Sweet Summer Sundays

Preschoolers. Wonderful friends. Productivity. New recipes. Delicious food. 

Pretty much describes today. What a wonderful Sunday.

 

Today was the move-up day at Sunday School. We had a whole new group of 3 year-olds start in our Toy Barn classroom at church. It was so sweet to see the kids come in, so shy, and watch how they unfolded and became comfortable with us. There was one little boy who, during Bible story time, just curled up next to me and took my arm and put it around himself. So sweet. I feel so blessed to be starting my second year in the same classroom with and awesome co-teacher and amazing kids. Seriously, those kids are sometimes the highlight of my week. The things they say sometimes, their expressions...hilarious. Absolutely hilarious. And

I found out that my best friend's niece, Kaiya is in my class this year, which is just so fun, because her sister Josie, was in my class when I first started teaching. I love those girls and their family. 

Also, I felt so productive today! That is always my goal for Sunday afternoons, just catch up on laundry, clean the apartment for the week, and start the week out strong with some type of healthy meal for dinner and lunch Monday. I even got some errands done this afternoon too. I love when I can run errands and take my time just browsing the stores, not rushing to get anywhere. I know, it may be a little boring, but I find afternoons like that refreshing. I just feel ready to tackle whatever the next week holds, when everything is organized and in order at home.

My best friend, Kristin, and her husband, Nate, were in town this weekend too, celebrating Josie's 5th birthday, and they were able to stop by today for a little while to visit! I haven't seen her since April, and since she and Nate live about 5 hours away, I don't see them as often as I'd like. It was such a great little visit, to see them and catch up a little about what is going on with each of us. I love those two!! I can't wait to go see them in Kansas soon! 

This weekend, I also bought a grill, which I am very, very excited about haha. It's just a little one, but it works great! I grilled chicken, potatoes and veggies, and made a new chocolate chip cookie recipe! It was so fun to try out these new recipes and the grill--with success!

Oh well, time to get ready for work tomorrow...and a good night's sleep!

Haiti. Joy.

Well, it's been a pretty crazy month! Coming back from Haiti, settling back into work and just the routine of life here, in Arkansas. So, I know an update from Haiti has been overdue.

To sum the trip up: Incredible. And this is such an understatement.

From the beginning, the group I traveled with all hit it off. Even though I hadn't met half of them before, we just all got along from the beginning and I really enjoyed the relationships we were able to build over the week. I will have some pictures up of all us soon! Not to mention the awesome hosts of the mission, the family that has such a heart for the Haitian people and for the teams that come to volunteer and learn. Bill Sr., the founder of Mission to Haiti, met us on the bus. He knew who I was, just from seeing my name come up in emails, and from that point on, the warmth and genuineness from him and his family, made me feel so comfortable and a part of them. They are people from whom love just pours out.

When I think back on Haiti, I see such a beautiful country and such a beautiful people. I miss that place and those people so, so much. I cannot wait to go back. But at first, I honestly was overwhelmed with everything I saw and experienced.

My first impression of Haiti was pretty overwhelming. Most of what I saw was chaos and devastation, not only from the earthquake, but the quality of life of the people I saw driving past. The smell was the first thing I noticed. You would think that being a port city, you would smell the ocean, but stronger was the smell of garbage that just sat in the heat and humidity, the smell of burning rubber, both mixed with foods sold on every corner by street vendors. Vendors were everywhere. You really couldn’t look without seeing SOMEONE yelling and trying to get you to buy something. Of course, I did :). But in all honesty, I have never seen such a densely populated area, with people, structures, and vehicles. Driving there was completely insane and kind of fun, but definitely scary at times. The first few days it seemed like there were no rules, just cars, buses, people, motorcycles all over the road, no lanes, and no traffic lights. Actually, I saw one traffic signal, but no one heeded it. The obvious lack of resources, devastation of the buildings and infrastructure and the seeming chaos of it all, was impactful.

However, as the week went those initial reactions and beliefs shifted. The people I met there really demonstrated three values that were consistent in my stay there and I took the impact of those values home with me.

First, the genuine joy that the Haitian people live out was incredible to me. Everywhere we met, we interacted with people who were so happy in life, even in the middle of very difficult situations. The VBS kids at the tent city in particular really impressed me. The kids truly have nothing. You walk into the camp and there are kids playing in trash piles with no clothes. They don't have access to education, because all education is privatized in Haiti and costs money. They barely have enough food, and they are living in tin shanties and tents made out of tarps. But they had huge smiles on their faces every day. They always wanted to play some game with us, they would grab out hands and follow us all over and walk us back to our camp. They talked a mile a minute in Creole and were so thankful and excited for the snacks, clothes and school supplies we handed out the last day.

Also, the emphasis and desire for education in Haiti was like nothing I’ve ever seen. Comparing their desire for and dedication to learning to many Americans dedication to education was very humbling.

There were four young guys that hung out with us each day and accompanied us to the different camps. On our drives there and back we got to know the guys. Hudson, Dave, John, and Big became like brothers to us. Each of them was lucky enough to be in school and they talked to us about their goals of getting through high school and going to the university with such passion. Even the kids in the VBS were so intent on learning the memory verses we gave them…they would run up the next day and rattle off all the verses they learned in Creole. They were such fast and dedicated learners, I couldn’t believe it— I don't see a lot of American kids dedicate themselves to their studies like that.

The last thing I noticed was this huge sense of community between the lower class in Haiti. There is not middle class there—a very small percentage is extremely wealthy, but the rest is extremely poor. However, the community within the poverty was beautiful. They take care of each other even they might have nothing for themselves. One of the workers at the mission couldn’t afford to support his young daughter and another of the staff members has let her live with his family and is putting her through school. He has three kids himself, but was still willing to help out his friend.

By the end of the week I found myself realizing that those first impressions of Haiti had so much more to them. I wasn’t seeing as much of the physical devastation and prevalence of poverty, but two other things. First, the joy in the midst of so much devastation. Secondly, in spite of the individual struggle, selfishness was put aside and there was so much community and care for each other.

When I left Haiti on Monday, the impact of these two values really changed my beliefs that Haiti was ONLY poverty and sadness. Those things are prevalent, but if you look deeper, and you get to know the people, you can see that the people have so much hope, and they are doing what they know and what they can to overcome the oppression there. I absolutely love those people. I love their love for their country. Even though they are living in the devastation, everyone I talked to said they loved Haiti and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I think that was one of the  most powerful things I heard there.

Leaving that following Monday, I think the biggest question I've been thinking about lately is this: How am I expressing joy each day? At home, with my friends, at work, just day to day, am I first, receiving the joy that the Holy Spirit offers, and second, am I living it out as I should be? Haiti was humbling. So humbling. The joy and love that our team received from the people there is something that I will not forget. I can't wait to go back sometime!

And now, a few more pictures!

Standing on the most beautiful lookout. The view of Port-Au-Prince was incredible. I wish it hadn't been so cloudy but still...you could see the entire port, and both capes.

Here are some of the kids we taught at VBS in Gallette Chambon. We had about 100 the first day and around 200 by the end of the week.

All of us girls with Steeve! He was our translator and such a dedicated and godly man. Awesome friend!

I love the expressions of all the kids in this pic. They were such sweet kids. This is during one of our rides to Gallette Chambon in the tap-tap, a covered truck that we rode in the back in...public transporation in Haiti. Crazy, but fun trips!

I just love this picture of the kids examining the camera. Such sweet kids!