1825 days... Happy Gotcha Day!

Tonight I watched a not so little girl sit with her sisters and a pile of candy on the living room floor.  The butterfly wings from her Halloween costume still draped over her shoulders.  A smile spread over her face as they traded their Trick or Treat treasures. 

I watch this young one and realize how far she has come since the first Halloween she spent as a part of our family. 

Five years ago today, Kevin and I traveled with her on a long flight from Ethiopia.  Fourteen hours were spent convincing a four-year-old we barely knew to keep her seatbelt on.  I learned that I obviously had no idea how she desired her dinner roll to be cut and buttered.  And finally, she was fairly occupied with the cartoons on the in-flight entertainment.  We bustled through the Washington DC airport and nervously made our way through immigration and customs.  Tired and hungry we poured ourselves into seats at Wendy’s in the terminal and treated ourselves to fries and chicken nuggets.  It would be two more flights and then we’d be home.

Finally back in Wisconsin, we sat in baggage claim awaiting our friend and ride home.  The hugs and congratulations of a friendly face were just what these weary travelers needed.  In addition to welcoming our new daughter, he also remembered pieces I had forgotten… a car seat for the ride home and chocolate for a first Halloween treat.  In the damp darkness, I sat in the middle of the van trying to keep my eyes open while Kevin made conversation about our journey.  With each approaching headlight, I could catch a glimpse of her tiny hand clutching the melting chocolate.  Her eyes closed while her deep breaths measured her sleep. 

We arrived home to utter joy.  The other girls had a multitude of excitement with the holiday festivities, parents arriving home and meeting their new sister.  Nervous smiles greeted T as she entered the house.  Hugs, presents, and tours of the house ensued.  The night overflowed with love, anticipation, newness, and expectation. 

I think back and it is difficult to realize that this was five whole years ago.  It seems so recent, yet at the same time so far in the past.  I think back to all the preparation for that one day.  The paperwork, prayers, appointments, signatures, interviews, and assessments.  I think back to the multitude of support we had from our community, family neighbors, and friends.  The help with our other daughters, the prayers, letters on our behalf, support and love.  Overwhelming and so good.  So very good.  Thank you.

My heart swells with remembrance.  That feeling of love washes over me, again and again, each year that we celebrate T’s Gotcha Day.  The love of adding a new daughter to our family carries enormous joy.  The love and support from others emphasize how important community is to all of us. 

So for that sweet little Halloween butterfly this year… we are so thankful that you are a part of our family.  Your kindness and generosity overflow to everyone around you.  Your smile brightens the darkest of days and your joy brings hope to others.  We are beyond blessed to celebrate this occasion each year.  Happy Gotcha Day T!

-------

For those that may be new to our family’s story feel free to check out our previous blog posts…

To check out the post from our homecoming day… https://ajourneybutnotalone.blogspot.com/2013/11/ethiopian-adventure-2-days-13-14.html

To start at the beginning of our journey… https://ajourneybutnotalone.blogspot.com/2013/09/so-i-wasnt-going-to-start-blog.html

Haiti Immersion... Day 9 - Cultural Museum

This morning I woke up early. It was light out, but the sun had not yet crested over the mountains. It was still quiet around St. Joseph's Home. People were not yet stirring. However, the neighborhood was already buzzing. There was not much activity on the rooftops that could be seen. However, below in the streets and homes the voices and noises saturated the air. Roosters crowing, dogs barking, laughter greeting the morning, children talking, clanging of cooking pots. It was the Port-au-Prince Symphony to greet the rising sun.

I stood on the rooftop overlooking the city. Soaking it into my being. The cool breeze blew. My mind listlessly flowed from thought to thought. Did I witness what God intended for me to witness in Haiti this week? How do I even being to truly share this experience? My heart now has the imprint of Haiti, what's next?

Lots of questions.

Again... big questions.

All of our bags were packed and after breakfast we loaded the bus headed for the Haitian cultural museum. As we arrived at the entrance it was a familiar sight, yet different. Three bus loads of Haitian school children had arrived for a field trip. They stood in lines with their crisp uniforms waiting for their tour. Familiar, yet different.

Unfortunately we were unable to take photos inside the museum. I did my best to absorb all of the names, dates and knowledge that our tour guide imparted. However, my mind was quickly overwhelmed. There was so much, so much rich vibrant history. According to our tour guide scientists estimate the fist people inhabiting the island traveled in dugout canoes from South America around 5000 BCE. Toward more modern history there were five kingdoms on the island. As history played out four men rose to be the fathers of modern Haiti.

Ultimately, a story unfolded that included colonization, hundreds of years of slavery, European and North American countries taking advantage of the Haitian people, war, extortion, corruption of the Haitian governments, revolutions, forced Christianization, and poverty.... but also perseverance, bravery, relationships, resilience, rich culture, proud heritage and hope. Haiti exists in the tension of all of these stories. While each one emerges from the past and shapes the present, there is every reason to believe in a bright future for Haiti.

