It's Time for Time to Fly...

I just got off the phone with my dad, and we both talked about how it is the time of year for time to fly by.  With every moment filled with some activity, it's hard to notice the the hours going by (and before you know it an entire month!)  This weekend, I spent EIGHT hours grading essays, tests and written assignments alone.  Then an additional four hours preparing for the week.  It was productive, but didn't feel productive because I had to be on my bottom the entire time.

Last weekend was more thrilling.  Alisha, Merlande, and I went to visit Mme. Bob, and we played the Haitian card game Carwo (sp? - no clue!)  We had so much fun just laughing at each other!

And fun for Alan (in second grade) attempting to take a picture.

We then ate dinner at a new restaurant called New Generation, just some fun girl time.  We have moved our Wednesday night discipleship time to this new hot spot, thanks to the air conditioners!

They have American television!  I was able to watch a little baseball!  If my memory serves me correctly, I want to say it was Detroit vs the Yankees.

Well, the Patriots finally got  a "W" today, I was able to hold a baby during the entire church service, talked to my dad, had time to read for fun, and my air conditioner quit working (currently 95 in here!)  All in all, a good day.  Here's to praying for a new week.

Love in Him.

Back to Norm...

Life is back to normal now that school is in session! I am thankful to be back into routine.  High school is back to work and back to homework! This year I have 67 students from freshmen to seniors.  And on Wednesday morning when I saw their faces in their pressed uniforms, my heart filled with joy!

This Sunday, Sunday school was back in session.  This year I am co-teaching with my friend Alisha Dodd the fifth and sixth graders. We are first looking at and memorizing Colossians 3:17-25.  Here is a picture from today.

Today, after church, I went to a friend's house to meet her sweet baby she had in June. He is beautiful and calm and full of cuddles!

Yesterday (Saturday), I spent time with two sweet friends Elose and Merlande and some youth girls they are discipling. We spent the afternoon making Haitian donuts, and we had a devotion.  Great Creole practice, and I got a baking (rather frying) lesson.  Sorry, I forgot my camera. A group of missionaries also met at my favorite restaurant in Port-de-Paix, The Breeze Marina.  It was a fun time to just hang out and laugh.

All in all, I am thankful to be back to business as usual.

Divine Date

Well, there are quite a few things I am terrible at.  Writing blog posts is at the top of the list.  I have an internal debate about narcissism every time I want to write something.  But, here goes nothing.

This summer has been wonderful.  I am overwhelmed by all the wonderful people in my life.  I have traveled, celebrated my cousins graduation, and mourned the loss of life of four people.  It has been a summer full of "never a dull moment" moments.  Constantly running.  Constantly talking, this is difficult for an introvert.  The summer has also been full of intimacy with the Lord.  Closeness that is and was indescribable.

Then something happened the week following July 4th.  I don't know if it was busyness, or a lack of self-discipline in my quiet time, but old wounds resurfaced and a loneliness in midst of a full schedule enveloped me.  With days filled with working and striving to regain intimacy, I continually failed.

It all heightened this weekend.  Two close friends left town for a week, I planned a full weekend to see as many people as I could and a quick out-of-town trip to see family.  Everything I planned canceled.  And again, I felt like a failure.

Priscilla Shirer is in Lexington this weekend, I was offered a ticket earlier this week, but I had plans, a full schedule, I couldn't attend.

A friend made her Facebook status that she had an extra ticket if anyone wanted to attend.  My schedule was suddenly wide-open, and I could use sometime hearing God's Word.  Ticket was mine.

The ticket was mine from the beginning, the person who offered the ticket to me early in the week - this was that ticket.  A Divine Date.

A Divine Date it has been already.  This morning in my prayer time I laid down before the Lord all the pain and confusion I was experiencing.  Priscilla spoke truth of God's love over everything I prayed about this morning.

He speaks.  Who am I?  Why am I so foolish to question?

So thankful.
Thanks Elaine Barton and Donna Hancock, too!

11 Things That Made Me Smile This Week...

1.  Watching my students work on homework and a taxi drives by; they pause to sing and dance with the song they love.

2.  Filling up a coke for a girl in my Bible study, and she says, “Thank you, friend.”

3.  Starting the Nehemiah study with my Bible study girls, and their excitement about “homework” and studying on their own.

