Sightseeing!

Last Saturday the team from Canada arrived. This team consists of 12 people- 9 guys and 3 ladies. Sunday was the first day that I spent time with them. Jenny picked me up in the morning to attend church with her and the team. We went to a local Haitian church. The church met in the top of a building, in one small room. It reminded me of Bible times when Jesus met with the disciples in the upper room. There was hardly enough room for the congregation, let alone all 14 of us, so we sat in the choir area in the front of church. The whole service was in Creole and was two hours long. They started off by singing for about an hour, followed by a 45 min sermon and then more singing at the end. After church we stayed to talk to the leaders of the church. The team asked the leaders questions about their church and how they could help, and then the leaders had an opportunity to ask the team questions about their church. It was really neat to see two groups of people, from different parts of the world, together sharing about God at work in their churches. 

The view from our seats, looking out over the church

After church Jenny invited us all over for lunch at her house. From there we went sight-seeing. We drove downtown past the palace that got destroyed in the earthquake, past tent-citys and to one of the big churches that also was destroyed in the quake.

What is left of the Holy Trinity Cathedral...

they are hoping to rebuilt it eventually.

Then we drove up the mountain to a look-out point over the city. It was only about a 20 minute drive because there was hardly any traffic. The road was steep and curvy and narrow. Once we got to the top of the mountain it was about 10-15 degrees cooler. It was a gorgeous view! There were only a few clouds in the sky so we could see everything fine. There were soo many houses packed into the small area. About 2-2.5 million people, at least, live in Port-au-Prince.

Wednesday I went with the team to the Musee du Pantheon National, in Port-au-Prince. The museum is built underground. We had a guided tour and we learned all about the history of Haiti. The stuff I understood was actually pretty interesting (as interesting as history can get). And there was a small art gallery in the museum, displaying the works of Haitian artists- that was the best part!

A New Place to Call Home

Haiti. What a place! Like nothing I've ever seen before.

Let me start by telling you about some advice I was given before I left. I was told that in Haiti, you can choose to see the ugliness or the beauty. I choose to see the beauty and the good, in the midst of the ugly. There is beauty- flowers lining the walls, palm trees and various other greenery sprouting up all over, goats and chickens milling about the streets, beautiful people going places, always on the move. Then there are some unpleasant things- trash burning along the streets in garbage cans and in the ditches, children tapping on the car window begging for money or food, very large potholes in the road (makes for harsh driving conditions!), concrete everywhere and large metal gates.

It is hard to find a quiet place in the city. The sounds travels because the windows are always open to let the air in. In the morning I awake to the girls practicing the piano and the roosters crowing. Dogs are barking throughout the night. The sounds travel from the neighbors houses- their voices, the music they are playing, or their television. During the day I hear people talking as they walk by, the sounds of vehicles on the roads and horns honking.  

Daily life in Haiti is a lot different than life in Michigan. To begin with, it gets light at 5:00-5:30am and it gets dark at 5:00-5:30pm. I usually wake up between 5, 5:30 just because it is light outside and my body thinks it’s time to get up. Most people here go to bed early. I thought this was odd at first, but then I realized that when I wake up so early it only makes sense to go to bed earlier. At home I went to bed around 11:00-11:30...here I’m tired enough to sleep around 8:30-9pm. I’m in bed by about 9:30 on a good night! The heat can be very draining. 

It gets very hot here during the day and stays warm at night. The morning is the coolest part of the day. I think it’s normally about 80 degrees during the day- then again, I’m not really sure because we don’t watch a news program or a weather channel. And it doesn’t make much difference because you can’t do anything about the temperature. There is hardly any air conditioning, besides in the vehicles and an occasional room. In my room I have a fan blowing on me at night to keep the mosquitoes away. Most of the time when you sit still in a room, such as at the desk at the office, you keep a fan blowing on you to keep you cool and to keep the bugs away. 

I am adjusting to life here ever so slowly. Most days are very different from the next because right now I have no set schedule. This past week (I’ve been here for a full week now!) I have been touring the area and working with a team that is here from Canada. Their team consists of 12 people- they arrived on Saturday and they will be here until Monday. Only one or two people from their team have been here before so they didn’t know much about Haiti when they got here. We are learning and living together.

