Our team enjoyed a lunch of chicken, rice and beans as well as cold Cokes delivered by Jordan. He's taking very good care of us! The heat zaps your energy quickly, so a lazy afternoon/evening was in store. We invited Jordan's daughter Georgie & some of her friends to join us in a game of Uno.
Electricity returned in the evening; you won't miss it as the lights flicker & TV sound fills our nearby room as everything was left on when the electricty stopped the day before.
Jordan is being very careful about excursions and he doesn't want us to travel on foot given the increasing activity (not all positive) related to the presidential election in mid-November. He's not giving us details, but we're content to stay put (& safe). However, this evening he invited us to attend a church gathering across the street - he left us alone there, obviously knowing we were in good hands.
We recognized several of the students, the hostess (first grade teacher Usul), and Jordan's daugther, as well as the nurse who helped us in the clinic today. We felt a bit out of place as everyone else was dressed in their Sunday best (although it was Mon :-), and we were in our grubby clothes. However, nobody said anything, and several women quickly gave up their seats to us, remainding us of the gracious nature of the Haitians. I was struck by the joy and praises of these people who have endured so much. This is what is means to "count it all joy." In one song I could hear them say, "Merci, Signor" or Thank you God. We echo this sentiment and look forward to the rest of our stay.
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Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Our First Night in Fontamara
We arrived at the school about 4pm after an easy process through baggage claim and customs. We greeted Jordan and his 2 friends who piled ALL our luggage into the back of a small pickup. Jordan and his friend rode on top of the bags to ensure safe arrival.
We squeezed into the cab and were off on a wild ride through the city. Evenson was our driver and he was very friendly. I'm sure glad he was driving, given the close quarters on the road. He barely cleared a school bus, people on bikes, and piles of rubble. The presidential palace was quite a sight - the dome seemed to be falling off, resting at about a 45 degree angle.
When we arrived at the school, we showed Jordan the T-shirts and he was thrilled! We will give them out on Monday after each child gets a TB test.
The power went out about 5pm. After a dinner of chicken, rice and bean sauce (yummy), we gathered on the roof to chat with Jordan and the others. He asks friends to stay over when Americans are here for saftey. Not surprisingly, the researcher in me asked all sorts of questions about his vision and experience with the school.
Here's a powerful quote:
-------
To heal the world, we have to start with the kids. If we have 90 kids, we do not know how many people we save, because one kid can become a gang member and kill 10 people, 20 people...if you teach him and he learns, you save those 10 or 20 people. If we have others who think like this... Even the Bible says let the children come to me...the kingdom of heaven is for them. Let them come. If we do not care for the kids, the situation will be bad for us.
-----
We talked for several hours - Jordan is an inspiring man and I'm so thankful that we can help his vision become a reality. In order to help more kids, he needs more sponsors. I pray we can gather more sponsors; only $25 month & it will change a child's life forever. The donations go directly to Jordan, not via the often corrupt government, so we can be confident in how funds will be spent.
Our group seems to be getting along very well. We're tucked in our tents at 10:50pm - power just returned and rain is falling outside.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We squeezed into the cab and were off on a wild ride through the city. Evenson was our driver and he was very friendly. I'm sure glad he was driving, given the close quarters on the road. He barely cleared a school bus, people on bikes, and piles of rubble. The presidential palace was quite a sight - the dome seemed to be falling off, resting at about a 45 degree angle.
When we arrived at the school, we showed Jordan the T-shirts and he was thrilled! We will give them out on Monday after each child gets a TB test.
The power went out about 5pm. After a dinner of chicken, rice and bean sauce (yummy), we gathered on the roof to chat with Jordan and the others. He asks friends to stay over when Americans are here for saftey. Not surprisingly, the researcher in me asked all sorts of questions about his vision and experience with the school.
Here's a powerful quote:
-------
To heal the world, we have to start with the kids. If we have 90 kids, we do not know how many people we save, because one kid can become a gang member and kill 10 people, 20 people...if you teach him and he learns, you save those 10 or 20 people. If we have others who think like this... Even the Bible says let the children come to me...the kingdom of heaven is for them. Let them come. If we do not care for the kids, the situation will be bad for us.
-----
We talked for several hours - Jordan is an inspiring man and I'm so thankful that we can help his vision become a reality. In order to help more kids, he needs more sponsors. I pray we can gather more sponsors; only $25 month & it will change a child's life forever. The donations go directly to Jordan, not via the often corrupt government, so we can be confident in how funds will be spent.
