Some post-trip reflections, post 1

Erick working on a project

From David Beck... This is my sixth trip to Haiti. I started going there in May 2009, exactly three years ago. It strikes me how every trip is different, yet certain themes tend to be similar. I have experienced Child Hope from both sides. Five of my trips have been with stateside mission teams, and one trip was as a temporary Haiti-side staff member. The latter was the emergency trip I took after the earthquake in January 2010.

Of the five team experiences, I have never been on a team that has been highly “project” driven. We have always done projects of some sort, but every time I have been to Child Hope, our team has concentrated on being relational. It was interesting to get to the mission in Haiti this time and have Tammi Jo, the Child Hope team coordinator, say, “We know your teams are going to spend a lot of time being with people and going out into the community.” Bingo. This team was comfortable being present with people, showing them attention, praying with them, encouraging them, and loving them.

Erick connecting with a "ti gason" (little boy)

This trip was unique, because every one is. However, the relational theme was consistent. And that's okay with me, because in Haiti we are entering a situation of dire poverty, and material projects don't get at the deepest aspects of poverty. As Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert document so well in the book When Helping Hurts, "Poor people talk in terms of shame, inferiority, powerlessness, humiliation, fear, hopelessness, depression, social isolation, and voicelessness. North American audiences tend to emphasize a lack of material things such as food, money, clean water, medicine, housing, etc." (p. 53).

In other words, Americans tend to march in with a project plan. That is good and necessary, don't get me wrong. But if we don't connect relationally with the poor, we only serve to reinforce their feelings of shame, inferiority, and so on. If you think in terms of all the teams that come to Maison de Lumiere in Haiti, some of them will focus on material projects. Some are more relational. The people of the neighborhood, including those in the tent cities, need both material help and relational connection. We focused on the latter. Like I said, that's fine with me. Besides, it used the best of the resources we had on our team. I love it that we expressed who we are and met deep needs at the same time.

Flag Day (And Other Thoughts)

We thought for this post, we would all chip in and provide some thoughts (and pictures) on the last couple of days.  Enjoy.

The Background stories...Since this is my official first trip to Haiti (and hopefully not my last), I was struck by just how similar all children from around the world.  I have loved watching the kids laugh, play, run, wrestle, and all the same things kids do.  However, there have been times where kids have acted different that other kids I have hung around my entire life.  Watching very young 6 year old girls at the feeding program care for and feed children that are 2 or 3.  The hand of a young man that is 12 come up and hold my hand during worship and start to cry.  The curiosity about my life and family back home.  It's during those moments that I ask the stories about the kids that I have had the privilege to be with this week.  When I hear their stories, the background stories, I'm stunned.  I'm not surprised because I expected these kinds of stories.  But when there's a face and hand attached to those background stories, everything changes.  Everything.  I have witnessed and heard the Lord loudly through these children and their lives.  I am profoundly humbled I have had this opportunity.  Tomorrow we will say goodbye to our new friends who have become an extension of family for us; the family of faith.  And because of this trip, my background story has been altered.  Bret Widman...River Life Covenant Church.

Today was a day of tender moments...I was carrying Estaline on a walk and even though I had my hair pulled back, I had a few wisps sticking to my mouth. She very gently pulled them away and gave me a kiss on my cheek...talk about having my heart melt...I was also blessed with having Daphne climb in my lap during worship and fall asleep in my arms...these girls have grown up so much in the past year...they still have a long way to go but with the love of their sisters and Jesus I feel confident they will turn out to be productive young ladies..Pam

Friday, May 18 - Today was a very memorable day, replete with many magical moments sprinkled throughout the day.  We got off to a very early start to celebrate Haiti flag day, the equivalent of independence day in the U.S.  The boys and girls of Child Hope were dressed in red and blue t-shirts, symbolizing the colors of the Haitian flag and participated in a parade through Port-Au-Prince.  The exuberance and pride that I witnessed was very touching - the children had wide smiles and many Haitians we passed were cheering us on.  After the parade was finished we enjoyed cake and cup cakes with the orphanage children to celebrate, which Pam and Rose spent a great deal of time dutifully baking the night before.  Thank you Pam and Rose!!  In the afternoon we participated in the feeding program at the boy's home - the 3rd of the week.  I was touched by how many young children were coming up to me wanting to be picked up, starved for human affection.  It's amazing how quickly these children have to grow up, many of which are taking care of younger siblings and assuming a parental role at a very young age.  I also had the privilege of connecting with a young man that lives at the boy's home.  He shared me with his love of Christ and that he was considering becoming a pastor.  I was tremendously encouraged to hear such a young man so passionate about the Lord and wanting to play a small part in building a better Haiti.  Praise be to God!...Derek

