I am glad I wrote down my thoughts each day while I was in Haiti. I wanted to continue that when I got home but I guess it is easier to just write my thoughts here. Friday: A young man pushes a wheel barrow down the street. The sun rises in the east but the ocean lies to the west! Wow! I just noticed that! I have only known the ocean to be to the east of me before this. I hear a chicken cluck and now a rooster crow. "Before the rooster crows twice you will have denied me three times." It is 6:30 Am and already the streets are waking up. A man is wiping down a large red truck with a rag until it shines. A preteen girl arrives at the gate of our next door neighbor with a bag in her hands. The bag is filled with charcoal and money exchanged. A very thin dog waits outside the gate. When did he last eat? The smell of diesel fuel. I am praying "Lord, I want to experience this will all my senses. I hear things, I see things, I smell things, but Lord help me to remember a touch." At that moment I feel a tender squeeze on my shoulder as Nixon leans down and kisses my left cheek- "Good Morning."he says and I offer up a silent prayer."Thank you Lord for that touch from you." I taste the sorrow of knowing my time here is soon to be over.
Showing posts with label Haitian Children's Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Haitian Children's Home. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Journal entry from Haiti-Friday
I am glad I wrote down my thoughts each day while I was in Haiti. I wanted to continue that when I got home but I guess it is easier to just write my thoughts here. Friday: A young man pushes a wheel barrow down the street. The sun rises in the east but the ocean lies to the west! Wow! I just noticed that! I have only known the ocean to be to the east of me before this. I hear a chicken cluck and now a rooster crow. "Before the rooster crows twice you will have denied me three times." It is 6:30 Am and already the streets are waking up. A man is wiping down a large red truck with a rag until it shines. A preteen girl arrives at the gate of our next door neighbor with a bag in her hands. The bag is filled with charcoal and money exchanged. A very thin dog waits outside the gate. When did he last eat? The smell of diesel fuel. I am praying "Lord, I want to experience this will all my senses. I hear things, I see things, I smell things, but Lord help me to remember a touch." At that moment I feel a tender squeeze on my shoulder as Nixon leans down and kisses my left cheek- "Good Morning."he says and I offer up a silent prayer."Thank you Lord for that touch from you." I taste the sorrow of knowing my time here is soon to be over.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Solid Rock
"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874
1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
This morning our good friend and elder,Jim, preached at our church. He spoke about Christ being the solid rock and used this song to remind us of the foundation of our faith. We can not trust in what we see or be overcome by the storms we face. But where it took me was...
Two weeks ago to the land purchased for Haitian Children's Home in Haiti. We hiked the land. It was all rock. But it was not an easy walk. The foundation was stable. I was not. It was a hard walk for me being a lot older than the rest of the team. But my age was not the factor as much as not trusting where to step and being afraid of my footing. There was a young Haitian boy who moved effortlessly over the lava rock. He did not seem even a little winded.
Had HCH bought different land it may have been more easily transformed into the home sites for the homes that will be built there. But when hurricanes come, not if but when, these houses will be strong against the prevailing winds and driving rains.
The rock was not the problem. It was that I was unsure of myself upon this rock. If each day I returned to this rock my walk would become like that of a goat with sure footing and a graceful climb.
I can trust Jesus, He is a firm foundation. But I must go back to Him again and again and again if I am to truly know how to gracefully stride. He does not change. I change. I can make my walk easy or hard depending on how familiar I become with standing on the truth of this foundation. To be apart from Christ is the place of sinking sand.
To stand on the rock is not as comfortable sometimes as sinking our toes into the sand. Sand is constantly moving, shifting, changing. Not suitable for long term standing. So Lord help me keep my feet on the rock and to trust you. For you are my strong foundation.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Time is Lost
I continue with my journaling thoughts in an effort to process and not "go back to normal". That would be too easy and I never want to forget.I want a new normal.
Thurs. Don't know the date anymore. This is a timeless place. We have a schedule but we never know what time it is. Watches left when cell phones established themselves.