4.  Starting the Nehemiah study and the rich discussion of having compassion for those around us afterward.

5. Being thankful for two wise women God is allowing me to learn from everyday.

6.   Letters from sweet friends.

7. Helping students with diagramming sentences on a Saturday morning.

8. Working out with friends, when the workout instructor is ridiculous!

9.  Friday night TV shows with sweet friends.

10. A teacher receives a Tim Tebow book and sends it to me to read first.

11. Group members from last week run into Home Free (love them!) in the airport, and tell them about Haiti and me!

Funds and "Cool" Missionaries

For someone who struggles with fundraising because I am simply living life as I would if I were in Lexington, just happen to be in Haiti (and especially since I have social issues and struggle allowing people to get to know me), it is difficult asking for your hard earned money to allow me to do what brings me joy. This blog post hit this dilemma on the spot.  

Fundraising and support is essential for missionaries, it is how they are able to do God's work He has called them to do.  But "missions" can become "cool", what is hot right now?  How can this mission work be sold to our church to make the members want to give?  And if you are not a "cool/hip" person, who prefers backstage work, your work may not be "cool enough" to increase funds.

Fundraising is the hardest, most awkward "job" as a missionary.  Teaching everyday is a gift; sitting on a taxi with one of the boys on the street talking about his family, school, and needs that day is a blessing; being home and someone unknowingly stops by because they are in need of prayer is a joy; having the weekly Bible study with high school girls and one of them says, "I feel like we are a family." melts the heart; teaching English to the community once a week and using that as an avenue to reach them with the gospel is a fun blessing; daily conversations with sweet Haitian friends about what God is teaching them, and encouraging them through everything they do for the their families is life giving.  This work is simple, it is daily life, and as Jamie put it, it's not "sexy".  (Cannot believe I just used that word.)

Jamie also said that if a missionary never feels struggles or defeated, there is a problem.  And that while, yes, monetary giving is essential for a missionary, emotional, prayerful, spiritual support is crucial.  Here in Haiti, I feel in a constant state of defeat, and for some reason I cannot stop working here.  It seems a bullet can appear from any direction, an upset student, your boss, your parents don't want you here, your parents are sick, the realization of the work and power of Voodoo in the lives of those you care about, or simply the feeling of loneliness or that your life is "on-hold" while in another country.  All of these, especially when combined (which is often), can become crippling  But the work, the interactions with Haitians, even if instant fruit is not shown, breathes life and purpose and Jesus in the day.  

So while, we missionaries need your financial support, we need your spiritual support more than anything.

A Dear One...

I am overjoyed that Chnida is working at Sonlight this year; meaning I still get to see her everyday.  Her mother is working in our home this year, and I love the opportunity to truly her family.  The greatness that is Chnida has been overtaking me, so I thought I would share it.

Chnida, is incredibly quiet and sweet. She has a heart of gold, ready to serve, and to encourage anyone around her.  If you ask of her any task, she does not question it; she will simply complete the task without a second thought.

We are changing Sunday School this year.  We are bringing together the English class and the Creole class.  It has gone well so far, and with big numbers.  We are walking through "The Storybook Bible" with the kids, and it is a great story-version of the Bible centered around Jesus Christ.  Thankfully, we have this Bible in both English and Creole.  Bringing the classes together, we needed a translator.  Our first Sunday, I saw Chnida passing by about to go home, and I grabbed her and asked her if she would be willing to help us this one Sunday.  She followed me upstairs, and has been working with us every Sunday.  No one needed to ask her.  Asking her if it is okay for her to continue to do this with us, she said, "Of course!  I love it, I love the kids, and working with them.  I wasn't sure what I would do for Sunday School this year.  I am happy to be here and to serve."  Love her and her heart!  This is us at church this morning.

Here she is speaking in front of the children at Sunday School.

If you could, pray for her.  She is sweet and intelligent.  She has a desire to go to college in the States.  It did not work out this year, but we are working, praying, and hoping for next year.  Pray God will show her the school she needs to attend, and that He will provide the means.  She wants to be a nurse, and definitely has the ability to be equal parts loving, caring, and  intelligent to handle the medications.  God is good, and I cannot wait to see how He will work in her future!

