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 28, 2013
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:
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.
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:
Monday, September 16, 2013
Jehovah Jireh. God provides.
This weekend, I hosted a large spaghetti dinner to raise support for Haiti. I was completely blown away by God's provision and by the love and support of my church family.
Prior to Saturday night, I spent some time reading through the passages where Jesus multiplies a few fish and a little bread to feed thousands. I truly felt like He did the same this weekend! With a guest list of 55 plus an estimated 20 volunteers, I planned on cooking for 90.
Well over 100 people showed up!
By the time I found out that we were running out of food, one of my volunteers was already back from the store with more supplies!
I know that Jesus' disciples didn't run to the grocery store when they needed to feed thousands, but Jesus provided food both then and on Saturday night at my spaghetti dinner.
Jehovah Jireh. God provides.
I had the most incredible team of volunteers that took care of absolutely everything for me so that I could spend time with my guests. I have no idea what problems came up during the event because my volunteers were on top of things the entire time. After the event, I barely had time to blink and everything was cleaned up.
Jehovah Jireh. God provides.
As I look ahead to the many things that I have yet to do and the money I have yet to raise, I must confess that I am overwhelmed and confused. But in a good way. In a way that makes me depend completely on God. In a way that makes me call on His name:
Jehovah Jireh. God provides.
This weekend, I hosted a large spaghetti dinner to raise support for Haiti. I was completely blown away by God's provision and by the love and support of my church family.
Prior to Saturday night, I spent some time reading through the passages where Jesus multiplies a few fish and a little bread to feed thousands. I truly felt like He did the same this weekend! With a guest list of 55 plus an estimated 20 volunteers, I planned on cooking for 90.
Well over 100 people showed up!
By the time I found out that we were running out of food, one of my volunteers was already back from the store with more supplies!
I know that Jesus' disciples didn't run to the grocery store when they needed to feed thousands, but Jesus provided food both then and on Saturday night at my spaghetti dinner.
Jehovah Jireh. God provides.
I had the most incredible team of volunteers that took care of absolutely everything for me so that I could spend time with my guests. I have no idea what problems came up during the event because my volunteers were on top of things the entire time. After the event, I barely had time to blink and everything was cleaned up.
Jehovah Jireh. God provides.
As I look ahead to the many things that I have yet to do and the money I have yet to raise, I must confess that I am overwhelmed and confused. But in a good way. In a way that makes me depend completely on God. In a way that makes me call on His name:
Jehovah Jireh. God provides.
Friday, August 23, 2013
When I close my eyes, I can smell the dust from the street in St Louis du Nord. I can hear high-pitched voices calling my name in heavy Haitian accents "Ayerleen! Ayerleen!" I can see big brown eyes looking up at me from small ebony faces. I can taste fresh mangoes that Mirlouse bought just for me. I can feel the stroke of tiny hands rubbing my arms, fascinated by my white skin.
As I count down the days until I set foot in Haiti again (37), I am filled with longing and desire. One of my friends described this way: "You're heart's already in Haiti. You just need to be reunited with it. And you won't be whole until you are."
On September 28, I will head to Haiti for 2 weeks.
In case you're wondering, here's the plan:
~Fly into Port au Prince
~Take a bus to St Louis du Nord
~Visit some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Spend time with the kids that changed my life. And enjoy my 23rd birthday!! (I couldn't ask for a better birthday present!)
~Travel to Cap-Haitien to meet my new students, see the Kids Alive School and Children's Village, and tour my future home.
~Back to the US on October 11.
I wish it could be longer than 2 weeks, but let's be honest, I'll take what I can get!
Here's what you can be praying for:
~I'm hosting 2 events to raise support and to share my heart for Haiti with my friends and family. Pray that planning and execution of these events would go smoothly.
~Safe travels.
~That it would be a trip of encouragement for me to remind me that my dream is coming true, even though it doesn't always feel like it will ever happen.
Thank you for your prayers!
As I count down the days until I set foot in Haiti again (37), I am filled with longing and desire. One of my friends described this way: "You're heart's already in Haiti. You just need to be reunited with it. And you won't be whole until you are."
On September 28, I will head to Haiti for 2 weeks.
In case you're wondering, here's the plan:
~Fly into Port au Prince
~Take a bus to St Louis du Nord
~Visit some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Spend time with the kids that changed my life. And enjoy my 23rd birthday!! (I couldn't ask for a better birthday present!)
~Travel to Cap-Haitien to meet my new students, see the Kids Alive School and Children's Village, and tour my future home.
~Back to the US on October 11.
I wish it could be longer than 2 weeks, but let's be honest, I'll take what I can get!
Here's what you can be praying for:
~I'm hosting 2 events to raise support and to share my heart for Haiti with my friends and family. Pray that planning and execution of these events would go smoothly.
~Safe travels.
~That it would be a trip of encouragement for me to remind me that my dream is coming true, even though it doesn't always feel like it will ever happen.
Thank you for your prayers!
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