day 12

So its already Wednesday, this week is flying by for real. We just finished putting together school supply kits to give to kids at camp registration Monday. Each include pencils, pens, a sharpener, an eraser, a spiral notebook, notecards, and a pocket folder all in a canvas tote bag. With planning coming down to the final few details, I am getting super pumped to start English camp next week.

Yesterday my friend Jean Lucson offered to let us sit in on one of his Creole classes. He teaches some of the American kids that live on the compound and he is one of the most brilliant 15 year olds I've ever met. Jean Lucson, Ronaldo, and Frantzy helped us learn some important phrases and Psalm 50:15 (but more importantly "mwen tre remen pitimi" or "I really like peanut butter").

I also got to play a pick up foutbol game before dinner with some of the staff and some of our Haitian friends and y'all I SCORED A GOAL. Of course there was some correlation between the number of Haitians playing and the opportunities I had to touch the ball.

I've started the 30 day Eve & Adam study on the NewSpring website. Its designed to take a different Biblical woman each day and learn from her God experiences. My prayer is to return to America an even more mature woman of God than I left; that requires some work on my part and some renewal on His. It'll be totally worth it 5 and 1/2 weeks from now.

The staff as a whole has been surrounded by spiritual attacks the last few weeks. At Bible study last night, both the girls and guys groups ended up talking about spiritual warfare, what it looks like, and how we should handle it. Cathi brought up an incredible point.

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." Ephesians 6:13

Stand firm; not charge, not fight, not run full force. Spiritual attacks are often more powerful than we give them credit. We should always be on the defensive, but only attack when the Spirit leads us to. Jesus even rebuked the disciples for casting out demons without His go-ahead. So I'm asking that He would hold me so close to His Spirit so I can hear every beat of His heart and every whisper He speaks.

day 9

Wow, its already been more than a week since I landed in Port Au Prince. The days have flown by and I know the rest of the summer will too. God has been so good and so sweet to me its insane.

Friday we planned for camp and had a staff progressive dinner which was super fun. Its good to have some "family time" around the dinner table. As always we did highs and lows (some things never change). The night ended at the Ortiz's where we affirmed Lindsey before she headed back to the states Saturday morning.

After some Saturday camp planning, we had the opportunity to make it out to Onaville with the short term team thats here this week. Onaville was originally going to be a retirement community (an idea similar to social security) but ended up being an area of retreat after the earthquake for fear of potential tsunamis. We were basically there to play with the children and pray over the satellite campus NVM has there.

Crazy isn't it? To hold a starving child and know their name; equally life-giving and heart-breaking.

We came back to a fire in a warehouse container. It was a whirlwind of people and trucks and firefighters. But praise God, no one was hurt, the fire was put out, and the damage was minimal!

Getting water from the creek

Filling the fire hose since there are no hydrants

Aftermath

So yesterday was a heavy day to say the least. This morning we woke up and worshipped at church and yet again saw His love and grace. He is so wonderful to me. This week we will continue planning for camp and meeting with translators and proposing our curriculum to Pastor Pierre, be praying for patience and perseverance to finish this week strong!

day 6

home sweet Haiti

just look at His majesty

Today's the day we started planning individual detailed lessons for English camp and to say its overwhelming is an understatement.

Often times we were left a little stir crazy after spending hours on end in the office. Sometimes we played "throw the marker and land it on the ledge under the whiteboard." Clinton knew a considerable amount concerning Expo marker trajectory.

As a lesson planning break, we decided to start putting together school kits for the kids.

We had no way of relabeling the suitcase marked with "70" school kits to make it say "58" school kits, so we improvised.

All in all, it was a successful first week of planning.

After work, we were able to go into the village of Chambrun to play with the kids and meet some of the women there. Its always bittersweet to be with those people. The children so easily give their love to complete strangers in the midst of all the brokenness. Its really an incredible picture of God's grace. He gives us joy when the world says we shouldn't be joyful.

He's shown me countless reasons He wanted me here this summer. Its so cool to see how He uses our sin to make something beautiful and breathtaking. And while I've been feeling like there's no way someone here can know me deeply in a few short weeks He gave me a sweet friend to go through life with while I'm in Haiti. I am so beyond thankful.

Also we found a ti mabouya in the office bathroom.

day 3

So today was our first day of ESL intern work and it was literally 6 hours in a conference room reenacting scenes from The Dark Knight, playing hot seat, and talking through poverty, Haitian culture, our responsibilities, and the overall idea of last years English camp. It was a whole lot to absorb and process but I'm getting stoked about camp.

