Haitian Vacation Day

Big Ship Lollipop

Dec 26th

Haitian fishermen  lobster fishing

 Today we helped the Reinhards take a Haitian Holiday.  It was a tough assignment but somebody had to do it!! :)  They arranged a water taxi ( Haitian of course) to take us to a sand bar to snorkel and then to a larger island for a picnic.   It was a beautiful day and once way from the icky wharf the water was clear clean and beautiful... along the shore it is bad... the houses along the shore dump pure waste into the water... ewww  as you pull out you see the outhouses all backed up to the water...  so we went away from all that and the sand bar was great! There were lots of shells and starfish. 

It was literally a 25ft pile of sand in the ocean.... between two small islands.  Nice and shallow great for snorkeling, not many fish but lots of shells and sea urchins ect.

After we snorkeled the water taxi took us to the small island and we went ashore to have a picnic.  Amazing how quickly we draw a crowd! the just come to watch, some come to sell shells ect. we had lunch, played in the water, some walked the beach up to a cave entrance where the waves crash in.  There is a resort on this island, we went and took a short tour of it.  Tim and Joan have stayed there and the board has stayed when here for meetings.  It is a nice getaway, doesn't seem like Haiti.  There is no fresh water on the island though, so all the water they use has to be brought in or rain water caught.  They use wind power, diesel generators and solar  on this island for electricity.  Infrastructure (electricity, water, ect)  is majorly lacking on the main island of Haiti, let alone these smaller islands...

Sarah, out!  faith, pretending to snore..zzzzzz

A Haitian Christmas

Well, Haitian's start church early!  (Before it gets too hot) we went to a Baptist church in Masse a part of Cayes, maybe an area of Cayes... ??  they are in the process of building a new church and just took down the walls of the old church and strung up tarps to shield the sun.  It is completely cement like most construction around here.  They are still trying to perfect the tarp system... parts of it fell and parts didn't quite shield the sun... but this is Haiti... :)

This is the church's neighbor

view of pulpit from where I was sitting

We arrived as they were finishing Sunday School.  Pastor Johnny started and talked of the Christmas story and how Joseph and Mary had to trust God.  and the Christ was brought not is a hotel but in a lowly stable with the lowliest people.  There was an old Pastor visiting there and he came to encourage the church there in their building efforts. They just held their conference last week and he told them that all the other churches are praying for them, compared them to those in Nehemiah time who built in spite of the adversity that was around them.   He looked old and barely got around, but he was a powerful speaker!! (Tim interpreted for us as things were spoken.)

At the end of the service there was a dedication of a little girl about 3-4 months old.  They dedicate their children, commit them to the Lord until the child is old enough to make the decision on her own.  They ask the parents if they will raise her in God's ways and then the congregation if they will support this family in this effort... something along those lines... :)
It was pretty amazing sitting in a neighborhood of house upon house, seeing the poverty all around and yet to sing along with the Haitians Count Your Many Blessings name them one by one... after the service Tim told them who their visitors were.  In the prayers through out the services they prayed for the missionaries, for Mr. Tim and his family and asked for a blessing for how they help them. 

After the service they all came and shook our hands.

The cute kids all cleaned up in their best.

After church we came home and I called and we all talked to Leah.  It was good to talk to her.
Then we went out to a missionary's house that has taken over a sports/recreation area.  They are looking to restore it and build new to support a sports area for schools, orphanages ect to bring the kids to have a fun day or short stay.  It is right on the coast where a river empties into the ocean.  they currently have local kids come in, when their kids are back around from college, as a local outreach.  All the different missionary organizations come together for these Holiday gatherings. It was a potluck dinner and ham, everything was good! Hung around there and played volleyball, kayaked of canoed  up the river. Came home and ate again!!  I though people starved in Haiti?!!  Joan had bought some fresh lobster from a fisherman on  Friday so we had boiled and grilled lobster (for the brave shellfish eaters that is...). It was good lobster!! Headed to bed tired again...

These are more for the sound than the video.  Didn't want to be obviously videoing... :) but wanted to share them singing...

Haiti first few days

sittin' on the porch, next to an almond tree, listening to Haitian music off in the distance and chewing on fresh sugar cane that Sarah got while we were in town today.  Our trip here went fairly well, just many people claiming to know Nadar (our taxi driver) and being very willing to help us "for two bucks" -so after 4 bucks we got the guy who Nadar actually sent in to show us to his taxi.  Felt much better once we were with him.  He took us through Port au Prince (actually around to other side of airport) to the small airport to wait for our smaller plane.

