Day 8
The technical school.
One of the computer classes.
Training on the new tire machine (yes, I know how to use a tire machine).
Adam and crew working. Doug drinking water.
I wonder if Apple envisioned their products being used on a Haitian street like this?
Closing down a street to start work on the last sign. This is Mark & Lisa's house and subsequently their wall. Not a normal sight in Haiti at all.
Mwen fatigue.
I think we're all pretty tired. The team has been pushing pretty hard since we got here and the pace is slowing now. Still getting things done, but each step feels longer and heavier. :) I think my favourite moment that displayed this fact was when I was looking for Gord this afternoon...yelling out his name...and then I saw this arm stick up from a pew bench in the church. Only an arm. Gord had conked out. He deserved the break. :)
I have the privilege of video-interviewing each team member as part of my HFL responsibilities. Its been pretty cool listening to this team talk about their experience so far. God is good, and He has been among us in unique and powerful ways.
Today our team was involved in another trip to Port-Au-Prince, working on/in the technical school, painting, wood working, grouting, tile work, and I'm sure there was much more that my tired brain can't remember. The beauty of all this was we were able to do all this alongside our Haitian friends.
Gord was also able to meet the computer class that will be using the laptops donated by Telus (and loaded up with help from Lisa's bro-in-law). What those students and teachers said as they thanked us was powerful. They have such a passion to change their community and their country. It's odd to be thanked so much for 12 laptops. I mean really, 12 laptops? Could 12 laptops change a community and a country? Maybe. Maybe with a bit of Jesus-hope and an organization like HAM it just might be possible. I was really proud of Gord too. He reminded them that they have been poured into by people, and they in turn should pour themselves into others. He did great.
Thanks for your prayers. Everyone's healthy again.
Tonight you will be blogged at by Lisa and Janette.
Until tomorrow,
-Aaron
Greetings from Haiti! Lisa and Janette here.
To our families, thank you for supporting and encouraging us to make this trip, it has impacted us in more ways than we can yet articulate. To all of you who have prayed so faithfully for us and encouraged us with your words, thank you, we have felt strengthened by them. To Michelle and Joan thanks for making us laugh, and making Dan squirm!
FAQ:
1- Is it possible to look presentable in Haiti?
Well, at 30 plus degrees and high humidity our clothes are wet, sticky and smelly. Repellent and sunscreen attracts a layer of itchy dust and so far we have had 7 bad hair days. As a contrast the Haitian women always look beautiful; we haven't figured out their secret yet.
2- How many times does Marc have to drive to Port Au Prince in one week?
Today, for the third time this week, Marc, along with Eldon and Dave drove the 1.5 hours one-way to the Port Au Prince Eco-Depot. The big purchase today was a cement mixer, among other things. Eldon finally realized the best way to survive this bumpy maze-like trip was by swallowing two Gravol.
3- What does theatre night look like in Grand Goave?
We are encouraged to see the light at the end of the sign painting tunnel. Our last sign to be painted is on the outside wall of Marc and Lisa's house in town. Tonight we began the prep work which involved projecting a powerpoint image to trace. This, inevitably drew a crowd, which provided an opportunity for Amy to show her 'Lavez Men Ou' video. The Haitians seemed very amazed and interested.
4- What is a comforting sound in Haiti?
It doesn't matter what time of day, you always hear the gentle hum of conversation. Sometimes we don't even see them, but their voices drift and give evidence of a close knit community. What a contrast to the absence of human voices in our own isolating neighbourhoods.
5- How do Haitian women pray?
Today we, along with Amy, attended the Women's Bible Study. We loved how they described their service as the 'work of God': ministering to those in jail, visiting the sick, collecting clothes and money for those in need, cleaning the church grounds, and more. We were amazed as one woman stood up and repented of her discouragement and gossip. We felt a beautiful sense of openness and accountability. At the end of the meeting, we had the opportunity to stand up and pray 'Haitian style' with the women, individually praying, out loud, and all at once. You would think this would create an atmosphere of confusion but in reality it eliminated the performance aspect of publicly praying. Oddly enough, we found that we focused better.
