Some EXCELLENT Students!

Everyday that goes by, I love these kids more and more.  I tell them that ever since I was a little kid, all I have ever wanted is to be a Mom.  I think that would be the best job around.  I tell them that God has not blessed me with my own kids, but He sure has blessed me with YOU!  And that for the time being YOU are my kids!!!  I love it when one of them gets hurt (that sounds awful, but...) and I can pull them to the side clean it up, give them a band aid, a hug and a kiss.  Or when they walk into the classroom  giving their morning kisses, and one of them decides to give me a BIG bear hug with it.  To quote Rascal Flatts, "I melt!"

Above are Stevenly and Anexcandre.  They are in Kindergarten and are twins, and they are very smart, leaders, responsible, and the other kids seem happier when they are around.  They are some of the first to raise their hands when I ask a question, to complete their worksheets ready to be checked, and of course first ready to go outside for recess.  I never have to worry about them or discipline them (even during bathroom time!).  They are just well rounded good kids!  Stevenly is left handed...I am so jealous!  Not to mention they are BEAUTIFUL!  I tell Anexcandre how beautiful she is everyday.  Look at her eyes.  And they may be brother and sister, but you can tell they are twins by how much they look alike!

Now let's get to High School.  I was most scared about the Juniors and Seniors, but I think I enjoy them the most.  I love being able to have real conversations with them.  Below is Yvory (pronounced E-vory).  Holy moly do I love this kid.  Last week he had a cold and would blow his nose in the middle of class, when he did it made a loud horn sound.  I told him he made me miss my dad because that's how he sounds when he blows his nose.  I didn't know that was such a big deal until everyone started laughing...oops.  He is also left handed like my Dad so I said that he doubly reminded me of my Dad.  I didn't know that was funny but apparently it is.  Saturday I had the Juniors and Seniors over to watch Moby Dick, always a good time.  After the movie they stayed over a little longer to talk.  Yvory told this hilarious story of an old man and his dentures falling out while talking.  This is him in the middle of the story...I loved his facial expressions.  Then I also said that he reminded me of an old man with his mannerisms.  Well by golly, they thought that was funny too!  And poor Yvory his new nickname is "Grandpa-Yvory".  He quoted Moby Dick and said, "May God forgive you!"  It was HILARIOUS!  I loved having them over.  I love being able to open up my home, make some yummy treats and spend time with them outside the classroom.

The last group that visited brought some seeds that would be able to grow vegetation here in Haiti.  I am trying to grow tomatoes, sunflowers, and soy beans let's hope this works out!

And, Roger and Norma Alexander (the family that started Sonlight) have 6 six children (3 of which live here).  Last Sunday, they lost one of their daughters, Lori, and it was completely heartbreaking.  It was sudden, and she had a daughter, Riley who is 9.  Her husband passed away in an accident 4 years ago, so now Riley at 9 has had to experience the death of her father, and now mother.  Thankfully, she comes from a wonderful family and will definitely be taken care of.  If you think of it, please pray for comfort for the Alexander family.

Thank you so much to everyone!  I love you more than you know!

To God be the glory (in everything!)!!!!

PS Don't worry Giants fans, you will beat the Patriots in the Superbowl yet again because I am a Patriots fan.  I can already see the newspaper headlines in my head, "Belichick and Brady Unable to Win a Superbowl against Eli."  Sad day.

Peace out Kindergarten, Peace out Miss Te-wa

When I leave from Kindergarten to head over to High School, I have started a little goodbye saying, and they love it!  I say, "Peace out Kindergarten!" (while doing a peace sign).  Then they repeat, "Peace out Miss Te-wa (Tara)...hehehe!" (while doing the peace sign).  It is unbelievably adorable!!  Here are some pictures from Kindergarten!

This is the classroom!  Please note Neissah picking her nose (middle of the left side)...haha!  Mme. Jim is reading a book about snow to them.

This is the left side of the room.  That is Mme. Herbert, she is the most encouraging aide, always giving them a thumbs up, rubbing their cheeks, and smiling at them.  It is my favorite quality of hers.  You can see the students names on their desks.  Hans (the boy pointing) LOVES to show off his english speaking skills (in the middle of class...)

