it's pretty semi-official haha

our next team dates are May 1st-9th, 2009. More to come soon.

Another trip...

Alicia and I are going from Dec 17th - December 26th

Since it's not a KHC team I will be putting our updates at

http://lucastheexperience.blogspot.com

Photos are up

I just put my photos online from the Haiti trip. See them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157608896015769/

yesterday

we had a visit from TiGeorge to our house which was really cool, because he and his cousin and friend got to see all that we have done this week... after that we got to help with a feeding at a church in this makeshift church.  it was really cool hearing all these people worship God and hearing the passion behind the message, even if I didn't completely understand it.  We also got to perform a skit and all the kids were laughing.

At night we got Epidor and had a big birthday party for Renald and tried to watch a movie upstairs but it got rained out so we moved everybody inside.

Photos are up at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience

only a couple more days

the realization that we will be home soon i think is setting in.  i think a majority of us would rather stay, but we are trying to enjoy our last few days here.  today is renald's birthday so we are going to watch a movie on the roof and eat epidor (sort of like haitian mcdonalds) at the guest house... most are trying to finish up the rooftop garden today and we are also doing a feeding in the ravine at about noon today.

i am posting more pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience 

i am not sure how much time i will have to update before we leave... but i will definitely post something soon after we get back.

lucas

thank you for all your prayers.  the team came back and they got to help out a little bit, but not as much as they would like.  There were a lot of distraught people there and tear gas was shot off at one point, but everybody is back and OK.  I think there are still people trapped in the building because the building is unstable and it's hard to get people out like that.  please keep praying for those people and the rescue efforts.  i don't think they have the right equipment to get people out of there.

the rumor is that the building was pretty much condemned and the owner didn't care and just had the school in there anyways.

today

we had a lot of plans.  as we were driving to buy food for the kids for a celebration for one of the staff's birthday here, another one of the staff told us that a school collapsed in port-au-prince.  some of our team (like half) went up there at about noon or 1 today.  none of the kids at the orphanage are in that school, but I can't imagine that it would be a very pretty sight.  I stayed behind and so did a few others.  I wanted to help, but I also felt like 5 guys going from our team was enough and told them to call if they needed more help from us and so far we have not heard anything.  Please be praying for them as scenes like this can be kind of chaotic... 

We who stayed behind worshiped and prayed with the kids at the orphanage for our team and for the people who are trapped.  

All of our projects are continuing or finishing up today and it has been great spending time with the kids.  i am looking forward to hanging out with them all weekend.

i will try to send more updates as we hear from the team... 

here are some pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience

thursday

today

some people went shopping for shelves

some are cleaning up a room that will be where all the medicine and clinic stuff will happen

some are working on the rooftop garden

some are painting

some are updating blogs and planning

tomorrow is our last regular day, we don't have much planned other than hanging out w/the kids after they get out of school and finishing up projects... saturday we are going to do a feeding with all the kids at the orphanage and then celebrate a couple of the staff members birthdays by having a special meal at the guest home and then watching a movie!

there was a loud thunderstorm last night and it really poured for quite a little while.  

gotta run, lunch time.  there are more pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience

Thanks for your prayers...

Lucas

wednesday

hi all

today is going great.  we are well on our way with the rooftop garden.  painting is also going well, dan is all over the place at different houses.  eddie saw 75 patients yesterday and has a lot more today i am sure.  i am doing a computer clinic, which has fewer patients than the medical clinic.  we are trying to also fix up this guest house we are staying in as much as we can so that future teams will be able to stay at a little nicer place.  it is so great working with everybody here and we are all having a really great time.  i feel like there is so much going on, it is hard to describe it all.  i have included more pictures and if you want to see where the kids go to school, there is also pictures of that.

anyways off to my computer clinic.  hope you enjoy the pics.

update

Yesterday we had a lot going on.  It was mostly a shopping and prep day for the week.  That was pretty exciting because a lot of us got to experience the bustling city of Port-Au-Prince.  We also worshiped with the boys in the morning and even got to pick the kids up from school, which is just a short ten minute walk.  It is quite funny because actually it was just me and one Haitian guy who went so when I walked in I of course stuck out like a sore thumb haha.  There was also a medical clinic for some of the local families, which continues today. 

This morning we worshiped with the girls and walked them to school.  I love how almost everybody you pass on the street says Hello to each other.  It's so different from America.

Today, aside from the medical clinic, we are working on the garden and on painting and whatever else comes along.  The majority of the rooftop garden will be constructed downstairs as it is SUPER hot on the roof and not many of us can last for very long up there.  The Haitians don't seem to have any problem lasting up there and we have quite a few helping us today.

Andrew is feeling better today, woo hoo!  Pray that we would be careful in how long we are out in the sun and for us to be focused on supporting the ministry of the Manasseros.

Lucas

Ravine

We went to the ravine yesterday.  There is a need there beyond anything we ourselves can fix.  Only God can fix these problems. Eddie, our doctor, is checking the kids out and we are having a clinic tomorrow and Wednesday and a feeding on Friday.  We are doing a lot of shopping today for our projects and the heat has already taken one of us out (Andrew), he is just sitting in bed as he got dehydrated.  We are all try to make sure we don't over-exert ourselves with the heat.