6- How have we been blessed by our team members in Haiti?
To all the wives back home, you would be proud of your husbands rising to the many challenges that this trip has presented. We have seen their gifts being used in serving one another. In fact, Marc wants them all back as soon as possible. We have been challenged by their honesty and blessed by their transparency in sharing with the team. As for Kelly and Amy, we love them! It has been such a great blessing to get to know them both. Their humour and kindness, their stepping out in faith, and being vulnerable and obedient to God has challenged us in our own walk.
7- What questions will we still be wrestling with when we get home?
How is this going to change the way we live our lives when we get back home? How do we extend this sense of community we feel here to the community of Surrey Alliance? What do we do with Haiti now that it has become so endeared to our hearts? How do we begin to use our gifts to bless others in the same way this gifted community has blessed us?
There is lots to think about........
love to Doug, Hanna, Matthias, Rick, Gillian and Jake, we miss you!!!
19 Comments:
You have no idea how many times dad and i checked the blog today. Finally dad gave up and went to bed. Glad to hear everything seems to be going well. Mom: GUESS WHAT!!!!! It's snowing in Whistler!! Half a meter!! So stoked!! Excited to see you all soon. I love the blurb about the comfort of the conversations in Haiti, so true now that I think about it. Love you lot's.
Hanna
Haha! So I'm in the same boat as Hanna, refreshing the blog several times this evening til this popped up :). If only there was always something to draw community together like this each and every night like it has for the past week.
Its great hearing how much of an impact this trip is making on everybody. If only we could ship off every citizen of this country to have an experience like this, think of the difference it would make!
Dad, I love you and miss you so much!
Sounds like you are working crazy hard. Glad to hear you have taken some breaks :). Mom is off at Kawkawa right now taking a break (missing out on the nightly computer checking is driving her crazy I think, I had to copy and paste the blogs into an email for her so she can check her blackberry :P). I think it is really good for her (but my daily number of text messages from her has gone up exponentialy).
Life here has been incredibly busy, but I guess it sorta always is. I wish I had the chance to stop and step out of it all for a couple weeks like you all have to put everything back into persepective.
PS. I GOT IN :)!!!!!! I have the chance to do hands on learning in Vancouver next semester, thanks for encouraging me to just go for it. I'm SO INCREDIBLY EXCITED!!!! ....
Love you Dad, Hope you all are still having a fantastic time.
Christine
whoops- I'm my mother's daughter... what can I say I don't know when to stop writing :P. I guess I just had to make up for her not being able to comment ;)
Christine
I'm so happy to read this blog and find everyone in good health! It is great to read how everyone is being impacted in such amazing ways!
Love and praying for you all,
Larissa
P.S. Mrs.Nickel-I just arrived as an official member of the Nickel household and I have to say that Hanna is quite the housekeeper and has a lot of hospitality. Thank you so much! =)
P.P.S. Mr Ortlieb-I highly suggest only taking 1 gravol, well, lets just say that 2 gravols knocks you out....literally (long story about almost getting run over by a scooter and then falling asleep on the bus ride to Jacmel)
What a great, informative look into your ministry and experience in Haiti. Thank you, Lisa & Janette, especially for what you said about all the husbands that are a part of the team. You can't begin to imagine how encouraging your comments are to us wives back home!! We have all been praying for much stretching and growth and it looks like God has answered in an overwhelmingly positive way!!
Hey Rainer!! You must be pooped!! I just can't wait to hear all about your experiences and how God is moving in your life!!! We sent our shoe boxes off today...we had a new perspective about it after hearing about the kids in Haiti. We had a good day with school today and I got out for a walk too! Three more sleeps till we see you!! You would not believe how windy and rainy it is here! Luke has a Chem test tomorrow, Spencer is doing great at his math, Chloe has been doing amazing with her writing and Grace seems to be able to figure out so much in her head! Looking so forward to seeing you!
