We arrived safely back in Winnipeg @ noon today, happy to be back & see friends/family again. However, I think I would be speaking for most when I say that Haiti is definitely still on our hearts; please continue to pray for Mission Possible as there will be more teams filtering through there in the next 2 weeks, including a team of Doctors following up on the work that the teachers did last week. Also, the Bible school will continue to be worked on, including painting and putting the tiles in.
Give us as a team a few days to edit our pics, but shortly we should have a deposit of them somewhere and will keep everyone posted, likely through a web album. So check back in a bit for a link if you are interested! Also, there will very likely be a mission report at Mennville EMC in the near future, which would be a great opportunity for you to see a variety of pictures/videos and here some testimonies. Thank you so much for your prayers over the last 2 weeks- they were greatly appreciated, and this wouldn't have been possible without them! We'd also like to give a huge thank-you to God, and the work he did on us in the past few weeks. We are so fortunate to serve such an awesome God, and He has blessed us so incredibly much. My prayer is that we would use our abundance of material blessings for His glory, as there is no earthly luxery that will even come close to the treasures being stored up in heaven.
Mennville Haiti missions trip team!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Au Revior Haiti (Hank Talkin')
Well, there are many stories to tell, many experiences to recant, and friendships forged. The long and short of it is that we are getting ready to partake of our final sleep here in Haiti. It is, as is usually the case in these situations, bittersweet. We have met people that we won't forget, and for very different reasons. People such as the American teams that have become our family, working and also playing together. The locals we saw day in and day out, faithfully cleaning up after us, keeping us safe at nights, and working on the "stucco" of the school we were helping to finish. There are so many things to write here, and many, I am sure would help to curb your curiosity. But that isn't what this blog will be about.
This is a goodbye blog to those we are leaving behind, those returning to their own homes, and those who live everyday here, keeping diligent efforts to change the lives here. This is also a blog of reflection. We have seen God work so much, we have learned so much, and have felt so much. We got the floors and electrical done in the school. It is not everything, but it is encouraging to see the completions of some of the things we have been working on for 2 weeks. A blog of hope. We see the horrific reality that most of the people here live, but this trip has opened our eyes to the hope that is steadily growing, and gaining momentum.
And finally this is a blog of anticipation. We are coming home. We ran the race, finished strong, and are anxious to be reunited with those "left behind". As we start our pilgrimage back home tomorrow, we ask you to pray for our safety, and protection as we travel. We are almost there.
On behalf of all of us here from out there, good night and until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
-adam
p.s. "Hank Talkin' " is a Corner Gas reference. Those of you who watch it, know that. Those of you who don't, should!!!
This is a goodbye blog to those we are leaving behind, those returning to their own homes, and those who live everyday here, keeping diligent efforts to change the lives here. This is also a blog of reflection. We have seen God work so much, we have learned so much, and have felt so much. We got the floors and electrical done in the school. It is not everything, but it is encouraging to see the completions of some of the things we have been working on for 2 weeks. A blog of hope. We see the horrific reality that most of the people here live, but this trip has opened our eyes to the hope that is steadily growing, and gaining momentum.
And finally this is a blog of anticipation. We are coming home. We ran the race, finished strong, and are anxious to be reunited with those "left behind". As we start our pilgrimage back home tomorrow, we ask you to pray for our safety, and protection as we travel. We are almost there.
On behalf of all of us here from out there, good night and until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
-adam
p.s. "Hank Talkin' " is a Corner Gas reference. Those of you who watch it, know that. Those of you who don't, should!!!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Thee Perspective of Christy
One group of people went back to La Hatte today, and another group went to Degeance. No one seems to know how to spell that word, so it could be Dejeance... Anyhoo... The people who went to LaHatte's had the main purpose of fixing the cistern so that when the rainy season comes along, the people there will be able to store water. The cistern is their main source of water during the dry season, and because it had been broken until now, they have been without that water for a whole year, meaning they had to walk 2 miles to a clean water source. Andrew had had a frustrating day having broken the water pump before a group of very expectant children. However, he made up for his frustrations by finding a spider "with biceps" and chasing after Chris with it.
