While in Haiti I will be staying by my relatives; my mom's cousin and his family are missionaries there. I will be teaching art to kids in the community and probably graphic design to the kids at the Christian School. I am very excited to teach art to these kids who are not currently involved in art classes and may have never had an art class! Art has always been and still is such a big part of my life- I cannot imagine not having the opportunity to do art!
"All around us God's creation shouts of his beauty and his goodness. The silhouette of lace on a barren tree draped with ice, the rays of sun streaming forth from a billowing cloud, the sound of a brook trickling over smooth stones, and the face of a child anticipating the arrival of the ice cream truck all speak of God's good heart if we will but have the eyes to see. The coming of spring after a hard winter is almost too glorious for a soul to bear. God's beauty is lavished on the world.
Creation itself is a great work of art, and all works after it are echoes of the original."
~Captivating by John and Staci Eldredge
I will also be working with the missionary organization, designing for them. My purpose is:
- To introduce underprivileged children and youth to use their creative energy for God’s glory.
- To assist Sous Espwa’s partners in producing attractive web pages and brochures that will enhance their ministry in Haiti.
I have the opportunity to be a youth group leader and Sunday school teacher at their church too!!
The preparations for this trip involve:
~Learning Creole (the language spoken there)
I am currently learning from an online program that I downloaded to my computer. It's really nice cause there are flashcards and they pronounce each word for you!
~Being approved as a volunteer with Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM)
I am finding out CRWM is very helpful :) I wasn't going to go through an organization at first but then I decided to partner with CRWM to assist me in the process. I am in the process of being approved as a volunteer; I had an interview yesterday and it went VERY well! Right now we are waiting on my approval in Haiti and for my budget to be approved.
~Fundraising
After I am approved, CRWM will assist me with the fundraising process. However, I am the one who has to make the connections with people! I'm making a list of all the people I know that would be willing to support me :)
~Putting together an art program and gathering art supplies
First of all I have to come up with an art program; this is going to be a bit of a challenge because I am not a teacher. I am trying to wrap my mind around how this will work! I know I can do it though :) Then I have to get art supplies. I will have access to a few things in Haiti. Other supplies will be cheaper to buy in the US and so I hope to get them now and ship them to Haiti before I leave.
~Preparing myself mentally and spiritually for what I will encounter
I was given a few books yesterday from the CRC to read about understanding people of other cultures and what short term missions looks like. I have also never been to a third world country and so I will be coming into contact with a poverty stricken people for the first time! I've heard this can be challenging.
And now for the procrastination... I am taking an online history class that I was supposed to have finished this summer :/ I chose instead to enjoy my summer and hang out with my friends! Now I am facing the consequences (imagine that)! I have until December to finish this class but if I leave in November I obviously have to finish it by then. I have 12 lessons to complete and two exams to take, a mid-term and a final exam. I am struggling with this class because I cannot stand history and therefore have no motivation to do the lessons!
Please pray for the rest of the plans to come together quickly so that I can continue preparing for my trip! Also for me to have the motivation to finish my class :)
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