 This is at the airport we walked through gaited area until at the taxi with Nadar.

Flying out of Port a Prince  couldn't tell what was damaged and just partially built...

 but we could see the tent cities....  :(

 Seemed there was lots of damage at the foot hills area... but hard to tell...

 Away from the city you began to see fields

 this is as we came into Cayes. it is right on the ocean.

This morning we got up and ate breakfast together and then packed up the vehicles to go get the street kids for their Christmas outing.  There is a restaurant in town where Tim and Joan take guests and mission teams ect. and these kids hang outside waiting for their leftovers. These kids are around town helping carry groceries, whatever they can do to make some money.  They are pretty much left to themselves... Other years T&J have taken them to where there is a fresh spring and given them hygiene kits and they go in and wash and play in the pool of water.  They give fresh clothes and then took them to the restaurant only let them come inside to eat a meal that T&J had preordered.  This year they wanted to do someting different so the plan was to take them to the spring to wash and then bring soup and bread to feed them, give them new crocs and shirts. Then,  before we dropped them back off we would give them a Bible Story booklet with an envelope of some spending cash.  So that was the plan... :)

We stopped at the market bought some veggies from a lady thru the window, saw all kinds being carried on heads (including a basket of roosters "now that is a feathered hat!!"Joan says. :)

Then we stopped at the grocery store and as we went in there a funeral procession came by... band in the lead and all... it sounded like New Orleans :).

Once Joan got a few things we headed to get the kids.  It went fairly well,  hard to keep it to just the list of names that was given to them my the "mother" of the group. One girl and she is respected.  We had all kinds wanting to get in and ride. Our kids opted to ride on top in suntan (burn) land.  I will admit it was a little uncomfortable and out of my box when we were sitting with lots of Haitians around the door to the van and you have no idea what the conversation is about, that is going on around our vehicle.  I think they get defensive sounding in their voice very quickly.  We stopped at a soccer field and let them play with one of the soccer balls that we brought and they got to keep a few to share (if they don't sell it them first...) .  Then to the springs... they loved just getting in the water and messing around.  Kind of felt sorry for the ladies that were there doing their laundry... Joan explained to them who the kids were and their situation... gave them their hygiene kits and then they figured out what to do with what was in their bag... we tried to get out of the local peoples way as soon as they were done... had to be careful with picture taking through this part... ;) 

The area is a peaceful rural area, animals "grazing" on the hills and women washing in the waters. Laundry lines the bushes and hillsides drying in the sun.

Once they had their time there, we went up the hill and so the top where we had them sit and listen as Tim told them the Christmas story.  At one point he asked them if everyone goes to heaven?  They cheered "yes, yes!" but then one of the oldest spoke up and said "no, only those our brothers go to heaven, if you are not of Christ you don't" (something to that effect) and it was a lively discussion.  We dished the soup and gave each a small breadstick and a bowl of barley soup.  There were locals who live in this area that came to see what was happening.  Joan explained that these kids have less than they have, so we are giving to them today. Some of the street kids shared the soup they didn't want with the local kids :), we also gave the local kids extra Bible story books we had along.   Then, the street kids got their shoes, shirts, books with gift ($). and we headed to take them back to downtown. It was somewhat strange driving around with whites on top and Haitians inside.  A UN officer stopped to take a picture :) she had someone from the US embassy with her :) and she was from Chicago! small world.  She commented on the fact that they had to stop and get  picture of whites on top :)

We stopped at a nursing home to make arrangements to take a group out next week sometime. It sits at the intersection where they had their accident and Gabriel was killed.  It was sad to see where it all occurred and to remember that happy little guy...

We headed home to take on a game of volleyball once the new net and poles were erected, Tim made them for Joan for Christmas :).  The christening of the set was a success!

This is a guy's treehouse that he lives in...  cooks at the bottom on the ground, lives up in the treehouse...

Then Tim's nieces, who came the same day as us, had brought a meal to prepare! and was it a meal! steak, potatoes, pie! the whole 9 yards!  We told T&J we didn't know they lived so well!! lol  they were enjoying it immensely!  what a treat!!  Shela Moser came over to eat with us also, at one point she just sat and just looked at her plate of pie in all it's beauty! :)  We came at the right time!

FAITH!!!  she brings joy by the bucket loads!

Then the gifts were exchanged that had been sent from family ect. and we gave T&J's girls a stocking of goodies and T&J gave all of us beach towel sets for later in the week !! :)

  once the paperball, sticky styrofoam snowball fight was over we all started to settle in. It was a tiring day. 

