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.