Foot races with the children were also part of the day. We have established that Darryl is about as fast as a slug at absolute zero... One child had even given him a head start and the kid still beat him.
The cistern did eventually get fixed.
This week is education week, as some know. The teachers here are giving purity and STD talks to the older children and members of the communities. Jared was approached this morning by one teacher and asked very "seriously" if he would give THE TALK to the boys. He stutteringly agreed maybe if they gave him something to read. We're all proud of him for not outright saying no; however, he was greatly relieved to find out they were only jerking his chain. This evening I didn't hear too many stories about what happened at Degeance, so I'm sorry to not have anything to write about that.
As for the group I was in... We stayed at the mission compound. Do to the lack of happenings after the two groups left, I'm ashamed to admit I went back to bed... 3 times. Each time I crawled off my bunk, I felt lazier and lazier. Thankfully, Sheila and I did manage to get down to serious business; watching Jolene work. Aimee came and joined us a few times. She and Juanita were working in the kitchen. They had a severely harsh day... to make tea, or not to make tea..? To cook certain leftovers, or to make new leftovers? Very harsh. As a group, we decided we were not being very good missionaries. After lunch, we lived a little better to the reason we were here. Between Jolene and I we managed to flood a corner of the compound with our sweat. We, Jolene, Sheila, Jared and I brushed and painted window grates in direct-ish sun.
The rest of the day was filled with a very dead/fried-looking group, several hyper folks, several meaning me, and the neutral. The best part of the evening, in my opinion, was the sound of our voices singing In Christ Alone during our evening worship. Ruth also gave us her testimony and answered our questions about MP and other aspects of Haiti and the DR. She was very informative.
So... This is me signing off.
For those of you actually missing some of our ornery peoples, some of us are missing you back and are ready to come home, and others, like those now engaged or wishing they were engaged to muscular Haitian men, wish they could stay.
TTYL from Haiti.
Oh, and I apologize ahead of time for some in our group. The word ornery has become a weighted word in our circle.
Foot races with the children were also part of the day. We have established that Darryl is about as fast as a slug at absolute zero... One child had even given him a head start and the kid still beat him.
The cistern did eventually get fixed.
This week is education week, as some know. The teachers here are giving purity and STD talks to the older children and members of the communities. Jared was approached this morning by one teacher and asked very "seriously" if he would give THE TALK to the boys. He stutteringly agreed maybe if they gave him something to read. We're all proud of him for not outright saying no; however, he was greatly relieved to find out they were only jerking his chain. This evening I didn't hear too many stories about what happened at Degeance, so I'm sorry to not have anything to write about that.
As for the group I was in... We stayed at the mission compound. Do to the lack of happenings after the two groups left, I'm ashamed to admit I went back to bed... 3 times. Each time I crawled off my bunk, I felt lazier and lazier. Thankfully, Sheila and I did manage to get down to serious business; watching Jolene work. Aimee came and joined us a few times. She and Juanita were working in the kitchen. They had a severely harsh day... to make tea, or not to make tea..? To cook certain leftovers, or to make new leftovers? Very harsh. As a group, we decided we were not being very good missionaries. After lunch, we lived a little better to the reason we were here. Between Jolene and I we managed to flood a corner of the compound with our sweat. We, Jolene, Sheila, Jared and I brushed and painted window grates in direct-ish sun.
The rest of the day was filled with a very dead/fried-looking group, several hyper folks, several meaning me, and the neutral. The best part of the evening, in my opinion, was the sound of our voices singing In Christ Alone during our evening worship. Ruth also gave us her testimony and answered our questions about MP and other aspects of Haiti and the DR. She was very informative.
So... This is me signing off.
For those of you actually missing some of our ornery peoples, some of us are missing you back and are ready to come home, and others, like those now engaged or wishing they were engaged to muscular Haitian men, wish they could stay.
TTYL from Haiti.
Oh, and I apologize ahead of time for some in our group. The word ornery has become a weighted word in our circle.
Engagement Announcement!
I am pleased to publicaly announce for the first time ever Aimee Colleen Brandt and Rocheny D. Their rather quick courtship resulted in an imposed engagement, of which Aimee had no choice but to accept. Very few could deny the love in Rocheny's eyes and the passion in his poetry as he enticed Aimee.