Our group seems to be getting along very well. We're tucked in our tents at 10:50pm - power just returned and rain is falling outside.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, October 28, 2010
More Fun in Fontamara
It's Thursday morning and we have still have power so here's another quick update. Yesterday I continued my work in the first grade classroom as it's the largest (32) and has an adjoining room which gives me space to work with small groups. The 2nd & 3rd grade classrooms are quite small and there's really no place to sit or stand other than the doorway. Whenever I peek in, I'm a complete distraction, so I've decided to focus on helping the 1st grade. Yesterday the teacher asked me to work with the students on reading (basic phonics: le, la, li, lolo, lili...) and if they read their assigned page correctly, I gave them a sticker. Typically there were 4 or 5 students trying to be next, all fighting for a turn. More details and videos to come on Friday.
The medical team was busy doing follow-up TB tests, vision screening and hearing screening (until we lost power). Jordan enrolled a new student, bringing the first grade class to 33. The teacher graciously welcomed him, although space is a challenge. I know it's so hard to turn folks away because the need is so great here.
We had a parent meeting last night (as I'm writing, I hear the kids singing a verse of How Great Thou Art - so great!) to discuss the medical work that has been done and will come. We're guessing about 65 or 70 people showed up. They had the chance to see their child's chart and chat with the doctors about any specific questions.
Soon we're off to the beach with Jordan and others and tonight we'll go out to dinner at a local restaurant.
The medical team was busy doing follow-up TB tests, vision screening and hearing screening (until we lost power). Jordan enrolled a new student, bringing the first grade class to 33. The teacher graciously welcomed him, although space is a challenge. I know it's so hard to turn folks away because the need is so great here.
We had a parent meeting last night (as I'm writing, I hear the kids singing a verse of How Great Thou Art - so great!) to discuss the medical work that has been done and will come. We're guessing about 65 or 70 people showed up. They had the chance to see their child's chart and chat with the doctors about any specific questions.
Soon we're off to the beach with Jordan and others and tonight we'll go out to dinner at a local restaurant.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday Morning....All is Good
Hopefully I'll get this posted before the electricity goes out. We've been getting power each night (good for charging phones) but not great for hearing testing that requires power for the audioscope.
I'm typing via netbook as the rest of the gang organizes dresses made by Amy's grandmother and friends...so cute!
Yesterday the medical team finished up physicals and organized the clinic while I worked in a fun, but chaotic first grade classroom. There are over 30 kids in the small classroom and they are very energetic. Each student came to me to trace their hand, color it and write their name on poster paper to serve as artwork for the walls as well as an attendance chart. It started as one-at-a-time, but soon many kids wanted to be part of the action. Herding cats is an understatement!!! ;-). I tapped one eager helper as a leader and she rose to the occasion - she ran to the teacher and had her write the names of the students who couldn't write themselves. It was the stereotypcial example of a challenging student who has leadership potential.
I also spoke with Jordan and Evenson (vice principal) about how to handle the challenges of small group work in a first grade classroom when those not with the teacher are off-task. In the US, we have stations to keep students busy, but here they just wait their turn (not quietly ;-).
The white boards have been put to use immediately - lots of practice writing yesterday. Today I think I'll work with those students who are just learning their letters. Just like in the US, there is a wide range of skills in one class - from those who don't know letters (which makes reading eye charts a challenge!!) to those who can write their first and last names.
I'll have many more pictures, videos & stories when I post on Fri. I didn't want to try to post those with such a slow connection. Thankfully Jess has an SD card in her camera, so I'm using her images for these posts.
A bientot...(I'm publishing quickly in case power goes, then I'll proof read!!) Kids are here - the sounds of of play & laughter are filling the building.
I'm typing via netbook as the rest of the gang organizes dresses made by Amy's grandmother and friends...so cute!
Yesterday the medical team finished up physicals and organized the clinic while I worked in a fun, but chaotic first grade classroom. There are over 30 kids in the small classroom and they are very energetic. Each student came to me to trace their hand, color it and write their name on poster paper to serve as artwork for the walls as well as an attendance chart. It started as one-at-a-time, but soon many kids wanted to be part of the action. Herding cats is an understatement!!! ;-). I tapped one eager helper as a leader and she rose to the occasion - she ran to the teacher and had her write the names of the students who couldn't write themselves. It was the stereotypcial example of a challenging student who has leadership potential.