Tight hugs & a million kisses to you!! Love Coral
Good to hear from you Lisa & Janette! I loved your explanation of how women pray ... it just sounds so real!
And the gentle hum of voices sounds so comforting ... I live too much of my life in silence, (well, except of course when our neighbours party from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. but that's only 4 out of the 7 days in the week so the other days are quite silent)!
To my wonderful hubby, Doug ... I hope you are doing well ... Megan & I pray for you every night (and the rest of the team, of course). I know she is really looking forward to having you tuck her in again! I agree with Christine (above) - I wish I had a chance to step back for a couple of weeks and put everything into perspective. Life has been way too busy - and even more so with you gone. Today when I looked at my calendar I burst into tears (which is not like me at all)! I won't bore you with the details of what had to be accomplished but it was a very painful day for me! Looking forward to your return! Oh, and I unplugged your alarm clock so we should have saved enough on electricity to pay the next mortgage payment - whew!!
Love Joan, Jocelyn, Brandon & Megan & the pain in the butt dog, Bosley!
Thanks again for the update. The best one so far! (Of course, I am biased). The classroom picture is pretty special and it's neat to see Marc beaming in the back. Way to go Gord and Seattle Reiner for making this happen.
Hey Jan, it's great to get the first indication of how things are going down there. Sounds very encouraging and inspiring. Right now, Thursday can't come soon enough because I want to hear so much more. By the way, Jake is starting work on Thursday afternoon so that's pretty exciting.
Love Rick
Team 4:
As we read your words 6000km away, we can only imagine the physical weariness most of you feel from labour, heat, sickness, or lack of sleep.
We can only imagine the daily emotional toll of encountering the many faces of poverty. No doubt, you are already imagining the spiritual burden as you return to a world infested with materialism and invidiualism.
Jesus says, "Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, I shall give you rest".
Accept the invitation now. Believe the promise in the weeks to come. It's that simple and sweet.
Lisa and Janette: RE FAQ# 1:
Aimee will kick me for one of these when she gets back home, but I've found the beauty secret...
"Tete pa janm twò lou pou mèt li."
"Fanm se kajou: plis li vye, plis li bon."
"Lespwa fè viv."
(Haitian proverbs)
Hi everyone,
Gerry Teichrob here, and I just wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blogs and seeing the pics. Thanks for taking time to post them. I have been praying for you, may God give you the energy you need as you head into the final days of your ministry in Haiti.
I came across this Grand Goave joke just to lighten things up:
A man moved from Port-au-Prince to Grand Goave. He wasn't too sure about living there. But, he met a fellow in the market and inquired about life in the Goave. “Oh my, it's a great place,” said the man. “When I came here I couldn't utter a single word. I had no hair, no job, no food. They gave me a bed and food and helped me out. Now, as you see, I am strong and well, and I have a good job.” The Port-au-Prince man was quite impressed. “That's fantastic. When did you come here?” “Oh,” replied the Goavian, “I was born here.”
Thanks for your comments Lisa and Janette. Great to read a woman's perspective on here. I think I'm almost convinced to go with you on a trip Aaron! :) Donna was convinced back on Day 1 of your blogs. Every time I talk with her she says she's looked at the blog and says, "I could do that". BTW, her baptism was amazing. Had 20 of her friends and family here for dinner afterwards. Just can't get over how that woman has taken the fast track to spiritual maturity. Delightful to watch God at work. Hang in there for these last few days - Dad and I are praying regularly for you. Much love, MOM
hey girls ,
rick kept calling me yesterday evening , said how unfair it was that we were the last to hear from our beautiful brides. You two are a very special gift to rick and i from our Lord Jesus!
The house is humming just fine , it is so easy to get dressed everyday when you are not here to tell me , over my dead body are you leaving this house.
I wish you would not set up the 2 eldons with statements like your clothes being wet and sticky. Rick was also wondering if you are bringing us matching hats.
