Where He leads...

Last week I had the opportunity to hang out up in Gonaives, Haiti with an organization called Much Ministries. I met Ben Rustin at the airport a few weeks ago. He had stayed at the Georgia House last year and knew several of the Baptists 4 Haiti staff I was with in the taptap. We were introduced and he told me I could come up anytime to check out what all they had going on. I took the opportunity last Tuesday to catch a ride and spent the evening and most the day Wednesday learning about and seeing firsthand some of the ministries going on there. I could not begin to tell you everything they're doing there, so I encourage you to visit their website (linked above). Meanwhile, I've got nearly two dozen photos posted here for you to get a little bit of an idea of what I was blessed to see during my short visit.

Much Ministries has been loving Haiti in many ways since 2003. Some of their projects include a trade school offering English classes and medical training, a general clinic and prenatal program, housing development, clean water efforts, and a primary school. They are always looking for individuals or teams interested in serving in Haiti, so if you've been thinking about serving short or long-term in a third-world country, Much Ministries might be a wonderful organization for you. They've even got a handy brochure you can view here or on their website.

Since I'm posting so many photos, maybe narrating via photo captions is the easiest way to tell more about my time there...

It's a beautiful drive to get to Gonaives from Port-au-Prince. It can take 3-4 hours (or more) depending on traffic, but for a lot of the way you've got mountains on one side and ocean on the other. We stopped for a bit and some of us took a quick dip.

Grace's rottweiler puppy, Tug, had his first swim in the ocean. He wasn't quite sure what to think about it. The waves were a little big for him. He rode in the console the rest of the way home. Crazy to think how big he'll get one day, but fit so perfectly here for now!

I sat in on April's preschool class Wednesday morning. April was interested in federal law enforcement before coming to Haiti. Now she's got a class full of little learners. Funny how God has other plans for us sometimes! Though I'm excited to hear that she has a passion for justice when it comes to child slavery and human trafficking. God has big plans for her!

Me with some of April's kids

The first floor cement section is part of the clinic. The second story is a missionary's home with her adopted Haitian son (incredible story there!). The yellow section is part daily feeding program, part preschool classroom, and probably part clinic waiting area if I had to guess.

The main area where Much Ministries works is in Jubilee. It's the poorest area of Gonaives and sits on very unfertile land. Cross International and Omaha Rapid Response have teamed up to help provide these homes for some of the residents. Many lost their homes during the 2004 and 2008 floods.

I met this sweet lady Nicole who lives in the house below. She was so proud to uncover and show me the sewing machine she was given recently. She had a stack of fabric and was ready to get to work. I'm always encouraged to hear of men and women who are trying to use the talents God has given them to help earn a living and care for their families.

Nicole's house

Some of the MUCH folks built this house and a couple of the guys live in it full-time. I got a tour and couldn't even begin to tell you all of the information about it. But it was pretty incredible and has been a great learning process for the guys who try as best as they can to impact the community while doing things in an environmentally-friendly way.

Driving around in Jubilee...

In 2004 and 2008 there was severe flooding due to tropical storms, hurricanes, etc. The road has been redone to act as a dam. At least if there is flooding again in the future, access to Gonaives will hopefully not be cutoff like it has been in the past. Google "flooding in Gonaives, Haiti" to learn more about and see photos of what this town has suffered through during the last decade.

I always love coming across local artists receiving a sustainable income by making unique items and jewelry. MUCH has a trade school where over 100 men and women receive income through making jewelry, baskets, journals, and more. This is a little shop beside the guest house. I made a few purchases. :) A lot of the items are made from recycled materials, which makes me love them even more! These items will soon be available for purchase online through 2nd Story Goods.

The guest house was such a neat place. They had three teams in while I was there. It was nice being around so many people from the States, especially so many who have committed to living in Haiti indefinitely. I enjoyed swapping stories and learning more about how many were called to Haiti and their unique role here. The house itself had a neat setup, cute dogs, and I loved the artwork that was hanging everywhere you looked. Here are some of my favorites...

A great reminder, and I love how the clock is in the center... To me it said, "Give thanks... every minute, every hour."

I always bring as many goodies as I can fit in my suitcase for my friends in Haiti. Having been here now several times, I've learned what some of the best and most needed items are to pack. I'm also inspired sometimes with unique ideas for what to bring. Sometimes my friends will specifically ask me to bring them something, like my friend Miracle who crochets and asked me to bring her some yarn. Others ideas come to me through observation.