The night was quiet save the lonely puppy separated from the comforting milk of it's mother.
The streets are quieter this morning and ths sky is overcast. The breeze is cool.
Last night as I sat on my roof top perch I heard a young girl's voice call out
"Madame Dan-ese!Bonjou"(SP?)I looked down to see a beautiful teen whom I had walked to church with on Sunday.Her name is Marie-Denise. Shortly after I ws told that a young deaf man was there to visit me. To be known by name is so special. It makes me feel....that I am accepted. I need to try to remember others names. Here in Haiti it is even harder. But I need to try.
"He calls you by name."
Thurs. Don't know the date anymore. This is a timeless place. We have a schedule but we never know what time it is. Watches left when cell phones established themselves.
The night was quiet save the lonely puppy separated from the comforting milk of it's mother.
The streets are quieter this morning and ths sky is overcast. The breeze is cool.
Last night as I sat on my roof top perch I heard a young girl's voice call out
"Madame Dan-ese!Bonjou"(SP?)I looked down to see a beautiful teen whom I had walked to church with on Sunday.Her name is Marie-Denise. Shortly after I ws told that a young deaf man was there to visit me. To be known by name is so special. It makes me feel....that I am accepted. I need to try to remember others names. Here in Haiti it is even harder. But I need to try.
"He calls you by name."
The Comfort of Knowing
When we said goodbye to Gwenn and Nick and the children on Sunday I had a peace that I had not expected. It was hard to say goodbye but not as hard as I imagined it could have been. As I ponder this a bit I have come up with a few thoughts. Fear comes from not knowing and from knowing. When I gave birth the first time the fear was because I did not know what to expect and my imagination went into overdrive. When I was preparing for the birth of my second child the fear was because I did know what was coming.
What's this got to do with Gwenn and Nick's move to Haiti? Lots. Before I traveled to Haiti myself I only had things I had read and stories (sometimes horror stories) from people who had gone before.(Much like how women share their birthing experience with pregnant women.) So I only had my overactive imagination and other people's ideas. When I got there it didn't smell as bad or feel as hot as I imagined. The people who wanted to carry my bags were not as aggressive as I expected. I got to meet many of the people that Gwenn and Nick will be working with and I got to see first hand the home where they will live. So the fear of not knowing was replaced with the confidence of knowing.
Now that I have experienced Haiti first hand I am not afraid because I do know. Had I had a bad experiecne with this trip then the fear would be there. The fear of knowing.
So with fear gone I am free to imagine other things. I am free to imagine how God is going to make provision for my frequent and/or extended trips to Jacmel.Imagining myself and the rest of our family as part of the vision that is being birthed changes everything. I know we will not see the grandchildren as often as I would like but I am no longer fearful that they will not know me.
Am I concerned that difficult things will be faced in Haiti that might be avoided in the US? Yes. But I am equally as confident that "He who began this work will be faithful to complete it."
I also know that it is far better to miss your someone because God has called them and they have obeyed than to miss someone because they live down the street and never call you. I am sure I will cry at times but in the meantime I will be pricing out tickets and thanking God for the Internet and that daily I can be in touch with my children. My children in Haiti. My children in Penn. and my children in Manteo.
What's this got to do with Gwenn and Nick's move to Haiti? Lots. Before I traveled to Haiti myself I only had things I had read and stories (sometimes horror stories) from people who had gone before.(Much like how women share their birthing experience with pregnant women.) So I only had my overactive imagination and other people's ideas. When I got there it didn't smell as bad or feel as hot as I imagined. The people who wanted to carry my bags were not as aggressive as I expected. I got to meet many of the people that Gwenn and Nick will be working with and I got to see first hand the home where they will live. So the fear of not knowing was replaced with the confidence of knowing.
Now that I have experienced Haiti first hand I am not afraid because I do know. Had I had a bad experiecne with this trip then the fear would be there. The fear of knowing.
So with fear gone I am free to imagine other things. I am free to imagine how God is going to make provision for my frequent and/or extended trips to Jacmel.Imagining myself and the rest of our family as part of the vision that is being birthed changes everything. I know we will not see the grandchildren as often as I would like but I am no longer fearful that they will not know me.
Am I concerned that difficult things will be faced in Haiti that might be avoided in the US? Yes. But I am equally as confident that "He who began this work will be faithful to complete it."
I also know that it is far better to miss your someone because God has called them and they have obeyed than to miss someone because they live down the street and never call you. I am sure I will cry at times but in the meantime I will be pricing out tickets and thanking God for the Internet and that daily I can be in touch with my children. My children in Haiti. My children in Penn. and my children in Manteo.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Gwenn and Nick Send off at Crosspoint.
Last night we went to Raliegh and stayed with my son-in-law's parents so that we could say our goodbyes to Gwenn, Nick, Nia, Nico and Josiah. Ken and Bev are a really wonderful couple and we have enjoyed many happy and not so happy occasions with them over the years. Today was one of the harder times as we officially become the Parents of Missionaries. We know that difficult times may lie before us but we are all looking for creative ways to stay close to our children and grandchildren. Crosspoint church has really been so instrumental in bringing our family to this day. They have had such a positive influence in Gwenn and Nick's lives and it was sweet to see the smiles and tears today in Church at the send off. A woman heard an interview they did on the radio on Sat and showed up at Church with a pound cake for them! She is not a member of the church, just a woman who expressed feelings by making a cake! Four hours from now Gwenn and Nick and children will be saying goodbye to Bev and Ken at the airport. The final goodbye before the big hello. We serve a faithful God.As hard as it is to see them go it is also a honor. I believe that our jobs as parents can truly be measured as successful when our children can leave us to create a family of God's decision. Gwenn and Nick, thank you for your obedient example. I will miss you but I am so blessed to be a part of your family.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Woken by silence
Haiti journal entry. Tuesday.
Woken by silence. The constant noise stopped early in th AM and woke me from a sound sleep to listen to...nothing.
Each morning she is out there. Early. Sweeping the small sidewalk in front of her humble home. A pretty young woman.
Wed.
She is out there again this morning. With her mother?grandmother? They tend the plants growing beside their home.
The noise was rally bad last night. A large group of men arguing (debating) right outside the home.
It occurred to me that they were drawn to the light that overflows from our porch where our team has gathered to fellowship and relax.
Drawn to the light...of course they were. Now if we could just carry that light with us.
The Bible tells us that men will be drawn to the light.
Lord I pray for our team today. I ask that we would be a light unto the world. Let us touch Haiti even a 1/4 as much as it has touched us.
I am amazed to see the children going to school all clean and in their pressed uniforms. How much effort they take to just get dressed! Americans (me) don't care nearly as much about our appearance.
Woken by silence. The constant noise stopped early in th AM and woke me from a sound sleep to listen to...nothing.
Each morning she is out there. Early. Sweeping the small sidewalk in front of her humble home. A pretty young woman.
Wed.
She is out there again this morning. With her mother?grandmother? They tend the plants growing beside their home.
The noise was rally bad last night. A large group of men arguing (debating) right outside the home.
It occurred to me that they were drawn to the light that overflows from our porch where our team has gathered to fellowship and relax.
Drawn to the light...of course they were. Now if we could just carry that light with us.
The Bible tells us that men will be drawn to the light.
Lord I pray for our team today. I ask that we would be a light unto the world. Let us touch Haiti even a 1/4 as much as it has touched us.
I am amazed to see the children going to school all clean and in their pressed uniforms. How much effort they take to just get dressed! Americans (me) don't care nearly as much about our appearance.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Sight,sound,smell,taste,touch Haiti
It is good for me to blog about our trip to Haiti. It helps me remember. I don't want to forget this first time...
From my journel. Monday, April 13th.
What have I seen?
I have seen the most beautiful blue water and a beach so dirty at home I would not go there.
What did I hear?
Music until late at night. Goats, chickens,roosters, generators, motorcycles-HORNS! This sense is on extreme overload.
What did I smell?
Goats on the mountain top, deisal,sunscreen, bug spray.
What did I touch?
A child's small hand grasping mine to help her swim.My body challanged to climb and hike and reach and jump. The bounce of the Tap Tap, the cold shower water and the warm ocean water.
What did I taste?
Very salty ocean water. Oatmeal but not like home. Papayas,mangos, home made potatoe chips.
From my journel. Monday, April 13th.
What have I seen?
I have seen the most beautiful blue water and a beach so dirty at home I would not go there.
What did I hear?
Music until late at night. Goats, chickens,roosters, generators, motorcycles-HORNS! This sense is on extreme overload.
What did I smell?
Goats on the mountain top, deisal,sunscreen, bug spray.
What did I touch?
A child's small hand grasping mine to help her swim.My body challanged to climb and hike and reach and jump. The bounce of the Tap Tap, the cold shower water and the warm ocean water.
What did I taste?
Very salty ocean water. Oatmeal but not like home. Papayas,mangos, home made potatoe chips.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
My Brother came to Haiti
When I went to Ace hardware a few weeks before our trip to Haiti to buy supplies I inquired of the salesman about the how to's of painting masonary walls. His answers were vague and not very helpful. SO I did what I always do when I have questions like that. I called my older brother Digger. He is pretty much a genius about such things. So I walked up and down the isle and over the phone he picked out for me about $250.00 of supplies. He told me what nap roller to buy and what grade of sandpaper and "Yes you have to sand and clean before painting." I bought the better brushes and caulking gun and a file for the scrappers. Never mind that we didn't have any caulk when we got there.As we started the project Diggers words over the years rolled around in my head. "You can cut corners and make it pretty but in a year you will be doing it all over again." It started out pretty good but as the walls stretched on the paint sucked up and the supplies ran low there started to be a few spots that I knew would never cut it in my brother's paint jobs. When someone suggested that we really didn't need to sand the walls Digger's voice echoed in my head. "Do it right now or do it again in a year." At one point I stated that if it were my house I would want another coat in the master bedroom. Not for nothing but that was really Digger saying that through me. Really when the day (week) was done the place looked great. Not Digger great but pretty good just the same.
Patrick a Haitian teen who is a wonderful artist used masking tape to tape a brush to a mop handle to cut in on the very high celiings. Brillant. Several times I spoke in English to some of our wonderful helpers thinking they understood only to find out later that they did not. Pesky thing language can be sometimes.
So I would like to publically thank my brother Digger for his coming with me on this amazing journey to Haiti. Even if he was only in my head.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Home Again?
As I am processing this past week in Haiti I will be posting parts of my journey entries.Fragments bits of thoughts and insites mostly from the rooftop of the Haitian Children's Home.
Easter AM April 12th, 2009, Jacmel, Haiti
Up with the roosters. It's not just for farmers anymore.
On that first Eater morning was it the roosters that first awakened Mary? Had she slept at all that night? The sounds of the goats and the chickens and even the sounds of the people who had gathered in Jersualm for the Passover.Had they made impossible to sleep as her mind filled with all she had recently seen, and heard and felt?
When Jesus gathered with His discipiles on the roof top that Maundy Thrusday did He look out on the roof tops of the surrounding homes and into the lives of those who lived there? People who so desperatly needed Him but had rejected Him because they did not understand who He was and why He had come? Did His heart break as He looked upon their poverty?
I imagine that modern Haiti is for more like Bibical Isreal than I could have imagined. Windows without glass. Sitting on the roof to catch a cool breeze. Noises all night long and then a different noise.The rooster hearlding a new day. Skinny dogs scavanger the streets. Piegons roosting. The sound of an early morning hammer. Women carrying heavy burdens on their heads.
This is a proud people who I watch.Sweeping in front of their homes.I can see so much from my perch on this roof top.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
I Left My Heart In Haiti
(Spell check is not working so fogive my unedited post.)
Oh I actually didn't leave yet but tomorrow take off for Port Au Prince. The elections may cause some traffic problems so we want to be close to the airport for our Sunday flight.
Seriously, I do miss Steve and the rest of the family but I love Haiti. I love it's people and I am digesting it's culture. It is definately way different from what I know in America but diffirent is not bad. Danny and Leanne's kids at the Haitian Children's Home are a wonderful delight. Seeing the way they interact with each other is so refreshing. There are also five young men who live in the team housing who I would love to marry a daughter or two off to but I don't have any more to marry off. They work so hard and are so cheeerful and helpful.
I don't know that I would ever want to drive here, that is a bit hairy. I made a decision to leave fear at the border and God has honored that decision.A few times I would have expected to be scared in the natural but I was not.
I've had two visits from deaf boys in the community this week.What fun it was to get to know Haitian locals without a language barrier.
God has been so faithful. Today was bitter sweet seeing Gwenn hang up persona items thus making her house a home. I cried more than once as reality is setting in. But I am so blessed to know where she is and who is here to help her and Nick. Nixon a Haitian local who works for HCH told me not to worry because he would take good care of Gwenn. His wife Sandra is an cheerful, beautiful woman whom I know will be a good friend to Gwenn. Danny and Leanne are here to offer an amazing support and I as so thankful for all of these people.
So as I pack up I pray God's peace and blessing on this place. All of my heart will not fit in my carry on so I guess I will just have to come back for it.
Oh I actually didn't leave yet but tomorrow take off for Port Au Prince. The elections may cause some traffic problems so we want to be close to the airport for our Sunday flight.
Seriously, I do miss Steve and the rest of the family but I love Haiti. I love it's people and I am digesting it's culture. It is definately way different from what I know in America but diffirent is not bad. Danny and Leanne's kids at the Haitian Children's Home are a wonderful delight. Seeing the way they interact with each other is so refreshing. There are also five young men who live in the team housing who I would love to marry a daughter or two off to but I don't have any more to marry off. They work so hard and are so cheeerful and helpful.
I don't know that I would ever want to drive here, that is a bit hairy. I made a decision to leave fear at the border and God has honored that decision.A few times I would have expected to be scared in the natural but I was not.
I've had two visits from deaf boys in the community this week.What fun it was to get to know Haitian locals without a language barrier.
God has been so faithful. Today was bitter sweet seeing Gwenn hang up persona items thus making her house a home. I cried more than once as reality is setting in. But I am so blessed to know where she is and who is here to help her and Nick. Nixon a Haitian local who works for HCH told me not to worry because he would take good care of Gwenn. His wife Sandra is an cheerful, beautiful woman whom I know will be a good friend to Gwenn. Danny and Leanne are here to offer an amazing support and I as so thankful for all of these people.
So as I pack up I pray God's peace and blessing on this place. All of my heart will not fit in my carry on so I guess I will just have to come back for it.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Haiti update.
Tonight I was standing on the roof top porch and heard "BonJou" (sp??) Madame Denise. A young teenage girl I had met on my way to church saw me as she passed by. It felt so strange and so good to hear my name called out in this wonderful, busy, loud city of Jacmel. Shortly after one of the wonderful young men who live downstairs came to the gate ( we don't really have doors we have gates) and said that there was someone asking for me downstairs. I went down to find a young deaf man waiting on the front stup. We just stood and visited for several minutes. It was just a nice little friendly visit. I have been here for a half of a week and I am already feeling welcome and comfortable.
Today Danny took me and my daughters Gretchen and Gwenn to visit the deaf school. Jean Claude the teacher for the younger deaf children introduces us to the the director and we sat and talked for a while. JeanClaud speaks very good english so that was great. It is very interesting to me that even though I can not speak to most of the Haitian people I can talk with the deaf Haitians. It is very cool. It broke my heart to see how very little the teachers here have to work with. Steve from Manteo Booksellers donated some beautiful sign language books for our trip and these were such a blessing to give to this teacher. The only teaching aides he had in his classroom were two posters with hand drawn signs illistrated on them. I asked "What would you like to have for your class?" He said "I would really like to have sign language flash cards. Then I could copy them and send them home with the students."Flash cards! He didn't ask for some fancy computers or some high tech equipment. The man needs flash cards! It makes me cry just to write this here. The older classes also need visual aides like posters and maps and well everything. It is interesting to me that his students do so well. I was very impressed with them when I meet them in church.If any teachers are reading this PLEASE when you change out things in your classroom don't throw teaching posters away. Send them to me and I will sent them to Haiti.
In other news the home project is going very well. I think there may be pictures posted on Gwenn's blog. You can connect from mine. It is a beautiful big house that is right behind the house that rapper Wycliff ( I think that's his name) uses when he is in town for meetings.He is a very big deal here in Haiti.
We did some serious hiking on Monday to see the land for the Haitian Children's Home and I was seriously sore afterward. But it really is beautiful and worth the pain.
God is doing awesome things. Thank you for your continued prayer. Hope to post pictures soon.
Today Danny took me and my daughters Gretchen and Gwenn to visit the deaf school. Jean Claude the teacher for the younger deaf children introduces us to the the director and we sat and talked for a while. JeanClaud speaks very good english so that was great. It is very interesting to me that even though I can not speak to most of the Haitian people I can talk with the deaf Haitians. It is very cool. It broke my heart to see how very little the teachers here have to work with. Steve from Manteo Booksellers donated some beautiful sign language books for our trip and these were such a blessing to give to this teacher. The only teaching aides he had in his classroom were two posters with hand drawn signs illistrated on them. I asked "What would you like to have for your class?" He said "I would really like to have sign language flash cards. Then I could copy them and send them home with the students."Flash cards! He didn't ask for some fancy computers or some high tech equipment. The man needs flash cards! It makes me cry just to write this here. The older classes also need visual aides like posters and maps and well everything. It is interesting to me that his students do so well. I was very impressed with them when I meet them in church.If any teachers are reading this PLEASE when you change out things in your classroom don't throw teaching posters away. Send them to me and I will sent them to Haiti.
In other news the home project is going very well. I think there may be pictures posted on Gwenn's blog. You can connect from mine. It is a beautiful big house that is right behind the house that rapper Wycliff ( I think that's his name) uses when he is in town for meetings.He is a very big deal here in Haiti.
We did some serious hiking on Monday to see the land for the Haitian Children's Home and I was seriously sore afterward. But it really is beautiful and worth the pain.
God is doing awesome things. Thank you for your continued prayer. Hope to post pictures soon.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
At Home in Haiti
I love it! The people are free and colorful. I have so much to say but not enough time to really do a full blog. I am sitting in Haitian Children's Home living room. There are beautiful children everywhere! One is snuggled up by my side.
Easter worship was amazing and I got to intrepert for a large deaf population there.
The poverty can not be fully understood in a short blog or in a long lifetime.
The thing that has taken me by surprise is that there in NEVER quiet here. Even in the village of Jacmel we hear people in the streets, goats bleating,roosters, dogs and babies crying.
Today as I sat on the roof early in the morning I saw a rainbow. God is so evident here in this amazing place. Will share more when I have the time. Thank you for your continued prayers. Tomorrow is beach day as the children are off from school. Then on to work on Gwenn and Nick's wonderful new home Tuesday!
Easter worship was amazing and I got to intrepert for a large deaf population there.
The poverty can not be fully understood in a short blog or in a long lifetime.
The thing that has taken me by surprise is that there in NEVER quiet here. Even in the village of Jacmel we hear people in the streets, goats bleating,roosters, dogs and babies crying.
Today as I sat on the roof early in the morning I saw a rainbow. God is so evident here in this amazing place. Will share more when I have the time. Thank you for your continued prayers. Tomorrow is beach day as the children are off from school. Then on to work on Gwenn and Nick's wonderful new home Tuesday!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Next Stop Haiti
I am posting this 24 hrs. before we are on the plane for Haiti! I will try to post from there at least a few times this week. Pray for us that God would use us and that we will be useable.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Goodbye's begin
It is quiet as I write this save the whirring of the fan in the room we have named "The Children's Room". Gwenn always sleeps with a fan on for it's white noise effect. The past two days have been fast and furious and fun. And LOUD! And very messy! My seven grandchildren running in and out of the house. Sometimes dressed like princesses or clowns. Jumping babies making mommy's laugh.Grandad stories of Angelina holding children and adults quiet in their seats or in the laps of whatever adult was in the room to climb up on.Never knowing what grandad would start out saying but always knowing the story would end with "And Skippy got so excited he peed on the rug!" Dancing in the kitchen to Digger's CD of old family songs. Dancing in the aquarium and singing just because they could. Typical Manteo days at Nana and Grandad's house.
But this time it was not so typical.This was the "Good Bye to Manteo" trip. Gwenn packed up the kids in the van and traveled from Apex for the specific purpose of allowing the children to say Goodbye to Nana and Grandad's house, to the playhouse and the firetruck, to Chancey our dog. To their old dog Strom who now lives with their cousins. Tomorrow they will say goodbye to their cousins,and uncle Jon.The Nana and Grandad goodbye will wait a few more weeks as will the goodbye to Auntie Gretchen.
Over the next few weeks my daughter Gwenn and her husband Nick, Nia, Nico and Josiah will have hundreds of goodbyes.Goodbye to their toys, good bye to their apartment and good bye to their church.
On the other side of goodbye is hello.Hello to a completely new life in Jacmel, Haiti. My grief is huge. My hope is great. My heart is full. My God is good.
But this time it was not so typical.This was the "Good Bye to Manteo" trip. Gwenn packed up the kids in the van and traveled from Apex for the specific purpose of allowing the children to say Goodbye to Nana and Grandad's house, to the playhouse and the firetruck, to Chancey our dog. To their old dog Strom who now lives with their cousins. Tomorrow they will say goodbye to their cousins,and uncle Jon.The Nana and Grandad goodbye will wait a few more weeks as will the goodbye to Auntie Gretchen.
Over the next few weeks my daughter Gwenn and her husband Nick, Nia, Nico and Josiah will have hundreds of goodbyes.Goodbye to their toys, good bye to their apartment and good bye to their church.
On the other side of goodbye is hello.Hello to a completely new life in Jacmel, Haiti. My grief is huge. My hope is great. My heart is full. My God is good.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
One Way Ticket
Tonight I entered a new world of travel searching. http://www.missiontravel.org/ I was really impressed with the prices I was finding for our upcoming short term mission trip to Haiti. So I was seaching different dates and airports. I wanted to see what kind of deals we could get. $600 round trip including taxes is a really good price. Then I decided to do a seach on what it would cost Gwenn and Nick to fly with the kids in April. I was punching in the info and then I saw it....a lump came up in my throat as I entered the option. One Way.
It is starting to become a reality to me. My daughter and my son-in-law and three of my grandbabies will board a plane in Raleigh, NC and touch down in Haiti where they will be home. I know this is good. I know this is right. I know this is hard.
It is starting to become a reality to me. My daughter and my son-in-law and three of my grandbabies will board a plane in Raleigh, NC and touch down in Haiti where they will be home. I know this is good. I know this is right. I know this is hard.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Pray it Forward. My Advent Conspiracy
Christmas 2008
I love Christmas. The music, the lights the bangles and bells, the Christmas pageants and candlelight services.But it seems that as each Christmas approaches I DO things to try and capture or recreate that sense of wonder that I had as a child. I never seem to really meet that expectation and always seem to fall short of that childlike excitement and enthusiasm. This year something has happened to me that has changed all that. My daughter Gwenn sent me a link to a short Youtube video called “The Advent Conspiracy”. I am not sure exactly what happened but it changed my whole out look on Christmas. I gave me back the desire to give creatively . I find myself asking God how He can You use me in a more effective way and He is filling my my and heart with His Christmas. So is born Pray it forward.
This is how I see this working. I have several jars of wonderful vanilla that my daughter and son-in-law brought home from Haiti. I am gathering together with my oldest daughter and her children and my best friend and her daughter. We will spend the afternoon on the first day of advent making Christmas cookies. Then I will package up as many batches of cookies as I have bottles of vanilla. I will prayerfully decide who should get these and then I will pray for them before I give them this gift. For each gift I give I will make a donation to the Haitian Children's Home. I will enclose information about this mission in the box with the vanilla. Those who receive this gift will be asked to use the vanilla to make a treat for someone on their gift list and then "Pray it forward." If each person were to make a donation instead of buying a gift then even the smallest of donations would grow and bless in a big way. I will also encourage those who pass forward this blessing to pray for each person down the road who will one day receive this bottle of vanilla. Just as Jesus said "I do not only pray for these, but for those who will believe after them." (my paraphrase)
I will use this blog for people to post pictures of their baking projects, testimonies and maybe even a running total of donations given.
I know this can work. I believe God gave me this idea. I am hoping Gwenn can bring me more vanilla but for now I will begin with the 11 bottles I have.
Do you remember when God asked Moses "What do you have in your hand?" (refering to his staff) I believe that God is asking this generation of His children to use that which is in their hand, no matter how big or small, to bless the world. We can use our talents and passions to bless others. My neice has an aution on ebay right now where she is auction an original art work to help raise funds for the Haitian Children's home. Our God is a creative God. Children are dying and we CAN make a difference. You don't need vanilla. You need a heart that is ready to say "Lord what would you have me do?" He will show you. This Christmas can be different. Don't let THEM tell you otherwise. So I ask you.."What is in your hand?"
Haitianchildrenshome.org/mangine
I love Christmas. The music, the lights the bangles and bells, the Christmas pageants and candlelight services.But it seems that as each Christmas approaches I DO things to try and capture or recreate that sense of wonder that I had as a child. I never seem to really meet that expectation and always seem to fall short of that childlike excitement and enthusiasm. This year something has happened to me that has changed all that. My daughter Gwenn sent me a link to a short Youtube video called “The Advent Conspiracy”. I am not sure exactly what happened but it changed my whole out look on Christmas. I gave me back the desire to give creatively . I find myself asking God how He can You use me in a more effective way and He is filling my my and heart with His Christmas. So is born Pray it forward.
This is how I see this working. I have several jars of wonderful vanilla that my daughter and son-in-law brought home from Haiti. I am gathering together with my oldest daughter and her children and my best friend and her daughter. We will spend the afternoon on the first day of advent making Christmas cookies. Then I will package up as many batches of cookies as I have bottles of vanilla. I will prayerfully decide who should get these and then I will pray for them before I give them this gift. For each gift I give I will make a donation to the Haitian Children's Home. I will enclose information about this mission in the box with the vanilla. Those who receive this gift will be asked to use the vanilla to make a treat for someone on their gift list and then "Pray it forward." If each person were to make a donation instead of buying a gift then even the smallest of donations would grow and bless in a big way. I will also encourage those who pass forward this blessing to pray for each person down the road who will one day receive this bottle of vanilla. Just as Jesus said "I do not only pray for these, but for those who will believe after them." (my paraphrase)
I will use this blog for people to post pictures of their baking projects, testimonies and maybe even a running total of donations given.
I know this can work. I believe God gave me this idea. I am hoping Gwenn can bring me more vanilla but for now I will begin with the 11 bottles I have.
Do you remember when God asked Moses "What do you have in your hand?" (refering to his staff) I believe that God is asking this generation of His children to use that which is in their hand, no matter how big or small, to bless the world. We can use our talents and passions to bless others. My neice has an aution on ebay right now where she is auction an original art work to help raise funds for the Haitian Children's home. Our God is a creative God. Children are dying and we CAN make a difference. You don't need vanilla. You need a heart that is ready to say "Lord what would you have me do?" He will show you. This Christmas can be different. Don't let THEM tell you otherwise. So I ask you.."What is in your hand?"
Haitianchildrenshome.org/mangine
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