Sticky Styrofoam ... they make wonderful adornments :)

                                                                           

   

                                                                       

and Styrofoam snowballs :)

2 Corinthians 10:5

⁵Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Seems God has been bringing to mind lately teachings about my thoughts... taking my thoughts captive, controlling them -with the help of the Spirit. Taking them captive before they take me captive... taking control of them before they control me... I have had times in my life where there have been events taking place, beyond my control, that were disturbing to me.  I found myself thinking about it all the time. go to bed talking about it wake up thinking about it, carrying it through the day with me thinking about it... always trying to figure out a solution, better/different way to handle it... On one occasion, I came to realize that it was consuming my life, it was taking my focus off of the beautiful family I loved, they were suffering and didn't need to be.  It was then that I realized that Satan was using this big time.  He was using it to steal my joy of the blessings i DID have.  He was using it to take my focus off of many of the other things that mattered hugely to God.  There is a time to be concerned, a time to help, ... but then we have to give it to God.  He IS big enough!! Way big enough to handle it. I am learning that I not only have to take the thought captive, grab it and recognize it for what it is and the potential wrong it can do or is doing... but I need to be equipped, in my mind, with the Word to, as quickly as possible, replace that thought with another uplifting, productive, Godly thought.. a verse, a prayer, praise... anything else that combats the compulsive thought. It is compulsive sometimes obsessive... OCD of the mind/thoughts.  that verse says any high thing... idol?( something I am desiring and thinking of that is taking away from my walk with Christ or I know isn't right with Christ)  pride?(someone said something to hurt my pride?) something that is holding me back from developing a relationship that would bring someone closer to Christ (maybe me closer). we are to cast down our imaginations, put our high things/idols aside as well as any thought that wouldn't please Christ or keep us from having a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a soundmind. )Then bring into control/captive any thought that is wrong and bring it to obedience... make it right, turn it inside out, wash it, scrub it, stretch it, shrink it, until it is a glory to God and in accordance with the Bible.

I'm not going to say that any of this is easy, I think it is one of the areas I need the most work on.  I understand that there is that initial time that we are in the thick of it and can't help but think about it.  but when it is carrying over into other times of our day, talking about it with everyone, unknowingly ignoring other happenings, sleeping, waking, eating and working with it in the forefront of my mind, then I need to deal with it -repent where needed and release it to God and replace it with His promises that He will take care of it, He is in control of everything, that He is Big enough... 

take thoughts captive so my mind can be free to praise and serve.

Is 41:39 trees and kids

Was reading of the trees that the Lord would plant in the wilderness and desert to show that He will prosper and provide in the most unsuitable places. I started to look up these trees to see just what their growing preferences were... interesting, for example, the Cypress is the unofficial 'tree of the swamp' and He will grow it in the desert! :)  as I went on thru them the care information I found for the Acacia tree was on a forum site, chatter back and forth on care questions. They were talking about caring for the Acacia tree for the winds that come in Arizona, it is a warmer climate tree.  as I read I made a connection to our kids and spiritual kids that we all are...
    It talked of how to stake the tree (or not) and watering the tree properly, to produce a strong healthy tree years form now. One guy said, 'most of the trees I've seen go over have been staked too long (or not at all) and/or have been watered at the trunk daily.'  ...and these trees have fallen. 
The Staking - the suggestion (I do have a spiritual application here, just go with me...) was to stake the very young tree and the give it more line as it matures, let it have some wind but if it is really blown there is something there to hold it and give it strength...but the wind will help to strengthen it. Yet there is a safety to hold if from totally getting itself whipped over. 

~are you seeing the application?~


The Watering - They suggest watering deeply, stinking a probe down in the ground out along the drip line (where the branches come out to) watering those outer edges of the roots, not just at the trunk. A healthy tree will grow roots to the edges of it's branches, watering out there encourages it to reach out and grow and those roots are the ones that take in the water the most readily.   When the tree is pushed by the wind the outer roots are the ones that need to 'grab on' to hold the tree upright.  The main root closer to the trunk is big and works by going deep, storing water and giving constant stability - but the outer roots have to be healthy, with lots of roots to grip and help hold on when the winds blow. It takes the whole tree root system to battle the wind.