Thanks for your prayers and I have included more pictures of the past day.

We ARE here

Cendy

Keso

John McHoul

Hi everyone, we are all here.  After a long night of flights and getting all of our bins through american airlines we arrived.  Then, we went through customs which they stopped us and asked us if we had medical supplies.  I said yes but explained in Creole that they were for kids without parents and prayed that God would take care of the situation and make him blind.  Well, he opened THE medical supply box looked in at all the supplies and closed it back up.

We also in Miami asked the burger king to turn on their broilers early because John McHoul, the pastor of the church we go to here loves whoppers.  So this morning he had a day old whopper from Burger King haha! ew!  It has been a great time seeing, fellowshipping and playing with the kids.

The guest house is amazing and the kids.

Everyebody says hi to everybody :)

Gracias por su oraciones

We are going to the ravine soon... 

I wish I had more time to update, but this will have to do it for now.

Lucas

Burger King

My wife is so cool she just got the manager at burger king to turn on the broilers to make a whopper for john mchoul and myself. I will be eating my whopper fresh, johns will have to be xrayed and have some jet lag
Lucas Simmons
www.lucasyalicia.com
619-277-5288

We have landed in miami

Unfortunately will smith was not here to sing to us.

I read an entire 170 page book called touching the void

And we made a haitian friend from orange county on the plane. Yay for new haitian friends!
Lucas Simmons
www.lucasyalicia.com
619-277-5288

One final update for you

Hi Team!

 

The day is here!

 

If you need anything please call me or send me an e-mail...

 

If you have not sent us your prayer partners, please do so as soon as you can.

 

Don't forget your passport and if you have it, your immunization card.  Also, a copy of your passport

 

Be at the airport at 6:30pm with your bins...  Terminal 4!

Alicia and I will have some reading material for you on the plane.  And we have a 5 hour layover in Miami.

 

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
       where does my help come from?

 2 My help comes from the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.

 3 He will not let your foot slip—
       he who watches over you will not slumber;

 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
       will neither slumber nor sleep.

 5 The LORD watches over you—
       the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

 6 the sun will not harm you by day,
       nor the moon by night.

 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
       he will watch over your life;

 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
       both now and forevermore.

please pray

we are all very excited

but some people are getting sick

thank you

Just a couple more days!

Hi Team -

A quick update. We are scheduled to have electricity! :) So that means we will have fans and stuff. I can't guarantee the reliability of the electricity, but it will be there and we should use it sparingly.

"11In him we were also chosen,^[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1

I have pretty much run out of people to update you on. I'm sure there are more, but we have so much to do!

If you need anything please let us know.

Thanks -
Lucas

--

Are you excited?

Hi team! So exciting, our packing meeting is today. I am ready to put all this stuff in bins. Except for the fact that we won't have a bunch of donations until tomorrow. Oh well! I also talked to Bill today on skype, he said he is working on electricity for the house really hard. They were planning to have us run off of city power, but the city power hasn't been on for two days. He said the portable fans we are bringing are a GOOD CALL :) We are going to pack as much as we can tonight, but please remember we have to prioritize by the list that bill and susette sent us and as much as we can for our projects. Anything beyond that, we can look into the possibility of purchasing extra bags. They really need these shoes and books though... I can guarantee you everyone is awaiting our arrival haha. I also talked to Renald down there who oversees the girls home, he can't wait for us to come too!

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:8-9

Logistical Items and another update

I was thinking today at church, next week we will be at Port-Au-Prince Fellowship worshiping with the Haitian people! So cool! First the logistical items...

We are meeting at the airport AT 6:30. We have to wait for everyone to get there before checking in. OU BESWE LI LI (you need to read this, i just love using the phrase li li haha): If you are NOT coming to the packing meeting it would REALLY help us if you could get your packed bins before Friday. Otherwise, Alicia and I will have to pick them up in our truck, and we'd just rather spread this out over everyone. Please also make sure your ride to the airport can fit your bins in their vehicle :) Please bring ALL liquids you will need to pack to the packing meeting on Tuesday, or get them to us before then. Also if you feel like you are going to have any extra room in your carryons, let us know so we can stuff it full for you with donations :) I wouldn't pack a pillow if possible also, pack a pillow case and stuff your clothes with it to use as a pillow... Also, I highly recommend those bags that you can press all the air out of... those things will work wonders and make sure to take everything out of the boxes they are in because boxes take up so much room. Don't forget these tips: http://www.videojug.com/interview/packing-donts-2#what-are-the-biggest-mistakes-people-make-when-packinghttp://www.videojug.com/interview/packing-donts-2