While in Haiti earlier this year, I went to a nail salon down from the God's Planet guest house run by a lady named Velly. She gives great pedicures for only $2.50! I got a couple much needed ones during my two and a half months in Croix des Bouquets.

Here's a photo of Velly and my soon to be well pedicured foot...

I put out the word back home that I wanted to take her some nail polishes and pedicure supplies. Some of you offered to help and I was able to get a nice little bag filled with items to take her. Unfortunately, Velly was out of town when I was visiting Croix des Bouquets, but her friends were running her shop in her absence and were happy to take them on her behalf. I had built a friendship was Velly and had been looking forward to seeing her and giving her the items in person, but I know it will still be a blessing to her and her shop. Thank you to those of you who gave! I love giving gifts. But I also love empowering those who are trying to earn a living by helping and rewarding them for their business endeavors. I love being able to donate yarn to Miracle and salon supplies to Velly. They are two women of many who are trying to make a way for their families by the work of their own hands. It's commendable and significant, especially in a country where 78% of Haitians live on less than $2 a day, and the unemployment rate is over 40%.

If you'd like to know how you can help those like Miracle and Velly, send me an email and I'll be happy to give you more information.

An outside view of Velly's salon

Some of the items I brought to give to her

In previous trips to Haiti I had seen little girls in these adorable pillowcase dresses. They are so perfect for the hot climate here. During my last trip back home I got the word out to anyone who might be interested in making these dresses for me to bring down and give out. A lady named Maria from New Orleans got busy and mailed me 12 dresses! I teared up when I opened the box, knowing how special these dresses would be as gifts for some precious little girls in Haiti. She even made a matching hair bow for each dress. I've never even met Maria but we have mutual friends from the seminary there. Thank you SO much for using your talent to bless some children in Haiti!

Some others of you expressed interest in making the dresses as well. Please do! They can always be used and I can take them with me on upcoming trips.

The photos below are mostly of Maria's dresses. The last volunteer team brought down a few dresses as well, so a couple of the girls are wearing some of those.

I excitedly pulled out all of the dresses when I received them to admire each one!

Each of the girls at Living Water Haiti Orphanage received a brand new dress. They loved them! And don't they just look adorable!? They wore them the night Mama Sarah got back from a 20-day trip to the States.

Little Ashley is just too cute! This was one of the dresses the volunteer team brought down. I went ahead and gave her a hair bow too because I didn't want her to be left out! Even at her young age, trust me, she'd notice!

Gerlanda is just cute as a button!

Mirlandia and her trademark model pose! :)

I just LOVE the hair bows!

Of course I had to give one to little Crystelle who lives near NeNe's niece.

She's such a beautiful and joyful little girl! It was so good to spend some time with her and bless her with this special gift.

This past week has been very exciting! Our last volunteer team with Baptists 4 Haiti left Saturday the 19th, and we don't have another team coming in until this Saturday the 2nd. We had a full two weeks with an empty house and I knew exactly how I wanted to spend some of that time. I got a ride to Croix des Bouquets, where I served with God's Planet. It's weird being back in Haiti but so far from some of my most precious friends here. Even though Croix des Bouquets is only about 50 miles away from Leogane, it can take as long as 3 hours to get there due to traffic. Driving through Port-au-Prince can be a seemingly never-ending nightmare. I was so excited for the trip though, and would have been fine if it had taken 10 hours to get there! Though my driver may not have agreed!

My friend Sarah, who runs Living Water Haiti Orphanage, said I could stay at her orphanage even though she was out on a visit to the States. This was the first place I stayed when I came with God's Planet last November. Sarah's kids (only 5 at the time) stole my heart from the beginning. Now she has 8 and they are all so special to me. Sarah's house is also where my friend NeNe works and where my sweet dog Fibi lives.

During the week I also had the opportunity to go to Gonaives and visit Much Ministries and their work in Jubilee. I also spent some time with Diddi Washington and her ministry Mission Haiti Helping Kids.

It was a fabulous week and I have many stories and photos to share so stay tuned!!

A map of Haiti showing Leogane and Croix des Bouquets. Gonaives is north of where this map ends.