Oh, Mme. Michel!!!  She is definitely pregnant, due the beginning of March.  She is also extremely uncomfortable, bless her heart.  This picture depicts her demeanor most of the time.

That is all for now...I will be sure to post more.  Thank you so much to each of you who have allowed and help me to be here.  I was monitoring bathroom time the other day and almost started tearing up I was so rekonesan (grateful).

I love you very much!  And of course...

To God be the glory!

Dead Mice, Benjamin Button, and High Fives!

It has been a BUSY couple of weeks here in Sonlightville.  School is back into the swing of things, and I am officially teaching without Cara, I miss her!  I LOVE teaching these students and interacting with them, I just miss her she is a wonderful person to be around.  But to update y’all on my first week, it went as well as I think a first week could go.  No major mishaps to report.  (I did have a dead mouse in Kindergarten the first day, no big deal.)  Both classes were strangely quiet, which made me nervous.  Yea, that is completely done away with by now.

I am fully a relational leader.  I want to know you as an individual, connect, nurture and influence you in that way.  The silence made me uncomfortable, I thought great these students aren’t going to trust me to be their teacher, and think I am a goof.  Well, thankfully God created a moment (thanks to Evenson) that broke the silence last week and in High School, we laughed together.  Thank goodness!  From that moment on, the awkwardness of learning each other had been broken.

In Kindergarten, it happened during recess.  Rood Kendy fell on the concrete and started to bleed.  I helped him up, he cried into my stomach for a little bit as I hugged him, then we went into the classroom, hand in hand, to clean up and get a band-aid.  And my window to love those little ones became wide open.  Ahh gratitude!

Now I must recall Saturday, the 14^th:

Alarm set for 7:30 to get work done.  Wake up 6:30 ready to go, so I go to the kitchen table for some Bible/BSF/Bible Study time.  9:00 shower and get ready to go down town to get a Haitian cell phone.  9:15 go to my chair to put on my make-up.  9:15:30 GASP, there is a dead mouse next to my chair, in my bedroom.  9:16 sweep up dead mouse and dump in the sewage line that lines my house.  10:30 get my Haitian cell phone!  1:00 BAKE all kinds of goodies, the juniors and seniors are coming over for a movie.  2:00 they show up, what movie do they pick?  Benjamin Button.  Do I cry in front of them and embarrass myself?  Yes.  5:30 students leave and time to clean up.  5:32 kill massive roach on kitchen floor.  6:30 go out to dinner with Alexa and Megan.  Taxi ride home, I think my driver was drunk because it felt like the moped was going to fall over any second, and he looked to the left instead of straight ahead.  9:00 work on my quilt, and watch Big Bang Theory (holy moly do I love Sheldon!) with Megan.  All in all, it was an AMAZING day.

Today we went to the House of Hope.  The hospital here that has an orphanage connected to it. It.  Is.  My.  Favorite.  I just love those kids.  So many are sick, malnourished, I just want to hold them, feed them, give them a nice warm bubble bath and play games.  A little boy showed me his silly bands.  After about 2 minutes of facial expressions, I got my to-do list out for the day, turned it over, drew a circle and we played a half, miniature-sized game of cornhole where he tried to get his silly band to land in said circle.  This attracted another little boy and a couple of girls.  We then moved on to a circle drawn on the wall, with trying to toss a bouncy ball inside of it.  Anytime anyone made it….HIGH FIVE!  Heart is currently melting just recollecting it.  I love it, something so simple, something I cannot keep count of how many times a day I give them, but a high five and a young little boy or girl beams.  God is good.

My Birthday was the best yet.  I received a lot of sweet messages and e-mails, thanks so much!!!  The juniors and seniors sang to me right as class was starting.  The kindergartners had a sign waiting on my desk, and Norma made my favorite cake yellow with chocolate icing…YUM!  Only thing missing was a phone call from my Dad and Grandma, that’s the hardest part about being here.  I miss my Dad talks.  A bunch of us got together to watch a movie recommended by Thom.  I cannot believe that was my Birthday movie.  Unless you want to feel confused, sad, twisted all at the same time, do not watch Dances in the Dark.  (Just kidding Thom!) 

(But really, don’t watch it.)

Hey guess what, I love you very much and miss you!  Pictures to come, I took some in Kindergarten today!