I also spoke with Jordan and Evenson (vice principal) about how to handle the challenges of small group work in a first grade classroom when those not with the teacher are off-task. In the US, we have stations to keep students busy, but here they just wait their turn (not quietly ;-).
The white boards have been put to use immediately - lots of practice writing yesterday. Today I think I'll work with those students who are just learning their letters. Just like in the US, there is a wide range of skills in one class - from those who don't know letters (which makes reading eye charts a challenge!!) to those who can write their first and last names.
I'll have many more pictures, videos & stories when I post on Fri. I didn't want to try to post those with such a slow connection. Thankfully Jess has an SD card in her camera, so I'm using her images for these posts.
A bientot...(I'm publishing quickly in case power goes, then I'll proof read!!) Kids are here - the sounds of of play & laughter are filling the building.
Monday, October 25, 2010
We're Here and Having a Great Time!
We made it and we've had a GREAT first day...I've written more on my phone, but I can't upload from it until I get back to Miami (no access to the wireless). So, here are some key details:
Blessings,
juli & the gang
- Safe, drama-free arrival
- Good team bonding
- Jordan is an AMAZING host - we are in very good hands
- All kids got TB tests today, followed by T-shirts, which they loved
- Great recess experience - lots of hugs & smiles
- Church service tonight...didn't understand many words, but worshipping the same God in a different culture is a powerful experience
- My french is coming in handy...rusty, but adequate
Blessings,
juli & the gang
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Blessed Travel Continues
We are through Miami security & there were several checkpoints where airport personnel were checking carry-on size by asking passengers to put bags in the size tester. Only Becky was questioned once & she was able to move items to compress her bag. I'm pretty sure mine wouldn't fit, so God's provision continues.
We've connected with the rest of our group: (L-R in back) Jessica, Jen & Amy. Time for a good lunch & then we board at 1:10.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We've connected with the rest of our group: (L-R in back) Jessica, Jen & Amy. Time for a good lunch & then we board at 1:10.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Good Luck or God's Blessing?
Some people raise concern when they hear about my trip to Haiti: Is it safe? Not exactly, but living safely is not my primary goal in life. Rather than dwell on the risks, which are many (disease, theft, severe storms, kidnapping of Americans...) I choose to focus on God's call to be faithful and serve. We are taking appropriate precautions, have locals looking out for us, and we're trusting the call we've heard to step out boldly in faith.
I have already seen God's blessings, and I'm only an hour into this trip. My bags both weighed 50.5 lbs, which is the absolute limit before a $50 fee. Despite many warnings of a "very full flight" to Chicago, the overhead compartment above my seat was completely empty, leaving ample space for my "significant" carry-ons. I was even the last group to board! ( disclaimer: I do feel some guilt for ignoring the MANY announcements about only stowing 1 bag in the overhead compartment...I rehearsed my excuse about my humanitarian efforts, but thankfully nobody challenged me ;-).
Some people may attribute these & other situations to luck, or "princess treatment" as my family often teases when good things come my way, but as my husband often says, we believe in blessing, not luck. Being blessed doesn't mean all goes well, but rather, according to God's plan (Debbie Macomber's book on gererosity offers poignant examples, including a flea infested prison cell that kept guards at bay). So, am I worried about this trip? Nope...I am feeling a profound sense of peace, anticipating a trip filled with the range of experiences life has to offer. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn, to be stretched, to share hope, and to serve.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I have already seen God's blessings, and I'm only an hour into this trip. My bags both weighed 50.5 lbs, which is the absolute limit before a $50 fee. Despite many warnings of a "very full flight" to Chicago, the overhead compartment above my seat was completely empty, leaving ample space for my "significant" carry-ons. I was even the last group to board! ( disclaimer: I do feel some guilt for ignoring the MANY announcements about only stowing 1 bag in the overhead compartment...I rehearsed my excuse about my humanitarian efforts, but thankfully nobody challenged me ;-).
Some people may attribute these & other situations to luck, or "princess treatment" as my family often teases when good things come my way, but as my husband often says, we believe in blessing, not luck. Being blessed doesn't mean all goes well, but rather, according to God's plan (Debbie Macomber's book on gererosity offers poignant examples, including a flea infested prison cell that kept guards at bay). So, am I worried about this trip? Nope...I am feeling a profound sense of peace, anticipating a trip filled with the range of experiences life has to offer. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn, to be stretched, to share hope, and to serve.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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