I have copyrighted one love-struck conversation of which I shall reluctantly share with you:
A: Why aren't you in school?
R: I'm sick- sick for you.
R: I couldn't sleep last night because I was dreaming about you!
I was lucky enough to be asked to take their engagement pictures as well.
Their arranged marriage is scheduled for tomorrow at 3, and you are all invited! If you can't find us, just punch Haiti + beach into google, and I'm sure you'll have no problem. Pray that her dad will come around and agree to walk them down the aisle- or, in our case, down the dock- so that they may live in happy married bliss via telephone. Thank you.
Exciting update! They are now registered at ECO DEPOT where they are hoping to get 500 cinder blocks and some rebar and at TITI LOTTO where the jackpot is 47,000,000 gourde this week.
I have copyrighted one love-struck conversation of which I shall reluctantly share with you:
A: Why aren't you in school?
R: I'm sick- sick for you.
R: I couldn't sleep last night because I was dreaming about you!
I was lucky enough to be asked to take their engagement pictures as well.
Exciting update! They are now registered at ECO DEPOT where they are hoping to get 500 cinder blocks and some rebar and at TITI LOTTO where the jackpot is 47,000,000 gourde this week.
Feb. 8, Attempt II
-Sorry that it's been so long since we've last blogged- the internet went out right as Alyssa was writing this post last night. Check back later for today's post/pics :)
I'm sitting here in the dining area at Mission Possible, surrounded by the sounds of the ocean waves crashing onto the shore, wind blowing in the palm trees, boisterous laughter from people playing ruckus card games, and an intersting conversation about a 90 year old woman...The smell of the salt water and sweaty people and popcorn...
Hard to believe how quickly our time in Haiti has gone by, and I've enjoyed each day here. At the same time, I'm also looking forward to getting back to my "normal" routine at home.
This week, a new group of Americans have come for the week. The main focus for this week, besides the maintenance and construction at the Mission Possible compound, is for several teachers to go into the schools to teach about STD's, abstinence, etc. Yesterday, Jolene and I got to make the trek to Chardan School with the American teachers, and our job was to entertain the younger students. That was a BLAST! We brought along a parachute, several balls, a skipping rope, and some bubbles. And the kids went NUTS :-)
Today, most of us stayed at the compound to work on various projects, such as painting, electrical stuff, etc. Tomorrow, we are visiting several more schools, and hopefully finishing some projects. We'll see what actually gets done :-)
While I have this opportunity, I have to mention just how awesome it has been to be in Haiti with such an a wonderful group of people! Each day is filled with laughter and conversation and crazy stories. Of course, team work isn't complete without the usual annoyances and little clashes, but thankfully we've been getting along really well thus far. An answered prayer, for sure!
Anyways, before I start gettin' all emotional and whatnot, I'd better say good night from Haiti!! Only 3 more cold showers left until Miami, which is only one day away from HOME!
Oh my goodness! It just started to rain! Pretty cool! Maybe that'll take care of the humidity tomorrow!
And before I ramble any more, GOOD NIGHT FROM HAITI! Sleep tight! Make sure the bed bugs, mosquitoes, noseeums, and other random bugs don't bite you...oh wait, what are those insanely itchy red bumps on my arm....
I'm sitting here in the dining area at Mission Possible, surrounded by the sounds of the ocean waves crashing onto the shore, wind blowing in the palm trees, boisterous laughter from people playing ruckus card games, and an intersting conversation about a 90 year old woman...The smell of the salt water and sweaty people and popcorn...
Hard to believe how quickly our time in Haiti has gone by, and I've enjoyed each day here. At the same time, I'm also looking forward to getting back to my "normal" routine at home.
