Friday, December 18, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
"Love tastes like rice and beans" (posted by Dave Beck)
One of the unforgettable things we got to do on this last trip to Haiti was have the first ever "Church in the Ben's" service. The Ben's is the area beside the boys' home where the kids play soccer and basketball. It's a cement area the size of a tennis court and a half. On Sunday we held a church service there. All the orphanage kids were present, and I think a few kids from the neighborhood as well. About half way through worship, I heard the gate rattle, and in walked a proud procession of well-dressed Haitians in single file. It was Pastor Gabriel and his congregation from the Ravine. He is the one who hosts the Ravine feeding every week, and the day before we had invited him to come to Church in the Ben's. Pastor Gabriel's congregation had on their Sunday best -- maybe not fancy by American standards, but for the little those people own, they were dressed to the nines.
I had the privilege of preaching the sermon that morning. I preached in English, and Zach interpreted in Creole. The subject was God's love, the greatest and most powerful force in the universe. Pastor Gabriel and his parishioners said many "Amens" throughout the sermon. If you are preaching, you love "amens"! But one "amen" caught my attention. Toward the beginning of the sermon, I was describing love. It went like this:
"Love looks like a caring face and a smile." [From the crowd: "Amen"]
"Love feels like a gentle hand placed in your shoulder to say, 'I care about you.'" ["Amen"]
"Love tastes like a bowl of rice and beans given to you when you are hungry." ["AMEN!"]
That was the loudest "amen" I received throughout the sermon. I wanted to be amused at the irony that the loudest response came at the mention of food -- maybe even more than the mention of Jesus. But my sense of humor gave way to a deeper realization. I had hit a nerve -- hunger. I wanted to say to those people that any of us could be hungry. It is not degrading to be hungry. And any of us who have God's love in our hearts will give any extra food we have to someone who is hungry. Such things are natural for disciples of Jesus.
I also wanted the folks from the Ravine to know that the reason they were receiving rice and beans was not because of an American political or social agenda. It is because God's love has compelled the people of Maison de Lumiere to provide it. (BTW, many of the older orphanage kids participate in the feedings -- not because they have to but because they want to.) As it says in the text I was preaching from, "Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another" (1 Jn 4:11).
In the Ravine, life gets down to its bare essentials -- food, shelter, physical health, and safety. Love means concrete help. When you are hungry, love tastes like rice and beans.
But God's love means more than social action. That morning our team enjoyed praying for many people (we paired up with interpreters). Most of the folks from the Ravine came up to request prayer for one thing or another -- "I have to leave my home, and I don't have anywhere to go"... "I have this growth on my eye"... "Please pray for my children"... "My mother is very sick"...
Church at the Ben's was a special experience. It was unlike any church service I have ever been to. I believe church will return to the Ben's regularly. Some of the older orphanage boys will be preaching there someday. Bill Manassero and I both envision this. The next generation of Haitian leaders is about to mature, and they will be drawing on deep experiences at the Ben's and the Ravine.
I had the privilege of preaching the sermon that morning. I preached in English, and Zach interpreted in Creole. The subject was God's love, the greatest and most powerful force in the universe. Pastor Gabriel and his parishioners said many "Amens" throughout the sermon. If you are preaching, you love "amens"! But one "amen" caught my attention. Toward the beginning of the sermon, I was describing love. It went like this:
"Love looks like a caring face and a smile." [From the crowd: "Amen"]
"Love feels like a gentle hand placed in your shoulder to say, 'I care about you.'" ["Amen"]
"Love tastes like a bowl of rice and beans given to you when you are hungry." ["AMEN!"]
That was the loudest "amen" I received throughout the sermon. I wanted to be amused at the irony that the loudest response came at the mention of food -- maybe even more than the mention of Jesus. But my sense of humor gave way to a deeper realization. I had hit a nerve -- hunger. I wanted to say to those people that any of us could be hungry. It is not degrading to be hungry. And any of us who have God's love in our hearts will give any extra food we have to someone who is hungry. Such things are natural for disciples of Jesus.
I also wanted the folks from the Ravine to know that the reason they were receiving rice and beans was not because of an American political or social agenda. It is because God's love has compelled the people of Maison de Lumiere to provide it. (BTW, many of the older orphanage kids participate in the feedings -- not because they have to but because they want to.) As it says in the text I was preaching from, "Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another" (1 Jn 4:11).
In the Ravine, life gets down to its bare essentials -- food, shelter, physical health, and safety. Love means concrete help. When you are hungry, love tastes like rice and beans.
But God's love means more than social action. That morning our team enjoyed praying for many people (we paired up with interpreters). Most of the folks from the Ravine came up to request prayer for one thing or another -- "I have to leave my home, and I don't have anywhere to go"... "I have this growth on my eye"... "Please pray for my children"... "My mother is very sick"...
Church at the Ben's was a special experience. It was unlike any church service I have ever been to. I believe church will return to the Ben's regularly. Some of the older orphanage boys will be preaching there someday. Bill Manassero and I both envision this. The next generation of Haitian leaders is about to mature, and they will be drawing on deep experiences at the Ben's and the Ravine.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
priyee
The team is home... Alicia and I are still in Haiti. For updates go to
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience
or
http://lucastheexperience.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience
or
http://lucastheexperience.blogspot.com
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Dillickson and Mylin (posted by Dave Beck)
We are back in the U.S. now, tired and emotionally wrung out. Going to a place like Haiti, which is so different from our home here, cannot help but affect you emotionally. But what is more, I cannot help but give my heart to the kids and leaders of the MDL orphanage, and it is really tough to leave them.
I didn't get a chance to blog the last two days we were in Haiti because we were too busy winding down the trip. But I want to tell about a couple of things that stood out in those last few days.
This post is about little Dillickson and his sister Mylin. On Saturday, we went down to this slummy area called The Ravine and did a feeding for the kids there. I have been told that the average Haitian eats one meal a day. Those kids aren't living up to the standard of the average Haitian. If the Manasseros weren't feeding the kids, many of them would be badly malnourished. Some still are. We hold the feeding in a ramshackle hut used for a church. It has four walls made of cinder block and corrugated tin. The roof is a patchwork of tin with many openings. I'm not sure what they do when it rains. The space is about 30x40 feet. In one corner of the church we had cooked two large pots of rice and one pot of broth with slices of sausage (I don't think meat is served often at the feeding program). When we welcomed the kids in, about 70 or so of them crammed into little church. No adults are allowed in for the feeding, because they will eat the kids' food. So the rule is, no adults inside, and no food goes outside. Once the feeding starts, it is necessary to post a crew of larger boys and men near the door because the women will start pushing and doing whatever they can to coax a bowl of rice and beans outside for them. It is a crazy scene marked by young children trying to give their food to their mothers who have coached them to bring it outside.
The first thing we do at a Ravine feeding is sing some worship songs. Worshiping with Haitians is always uplifting, because they put their hearts into singing to God. Next we say a few brief words to the kids. I said something about how in God's family, everyone is equal, no matter how old they are, where they are from, or how much money they have. Then Alicia talked about salvation in Jesus. After that we feed the kids.
On Saturday just after the worship and gospel exhortation ended, I was standing in front of all the kids, looking at their faces. They sit on benches or the floor and pass their bowls when they are invited to do so. When their bowls come back, they can eat. As I was looking down, I saw one particularly small boy on a bench right in front of me. He was scrawny and spindly. His arms and hands looked like a collection of twigs. I watched him nod off and start to slump over. Feeling my heart stirring for him and fearing that he might fall off the bench, I reached down and picked him up. Susette leaned over and said, "This is Dillickson. He's four years old. He's falling asleep because he hasn't eaten." He laid his head on my shoulder and went fast asleep. He weighed nothing. No more than 15 pounds. That's right, a 4-year-old who weighs 15 pounds.