Marley and Me, Friends, Blessed

Working on school stuff today, I watched Marley and Me.  Love this movie; love the story it tells of a family during different stages in life.  The couple reminds me of my dear friends Ryan and Lauren.  They have been married for four years, and are living the life of young professionals in Connecticut.  They have a golden doodle named Jackson, full of energy and fun!  I love spending time with them, laughing, and consider their dog Jackson my own nephew-dog.  They remind me greatly of the John and Jenny Grogan characters in the movie: fun, easy-going, light-hearted, and down to earth. 

On top of that, I spoke with one of my best friends yesterday, who is about to visit Haiti (not my city, hoping to travel to see her), and thoughts of times with her and husband filled my heart with joy.

Watching Marley and Me stirred thankful thoughts in my mind.  God has blessed me with so many wonderful friends; friends I consider family.  Yes, every girl has her girlfriends she can talk to about life and day-to-day issues.  But what I am extremely thankful for are my couple-friends.

God has blessed me with windows inside each of their lives.   I have been able to watch all of their relationships develop, danced at their weddings, watch them grow together as married couples, and some of them beginning parenthood.  Basically, I felt nostalgic missing many friends, game and movie nights with them, and how their company makes me a better person.  And not just couples my age, God has blessed me with numerous families I consider part of my own family at multiple ages.   All of whom, I have learned from about life, family, relationships and how to handle situations that arise.

Marley and Me also shows a loving family.  Which of course, makes me miss everyone in my family terribly.  I want to hang out with my parents, go to my grandparents’ house, and visit with my aunts, uncles, and cousins.  It makes me think of the times at grandma’s house when everyone is there; the house is full to the brim with people, laughter, food, and shotguns.

All in all, I am thankful for all of my family-friends, thankful for God blessing me so, to the point of being spoiled-rotten.

Reflections from Week One.

I love being only a high school teacher.  I love having only one classroom that I can work to make beautiful and to focus on.  I love being upstairs at all time and being able to enforce high school expectations on our students.  After last year being a difficult year with students, I prayed a lot over summer for God to equip me to be the teacher the students needed.  I prayed I would be strong in discipline, and a strong teacher focused on lessons.  I prayed that this expectation would be placed at the beginning of the school year.  Well prayers have been answered, I have been firm and strict and the students have responded in a good way. This has not been in a desire for power and authority over the students.  But rather for them to grow to be respectful young adults.  Thus far, I am proud.  

The now seniors have been wonderful.  After filling my suitcases with bowties, suspenders, tuxedo shirts, and sweaters for their uniforms, they have looked "fresh" walking the halls of Sonlight Academy.  They are working hard and focusing on schoolwork.  We can only hope and pray it will continue!  Here they are on the first day of school.  The boys are shorter than the girls; oops you can barely see them.  Sorry!

Here is a picture of me with one of my favorite students Jean Gardy!  He is a senior this year, and I’m heart broken.  I am giving him his morning pep talk, and mainly embarrassing him.

Four of our graduates from last school year are now working at Sonlight.  Which, of course, over joys me because now I can see them everyday still.  Fiona is working in first grade, Evenson and Jethro are in high school, and Chnida is in sixth grade.

Here are Eliona and Elionise on their second day of kindergarten.  They were late on their first day and I didn’t get a chance to see them.  They are so cute with their backpacks!  And Eliona has lost a tooth.

Here are two more senior boys, Bob and Yves-Mary on their first Friday.  On Fridays the boys will wear a straight tie.  They look sharp!

 One of my biggest fears of teaching only high school was the junior class.  I had heard only horror stories of this class, not listening to the teachers, acting out.  I thought for sure they would kick me back to the States.  But, as it turns out, I love them.  I have truly enjoyed having them in class so far and we have already done a fun activity in class and they handled it well.  I think we will have lots of fun getting to know each other this year!  Can’t wait to start to get to know their families.

I miss you all very much!  I love and pray for you often!  

Developing a Thick Skin.

This year in orientation we were blessed by Thom and Cara Whimpelberg leading us in two courses: Haitian History, and Haitian Culture.  Cara is one of Roger and Norma Alexander’s daughters, and moved here in 1983 when her parent’s originally moved her.  She is one of the first few Sonlight graduates, and has been teaching here for almost 20 years.  Somewhere in those years, she met her husband Thom, who visited several times with groups.  They are a power couple full of knowledge, encouragement, love, work ethic, and a passion for God’s people.  While they taught us, we staff had our eyes opened anew, even for some of us who have been here for 5 + years.