8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

8Nan tan lontan, nou te nan fènwa. Men koulye a, paske n'ap viv ansanm nan Seyè a, nou nan limyè. Se sa ki fè, fòk nou mennen tèt nou tankou moun k'ap viv nan limyè a. 9Paske, limyè a fè moun fè bagay ki bon, bagay ki dwat ak bagay ki vre. 10Chache konnen sa k'ap fè Seyè a plezi. 11Nou pa gen anyen pou nou wè ak moun k'ap viv nan fènwa, moun k'ap fè bagay ki p'ap rapòte anyen. Okontrè, denonse yo pou sa yo ye. 12Bagay moun sa yo ap fè an kachèt, se yon wont menm pou pale sou sa. 13Men, lè ou mete tout bagay sa yo aklè nan limyè, lèzòm va wè sa yo ye tout bon. 14Paske, tout bagay ki parèt aklè tounen limyè. Se poutèt sa yo di: Leve non, ou menm k'ap dòmi an, leve soti nan mitan mò yo. Kris la va klere ou. 15Se sa ki fè, konnen ki jan pou n' mennen tèt nou! Pa mennen tèt nou tankou moun ki sòt, men tankou moun ki gen konprann. 16Pa kite okenn okazyon pase pou fè sa ki byen. Paske, jou sa yo n'ap viv la a pa bon menm. 17Se poutèt sa, pran tèt nou byen, chache konnen sa Seyè a vle nou fè. 18Pa soule tèt nou ak diven, sa ka mennen nou nan debòch. Okontrè, plen kè nou ak Sentespri. 19Lè n'ap pale yonn ak lòt, sèvi ak pawòl ki nan sòm yo, nan kantik yo, ak nan chante Lespri Bondye a moutre nou. Chante kantik ak sòm pou Seyè a lè n'ap fè lwanj li ak tout kè nou. 20Nan non Seyè nou an, Jezikri, se tout tan pou n'ap di Bondye Papa a mèsi pou tout bagay.
Ephesians 5:8-20

a few items

found @ REI that I thought were pretty cool. maybe you already know about them, especially if you are mimi & andrew haha.

these super absorbent towels that barely take up any room. definitely something to consider if you want some extra space because towels are super space hogs. http://www.rei.com/product/715988
these are pretty cool but don't get tan (if you are a guy) or red (if you are a girl) because we might all match and that would be weird haha!: http://www.rei.com/product/693224 they even have matching shorts and pants, if you want to go that far haha.
also they have some sweet headlamps there for 20 bucks
we also bought some of the no rinse body wash/shampoo
and this stuff called campsuds, hopefully enough for everybody, that cleans pretty much anything

tomorrow, if you can make it, there is a prayer meeting at 7pm in the room we normally meet in at khc torrance.

look forward to friday, if you have ANY questions please don't hesitate to call.
--

oh my gosh

We are going to Haiti this week!

Alicia and I went to TiGeorge's yesterday, but unfortunately he was not there :( But I did email him later and he said that we are all on the same flight to Port-Au-Prince. I am not sure about the flight from LA to Miami, though. How cool is that?!?!

Then we went to the refugee camp, which I was honestly expecting something more from. It was a guided tour of a mock refugee camp, but I was expecting people acting like refugees and for it to be a little bigger, I guess. It was still cool to hear about everything they do and they gave us some food called BP-5 they would normally give to refugees: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2974890408_7f82b50d30.jpg It made me thirsty all night pretty much. This lady was like a fake border checkpoint guard and tried to take my camera to let us pass, but I would have no part of it so they said I had to stay behidn haha: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2974004229_38a7593642.jpg They let me go by after everybody went through... whew

Unity in the Body of Christ
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Se sa ki fè, mwen menm ki nan prizon poutèt Seyè a, m'ap mande nou pou nou viv yon jan ki konfòm ak jan Bondye te rele nou pou n' viv la. 2¶ Pa janm vante tèt nou. Aji avèk dousè ak pasyans ak tout moun. Se pou nou yonn sipòte lòt avèk renmen nan kè nou. 3Sentespri a mete nou ansanm. Se pou nou fè tou sa nou kapab pou nou ka toujou fè yon sèl kò, pou nou viv ak kè poze ansanm yonn ak lòt. 4Gen yon sèl kò ak yon sèl Sentespri, konsa tou se yon sèl Bondye a ki rele nou pou nou gen yon sèl espwa. 5Gen yon sèl Seyè, yon sèl konfyans, yon sèl batèm. 6Gen yon sèl Bondye, ki papa nou tout, k'ap dominen sou nou tout, k'ap aji nan nou tout, ki nan nou tout.
Ephesians 4:1-6

take it easy

Remember God can call us all to different things while we are in Haiti.  We have many different talents and skills on the team...  We are going to the poorest country in the western Hemisphere, I would be surprised if you aren't changed inside by it.  Just be willing to do what God is calling you to, even if it is something completely outside of what you are expecting or have planned for.  He likes to stretch us sometimes in ways that we can't imagine.  

AND Please do not feel obligated to "do" constantly, the projects can always get done.  I'm not telling you don't work at all, because I think there a lot of great things going on on this trip, and I think the projects are a great time for us to bond as a team and with the people working with us - and you will be missing out if you don't do the projects.  BUT.  If you need to take a break, please do, because you can easily overwhelm yourself in Haiti and that is NOT what we are there to do...  It is hot, sticky, there are bugs, and we will be working a lot.  I have definitely felt faint and had to sit down a couple of times due to almost pretty much exhaustion and I didn't think I was working that hard.  The climate and environment overall can get to you... I have also been delirious while I am there, and had crazy dreams.  SO... Please let one of the other team members know if you are feeling overwhelmed.  anyways... I cannot stress enough that relationships are what are most important...

see how the font was bigger on that last sentence?  that's because it's important hehe.  As Paul says in the verses below "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ"

Another thing you may not be considering because I wasn't really is sunscreen.  it is going to be hot there, so it will therefore be sunny.  The day we are arriving there is going to be a high of 93 degrees.  We have 9 bottles of sunscreen to bring for us all.  if you think you need your own, then please bring it on tuesday.  maybe you've thought of that already... 