I held him for ten minutes, and then he woke up. Dillickson was there with his three older siblings. The oldest, Mylin, was just getting food for them when Dillickson woke up. I handed him to her and continued to watch them. Mylin is about 10 or 11. She's skinny as a rail, but she has a strong, determined look on her face. Her life revolves around taking care of her younger siblings. Rather than simply devouring her own bowl of food, which is what most kids do, Mylin ate while also making sure her brothers and sister had something to eat. The kids at the Ravine feeding sometimes scrap with each other over their bowls of food. The protection of an older sibling is a good thing.
It was hard to take my eyes off Dillickson and Mylin. After the gut-wrenching and somewhat wild feeding had ended and all the rice and beans had been handed out, the women left the doorway and the kids filtered out. Mylin and her siblings were some of the last kids left in the room. One of the younger ones was still finishing. I walked over to her and asked in Creole if I could pray for her. She smile up at me, nodded, and quietly replied, "Mesi" (thank you). I took her right hand in both of mine and prayed in English over her. She has many concerns. I hope God's love will somehow find its way deep into her heart.
I left Haiti with Mylin's and Dillickson's faces in my mind. Will you pray with me for them?
I didn't get a chance to blog the last two days we were in Haiti because we were too busy winding down the trip. But I want to tell about a couple of things that stood out in those last few days.
This post is about little Dillickson and his sister Mylin. On Saturday, we went down to this slummy area called The Ravine and did a feeding for the kids there. I have been told that the average Haitian eats one meal a day. Those kids aren't living up to the standard of the average Haitian. If the Manasseros weren't feeding the kids, many of them would be badly malnourished. Some still are. We hold the feeding in a ramshackle hut used for a church. It has four walls made of cinder block and corrugated tin. The roof is a patchwork of tin with many openings. I'm not sure what they do when it rains. The space is about 30x40 feet. In one corner of the church we had cooked two large pots of rice and one pot of broth with slices of sausage (I don't think meat is served often at the feeding program). When we welcomed the kids in, about 70 or so of them crammed into little church. No adults are allowed in for the feeding, because they will eat the kids' food. So the rule is, no adults inside, and no food goes outside. Once the feeding starts, it is necessary to post a crew of larger boys and men near the door because the women will start pushing and doing whatever they can to coax a bowl of rice and beans outside for them. It is a crazy scene marked by young children trying to give their food to their mothers who have coached them to bring it outside.
The first thing we do at a Ravine feeding is sing some worship songs. Worshiping with Haitians is always uplifting, because they put their hearts into singing to God. Next we say a few brief words to the kids. I said something about how in God's family, everyone is equal, no matter how old they are, where they are from, or how much money they have. Then Alicia talked about salvation in Jesus. After that we feed the kids.
On Saturday just after the worship and gospel exhortation ended, I was standing in front of all the kids, looking at their faces. They sit on benches or the floor and pass their bowls when they are invited to do so. When their bowls come back, they can eat. As I was looking down, I saw one particularly small boy on a bench right in front of me. He was scrawny and spindly. His arms and hands looked like a collection of twigs. I watched him nod off and start to slump over. Feeling my heart stirring for him and fearing that he might fall off the bench, I reached down and picked him up. Susette leaned over and said, "This is Dillickson. He's four years old. He's falling asleep because he hasn't eaten." He laid his head on my shoulder and went fast asleep. He weighed nothing. No more than 15 pounds. That's right, a 4-year-old who weighs 15 pounds.
I held him for ten minutes, and then he woke up. Dillickson was there with his three older siblings. The oldest, Mylin, was just getting food for them when Dillickson woke up. I handed him to her and continued to watch them. Mylin is about 10 or 11. She's skinny as a rail, but she has a strong, determined look on her face. Her life revolves around taking care of her younger siblings. Rather than simply devouring her own bowl of food, which is what most kids do, Mylin ate while also making sure her brothers and sister had something to eat. The kids at the Ravine feeding sometimes scrap with each other over their bowls of food. The protection of an older sibling is a good thing.
It was hard to take my eyes off Dillickson and Mylin. After the gut-wrenching and somewhat wild feeding had ended and all the rice and beans had been handed out, the women left the doorway and the kids filtered out. Mylin and her siblings were some of the last kids left in the room. One of the younger ones was still finishing. I walked over to her and asked in Creole if I could pray for her. She smile up at me, nodded, and quietly replied, "Mesi" (thank you). I took her right hand in both of mine and prayed in English over her. She has many concerns. I hope God's love will somehow find its way deep into her heart.
I left Haiti with Mylin's and Dillickson's faces in my mind. Will you pray with me for them?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Cups
the team left today... we are still here until the 26th of december. click on the picture to see images from today. The best way to keep up with our updates is to check out my facebook or go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday (Thanksgiving) and Friday
Believe it or not, we pigged out on a huge American style Thanksgiving meal yesterday. Just like any other Thanksgiving, most of us ate way too much food. We went to a party with some local folks the Manasseros know. It was fun!
Today David and I held our last Bible study with the leaders of Maison de Lumiere. They are sharp folks and very caring. It has been such an honor to serve them!
In the afternoon, we helped the kids paint t-shirts. That was a blast! I especially liked sitting with the littler kids, holding their t-shirt in place so they could paint on it, helping them get the right paintbrush, and wiping the inevitable paint smears off their little brown arms. You will see those t-shirts sometime soon, as we will be selling them in a fundraiser.
Tonight we held a worship gathering for all the kids at the boys’ house. What a blast! When they really get going with Creole songs, it is a wonder to behold. I couldn’t sing along, so I just prayed and looked around. Each time I gazed on a kid’s face, I felt a familiar rush of compassion and fatherly care. I think we were all feeling the same way. You can’t come here and not be affected by the kids. Well, I guess you can if you don’t have a pulse. We are all deeply thankful for the amazing transformation that has taken place in these kids’ lives, and that we all worship the same God.
At one point, I looked over and watched as Isguerda, our sponsor child, held Nathaniel in her lap. Isguerda is 14, and she is so happy we are all here that she is beside herself. Haha! "I am beside myself" is a saying the Haitians think is complete gibberish and nonsense. How can someone stand beside himself? Ha! :-)
Today David and I held our last Bible study with the leaders of Maison de Lumiere. They are sharp folks and very caring. It has been such an honor to serve them!
In the afternoon, we helped the kids paint t-shirts. That was a blast! I especially liked sitting with the littler kids, holding their t-shirt in place so they could paint on it, helping them get the right paintbrush, and wiping the inevitable paint smears off their little brown arms. You will see those t-shirts sometime soon, as we will be selling them in a fundraiser.
Tonight we held a worship gathering for all the kids at the boys’ house. What a blast! When they really get going with Creole songs, it is a wonder to behold. I couldn’t sing along, so I just prayed and looked around. Each time I gazed on a kid’s face, I felt a familiar rush of compassion and fatherly care. I think we were all feeling the same way. You can’t come here and not be affected by the kids. Well, I guess you can if you don’t have a pulse. We are all deeply thankful for the amazing transformation that has taken place in these kids’ lives, and that we all worship the same God.
At one point, I looked over and watched as Isguerda, our sponsor child, held Nathaniel in her lap. Isguerda is 14, and she is so happy we are all here that she is beside herself. Haha! "I am beside myself" is a saying the Haitians think is complete gibberish and nonsense. How can someone stand beside himself? Ha! :-)
Thursday, November 26, 2009
thanksgiving
today was really great. we had a traditional thanksgiving meal, but in Haiti and shared it with a lot of people who are missionaries here. Afterwards, we went to a pool at one of their houses and then had our team meeting in the back of the truck as we were driving down the streets of Port-Au-Prince at night. We finished it by singing worship songs and praying for the city which was really cool!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A seriously great day (Dave Beck)
It was one of those days that you want to live over again just so you can soak up its goodness a little more. And think of it. When we live one of these incredibly good days, we still haven’t seen anything like what we will experience in the age to come, when we are completely open and love flows without restriction. God is good!
