Homesick

After a day of smooth and easy travel, I've made it back to New Hampshire.  The whole family is together for a little vacation, which will be a great time.  Even though I'm so happy to be here and spend time with everyone in New Hampshire, I feel strangely homesick.  This past month in Haiti has been another amazing and life-changing experience.  The friendships formed with the teachers we worked with this summer were more encouraging than I can say, and I will dearly miss these brothers and sisters.  The children at the orphanage dug deeper into my heart as we spent time together again this summer.  My arms felt very empty this morning as there was no little child calling my name and running up for a good morning hug.  


Even with the many challenges and hardships of life in Haiti, it has begun to feel like a home to me.  The Lord works in wonderful and mysterious ways, far beyond our imagination, to take me out of my little life in rural New Hampshire and draw me into an amazing adventure in this very different culture.  I'm so eager to see what will come next in His plan, but I'm certainly praying for next summer's return to my Haiti home with this family of sisters and brothers in Christ who are so dear to my heart.  


Meanwhile, I am so thankful for the community and family here in the states who pray for and encourage me with Christ's love and compassion.  I pray that I could encourage you in this same manner as the Lord draws you into amazing adventures of your own.  Thank you for sharing with me!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Friends

Today was a wonderful and sad day. We had a great celebration with all of the teachers who went through the summer teacher institute. They have become such good friends and I think this is because we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

We started the day out with a formal graduation ceremony, complete with special music, speeches, and presentation of gifts and certificates. The teachers came this morning with big smiles on their faces and dressed in their very best. It is so neat to greet each other with hugs and warmest welcomes. I am going to miss this community of teachers very much! There seems to always be a friend to talk with, someone to laugh with, and someone to pray with. What an inexpressible blessing and encouragement these amazing teachers have been to me! I only hope that I can return to my school with half the enthusiasm and cooperative spirit that they demonstrated this summer!

After a wonderful time of ceremony and celebration, we piled in the trucks and drove out to a beautiful outdoor restaurant associated with a local museum. The teachers were so excited to be out and their laughter filled the air as we explored, took pictures, and waited for the meal to begin. Below are pictures of the teachers I worked most closely with this summer (Back row from the left: Mr. Riliere- the new principal, Mr. James- third grade, Mr. Walner- French, Mr. Esaie- fourth grade, Miss Renelda- sixth grade, Mr. Patrick- late bloomers, Front Row: Miss Desir- sixth grade, me, and Mr. Jack- fifth grade and Spanish). We took one picture "Haitian style" which means we didn't smile, then, after some laughter, we took the second photo which demonstrates the kind, welcoming, and loving nature of these new friends.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal together complete with lots of laughter, teasing, and words of encouragement. It was a wonderful way to end our time together. We lingered as long as we could before piling back up into the trucks and heading our separate ways. With sorrow in my heart I gave hugs all around and we all promised to be praying for each other. The friendships made with these teachers was not expected, but I believe it was a completely divine work. God knew that drawing us all together would build up His church, and would give us more opportunity to praise Him. As I look forward to returning home tomorrow, I want to keep this heart for Christian community. I pray that I could encourage and support my brothers and sisters back home the way that these new friends have encouraged and supported me. Thank you for following along with me on the last few moments of this journey! Love in Christ, Jessie

Desperation

After a few days of processing the experience, I woke up early this morning to share what God showed me this weekend in Haiti.  As I've shared before, Barbie, one of the teachers here, is adopting three children from an orphanage in another part of the city.   The man in charge of this orphanage, Pastor Rigeau, is very involved in many different ministries across the city of Port Au Prince, including the area known as "La Saline", which is considered the poorest part of the capital city.  Barbie had visited La Saline before and had raised money with the school she works at in Connecticut to sponsor a feeding in the small church in this community.  When she invited us to go it sounded like a great opportunity to see more of Haitian culture and participate in a different type of ministry. 