Bill says "don't worry, you will have fans"

Paul's Chains Advance the Gospel
12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. 15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.[c] 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.  Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d] 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Frè m' yo, mwen vle nou konn sa byen: Tout bagay sa yo ki rive m' lan, yo pi fè travay predikasyon bon nouvèl la mache pase yo fè lòt bagay.  13Se konsa, tout gad palè yo ansanm ak tout lòt moun yo konnen se paske m'ap sèvi Kris la kifè m' nan prizon. 14Frè yo menm, bò pa yo, lè yo wè m' nan prizon an, pifò ladan yo vin gen plis konfyans toujou nan Seyè a. Sa ba yo plis kouraj koulye a pou fè konnen pawòl Bondye a san yo pa pè anyen. 15Gen ladan yo k'ap fè konnen Kris la paske jalouzi moute yo nan tèt, yo ta renmen ban m' traka. Se vre. Men, gen lòt tou k'ap fè l' ak bon lide nan tèt yo. 16Se renmen Bondye a k'ap pouse yo fè l', paske yo konnen se Bondye menm ki ban m' travay sa a pou m' ka defann bon nouvèl la. 17Men, lòt yo ap fè konnen Kris la ak move lide dèyè tèt yo, y'ap fè l' pou lanbisyon pèsonèl pa yo. Y'ap fè l' pou chache m' kont. Yo konprann yo ka fè m' lapenn antan m' nan prizon an. 18Men, sa pa fè m' anyen. Kit yo gen bon lide, kit yo gen move lide, tout jan se Kris la y'ap fè konnen. Epi sa fè kè m' kontan. M'ap pi kontan toujou,   19paske mwen konnen tout bagay sa yo pral vire anbyen pou mwen, gremesi lapriyè n'ap fè pou mwen ak lasistans Lespri Jezikri a ap ban mwen.  20Paske, mwen ta renmen pou m' pa soti wont nan anyen. Se la tout espwa m' pou m' ka pale ak kouraj, pou jòdi a tankou anvan lèzòm ka wè pouvwa Kris la nan mwen, kit mwen vivan, kit mwen mouri.  21¶ Paske pou mwen, lavi se Kris la. Se poutèt sa lanmò se yon gany pou mwen.  22Men, si antan m'ap viv sou tè a toujou, mwen ka fè kèk travay ankò pou Seyè a, nan ka sa a, mwen pa konn sa m' pito.  23Mwen ta renmen fè tou de: Mwen ta renmen mouri pou m' ta avè Kris la. Sa ta pi bon anpil pou mwen.  24Men, li ta pi bon pou nou pou m' rete viv sou latè.  25Mwen sèten se sa k'ap rive menm. Se poutèt sa, mwen konnen mwen gen pou m' rete, pou m' ka viv ansanm ak nou, pou m' ede nou grandi, pou m' ka fè nou kontan nan konfyans nou gen nan Bondye.  26Konsa, lè m'a tounen bò kote nou, m'a ban nou yon bèl okazyon pou nou kontan nan lavi n'ap mennen ansanm nan Kris la.  27¶ Sèl bagay ki konsekan se pou nou viv yon jan ki konfòm ak bon nouvèl Kris la. Konsa, mwen ta mèt rive vin wè nou, mwen ta mèt pa kapab, se pou m' tande jan n'ap kenbe fèm, jan n'ap viv ansanm yonn ak lòt. Se pou m' tande jan n'ap mennen batay la ansanm pou defann konfyans bon nouvèl la fè nou gen nan Bondye.  28Pa kite okenn lènmi kraponnen nou. Se pou tout bagay sa yo sèvi tankou yon prèv pou fè lènmi yo wè se pèdi y'ap pèdi tèt yo. Men, pou nou menm, yo fè wè se delivre n'ap delivre. Sa se travay Bondye.  29Paske nou menm k'ap sèvi Kris la, Bondye ban nou favè sa a, non sèlman pou nou gen konfyans nan li, men pou nou ka soufri avè li tou. 30Batay n'ap mennen an, se menm batay la m'ap mennen tou. Se menm batay nou te wè m'ap mennen nan tan lontan an. Se li menm m'ap mennen jouk koulye a, jan nou konnen an.