This week, a new group of Americans have come for the week. The main focus for this week, besides the maintenance and construction at the Mission Possible compound, is for several teachers to go into the schools to teach about STD's, abstinence, etc. Yesterday, Jolene and I got to make the trek to Chardan School with the American teachers, and our job was to entertain the younger students. That was a BLAST! We brought along a parachute, several balls, a skipping rope, and some bubbles. And the kids went NUTS :-)
Today, most of us stayed at the compound to work on various projects, such as painting, electrical stuff, etc. Tomorrow, we are visiting several more schools, and hopefully finishing some projects. We'll see what actually gets done :-)
While I have this opportunity, I have to mention just how awesome it has been to be in Haiti with such an a wonderful group of people! Each day is filled with laughter and conversation and crazy stories. Of course, team work isn't complete without the usual annoyances and little clashes, but thankfully we've been getting along really well thus far. An answered prayer, for sure!
Anyways, before I start gettin' all emotional and whatnot, I'd better say good night from Haiti!! Only 3 more cold showers left until Miami, which is only one day away from HOME!
Oh my goodness! It just started to rain! Pretty cool! Maybe that'll take care of the humidity tomorrow!
And before I ramble any more, GOOD NIGHT FROM HAITI! Sleep tight! Make sure the bed bugs, mosquitoes, noseeums, and other random bugs don't bite you...oh wait, what are those insanely itchy red bumps on my arm....
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Doing the Gecko Dance
"Beeep beep beeeep beep beep" "Cocka-doodle-doo!!!!!!!!"
"Woof woof grrr ark ark ark woof!!!"
"What time is it??"
"5:20am"
"What time do we leave for church?"
"6:30am"
"*Yawn": Ok"
This is Sheila, and this is a true story.
We did indeed leave for church at 6:30 this morning, which for you Canadians is 5:30 am :) After a hearty breakfast of our favorite oatmeal that has just about every kind of berry and nut in it minus 50 but nonetheless really super delicious we all piled into our trusty cattle wagon and set off to St Marc for yet another phenomenal church service that leaves your heart blessed and your ears ringing, and if you're me, you might just start tearing up at the sound of Haitians singing, as it is seriously my new favorite sound in the world, and really tugs at my heart strings. They sing so loud they put a concert at the MTS center to the test. As you can hear them from a mile away. They really do put their hearts and soul into it and they really do not give a rats hairless tail as to what anybody may think of them. A lesson we have yet to learn. It is truly amazing, and if you don't have it on already, you really do need to put going to a Haiti church service on your bucket list. I have decided that I will fly back to Haiti every Saturday night just to be in church here Sunday morning.... ok so I'll add that to my "If I ever win the lottery this is what I'd do" list.
After church we had a hearty lunch and then some retired for their maddashlope and the rest of us promptly hit the beach for a day of soaking up enough sunshine to get our full intake of Vitamin D to last us through the rest of winter. Many of us are now sporting the awesome Red LOBSTER look.
The weather has been phenomenal, hot but bearable with a beautiful ocean breeze to keep our personal thermostats and just the right temperature.
We never tire of watching the sunset over the ocean as we sit down for supper.
We never tire of hearing the waves 24/7
We will miss this.
We are starting to get used to our new team, which consists of some pretty interesting and fun people.
We are getting used to the over-sized and crazed critters that call Haiti home, as we have now become comfortable with sharing the shower with lizards, and the giant green leaf looking grasshopper butterfly thing does not produce screams from me, but thanks so much for putting it on my shoulder Andrew. I have also perfected my 'Gecko dance' as it is a series of very complicated foot action as a gecko runs between your feet as you walk along almost as if nothing happened. The key word in that sentence is almost. Thankfully I had a shirt in my hand that I promptly put over my mouth as I freaked out greatly.
Did I mention that I spent all afternoon on the beach?
Coconuts and mangoes fall randomly off the trees here all the time. Apparently people have died from coconuts falling on their heads. I don't know if that is fact or fiction. A couple local Haitians showed us how to crack open the coconuts and that was our snack on the beach, and almonds. Yummo!
Did I mention that we spent most of the day on the beach? Well we did, and next week Sunday when we are the brownest faces in church, know that a week ago. We were at the beach.
I personally am not ready to go home, I would be quite ok if the airport would close down on Friday. However not everybody here shares my opinion.
In other news, a Haitian named Sonny wants to marry me, and Rocheny wants to marry Aimee, so we may be having a double wedding this week, you are all welcome to come and share in our celebrations. Sonny and Rocheny (pronounced Washeny) don't want to move to Canada as it is too cold.. So perhaps Aimee and I will be staying behind.