~ahhh~


We have to know when to pull the stakes from our kids and move them in a bit closer to give them some 'wind room'. Do I 'stake' my kids too tightly that they don't experience the 'wind' of life? We have to strengthen them little by little (let them make safe mistakes) or when the 'stakes' are pulled they will go down with the first big wind.  Do we ever really pull the stakes and let them stand tall on their own?  Is this a choice that they make? Will they make the choice to let God control the stake placement? These are things that are running around in my mind...   As adult Christians do we have 'stakes' guards in place to support us if the winds get too rough? Would one of those be the Spirit?
How are we watered?  My thoughts are; by the Word (Deut 8:3), fellowship, instruction of parents/pastoral teaching, ministering to others... Am I watering my kids and others to help them grow? am I just turning on the hose and letting it run and soak the topsoil? or am I digging down a bit, putting in some effort, and getting the water to the specific area that needs it and can get it easier.  maybe with some fertilizer mixed in!!  ah-hah! :)  turning the hose on isn't bad, but the other is better...  
~Two last thoughts...~
       the Myrtle (myrtus communis) I read, is a shrub of sorts - will make it on it's own, but if it is given care it is a pretty small tree and will flower.  hmmm...

 Above the rock formation you can see a couple skinny trees.

       the staking thing reminded me of when we were in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry Hotel.  In the center was a gorgeous -I mean gorgeous - garden with palm/coconut trees that went way up high, maybe two three floors high.  their bottoms were the same width as their tops... not thicker at the bottom... we were told that if they experienced any push from the middle-top portion they would topple over easily, because they have not experienced any wind.  that is also why their trunk is all skinny, not filled out at the base.  
The experiences that come in life, that we don't enjoy, can strengthen us if we let them.  I is up to us to see that we are watered and staked well...

    No matter the climate, if God has placed us there - He will provide that we can survive and thrive!  Is. 41:17-20 

Cypress - swamp tree, good in bogs.   Box - moist well drained soil.
Pine - baby pines shielded from the hot sun or they will burn, susceptible to dehydration.Cedar don't over water, not extreme temps.   these are not typically trees one would plant in the desert....

 Myrtle shruby if left to itself, nurturing will produce nice small tree.  symbol of peace and joy :) Oil - probably the Russian Olive tree, though not related to the olive tree -different species- this is a weed tree here in the states. seeds are spread through their berries that the birds eat. low grade oil, not like olive oil we use. Acacia - needs proper care to make itself strong enough to make it past the first few years, then it is a beautiful tree and strong enough to make it.   these trees seem to need care to do well, look well, or keep controlled... not ones to just let go in the wilderness...

Footsteps in the snow

Went to Mom and Dad's With Dawn and Randy to warm the place up and get things ready for Mom and Dad to come home for a week or so over Christmas.  It was an odd feeling being there without them there, and looking for things ect.  We decided that every house should have a "top drawer in the hall" drawer - that is where everything you ever will need is. and just below it 'the toy drawer' ever bored just pull it open... it is about 3 ft. deep, there is something in there to entertain. As I went around in the house looking for things, it was amazing the memories I ran over. 

This was the only house i lived in growing up. Born there, well - not literally, I'm not that old- stayed til I married.  The attics are somewhat emptied, or just moved to a handier spot... The upstairs still echoes of BB pellets, music from the past, wrestling around and laughing, the boy's smelly socks smell has left.  It seemed so empty and quiet though, neither of us liked the feeling... it was reassuring knowing that we were getting it ready for them to come home! and not packing it up, but yet we know that life can change quickly for any of us, with one phone call.  

So, it was with memories of my family that I left with, driving out to visit Doug's grave before driving home. I had to think, all the gifts and hooplah that goes with Christmas that makes it joyous and fun, it seems the memories I remember and cherish are not the gifts received necessarily but the stories around them.  The year Dave really tried to get me a special gift, an albino hamster.  he had the cage set up and all... he kept it by the old furnace in the basement to hide it from me... if you know hamsters... too warm... hamster died...  :)  The boy's BB guns were a hit for years, BBs ran around that upstairs bedroom for years after they got married!  Doug's HAMM radio, and him learning morris code. Pool games with Dad in the basement. Always a fresh supply of comic books. Dawn's 'art room' became my bedroom.  and then the grandkids started coming, with a whole new batch of stories and memories.

So, I am cherishing remembering the memories that have already been made, some stories have ended, but I want to soak in all the memories being made, stories being written.  it's not just the gifts, but the stories they bring, and the reaching out and touching the  lives that they include - those are the priceless gifts of life. 

Footprints in the Snow

A time of reflection of memories held dear.

A time of wishes

A time of wonderings

A time of coldness and still.

A time of Peace

A time of tears

A time of prayer for those still here.

A time of missing

A time of musing

A time of crispness and chill.

A time of calm

A time of knowing

you were loved.

                       jacki 2010