Philippians 1:12-30

if i am not supposed to have a favorite kid, i am sorry but this kid is... (but i really think they are all super great and hand picked by God to be witnesses) some of my most favorite phrases from him include "you have big fat" "i not your friend" and "i go pool" the last one, you can't hear the l when he says it hahaha.  and his name makes me think of cheese and i like cheese and he is one of alicia and my sponsor kids.  when we told him this he said "you my sponser?" (i misspelled it on purpose so you can get a taste of his accent)... and he would also check with us throughout the week and say "you my sponser?"  and - because there is no difference between he she and it in their language - he would point at alicia and say "and him too?" haha

Keso is Daniel's little brother and is a sweet loving little boy. He has seen much hardship and suffering in his young life but still always manages to have a big smile on his face. Daniel pretty much raised Keso and still continues to watch out for him. He loves living at Maison de Lumiere and playing with all his new friends. Eating three healthy meals a day and having a house full of "big brothers" and staff who care about him has been a great joy for Keso. He loves school, playing with toy cars and trucks and playing sports.

this kid will definitely latch on to one of us, and will break your heart as well... hehe.  his shirt is wet in this picture because I dumped water on him haha.

Bohnel (nicknamed Ti-Bo, meaning"little kiss") came to us with his brother Diene, barely hanging on to life. When he first arrived he weighed only 12 pounds (at 4 years old) and had Malaria. After being nursed back to health, he was able to increase his weight and strength.  Today, he is doing very well. As the youngest boy at Maison de Lumiere, everyone loves and watches out for him. Of course, Diene, his brother, still remains his best friend and key "watchdog." Ti-Bo loves worship and devotion times and playing with his friends.

Welp

It's only 1 WEEK!!!

Right now next week, we would be hopefully be boarding an American Airlines plane. I am so excited!

If you haven't taken your pill yet, please do that if you need to. Thanks Dan for the update haha.

"1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature^[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:1-10

1¶ Nou menm moun Efèz, nou te mouri poutèt mechanste ak peche nou yo. 2Se nan bagay sa yo nou t'ap viv nan tan lontan. Nou t'ap swiv move kouran ki nan lemonn, nou t'ap fè volonte chèf otorite yo ki nan lè a, move lespri k'ap travay koulye a nan moun k'ap dezobeyi Bondye yo. 3Lè sa a, nou menm jwif yo, nou te menm jan ak yo. Nou t'ap mennen lavi nou dapre egzijans lachè, nou t'ap fè kapris kò nou ak tout vye lide ki te vin nan tèt nou. Konsa, nou menm jwif, jan nou te ye a, nou te kondannen pou n' te tonbe anba kolè Bondye tankou lòt yo. 4¶ Men, Bondye sitèlman gen kè sansib, li sitèlman renmen nou, 5li ban nou lavi ankò ansanm ak Kris la, nou menm ki te mouri akòz peche nou yo. Se yon favè Bondye fè nou lè li delivre nou. 6Ansanm ak Kris la, Bondye fè nou leve soti nan lanmò, li fè nou chita jouk anwo nan syèl la ansanm ak li tou. 7Li fè tou sa pou moutre pou tout tan ki gen pou vini yo jan li renmen nou anpil anpil, jan li aji byen avèk nou nan Jezikri. 8Se paske li renmen nou kifè li delivre nou, nou menm ki mete konfyans nou nan li. Sa pa soti nan nou menm menm, se yon kado Bondye ban nou. 9Non, nou pa fè anyen pou sa. Konsa, pesonn pa ka vante tèt yo. 10Se Bondye ki fè nou. Nan Jezikri li kreye nou pou nou ka fè anpil bon zèv nan lavi nou, dapre sa li te pare davans pou nou te fè. - Ephesians 2:1-10

SPECIAL 3 Kid tonight TONIGHT ONLY hahah:

Daniel and his brother Keso have been living in our neighborhood since we moved there. They lived with their mother (a widow) and two sisters on a vacant lot. The mother got very ill and could no longer care for the boys so we offered to take them into the orphanage. Since moving in, he has adapted well and truly loves the home and his new "family." Daniel started school and is doing well. He loves playing basketball, cops and robbers and loves singing worship songs and learning about the bible.


Richard is a sweet and energetic boy. Both Richard and his brother Willie are extremely helpful, always looking for ways to help out. Richard's passion is worship and his high, loud singing voice can be heard above all 30 boys during our praise and worship sessions. He loves to worship, play soccer and do work projects around the home. He will often follow an adult around waiting for a new "project." Both Richard and his brother are our newest residents and are well loved by the other boys and staff.

Gregory is one of the newest residents at Maison de Lumiere. With both parents dying in the same year, Gregory ended up with his grandmother. She died three years later. A missionary helped him find a family to live with but when they moved back to the country, he was left homeless. After sleeping on rooftops and roaming the streets a missionary found him and brought him to Maison de Lumiere (The Lighthouse). Since arriving at The Lighthouse, Gregory has taken to his new home well and is well-liked by the children. He loves school, playing soccer and learning the Bible.

--

3rd world camping!

Good work team, at being awesome just in general...

Please remember you should have a prepacking meeting with yourself before Tuesday so you know what you need to put in the bins. We need all your stuff at the Andersen's by Tuesday night. For the address please see our schedule at http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=poELT_GTh5RgnmBUImoYpZQ You must bring all liquids and non-carryon items to the meeting...