Random Facts:
- Eldon swims to Cuba and back daily. We have made it clear to him that we will be unable to save him if something happens seeing as he swims so far out into the ocean that we can barely see him. Pray for his safety.
- Adam can impersonate a beached whale TOO WELL.
- Alyssa falls off chairs in slow motion in the middle of lunch. I asked if I could laugh at her. She said yes so we all laughed boisterously at her.
- Juanita wanders aimlessly when she is out of the kitchen and gets Pepsi-wasted constantly.
- Jared is heartbroken that one of his arms is more tanned then the other. Seriously heartbroken. Spider bites are also on his whine list.
- Phillip didn't want to play Dutch Blitz with us. We don't understand this.
- Chris doesn't play well with others, and is sick of looking at concrete.
- Daryl is now known as Der-RELLE.
- Aimee refuses to help in the kitchen in the morning because it interrupts her sleep-in, and as of yet has not had a good hair day here (or so she says).
- Christy has re-discovered her childaphobia -aka she still does not like children.
- Steve has 3 kids. He is also known as Teflon Steve around these parts and is a very emotional writer.
- Uncle Stan (as he is known by all) cannot read the song lyrics in the dark. We also pronounce Stan like the Americans now: Staayaann. (We will all come back with American accents just a heads up.)
- Jolene has inherited 13 new kids as she is our team mom, and I give her personal thanks for all the massages and putting lotion on my burned back, and has now resorted to borrowing Aimee's deodorant.
- When Andrew is not "pupping pupcorn" he is shrieking like a girl because of The Leaf BUGS, and can tweak a welder for a week and feel like he's accomplished something. (That did not come out of my mouth Andrew)
- Sheila has been leaving a wake of heart broken Haitian men all up and down National Road 1 from Port au Prince to St. Marc. (stated by Juanita)
- Chase and Tyler from Ohio have become honorary Canadians as they now say "eh" as well as any Canadian. However Tyler still keeps his snacks in the American bag...we still have some work to do, and Chase calls the bathroom "Restroom"...yup we still have some work to do. But nonetheless, we've welcomed them into our Canadian family.
- Pam (our team leader) can now speak with a Native American, a German, and a Menno accent, but still insists on saying she's gonna go "WARsh" the dishes.
Did I mention that I was on the beach looking out at sparkling turquoise blue waters all afternoon?
We start work again tomorrow.
"Woof woof grrr ark ark ark woof!!!"
"What time is it??"
"5:20am"
"What time do we leave for church?"
"6:30am"
"*Yawn": Ok"
This is Sheila, and this is a true story.
We did indeed leave for church at 6:30 this morning, which for you Canadians is 5:30 am :) After a hearty breakfast of our favorite oatmeal that has just about every kind of berry and nut in it minus 50 but nonetheless really super delicious we all piled into our trusty cattle wagon and set off to St Marc for yet another phenomenal church service that leaves your heart blessed and your ears ringing, and if you're me, you might just start tearing up at the sound of Haitians singing, as it is seriously my new favorite sound in the world, and really tugs at my heart strings. They sing so loud they put a concert at the MTS center to the test. As you can hear them from a mile away. They really do put their hearts and soul into it and they really do not give a rats hairless tail as to what anybody may think of them. A lesson we have yet to learn. It is truly amazing, and if you don't have it on already, you really do need to put going to a Haiti church service on your bucket list. I have decided that I will fly back to Haiti every Saturday night just to be in church here Sunday morning.... ok so I'll add that to my "If I ever win the lottery this is what I'd do" list.
After church we had a hearty lunch and then some retired for their maddashlope and the rest of us promptly hit the beach for a day of soaking up enough sunshine to get our full intake of Vitamin D to last us through the rest of winter. Many of us are now sporting the awesome Red LOBSTER look.
The weather has been phenomenal, hot but bearable with a beautiful ocean breeze to keep our personal thermostats and just the right temperature.
We never tire of watching the sunset over the ocean as we sit down for supper.
We never tire of hearing the waves 24/7
We will miss this.
We are starting to get used to our new team, which consists of some pretty interesting and fun people.
