Paths

When I stepped out of the truck upon my arrival in Haiti this summer, I was greeted by Magdala.  This sweet little child has worked her way into my heart along with all of the children, teachers, and staff at CLS.  This picture captures a moment of pure joy.  Yesterday I walked down the stairs and prepared to step back into the truck to leave CLS.  Poking her head out of the girls' room, Magdala motioned for me to come over.  Of course, I was all teary and blubbering.  In her calm little voice she said, "Don't cry Miss Jessie."  She held her arms up and I picked her up and told her I loved her.  "I love you too!" she whispered in my ear and we just stood there embracing for a moment.  This was a moment of heartache.

I firmly believe in the sovereignty of God.  I know and understand that He is in control of this life and sees each moment we experience.  What's more, He cares for us as a loving Father.  I keep thinking about the paths that He has lead me down in my life.  I think of the ways He has taken me and the unexpected turns that were fully known to Him even if they took me by surprise.  I think about how He guided me to Haiti 3 years ago and how He has used this experience to deepen my faith and cause me to feel a purpose and a calling I have never experienced elsewhere.  

I am thankful to be safe back in New Hampshire and to be able to reunite with my friends and family and brothers and sisters in Christ here.  This morning though, I am asking God for a path that brings me back to Haiti so I can hug Magdala again and be reminded of the ways that God works and the beauty of the paths that He plans for us.  Love in Christ, Jessie

Artist

This summer I have been spending most afternoons doing art club with the children from the children's home.  It has been so much fun to teach the kids about paints and drawing, and also just to spend some quiet time creating with them.  Here are a few pictures of the artists at work...

Many times during our stay in Haiti I have commented to the kids that they live in a beautiful country.  The mountains, oceanside, and lush green farmlands all cry out the praises of their Creator.  When we learn about art we talk about God and His creativity.  We can paint and draw and be artists because we are made in His image.  Here are a few shots of the beauty that God created in Haiti...

As my time draws to an end here in Haiti, at least for this summer, I am trying to focus on the beauty of each moment, to cherish the value of each relationship, and to not waste a single minute that the Creator has given me.  I am more thankful than ever for the way that He creatively and beautifully works all things together for our good and His glory, including many surprises and unexpected events, like taking a girl from rural New Hampshire and causing her to fall in love with a people and a place in the middle of urban Haiti.  Only a master Artist could work in such a way!

Tomorrow I'm headed back to New Hampshire, but I'll do my best to write again and share more reflections on this amazing journey to Haiti!  Many thanks for your support and words of encouragement over the past 5 weeks!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Homeward

Yesterday we packed 22 of the children and a handful of adults and took the 3 1/2 hour drive from Port au Prince to Gonaives.  In 2008 most of the children from the CLS Children's Home were relocated from Gonaives to Port au Prince after surviving a devastating flood.  At the time, the children had been living at an orphanage in Gonaives which was completely destroyed by 14 feet of mud.  The group of about 30 children were stranded on the tin roof of one of the structures at the orphanage for about 3 days before help arrived.  It is a heart-breaking story, but yesterday's journey wasn't about remembering why they left, but looking to who they left behind.  Many of the children from Gonaives still have family there, an aunt, grandparent, cousin, sibling, or even parents.  They take trips a few times a year to visit with their family members and to help them remember their home and where they came from.

This is the second trip I've made up to Gonaives with the children and I was so thankful for the opportunity to go again.  Being cramped into the back of the truck with all these precious kiddos is my favorite version of a road trip.  And being able to be there to capture the joy and love when the children are reunited with their loved ones is priceless...

Herode with his big brother.

Miselene, Shneider, Octaline, and Chandlin with their Grandmother and cousin.

Exaline with her brother.

J.J. with his Aunt.

It was a wonderful time of celebration and love as the kids spent the day together with their families.  These children have two homes now, one in Gonaives and one at the children's home at CLS in Port au Prince.  My prayer is that as they grow, they would recognize how loved and valued they are.

Thank you for following along on this journey!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Ceremony

On Friday we celebrated the completion of the teachers' summer institute with a day of special events. We began the morning with a breakfast buffet and some socializing time.  Then we began our graduation ceremony, complete with amazing music, encouraging speeches, and faithful prayers for the coming school year.  We ended the ceremony with the presentation of teacher certificates and gifts.  

 

The celebration continued with a special lunch out at a local sugar cane museum and park.  While we were there we ate, sang, danced, laughed, and enjoyed our last few hours together for the summer.  It was a beautiful way to celebrate the past four weeks of work.  I am very thankful for the memories we made during our celebrating together!  