It's been a wonderful week in Leogane, Haiti. I hosted my first group with Baptists 4 Haiti from Armstrong and Coastal College in Savannah and Brunswick, GA. We took them to the airport yesterday for their flight home and I'm missing them already! They were such a great group! The leaders did a great job organizing the trip, and the students had so much energy and love to pour into Haiti. The house seems quite empty without them, but I know I've made some lasting friendships and I'm thankful to God for each of them! They each brought unique personalities and talents to the team. Each played a vital role in ministering to the children and communities here in Haiti.

Here are some photos from the week:

I mentioned in one of my last posts the church at the top of the mountain. It was an intense climb each day for the team to go do the VBS. At the end of the afternoons, the children would climb down the mountain with the team, often you'd have a child holding both hands... making it even more difficult to keep steady on the loose rocks. Here's a shot to give you an idea what it was like.

One of the homes as you're climbing up the mountain

One day, some of us went around to the homes at the top of the mountain to encourage and pray with the families there. I took this photo as we were heading back to the church. The church is the main building you see. They had a soccer game going to the right of it. And you can see the beautiful ocean view in the background. If nothing else, the view is well worth the strenuous climb!

By Day 2 of the VBS on the mountain, there were well over 100 children in attendance!

Both teams had great opportunities to minister to families in the neighborhoods where we served this week. They were able to pray for specific needs and requests they had, pray for their children, and for those struggling with illnesses and hardships. I have been so blessed to see how these teams have served and loved Haiti so well.

Here's the team and many of the Haitian staff during our walk around town Friday morning.

Friday also happened to be Haitian Flag Day, when Haitians all around the world celebrate their independence from French rule. There were several parades and many from Leogane came out to watch them and join in the celebrations.

We stopped in front of the palace Saturday on the way to the airport so the team could take some photos. The main reason the palace is still standing in such disarray is because most people here believe there are evil spirits inside the damaged building from all of the Voodoo practices that happened inside throughout the years. They believe that if the building is torn down, those spirits will be released.

My friends told me this was a hotel that collapsed during the earthquake before construction was finished.

Though there were many incredible moments this week, the greatest event by far was the salvation of my sweet friend and new sister in Christ Katie! Katie came down with the team to volunteer and shared with all of us that she'd been wrestling with God for two years. By the end of the week she finally gave up on her search for logical answers and surrendered in faith to believe that God loves her, has relentlessly pursued her, and wants her to be His child and disciple. I can't wait to hear how God will use this incredible young lady for His Kingdom purposes!!

Someone I served in Haiti with last year posted a photo each day to share with family and friends back home. I thought it was a neat way to record a scene or event from each day that maybe stood out, was unique, or just a snippet of life in Haiti. So I decided I would do the same thing. I'm back in Haiti for three months, so for those 93 days I'm going to commit to doing this for each of you. And it will be yet another way I can "journal" about some of the things I'm experiencing here in Haiti. I can't promise I will post each day, but I will try my best. I am already a few days behind so I will catch up now. And I won't be posting all of these on my blog, but you can find them in a folder called "Photo of the Day" in my Facebook photo albums.

Day 1

In the airport on my way to Haiti I met Hermanie Pierre, a beautiful young woman who will be representing Haiti in the Miss International competition this year. She competed in the Miss Arkansas pageant recently. She was so sweet and patient with everyone who wanted her photo. And she was so excited to meet volunteers who were heading to her country. She would hug them and tell them how happy she was to hear they were going to help Haiti. I asked her what she wishes for her country. She said that Haiti need to do less importing. There are so many skills the Haitians have or could learn to make more products inside Haiti to sell and to export. You can tell she loves her country and is honored to represent it with her beauty and talents.

Day 2

Juny is one of several staff members here at the guest house. Juny does all the shopping (a long day from early morning to afternoon each Friday) and is the main cook for preparing all the meals. Like all of the women here, she always has a smile for me and is ready to give me food and drink anytime I need it. I am always so humbled by the hospitality of Haitians like Juny. From the minute I walked in the door, we were family. It's a beautiful thing! I am so thankful.