Since this is my third trip to Haiti in a year, it's beginning to feel like home to me. I absolutely love it here and I don't think that's a secret to anyone that knows me. Every trip is so different. There's always different teammates, different interns and even a few new kids. But the one thing that never changes is how I feel about the kids. They are so precious, each one of them. I just love them and consider it a privilege to be here to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I don't know when I will return but I do know that I will hold them all up in prayer and think of them often. They have touched my heart and I am forever changed.
-Rose Adamson

WOW is this an amazing place to be challenged! I find myself being pushed to my limits physically and spiritually, whether is getting jumped on by the kids or taking in all of the wonderful thoughts of the evening, it is all so amazing to see how full I can pack each moment. I feel as if I have enjoyed a wonderful feast of the beauty of God's creation, in His children and in this beautiful country. A few of these children stood out to me in particular these past few days. Jefflina, who is six years old, really loves to brush my hair. She did on Tuesday and I believe that was the opening of a connection with her. We play and joke and dance around and I really enjoy being around her, even though she can't speak much english and I can't speak hardly any creole. This past Friday, Jefflina was with me when we were in the Benz, which is the play area for the boys and the location for the feeding program. After the feeding program was over, Jefflina and the girls came over and Jefflina and I began to dance with the music and play around. I put her on my shoulders and spun really fast and it was just a fantastic time for me to be with her. I felt that God really gave me the opportunity to be with one of His children to just show me the beauty of His creation. It is breath-taking and it leaves me with my cup filled by our Savior. Jesus never fails to fill a cup when it is empty. I felt almost going into this trip that my cup was beginning to dry up. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped out of my comfort zone only to be met with something that I will never forget. Sometimes things that are unknown are the most beautiful things of all. Each child that I see at Child Hope or at the feeding program shows me once again just how unique each of them are and how awesome a maker we have that He provides even when things look bleak. These children that feed each other, watch over each other, and grow alongside each other show God in His true form I believe. There is a song we sang tonight at worship that I feel was very appropriate for what I'm feeling right now. "Light of the world you stepped down into darkness, open my eyes let me see. Beauty that made this heart adore you, hope of a life spent with you. King of all days oh so highly exalted, glorious in Heaven above. Humbly you came to the earth you created, all for love's sake became poor." That line is beautiful to me. All for love's sake became poor. We became poor-ER than we are in America yet still we have much more than most people out here. It really puts it into perspective about how we are here for love's sake. And so is Jesus Christ. He is in the Ravine and the Tent Cities. He is in the home with malaria and the tent with cholera. He is running through the muck and dirt with these children who are so malnourished and diseased, and yet He loves each one. That is true beauty to me. God bless all of the beautiful children of Haiti!!!!
~Hannah Widman

After reading what everyone else said, I am overwhelmed. Yet, that is what I feel every time I come to Haiti. The story goes on, and on. I too have been here three times, and every time I am touched to the core of my being by the love of these children. As broken as their past has been, they reflect Christ in abounding ways. Each one is a precious jewel. At the feeding program I had the joy of holding a precious little boy about 2 years old that fell asleep in my arms. He was sleeping as soundly as any I have ever held, all while there was music blaring, and hundreds of children running around us screaming and making noise. As I sat and looked into his little angelic face, I felt as though I were staring directly into the face of God. He was wearing a pair of cute little cargo shorts. I noticed a bulge in his pocket. When I looked I found a partially used bar of soap, and an unused tube of tooth paste. We had handed these out to the kids as they left the feeding program on Wednesday. You just have to be here to understand the impact of this. That is probably a good summary of tonight's blog... I ended my day by having my sponsor girl, and 18 year old who must move out of the orphanage this summer, crying in my arms because she was afraid she would never see me again. I can't even begin to describe to you how touching, and precious that was!

It is now a quarter to one in the morning and it appears as though everyone else has gone to bed. If I were to go into all that happened on Saturday, I would be up all night. So, you will just have to wait for that one. Since this blog is so long, I will leave you with just one picture that kinda summarizes all we have said tonight. May it give you a little touch of love like we have been touched!