Here are some highlights of the meeting tonight, for those of you who missed it:
STICK TOGETHER! This is very important. We take our freedom for granted in America. It is important than none of goes wandering off at anytime. We think oh it's just down the street, well it's different in Haiti. Alicia's words were " Stick together! Never wander off alone, in fact never wander off period."
We all are to be at the guest house before dark. No exceptions.
Be flexible with the projects and schedules. See Dave's story that we read to everyone.
Remember we are there to be a light and to encourage the missionaries down there.
We are going to a 3rd world country. Remember to be sensitive when taking pictures. Remember that we already stick out enough... Also know that you can easily turn a blank stare to a smile simply by saying "Bonjou" to someone while you are walking down the street
Are you getting your prayer partners?
We would like to all be going over Ephesians over the next week...
At this point the guest house has no stove, oven, fridge OR water. Electricity is a maybe. We do have beds & mattresses. Yes, we are going to be uncomfortable. This is a new level for me too... PLEASE make sure you bring a little portable fan... (no electricity means no regular fans, hopefully they will have some electricity but I am not counting on it) this will be vital to your sleep situation. It feels like it is 88 there with 89% humidity. Anyways... We are working how all the cooking stuff will work out, it maybe just be with a propane stove. We hear Andrew is a cooking genius when it comes to this form of cooking, so we may be relying on his sweet cooking skills. I am sure others can help as well. Anyways, I guess we are getting a taste of how the Haitian people live. Or you could look at it like 3rd world camping. I am excited to share this experience with you guys no matter what we DON'T have, because we still will have a LOT! We worry about these things while we are here, but you'll get there and see these people's faces and you will (mostly) forget about yourself. I can't waittttttttt to see our sponsor kids Keso and Love-Mita. I am tearing up just thinking about it!

Verse:
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

10¶ Pou fini, chache fòs nou nan lavi n'ap mennen ansanm ak Seyè a ak nan gwo pouvwa li. 11Pran mete sou nou tout kalite zam Bondye ban nou pou nou ka kenbe tèt anba riz Satan. 12Paske, se pa ak moun nou gen pou nou goumen. Men, se ak move lespri ki nan syèl la, ak chèf, ak pouvwa, ak otorite k'ap gouvènen nan fènwa ki sou latè a. 13Se poutèt sa, depi koulye a, pran tout zam Bondye bay yo. Konsa, lè move jou a va rive, n'a ka kenbe tèt ak lènmi an. Lè batay la va fini nèt, n'a kanpe la byen fèm nan pozisyon nou toujou. 14Pare kò nou: mare verite a tankou yon sentiwon nan ren nou. Pwoteje nou ak jistis Bondye a tankou plak pwotèj sòlda yo mete sou lestonmak yo pou pwoteje yo. 15Pou soulye nan pye nou, mete aktivite pou anonse bon nouvèl k'ap fè moun viv ak kè poze a. 16Toujou pran konfyans nou gen nan Bondye a tankou yon defans ki va penmèt nou pare tout flèch Satan an ap voye tou limen sou nou. 17Resevwa pouvwa Bondye k'ap delivre nou an tankou yon kas an fè nan tèt nou. Asepte pawòl Bondye a tankou yon nepe Sentespri a ban nou. 18Pandan n'ap fè tou sa, pa janm bliye lapriyè. Mande Bondye konkou li. Lapriyè nan tout sikonstans avèk pouvwa Sentespri a. Se poutèt sa, pa kite dòmi pran nou, kenbe fèm nan sa n'ap fè a. Lapriyè pou tout pèp Bondye a.

- Ephesians 6:10-18

Kids:

Clifford is 11 yrs. old and lives at the home with his Mother and sister (who work at the home) and younger brother Clairmont. Basketball is one of his favorite sports and the basketball court is where you will usually find him. He likes working with his mother washing dishes and cooking. His favorite thing about the home is learning in the inhouse school and helping everyone. He can hardly wait until September when he will be enrolled in the outside school most of the others boys attend.

Clairmont is seven years old. Prior to living at Maison de Lumiere, he, his brother, mother and sister would just move from house to house. When his mother got very ill she brought Clairmont and his brother to the home. He is very creative and likes to make things to play with around the home. (He attached the inside of a tape like string to the end of 2 cups to make a walkie talkie). His favorite thing to do at the home is also playing with the little motor car and says he likes to do hard work.

---

Story from Dave:

One other story of interest:

A young man was applying for a missionary position in southern mainland Mexico. He was told to be a the Mission Directors house at 12:00 for an interview. The missionary being aware of how Mexico works, left early from his home and arrived about 1/2 hour early for his interview.

Upon his arrival, he decided to take his Bible out and read it. He waited until 12:00 and then knocked on the door, there was no reply, so he knocked again, again no reply. He could hear people inside, yet no one was answering. He waited 15 minutes and knocked again, this time he was greeted and told that the Director would see him in a moment.

The missionary waited downstairs and he could hear conversations and laughing from the second floor, yet no one was coming down to meet with him. The missionary took out his Bible again and started to read. The next time the missionary looked at his watch it was about 1:00. He was thinking to himself, why have they not come down to see me yet, however he continued in his reading of the Word.