Highlight #1: Praying with the orphanage leaders. David Jones and I have held a daily Bible study for the leaders of the boys’ and girls’ home. This morning our team gathered, and we spent about 20 minutes praying over the five leaders (Zach, Fritz, Marval, Erta, and Navy). It means a lot to them to receive ministry from missionary teams. The focus of everyone’s attention is the kids, as it should be. That made it even more gratifying to bless the leaders with prayer.
Highlight #2: The Beck boys. It has been amazing to watch Spencer and Nathaniel mix with the kids here. When you think about it, it is not all that common for kids to come here on a mission team. So when the orphanage kids saw that there were a couple of boys along, they welcomed the boys very warmly. Spencer and Nathaniel have both mixed in seamlessly with the kids. The girls especially like Nathaniel because he is crazy and makes them laugh. I think Nathaniel is even more crazy than Adeline, who is known to be gwo fou (really goofy). Today Spencer and Nathaniel took part in the Jonah skit for the feeding program. Spencer even played the starring role of Jonah. The boys seem to be loving it here.
Highlight #3: The students became the teachers. I had the privilege of leading the Bible study for the older kids this afternoon. A few of the kids were helping with the feeding program, so they could not attend the Bible study. BTW, I am very happy for the ownership the older kids are taking in the feeding program. Two of the girls who are especially dear to me, Isguerda and Cherley, have become feeding program regulars. I have this fatherly pride kind of feeling toward those two. Well, anyway, they wandered over to say hi after the feeding program and Bible study were finished. One of the boys who had been in the study, Willie B, was standing with me. When the
girls asked what we had talked about, I turned to Willie B and said, “Hey, can you explain the lesson to them?” I had used an illustration that involved small espresso cups. One was empty to signify the person who is without God. The other was full of water to represent how God fills us with his Spirit. Willie explained it very clearly, which made my teacher’s heart skip a beat. But the best was yet to come. Willie wandered off, and the girls stayed around because they wanted to talk for a while. Whenever anyone new walked over to us, I had one of the girls explain the lesson. They taught the lesson to perfection! Isguerda taught in Creole to one of the kids. Cherley was our English-speaking teacher. She even taught the lesson to Susan! She would say, “There are two cups, one empty and one full. The empty cup stands for the person who does not have God in his life. The full cup stands for the person who has God in his life and is filled with God’s Spirit. Also, because God’s Spirit lives inside of us, God can speak to us in our hearts and give us good thoughts and ideas of good things to do for people.” And then she would smile with a mixture of embarrassment and pride. I don’t know if I have ever been so happy doing Christian ministry as I was this afternoon.
Highlight #4: Solomon and coconuts. With help from Morgan and David, this evening I led a Bible study for the older boys on the rooftop of the guest house. We talked for close to an hour about the life of Solomon and ended by contrasting the excesses of King Solomon with the humility of King Jesus. The discussion was fruitful and seemed to break some new ground for some of the boys. But again, the best was yet to come. After the study ended, four of the boys stayed behind to talk a little more with Morgan, David, and me. Patrick (who had graciously served as interpreter for the study) extracted four ripe coconuts from the two trees by the back porch of the guest house, and when someone retrieved a butcher knife from the kitchen, Patrick cut open the coconuts. My kids and Ari were also there. The bunch of us shared laughs and feasted on fresh coconut milk and meat. It was one of the coolest things I have ever stumbled into!
If the trip gets any better, I don’t know what I am going to do. There are a few dozen more stories I could tell of teammates doing selfless things for others. Isn’t it wonderful that God’s kingdom consists of love and restoration and the very best stuff of life!
Highlight #1: Praying with the orphanage leaders. David Jones and I have held a daily Bible study for the leaders of the boys’ and girls’ home. This morning our team gathered, and we spent about 20 minutes praying over the five leaders (Zach, Fritz, Marval, Erta, and Navy). It means a lot to them to receive ministry from missionary teams. The focus of everyone’s attention is the kids, as it should be. That made it even more gratifying to bless the leaders with prayer.
Highlight #2: The Beck boys. It has been amazing to watch Spencer and Nathaniel mix with the kids here. When you think about it, it is not all that common for kids to come here on a mission team. So when the orphanage kids saw that there were a couple of boys along, they welcomed the boys very warmly. Spencer and Nathaniel have both mixed in seamlessly with the kids. The girls especially like Nathaniel because he is crazy and makes them laugh. I think Nathaniel is even more crazy than Adeline, who is known to be gwo fou (really goofy). Today Spencer and Nathaniel took part in the Jonah skit for the feeding program. Spencer even played the starring role of Jonah. The boys seem to be loving it here.
Highlight #3: The students became the teachers. I had the privilege of leading the Bible study for the older kids this afternoon. A few of the kids were helping with the feeding program, so they could not attend the Bible study. BTW, I am very happy for the ownership the older kids are taking in the feeding program. Two of the girls who are especially dear to me, Isguerda and Cherley, have become feeding program regulars. I have this fatherly pride kind of feeling toward those two. Well, anyway, they wandered over to say hi after the feeding program and Bible study were finished. One of the boys who had been in the study, Willie B, was standing with me. When the
girls asked what we had talked about, I turned to Willie B and said, “Hey, can you explain the lesson to them?” I had used an illustration that involved small espresso cups. One was empty to signify the person who is without God. The other was full of water to represent how God fills us with his Spirit. Willie explained it very clearly, which made my teacher’s heart skip a beat. But the best was yet to come. Willie wandered off, and the girls stayed around because they wanted to talk for a while. Whenever anyone new walked over to us, I had one of the girls explain the lesson. They taught the lesson to perfection! Isguerda taught in Creole to one of the kids. Cherley was our English-speaking teacher. She even taught the lesson to Susan! She would say, “There are two cups, one empty and one full. The empty cup stands for the person who does not have God in his life. The full cup stands for the person who has God in his life and is filled with God’s Spirit. Also, because God’s Spirit lives inside of us, God can speak to us in our hearts and give us good thoughts and ideas of good things to do for people.” And then she would smile with a mixture of embarrassment and pride. I don’t know if I have ever been so happy doing Christian ministry as I was this afternoon.Highlight #4: Solomon and coconuts. With help from Morgan and David, this evening I led a Bible study for the older boys on the rooftop of the guest house. We talked for close to an hour about the life of Solomon and ended by contrasting the excesses of King Solomon with the humility of King Jesus. The discussion was fruitful and seemed to break some new ground for some of the boys. But again, the best was yet to come. After the study ended, four of the boys stayed behind to talk a little more with Morgan, David, and me. Patrick (who had graciously served as interpreter for the study) extracted four ripe coconuts from the two trees by the back porch of the guest house, and when someone retrieved a butcher knife from the kitchen, Patrick cut open the coconuts. My kids and Ari were also there. The bunch of us shared laughs and feasted on fresh coconut milk and meat. It was one of the coolest things I have ever stumbled into!
If the trip gets any better, I don’t know what I am going to do. There are a few dozen more stories I could tell of teammates doing selfless things for others. Isn’t it wonderful that God’s kingdom consists of love and restoration and the very best stuff of life!
Pics from today
feeding program, skits, bible studies, painting, fixing computers, prayer for staff and just hanging out...
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What made my day yesterday and today (from Dave Beck)
I didn't blog last night because in the time we have available for blogging and such, a "God thing" happened. I was sitting on the back porch talking with Morgan Keach and David Jones about life and Haiti and God. About 10:00, Markenson, one of the orphanage graduates and and currently a Maison de Lumiere employee, walked by with his bedding to go sleep up on the roof. (The flat roof of the guest house is a very desireable place to sleep when it is so hot.) As soon as Markenson passed us, a little voice in my head said, "Pray for him." That little voice is a good one to follow.
