Hello, friends! Once again, I'm sorry for the long delay in posting. I have several blog posts that I would like to get finished, but life has been getting in the way.
Things have been busy at the school. We have one month of school left! WOW! How is that possible?! The kids are working hard to complete all of their work by the last day of school. It is crunch time for everyone.
We had a team at the school for two weeks (hoping to devote a blog post to them when I can find the time). They led VBS and lots of fun activities with our students.
I was sick for about 4 days out of this past week. Not sure what I had, but I spent two full days in bed feeling awful. I'm thankful for the prayers of my family and students...I'm healthy again! I had a patch of ringworm on my face (inconvenient and very obvious location, haha) that is finally almost gone. YAY! Yesterday I woke up scratching a rash that appeared on both my arms and seems to be spreading. It's quite itchy and annoying. Prayers for the mystery rash would be appreciated. I'm not sure what is going on with me lately...jeez!
Some very difficult issues have been going on within the church and youth group. I cannot/do not want to go into details. However, I ask that you keep the youth and my fellow youth leaders in your prayers. Saturday, I will be leaving on a school bus with about 40 youth (including some of our TLC students) and 7 adults (including myself) for the annual youth group retreat to Zanglais, Haiti. It is located on the southern part of the island. We will spend four days in fellowship, worship, and prayer...and of course will will enjoy the beach and hiking the mountains, too! Prayers for the retreat would be MUCH appreciated.
The next few days will be very busy for me as we gear up for the retreat. I will do my best to post again soon. Thank you ALL for your love, prayers, and support. I don't know what I would do without you.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Gonaives Visit
This week, a team from South Carolina has been here doing VBS with all the students here at TLC. The group has been coming to Haiti each year since TLC opened to spend time with the students and lead Vacation Bible School.
Because this week was really the only opportunity for me to "get away", I decided to go three hours north to Gonaives to visit my friend Keziah and the "tribe". I didn't want to miss too much of my time with the team at TLC so I only spent one "full day" in G-town.
Rather than having to take a bus there, I was able to hitch a ride with Papa Beaver because he had to pick up some visitors from the airport. So, I took a moto to the airport where I met the gang. We had quite a few people with us, so I had to ride in the back of the truck. It's always so refreshing for me to get out of the city and see the beautiful countryside.
The drive to G-town is beautiful and it follows the coast. So, half-way there, we stopped along the bay to swim in the beautiful crystal clear waters. I even did a little snorkeling.
During my time in Gonaives, Kez and I were able to sit down and spend some time together catching up. It had been a month since we had last seen each other. Kez is a nurse, and while I was there, she had clinic. I was recruited to help play "eye doctor" for the day. An optometrist from the states was visiting for the week. So, I screened each of the children using an eye chart. If they did not pass my vision test, they went on to see Dr. Justin.
Later in the afternoon, I visited the boys' adobe house. In the fall when I was visiting, I was in Jubilee for the ground breaking of the adobe house. The boys decided to make their own home by filling empty rice bags with dirt and stacking them in a circular formation. Then, once the house was formed, they cemented the floor and covered the outside of the house in mud. It was exciting to see the finished product. I have to admit, it was nice and cool inside and much roomier than I imagined.
They built a loft for sleeping.
I think I could manage living in an adobe house. Although, I do think I would miss running water and a toilet.
After checking out the boys' house. Kez and I biked through the market and then back to her house that she shares with four other girls.
It was a great visit, however, I wish that I could have been longer!
Because this week was really the only opportunity for me to "get away", I decided to go three hours north to Gonaives to visit my friend Keziah and the "tribe". I didn't want to miss too much of my time with the team at TLC so I only spent one "full day" in G-town.
Rather than having to take a bus there, I was able to hitch a ride with Papa Beaver because he had to pick up some visitors from the airport. So, I took a moto to the airport where I met the gang. We had quite a few people with us, so I had to ride in the back of the truck. It's always so refreshing for me to get out of the city and see the beautiful countryside.
The drive to G-town is beautiful and it follows the coast. So, half-way there, we stopped along the bay to swim in the beautiful crystal clear waters. I even did a little snorkeling.
During my time in Gonaives, Kez and I were able to sit down and spend some time together catching up. It had been a month since we had last seen each other. Kez is a nurse, and while I was there, she had clinic. I was recruited to help play "eye doctor" for the day. An optometrist from the states was visiting for the week. So, I screened each of the children using an eye chart. If they did not pass my vision test, they went on to see Dr. Justin.
Later in the afternoon, I visited the boys' adobe house. In the fall when I was visiting, I was in Jubilee for the ground breaking of the adobe house. The boys decided to make their own home by filling empty rice bags with dirt and stacking them in a circular formation. Then, once the house was formed, they cemented the floor and covered the outside of the house in mud. It was exciting to see the finished product. I have to admit, it was nice and cool inside and much roomier than I imagined.