As we discussed poverty and brokenness, we read through the Scripture and found exactly what Jesus says about it.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners" Isaiah 61:1 (quoted Luke 4:18)

So clearly the gospel means wholeness not only spiritually but physically too. Because Jesus healed people both spiritually and physically. It so super important that I don't see myself as Haiti's hope, only Christ can fill that seat. I'm just as broken. And broken people cannot fix other broken people, but we can walk together as two cripples holding each other up. So humility is going to have to be a daily (hourly) prayer of mine these next few weeks.

On a lighter note, I got to play with the Haitian school kids after they got out of class. I joined some boys (around 8-10 years old) in a game of foutbol. Y'all they actually passed me the ball AND I had an assist. This "blonde" (white person) can keep up with the pros. I also got to see some old friends, its amazing to see how they remember me a year later and I can't wait to see these friendships grow. God is so sweet, y'all.

A demen! (until tomorrow)

day 2

Bonswa! I'm finally here in Chambrun with my intern friends after a delayed flight in Miami and some Port Au Prince traffic last night. Yesterday we washed dishes while speaking in British accents so its safe to say I love them already. I'm staying in an intern dorm with two bedrooms and a shared living room (sans A/C, yucky) with Heidi and Meghan who will also be working with the English camp.

This morning consisted of waking up to the sound of baby goats and rooster crows followed by homemade french toast sticks and coffee; after that we walked over to church where we worshipped until lunch. Haitians truly know the joy of the Lord and make every Sunday a party. There are shouts of praise from even the littlest ones and dancing and jumping and singing from every side. I love the freedom they've found in Jesus. Now we get to enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon.

I'm being bombarded by ED thoughts these past 24 hours. I'm certain its the anxiety from all this change (country, language, roommates, you know). As always, its a great reminder of how desperately I need Jesus.

“'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.' 'Alas, Sovereign Lord,' I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I am too young.' But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 1:5-8

When we are desperate God can do His best work. All He requires is that we pick up our cross daily. Like every morning, I'm going to have to give my disordered eating over to Him, ask Him to help me constantly  through each moment of the day, sleep, then wake up and do that all again. But He promises to help. He wants us to succeed. And what proud Dad wouldn't want His best for His sons and daughters?

day -5

God never ceases to reveal His countless blessings. Its incredible to see His plans in this trip that I had never understood until now. Time away from the people I love is going to be hard but necessary in order for me to grow in ways I couldn't otherwise. NVM's mission and my heart and God's purposes are lined up finally (obviously I was last to get there, everyone else was already on board). And although He has shown me how often I fail and how desperately I need Him, God's told me that in my weakness He will show Himself so powerful over these next few weeks.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes" Isaiah 61:1+3

NVM's vision is to "[provide] people an opportunity to live in an environment where they can be trained and equipped to contribute to their own personal development and eventually to the rebuilding of Haiti." 

Get this: God wants the exact same thing for all of His people.

"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew ruined cities that have been devastated for generations....Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance;...All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed."Isaiah 61:4,7+9

I am bursting with anticipation to see what the future of Haiti holds. I can't wait to be a part of the equipping of His people and the rebuilding of a nation full of hope and potential; the Haitians will literally be eternally changed.

He is a Promise Maker and a Promise Keeper.

Day -10

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

For the next seven weeks I will be planning and working and teaching with three complete strangers from across the country at Nehemiah Vision Ministries' English camp. I'll be living on the compound in a tiny village called Chambrun, about an hour east of Port Au Prince.

And here I am on a rainy afternoon in Raleigh, typing from the comfort of my own bed, ten days out from possibly some of the greatest and most challenging days God will ever bless me with. I know I'm not nearly ready to go; mentally, physically, spiritually. I've never felt so inadequate to do His work.

But He doesn't ask for adequacy, He asks for obedience; and God awards obedience with readiness.

I haven't been faithful in preparation for the trip since I've been home, yet He has continually blessed me in ways I would have never imagined. He provided more than enough funds for me to go. He allowed me to be a part of Matthew's high school graduation as well as make the trip to Haiti. He gave me peace about having a home away from home. I couldn't have more joy in this adventure.

"They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted." Isaiah 62:12

I am so looking forward to seeing Haiti grow and change and find Jesus in more ways than they know. I can't wait for His loved ones to see beauty from ashes and dry bones dance.