A couple minutes later, David, Morgan, and I were on the roof with Markenson and his friend Robinson, the night security guard. With the cool evening breeze drifting over us, we gathered around Markenson, placing our hands on his back and praying quietly for him. Markenson aspires to be a pastor, but he lacks the means to go to Bible school. We found ourselves praying for his future, growing in confidence that he will indeed preach the gospel as he desires.
Not wanting Robinson to be left out, we asked if we could pray for him too. He replied, "Yes. Mesi" (thanks). He laid his shotgun on the ground in front of him. The barrel happened to be pointing at my feet, which made me a little uneasy. But again God spoke to us about Robinson as we prayed for him. God has dreams for us, and as we pray for people God often shares his dreams with us. In essence, we prayed that Robinson would live up to the potential God sees in him -- a future that can include being a security guard but is far beyond just being a security guard.
Those were the 15 minutes that made my day yesterday. Out of the blue, God invited us to participate in his work in the lives of Markenson and Robinson. Since we don't speak much Creole and they speak almost no English, prayer was the best way for us to bless them. You don't need to know the same language to build someone up through prayer.
Today I did normal weekday things -- walked the kids home from school, had a Bible study with orphanage leaders, played with the kids, and hung out with teammates. Tonight we got the added treat of celebrating the birthday of Erta, one of our very dear friends here at MDL. What a blast! Because Erta is a caretaker of the girls, they joined our team for the party. It was crazy. When they sing "happy birthday," you would think it is the last party before the world self-destructs.
At the party, I spent a few minutes talking with Cherley, one of the teenage girls who has become a precious friend. She wants to be a doctor someday. Aspirations like this are not all that common here, so I was very impressed. I asked her how she decided to become a doctor. "Because there are a lot of sick people in Haiti, and even if I can't help them all, I can at least help some of them." I replied, "You can bring them Jesus, and you can bring them medicine. You can help their souls and their bodies. What a doctor you will be!" Today Cherley made my day. I am deeply happy to see the kinds of things going on in her life -- she is first in her class in school, she is learning English at a tremendous pace, she has long been known for her servant's heart, and she has big plans for the future. Please pray a blessing for Cherley. That would make my day too.
A couple minutes later, David, Morgan, and I were on the roof with Markenson and his friend Robinson, the night security guard. With the cool evening breeze drifting over us, we gathered around Markenson, placing our hands on his back and praying quietly for him. Markenson aspires to be a pastor, but he lacks the means to go to Bible school. We found ourselves praying for his future, growing in confidence that he will indeed preach the gospel as he desires.
Not wanting Robinson to be left out, we asked if we could pray for him too. He replied, "Yes. Mesi" (thanks). He laid his shotgun on the ground in front of him. The barrel happened to be pointing at my feet, which made me a little uneasy. But again God spoke to us about Robinson as we prayed for him. God has dreams for us, and as we pray for people God often shares his dreams with us. In essence, we prayed that Robinson would live up to the potential God sees in him -- a future that can include being a security guard but is far beyond just being a security guard.
Those were the 15 minutes that made my day yesterday. Out of the blue, God invited us to participate in his work in the lives of Markenson and Robinson. Since we don't speak much Creole and they speak almost no English, prayer was the best way for us to bless them. You don't need to know the same language to build someone up through prayer.
Today I did normal weekday things -- walked the kids home from school, had a Bible study with orphanage leaders, played with the kids, and hung out with teammates. Tonight we got the added treat of celebrating the birthday of Erta, one of our very dear friends here at MDL. What a blast! Because Erta is a caretaker of the girls, they joined our team for the party. It was crazy. When they sing "happy birthday," you would think it is the last party before the world self-destructs.
At the party, I spent a few minutes talking with Cherley, one of the teenage girls who has become a precious friend. She wants to be a doctor someday. Aspirations like this are not all that common here, so I was very impressed. I asked her how she decided to become a doctor. "Because there are a lot of sick people in Haiti, and even if I can't help them all, I can at least help some of them." I replied, "You can bring them Jesus, and you can bring them medicine. You can help their souls and their bodies. What a doctor you will be!" Today Cherley made my day. I am deeply happy to see the kinds of things going on in her life -- she is first in her class in school, she is learning English at a tremendous pace, she has long been known for her servant's heart, and she has big plans for the future. Please pray a blessing for Cherley. That would make my day too.
posted some more pics
on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157622569340017/
Monday, November 23, 2009
Today
We had a great day full of activities. Starting with devotions with the girls and then walking them to school. Then a lot of the team got to go out into the city in the morning shopping for food for thanksgiving or for paint. I got to fix computers... Others had bible study with the Haitian staff. Then in the afternoon we prepared for the feeding program, bible studies, computer classes and a medical clinic. Tomorrow we will continue painting and having Bible studies and the like. More pics are up at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157622569340017/
Sunday, November 22, 2009
today
today we went to church, it was a great service - and I got to bring a couple of whoppers to the pastor which he loves (even more because they are 2 days old). Great time of worship, and then fellowshipping with the missionaries for lunch. Then we hung out with the kids and had a time of worship and debriefing with our team. Tomorrow we start our projects. Bible study, feeding programs, computer classes, painting, teaching, skits.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
We have arrived
Hi All -
We arrived in Haiti. We pretty much got in late this afternoon, so we did a little team meeting, ate and went to the boys and girls home and hung out. It's great to be back.
We arrived in Haiti. We pretty much got in late this afternoon, so we did a little team meeting, ate and went to the boys and girls home and hung out. It's great to be back.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
1 Day!
We are very excited to be leaving tomorrow. Please be praying for health for all of our team.
Also for our travel for stuff like this not to happen:
FAA glitch causes widespread US air travel delays
Also for our travel for stuff like this not to happen:
FAA glitch causes widespread US air travel delays
http://www.comcast.net/
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Great Packing Meeting
That was like the fastest packing meeting ever! We still have room so if you come across more stuff to donate, let us know what you have so we can assess.
Packing Meeting
Our packing meeting tonight. These were some of the stranger/more fun things we packed. There are plenty more pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157622569340017/
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Pray for Dave he is not feeling well.
http://www.missionslaunch.com/blog/2009/11/17/mission-trip-possible-reason-11-to-go/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MissionsLaunch+%28Missions+Launch%29
Mission Trip Possible: Reason #11 to Go
http://www.missionslaunch.com/blog/2009/11/17/mission-trip-possible-reason-11-to-go/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MissionsLaunch+%28Missions+Launch%29
Mission Trip Possible: Reason #11 to Go
We should go because we're so grateful for what Jesus has done for us that we want to share the good news with others.
In tough times like these, sometimes it becomes a challenge to think of things to be grateful for. Even so, if we're born-again Christians, we are told that in everything we are to give thanks. If nothing else, we should especially be grateful for what Jesus has done for us. Let us remember this holiday season that we have been given the most precious gifts of all – the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In fact, we should be brimming over with such gratitude that we want nothing more than to share the good news of Christ with others.
In essence, we want to share the good news with others because we want them to have what we have. As most of us can attest, it's not about religion; nor is it just about salvation or life after death. Most of all, what we want them to have is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Lover of our souls.
There really is no better way to show our appreciation than by going on a mission trip, where we are given the unique opportunity to serve others in need and to tell them what Jesus has done for us. Then we may tell them how they can also receive the free gifts of salvation and eternal life simply by believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose again. More importantly, we may tell them how they can also have a personal relationship with The One who sticks closer than any brother.
This holiday season, why not consider showing your appreciation for what Christ has done by going on a mission trip? You'll be forever grateful for the experience, and life will never be the same again.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Famous Missionaries
http://www.missionslaunch.com/blog/2009/11/12/famous-missionary-mary-slessor/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MissionsLaunch+%28Missions+Launch%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
Photo by US Army Africa
Mary Slessor is the stuff legends are made of. At only 5 feet tall with bright red hair, she traveled deep into the interior of Africa where no Westerner had ever set foot. She stood up to many witch doctors, saved many babies, earned the respect of tribal chiefs and stepped between warriors to stop fights.
"Lord, there are other villages back in the jungle where no Christian has gone. They need Jesus, too. Help me reach them," was her prayer.
As a woman, Mary was less threatening than a man, so once she learned the language she chose to walk into the heart of the jungle COMPLETELY alone. She was known for her bravery and fearlessness and was extremely adapted to the local culture, gaining respect even from those she stood up to.
Her childhood was pretty rough, but she didn't let that stop her. Her father was a serious alcoholic and abusive to the family. At 27 years old, she was working in a cotton mill and decided to follow the call of her hero, David Livingstone, to "Go Forward."
At the end of her life Mary had traveled to where no other foreigner had ever gone. She had saved scores of children, prisoners and slaves and brought the Gospel where it had never been.
So, no matter what your background, God can use you to make a difference for Him. What do you think He might have in store for YOUR future?
To read more visit http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b1maryslessor.htm or purchase her biography at Amazon.com.
luke warm and loving it
http://ow.ly/Cdqx
that video is very convicting, but a great message.
we are in the final stretch of preparations. tuesday night, packing meeting. If you have stuff you want to bring to Haiti as donations just bring it. I have no clue what we can and cannot fit so if you ask me can I bring such and such I am just going to say bring it to the meeting haha.
Once again, here is the packing list for all of those of you who are interested: http://docs.google.com/ViewDoc?docid=dt72834_28kt4jf5dj
WILLIE B. met us at a feeding outreach we held in his village. He was brought to us by residents of the village who said he needed medical help. Hunched over and barely able to walk, Willie needed both hands, resting on his knees to support his body. His leg muscles could not support the weight of his body. People in his village tried voodoo to cure him, but he only got worse. When we took him into the home, we prayed heavily over him, fed him healthy meals, and watched in awe as God worked miracles. Today, Willie is happy and healthy. He walks, runs, rides his bike and loves to try to teach the American visitors Creole! Willie loves to study the Bible and is active in an advanced discipleship class at the orphanage. Please continue to pray for his healing and that he would grow into a godly man as he learns more about the Lord and Scripture.
WILLIE is a very energetic boy. He almost always has a big smile on his face. Referred to as "Pastor Willie" by the other boys at the home. Willie loves to pray and worship the Lord. During morning prayer time, and often on prayer walks, you will see him interceding fervently in prayer. When not doing homework, studying English or his Bible, Willie can be seen playing soccer or on the swings with the other boys at the home. He is a quick learner and a good student at school. He is also very helpful around the house. Willie's English is quite good and he loves to interact with visiting missions team members and our American missionaries. He continues to learn more about Jesus and the Bible through Sunday school, church, and Bible classes at the orphanage. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues to grow, that he would know and grow in the grace and love of Jesus.
that video is very convicting, but a great message.
we are in the final stretch of preparations. tuesday night, packing meeting. If you have stuff you want to bring to Haiti as donations just bring it. I have no clue what we can and cannot fit so if you ask me can I bring such and such I am just going to say bring it to the meeting haha.
Once again, here is the packing list for all of those of you who are interested: http://docs.google.com/ViewDoc?docid=dt72834_28kt4jf5dj
WILLIE B. met us at a feeding outreach we held in his village. He was brought to us by residents of the village who said he needed medical help. Hunched over and barely able to walk, Willie needed both hands, resting on his knees to support his body. His leg muscles could not support the weight of his body. People in his village tried voodoo to cure him, but he only got worse. When we took him into the home, we prayed heavily over him, fed him healthy meals, and watched in awe as God worked miracles. Today, Willie is happy and healthy. He walks, runs, rides his bike and loves to try to teach the American visitors Creole! Willie loves to study the Bible and is active in an advanced discipleship class at the orphanage. Please continue to pray for his healing and that he would grow into a godly man as he learns more about the Lord and Scripture.
WILLIE is a very energetic boy. He almost always has a big smile on his face. Referred to as "Pastor Willie" by the other boys at the home. Willie loves to pray and worship the Lord. During morning prayer time, and often on prayer walks, you will see him interceding fervently in prayer. When not doing homework, studying English or his Bible, Willie can be seen playing soccer or on the swings with the other boys at the home. He is a quick learner and a good student at school. He is also very helpful around the house. Willie's English is quite good and he loves to interact with visiting missions team members and our American missionaries. He continues to learn more about Jesus and the Bible through Sunday school, church, and Bible classes at the orphanage. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues to grow, that he would know and grow in the grace and love of Jesus.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
What is the vision for short-term missions at your church?
Hear it at: http://ow.ly/Cd3U
The following is an edited transcript of the audio.
What is the vision for short-term missions at your church?
I said in a previous question that everybody should want to do short-term missions. One of the reasons for that is that we're a global church, and seeing the way the church functions outside of your own culture is enriching, broadening, strengthening, and deepening, and it gives you a bigger picture of God.
So one of the functions of short-term missions is all of those things: more of God, learning to trust him more, learning how he works in another culture, learning what missionary life is like, taking some risks yourself. All those things are good for us.
Secondly we want it to be good for missions. So part of the strategy is to make sure that missionaries want you to come before you go. That would be a part of it.
And, thirdly, many long-term missionaries were birthed through their experience in short-term missions. So for recruiting or inspiring more long-term missionaries, I think a program of short-term missions is important.
The world has become very small. It's a global village, and globalization is an increasingly obvious reality. And for us to be ethnocentric or culture-centric would show that we don't have an appreciation for the breadth of God's kingdom and the complexity of his church.
BOHNEL, or Ti-Bo which means "little kiss," is one of the youngest boys at Maison de Lumiere. His father brought him to the orphanage in tears after the death of his wife. He was unable to care for his nine children. When Ti-Bo came to the orphanage, he only weighed 12 pounds at four years old. Today, he is a healthy, vibrant, energetic, and intelligent little boy. We thank the Lord for his healing, health and growth. He brings much life to the orphanage and is loved by all the boys. He loves school and is one of the top students in his class. At playtime, he can be heard practicing English while he is swinging on the swing set. He also loves to worship and sing about Jesus. Please pray for Ti-Bo, that God would work dramatically in his life and that he would grow up to become a Godly young man.
WALGENS is a kind, energetic, intelligent young man. His big smile and funny sense of humor make him popular at the home and at school. He is a good student and enjoys studying. Very orderly and organized, he always keeps his clothes and bed neat and tidy. He loves to play with all the other boys and gets along well with everyone, no matter their age. He has been learning English and his English has improved tremendously in a very short period of time. He loves to play soccer and looks forward to being big enough to play with the older boys. He has a heart for Jesus and serving others. One of his favorite things is worshipping, singing praise songs, and attending church. Please keep Walgens in your prayers as he continues to grow in his young faith and in the knowledge of God's Word.
Friday, November 13, 2009
You’ve been cordially invited to break your heart.
While all this may not apply directly to you, after spending ten days with the kids a lot of the emotions will probably be similar... this ones one afternoon for this lady: http://ow.ly/BUhP
648391 seconds
See you Tuesday night!
SCHNEIDER is a kind, gentle and quiet boy. He loves learning English and enjoys practicing with missions teams and visitors. Generally shy, he does not like to initiate conversations, but loves to talk once someone takes an interest. He is a diligent student and enjoys soccer, school and studying. Schneider suffers from Hepatitis B, which makes him fatigued sometimes. Please pray for the Lord to heal his body, and to strengthen his immune system. Pray that he will continue to grow in the love and grace of Jesus.
SEMY is a sweet natured, easy going young man, who likes to joke around and laugh a lot. Already considered a "professional" comedian of sorts, the other boys have been known to pay him to make them laugh. He enjoys school and his favorite subjects are math, spelling, and social science. He likes to play a lot and is one of our best soccer and basketball players. One of his favorite activities is watching Brazil play soccer on television. He also loves singing in church and reading the Bible. The Gospel of John is his favorite book of the Bible. He loves Jesus and loves to worship Him. Please pray for Semy's continued growth in the Lord and that he would know and be able to follow God's plan for his life.
SCHNEIDER is a kind, gentle and quiet boy. He loves learning English and enjoys practicing with missions teams and visitors. Generally shy, he does not like to initiate conversations, but loves to talk once someone takes an interest. He is a diligent student and enjoys soccer, school and studying. Schneider suffers from Hepatitis B, which makes him fatigued sometimes. Please pray for the Lord to heal his body, and to strengthen his immune system. Pray that he will continue to grow in the love and grace of Jesus.
SEMY is a sweet natured, easy going young man, who likes to joke around and laugh a lot. Already considered a "professional" comedian of sorts, the other boys have been known to pay him to make them laugh. He enjoys school and his favorite subjects are math, spelling, and social science. He likes to play a lot and is one of our best soccer and basketball players. One of his favorite activities is watching Brazil play soccer on television. He also loves singing in church and reading the Bible. The Gospel of John is his favorite book of the Bible. He loves Jesus and loves to worship Him. Please pray for Semy's continued growth in the Lord and that he would know and be able to follow God's plan for his life.
Our latest Haiti book
We just got our latest Haiti book, check it out and order a copy here! http://bit.ly/cfRp5
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Final Haiti Team Meeting
Tonight was our final meeting before we leave for Haiti. Well, we have one more which is our packing team meeting! We will be leaving next Friday evening...
8 days away: Keeping your family friends and others updated while you are gone
Matthew 6:25-34 (New International Version)
Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Keeping peeps up to dateWe will be updating http://khchaititeams.blogspot.com and also my flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157622569340017/ while we are gone. We will be e-mailing this info to your prayer partners, but feel free to forward it along to anyone else. I'd also love it if anyone else feels like they want to write a blog entry or 10 to let me know. Otherwise, I will just be updating with pictures and a summary of the day.
Final normal team meeting tonight! Packing meeting on Tuesday! Just a reminder that you will be packing most of your stuff in your carry-on... Packing list at: http://docs.google.com/ViewDoc?docid=dt72834_28kt4jf5dj
RICHARD is a sweet and energetic boy. Both Richard and his brother, Willie, are extremely helpful, always looking to assist others. Richard's passion is worship and his high, loud singing voice can be heard above all the other boys during our praise and worship times. He loves to worship, sing praises and listen to Bible stories. He also enjoys playing soccer and doing work projects around the home. He will often follow an adult around waiting for a new "project." Both Richard and his brother are well loved by the other boys and staff. Please pray that Richard would grow in his young faith to become a Godly and devoted young man.
ROBENSON, also known as Son-Son, is one of the non-residents of Maison de Lumiere. He used to live at the orphanage but now lives with and cares for his ailing mother. His younger brother, Elysee, lives at the orphanage and his older brother, Marval, is one of the staff members. He still participates in many of the orphanage events and activities and receives support for his educational and living expenses. Son-Son loves sports, especially soccer, and is an excellent student. He hopes to one day become an automotive mechanic. Please pray for Son-Son, that he would draw close to the Lord and seek God's will for his life.
Lucas
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
close your eyes
turn on
http://www.radiolumiere.org/
turn up the heat
it's almost like you are there.
if you want to see where we are staying, here is a link:
http://www.childhope.org/about/guesthouse/guesthouse.html
See you tomorrow.
MARCKENDY is the oldest son of Navi, the head nanny at the MDL girls home. Ever since MarcKendy's father died, he has become "the man of the house" and carefully watches out for his little brother Brice. He has endured a difficult life before coming to the home as his unemployed mother tried for years to care for him and his brother. He loves his new home and all his new "brothers" and hopes to one day have a job and support his mother so she no longer has to work. MarcKendy enjoys Bible studies and the home and playing soccer. He struggles with school but tries very hard to do his best. Pray for him as he seeks to learn more about Jesus and grow in his young faith.
PATRICK is a very nice and sincere young man. Already displaying strong leadership skills, Patrick is often known as an arbitrator and peace maker. He also looks after his sister Phara, who is living at the girl's home. School is very important to him and he works hard on his studies. He loves sports and plays hard; and he always looks forward to Sunday soccer competitions at the orphanage. Patrick loves learning God's Word, worshipping and praying. He has a passion for Jesus and is growing daily in his biblical knowledge, love for the Lord, and in his heart to serve others. Please pray for Patrick that he would learn what God would have for his life and that he would continue to grow in his passion for Jesus and others.
http://www.radiolumiere.org/
turn up the heat
it's almost like you are there.
if you want to see where we are staying, here is a link:
http://www.childhope.org/about/guesthouse/guesthouse.html
See you tomorrow.
MARCKENDY is the oldest son of Navi, the head nanny at the MDL girls home. Ever since MarcKendy's father died, he has become "the man of the house" and carefully watches out for his little brother Brice. He has endured a difficult life before coming to the home as his unemployed mother tried for years to care for him and his brother. He loves his new home and all his new "brothers" and hopes to one day have a job and support his mother so she no longer has to work. MarcKendy enjoys Bible studies and the home and playing soccer. He struggles with school but tries very hard to do his best. Pray for him as he seeks to learn more about Jesus and grow in his young faith.
PATRICK is a very nice and sincere young man. Already displaying strong leadership skills, Patrick is often known as an arbitrator and peace maker. He also looks after his sister Phara, who is living at the girl's home. School is very important to him and he works hard on his studies. He loves sports and plays hard; and he always looks forward to Sunday soccer competitions at the orphanage. Patrick loves learning God's Word, worshipping and praying. He has a passion for Jesus and is growing daily in his biblical knowledge, love for the Lord, and in his heart to serve others. Please pray for Patrick that he would learn what God would have for his life and that he would continue to grow in his passion for Jesus and others.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Can't believe it's been a year already
HAITI: A Year After School Collapse, Parents Seek Justice
By Jonah Engle*
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Nov 9 (IPS) - On the morning of Nov. 7, 2008 shortly after 10 a.m. as the second period was beginning, College La Promesse Evangelique, a three-storey cinderblock school in the Nerette neighbourhood of Petionville, fell in on itself.
Now, a year after the collapse that killed 97 students and teachers and left more than 100 injured, survivors and relatives of the dead say they are through with dialogue and want justice from the government.
The tragedy shook a country already reeling from the deadliest hurricane season in years.
President Rene Preval declared two days of mourning and convened a commission comprised of several ministries to look into the incident and to assist the victims.
A few days before a memorial service to commemorate the anniversary of the collapse, the area where the school once stood was a trash heap. Flies buzzed around piles of rotting food and empty plastic bottles.
Roody Jacques, who heads the Association of Victims of the Nerette Tragedy (ASSOVINERETTE), said the city of Petionville began dumping debris from a street widening project, and soon after people started throwing their garbage on the pile.
Families of the dead want the site, which still contains bodies that were never recovered, to be turned into a national monument where people can come to remember their loved ones. "We consider it a cemetery," said Jacques.
That request, like nearly every other one made by victims' families, has gone unanswered, according to Jacques.
In the wake of the disaster, the government made payments to families: 2,500 dollars for every death, 1,250 dollars for serious injuries, and 750 dollars for light ones. Full-time kindergarten and primary school teachers at College La Promesse, who where suddenly out of work, were given 1,125 dollars.
With the help of international donors and foreign aid agencies, the government found medical assistance and psychological counseling for survivors.
The government also promised to find schools for the students of College La Promesse and to cover their fees at least until the end of the 2009-2010 school year.
But 10 months after the Association of Victims was formed to represent families, students, teachers and landlords of properties adjoining the school that were destroyed in the rescue effort, the group's leaders say the government still has not made good on its pledges.
Jacques, whose 18-year-old daughter Vanessa was killed in the collapse, says they are not asking for money. "You can't repay the loss," he said. "It's like having both your arms cut off."
Rather they want the government to do what it promised as well as prosecute those responsible.
