Love Is...

Judy and I both had very uneventful trips home on Tuesday…I know for certain the Haitian people have blessed me more than I can put into words. They taught me allot about Love and humanity!

Love is patient…our medical team witness truly sick patients (some with severe wounds) patiently wait up to 6 hours to see a Dr.

Love is kind…we showed up for church (in poorest city were most of the people don’t have clothing or shoes), they ran out of seats for us to sit down so the people went home (into their tin huts) and brought us more seats so we did not have to stand.

Love is not self-seeking…On several occasions during our trip we fed the hungry (most of which only get one meal a week) Almost every person we gave food too on the street’s shared it with those who did not get food

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth...many Haitians shared similar stories about the day after the earthquake. The Haitian President and thousands of people were in the streets PRAISING GOD! (NOT hating but Praising)

Love never fails!
I want to thank
· All the people in Haiti who welcomed us with open arms and treated us like royalty!
· All my team members for the great team effort,
· Judy and Amy for the wonderful Job you did coordinating and leading the teams!
· Pastor Rigual, the orphanage staff and the kids at the orphanage for your impeccable hospitality
o We found out on our last day some of the kids at the orphanage gave us there mattress’s to sleep on for the week and they slept on the concert and tile floor because they want us to be comfortable.
o We can all learn a lesson from them they have “nothing” in our standards but what “nothing” they have they are willing to give us to make us more comfortable!!! I can’t think of anything more loving then that!!!!

Last but not least I thank the Lord for this Divine appointment he had for us!

Suzie (back in Santa Monica, CA)

New Rules

So when the teams were here the rules for the toilet was if it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down. And by flush they didn't mean apply slight pressure on a knob and it'll automatically do the rest, nope, it means lift a 5 gl bucket and carefully pour clean water into the hole until there's a pressure created and it sucks the stuff down. And since I'm the only one here now I've changed the rules. Now it's: if it's yellow let it mellow and if it's brown let it mellow too. At least until I have to brown again. Just doing my part to conserve.
*sorry no pics here.

-Dave born in Los Angeles, Ca

Mountain Trek

On Sat morning most of the initial team left. I was supposed to go to but I decided to extend my stay for another week. Suzie did too but just for a few extra days.

Friday, that really intense day, we stayed late and got really close to finishing the roof/floor but we had to get home before it got dark plus we were beat. But the rest of us decided to go back the next morning and finish. That we did. Closure in seeing the completion of something is such a good feeling.

After going back to the orphange to clean up we embarked on the planned
expedition to the Baptist mission in the mountains. The 12 of us crammed into the Toyota pick up. 5 in the cab, 7 in the back. With the pastor driving, he took us on an intentional detour so that we could see more of the city. As we entered downtown we saw the chaos of the market, tons of street vendors, selling everything from fruits to amps, set up against empty store front buildings. We passed a dead man lying on the sidewalk with police just starting to approach. Apparently people commonly do that because claiming a dead body would mean that person was responsible for the funeral costs. The pastor pointed out a 4 story pancaked (where the support columns gave out and the floors fell intact to top of each other) market building where he says there are still plenty of smashed bodies. Beyond the market we entered the greater civic center area, passing a major prison where the biggest gangsters were locked up, all 4000 escaped during the earthquake. Then we drove by the Presidental Palace which looked like it had the front facade completely ripped out. Champ Mays which was a huge park in the middle of downtown was now an immense tent city.

We continued up through Peytonville where the wealthy live, the main difference being there were actual stores as we know them versus just booths set up on the streets. Saw a cemetery turned rubble yard. Practicality trumps the sacred?

As the elevation got higher the air got noticeably cooler, rainforest like, in fact the greenry around got exponentially greener. And there were large houses built from this stone that gave it a rustic feel.

The mission had a great view. There were paint vendors just outside. I tried to haggle not noticing that the truck was about to leave me, which actually worked to my benefit because as I was rushing to get to the car the man said fine and gave it to me for the price to asked.

On the way back it started pouring. Too bad for the people in the back of the truck. It would've actually been really refreshing if it were down where we normally dwell.

Picked up 25 Dominoes pizzas, yes Peytonville has Dominoes, on the way back and had a pizza party with the kids.

-Dave from Oakland, CA

Sunday, May 23, 2010

We began our day at Bethlehem Evangelical Baptist Church with Pastor Rigaud, our team and the Haitian congregation. We were welcomed with amazing warmth and kindness. Rob Knechtle did a great job preaching while Pastor Rigaud interpreted. Who would have thought that going to church at 6:15am would be a highlight in the week, but it was. Throughout the week we have seen and heard many heartbreaking life stories. At church we were all the same, brothers and sisters celebrating the hope we have in Jesus and worshipping our God together.