Me and Natasha (my cousin)

The Peace of God will Guard your Hearts and MINDS

Monday and Tuesday I had many things to finish up before I left. My mom also helped me rearrange everything inside my suitcases again and we had to keep re-weighing them. We had been packing for a week, trying to get the weight in each suitcase to be right. One suitcase could be up to 70 pounds and the other up to 50 pounds. I kept pulling things out that I decided I wouldn't need (like my favorite book :( in order to make room for more important things! Over these last days at home I thought I would be nervous and freaking out...instead I was surrounded by such a peace. I felt the peace that passes understanding. Isaiah 26: 3-4 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal."


Tuesday night I went with my family and a good friend to Detroit for the night. We stayed in a hotel near the airport. At 4am we awoke bright eyed and bushy tailed (ok, I was probably the only one bright eyed). I was a bit nervous at that point, but I prayed for the nerves to go away and they did.  We checked in my bags; one weighed 69 lbs and the other 49 lbs. That was a huge relief for my mom and I! Although trying to avoid the inevitable, we eventually had to say our goodbyes. There was not a dry eye. Obviously ;)

I hadn't flown since I was 15 and never by myself, so I walked confidently through the airport...pretending like I knew what I was doing. Thankfully I didn't have any blonde moments :) The plane to Miami was pretty full, except for the seat next to me. God had a plan in all of that too. I had been given some letters from my friends and co-workers to read on the airplane so I was able to read the letters and cry to myself without really disturbing anyone! The lady on the end of the aisle was super nice and I don't think she thought anything of it because she knew I was leaving for 7 months.


Once in Miami I had a 4 hour layover. I got to ride the SkyTrain to my gate. That reminded me of the Metro in Chicago. I was also amazed that there were golf carts inside the airport! Craaazy! I sat by myself for 3.5 hours contemplating life (prepping myself for my arrival at the Port-au-Prince airport). Going on the 4th hour I began to feel sorry for myself and decided that I wanted to make friends with the nice group of people sitting near me. So, I asked them why there were going to Haiti. They proceeded to tell me about their trip and I shared about mine. When they learned that I had never been to Haiti before they were at first shocked (along with everyone else I ran into), and then they told me I could join their team to get through the airport! What a relief- I about cried when they invited me to join them! On the plane ride to Miami I prayed the whole time that God would surround me and direct me through the airport without any trouble. Well, he sure surrounded me...not only with his presence but with a group of 7 other people! <--- God sure does answer prayer!!


On the plane ride to Port-au-Prince there was a young Haitian girl, named Etianna, sitting next to me. Right away she asked me if I understood Creole. I told her I was going to be in Haiti for 7 months and no, in fact, I didn't know Creole. She laughed at me (not with me, at me). I told her that she could teach me Creole if she wanted to. At first she wasn't sure what to think of me and I wasn't sure what to think of her. However, we warmed up to each other real quickly. She wrote down several words and phrases for me and then I repeated them to her over and over. Her father was sitting next to her and she would turn to him, speaking Creole with him. At that point I realized how lost I was really going to be when I arrived in Haiti, not knowing the language. Thankfully God gave me an insight into that so I began preparing myself mentally. You really feel lost when everyone around you is clearly communicating and you are the only person that has no idea what is being discussed! (more to come on that later)


When we arrived at the airport it wasn't that chaotic- not like I had expected it to be. The airport (warehouse) is very small and immigration, baggage claim, and customs are all in the same area. The luggage was all piled in one big spot next to the conveyor so we had to search around for our bags. I found both of my bags right away and one of the guys in the group handled the heaviest one for me. Then as I was walking towards customs, to exit the airport, my uncle was standing right there. I breathed another sigh of relief...finally another familiar face!


My family was waiting to greet me when we pulled into the drive around 6 o'clock. I was exhausted and very very very happy.


Thank you for your prayers throughout the day! The trip could not have gone any better- Praise the LORD!

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. ~Dr. Seuss

Friday was my last day of work! Sad day :( However, I arrived home from work to find that my boxes of art supplies had arrived! That was an exciting moment! After being completely overwhelmed by the many choices for art supplies my mom saved the day. She helped me work through my frustration and we decided what all I needed to purchase. I have almost all the supplies I need.

My mom pulled out the suitcases today...this is really happening. It still doesn't seem real to me that I'm actually leaving. I'm sure it will hit me when I'm in the airport or on the plane.