Thanks again for sticking with me on this journey, it has been an honor to share what the Lord is doing in Haiti!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Knowing

Today I said goodbye to my dear teacher friends at CLS.  I am more sad than I can say to see them leave and our time together come to an end.  Never can I remember feeling so welcomed and accepted.  It has been a great honor and blessing to work with these amazing brothers and sisters this summer.  I have been inspired in my faith, challenged in my calling as teacher, and uplifted in my spirit through endless joking and laughter.  There have been all kinds of silly jokes between the teachers throughout the summer.  They are serious about their faith and driven in their work, but also thoroughly enjoy having a good time.  One joke we kept coming back to was "knowing."  Someone would say, "I know" and that would lead to "I know you know" and then "I know that you know that he knows"... You can see how the silliness would then continue to spiral out of control.  What amazing times of fun and lightheartedness we have shared together again this summer.  Below are pictures of the teachers playing various games during our "breaks" this summer.  Hopefully they will be able to incorporate some of these games into their classrooms this year to add some fun and excitement to the school day!

In all seriousness though, I do know a few things about these teachers.  I know that they are facing an incredibly challenging journey during the next school year.  I know that they each face difficulties with their families and finding ways to provide for those they love on their meager salaries.  I know that they will face hardships in the form of sickness, fatigue, frustration, discouragement, and many other struggles that come in the countless uphill battles that they are set to fight.  I know that they will have students in their classes who are abused on a daily basis, who go without food regularly, who have lived through unthinkable devastation, and who have sustained earth-shattering losses.  I know that the teachers will have to find ways to differentiate and teach students with diverse needs.  I know that they will have few resources and many needs to meet in their classrooms.  I know that there will be moments when they are discouraged and feel like giving up.  

I also know that these teachers have faith that can move mountains.  I know that they have such strong relationships with each other that they will not let each other fall.  I know that they will love each other and their students through any trials that they face.  I know that they will have attitudes of thankfulness, even in the times of want.  I know that they will choose to encourage and teach the children who are behavior problems in their classrooms.  I know that they will study their subjects carefully so that they will be prepared to teach their students.  I know that they will find ways to make each other laugh through the frustrating moments.  I know that they will encourage each other with truths from God's word.  I know that in every circumstance they will go to the Lord in prayer.  I know that they will make a positive impact on the lives of their students and little by little they will change the future of their country.  

There is much more I know about these amazing people, but this is a good list for now... Thank you for following along on this journey through Haiti!  Much love in Christ, Jessie

Grand

This week we ended our teacher training.  On Thursday we asked the teachers to share their prayer requests for the coming year.  Mr. Guitho, who is the music teacher, shared some amazing words.  He said he understood that the school may not have enough funding for music classes next year, but he said he was trusting God to give him other work so that he could continue to teach music to the children as an unpaid volunteer.  He shared his grand vision for the future of the school and how the Lord will be praised and honored through the musical talents of the students.  The other teachers thanked Mr. Guitho for his faithfulness to his calling and I couldn't help but agree, Haiti (and all the world) needs more people like Mr. Guitho who are willing to take steps of faith to see God's work done.

On Friday, to begin our teacher graduation celebration, we invited Mr. Guitho's teen choir to perform.  The musicians crowded into the room and as soon as their voices started the room of teachers fell silent and crowds of other students pushed up against the windows outside to watch.  The teens in the choir had hearts full of faithful praise to our Lord.  The music was indeed grand, both pleasing to the ear and amazingly uplifting to the spirit.  

As the students left, we saw the backs of their uniforms had the words "Les Fils Du Roi"- "Children of the King."  Through their careful practice and Mr. Guitho's faithful teaching, these children are indeed making a pleasing noise to their Savior.  They are proclaiming that His name is great and He is worthy of our worship!  

During these last few days of my time in Haiti (for now), I am thankful for your faithful friendship and support.  Love in Christ, Jessie

Supporting

I don't have much of a mind for understanding economics and business.  There are, however, some basic concepts that I think make sense.  One is the idea that it is more effective and beneficial to teach someone to fish rather than giving them a fish which will last for only one meal.  I don't think that this concept of finding ways for individuals to support themselves through work should undermine our Christian opportunities for charity and generosity, but I do think it is a worthwhile pursuit to help develop work skills and talents that can lead to economic stability. 

This week I had occasion to visit a special organization called the Apparent Project (www.apparentproject.org).  I was so inspired by the mission of the organization, which spoke to my love of artistry, creativity, and ingenuity.  The basic concept behind the Apparent Project is supporting Haitian parents who are crafters and artists.  These mothers and fathers use recycled goods to create jewelry, pottery, and many other beautiful items.

I met the woman who is the CEO of the Apparent Project at our recent visit and 

I told her that it was one of the coolest places I had been to.  She was 

very welcoming and it was a treat to be able to wander around and admire 

all the creativity and beauty in the shop.

In a country where there is so much need, it was exciting to see a way for 

individuals to use their skills and creativity to support their families 

and provide for a better future for their children.

Thank you for continuing to follow along with me during this 

last week of my time in Haiti!  Love in Christ, Jessie