Confusion. Chaos. Panic.
People are shouting, crying, wailing.
Dust and smoke fill the air.
Dead bodies everywhere.
January 12, 2010. Port-au-Prince
It was a day of devastation and destruction for everyone who lived in Haiti's capital when an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude hit the city. Homes, businesses, and lives were completely obliterated and people who already had very little were left with literally nothing.
Confusion. Chaos. Panic.
That's when 10-year-old Josie was dropped off at the bus station by her only remaining family. Abandoned. Alone.
She didn't know anyone else on the crowded bus except her little brother, who was now in her care. At that moment, there was only one thing Josie knew for sure: everything was about to change.
The bus began it's long trek through the mountains of Haiti, leaving behind the chaos in the streets. But the chaos in Josie's heart remained. What would happen to her and her brother? Who would take care of them? Where would they live? What would they eat? Who could they trust?
Sick from the tossing and turning of the bus, terrified of the mountain drop-offs, and exhausted from the trauma of the earthquake, Josie somehow made it safely to Cap-Haitian, 7 hours after leaving everything she once knew and loved.
Fast forward 6 years.
Laughter. Singing. Joy.
Twelve kids are sitting in a circle around the living room. 16-year-old Josie is one of them. It's prayer time at the Kids Alive Children's Village and Josie's family - the family that she has come to know and love over the past 6 years - is gathered together to sing praises to their Protector and Provider. I smile as I listen, cherishing the sound of Josie's beautiful singing voice.
Later, as I sit on the front porch helping Josie with her English homework, she tells me about that fateful day 6 years ago when everything changed. But despite the chaos, confusion, and pain of the past, Josie is smiling. She tells me that even though she misses the people she was forced to leave behind in Port-au-Prince, she absolutely loves her family at Kids Alive. She beams when she tells me about the good grades she is getting in school.
Happiness. Hope. Healing.
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...to comfort all who mourn...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair..."
Isaiah 61:1-3
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Friday, January 1, 2016
Kids Alive Christmas
Have you ever wondered what a Christmas party is like in Haiti?
Probably not. But I bet now that I've said it, you are wondering, aren't you?
Yesterday, Kids Alive Haiti celebrated Christmas with a HUGE Christmas party. The party lasted four and a half hours and included the Kids Alive kids, foster parents, teachers, school staff, and friends and family from the surrounding community. There were over 200 people present! Here is what it was like...
First, we pulled ALL of the benches and chairs into the large school hallway. We decorated with a Christmas tree, garland, balloons, and a big star filled with flashing Christmas lights. We even constructed a stage for the many performances.
Everybody got dressed up in some of their nicest clothes. From jewelry and freshly-cleaned shoes to specially braided hair and holiday dresses, they pulled out all the stops. I had a blast helping them get ready.
The festivities started out with a short sermon about the meaning of Christmas. We praised God in song and prayer.
Next, came the performances, which resembled a talent show. Singing, dancing, jokes, and games were all part of this portion of the party. I was so proud of the kindergartners who got up to sing a medley of Christmas songs which we have been practicing in class.
After two and a half hours of partying, it was time for FOOD! I can't imagine the amount of time that went into feeding 200 people. But the food certainly never ran out! There was rice and beans, beet salad, chicken, fried plantains, fresh veggies, and - of course - cake.
The last part of the party was about honoring our kids - making them feel special, wanted, and loved. Because of the high-poverty in the area, many of our students didn't receive any Christmas presents at home this year. But thanks to the wonderful people who sponsor our children monthly, Kids Alive was able to give everyone a gift.
What a blessing it was to hand Synthia a doll and see her face light up with gratitude.
And, of course, I got to spend some special time with a few of my students.
Probably not. But I bet now that I've said it, you are wondering, aren't you?
Yesterday, Kids Alive Haiti celebrated Christmas with a HUGE Christmas party. The party lasted four and a half hours and included the Kids Alive kids, foster parents, teachers, school staff, and friends and family from the surrounding community. There were over 200 people present! Here is what it was like...
First, we pulled ALL of the benches and chairs into the large school hallway. We decorated with a Christmas tree, garland, balloons, and a big star filled with flashing Christmas lights. We even constructed a stage for the many performances.
Everybody got dressed up in some of their nicest clothes. From jewelry and freshly-cleaned shoes to specially braided hair and holiday dresses, they pulled out all the stops. I had a blast helping them get ready.
The festivities started out with a short sermon about the meaning of Christmas. We praised God in song and prayer.
Next, came the performances, which resembled a talent show. Singing, dancing, jokes, and games were all part of this portion of the party. I was so proud of the kindergartners who got up to sing a medley of Christmas songs which we have been practicing in class.
After two and a half hours of partying, it was time for FOOD! I can't imagine the amount of time that went into feeding 200 people. But the food certainly never ran out! There was rice and beans, beet salad, chicken, fried plantains, fresh veggies, and - of course - cake.
The last part of the party was about honoring our kids - making them feel special, wanted, and loved. Because of the high-poverty in the area, many of our students didn't receive any Christmas presents at home this year. But thanks to the wonderful people who sponsor our children monthly, Kids Alive was able to give everyone a gift.
What a blessing it was to hand Synthia a doll and see her face light up with gratitude.
And, of course, I got to spend some special time with a few of my students.
Merry Christmas!
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