After spending some time with Barbie and her kids at the orphanage, we piled into Pastor Rigeau's school bus and took the 15 minute drive from the orphanage to La Saline.  Driving through, the area looked much like other communities, a mixture of crumbling cement buildings and tent structures.  We were dropped off right in front of the church which was so packed with people already that it

took us a long while just to make it through the front doors.  Once we made it in we saw crowds of children seated on long wooden benches chatting loudly.  You could feel the excitement in the room as Pastor Rigeau greeted them.  After a quick word of introduction and a prayer, we began handing out plates of rice and beans which had been purchased and prepared ahead of time with the resources from Barbie's school.  There were a few moments of tension as some of the children were fighting over the food or trying to take more than their share.  Pastor Rigeau told us that this is likely the only food that these children will eat all day, which explained their desperation.

Standing in that hot, noisy, and overcrowded room I began to feel more than a little overwhelmed.  How does one process this kind of desperation?  Then I spotted one face in the crowd, a little boy about three years of age (in green at left) who was sitting on the top of the bench waiting to be fed and very clearly falling asleep as he waited.  His older sister (in pink), maybe six years old, was pinching and shouting at him to wake him up.  I came over and told her I would hold him and help him get some food.  He willingly came to me and wrapped his arms around my neck.  I grabbed a plate of food and slowly started feeding this sweet little guy.  He woke right up when the first bite touched his mouth, and even in the heat and noise of the room, it was a great moment of connection.  Pastor Rigeau came by to check on us and told me to look at the little boy's hair.  The orange discoloration is a sign of severe malnutrition.  I asked Pastor how often these feedings occur, and he said whenever there is funding.  He went on to share that he will come one week and feed malnourished children and then the next week when he returns they all won't be there anymore.  With a breaking heart I looked down again at this little guy who had fallen asleep in the crowd and was now eagerly eating the whole plate of food.  Would he be one that went missing from the crowd the next time Pastor returned with food?  I don't know that I'll ever be able to articulate the sorrow we felt as the feeding ended and the children slowly left the church.  I gave the little boy a hug and said a prayer as I watched his sister grab his arm and drag him out the door.  If we weren't at a breaking point then, we would be when Pastor took us further into La Saline to show us more of what poverty and desperation does to a culture.

La Saline comes from a French word meaning "salty soil."  In this part of Haiti the soil is salty, and the people use this to create food.  A mixture of earth, salt, and oil, these "mud cookies" are a staple in the diet of many of the children we interacted with.  Pastor Rigeau explained that these cookies carry parasites and many times when he explains this to parents and pleads with them not to feed them to their children, the only response he gets is that of desperation.  The parents know their children will not survive, that they are dying of starvation, and they don't want them to die with empty bellies.  These mud cookies bring a sense of peace to parents who are unable to provide anything else for their starving children. 

Standing out in the hot sun, watching these cookies being made, we were brought to a deeper and more troubling sense of the desperation of this place.  I have tried and prayed since leaving La Saline to find some deeper message, some great insight from the Lord about this experience.  Sorrow and hopelessness come as I think about what I have seen.  How can things like this happen?  When I live a life full of excess and comfort, how can children be starving?  Again my heart cries out for justice.  Then I am reminded that my perspective is limited and tainted.  The only thing I know is that God sees and knows the inexpressible sorrow and desperation felt by the people of La Saline.  He created each child and knows them by name.  I pray for faith to trust Him to be perfectly just and compassionate, to find a way and people to provide for these children and give them a hope for tomorrow.  Thank you for your patience as you follow along with me on this journey.  I apologize for the infrequency of recent posts.  As the electricity has been restored, I will do my best to share the experiences of the last few days here.  I welcome your prayers and am so thankful for your love and support!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Love

Every evening the children in the orphanage gather around and participate in a "family" devotion. Recently this has turned into a time of singing, which the children tend to really enjoy. Coming down the stairs to prepare for devotions tonight, I was greeted by Magdala calling out my name. She ran up as I walked down the stairs, wrapped her little arms around my neck and proclaimed, "I love you Jessica." With a tight squeeze and a kiss on the cheek, I replied, "I love you too, Magdala." It was one of those great "warm-fuzzy" moments that you keep in your heart. Holding tight to this sweet little orphaned child in the middle of the chaos of this life, I felt great peace and joy. 