Love you both lots and lots.
doug
Hey Dad, its Jeevin. Hope you're having a a great time in Haiti, I can't wait to see you on Friday. We're all doing good, and aman and mom said hi. We're praying for you, and the team and we look forward to hearing all the great things God has done and taught you in Haiti.
Cya soon,
Jeevin
Iain, Iain, Iain! You are in trouble!!!
The guys will laugh over the first one - such male humor! Aimee and the girls will lynch you for the second, but maybe you have redeemed yourself with the third! Tamara asked, "Wouldn't they put him in the doghouse?" I can't type right now for laughing. My side hurts! By the way, Timothy thinks you are the best blogger. :)
Christine
Hey Dan,
Glad to hear from Lisa and Janette that you are reading my blogs! Now why on earth you are squirming, I don't know...It's not like I hear metal scraping and dragging under my van but I just pray it'll be all right and drive anyways! Not at all! This sound is entirely different.
I'm also glad to hear that people are making sure to give you hugs and kisses...(way to move past your comfort zone Aaron!)
Today will probably be a long day here too. The younger three are off to school, and I will be heading out soon for Experimental Research Methods and Social Psych. After that I'll go into the ceramics studio for a few hours, and then home to quickly make dinner then drive Jordan to school. Then I can just relax doing laundry, cleaning up, doing some homework until 9 when I leave to pick him up. I realize that as full as this day sounds to me...you are pushing yourself much harder, and I'll pray for your strength to continue and for your health to be strong.
Love Michele
P.S. I figured out why the spaghetti sauce was acidic...it was from using red onions instead of yellow onions. The new batch is very yummy, and I got thumbs up from everyone at home.
Good thing a person can type, even with a lump in their throat. Way to make John and I tear up, Gord! We are so happy for you and the way you are right in your element, serving from your big, giving heart! We love how God is speaking to you, and through you:) Bless you for being such a blessing!
Praying for you and the team, and for all those dear people God has placed in your paths.
A big bear hug to you, Gord! We love you soooo much! John & Janis.
P.S. Please give a big hug to Steve for us:) How neat for his shepherd heart to be well exercised. Robin, & Harjeet, and families,you're in our prayers too:)
Lisa and Janette,
So happy to read your blog. You really put a face onto what you've been experiencing. I especially enjoyed hearing about how the women pray. I think that all of us women at the church could benefit from hearing about community and prayer and love for one another. Its amazing what kind of impact you ladies could have, just by sharing what you have seen, heard and how you felt about it. Thank-you for sharing.
Team,
Harjit, myself and the rest of the wives are getting together Wed night to have dinner and pray for the team. Know that you are being lifted up in prayer by so many people, with such passionate resolve and with so much love.
Aaron,
Thanks for giving out those hugs and kisses. I guess that means if I want Michael to get a hug I have to start using the x's and o's too. So....
Michael,
XXOOOOOOOOOOO
Laura
Lisa and Jan,
Thanks for the details--they have made at least some of your experience come to life. I was thinking so much about your last question and realized that the last 9 days have already begun that process of experiencing deeper community at SAC through this blog. Those of us here have felt connected in a way that could never happen on a Sunday morning. We've been able to hear pain, see struggle, reflect on others' encouragements and thoughts because we've had opportunity to see past the composed faces and pleasantries (that just happen when you are only together for an hour in a week) to the interior of peoples' minds and hearts. There have been more phonecalls, getting together and shared experience in this last week than in months. So... that has been Haiti Team 4's gift to us here at home and we thank you. The question is...how do we stop it from fading away?? What could be the mission here that bonds us together like that early church?
Lisa, we are watching your exploits from a safe distance. I am a little concerned for the welfare of the chickens. Are they fed hormones? Are they free range? Organic? These questions consume me. We are praying for your health and safety and have re booked Christmas dinner at you're house AGAIN! There were no dissenters. God bless as you all shine a little light to others.
Love
Gary, Cindy and Taylor
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