Last week I had the opportunity to speak with a couple from Haiti; they are missionaries living right near my relatives. They are in the states for 6 months, as part of their home service. They shared a lot about Haiti and I was able to ask them some questions. Among other things, I was told that it takes about 2-3 months to ship something to Haiti. I was planning on shipping all my art supplies but they told me that the best option, at this point, would be to take everything down with me in suitcases. So, now we are working on securing another suitcase for me. My mom would like for everything to fit into two suitcases and a carry-on. I am thinking I'll need another suitcase, but we'll see about that :)

I have lists all over the place... People to call, things to pack, items to buy, paper work to fill out, errands I have to run, ect. And, on top of that, I have a million and one things running through my head (stuff that hasn't been added to a list yet)... I am praying that I accomplish everything and remember to pack everything. Tomorrow is orientation!

Fundraising update: $4,375 / 5,600

Waiting...

"Cause I been waiting all my life For a break like this It's my chance of a lifetime, I just know it is I gotta go find these dreams Was the last thing that I said And then I did" ~Rascal Flatts


Waiting has been one of the most difficult things for me to learn and I still struggle with it. God is constantly teaching me to wait for things. 


Faith is waiting- preparing, obeying, and moving with God. He may withhold direction from you cause he wants you to seek him more intently. God is more interested in a relationship with you than in what you can do for him. Waiting reflects our absolute dependance on God.


God is NOT in a hurry! Just because you feel ready, doesn't mean you are ready. Trusting God's timing is huge! God may have you waiting because the timing is not yet right. We don't know what we need, but our heavenly Father does. He equips you for what is to come while you are waiting. {God is less concerned about where you get than the person you are becoming in the process.}


Looking back on my life, I realized that I was not ready to do mission work when I would have liked to. As much as I wanted to go when I was in high school, I was not ready. Even after I graduated from high school, I was not ready. I can see that the year I spent away at college was an important time in my life when God was working, preparing me for what was to come--


I've been waiting...and FINALLY I get to go! The waiting and depending on God was such a challenge. However, now I have a plane ticket :) On November 9 I will be on an airplane, headed for warmer weather and another spectacular adventure with God!


Praise the Lord for His guidance and HIS plan! Pray for these next two weeks to go smoothy. I have many things to finish up- it's crunch time... Good thing I work well under pressure!


"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" Psalm 37:4

For Such a Time As This

I was asked the question, "How do you like not being in college?" Truth is, I like it a lot. I'm not stressed out like I was during the busy college life that I lead last year. I don't have to manage my time as well as I did last year. I don't have papers to write, teachers to answer too, or caf food to eat! These past two months have been enjoyable and somewhat relaxing.


Yet, I find myself missing the college life. Mostly just the social life I guess :) I have been visiting my friends at their colleges- I know my way around Calvin, Davenport, GVSU, and Cornerstone's campuses. (Well, let's say enough to get myself there, find my friends, and get back home without getting lost!) Believe it or not, I miss staying up way too late, multiple nights in a row, and then being so tired I can't think straight. I miss living in the dorms and being able to go visit my friends who are a hallway or a floor away. I sometimes even miss that craziness of life and the spontaneity.


As much as I miss it, now is not the time for college! I committed to Haiti and now is the time for me to leave and go serve alongside God. College will just have to wait :)


¹ There is a time for everything, 
   and a season for every activity under the heavens:


 ² a time to be born and a time to die,

   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
 ³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
   a time to tear down and a time to build,
 ⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
   a time to mourn and a time to dance,
 ⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
 ⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
   a time to keep and a time to throw away,
 ⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
   a time to be silent and a time to speak,
 ⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
   a time for war and a time for peace.

 ⁹ What do workers gain from their toil? ¹⁰ I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. ¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ~Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11

Overwhelmed

I thought it was hard coming up with an art program for 45 kids...try figuring out how many supplies you need for all the projects! I'm bringing basically everything with me- 


What size paper do I use for each project, what type of paper? I need to account for extra paper in case they mess up and for each paper that I plan to use in my examples/teaching. The paper comes in all different sizes so it's going to have to be cut down...but they don't have a paper cutter...  


How many groups do I divide the kids into for projects? What if there are more kids than I'm planning for? Can four kids use one watercolor tray or will it be best to get one tray per two kids? 


Then do I buy the watercolor trays with 12 colors or 24 colors? Not to mention there are about 20 different options for watercolor trays...each from a different manufacturer. And brushes, there are at least 12 different shapes brushes come in, long handled or short handled, natural or synthetic, soft or firm bristles...I could go on!


Also, this all involves math; math is not one of my strengths.


In the midst of my frustrations all I can do is SMILE! (I also keep reminding myself that this is much better than doing homework.) I am going to Haiti...to teach art classes...what an amazing opportunity!! I love ART and I get to share my love with these children. I feel as though I'm living a dream- but this is for real :) 


"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

YOU Put the Light in Me!