As I reflect on this and other similar experiences here, I am beginning to wonder, what does this really mean when I say I love someone? Do I really know anything about what love is, or do I just simply say the words with little understanding of their depth? In all honesty, it really isn't hard to become attached to the children here at the orphanage. These children are all so eager for attention and care that they willingly jump into any arms that will welcome them. Spending time doing little activities with the kids- doing chores, singing songs, painting pictures, playing games, and reading books is one of the highlights of being here. But are these simple little things really a demonstration of love? 

This trip has made me question so much about myself and how I relate to the people that God puts in my path. I am keenly aware of my tendency to be guided by a fear of others rather than a love for them. It is so easy for me to disengage from community when I really should be running toward it. This true love I am thinking of becomes clear only when I look at the model of Christ. The love that Christ demonstrated on earth was more than just snuggling with an easily loveable, sleepy-eyed child. His love was self-sacrificing. His love was gracious. His love was just. His love was powerful. His love was honest. His love was patient. His love was forgiving. His love was perceptive. His love was welcoming. His love was candid. His love was genuine. His love was complete. His love was perfect. Now the question in my mind is how do I follow this example? 

In Haiti it is easier to let barriers fall down and form genuine relationships with others because many of the walls you hide behind are taken away. When you live without the comforts and space of life back home, you are forced to become more open and real with the people around you. Being in a culture that understands the value of each moment of life is an education beyond value. Learning from first-hand experiences of loss and devistation, I have seen how quick Haitian Christians are to make deep connections with those around them. There is no time for being worried about what others might think or fearing rejection, instead, I see countless examples of faithful people of Christ diving into the richness of loving Christian community. Their love for each other is not perfect, but it is striking because it is deep, real, and enduring. This model of love goes beyond the social niceties that I hold to back home, and digs deeply into the lives of their brothers and sisters in Christ. How this trip has made me long more deeply for this in my life, to be a follower of Christ who demonstrates His love to those around me. No longer hindered by the fears that so easily distracted me in the past, but clearly seeing the love of Christ and therefore being filled with this love for the community of His Church. My heart echoes the words of Paul to the Ephesians:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 
~Ephesians 3:14-19

Thank you for your love and support through this experience. I know God is using your prayers and words to work in my heart, and I pray as a result that this is helping to encourage the amazing teachers and children I am interacting with here in Haiti. Thank you again, Love in Christ, Jessie

Sing

One thing I've noticed about Port Au Prince is that no matter where you go (or even what time of night or day it is), there is always music playing. All different kinds of music is flowing around the city, making for an interesting kind of theme that plays across all of life. As you walk down the streets you hear sounds of contemporary music coming from radios in homes and shops. Many times the people you pass are singing or humming a melody to themselves, and there are churches meeting every day filling the air with their songs of worship. Music is such a unique way to express ourselves. Although I am not the most musically inclined person, I value the power of music to demonstrate the human spirit in a way that spoken words simply cannot. 

As a part of our daily meetings with the teachers, we begin with prayer and devotions. Recently we have also started the day with songs. It is such a joy to be able to join in with the beautiful and rich voices of these Haitian teachers. They have an amazing sense of harmony and rhythm that I don't think can be easily taught. Below is picture of a small group of the teachers singing a simple worship song with such heart and joy that it filled the room. I only wish I could share the great beauty that comes by being in the same place with them when their voices are united in worship. You can almost feel the love and faith they are pouring out through their song.

One of the teachers shared with us a common saying in Haiti, "When you sing, you are praying twice." We asked her to explain what exactly this meant, but she couldn't find the words to express it in English. To me, being able to join in with the body of Christ in song is a demonstration of the joy which brings us together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Even though we are separated by language, geography, and many cultural barriers, we are united in Christ. It has been a great honor to be able to learn more about these teachers and spend time working with them. I'm not sure how much I have been able to share regarding pedagogy and the science of education, but I know I have certainly been blessed by their amazing dedication to the children they teach. Even in the most trying of circumstances, they demonstrate confidence that the Lord will indeed see them through. Thank you again for joining along with me on this amazing journey, your words of encouragement and prayers mean more that I can say. Please keep this group of Haitian teachers in your thoughts and prayers as we work through plans to improve their working conditions and prepare for the upcoming school year. Their jobs are very trying and they need encouragement as they minister to these children! Love in Christ, Jessie

