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