To God be the Glory!

The BEST Christmas Yet!

Yesterday after lunch, Cara and I sorted through Christmas gifts for the kindergartners.  Holy moly.  She has done this every year since it began, this was my first time.  And I have sorted through Christmas gifts before for those who won’t have a “Christmas”.  For some reason, the Holy Spirit was stirring in me, and switched my heart to full-on tenderness.  There were tubs after tubs filled with gifts from dolls, motorized cars, markers, clothes, shoes, soap, shampoo, tooth brushes, gaudy jewelry, and play-dough.  It was mountainous.

Cara read a note that one of the sponsors had written, and I just teared up.  The thoughtfulness in the note and in the gift was overwhelming.  So much love in a few sentences and navy blue shorts.  Then I started thinking, I am jealous that this gets to be a part of Cara’s Christmas every year.  Then I thought, I get to see the happiness on their faces when they open up their gifts, why do I get to see that joyful moment?  I pictured Emanuella and her excited from her doll with a bunch of curly hair.  Wilensky pumped up for his soccer ball.  I saw all the girls putting on their bracelets, laughing, showing off to each other, and rambling on at a quick rate in a language I don't know.  I am really going to be crying on Friday, better have the tissues at hand.

All in all, the best Christmas yet, I have never really enjoyed Christmas, the commercialized side of it.  I look forward to Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.  There is too much pressure in finding the perfect present that will only be exciting for 15 minutes, then forgotten.  It is why Thanksgiving is my favorite, it’s just the family eating and enjoying each other’s company without the fuss of opening presents at the end of the day.  Yesterday afternoon brought excitement to seeing a bunch of 5 year olds open up dolls, balls, and markers.  Truly, BEST Christmas yet!

Love and miss you!  I wish I could send you a funny text message.

Yesterday, God was glorified, definitely. 

2 G's

It is extremely difficult to ask for support.  I would much rather be on the giving side than the receiving.  God unequivocally sent me here and I am certain that the fundraising portion was another way for me to learn.  I thought, I had this call, it is my duty to provide a substantial portion of my funds.  And then, as usual (you would think I would understand by now) God raised that right hand of His and thwarted me on the back of the head (in a loving way, of course).

The first week of November I received a fundraising update e-mail and I was literally (and figuratively) FLOORED.  I sat down on my bedroom floor and teared up.  The generosity demonstrated by so many wonderful people.  A family with 3 kids, and another that they were fostering wrote a beyond generous check.  And a dear friend with a 1 year old, commuting for work, working on her master’s, and a baby on the way, her gift took my breath away.  When I looked at the list, immediately I started to pray that God would bless them 10 fold for their selfless gifts.

2 other greatly generous gifts, Dr. Bastin, a dear friend and one of my many mothers, opened up their home for me so I wouldn’t have to worry about finding a sublease.  My small group got me a kindle fire, the nicest gift I have ever received.  In the course of a week and a half I have already read 3 books (nerd).

So, my 2 G’s are generosity and gratitude.  I am completely grateful for everyone’s generosity.  Whether in a gift/monetary form, prayer, or an encouraging word (I’m words of affirmation :D).  I cannot wait to see how God is going to bless each of you!

Truly, to God be the glory, GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE!

Saturday, Saturday, SATURDAY!!

The first week is under my belt.  This morning a few of us were going to go for a run (so thankful for other runners on the team). But it was raining so that plan got canceled. 

This day off however was certainly adventurous.  5 of us (Brooke, Megan, Alexa, Benny and I) got on a tap-tap (a pick up truck that everyone rides on the back of) and headed toward St. Louis to go for a hike to see a waterfall.  We had to walk through this river a few times, I kept thinking of Oregon Trail when we did.  First time wasn’t so bad because the water wasn’t too deep, only to our knees, and the current wasn’t very strong.  Then we walked along an extremely muddy path that made a normal hour long walk about 2 hours.  Along the way we were greeted by some not so enthused cows, goats, and pigs that would give us a groan of a salutation, it was hilarious (yes I snorted a few times.  AND on that subject a few of the high school girls snort when they laugh!!  MADE MY DAY!)