I can never learn enough Haitian History, and wish my schedule allotted me to time to attend Thom’s class, but it was Haitian Culture that continues to reel around in my head.  One phrase in particular, Cara said on numerous occasions, “Well, because Haiti forces you to develop a thick skin.”  Cara compared her life to growing up in Haiti and how it made her have a thick skin.  And I am starting to see it in myself too. 

It is Haitian culture to be called out for something that normally you would not do in the States.  Someone may yell across the street that you cannot wear what you have on to church because you are showing too much skin.  Someone may rub your hips and bottom after summer vacation stating, “Ou gwo!”  This meaning, “You are bigger than the last time I saw you.”  When you are thinking in your head, “I thought I did good, only 3 pounds!”  But they say all of these with good meaning.  Meaning they respect you enough for you to be sure to cover yourself, meaning you had a good vacation able to eat and relax.  All good things.

But this does make you develop a thick skin.  The more you are called out for an insecurity you may have, the more likely you will be able to accept it, brush it off, think, “God made me this way”, focus on what’s important, and to move on.  It reminds me of Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:3-4 when he says, “ I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.  It is the LORD who judges me.”

All in all, God’s opinion is the only one that matters.  Forget about everyone else’s.  Brush it off, and move on.  Develop a thick skin.

Home is where Haiti is.

First of all, I must say, it was so good to see all of my family and friends over the summer.  I love how God has blessed me with people in different cities, states, and countries.  I am spoiled.

While leaving America was difficult, walking the streets of Port-de-Paix has filled the voids.   It has been great reconnecting with families, walking and seeing old friends, and attending church hugging everyone as hard as possible.

First visit first, I had to run to go see the twins, Eliona and Elionise.  I was extremely happy that everything was the same.  They told me funny stories from summer vacation, work they had done to prepare for Kindergarten, and they placed a masked toy on my head saying I was the “Mardi-Gras”.  Then they would put it on each other’s heads.  It was wonderful to hear their laughs, singing, and silly stories.

Next visit, to the Dubois home.  It was great to see that they all looked great, had a great summer, and a great visit to Port-au-Prince to visit family.  I will have both sons in school this year.    Freud, the eldest son, will be a senior this year, I am proud yet sad.  He is very sweet, one you love to be around.

My favorite student Chnida (she graduated last year) keeps showing up to help in the classroom.  I love that she is not embarrassed to be at Sonlight after graduation, love that she wants to help, love her presence, love talking with her, and love making her cry when she laughs.  We are having fun, getting sweaty, and getting work done!

This year our staff has grown, a new single girl and a family.  We have been in orientation all week, and we have bonded over “Fun with Thom”, and learning Haitian History, and different points of Haitian Culture.  It has been unbelievably humbling to hear different aspects that are important in Haitian culture standards, and I have done the opposite.  Merci Senye pou gras-ou! 

Yesterday we completed a prayer walk, stopping in each teacher’s room, and anointing the teacher, the students, and the classroom for the education and ministry that will happen this school year.  It was touching to hear our staff (and some new friends) join together in prayer for the furthering of God’s Kingdom.  Your Kingdom come!

All in all, thankful to be back, and thankful to be back to work, thank you for all of your support in all the different forms of it.  Still can’t believe God chose me.  Please pray, tomorrow I will go visit a student’s home, which lost his father at the beginning of the summer.  Pray God will guide me in words of comfort and love to say, and the discernment if I just need to sit and be with them.  Pray for them as they continue to grieve, as well.

Much love in Him.

P.S. Sorry for the lack of pictures.  I was too fixated on seeing people to snap shots.  Photos to come.

Is this real life?!

I have been back in Kentucky for three full weeks now, and it has been a crazy-busy three weeks without a moment of free time.  It has been fun and difficult at times, but the “life is but a vapor” has complete new meaning.  I feel as if life is not real, I am just walking (or running) from one place to the next not absorbing anything.  I am just a vapor floating from one space to the next, the Scripture has become more literal. 