Chief among those concerns is that the Ministry of Education has failed to cover the tuition of all the survivors and schools have begun threatening to send kids home while others have already done so.
Joseph Martin, a father of five, says he received a bill for 122 dollars for enrolment fees and one month's tuition from the Methodist school in the adjoining town of Delmas, where his 17-year-old daughter was relocated after College La Promesse collapsed. The school wanted to expel her but he said he was able to negotiate a grace period while the victims' association tries to get the government to pay the fees.
In the wake of the disaster, several schools offered to take students from College La Promesse. One of those was Foyer Chretien school, a 30-minute walk from Nerette. Two weeks ago, the families of 54 students at the school who came from College La Promesse were told to pay their overdue fees for this year or they would have to leave.
According to Toussaint Vilaire, director of academic affairs at Foyer Chretien, the school waived tuition last year, "but we can't go on," he said. The government donated school supplies but hasn't offered the school any money, Villaire said.
The Ministry of Education official responsible for assisting students of College La Promesse, Marie-Alice Pierre-Louis, said there was a simple explanation: Foyer Chretien has failed to submit an invoice to the government.
"I personally went there," said Pierre-Louis, "and told them to write up a list of students with the cost and they never did."
Defending her ministry's record, Pierre-Louis held up a sheet of paper listing all the schools where the government had covered the tuition of 247 displaced students last year.
She said that some cheques had yet to be sent out for this year but they were awaiting the minister's signature.
Preventing Another Tragedy
The collapse of College La Promesse raised concerns about the physical state of Haiti's schools. Fears were ratcheted up five days later when part of Grace Divine D'Haiti school in Port-au-Prince collapsed, injuring seven.
Shortly after those incidents, the rumour of a collapse sparked a stampede at a school in Clercine, a Port-au-Prince suburb, killing one and injuring 15.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Ministry of Education closed about 10 schools around the country that posed a risk, according to Ministry spokesman, Miloody Vincent.
The Search for Justice
Immediately after his school collapsed, Pastor Augustin Fortin turned himself into authorities. He was charged with involuntary homicide and grievous bodily harm as well as using a false title. The latter charge stemmed from his admission that he'd lied about having an engineering degree.
He was held in jail and eventually released pending trial. The homicide and injury charges were later dropped. The prosecutor, Jean Serge Joseph, said this was done because the building had been built legally.
Joseph said the Petionville city hall employee who issued the permit to Fortin had left Haiti and could not be found, and he found no grounds to lay charges against Public Works officials who approved the building permit.
Fortin's trial will take place this month, said Joseph. The false title charge carries a minimum jail sentence of one year and a three-year maximum. The prosecutor said he'd be seeking the maximum. "He's cooked," said Joseph.
But that is little satisfaction to survivors and relatives of those killed last year who want all those responsible to be held accountable for what they call a crime.
The victims' association also has other demands. Parents want guarantees that their children's tuition will be covered until they graduate from High School. The ministry has said only that it will cover tuition through the end of the year and then see about further assistance.
Now that the one-year anniversary has passed, victims' families say they are through with dialogue.
"We've been asking for a year and we got nowhere," said Roody Jacques, declaring that a lawsuit was in the works. "If it doesn't work with the Haitian courts, we will go to the international courts," said Jacques, "because justice must be served."
*Special to IPS from The Haitian Times
By Jonah Engle*
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Nov 9 (IPS) - On the morning of Nov. 7, 2008 shortly after 10 a.m. as the second period was beginning, College La Promesse Evangelique, a three-storey cinderblock school in the Nerette neighbourhood of Petionville, fell in on itself.
Now, a year after the collapse that killed 97 students and teachers and left more than 100 injured, survivors and relatives of the dead say they are through with dialogue and want justice from the government.
The tragedy shook a country already reeling from the deadliest hurricane season in years.
President Rene Preval declared two days of mourning and convened a commission comprised of several ministries to look into the incident and to assist the victims.
A few days before a memorial service to commemorate the anniversary of the collapse, the area where the school once stood was a trash heap. Flies buzzed around piles of rotting food and empty plastic bottles.
Roody Jacques, who heads the Association of Victims of the Nerette Tragedy (ASSOVINERETTE), said the city of Petionville began dumping debris from a street widening project, and soon after people started throwing their garbage on the pile.
Families of the dead want the site, which still contains bodies that were never recovered, to be turned into a national monument where people can come to remember their loved ones. "We consider it a cemetery," said Jacques.
That request, like nearly every other one made by victims' families, has gone unanswered, according to Jacques.
In the wake of the disaster, the government made payments to families: 2,500 dollars for every death, 1,250 dollars for serious injuries, and 750 dollars for light ones. Full-time kindergarten and primary school teachers at College La Promesse, who where suddenly out of work, were given 1,125 dollars.
With the help of international donors and foreign aid agencies, the government found medical assistance and psychological counseling for survivors.
The government also promised to find schools for the students of College La Promesse and to cover their fees at least until the end of the 2009-2010 school year.
But 10 months after the Association of Victims was formed to represent families, students, teachers and landlords of properties adjoining the school that were destroyed in the rescue effort, the group's leaders say the government still has not made good on its pledges.
Jacques, whose 18-year-old daughter Vanessa was killed in the collapse, says they are not asking for money. "You can't repay the loss," he said. "It's like having both your arms cut off."
Rather they want the government to do what it promised as well as prosecute those responsible.
Chief among those concerns is that the Ministry of Education has failed to cover the tuition of all the survivors and schools have begun threatening to send kids home while others have already done so.
Joseph Martin, a father of five, says he received a bill for 122 dollars for enrolment fees and one month's tuition from the Methodist school in the adjoining town of Delmas, where his 17-year-old daughter was relocated after College La Promesse collapsed. The school wanted to expel her but he said he was able to negotiate a grace period while the victims' association tries to get the government to pay the fees.
In the wake of the disaster, several schools offered to take students from College La Promesse. One of those was Foyer Chretien school, a 30-minute walk from Nerette. Two weeks ago, the families of 54 students at the school who came from College La Promesse were told to pay their overdue fees for this year or they would have to leave.
According to Toussaint Vilaire, director of academic affairs at Foyer Chretien, the school waived tuition last year, "but we can't go on," he said. The government donated school supplies but hasn't offered the school any money, Villaire said.
The Ministry of Education official responsible for assisting students of College La Promesse, Marie-Alice Pierre-Louis, said there was a simple explanation: Foyer Chretien has failed to submit an invoice to the government.
"I personally went there," said Pierre-Louis, "and told them to write up a list of students with the cost and they never did."
Defending her ministry's record, Pierre-Louis held up a sheet of paper listing all the schools where the government had covered the tuition of 247 displaced students last year.
She said that some cheques had yet to be sent out for this year but they were awaiting the minister's signature.
Preventing Another Tragedy
The collapse of College La Promesse raised concerns about the physical state of Haiti's schools. Fears were ratcheted up five days later when part of Grace Divine D'Haiti school in Port-au-Prince collapsed, injuring seven.
Shortly after those incidents, the rumour of a collapse sparked a stampede at a school in Clercine, a Port-au-Prince suburb, killing one and injuring 15.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Ministry of Education closed about 10 schools around the country that posed a risk, according to Ministry spokesman, Miloody Vincent.
The Search for Justice
Immediately after his school collapsed, Pastor Augustin Fortin turned himself into authorities. He was charged with involuntary homicide and grievous bodily harm as well as using a false title. The latter charge stemmed from his admission that he'd lied about having an engineering degree.
He was held in jail and eventually released pending trial. The homicide and injury charges were later dropped. The prosecutor, Jean Serge Joseph, said this was done because the building had been built legally.
Joseph said the Petionville city hall employee who issued the permit to Fortin had left Haiti and could not be found, and he found no grounds to lay charges against Public Works officials who approved the building permit.