Day 3

Dogs on the roof of our neighbor's house. There are many dogs in this neighborhood. Even a couple adorable puppies! (Don't worry, Roland. I know better than to bring them home! Though I can't say the thought didn't cross my mind!) I'm a dog lover. I'll even reach out to pet ones that look nice enough, which many do, though many are also in starvation mode with their ribs and bones sticking out. But I tend to love the dogs a little less in the middle of the night when they are barking and carrying on like they are killing each other while I'm trying to sleep. Some of the volunteers have suggested the dogs put their late-night energy to good use and chase after some of the roosters who obviously don't know what time it is either!

Day 4

If anyone asks... like when I'm trying to get back into the U.S... this is a cow in East Tennessee!! :)

Day 5

It's easy to focus on the problems and dirtiness in Haiti. When I was up on that mountain today, I was reminded of the beauty that is within this country. The rolling hills of mountains, the gorgeous coastline, and of course the people. I am thankful for every spot of beauty in this country. And despite any of the ugliness I may face or witness the hurt in the lives of those I'm here to minister to, I will never stop looking for and praising God for every ounce of beauty in this place.

I’ve been back in Haiti now for 5 days. I returned Thursday and on Saturday our first Baptists 4 Haiti volunteer team arrived on Saturday. The group is from Georgia and most are students at Armstrong or Coastal College. There are 15 of them and they’ve divided up for the week into two teams who will do two different Vacation Bibles Schools in the afternoon at nearby churches. On Sunday they attended the church where they would be doing the VBS. One is up at the top of a mountain and requires hiking up what appears to be a goat trail. Hundreds of Haitian men, women, and children walk this trail every day, probably with a little more grace than we do! Thankfully no one has fallen yet! The other church is not far from the guest house. It has a half finished perimeter wall and a few tarps scattered across some wooden beams to provide a little shade. I worshipped at this church on Sunday morning. It is always a joy to worship with people from a different country, language, and culture… yet we are worshiping the same God. After lunch we got to spend about an hour at The Lamb Center orphanage, where I first served with Samaritan’s Purse. As always, it was a joy to visit my dear friends there! I am excited to be living back in Leogane, so close to so many friends I made during my first trip to Haiti last August.

Each morning this week we will be ministering around the community. Today we walked around this neighborhood where the guest house is located. We went door to door, meeting our neighbors, introducing ourselves, and asking how we could pray for them. We had some sweet times of prayer with our Haitian neighbors. We also met several of the business men and women who sell various foods and products on the side of the road. There is also an eye doctor a few houses down. His clinic is at his house and he invited us in to chat and pray for a few minutes. One of the girls suggested we make some fliers that he can post around town to advertise his business. He said business has been slow these past 6 months. I’m excited that this is a tangible way we can help one of our neighbors.

Each afternoon the groups will be going to the church where they’re doing the VBS. I went with the group heading up the mountain. We took the taptap (basically a taxi truck) up the mountain as far as we could go. All I heard was, “Hold on!” and the next thing I knew I was being flung out of my seat! The road was so steep and bumpy, we were falling all over each other trying to keep our seat in the back of the taptap. We were all laughing. It was like we were on some crazy roller coaster ride! When we reached the point we had to get out, we began our trek up the goat trail. It was steep, slippery, and rocky. We all made it but it was not without difficulty. It didn’t help that we had to carry up bags of water and snacks for the kids. My calves haven’t had such a brutal workout in a long time. Probably not since I hiked up a volcano in Kenya in December 2010! We looked like we had been swimming by the time we reached the top… or at least I did! We went into the small tin church and began the activities with the kids. More children trickled in throughout our time there. There were well over 60 before it was all said and done! We sang songs and then did a David and Goliath drama. One of the volunteers put a small kid on his shoulders, draped a tarp over himself so you could only see the child’s head, and that was our Goliath. :) They had the kids decorate paper bags that they’d cut holes in for sleeves and the children could wear them as armor. After the story and craft we went outside for a game of “chat chat chien” (“cat cat dog”)… it’s “duck duck goose” but with animals they are more familiar with. Afterwards we headed back down the mountain with dozens of children in tow. I had two of them by the hand and was praying for steady feet because if one of us fell, we were all going down!

I’m excited for whatever the rest of the week has in store. I’ll go to the other VBS tomorrow and see how it’s going. It’s wonderful to have time to be able to go out and serve with the groups. When I was at the last guest house I had more responsibilities at the actual house itself. This is a fun change. And hopefully here in a couple weeks I’ll get to go visit the town I was in last time and say hello to all my friends (and puppy) there!