I am very happy to be back in the States, I cannot tell you how happy I am to see people, to be able to call, and to work in the Hospital and see my Saint Joseph family.  But I have gone nonstop after work trying to see as many people as I can.  And my Granny is about to enter Paradise, and my Dad is not taking it well, he is stressed out and not talking.  The one person that I talk to the most on this Earth is just unable to communicate.  It is hard to communicate that yes it is sad she is passing, but she is on the brink of something far greater!  I have coveted her a few times, but then I am reminded of Philippians 1:21-26.  Too many different things at once, it’s hard to balance.  And the past few days, I have truly missed Haiti.  I miss the people, I miss my students, I miss the work, I miss walking around, I basically miss my life down there.

So, as I feel like a hamster running in a circle, I am praying as I go to church on Sunday night, “Father, I miss connecting with You, I miss time with You.  I miss Your Word, I feel as if I am not even here.  I miss Haiti, you know it is all I think about.  I pray that this service will be a rich time of worship that will fill me for the week.”  THEN God showed up!  Jon, shared work that is being done at Sonlight, and showed pictures of Sonceneter where I taught High School everyday, he shared stories of the Market and the way he described I thought to myself YES that’s it!  I remember going down to the Market, and just being goofy as they yell at you trying to get you to buy something and just yelling back with a huge smile on my face. As Jon is sharing, I start tearing up.  THEN, it is time for worship and we sing “Forever Reign”, which I think is safe to say was a theme song for the spring semester.  Gepson and Stephen translated the song into Creole and, Haitians loved the song, and it is fun to sing in Creole.  I was just blown away.  To say that God answered my prayer for a rich worship time is an understatement.  And then I was able to come home and spend a whole hour and a half studying, then God kept me up to spend another good hour in prayer.  So thankful for Sunday night.

Something's Missing

I love life here, and am very thankful for the opportunity to be here.  It was probably because I was tired this week (and a little bit on the emotional side, cough, cough), but I was missing some things from home this week.  My family is by far what I miss the most, holy moly, especially my Dad.  I only see him about once a month, but sheesh, I miss daily phone calls (I also miss my constant Mom text messages).  The past few years he has become one of my best friends.  If I EVER need to talk something out, vent out my frustrations, or talk about something that made me overflow with joy: call Daddy Cell.  We talk every Sunday night, but it’s not the same. 

I am also a little sad because I miss my Aunt and cousins (Jimmy-Boy too, I guess :D).  My little cousins are growing up so fast, and I am missing it!  Nicholas is driving, Mariah is now 14, Madison will be a teenager soon, Mckenna is getting tall, Emily is in first grade and beginning to READ…holy moly!  I haven’t been to one of their sporting events in over a year!  I am actually thankful for facebook, it helps me to stay up to date.  In some ways I have felt guilty about being here.  Not seeing my family, not being able to help them out.  If anything I have felt as if I am burden to them.  But that is just satan and his lies…obviously.  Nothing about that is excellent, right, true, lovely, or praiseworthy.  DUH!

I miss BSF, I miss my Saturday morning meetings and the rich, scripture focused conversation that stems from it (and the Panera breakfasts afterward :D).  I miss being surrounded by excellent women who have been devoted to God, His Word, His people and who have lived it out! I miss the kids and Mom’s on Monday nights and all the hugs!  Surprisingly, I have not had very much scripture focused, challenging, though provoking conversations here.  But thankfully, God has provided a new outlet for that, I am pumped! 

I miss the girls I work with and their families!!!!!!  I miss meeting people at the arboretum and having walk/talks (God has blessed me with that here in Haiti though…AWESOME!)  I miss meeting friends at Orange Leaf.  I miss my Thursday night family.  I miss cooking/baking for them.  I miss meeting half way for Cracker Barrel dates.  :D

With all of that said, God spoke to me this morning.  I spent time in Hebrews 11-13, good morning if you ask me!  It never has before, but Hebrews 11:10 leapt off the page into my heart.

“For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

WOW!  Abraham, was willing to sacrifice his one son to God after be blessed him with Isaac because all he saw before him was the city that God built.  That was his focus.  Things of the world did not matter.  Then God reminded me of Philippians 3:20, my citizenship belongs in Heaven!  Not in Kentucky, or Haiti, but in Heaven.  This life is nothing but a vapor.  And He reminded me of one of the hardest scriptures I have ever had to swallow, Luke 9:61-62:

“Still another said, “I will follow you Lord; but first let me go back and say goodby to my family.”  Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.”