Jim Quayle

Thursday in Haiti

Today was a fun day.  Most of the kids were out of school on Thursday as a lead up to Flag Day (think 4th of July); and so we played -- all day.

The day started with a nice hike/walk around the neighborhood.  The team (Jim, it must be said with great respect, opted not to join us in many of the festivities described below and instead chose to work on some sorely needed cabinets.  This team has been heavy on relationships and fairly light on work.  If it were not for Jim, I am not sure we would be welcomed back.) went with a good number of the boys and few Child Hope staff and went tromping through the streets.  It was nice to see different parts of the neighborhood.  PAP is such a unique place and any chance we get to explore a little bit of it is very memorable.  That said, the real highlight of the walk was having another chance to do this:

Another highlight for me (Erick) was having one of the newer boys at MDL, Ti Junior, join our particular group (especially David and Rose) for this hike.  David and Rose first met Ti Junior on their trip in November.  During that trip, they also went on a hike to explore the surrounding area.  At some point during the hike, the group noticed that several boys were following them and once the group reached the top of the hill, those same boys decided to start throwing rocks at the group.  A confrontation was avoided, but one of the people with David and Rose was able to identify the boys that were throwing the rocks.  One of them was Ti Junior.

Several months later, Ti Junior was brought into the boy's home at MDL.  I do not know Ti Junior's story well, nor do I know what kind of work the Lord has done in his heart.  What I do know, however, is that six months ago, a young boy followed a group of people up a hill to harass them and, seemingly, hurt them.  Now, that same boy and some of the very same people are together, walking arm in arm as friends.  I don't know if I am explaining this well, but this just reminds me of the work that the Lord does, both here in Haiti and all over the world.  It is such a simple example of how God unifies people through His love.  Ti Junior and David are in the photo above.

One of the rewards of the walk was seeing some unexpected beautiful vistas.

Our motley crew of "hikers."

After the hike, we were hot and dusty and there is really only one way to address that situation -- with water.  It is amazing how far a little water will go with providing fun and entertainment, but mix together some rambunctious boys and some big kids (a.k.a., David, Rose and Bret) with a little water and you get some quality entertainment.

The object of the "game" was simple: get other people wet.  Here, Rose is demonstrating her skills.

Nothing says "fun" like kicking a kid on the ground . . . kicking water that is.

For the rest of us non-players in the water wars, there was plenty of other activities going on:  basketball, soccer, and dancing (no photos).  We played hard, had a lot of fun and completely wore ourselves out -- all before noon.

After lunch, we made a quick trip to a really neat store/gift shop called the Apparent Project.  The store sold various items that have been made by local craftspeople.  According to my understanding, it has provided a lot of inspiration to MDL's transition house and after going there, I can see why.

After the store, we went back to the boy's home for some more play and hang out time with the kids, which we did until dinner time.  Dinner was followed up with bible study with the girls for the "girls" of our group and a time of worship for the "boys" with a group of expats living and working in the area.  I don't know how the bible study with the girls went, but a relaxing evening singing worship and praise songs, mixed with some prayer was a perfect ending to a really fun, yet tiring Thursday in Haiti.

Before I go, however, I did want to share that even in the midst of such a lighthearted, fun day, Haiti can still touch you and move you.  On the way back from Apparent Project, several of us stopped to talk to some kids filling up water buckets.  The particular location we were at was next to a house that had fallen down during the earthquake.  Maybe it was the size of the house (it was big) or the fact that its collapse bent over a palm tree (but didn't kill it) that made me (and others who have been here before) remember it.  Anyway, there were several men working there, taking the rubble up the street one wheel barrow at a time.  Here are a couple of before and after photos to show how much progress they have made:

"Before," right after the earthquake two years ago.

"After" -- at least since last May.

These pictures are just a little reminder of the destruction that occurred and that slowly but surely, brick by brick, wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow, that destruction is being overcome.

But perhaps what was more inspiring than the work that has been done on picking up the pieces, were the kids we happened to come across.  Here are photos of a couple of them:

These are the faces (and personalities to match) that make you fall in love with Haiti and its people.  In circumstances that many of us would not find acceptable (or, maybe, even imagine), these children have a joy for life (and smiles that match) that is contagious and wonderful to experience. God bless these children.

Well, it's late and I am ready to call this a post.  I hope my little stint as guest-blogger has not been too painful.  We are thinking of those of you at home and, as always, are thankful for your prayers and encouragement.

Erick