Justice

"We forgive, but God still believes in justice." During one particularly trying meeting with teachers this past week, one of the teachers spoke these words. She was teary eyed as she shared some of the injustices they had recently experienced in life. I talked with her after and told her how moving these words were to my heart, and how I respected her perspective on the trials of life. In Haiti there are many things which simply don't go the way you might expect they should. For example, earlier this week the teachers were talking with me about electricity. As I have shared before, it would be foolish to assume that you would have access to electricity if you traveled around Haiti. Even now, almost two and a half years after the earthquake, there are still many regions of the country that have yet to see power restored to their areas. If you do live in an area where there is city power, like Port Au Prince, there is no guarantee that the power will be on consistently. Even more frustrating is how the system of payment for electricity works. The honest way to get electricity is to purchase it from the city. If all goes well, you fill out the paperwork, pay your fee, and they provide electricity to your property. However, this is not always the case. Some of the teachers told me about their experiences in filling out paperwork and paying their fees, and many months later they are still without any power. However, they have neighbors who have illegally taken power from their neighbors, and paid them a fee instead of going through the proper channels with the city. This type of frustration with the system is common in Haiti. The teachers were actually full of humor and a degree of resignation as they shared this and other similar examples of the brokenness of the system. This is a simple example of the types of injustice that they deal with everyday. There are other, much more desperate problems in Haiti that make me cry out for justice. When we see the way that many children are living as "restaveks" (essentially a system of domestic slaves), it is difficult not to question God's dedication to justice. The poverty and hopelessness that fills the streets all around the country can make you question where God is and why He seems to be so slow to right the wrongs we perceive in this life. However, this frustration and confusion all stems from a tainted view of justice. My heart and mind crave immediate consequences for wrongdoers and for swift relief from the pain, suffering, and struggles of this life. I have been sharing these struggles with some of the other teachers visiting from the States, and during one of our group devotional times we read a passage from a book by John Piper where he speaks about God carrying our burden for justice. First, Piper directs the reader to 1 Peter 2:23, which speaking about Christ says, "And while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously." The only solution to the question of justice Piper says, is to follow the example of Jesus on earth. "Jesus handled the wrongs done to him by 'handing them over' to God who would judge all things justly. Leave it to Him. Prepare to be treated unjustly..." Although I think I will continue with this struggle to find a balance between forgiving wrongs in this life and seeking justice for the oppressed and mistreated, these dialogues are very helpful. Coming to Haiti pushes my heart to dig deeply into what I believe and reflect on the truths that I can easily hold at a distance when I am comfortable in my daily routines back home. Again, I am so thankful to be able to continue this dialogue with you and to share some of the experiences in Haiti! Love in Christ, Jessie 

 Because of a recent storm, we are without electricity and internet, so the posts will be few and far between, but I promise to write and post with pictures when I can!

Fun

Based on the serious nature of my last few posts, it may sound like life in Haiti is desperately sad, but this is really not the case.  There have been so many great times of community with the teachers and other adults here, as well as lots of fun with the kids, so I'll do my best to show how we experience joy in simple things in Haiti.  Here are a few photos of some of the younger kids playing Uno.

A huge source of excitement all around Haiti is soccer.  Everywhere you look children and adults are playing soccer.  One evening, I took the following picture from the roof of the school.  The big boys from the orphanage were playing their daily soccer game, which is usually very intense, even though they play in a small and dusty patch of land and they are usually wearing sandals.  As I looked out over the city, I could see a handful of other soccer games going on in the streets.  Crowds gather and children and adults alike take part in the game.  There is a sense of community whenever a big soccer match is being televised also.  Across the city you can hear people cheering when the favored team scores a goal.  What a fun national past time!

The children in the orphanage find all kinds of creative ways to pass their time.  From using plastic grocery bags as kites that fly around the school to turning old soda containers into musical instruments, these kids are creative in the way that they play.  Here is a picture of Vidlan, who had gotten into the supply of Legos and was having a blast building all kinds of cool things. 

Simply pulling books out of the library to look at is a big event for the kids.  Hannah, one of the college students who is here teaching summer school, pulled out a few chairs one afternoon and watched as the kids dove into the wonderful world of reading.  The smiles were big as they flipped through the pages, with the older students taking turns reading to the younger ones.

