Monday, October 28, 2013

Diary Entries from Haiti

Diary Entries from Haiti

October 2, 2013
No power.
No running water.
No problem.

October 3, 2013
I'm pretty sure this was the best birthday in the history of incredible birthdays.  Everything ~ from my brothers asking me to pray for them, to the impromptu dance party, to the 10 kids running out to greet me when I got home, to lying in the front courtyard looking at the glittering stars ~ was perfect.

October 4, 2013
Forget fancy gyms with nice machines, air conditioners, and personal TVs.  In Haiti, I have a different kind of workout.
Back workout? I draw water from a well.
Biceps and triceps workout? I carry gallons of water on my head.
Cardio workout? I hike through rocky, twisting trails over a mountain to visit friend and family.  While carrying large fruit.

October 6, 2013
I love my life in Haiti.

I love Gildine's laugh
I love Ti-Stevenson's piglet noises.
I love Janide's wide yet sassy smile that perfectly matches her personality.
I love Rit's sweet, gentle smile that perfectly matches her personality.
I love the tiny kisses Laisa drops on my cheek 5 at a time.
I love sitting in the dirt playing cards.
I love passing around my Kreyol Bible Story Book and letting the kids take turns reading it.
I love dancing to no music.
I love having 3 kids sit on my lap at the same time.
I love drawing water from the well.
I love walking through the streets and greeting everyone with a cheery 'bonswa.'
I love speaking Kreyol.
I love braiding Haitian hair.
I love being the hands and feet of Jesus to kids who have nothing except Him.

October 10, 2013
Hung out in kindergarten today.  Explained directions, taught kids to write letters, helped them write their names, tied their shoes, sharpened pencils, pushed kids on swings.  Yeah...pretty much did what I love.  I think I've found my place here in Cap-Haitien.  It's a good feeling.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Best 2 weeks of my life

My two weeks in Haiti were literally the best two weeks of my life...and I'm not exaggerating! Here are the highlights:

St. Louis du Nord

Pure bliss.

*Playing Uno every day.
*Spontaneous dance parties.
*My Haitian brothers asking me to pray for them.
*Drawing water from the well and carrying it back on my head.
*Learning to "penyen" (braid Haitian hair)
*Lying in the front courtyard, watching the stars.

**Seeing Rit smile, hearing Gildine laugh, holding Janide while we watched the rain, catching Laisa in a running hug**

After over a year, I found my heart right where I left it.





Cap-Haitien (Kids Alive International)

So many new things!

*Meeting my students...seeing their faces, hearing them laugh, watching them run and play, pushing them on the swings, helping them tie their shoes.
*Discussing my job description with the school Director...I will be teaching Kindergarten!!
*Being asked to start a dance program after school!! ((Talk about confirmation of where God wants me!))
*Feeling many of my uncertainties slip away as I fell in love with these kids: