Pig video!

I forgot I promised some video of the local "color". Two are included. The first is of the kids playing "soccer" with a tennis ball. This was after the soccer ball had been confiscated in an effort to calm the playground. As you may notice, the ball has a difficult time staying in the small courtyard. A few days later, the ball went over the wall and wound up on the roof of a house across the street, where I found one of our kids looking for the ball. Yes climbing on someone elses roof to retrive a tennis ball to play soccer with is ok here......at least unless they get caught.

the second is the eargerly awaited (I'm sure!) Pig video. In this exciting chapter of the life of Oscar, (as good as anything right?), he manages to elude the dangerous goats and sheep in the area to forage for food in the garbage dump....right next to the wall of the school! Such bravery should not go unheralded right? So, my hope for Oscar (get it?), Pig Video!

Ok, I am doing my best Microsoft impersonation here. can't get it to load on blogger yet, so publishing is delayed. so in order to keep people thinking they are getting the real deal, I present a few pic's....not video's, but pretend they are. later I will post the video....and beware the price will double! :)

Ok, bait and switch. the first two pic's are NOT of Haitian's....in case you were wondering! These are two friends of mine who were involved in a car accident recently....and walked away after their car flipped 3x on a highway! The last picture is Esmelina...I think that is how you spell it. I TOLD you I was doing a Microsoft impersonation!!!!!!

January 31, 2009

this has been a busy week for school. There have been several problems with kids that continue to occur so changes will happen next week. One older boy has a bad temper and he and a group of boys were warned about fighting on the playground, especially while playing soccer. Well, he did it again, busting a much smaller kid in the mouth. The smaller boy was ok, but the line had been crossed. He was kicked out, and had to have a meeting with his parents to return. He will be allowed back in next week, but Gary is forming a "principal's class" of problems kids. He will be in it and won't have break with the other kids anymore...at least for a long while. There will likely be 2 or 3 other's in the class, all older boys who are either lazy, rebellious to the point of refusing to do the class work, or just so immature they can't keep from playing for more than 2 minutes. I'm sure there are some teachers out there who know more about this than we do who are horrified, but if you feel that way, send me a note and volounteer to be here so you can show us. Frankly, the kids here expect discipline and when they don't get it, will push the boundary's daily. More of the parents are saying "been there" now right? We don't want to lose any kids, but at the same time, it does not help them to learn to be violent, disrespecful or lazy does it? And the kids getting hit, and having their class time taken from them so teachers can deal with these kids lose too.

the kids regularly play soccer at break and lunch....or at least they did until Gary ended that this week. And an amazing thing happened, the kids played cards, dominoes, talked, and played w/o problems or protests. They were fine! I think this may be a long term plan here. I hope it is. It seems to help the kids stay focused in the school day longer and cause many fewer problems between the older kids, and less resentment in the younger kids who can't get on the "playground", actually a concrete pad about 25x25 or so....feet, not yards.

unless plans change I will be meeting with the ent doc in Port next Wednesday about working as an audiologist. I have no idea how this will work out. It could lead to a part time job, summers only, a full time gig or not work out. I am praying that God will open the door I need and close the others, so I am not really stressed about it. I am however begininng to feel more and more the seperation from my kids and friends. I can do alone pretty well, it does not bother me to have time to myself. But circumstances sometimes show you the price paid to do these things. When you could be home, meeting a need in someone's life there, and you have chosen to be here, meeting needs in other peoples lives, it can be difficult on a personal level. but it makes more clear that there is a price to the call in our lives. Not that we abandon family or friends though sometimes that can be the case. But we give them to God. It takes the control from me and put's my trust on the front burner, either to be refined or completely toasted. I trust God in many things, but here I learn regularly there are things I hang onto that He is tugging out of my hands. He does however, seem to have a better grip on those things in His hands than I do on those in mine, so maybe it is for the better for everyone!!!

the pics are those of kids not playing soccer on our field but playing peacefully. It does make for a calmer day for kids and teachers alike! also a pic of the view down the wall from the school of the street. a regular day in Haiti.

take care, drive careful in the Midwest, (or anywhere else there is ice/snow). Hope to see you soon.

Djebenis tout moun.

forgot, a bonus picture of Kesmy studying English before school in order to take a test. (He passed!)

January 28, 2009

I have been by some coincidence reading Dietriech Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship" at the same time my students have had occasion to read "In His Steps" a novel written in 1896 by Charles Sheldon which depicted a church congregation which decided to actually do in their everyday life what they thought Jesus would have them do. Their is more than a little coincidence in this as both are speaking of the same thing.

Bonhoeffer's view is that "when Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die." This book has opened my eyes to what had previously been in the background in my life, not certain of or able to speak of, but still knowing that something was there. We speak so often of the grace of God, of being saved by grace alone but slowly I come to understand that the gift of faith in Jesus comes along with the gift of obedience to His call in my life. Again, Bonhoeffer's opinion is only those who have faith obey, and only those who obey have faith. It seems if I actually believe what I say I believe then there must be a consequence in my life. Gary and I were talking the other day and it occured to me in this political season we are in, that we Christians treat Jesus as if He is our president instead of our king, ready to give Him a chance to make my life better, but also ready to vote Him out of office if He doesn't produce to my satisfaction. I have only recently begun to understand the difference between the two as far as my own discipleship, and I am even more thankful for His patience with me.

Concurrently two students are reading In His Steps, which depicts a church with a pastor who is changed by the act of being a servant to a homeless man for a week before he dies. He finally understands that Jesus saved us for we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2) This pastor challenges his congregation to change their lives, to do as Jesus would do, actually become disciples by obedience to His call in their lives and to His word. Don't you just love it when God gang's up on you? So I am looking at myself, knowing God is talking to me. What has God prepared for me to do as far as good works in my life? Hmmmm, good question. It does seem though that this light bulb has come on only as I have been obedient to the call to come here to Haiti. So be obedient to what you perceive as a call, regardless of what it is, large or small, and maybe God will open your eyes to something greater. On second thought, there really is no maybe about it, is there? EVERYONE is called who calls themselves a Christian in some way, maybe not missions but there are only a million things we all can do where we are. Step out and enjoy the view of life, it is really worth it.

Djebenis tout moun

January 27, 2009

the weather is already starting to change. it is getting warmer and more humid, so I guess the January respite is coming to an end. today was report card day for the kids, including grades up to last Friday, which was the end of last quarter. Many of the kids were happy, some were not. One particular student that I have spoken of before had a math test today and did horrible on it. The mistakes are things he has done correctly before so many times, I must conclude that he is acting out his personal frustrations with his home situation. It is sad how so many of these kids wind up as pawns in family squabbles and such, and wind up coming to Haiti after years in the states totally ill equipped to handle life here. So tomorrow we start again with him, stricter rules on his books and on reviewing his work. He is actually pretty smart I would say, he just doesn't want to show it for whatever reason, maybe he thinks this will get him back to the states.

yesterday we went to the orphanage to bring some supplies and it was the first "official" day of House of Hope. Three kids to start, 2 more to come soon. When the mother of one of the kids (sorry I can't link kids with names yet, I don't see them every day) dropped off her son yesterday morning, she was apparently crying. I was at first sad but then Bev told me that she was crying because she was so happy, all she could say was "thank you, thank you". she understands her son will now have a chance at life she can't give him. Parents all over the area are apparently asking if Bev and Al would take their kids also. we talked about it yesterday, if only the kids could stay with the families, but that just does not work. paying for school, food, clothes just won't work here. The money disappears, or the things are sold, and the parents still can't teach the life skills the kids need. They didn't have anyone teach them so they don't know how to teach their kids. The kids were ecstatic, they were running around playing soccer in the small yard, all smiles. The parents can see the kids regularly at different times. Here are two people who are basically signing up to raise 5 kids from age 3-4-5 to 18, so pray for them when you can. Bev and Al Carpenter.

Gary hired a new worker today, the father of one of the kids who just recently lost his job. His English is good and he should help with the kids who are struggling with reading and such that need one on one help. There just arent' enough folks to go around to give this kind of help so the help will certainly be appreciated.

so sorry for all those midwest folks who are going thru the snow and cold!!!!! :)
(why do you think all the missionaries head for the south instead of northern Canada?) :) take care to everyone, drive careful.

Djebenis tout moun.

January 24, 2009

I can't believe how fast this is going. January is almost over, Feb is a short month, then it is March. There is a small team coming in the first of March to do a medical mission for a few days, then Caroline will be gone the rest of the month as she goes back to Chicago to teach an internet Bible study class, so that will be a very busy time for Gary and I. Then it is April and the school year is practically over.

Yesterday we finished the legal stuff for the new orphanage that Bev and Al are starting. there was a meeting with the available parents of the 3 kids who are going to be the first ones there. with a translator the rules and expectations were laid out and they agreed to everything. They were genuinely happy that their kids were getting a chance. When it came time to sign the papers, the only father there, who looked about mid 60's, couldn't sign his name. It looked like he had never done it before. One of the locals helping with the details took his hand and helped him hold the pen, then made his mark for him, then wrote his name as witness. This is a very humbling place. You see things like this regularly, people who never had a chance to get any kind of education and have had to make their way thru nothing but, well, whatever each uses. This man is an alcoholic, his wife is not sane, and their young son has apparently been exposed to far too much in far too short a time. He is one of a legion of kids who run the streets, naked for the most part, eating whatever they can find or steal, sleeping with whomever will take them. His name is Ti-Russ and he is maybe 4 years old, so those of you with kids that age imagine that life for them for as long as you can stand thinking of it, and know these kids live it every day.

It appears I will get to meet the ent doc in the next week or two, though nothing definite yet. It has been the last week of the grading period and it's been fairly busy with kids trying to get in grades. Yesterday I walked into my class and Pony was talking to Ginou, an American student from NJ here for the year. Ginou will go back to the states this summer and resume his life there as far as we all know. Pony has one leg, he lost his right leg to cancer several years ago. Pony is 19 I believe and lives in an orphange with about 10 or so other kids in Mountrois. His family lives far in the interior, and many of them are dead now. Pony was talking to Ginou when I came into the room and I knew Ginou was taking a test, so I told Pony to leave him alone. Pony told me he wanted to tell Ginou something about the chapel service we had that morning, so I gave him a minute. When I returned, Pony was returning to his desk and looking back over his shoulder told Ginou "you have nothing without God, Ginou".

When things like this happen it makes it difficult for me to think of being home, having the extra comforts and income and thinking it is really important. Pony will very likely spend his whole life here, though there is a chance he have an opportunity for school in the states when he graduates from school here (Pony is doing about 7th grade work). His life is as I described, and he takes the time to tell a rich kid from the states he has nothing w/o God. For those of you who know the Bible, everyday it seems to me that I am living in the book of Acts here. Kesmy had a seizure in class on Thursday, he moaned for about 5 minutes before it passed. They have been happening more frequently for him. Afterwards he said he was ok, just needed to rest. Later that night, I had to go back to school to get something around 7 pm (the school is open that and some other nights for an English class some of the teachers hold for Haitians) and Kesmy was there reading from a French Bible studying Scripture.

This is a very, very humbling place despite the problems and pitfalls. It can be totally exasperating and then.....you see why you're here all over again. It get's clear again in your mind and you carry on. I don't know what the future holds, no one really does. I will very likely be home this summer as I do need to make some money to support myself here, and I truly do miss my son's and friends there. The longer I am here though, it seems it get's a little more clear to me how I want to live the rest of my life. I feel like I wasted so much of it chasing the garbage I was chasing, and I feel so blessed to be here and offer what little I have to offer to those I can offer it to.

So if you ever want to mess up your life and thought processes, just let me know. I'll arrange a trip here for you and maybe you'll be as messed up as I am! If you're lucky, maybe more! the weather is good, we even got a little rain the other day. take care folks, stay off the ice and snow. I much prefer the dust and dirt here. :)

Djebenis tout moun.

January 20,2009

so it is inauguration day in the US. I have read and observed thru the 'net the euphoria over President Obama's election and the hype about the inauguration, admittedly with some reservations, not only about the future and policies but about the level of excitement over it. I thought I maybe understood it some, but I asked one of the Haitian workers at our school what his thoughts were about it. Kevin is Haitian, but was born and raised in the states until circumstances forced his return to Haiti. He would pass for pure American on any street in the states. Kevin gave the answer I thought was there; it is not as much a celebration of an individual but a race who see's itself as finally arriving, as having reached the crest of the hill after interminable time and struggle. It is a very personal thing for African Americans and other of African heritage around the world apparently. I can understand it, but obviously not from a personal struggle viewpoint. I am an outsider to some extent on this and that is ok.

it seems to me that for a race that has always been "at the bottom of the barrell" for lack of a better way to express it (PLEASE, don't think I am trying to be harsh, I am just trying to describe some history in a short space) to have "one of their own" as the leader of the most powerful (?) nation on earth is a mark of arrival on the world scene. And unfortunately, a bit part of the responsibility for this (at least in America) fall's on the Christian Church, in my opinion. I know certain times have their "stuff", and we have ours now that we don't see that 100 years from now people will look back and say "what were they thinking there????". but slavery and the treatment of people like they were treated couldn't have happened the way it did except with the tacit, at least, approval of many Christians. They forgot that God gave us an order to love each other, regardless of race (Good Samaritan?). And that we were to go to all the earth sharing the love contained in that message. I hope we get it, if not "right", at least BETTER this time around the solar system. I hope we can all look at each other with more open eyes, and without the fear of difference. I hope all Christians will pray for President Obama, that he will know God more than he ever has, that he will be filled with a spirit of God as our leader. I hope we've grown up that much, though I know it can't be perfect. Slavery exists today, it continues to flourish in the world tragically. But maybe for this corner we can do it better, we can learn to love each other better, and forgive perceived sins and slights and offenses. I hope.

Djebenis tout moun,

Dan

January 17, 2009

I am writing this w/o the benefit of blogger.com,. which apparently has gone on vacation for awhile. Haven't been able to get on for about 3 days now. Eventually I will post the PG video I talked about. It is Saturday morning, Gary and Caroline have gone to their Bible school they teach, and I am holding down the fort here. Elna is here preparing to get the noon meal we have on Saturdays together with Al/Bev/Barb most of the time, and then do her regular work.

The recent (possible) opportunity to start an audiology practice in Port au Prince has got me to thinking, always a murky and treacherous activity for me. It leads me to think about why I am really here in the first place. Yes, I know this is an old theme with me, but I think it is good to question yourself sometimes, and the longer I am here, I think maybe I do so more often than I have in the past. Yesterday at school it was early and the kids and staff were gradually coming in. As is my tendency these days, I stand around the front gate to welcome the kids, staff and the occasional visitor, usually a parent paying a bill or straightening out a problem. As I stood there, some of the little ones wanted to hold the gate open so they could see, as they expected one of their comrades to show up any minute and wanted to see the truck come up the hill. So we stood there as they were around my knee's and I looked out.

A woman came by as is very usual, with a basket on her head filled with things to sell. She stopped and looked inside the gate and saw the kids and I am sure she knows this is a school, it is obvious. We met eyes and she did not look away, though I did. When I returned to her a fraction later, she was still looking inside at the kids and she had this look about her like "that is where I belonged long ago". I don't know how else to describe it. She stood there for a few seconds, actually maybe 15-20 seconds more after this just looking. She didn't appear upset or anything, but she looked like she was seeing herself somehow. After this she walked on, never looking back, not calling out her goods for sale as she had been, still straight backed with head up balancing her goods on her head.

The Haitian people are for the most part stoic, bearing up under what happens regardless, as they really don't have much choice in the matter. Every once in awhile, you get a glimpse, and usually only that in my limited experience. They are reluctant to reveal themselves. Maybe they are just comfortable that way, maybe they are afraid to open that door,afraid of how difficult it may be to close it again. This was a glimpse for me. This woman obviously in my mind felt something in that time, saw something in others she lacked, but always longed for in herself. Likely she never had the opportunity to go to school. Maybe she would have failed, as Haitian schools are not designed to bring out the best in what I have seen and know about them. Or maybe she would have been someone who could have made a big difference in many peoples lives, but the chance was not there for her, I assume.

I know these things happen all over the world in all cultures. It appears to me that for many people this mitigates the feeling of loss, as if it happens every day so why worry about it? I wonder if it is better to feel that way, though I know in my heart it is not. For me it magnifies the view of life and the poor, and knowing it happens every day doesn't make me feel better at all. It makes me think about what good I can do, even if I am not a trained teacher, or I don't know the language well enough, or can't help rebuild the generator engine like Gary can.

I think God knew what He was doing when He put it on my heart to come here. If all I can do is pray, smile and give a friendly pat on the shoulder,then maybe I should do that the best I can. Maybe when someone here goes to that place of regret or pain inside, and some goofball guy from the US is there to smile and say "God bless you", it may help ease that few seconds of dificulty for them, and maybe that is good enough for now. AND, that can be done anywhere I happen to be, here in St. Marc or Port au Prince or anywhere else.

Did I tell you of the neighbors who have this little boy who sings constantly? He seems SO happy just to be alive and he shows it, I love to listen to him. There is also this young girl, maybe 10 or so, who seems to do a lot of work, wears ragged clothes and she doesn't smile a lot. I never hear her singing. Maybe I can get a chance just to smile or tell her "God bless you".

Djebenis tout moun.

January 15, 2009

very chilly this morning, people were going around with coats and blankets to cover themselves. Al told me that down closer to the water where they are it got down to 68 degrees this morning......brrrrrrr! it was probably close to 70 for a low for us slightly further away from the water. :)

the new generator and batteries seem to be doing their job, the voltage on the inverter rarely goes below 24 now, which is a good thing as city power has all but disappeared. the transformer in our area (that apparently serves about 10x's more homes than it should) finally burned out...it had just been replaced about 2 years ago. also the power we had been getting sporadically prior to this was very low voltage and not useful for charging the batteries much at all. it will be pretty much generator power for us for the forseeable future (diesel is about $3 a gallon here right now).

school continues to present me with opportunities for growth (as in dealing with kids who are passive aggressive, or lazy, or so damaged they just don't care) w/o pulling my hair out.....well, you know what I mean. I realize more and more I am not a teacher, and I applaud those who do this for a living and do it well. I do fill a need for now and I am very glad to do so, but I believe my future in Haiti does not lie in a teaching position, at least today at 3:43 I believe that. I really do care for the kids and staff here, they are very interesting folks. :) oh, yes........I HAVE NEW PICTURES!!! shots of some of the kids, surrounding area, etc. I had a really good video that for whatever reason didn't keep on the camera (user error???)

first pic is of a few of the girls in school. these are Rutney, Ronid, Naika and Hulda. 4 girls from ages 9 to 12 who LOVE to make noise and feel like they own the school. These 4 are all for the most part hard workers, fairly competitive kids and they do pretty well.

(I haven't mastered the art of adding pictures, so if the text and pic's don't make sense, please forgive....the learning curve for technology get's longer in inverser proportion to the lenth of hair, I think)

the second picture is of the kindergarten class, where you may notice Sophonie, the young girl, is helping. she is a student of mine and pretty bright. the teachers on the right are Pierre and Elizabeth, who are trying to get the kids to look at the camera, as you can tell with mixed results.

third picture is of Evesner, our "Radar". company clerk type guy (ok, you would have to be older and remember the sitcom "MASH" to know this) He runs the office, takes care of grades and filing of the tests, deals with parents and such and translates for Gary when the going gets tough. AND, he is a genuinely wonderful person. very mild mannered, never raises his voice, rarely get's flustered. I am very happy I have had a chance to meet and get to know Evesner.

lastly in today's posting is the "gotcha!" picture that we all so want to get. Rose our cook, got caught with her hands in the sink and truly didn't expect the picture. don't you love it when you REALLY catch someone?? she cooks 4 day's a week for about 50 people...not just for lunch, but she comes to the house about 6am each day to make sandwiches for the kids and Haitian staff, either PB, tuna fish or egg salad. she prepares them, I take them over later. she goes to school after making the sandwiches carrying the rice and beans ans such for the lunch meal and starts cooking that. hard worker, and she likes to wear fancy hair nets, as you can see!

I hope that fill's in some gaps in the picture need. and even better news....I found the video's! later I will post some video rated PG so everyone can view. (not parental guidance......Pigs and Goats!) :)

I pray everyone is well in the bad weather and snow of central Illinois and elsewhere in the US. spend time taking care of each other, it really is a good way to live. bye for now.

January 13, 2009

Life continues on here. weather is fabulous, high was 85 today, no humidity, slight breeze. Life otherwise is, well, Haitian. there is no gas in the stations either here or in Port au Prince. it seems the local tenders of the fuel have mastered the art of black market profiteering. it is illegal for a gas station to sell fuel at above approved prices. so when there is a shortage, they sell it to front vendors by the barrell, deplete their supplies down to nothing. the "vendors" then sell it at an incredible mark up and it is legal, or at least something they don't take any time to monitor. then the "vendor" kicks back to the station operator. so gas now (when it is available) is selling for about $50-100 Haitian a gallon. that translates to $6-12 dollars a gallon. glad the generator and truck are diesel!!!! for whatever reason there is no shortage of diesel. guess they save on all the fuel oil they don't use here and make diesel! :)

this morning a ship was docked in port here and it had it's lights on, green and such. it was before dawn and the ship was sitting in the harbor, very pretty sight. tried to take a picture and got a great shot of the green screening on the porch, it reflected the light and, well, the picture didn't amount to much.

for several reasons, slavery has been a regular topic around here, both in conversation and at school in books. I have talked to several of the staff about restaveks, kids literally givento relatives to work as forced labor. and Kesmy is working in a civics book highlighting the civil war in America. Kesmy brought up an intersting question. Robert E Lee was supposed to be a very good man, a real "Christian". how then could he have fought and killed to preserve slavery?

it goes hand in hand with a book that has come up in the english class regarding the church in Topeka Ks in the 50's, I believe that started the WWJD movement. a great story about a pastor that challenged his congregation to live as Jesus would in EVERY step of their lives, both personal and in business. really changed many people. and it leads to a book I am reading about releasing power of Jesus by Bill Johnson that speaks of understanding really what Jesus called His followers to do, and that was the impossible. Jesus told the disciples to feed the thousands with nothing, and He said His followers would do greater things than He did. it seems maybe I should rethink this Christian thing I thought I had been living for some time now. maybe I don't understand all I thought I did, maybe there is more to challenging myself in how I live and what I expect to do with the life God gave me. maybe there is more.

anyway, I (again) will try to get more pictures to post as I know I would greatly appreciate them if I was reading some boring blog. pictures make it more interesting! the Creole is improving day by day, I find myself even starting to think some in the language. only some words, but some. so, arevwa e bonnuit tout moun! Djebenis! (goodbye and goodnight everyone! God bless) :)

January 9, 2009

My head is kind of in a fog right now. Caroline received a message from another missionary, Mike Painter, who knows the ent doc in Port au Prince I have spoken of. I am trying to meet her to find out if audiology services would be needed here. Mike spoke to her and she is apparently VERY interested in this, Mike said she told him there is a great need for services here. When Caroline told me I felt excited and disappointed at the same time. I thought of continuing audiology and helping those here who need that....and at the same time I thought of leaving the people who are here, the kids in school, the other workers, etc., and I thought of my family at home and friends at church. This may include moving here permanently, but that is really jumping the gun at this point.

When doors are opened or closed in your life, decisions are made easier. When many doors are open, it is more difficult. I am praying that some doors will close so that I will know where to go. Maybe I can work out both in some proportion of my time. Life is getting exciting here. Those that do, PLEASE pray for wisdom for me, as I tend to not have a monopoly on that particular quality most of my waking moments. Blessings from God (Djebenis) to all.

January 8 2009

well, different day today. we have no power for the school as the generator is going out. there is no gas in the town (as of about 7 last night when these decisions were made: found out gas arrived late last night and will be available sometime today). w/o gas there was no way to hire a tap-tap to take the kids home, as Gary had to go to Port to find another generator. therefore, school is closed today.

got a chance to take a tour of a home for rent just behind us, owned by the same person who owns this house, the school, and several other homes. Li gen anpil lajan.....he has much money!. house is empty, needs some paint, etc., but is very nice. the rent is about 9 times what this house is, at least that is what he first asked. immediately it dropped when Caroline almost gagged at the price. probablly won't happen, but you never know. it would allow more visitors, trips/missionaries to come here. who knows but God?

I am learning more and more to not worry about the future here. you just really have no idea what will turn up, almost minute to minute at times. so it is easier to let go of knowing and planning. I think that is a big difference between Haiti and the US. Americans want control, they need to know what is going to happen. Haitians know that life works out the way it does and for the most part they can't control most of it, so they don't try. people started showing up for school, as some did not check messages. And it was handled, they understood that things happen, so they go with the flow. Americans would have (IMO) thrown a fit. my time, my money for gas, my......... Haitians have seen more of life in many ways than most Americans ever will by an early age, that it kind of flows over them. that isn't always a good thing, as it is hard to get them to try to plan when they CAN do things. give and take I guess. Being here I don't worry really about power and water, even though it can be gone.

case in point. was filling the tanks on the roof as long as I was running the generator for a little while. it will still run but smokes a lot. forgot to check it as I am doing this and the water ran over and is coming off the roof. the workers came running just as I remembered it. my bad. but life goes on. I think I like Haiti in that regard. no one (usually) get's too caught up in the junk, we Haitians :) just go along with it. AND its warm!!! all for now, I'll update on my next goof up, so tune back in soon. :) :) bye for now

January 7, 2009

First day of school down, many more to go. slept in some this morning (meaning up by 6:30) had a great talk with everyone this morning, it really was great to have Bev/Al/Gary/Caroline and myself together to just talk about stuff. the trip in, the time home, where we are at with God and the mission, etc. really was encouraging to everyone I hope. school was good, Kensson is back (!) and worked today. hugs from everyone, all asked about my vacation as best they could. at lunch got to tell Rose "mwen grangou pou diri e pwa" and she laughed. it means "I am hungry for rice and beans". lots of tests were taken and we are all falling back into the routine here.

at our talk this morning we talked a lot about the grind of mission work. not that it is always terrible, but meaning that things usually don't happen in a rush. you hear of those who go out and organize revivals, etc., and draw 10-50,000 somewhere and they all get saved and everyone goes away happy. if you look a week later at those thousands who were "saved" often they show they are completely still in their previous lives, or discouraged that their life has not had a miraculous change so they say "forget this", etc. What I mean by the "grind" of mission work is not how difficult it is, but the staying power needed to continue day by day. Jesus said we were to make disciples of all people, not fly in and fly out. to make disciples it means being there every day to fight the battles. growth doesn't come in miraculous spurts usually, but in day by day persistence. these workers, these students, parents, etc., become closer to God little by little, especially in a place such as Haiti where you are fighting SO much culture. frankly, kind of like the US now. in the US though the enemy is complacency mainly (IMO). here it is active voudou worship and lifestyle. people are bucking tradition and family in doing many "Christian" activities. the bar is high, and the progress is slow, but progress we do.

so personally I am setting my sights for the next few months on "focus", meaning doing one thing at a time and doing it well, if possible. and with that, organization, so that when Iam spending time on the internet, let's say, it is positive and not just trolling, and it is towards a purpose. like blogging. :) I want to spend my time doing the things I want to get done, not just "float" with my time and wish I had done more later on. I am going to stretch and exercise daily, blog regularly, and study Creole daily. Spiritually, I will read or pray, or listen to worship daily. those are my goals. I know I won't do it perfectly, but as a good personal trainer I know would say, you won't get anything done if you don't start. I hope that focus will keep out some of the stupid in me, or at least make it more difficult for it to surface. it is a process though, so don't expect the blogs to become literature ok? :) maybe I'll find it easier to think good thoughts and become better at those thoughts and processes if I focus on those good things in front of me. seems like there is a book that talks about thinking about what is good, lovely, truthful, and how beneficial that can be for us. now where did I put that...........? bye for now

January 6 ,2009

back to blogging down  in Haiti.  got up at 4 this morning to make my flight, got back to the house here in St. Marc about 8:30.  didn't take long to figure out....THIS IS HAITI.   took 30 minutes to get people off the plane...moved the plane to the stair ramp instead of the other way around.  Al and Bev's luggage didn't show up.  Huge traffic jam outside the airport from people crowding a gas station because.....it actually had gas.  apparently that has not been the case for about a week.  people were driving on the sidewalks to get to the place.   saw some real big trash fires on the way out of Port.  I am really tired now.  GOOD NEWS: I STILL HAVE MY CAMERA!!!!   hopefully will get some pic's soon and post. Goodnight to everyone, including you, Johnboy.  :)