Even the adults know how to have fun.  At the end of the week, we celebrated the work accomplished by going out to Epidor- a Haitian restaurant.  A few of the Haitian teachers, along with the student helpers, and the team of American teachers had a great time together enjoying some good food and good conversation.  In Haiti spending time with friends and family is a big part of having fun, and there is never an awkward pause or lag in conversation with this crew.  It is such a treat to be able to just sit together and laugh at simple, silly things.  Below is a picture of the new principal, Mr. Relliere, in the process of taking a photo himself- it's nice to see that this new school leader has a great sense of humor!

I am so thankful for all of these small moments of fun.  In a place where there is so much hardship and life is difficult and serious so much of the time, it is important to be able to share the simple joys experienced here in this amazing place with these remarkable friends.  Thanks for staying along with me on this journey!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Health

(The pictures in this post are of daily views of Haiti, not really related to the subject of the post, but still a good taste of life in Port Au Prince!)




As with many other things in Haiti, health care is very different from what we experience in America.  There are a few hospitals and clinics within reasonable driving distance from the school, but this proximity does not translate into readily available quality medical care for the sick and injured.  Many medical professionals are not highly qualified, and their supplies are out of date and very limited.  Even with these challenges, the system is improving.  This week, one of the older students got a deep cut on his face while playing soccer. He was taken quickly to the hospital to get stitches.  Sherrie explained to me that before the earthquakes, that would not have been possible.  This glimpse of small change is enough to bring hope in the possibility of greater improvements in the future. 

During our work with the teachers over the past two weeks, we have come to know them and know more about their amazing stories.  Health is an issue that impacts everyone, and this week I heard the stories of two different teachers who have lost children this year as a direct result of the poor medical care.  One teacher was out during the spring due to complications during her pregnancy.  After seven months of neglectful medical care, she gave birth and shortly there after lost the baby.  Sadly, this is the second time she has experienced the same complications and received the same poor health care, resulting in the loss of a child.  Even through this loss, she demonstrates great faith and joy in the love of God.  During the days of teacher institute, she has been full of smiles and a positive attitude.  What an amazing source of inspiration!

The fifth grade teacher at the school has demonstrated great knowledge and understanding as an educator during our days together.  I learned that earlier this year he and his wife had a young child with some intestinal problems that were misdiagnosed.  The child died at home as her mother tried desperately to nurse her back to health.  Instead of turning his eyes away from God and questioning His faithfulness, this teacher continued to trust.  Everyday I am amazed by his gentle sense of humor and great passion for learning.  It is his dream to open a school of his own in Haiti.  I fully expect that God will provide for this great desire and many children will be changed by his teaching, which is full of grace and compassion.

Nearly everyday someone walks in through the gates of the school looking for help of some kind.  Just this afternoon there was a mother who brought a child with an arm that had been broken a few weeks ago and had yet to receive any medical attention.  Only a few moments after the truck pulled away to take this mother and child to the hospital, an infant from the neighborhood was brought in with fresh burns from spilled boiling water.  In a country where there is so much chaos and inconsistency, it is interesting to watch as all around the neighborhood, people come to Sherrie and her school looking for help.  What an amazing medical ministry they have here, even though this was never a part of the plan for the school!


Although health care will continue to be a problem in Haiti for a long time, there are many people working to improve conditions.  It is exciting to see the positive changes and to draw some hope from these improvements.  Even more that the changes though, it is encouraging to recognize the amazing faith and faithfulness of  Haitian Christians.  When faced with trials and loss, they turn their eyes to God and rejoice in Him.  This is a spiritual health that I would argue is not always easy to find in other parts of the world.  I pray that I would have this same consistency of character to rely on God's faithfulness in these times which try our souls.  I am so thankful to be able to be a witness to the stories of these amazing people, and also count it a great honor to be able to then share them with you.  Thank you for joining with me in this continuing adventure!  Love in Christ, Jessie :)

Orphans

"There are no orphans here..."  Last week during a very moving devotional, a team of youth from Kansas sang a song about how God welcomes all into His family. The words of this song have stuck with me as we have experienced more of the suffering and loss in Haiti, as well as the hope and joy found in God, our heavenly Father. 