They built a loft for sleeping.
I think I could manage living in an adobe house. Although, I do think I would miss running water and a toilet.
After checking out the boys' house. Kez and I biked through the market and then back to her house that she shares with four other girls.
It was a great visit, however, I wish that I could have been longer!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Simple Pleasures
Sunday after lunch, I went with some friends to a fancy hotel in Petionville called Karibe. They were having a special outdoor orchid exhibit.
When we arrived I felt like I had been transported to another country. Not only was the hotel beautiful, but the flowers were so gorgeous.
We got iced coffees and enjoyed the atmosphere. All we did was hang out at the hotel, but I felt so spoiled and enjoyed myself so much. My friend Kati and I laughed later about how easy it is to please us after living in Haiti for so long.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Fun in the Son
This past weekend, a huge revival event called "Fun in the Son" was held in Tabarre. We decided to take our youth group "kids" to the event. Because we didn't expect to have many vehicles available for transportation, we required the youth to memorize Romans 12:9-21 in order to secure a seat in one of the vehicles.
By the time Saturday rolled around we had secured more volunteer chaperones and drivers. We met at the church, got organized, loaded the vehicles and left the church around 10:30 AM. We were able to take nearly 40 teens to the event.
It was held on a huge group of soccer fields.
There were freestyle motorcross shows, inflatable bounce houses, games, face painting, food, drinks, and performances. The whole atmosphere was upbeat and exciting. Shortly after arriving, one of the youth group boys looked at me, smiled, and simply said, "Today is a good day."
In the afternoon, we all migrated to the main stage and found a place to "camp out". Us "blancs" needed some time out of the sun so we got some free Digicel umbrellas, slathered on more sunscreen, and huddled under one of the scaffolds.
It was so much fun singing, dancing, and worshiping God with the youth group. Tibob and Alabanza, Haitian Christian bands lead worship. A famous Jamaican worship artist, Carlene Davis, also sang. As well as, Dave Lubben, and American artist. We were all very impressed that Dave took the time to learn all of his songs in Creole so that the Haitians could worship with him.
Around 6 PM, Andrew Palou, an international evangelist, spoke to the crowd about Christ's love and sacrifice and invited unbelievers to commit their lives to Christ. Unfortunately, during this time I was trying to round up all of my kiddos. So, I didn't get to hear much of his message.
It was a long, hot day, but I think we would all agree that it was awesome. Over the course of this year I have grown to love the youth group kids so much. They are like a big family to me, and spending the day with them just having fun and worshiping God was incredible. I can't wait until our retreat at the end of the month!!!
By the time Saturday rolled around we had secured more volunteer chaperones and drivers. We met at the church, got organized, loaded the vehicles and left the church around 10:30 AM. We were able to take nearly 40 teens to the event.
 |
| herding the youth |
It was held on a huge group of soccer fields.
There were freestyle motorcross shows, inflatable bounce houses, games, face painting, food, drinks, and performances. The whole atmosphere was upbeat and exciting. Shortly after arriving, one of the youth group boys looked at me, smiled, and simply said, "Today is a good day."
 |
| motorcross show (look closely and you can see the moto in the air) |
In the afternoon, we all migrated to the main stage and found a place to "camp out". Us "blancs" needed some time out of the sun so we got some free Digicel umbrellas, slathered on more sunscreen, and huddled under one of the scaffolds.
It was so much fun singing, dancing, and worshiping God with the youth group. Tibob and Alabanza, Haitian Christian bands lead worship. A famous Jamaican worship artist, Carlene Davis, also sang. As well as, Dave Lubben, and American artist. We were all very impressed that Dave took the time to learn all of his songs in Creole so that the Haitians could worship with him.
Around 6 PM, Andrew Palou, an international evangelist, spoke to the crowd about Christ's love and sacrifice and invited unbelievers to commit their lives to Christ. Unfortunately, during this time I was trying to round up all of my kiddos. So, I didn't get to hear much of his message.
It was a long, hot day, but I think we would all agree that it was awesome. Over the course of this year I have grown to love the youth group kids so much. They are like a big family to me, and spending the day with them just having fun and worshiping God was incredible. I can't wait until our retreat at the end of the month!!!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Thank you, God!
Thank you for all your prayers regarding the rain on Friday night! Those of us involved with the youth group were especially concerned for the heavy rain that was predicted because we took the youth group to a special event Saturday (blog post coming soon!). We did not want to be rained out.
Thanks to God, our prayers were answered. Despite the forecast, we did not get even a single drop of rain on Friday or Saturday....for the first time in TWO WEEKS! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thanks to God, our prayers were answered. Despite the forecast, we did not get even a single drop of rain on Friday or Saturday....for the first time in TWO WEEKS! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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