I had a very productive week, and a GREAT weekend:


Thursday night I got all of my fundraising packets completed. CRWM provided me with letters and envelopes, and then I wrote my own letters to go along with that. I distributed 63 letters to friends and family. My church had an offering for me on Sunday morning too. 


As of right now, I have $3,000 raised!! God is soo good! I am a only a bit surprised that this much money came within a matter of a few days. God promises to provide for our EVERY need. Phil 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." $6,000 looked like an insurmountable amount of money at first, but along the way I learned to trust God for the seemingly impossible.

^{Matthew 21: 18-22 18} Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. ¹⁹ Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
 ²⁰ When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.
 ²¹ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. ²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”


Jesus said WE can move mountains. You won't ever see the mountains move if you don't have faith the mountains can move. Believe that God will work everything out for his glory! He can do the impossible in our lives!


Friday morning I got a hair cut. This was a big deal because I got a lot cut off and a lot thinned out. Thankfully, I really like how it turned out :) Friday night I hung out with Alicia...we watched a chick flick (which ended up being a huge disappointment) and ate ice cream. 


Saturday I made a lot of progress on my art classes. I finished picking out projects for the Tuesday/Thursday classes! Now I have to figure out just how many supplies I will need, compare costs, and then purchase everything. And box it up to be mailed to Haiti. I will also be teaching another art class on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. I don't know all the details yet...might not find out until I get there. So, I'm going to plan for that class as best as I can and figure out what supplies to bring for that one too.


Saturday night I hung out with my friends; we went out for a nice dinner and then walked around and took some pictures. It was so great to see everyone again and catch up on each others lives!

It was a perfect night- we had a great time! And I had a lot of energy...this was my third cup of coffee of the day :)

I have a lot to do once again this week. I'm going to try and figure out the exact day I will be leaving- hopefully this will be within the next 2.5 -3 weeks.

Whatever I need to be, I'll be for you!

I am working on getting together an art program for the children in Haiti. I will be teaching art classes to 44 kids who live in an orphanage. I will be working with these kids twice a week, starting in January. This means that I need enough art projects for 40 days! I like to think of it as the 40 days of purpose :) The kids will be divided into two groups so I am preparing separate projects for the younger kids and the older ones. Thankfully my mom saved a lot of my art projects so I am looking back at those for ideas. Here are a few interesting pieces that I found:

Tree! Ha.

Firetruck- actually, not half bad!

Sledding- check out those legs! What was I thinking?!

I was quite the artist! 


I also have to purchase all the art supplies before I leave, then ship them down to Haiti. Again, a lot of work...but I'm enjoying the lesson planning so far. Let's hope the teaching goes just as well!


While I was digging through my old school work I found a project I did on Haiti from 5th grade; guess I had it on my mind way back then too! 

2 Corinthians 9:8- "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

God Knows What He is Doing- Period.

Communication has been a challenge as I have been planning my trip to Haiti. I can't exactly call the people that I need to talk to; I am relying on emails. When I send out an email I usually get a response 3-7 days later! However, when I receive an email I usually take a few days to respond too. I am not used to slow communication. I'm so used to calling, texting and facebooking people. There are still many unanswered questions relating to my trip- I want so badly to have answers.


Day by day God is revealing more of his plan to me. Although it is frustrating at times, I realized I would not want it any other way. Everything I have done so far and everything I have yet to do would have been overwhelming had I received instruction all at once. At the beginning of this journey all I knew was that I was going to Haiti. Along the way I partnered with CRWM, learned that I will be teaching art classes, and found out I would have to raise a considerable amount of money for this trip, among other things. And there is so much more that I don't know yet... In time, hopefully before I leave, I will know a few more of the details of His plan!


I listened to a podcast the other night about following God's leading. There were some very great points that I'll share with you as best as I can. Basically the message was, when we live in the move of God we have to be willing to say YES to the next step. This requires us to take the first step and then wait. So often we do not give ourselves fully to God, never jump in. We must commit to, and begin the journey, in order to see God move. Then, when God says step, we have to be willing to step. Often we want more clarity...a map...but God doesn't give us a plan. He gives us a STEP. As our faith grows for that step, God will reveal to us the next one.


God gives clarity in the midst of obedience. The first steps are terrifying (trust me, I've been there :). But that first YES leads to open doors in the future, if we are willing to keep saying yes and take RISKS. 


"If I am really seeking God, he keeps leading me to what I know I cannot do without Him."


Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."