The next time we crossed the river, there were bigger rocks, which made it more difficult to walk across.  Sad thing is, here we are this group of white people (“blanc” is their chant for us as we walk past) holding our skirts up (pretty sure Victoria no longer has a Secret after today) struggling to get across the river.  While older Haitian women are walking across with ease, speed, and probably 50# of food/water/merchandise on top of their heads.  Moral of the story: we are pathetic.  We past this enormous tree that was beautiful, perfect for climbing, Benny said that they all believed the devil lived in the tree, therefore they have not cut it down.

Right before we got to the waterfall, we past through a village where a few kids started to follow us.  This little boy held my hand the last 100 yards, and he had the biggest grin on his face.  It was if, “Look at me, I am holding the blanc’s hand.”  Parading around.  He was too cute (not precious :D).  Then the full adventure of the day truly began.  We had to cross the river one more time.  Current: very strong, rocks: huge, water: to our hips.  Brooke fell a few times and thought she wouldn’t make it back up, the river took her down a few yards.  A few Haitian boys came to her aid and helped walk her across. 

Alas, we made it to the waterfall, and it was well worth the effort.  It was probably 50 feet high.  We went swimming for a bit where the waterfall landed.  Then time to head back.  Where more adventures ensued. 

After the tremendous task of crossing the river, we decided to take taxis back to St. Louis.  Megan and I shared a taxi (3 people on a moped…my Mom would have shrieked).  We went through mud, standing water, short passes of the river, AND the best part: we rode down a 6 foot cliff straight into a passing of the river.  Once we made it back to the market, we were fortunate to see a boy pooping in the middle then wiping with a rock.  SERIOUSLY?!  Then the tap-tap ride back to Port-de-Paix was filled with this Haitian boy trying to woo Megan.  Unsuccessful.  I was thankful for a shower and a good meal of rice and beans upon our arrival. 

And now comes the hardest part for me.  Y’all know me, I enjoy staying busy, keeping a full schedule until my head hits the bed, biggest adjustment will be nights like tonight, where there is not much of anything to do.  Follow scores on espn.com and read. GO CATS!  Pray that God will open new ways for me to be spending this time.

Hey – I love you!!

To God be the Glory.

I'm here!

Day 2 of school is complete!  And I am completely in love.  Sonlight truly is a special place, it is hard to describe.  A friend described it as a little piece of heaven on earth.  And while that can be a cheesey phrase that is often overused, it really is.  Encircled by turmoil, and pain, Sonlight is a safe haven.  Kids love and want to come to school.  They wan to learn and they want to excel.  It is where they will experience love and grace, they will hear an encouraging word and know that someone cares for them. 

And we all knew it would happen, but i has!  I have found that one child that if I could bring home, there would be no hesitation.  His name is Bonard, he is in the kindergarten class.  And he has the chunkiest, cutest cheeks yet he is so petite. He has a smile that warms your heart and you instantly want to give him a hug.

Then in High School today, two students read their critiques of novels they have recently read.  I was impressed,  and clearly you could see their personalities in what they read and how they interpreted their books.  Evansen was scientific and back and white (typical male).  Baradina was heartwarming, you could tell how the book made her feel (typical female).  She also used one of my favorite life lesson sayings, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”  I adored it.  High Schoolers are reading The Scarlet Letter, and are contemplating the story and its meaning.  “It is done,” was read today and they all immediately went to when Jesus said, “It is finished.”  :D

My high fives have already begun with kindergarten…uh oh.  I am loving the transition of starting my day in kindergarten and ending in High School.  It is a great difference to keep my ADD brain focused with a change up.  (Big Brother did you like my Baseball terminology).

THANK YOU to ALL of you who went out of your way to make me feel loved my last 2 weeks.  I hate goodbyes and am terrible at them, so thank you for making me feel loved.  I have never felt so loved!  And currently I am still in awe of God blessing me with the opportunity to be here.  All the missionaries who were here already, such a blessing to be able to learn from them, they are some astounding people.

I love y’all so very much!

Facebook message me or e-mail me how I can pray for you!

To God be the Glory.

PS Funny side story:  I came home from school yesterday and there were 2 pigs outside our gate eating in the sewage that lines the streets.  One was probably 150# the other 50#.  I thought, welome to Haiti.