As I've shared before, I am here working with a group of teachers from all over the States.  One of the teachers, Barbie, is an amazing woman who has quite the story of God's calling in her life.  Within the first few minutes of meeting Barbie, you will know a few thing about her.  You will know that she is a very intentional, caring, and welcoming person, and you will also know that she is in the process of adopting three teenagers from Haiti.  She felt God's call on her life after visiting an orphanage in Haiti, and is working through the stages to be able to take home three amazing Haitian teens, Shelove, Edeline, and Daniel (pictured below with Barbie) to live with her in Connecticut.

I was so amazed by Barbie and her children's stories, that I asked her if I could share it with you all.  I have been moved in many different ways during my visits around Haiti, but nothing has struck me more than going with Barbie this weekend to visit with her children at a local orphanage, about twenty minutes away from the school where we are working at this summer.  There are millions of children in Haiti, and as a result of poverty, poor health care, and a low quality of living conditions, many of these children are not able to live with their biological mothers and fathers.  Some children are being raised by aunts, uncles, grandparents, or other more distant relatives, while many, many others are being raised in orphanages. 

The quality of life in the orphanages in Haiti varies greatly and depends on those in charge and the resources available to them.  At the orphanage where Barbie's children are waiting, there is a problem with overcrowding.  Before the earthquake there were about 20 children, and today there are over 100.  When you walk through the entrance and into the big room where the children eat and play, you are greeted very quickly by a mob of smiling faces and a flurry of Creole.  One little boy, Chrislain (pictured below), has been dubbed "The Mayor" for his ability to welcome visitors and draw them in with his big smile and contagious laughter.  It was a joy to meet these children and be able to see the joyful hope in their eyes as the recognized Barbie, as one of the Mommas who is coming to spend time with her children. 

I can't imagine the heartache that Barbie and the many other parents must endure as they wait for paperwork and a complex and inconsistent system to push through their adoptions.  I admire their unfailing love, and am so strongly reminded of God's unfailing love for His children.  Although we are seperated from Him by sin, He still lovingly reaches out to us and adopts us as children.  When we feel alone and isolated, much like orphans, we can recall the patient and enduring love of God our Father. 

As the days pass and I struggle, in my weakness, with all kinds of frustrations and fears, I am so thankful to know there are friends and family praying for me and the other people working here this summer.  It is an honor to be able to come to Haiti, but the challenges are great, and having the support of friends far away is very meaningful!  Thank you for helping me through this journey!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Colleagues

The word colleague has always been interesting to me.  More than someone who works with you, a colleague is a person who shares similar goals and purposes.  This alone can be the basis for amazing friendships.  In New Hampshire many of my close friends are fellow teachers.  I so appreciate the ways in which we can relate to each other concerning the joys, challenges, and quirks of life as a teacher.  Coming to Haiti this summer to work with the teachers was exciting because it meant forming relationships with like-minded people, and even more so, because all of these teachers view education as more than a profession, but an opportuinty to serve God by caring for people.

On Monday, our first day with the teachers, I was more than a little bit nervous about the way that the teacher institute would go.  The school has been working through so many challenges since the earthquake, and it was uncertain how the teachers would feel about a month-long teacher training presented by Americans who clearly are very removed from the daily realities of education in Haiti.  Thankfully, the first day was an amazing experience, and this has continued to be true with each following day.

Beverly, Barbie, and I divided the teachers into three groups based on the age-level of their students.  We spend three hours in the mornings in these "base groups" discussing various topics from child development to the way to write effective objectives.  For the last hour, we go to the new computer lab to work on our technology skills (the pictures are of the teachers playing an online typing game to improve their keyboarding skills.) We begin every morning with prayer and devotionals, and this piece is constantly an encouragement.  To hear these people who have been impacted by so many great struggles speak passionately about the love and grace of God is moving beyond words. 

On Friday we worked on writing philosophy statements about education.  Since we focused on the development and learning of students this week, the focus of the writing was on the child.  To brainstorm before we began writing, the teachers made a list of things they believed about students.  By the end of this time, we had a list of 100 different truths about students.  The following are just a few of the amazing insights that these teachers came up with...

*Students can make a difference.

