked into their hard tired eyes.  I was angry. I was heartbroken. I was motivated to make this short time with them matter.  Teacher mode soon took over and I shared with them a quick little ditty about how God allowed art and writing to help me get through some of my toughest times. We then broke into three groups with Bib leading portrait drawing, Saidah leading colored pencil drawing, and I leading watercolors.

The girl in the striped shirt is looking for someone to adopt her baby, is it you?

It wasn't long before secret smiles, soft giggles, and the desire to create washed over them. I watched in amazement as they transformed from hard women into mischievous teenagers-kids.  Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and go with promises of coming back the next day. Bib and I took some time to pray over the smiling 12 year old who'd delivered her baby days before and a 13 and 16 year old who were expecting as well. The 16 year old literally took our hands and placed them on her belly. That was rough.

Think about all that she's gone through and she still raises her hand in worship. Convicting to say the least!

As Nick and I looked back at the end of the day, we were never so thankful for the provision our Father bestowed upon us to see these beautiful people living a life we could never imagine. We were never so thankful to have the many blessings we do...

Back Tracking Haiti~Day 1

We arrived to an overcast Haiti on Saturday, June 4th, around 3:30 p.m.  The first thing we noticed was the airport. Our usual route into the building was a pleasant surprise as we were greeted with smiles, electric powered escalators and air conditioning. We looked at each other in complete shock, was this the same Haiti we visited 2 years ago and whose info structure was completely ruined over a year ago? Apparently, money from big corporations come with specific detailed instructions on how that money will be used. Customs was a breeze, however getting the luggage out to the waiting van, was another story. Lot's of men yelling, grabbing, and throwing gestures in the air was quite overwhelming to our first-time companions, we just smiled and shrugged our way through. It pays to be an experienced traveler sometimes.

Stepping out of the airport is always an emotional roller coaster for us. We never know what and who we will encounter. There is usually a wall that seems to be built just waste high though the faces screaming for money seem twenty-feet high. Arms and fingers grab at the air hoping you will drop something in their dirt-stained hands. This time there was a fence and outside that fence was a tent-city filled with people watching us arrive. It seemed as if they were to tired to beg, ask, plead, move, be denied. They just watched us load up and take off. That first image will forever be burned into our hearts.

After a bumpy two hour drive up the mountain, passing humanity living amongst rubble, we arrived at our friends Dan, Liz, and Joey Carl's house.  Their home is a beautiful sanctuary with views of the Almighty's handy work and creation. Bold fuchsia flowers paint their drive as well as manicured shrubs and fruit laden trees. Little brown geckos slither around as hummingbirds flit from tree top to tree top. The smell of a fresh fallen rain greeted us as well as the traditional Haitian meal laid upon the table, awaiting our arrival. 

As we laid our heads down that first night filled with anticipation for the work ahead of us and the people we would come across, we prayed that God would open our eyes, our hearts, our souls, to what HE wanted to accomplish. Boy, were we in for an amazing trip! Stay tuned for days 2-7....

We're Back!

After spending 6 days in Haiti, we both agree, it is sooooo good to be back home! Coming home was quite difficult as I was sick and throwing up with every step back into the homeland-literally. Nick was amazing as he held me up through customs and didn't bat an eyelash as I turned and barfed over and over into a airplane bag at his side. Not having been able to hold food down for the last 48 hours, I'm finally eating a little here and there, but still very weak. Thank God that He is our healer!

Coming home was also somewhat of a surprise to us as we walked into a totally remodeled front room and re-decorated house.  Our small group/Bible study decided to perform a mini Home Extreme Makeover-Mayo Edition-on our house while we were gone. Opening the door we noticed new hard wood floors, painted walls, crown molding, curtains, furniture, a tree, new kitchen knobs, pillows, bedroom curtain rods, and accented decorations all throughout the house. we were totally speechless! We are SO thankful for this blessing and thank our dear friends for their hard work and precious gift. This is a true example of the body serving each other in love.

As for the trip itself, it was quick, busy, and just plain different. We both are still trying to understand all that we saw and helped with in Haiti. We know it will take some time and look forward to what will be revealed to us in the process. We will be making several post over the upcoming week to share with you all that we took part in-so stay tuned! Again, thank you all for your prayers and support. We definitely needed it throughout the week!~Kassie

Love From Haiti