At about 1:20 one of the Mission staff came down to tell him that the Director would be with him shortly, well at 2:00 he was asked to come upstairs to meet with the Directory. The Director shook his hand and asked for him to sit down and be comfortable. The weather was 95 degrees and there was no wind, and there were no fans in the house. The Director then told him I will be right back as he went into the kitchen.

The missionary could hear talking and laughing coming from the kitchen, and the Director then returned at 2:30, with some luke warm beans, hard tortillas, and some luke warm lemonade. They sat and ate, and talked very briefly, when the Director told him, thanks for coming for the interview, you are hired.

This missionary used his time wisely, did not complain, was not forceful with his agenda, and went with the flow.

We will be tested with our western time oriented schedule, however most of the rest of the world operates on a relationship oriented schedule.

Lastly Five Fun Rules for Missions.

These can be used with hand gestures

1.) Protect the gospel at all times ( showing one finger, not the middle of course )

2.) Be flexible ( flexing all the fingers with the other hand )

3.) No whining ( three fingers )

4.) I aint your Mama and your Mama aint here ( four fingers )

5.) Protect the coffee or the ice at all times, which ever is most relevant ( five fingers )

----

Some of you were asking for our flight info, here it is:

On our way there:

1254
LAX Los Angeles
Oct 31, 2008
09:50 PM
MIA Miami
Nov 01, 2008
05:40 AM
Economy
S

1291
MIA Miami
Nov 01, 2008
10:25 AM
PAP Port Au Prince
Nov 01, 2008
11:30 AM
Economy
S
On our way back:

822
PAP Port Au Prince
Nov 10, 2008
01:30 PM
MIA Miami
Nov 10, 2008
03:40 PM
Economy
N

456
MIA Miami
Nov 10, 2008
05:55 PM
LAX Los Angeles
Nov 10, 2008
08:55 PM
Economy
N

---

Haiti Team Meeting Agenda: 10/23/2008

1. Worship and prayer

2. Prayer Partners

3. Ephesians

4. Team Rules

a. Stick together! Never wander off alone, in fact never wander off period.

b. Everyone is at "home base" at dark. No exceptions.

c. Our projects, teams, and schedules are flexible, please welcome this flexibility, and encourage one another to do so.

i. Dave's story

5. Packing

a. Packing meeting Tues at the Andersen's 7pm

b. Bring your project supplies, donations, liquids, and priority list!

c. Reminder packing list

6. Guest House

a. A good generator= $4-6000. An ok one is $2500-3000.

b. At this point no stove, oven, or fridge. Cost= ??

c. We do have beds and mattresses!

7. Schedule

a. Be at LAX at 630pm! We have to check all our "bags" together!

b. All subject to change

c. Project time: split in smaller teams on projects (flexible)

d. Kid time: 4 group rotations, around 30 min each: teaching, dance, arts and crafts, soccer

e. Shopping day, ravine med clinic, last saturday

8. Projects

a. Prayer – everyone!

i. Day one we pray and worship with the kids. We are not going to mandate a fast. As it may be "easier" to fast as a team, we think travel and entering into Haiti may require some nourishment.

b. Garden – Mimi

i. Miracle with the bins!

ii. Help do prep work at the Andersen's this Saturday night!

c. Painting/Organizing/Fixing-Up New Guest House - Dan

d. Medical Clinics - Eddie

e. Bible teaching for the kids - Dave

f. Dance - Alicia

g. Computer Lab & Guest House computer repairs/upgrades - Lucas

h. Arts and crafts – Sylvia and Alina

i. Baking?? Alicia

j. Picnic benches?? (We may be just buying them)

k. Village Outreach??

l. Photo/Video – Andrew and Lucas

9. Team serving teams – leaders

a. Prayer –

b. Worship – Andrew is making a REALLY cool book!

c. Food – Sylvia and Alicia

i. Bringing some dry food

ii. Shopping for most while we are there

iii. Because no stove/fridge… we will be simple!

10. Pray

Only 9 days

hey team

 

a quick update

 

Schedule:

Our final team meeting is tomorrow night.  Same place at 7pm.

 

Saturday if you want to come just call us.  We will be leaving at around 11am

 

Monday night is the prayer meeting.

 

Next Tuesday is our packing meeting at the Andersen's at 7pm.  ANY liquids or items you need to pack in your suitcase should be brought to this meeting. 

 

We will need to be at the airport in the early evening next Friday.  More details to follow, but you should make sure you have a ride.  If you don't have one, and need one please let us know.

 

Verse:

For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, man live as enmies of the cross of Christ.  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their their shame.  Their mind is on earthly things.  But our citizenship is in heaven.

18Paske, gen anpil moun k'ap viv tankou moun ki pa vle tande pale jan Kris la mouri sou kwa a. Mwen te deja di nou sa, koulye a m'ap di nou sa ankò ak dlo nan je mwen: 19Moun sa yo ap rive fin detwi tèt yo. Se vant yo ki bondye yo. Yo pran plezi yo nan bagay ki pou ta fè yo wont pito. Se bagay lemonn ase ki nan tèt yo.  20Men nou menm, nou se sitwayen peyi ki nan syèl la.