In the afternoon we had the opportunity to go to La Saline to feed the children there. Some of the local women prepared rice and beans, chicken and vegetable broth, that was provided through a donation. It was our job to help serve the meal. When we pulled up in the trucks the kids were singing joyfully, it sounded like any other children’s service. It didn’t take long to see that many of the children were sick and malnourished. When Pastor Rigaud brought us to where the mud pies are made, that are fed to children, just to keep the hunger pains away, my heart was broken. Imagine feeding a child mud because there is nothing else. The depravity of their living conditions and lack of food was difficult to process.

Tomorrow, another part of the East Meets West Team is heading home. So what are we to make of our time in Haiti? How do we reconcile what we have seen with knowing that God is a loving God? For me, I will continue to have faith that our God, who conquered sin and death through allowing His “one and only son” to die on the cross, can also heal the Haitian people and give them a future. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”. Over the years I have asked God to use me as He sees fit. In “I Will Go” by Starfield, there is a line that I have adopted as a prayer, “break my heart for what breaks yours, everything I am for Your Kingdom’s cause”. Well, my heart is broken, now what am I going to do about it? What are all of us that have seen going to do about it? Maryann

New Church Berkeley Division

"raise your hand if you are having fun!!!

Our last day was a tough one physically and emotionally. We all hung in there and were inspired by our little helpers who came to assist in the afternoon. We feel so lucky to have spent this time with our Haitian friends to be inspired. Several of us head home tomorrow. A couple CA team members (Dave and Suzie) have decided to stay longer and will continue to work hard and play hard with the kids. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers and donations which have surely contributed to this experience and to our goal of helping the Haitian people.

Amy

beams and cloor that we will pour

boots and gloves made out of tire tubing for the cement mixer guys

having fun with the kids

thoughts

Started the day with a hearty breakfast; oatmeal drenched in warm syrup, fried plantain, an egg, chopped mangoes, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Lot of food, I know, I was struggling to get the p, b and j down, but I did and washed it down with some fruit punch. Trust me you need all the energy you can get down for in preparation for the day, it all goes away by the end.

We walked, gear in hand, through the village to the church/school/clinic building ready to do whatever they tell us to. Honestly, some of the days have started to blend together for me. Being in a foreign country, working long hard days does that to you. So if I’m remembering correctly today we passed a lot of buckets full of concrete assembly line fashion to some more structural forms on the second level. Hard, intense work, the hardest yet, I’d say for sure. The overcast sky was a huge blessing. Concrete is super heavy. It was basically a trap workout for me – 500 reps maybe more I really have no idea. At the end of the day I was completely covered in concrete, so bad that when I got back one of the worker ladys kicked me out of the back outdoor area…..outcast because I’m dirty.

I slipped in a game of soccer with some of the kids during their recess. A daily must….so much fun!

So everyday I’ve been here I question what I’m doing here? I want to do right. I want to be careful not to do more harm than help. It’s so easy to say that of course I’m doing good or being helpful. But still I’m constantly in my mind asking myself, what is the right thing?

So today as I was watching some of the Haitian men mix a batch of the concrete, I remembered something. A while ago I read something by a pastor that stuck with me. He said that the church is the hope of the world and that there is no other organization like it. And as I stood watching them build this building that would be the church – I realized that’s it! A church that would not only meet the physical needs of this place – food, education, health but most importantly the spiritual hunger that we all have for the love of Christ. This place would be a light for the people in the community and Haiti. Hope for the hopeless. The .00000001% that I’m here doing is part of that greater vision. And for now I have peace.

-Dave from Oakland, Ca.

column cement pour

More thoughts from today

The kids had a great time tonight, so many games to play, so much fun for them, thanks to Kim, Susie, and Amy, and our new medical team friends, the face painting group.

A little boy waited quietly to sit on my lap, a very very shy boy, Kiki. He was in the background waiting for his turn. Quiet amazement in his eyes. A small toy car with wind up wheels that he could have played with for hours. Silent, shy, keeps to himself. Hoping to spend some special time with Kiki tomorrow night.

A man on his stoop today on our way home, the entire team walking by, he went out his way to say "thank you for helping us".

All is well here for the entire team. Every day is a new experience for all.

Neil

working hard at the school

Had another great day at the worksite. We got the swing of the bucket line and moved approximately 7 yards of dirt through the building. We shoveled stone, sand, and mixed cement to pour another column and some footings. Hauled a lot of rebar onto the deck.

The medical team worked hard at the clinic at the school today. They treated 115 patients at one site (they were spread out at different sites). Many people waited all day to be seen.

All team members are feeling pretty good now, albeit sore muscles from the bucket lines. Wish us luck tomorrow as we mix, pour and move more materials.

Played many games with all the kids tonight. Many smiling faces.