*Students are naturally curious.

*Students can have a positive impact on their environment.

*Students are created to love God and to be loved by God.

*Students have the right to an education, protection, health, have all of their needs met (food, shelter, clothing, medicine…).
*Students will bring change to their world.

What an amazing experience to work and collaborate with such an extraordinary group of educators!  Thank you again for your continued support and encouragement on this journey! Love in Christ, Jessie

Poverty

Poverty is a powerful word.  In Haiti, it is more than an abstract concept, but rather, a daily reality for many.  This weekend a group from the school went into one of the poorest places in Port Au Prince.  Known simply as "The Ravine", this long stretching community is a mixture of tin-roofed structures built along the edges of a small, trickling flow of filthy water.  Along with a few nurses that are here with a work team, we made our way through the narrow alley ways to provide basic medical care for the young children and infants that call The Ravine their home.  Below are pictures of the Ravine and one of Tcharly, who came from the school to help translate and care for the children.

To live every day in such poor conditions is poverty as I have never seen before.  As Christians, we believe that physical possessions and material wealth are not of greatest importance, but here in Haiti you can see how even the most basic of resources would revolutionize the quality of life.  After last summer I have struggled with what to do with the abundance we experience as Americans.  We are so often caught by the lie that the more we own, the more fulfilled we will be.  Not only is this a dangerous lie, but it is also a dangerous type of spiritual poverty.  Here we have a desperately poor view of the meaning and purpose of life.  If I am constantly focused on storing up worldly goods, I will miss out on the most fulfilling life which is found in being completely satisfied in Christ.

I am still uncomfortable with the discrepancies between the comforts and excesses of life in New Hampshire as compared to life in Haiti, but a passage I read recently from Dietrich Bonhoeffer has helped me greatly.  In one of his writings, this theologian and Christian thinker from Nazi Germany expressed so beautifully the proper place that possessions should hold in our lives.  Living during the time of the oppressive rule of the Nazis, Bonhoeffer experienced many trials.  One concept that he held to was the importance of community in the body of Christ.  He wrote about those believers in Germany who had retained some of their worldly possessions and were feeling guilt when confronted with their fellow Christians who were struggling with poverty and displacement.  He asked the question, "Should we thank God for our blessing and then question why others lack these same blessings?"  In the end, Bonhoeffer concludes that these material blessings are not to be viewed as blessings for our individual lives, but rather, the blessing is found in the fact that we are entrusted with His gifts and are to use these for the betterment of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  What a powerful message to hold onto during this visit.  Rather than clinging to our physical wealth and keeping others at a distance, we can use these possessions to build up the body of Christ. 

Again, I am so thankful to be able to share these experiences and for the blessings of your ongoing prayers and words of encouragement!  In this way, I experience great wealth as I enjoy the blessings of the community of the body of Christ.  Love in Christ, Jessie

Peace

Since I was little, I have always found comfort and peace in art and creating. I am so thankful that God, the ultimate Creator, has provided us with the ability to capture glimpses of the beauty of His creation. As I was planning what kinds of supplies to bring to share with the children at the orphanage this summer, art supplies were on the top of the list. This weekend I pulled out the watercolor paints and supplies I brought for the students and took a few of the younger kids up to one of the classrooms for an "art lesson." The children were very excited to get the supplies and get to painting, so there wasn't much in the way of intensive instruction. They did seem to pick up some basics during our time together. Below are a few of the beautiful paintings they created and one shot of Palmey painting a rainbow.  For the very first time using a paintbrush and watercolor paints, I thought they did an amazing job!

In Haitian culture it is not unusual to see children being abused. Many of the children at the orphanage have histories of physical and emotional neglect and abuse from a very young age. One little boy who has been greatly impacted by his difficult history is Chandlin. After spending just a few minutes with Chandlin, it is easy to see that he has a hard time with respect and positive decision making. He is frequently kicked out of class and has spent a great deal of time with different adults being disciplined. Working with a child like Chandlin can be frustrating and exhausting, especially when he directs his anger and frustration toward other children in a violent manner. Knowing that he has come from a place of anger, violence, and abuse, helps open your heart to show him the grace and love God shows to each of us. When Chandlin showed interest in joining the group for painting, I was more than a little bit hesitant, but agreed that he could come along with the understanding that he would be kind to the other children and listen to my directions. It is amazing to see how the Lord works, because this was the first time I had observed Chandlin peaceful, respectful, and engaged in his learning. He was so eager to do everything right, and spent much of the time quietly focused on his painting. It was exciting to see him focus all of his energies into something productive, when he has often been very destructive with his words and his actions. At the end of the lesson, Chandlin thanked me with a big grin, and then asked when we would paint together again.