 

- Philippians 3:18-20a

 

kids:

Yves is a very special young man who has grown tremendously since coming to Maison de Lumiere. Starting out with a rebellious attitude and violent tendancies, he had many problems early on at the home. He decided to leave the home and return to the streets. Hiding from gang members, sleeping under cardboard boxes and begging for food truly humbled him and he returned greatly changed and repentent . He is our true prodigal and a dramatically changed young man who has a sincere and renewed faith in God. Yves is a Non-Resident of MDL.

 

 

Willie and his brother Richard were recently orphaned when their father passed away, leaving them (and six bothers ands sisters) in the care of an older brother. Their older brother is an electrician but did not have steady enough income to support all his family. When he heard us speaking at his Haitian church he approached us in desperation, sharing that he was unable to provide for his syblings. Fortunately, we had room for two more boys and welcomed them in. Willie loves soccer, basketball and gymnastics.

keep praying please

for us as a team. for all of our health. for protection against attacks.

i asked susette to pray for us because we are starting to feel it. she said "That's a sure sign that the Lord is going to do some great things over here with you all..."

in other good news, the guest house has a roof.

10 DAYS

WOO HOO!  It's going to be a short update today.  Thursday is our team meeting, we are still reserving the room.  Saturday whoever wants to can come to TiGeorges and the refugee camp exhibit.  Then Monday night is the prayer meeting thing that I will have more info on tomorrow and FRIDAY WE leave!  We had 35 people come to our blog today!  Wow!  I don't know how that happened?  Anyways, don't forget to be sending it out to your peeps: http://khchaititeams.blogspot.com/  I will be updating it while we are gone.  I also have an email list of about 290 people I will send stuff to haha.  Ridiculousity.

 

I have got like 180 emails today.  I know some were from Child Hope. ah yes.  You can tell how Haitian Bill is becoming, in one email he said No Problem 4 times.  Anyways we are well on our way to making a rooftop garden and having a medical clinic and painting stuff.  We also have the possibility of having electricity at the home we are staying at.  How much is always the question.  We will see, but God will work it out if he wants us to have it.

 

The Cost of Following Jesus 
57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." 59He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." 60Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." 62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Pandan yo t'ap mache, yon nonm di Jezi konsa: M'ap swiv ou tout kote ou prale. 58Jezi reponn li: Chat mawon gen twou yo, zwezo nan syèl la gen nich yo tou. Men, mwen menm, Moun Bondye voye nan lachè a, mwen pa gen kote pou m' poze tèt mwen. 59Jezi di yon lòt: Swiv mwen. Men, nonm lan reponn li: Mèt, pèmèt mwen al antere papa m' anvan. 60Men, Jezi di li: Kite moun mouri antere moun mouri yo. Ou menm, al fè konnen gouvènman Bondye a. 61Yon lòt di l' ankò: M'ap swiv ou wi, Mèt. Men, kite m' al di moun lakay mwen yo orevwa. 62Jezi reponn li: Moun ki mete men nan yon travay, epi k'ap vire tèt gade dèyè, moun konsa pa ka sèvi nan peyi kote Bondye Wa a.

 - Luke 9

wow how much do I act like this every day.  geez.

Evans is one of our most recent additions to Maison de Lumiere. A very sweet boy, he was well known on Delmas, the main street through Port Au Prince, where he and his brother Gibson would walk down the center of the street, red cloth in hand, wiping windshields for coins. Favorite subject is Gods word and his favorite thing about the home is the games.


Gibson is Evans younger brother and a very sweet child also. He grew up begging on the streets of Port Au Prince. Since arriving at the orphanage, Gibson and his brother have not stopped playing -- almost as if they were trying to make up for lost time. His favorite subject in school is stories and his favorite thing to do at the home is to play with his little motor car.

 

 

What we have to pack

Hi Team and All -

 

I thought it might help to let you know what we need to pack in 20 rubbermaid containers that we are taking to Haiti.  This is why we are pushing you to pack as MUCH as you can in your carryons.  Anything outside of your carryons you need to prioritize want you want to bring because we will probably have to leave some stuff behind.  That's just the way the dirt cookie crumbles.

 

We have decided we are not going to get team shampoos/soap and stuff like that after all.  Please please, get travel size of these because that will take up a lot less room.  Welcome to missions life, always changing things around.  If you don't read this then you and John McHoul (pastor of the church will be attending) will be really good friends.  In his blog titled Greenie report, telling about how they are conserving energy and helping save the planet he says "~~~I personally do my part by wearing the same clothes for two to three days and only bathing every other day or so."

 

What we have been asked to take in terms of donations (joy and or kacey please order these for us thanks!):

Three boxes of books

18 bags of Susette and Bills stuff

2 bags of soccer clothes

30 big bottles of lotion

65 pairs of shoes

Christmas Presents

3 Computers

Non-Christmas Gifts

 

Project Stuff:

Drill and saw set

Soil

Arts and Crafts Items

Medical Supplies

Beads

Gloves

Dan's painting supplies

Pinatas

Candy

Tubes, pipes, screens, spickets and other tools/items for the rooftop garden.

 

I am not saying we are going to fit all this, but the more we can fit the better.  The 18 bags of stuff for Susette and Bill can fill everything up.

 

Thanks

Lucas