- Amy and some construction lingo by Neil

bucket line professionals

Sharon chatting with the girls at school

a bunch of the new guys working hard

this dirt pile was a huge accomplishment via the bucket brigade

rice pick up

picked up our first batch of rice for distribution yesterday. will pick up many more 50lb bags this week thanks to donations from so many people at home... thank you!

work day

Enjoyed a great work day at the school. Raised rebar forms and poured columns. Sifted dirt, carried water, mixed cement. Everyone working hard and doing well. The kids sang for us tonight, they are so sweet. We were joined by team CT/NY who all arrived safely and jumped right into the hard work. We are glad to have such a great, big group. Heading back to the worksite tomorrow. Minimal power coverage therefore a quick update. More details tomorrow hopefully. Goodnight.

cement line

suzie doing the toughest job... sifting dirt and rocks, tough on the forearm muscles, nice work suzie!

this nice man let me try to help him with forming metal rebar then quickly decided I wasn't cut out for the job and said "fini!" (you're all done) hahaha

work day at the school

good laughs with junae

raising the form for the column

We don't live on Bread alone

Yesterday was by far one of the most rewarding days of my life. We had the opportunity to serve the poorest Haitian people in there local church. (a canopy hung over some dirt) We arrived early and had a little extra time. Therefore, we walked and silently prayed through the neighborhood. Before I knew it I had about 20-30 kids following me say “Hey You” (That is there way for saying hi).

The next thing I knew I was teaching the kids the YMCA, Hockey Pokey, Macarena, red light/green light. ALL the kids were laughing, smiling and having a great time! To top that I got to serve them food after all that fun!!!

The Lord is so amazing! I am so blessed the lord allowed me to communicate with the children not with words (as they speak Corel and I speak English) but through the power of the LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST! I PRAISE GOD I was the one he choose to bring JOY and Peace to those children (some with less the a month to live) even if only for a few hours.

Suzanne Nguyen (California)

uses for a 5 gallon bucket in haiti

1. step stool
2. chair
3. transport water
4. trash can
5. storage
6. collect rain
7. throw up in
8. toilet
9. carry dirt
10. carry rocks
11. carry laundry
12. store food
13. store water to flush toilet
14. store water for showering
15. store legos

150 kids got beannie babies after lunch, they were so excited

kids enjoying the meal

amy and cute baby boy

beautiful girl in la saline

sharon and new buddies in la saline


church service in la saline

linda and joe and friends

Today was difficult. I watched my mom and dad's eyes fill with tears as we watched the poorest people in Haiti sing together loudly under tarps for shade. The neighborhood is LaSaline, the place where mudpies are a child's only meal and water is hard to come by. Instead of asking us for money like most kids do downtown, they asked for our water. This afternoon we will go back with a meal for 500 people. We are prepared for chaos because we know that these people need food so badly. More thoughts from others to come soon. -Amy

beach fun

a tent city on the way to the beach

we bought chickens from this lady for dinner tomorrow night, yum!

Jacnel and friends

We took all the kids and the caregivers to the beach to have some fun. what a wonderful time!

Sights and Sounds

Greetings everyone, I thought I would talk about the sights and sounds in Haiti. I will follow up later in more detail about my current state of shock in what I have seen, it is so hard to explain and to understand how this can exist. The sights and sounds for now.......Friday night. The orphans singing, their melody echoing throughout the orphanage. A few UN folks stopping in last night, conversations with them, the singing children continues, hot, a slight breeze picking up. Stories of years of them (the UN folks) serving in other parts of the world, english accents. 60 orphans, many up for adoption. Some very very sad stories about them. They have hope and promise for a future now that they are at the Kingdom Kids Orpanage here in Port au Prince. Roosters making their sounds at 3am. Middle of the night, dogs barking in the distance, sounding back and forth to each other. The generator fires back up around 6am. People in the streets talking into the night. Tent compounds right outside the orphanage where we are staying. Kids everywhere, kids wanting to sit on your lap. Baby's crying, someone always looking to help. The folks that work here, very very busy always moving always working. Waking the streets (during the day in a group), people in doorways, pleasant greetings from all, rubble everywhere, sights you cannot imagine. A primitive barber shop. Kids watching. Music playing. A social meeting place. Sounds echo everywhere in this building (orphanage), concrete, unique construction, kids playing, kids cyring, the kids so so excited to be going to the beach in a few minutes (a very special trip today for all, our group and the staff and all the orphans). Communincating with the kids, tough for me, my lack of Creole studies on my end. We find ways to communicate. Le machine, matchbox cars for all, a week of machines for us. Later for now..............Neil Saturday, 7:30 am

team arrives safely in haiti

After a long journey from the east and west coasts, our team arrived safely in Haiti. One vehicle got a flat tire on the way here but we all managed to get to Pastor Riguad's in pretty good time. Its wonderful to see the children, lots of new faces. We walked down the street past homes destroyed by the earthquake. Many smiling faces greeted us as we walked by saying bonswa. The church and school managed to survive the quake with little damage. Many, many tents line the streets along with piles of rubble that is slowly being cleaned from people's homes. -Amy

beautiful skirts made for the girls at the orphanage