What an amazing God we serve, who uses even small things like a paintbrush and some paint, to help calm our spirits and open our hearts to the peace that comes from knowing Him. As more truth is poured into Chandlin's life, and as he has more moments of peace and quiet reflection, I pray that God will continue to guide him to the ultimate peace we find in knowing and serving God. Thank you all again for your prayers and loving support, the community of Christians is another way that God brings peace into our worlds. I am so thankful for this! Love in Christ, Jessie

Changes

After a long day of safe and trouble-free travel, I've made it back to Haiti! It was such a blessing to be able to travel this time with friends- two other teachers, Barbie and Beverly, who are clearly kindred spirits.  They love the Lord, education, and the Haitian people. I am so thankful to have friends to travel with, and it made the journey very enjoyable. For someone who doesn't like the idea of air travel, this was a positive and welcome change, more of my own mindset and perspective than the circumstances.  Here I've noticed the first of many changes to be thankful for.

When we arrived at the airport, instead of the anxious and unfamiliar first steps of last summer, this time we were greeted by one of our students, Kevens, with a big smile and a welcome hug. This feeling of coming home, not unlike the feeling of coming together with church family on Sundays, was another welcome change. This is a change that comes when the Lord binds people together because of a common faith in Christ.

As we pulled into the school, we were greeted by all kinds of changes. First, the buildings have transformed! There is a third floor which is nearly completed, including comfortable rooms for the visitors to stay in.

The next change has come as we've been reuinted with the children and seen an amazing year's growth in each of them. The picture below shows Vidlan enjoying a cupcake during the June birthday celebration at the orphanage. In a country where human life can so often be disregarded, a celebration of the individual life of each of these children is invaluable.

   

I'm sure there will be more changes to observe in the coming weeks, but the biggest change I am praying for is a change of hearts. A change in the hearts of the teachers we are going to be training.  A change that would allow them to be encouraged to dig deeply and inspire their children as Christian learners. A change in the hearts of the children, that they would know more fully the love of Christ because of our work here. And, most sincerely, a change in my heart, which is so often focused on pleasing others and seeking comfort for myself rather than focusing on the glory of God and letting the other things pass away. This change is an on-going struggle, but I am thankful that the Lord provides us with opportunites such as this to draw us out of ourselves and enable change in a different and unique way. As I will continue to say, I am so thankful for the prayers and words of support from my family, friends, and church family. Thank you for going on this amazing journey with me! Love in Christ, Jessie

Again

It has been a year since I first wrote on this blog, and I'm doing lots of things again.  Again I'm praying about Haiti.  Again I'm packing my luggage.  Again I'm thinking about teaching.  Again I'm getting nervous about travel.  Again I'm wondering about what will come.  Again I'm thanking God for working in amazing ways.  Again I'm reminded of how small I am.  Again I'm reminded of how big God is... Again, I'm going back to Haiti again.


In the middle of all those "agains" are new experiences, things that will be different this time.  This time I will be flying down to Haiti in the company of two amazing friends who I have the privilege to teach and serve with this summer.  This time when I arrive in Haiti, I will be teaching the children and participating in a teacher institute to encourage and support the Haitian teachers.    This time I will be walking into a much improved facility thanks to God's amazing provision over the past year.   This time I will be embracing friends I have been missing for months and months.  This time I'm going back to Haiti.


I am so thankful to the friends and family who have shared strong and insightful words and prayers and scripture since this journey began last summer.  It means so much to be able to share these adventures with you and hopefully be able to pass along some of the amazing and awe-inspiring truths that God demonstrates through the people and the experiences in Haiti.  I look forward to sharing this time with you again!  Thanks for following along on this new journey with me! In Christ, Jessie