I remember reading this a year ago and thinking, I would miss my family so much that it would be utterly difficult to up and leave them.  Bu here I am, one year later.  But I want to live a life that reflects Christ that is not focused on storing up treasures here on earth that will wither away.  But storing up treasures for the Kingdom of God, to love anyone who God puts before me, to encourage them in the Word.  I love it when God speaks peace to me (it is always easier and more comforting to take than discipline :D)

God is good, I am thankful to be able to have a relationship with Him.  I pray that people see Him and not Tara Hibbs…she’s a loser without Him.  I love and miss you dearly.  Let me know how I can pray for you.  Imagine I just sent you a funny text message :D!

To God be the Glory, in everything!!!!

Isaiah 60:5a

Bonswa tout moun!!  It is with enthusiasm I write this blog.  The past few weeks have gone smoothly, and I have had an overwhelming peace with life here, and every day I fall more in love with the culture, land, and especially the people!  I am starting to find my place, get into a routine, and my personality is coming out, so thankful!  

Isaiah 60:5a says: "Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy."  I constantly have moments where joy overtakes me, and I call them "Isaiah 60:5a moments".  I have them all the time here in Haiti. I am thankful God sent me here.  I canNOT imagine my life any other way right now.

I have recently started regularly visiting House of Hope.  This week I met, Reginald.  God is so good people, I have always had a soft spot for deaf people, I want to make them feel loved and to communicate with them.  Thus, I know enough sign language to carry on a basic conversation.  You know when you are surrounded by people you cannot communicate with, but there is one person you can, you hold onto that person.  This is what happened with Reginald.  We walked around, signed, and got to know each other.  He followed us out as we left to wave good-bye.  Friday, I was visiting a sick student and was near the hospital.  He was outside saw me across the street, we waved, came over and we talked while I waited for my ride.  My heart was full!!  Then yesterday I went to the hospital again, and he showed me a book he is studying on David.  He showed me the verse he is trying to memorize from Deuteronomy.  I am going back Wednesday and we are going to play cards.  I downloaded two different ASL books to brush up on my sign language.  Below is Reginald.

Now I want to tell you about my Juniors.  Holy moly, it is hard to find the words to express how much I love them.  They are good kids, that I love being around.  Kindergarten is fun, I get all of my wanting to be a mother out with them.  Then it is time for Writing, and the beginning of an hour and half with my jolly Juniors.  Fiona had malaria last week and ended up missing the whole week of school. we all went to her house after school on Friday to see how she was (she is doing well and will be back at school tomorrow).  We rode a tap-tap together, trip there - hilarious.  Our driver was rambunctious, driving down an unpaved dirt road with numerous "pot holes", 14 people in his truck bed, and driving 40 mph.  Our butts lifted off the bed by 2 feet at least three times.  I wish you could have heard the laughter coming from Cashna, "Me-Zanmi!!!"  "Oooo....HAHAHA".  And heard Laud Ancy's belly laugh, loved it.  It was scary, exhilarating, and definitely an adventure never to be forgotten.  We spent time with Fiona, then headed back.  The tap-tap ride back was much fuller, I had a seat in the back looking ahead and I had the perfect view of each of my students.  I watched them interact, laughing with each other, I kept thinking, "Thank you God for bringing them into my life, I adore them."  Then Ayvory (whom is now known as Grandpa Vo-Vo) started singing, and I was saddened I didn't have my camera.  His facial expressions with his eyes bugged-out, arms flailing in the air, while rapping in a steady rhythm.  Oh I love that boy.  Below are my juniors, my heart melts.

And some good news!  God has lead me to return next school year!  I'll be able to see these beautiful faces graduate!

Please be in prayer for my ability to learn creole, I am doing somewhat better, but communication can still be a frustrating barrier.  Also, be in prayer for quick recall with my sign language.  That God will continually remind me of John 3, that I will forget myself and He will increase and I will decrease.  Thank you for everyone for your support.  E-mail me any prayers you may have, I will gladly petition.

To God be the Glory.  Forever, and ever.  Amen.

A Week Off...What does that mean?!