We are getting used to the over-sized and crazed critters that call Haiti home, as we have now become comfortable with sharing the shower with lizards, and the giant green leaf looking grasshopper butterfly thing does not produce screams from me, but thanks so much for putting it on my shoulder Andrew. I have also perfected my 'Gecko dance' as it is a series of very complicated foot action as a gecko runs between your feet as you walk along almost as if nothing happened. The key word in that sentence is almost. Thankfully I had a shirt in my hand that I promptly put over my mouth as I freaked out greatly.
Did I mention that I spent all afternoon on the beach?
Coconuts and mangoes fall randomly off the trees here all the time. Apparently people have died from coconuts falling on their heads. I don't know if that is fact or fiction. A couple local Haitians showed us how to crack open the coconuts and that was our snack on the beach, and almonds. Yummo!
Did I mention that we spent most of the day on the beach? Well we did, and next week Sunday when we are the brownest faces in church, know that a week ago. We were at the beach.
I personally am not ready to go home, I would be quite ok if the airport would close down on Friday. However not everybody here shares my opinion.
In other news, a Haitian named Sonny wants to marry me, and Rocheny wants to marry Aimee, so we may be having a double wedding this week, you are all welcome to come and share in our celebrations. Sonny and Rocheny (pronounced Washeny) don't want to move to Canada as it is too cold.. So perhaps Aimee and I will be staying behind.
Random Facts:
- Eldon swims to Cuba and back daily. We have made it clear to him that we will be unable to save him if something happens seeing as he swims so far out into the ocean that we can barely see him. Pray for his safety.
- Adam can impersonate a beached whale TOO WELL.
- Alyssa falls off chairs in slow motion in the middle of lunch. I asked if I could laugh at her. She said yes so we all laughed boisterously at her.
- Juanita wanders aimlessly when she is out of the kitchen and gets Pepsi-wasted constantly.
- Jared is heartbroken that one of his arms is more tanned then the other. Seriously heartbroken. Spider bites are also on his whine list.
- Phillip didn't want to play Dutch Blitz with us. We don't understand this.
- Chris doesn't play well with others, and is sick of looking at concrete.
- Daryl is now known as Der-RELLE.
- Aimee refuses to help in the kitchen in the morning because it interrupts her sleep-in, and as of yet has not had a good hair day here (or so she says).
- Christy has re-discovered her childaphobia -aka she still does not like children.
- Steve has 3 kids. He is also known as Teflon Steve around these parts and is a very emotional writer.
- Uncle Stan (as he is known by all) cannot read the song lyrics in the dark. We also pronounce Stan like the Americans now: Staayaann. (We will all come back with American accents just a heads up.)
- Jolene has inherited 13 new kids as she is our team mom, and I give her personal thanks for all the massages and putting lotion on my burned back, and has now resorted to borrowing Aimee's deodorant.
- When Andrew is not "pupping pupcorn" he is shrieking like a girl because of The Leaf BUGS, and can tweak a welder for a week and feel like he's accomplished something. (That did not come out of my mouth Andrew)
- Sheila has been leaving a wake of heart broken Haitian men all up and down National Road 1 from Port au Prince to St. Marc. (stated by Juanita)
- Chase and Tyler from Ohio have become honorary Canadians as they now say "eh" as well as any Canadian. However Tyler still keeps his snacks in the American bag...we still have some work to do, and Chase calls the bathroom "Restroom"...yup we still have some work to do. But nonetheless, we've welcomed them into our Canadian family.
- Pam (our team leader) can now speak with a Native American, a German, and a Menno accent, but still insists on saying she's gonna go "WARsh" the dishes.
Did I mention that I was on the beach looking out at sparkling turquoise blue waters all afternoon?
We start work again tomorrow.
A Few Pics II
A few randoms from the week...
 |
| Last week's team |
 |
| Presidential Palace (Port-au-Prince) aka Haiti's whitehouse |
 |
| "No brakes,-small problem; no horn- big problem" |
 |
 |
| Near D.R. border |
 |
| Typical Haitian yard- LaHatte |
 |
| Classroom in LaHatte |
 |
| Working hard or hardly working? |
 |
| skillz |
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