Fortin's trial will take place this month, said Joseph. The false title charge carries a minimum jail sentence of one year and a three-year maximum. The prosecutor said he'd be seeking the maximum. "He's cooked," said Joseph.
But that is little satisfaction to survivors and relatives of those killed last year who want all those responsible to be held accountable for what they call a crime.
The victims' association also has other demands. Parents want guarantees that their children's tuition will be covered until they graduate from High School. The ministry has said only that it will cover tuition through the end of the year and then see about further assistance.
Now that the one-year anniversary has passed, victims' families say they are through with dialogue.
"We've been asking for a year and we got nowhere," said Roody Jacques, declaring that a lawsuit was in the works. "If it doesn't work with the Haitian courts, we will go to the international courts," said Jacques, "because justice must be served."
*Special to IPS from The Haitian Times
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Garage Sale!
Hey everyone!
Thanks for your participation in the garage sale. Thanks to everyone for helping out!
This Thursday we are having our final team meeting. Sunday we are getting commissioned, though I need to check at which service. We will get back to you with details on that.
I have some garage sale pics up @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157622569340017/
JEFF is a serious boy. He loves to be a part of any conversation or activity – listening, observing, or jumping right in to whatever might be happening. He always likes to be included. Jeff enjoys speaking and practicing English and hopes to one day attend an English-speaking school. He enjoys playing soccer and is quite good at it; he also likes playing board games. He likes to listen to music on his portable CD player. Please pray for Jeff as he continues to grow and mature, that he would come to know Jesus more and embrace the Lord's love and grace for him.
JOCELYN is our in-house comedian and jokester. Always smiling and ready to joke around, he loves to have fun and is quite social. He will gladly greet and meet any new visitors to the home. Soccer is his favorite sport and he tries to play often. Having a big heart for the younger kids at the orphanage, Jocelyn readily chooses to play with and teach them over playing with the older boys. He also has a very serious side and is passionate about things that are important to him. He loves Jesus and wants to one day serve full-time in ministry, to share the hope he has found in Jesus. He loves Bible study, and praise and worship time. Please pray that the Lord will continue to shape and mold Jocelyn into a Godly man that will dramatically impact Haiti for Jesus.
Thanks for your participation in the garage sale. Thanks to everyone for helping out!
This Thursday we are having our final team meeting. Sunday we are getting commissioned, though I need to check at which service. We will get back to you with details on that.
I have some garage sale pics up @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157622569340017/
JEFF is a serious boy. He loves to be a part of any conversation or activity – listening, observing, or jumping right in to whatever might be happening. He always likes to be included. Jeff enjoys speaking and practicing English and hopes to one day attend an English-speaking school. He enjoys playing soccer and is quite good at it; he also likes playing board games. He likes to listen to music on his portable CD player. Please pray for Jeff as he continues to grow and mature, that he would come to know Jesus more and embrace the Lord's love and grace for him.
JOCELYN is our in-house comedian and jokester. Always smiling and ready to joke around, he loves to have fun and is quite social. He will gladly greet and meet any new visitors to the home. Soccer is his favorite sport and he tries to play often. Having a big heart for the younger kids at the orphanage, Jocelyn readily chooses to play with and teach them over playing with the older boys. He also has a very serious side and is passionate about things that are important to him. He loves Jesus and wants to one day serve full-time in ministry, to share the hope he has found in Jesus. He loves Bible study, and praise and worship time. Please pray that the Lord will continue to shape and mold Jocelyn into a Godly man that will dramatically impact Haiti for Jesus.
Lucas Simmons
Saturday, November 7, 2009
So for the Garage Sale please don't forget:
Bring $15 for hot dog sale (Matt is pre-buying the food)
Also be praying for it.
Thanks guys only 2 more weeks!
Bring $15 for hot dog sale (Matt is pre-buying the food)
Also be praying for it.
Thanks guys only 2 more weeks!
JAMES is a strong, silent type. Although a bit shy and uncomfortable around crowds, he has strong leadership skills and is an excellent example for the other kids. He loves learning English and has become one of the best English speakers. He is very kind and you will often find him patiently teaching one of the younger kids, or helping them to resolve some problem. He is a good teacher and one of our most helpful children around the house – often the first to pick up a broom or mop to clean things up. He has a servant's heart and loves Jesus very much. Please pray for James, that his faith would grow and that the Lord would reveal His will for James' life.
RENISE came to the streets of Port-au-Prince from northern Haiti, with her sister, to beg and raise money to help her poor family. Life on the street, however, turned out to be more difficult than she expected and she experienced much trauma. She used to regularly stutter, speaking only one word every few seconds when she got nervous or upset. She does not speak of specifics in her life or what she has experienced, claiming to have forgotten most of what occurred over the last few years. Today, she is very confident, and an outstanding student. For the last few years, she has been at the top of her class. She also has made many friends at school. She is a precious little girl who glows when someone hugs her and shows a true interest in her. Having a deep profound faith, she wants to one day dedicate her life to helping share Jesus with other children living on the streets. Please pray for her continued growth in the Lord and knowledge of His Word.
Lucas
Friday, November 6, 2009
in 2 weeks and 2 hours
We will be at the airport!
ISRAEL is a very special boy who is one of our leaders at Maison de Lumiere. Badly burned in a kitchen fire as a baby, Israel's face is severely scared from third degree burns. He hopes one day to visit the US to have plastic surgery; this has been a dream all his life. An excellent and committed student, he studies hard and wants to one day become a successful businessman. Israel loves sports – soccer being his favorite. Israel is also a devout worshipper and prayer warrior, and is known for his passionate prayers and heart for the Lord. Please pray that Israel may one day be able to go to the US for plastic surgery and that his faith will continue to grow and blossom.
PHARA is Patrick's sister, one of the residents at the boy's home. Since she was very young, she lived with and helped her invalid, crippled mother. She would run to the market, carry things for her, and help her out around the house. There was not a lot of time to be a kid, and this was difficult for her. She tried to attend school at one point, but got an eye disease and had to quit school. Her mother asked that Phara be admitted to the home to give her a chance for a better life. Phara's older sister and another brother now care for their mother. She is a very sweet girl who loves her new life at the girl's home. She loves school and all her new friends at the orphanage. Please pray that Phara will grow in her new faith, and in her love for and knowledge of Jesus.
ISRAEL is a very special boy who is one of our leaders at Maison de Lumiere. Badly burned in a kitchen fire as a baby, Israel's face is severely scared from third degree burns. He hopes one day to visit the US to have plastic surgery; this has been a dream all his life. An excellent and committed student, he studies hard and wants to one day become a successful businessman. Israel loves sports – soccer being his favorite. Israel is also a devout worshipper and prayer warrior, and is known for his passionate prayers and heart for the Lord. Please pray that Israel may one day be able to go to the US for plastic surgery and that his faith will continue to grow and blossom.
PHARA is Patrick's sister, one of the residents at the boy's home. Since she was very young, she lived with and helped her invalid, crippled mother. She would run to the market, carry things for her, and help her out around the house. There was not a lot of time to be a kid, and this was difficult for her. She tried to attend school at one point, but got an eye disease and had to quit school. Her mother asked that Phara be admitted to the home to give her a chance for a better life. Phara's older sister and another brother now care for their mother. She is a very sweet girl who loves her new life at the girl's home. She loves school and all her new friends at the orphanage. Please pray that Phara will grow in her new faith, and in her love for and knowledge of Jesus.
Team Meeting
Please be gathering your suitcases and let us know if you have extra... we will each need 2 but the Becks will definitely need something extra
More pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157622569340017/
Recap and homework for next week - FINAL TEAM MEETING...
http://sites.google.com/site/khchaititeams/nov-5th-team-meeting
More pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157622569340017/
Recap and homework for next week - FINAL TEAM MEETING...
http://sites.google.com/site/khchaititeams/nov-5th-team-meeting
Lucas
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Haiti Team Meeting
Only 2 more weeks until we leave. This is our 2nd to last "normal" team meeting... We also have a packing one.
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