A week off of school for Mardi Gras.  Hmm...what is a week off?  I honestly cannot remember the last time I had a full week off from work, without compensating for some other type of work.  I think it was my freshman year of college Spring Break when we went to Fort Lauderdale (it was also the last time I have seen an actual sandy beach).  Mardi Gras is big here in Haiti, so we all received the week of from school.  I was worried, usually when I do not have a lot going on is when I get emotional.  When I miss my family, miss my Lexingtonian family, miss BSF, miss being able to get in my car and meet up with someone, miss sending funny text messages, miss going to the gym or church.  But, thankfully, I have had a busy week!  I have been able to get a LOT of school work done, and able to visit with a lot of folks here in Haiti.

One day I went on a 12 mile hike (do not do in Sperry's without socks), and we traveled to this cave in La Croix.  It was a beautiful hike through the country side.  God makes some beautiful scenery, by golly :D.

This picture was taken on our walk back.  I love being able to see the mountains and the ocean together. This high up you are able to see how blue the ocean is, and the different shading of blues.

Tuesday night, a wonderful family invited me to their house so that I could see the Mardi Gras festivities first hand.  Their house is down town, right in the thick of it all.  Groups of a hundred people would march up together with drums and the whole group would dance and sing.  We all danced on their balcony it was a grand ol' time!

These are the parents, the Maurrasse's, and they are such wonderful people.  Anywhere from 10-25 people who are homeless in the Port-de-Paix area stay the night at the bottom of their house, and they feed them.  Not to mention they have raised 7 wonderful, respectful children and put their relationship with Christ and school first.  They have also taken in a couple of their nephews because their Mom was not able to take care of them.  While interacting with them I could tell they were genuinely good parents.  They were involved in their kids lives.  Which is rare here,  and equivocally heartwarming to see.  They carry out the open door policy, and the Romans 12 hospitality practice.  After dinner we had the best discussion on the importance of living a holy life, and priorities in life.  They gave me a tour of the land that they own, this picture was taken on a rock on said land.  They also drove me around down town and gave me a tour, I now love down town Port-de-Paix...I used to be terrified.

So thankfully, I have been busy this week and have fallen even more in love with Haiti.

To God be the Glory.

Celebrating L-O-V-E!

I love Valentine's Day, it is the day to celebrate love.  Here is how we celebrated in Kindergarten and High School today.

This is what each Kindergartener had waiting for them on their desk this morning.

Today was also Mme. Patrick's Birthday.  We had a lot of celebrating to do in Kindergarten.

Please look at Hadassah's face, too funny!  This was their excitement over all of their goodies!

After Writing I kicked all the Juniors out.  I told them they were not allowed to return until I said so.  I then placed all of the Juniors and Seniors surprises at their seats.  I enjoy them so much, they're good kids.

This is a few of them enjoying their treats.  Rodh, sharing (or taking) with Evenson.

This was our hallway decoration for Kindergarten.  Flowers (made from their hand tracings), hand picked just for you!

The Juniors and Seniors wrote love poems and decorated them.  Who would have thought a group of 18 year olds would love glitter so much!!

Seriously, I LOVE Valentine's day!

To God be the Glory!

For the Least of These...

This is very simple, but by far started my Monday off on the right, humble foot.  And I thought it was fit to share.  This morning in my reading, I read Matthew 25, and I did not get past that chapter because God was already starting to speak to me through it.  Here is the main passage that stopped me:

I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me,I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

With this on my mind, I was running late to get my room ready for school.  Already my mind was flooded with tasks to do, and I had forgotten the scripture 50 yards away from my house.  When all of a sudden, a young boy comes right in front of me, "Madame papaye s'ilvousplait, papaye."  I had 12 writing books in one arm, my keys and coffee in the other, and over my shoulder a very heavy bag filled with all the teacher materials I would need for the day, oh and it was pouring rain, oh and I only got 3 hours of sleep the night before.  I was prepared to blow him off, to tell him I was running late.  But for some reason, not of my own will, I stopped handed him the writing books, set my coffee on the ground, reached into my bag grabbed out my notebook and ripped out a handful of sheets of paper and gave them to the boy.  "Mesi Madame," and he was on his way.  I picked my coffee up from the  ground and started walking, already thinking of what I needed to complete for school.  Then God  whispered in my ear, "The least of these, you gave ME paper.  Mesi." God is good people, and He takes my breathe away. Since you also answered God's call and helped me be here, He says "mesi" to you as well.  I love you so very much!  I hope He takes your breathe away! To God be the Glory!

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!