Each Haitian Timoun Foundation partner we met is evidence leading toward hope. Chemen Lavi Miyo is working to bring families up out of ultra poverty. Pazapa and Wings of Hope are changing societies misconceptions of people with disabilities. Trinity School and CEI are finding ways to make education accessible to all families. Tetkole and St. Joseph's Family work to reunite families or create family for children on the street. Haitian Education and Leadership Program is developing leaders, accompanying them through university and equipping them to be Haitians capable of making dramatic, systematic, long term positive change in Haiti.

There is hope. God is at work here. This week I had the privilege and honor to witness a small glimpse of all that the Spirit is moving.


For more info about Haiti's cultural center... www.visithaiti.com

For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org

Haiti Immersion... Day 8 - Chemen Lavi Miyo

Imagine being in a position that you had multiple children and were only able to feed them a little once every two or three days.

Imagine each time the rain clouds built up you prepared for the water to pour through your roof and walls.

Imagine having no source of income to better your situation.

Imagine having no access to health care and being one illness away from dying.

Imagine all of these things wrapped together for generations. Plus, a community that doesn't even see you or count you because you are so unbelievably poor.

This is the plight of the women that Chemen Lavi Miyo seeks to work with.

I wrote more about how CLM operates on an earlier day. Check that out for details.

Today we traveled to visit women at their homes. The bus took us as far as we could go then we hiked on foot out into the hills. The isolation of their homes contributes to their invisibility. We walked a well worn path through the grass, over the hill and down again. In front of us was a tiny home. The walls were wooden slats fixed to a framework. It leaned slightly to the right. Sticks, leaves and plastic formed a roof overhead. The family cooked in an outdoor shelter made of small branches and leaves. We were glad to see remnants of a fire with a cooking pot. Hopefully the family ate today.

This home belongs to Islande Joseph. Last week Islande completed six days if training to begin the CLM program. We were blessed to see the launch for her and her cohort last Friday. She was so gracious and welcomed us to her home with abundant hospitality. Through Steve, the CLM manager, we saw and heard Islande's hopes of raising poultry and goats. With excitement she showed us the log book that will record her weekly encounters with her case manager. Out came the coveted CLM picture ID card as well.

Islande's kitchen

Islande has four children, two teens and two young ones. She, herself, is only in her twenties. The tiny home she lives in is her mother's home. Over ten people share the home. The mother, her younger children, a sister's family and Islande and her family. Extremely close quarters for so many individuals. However, the home was kept impeccably neat. Her beds were made with clean bright white and lavender sheets. Everything had a place.

Islande and her youngest son

An important life lesson.... do not ever assume that poverty can be equated to filth. Islande took great pride in her appearance and the tidiness of her home. We must not attempt to strip people's dignity away with our stereotypes and assumptions.

To contrast the progression of the program, we also visited a woman who graduated the 18 month program this last August. As we approached the home, her husband appeared with a water jug washing his hands. He wanted to clean up in order to shake the hands of each visitor.

Gemin Francois and her husband have four children ages 6, 8, 10 and 13. The oldest three are in school and the youngest will start next year.

Gemin, her husband, and her youngest son

When she launched with the CLM program she began with a couple goats and a pig. Unfortunately, the pig died. However, her goats have reproduced and she currently has 8. Doves also flutter around her yard alongside the chickens and baby chicks. Her husband talked with us about his farming. He was upset with a neighbor for letting a trash fire burn out of control. Part of his field was lost by the fire. It sounded like he grew okra and sugarcane.

The family was so thankful for the CLM program. The husband passionately told us how he used to worry every time it rained because their home was made from sticks and leaves. He did not know if they would stay dry. Since graduating, Gemin has done extremely well with her resources and training. While the family is still very poor, they are at least sustainable.

Chemen Lavi Miyo literally saves the lives of the ultra poor in Haiti.

For more info about Chemen Lavi Miyo... www.fonkoze.org/clm

For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org

CLM Offices

Haiti Immersion... Day 8 - St. Joseph's Family

There are times when you come across people that have meaningful stories to tell. When they tell them well, it reaches depths of your soul that you may not have been aware of. We heard a story such as this on Thursday night.

View from the roof of St. Joseph's Family Guest House

Bill is one of the men raised in St. Joseph's Family. I hesitate to attempt to tell his story here because his poetic words create a piece of art as he speaks. He has also written a book the relays his story. (I will look for a link on where to find or purchase his book). A synopsis though... Bill was born in the Northern portion of Haiti. Through loss and suffering he found himself as a child slave. Though the compassion of local nuns Bill was rescued and taken to be a part of St. Joseph's Family.

St. Joseph's Family saved the lives of dozens of boys that have now grown into men of honor, compassion, dignity and kindness. Many of the men are working at the guest house, Wings of Hope and Trinity School. Maya, who organizes much of the Haitian side of HTF was also raised at St. Joseph's. Each man who grew up there has a unique story to tell.

The long history of hospitality still flows through the rituals of this place. Bill mentioned that, as soon as he arrived at St. Joseph's as a child, he was offered a glass of cold water. This is still a tradition practiced with visitors today. After a dusty bumpy ride from the airport it was comforting and refreshing to receive that small gesture with great meaning behind it.

As the boys grew into men they would sing together, hug one another and support one another through each day. We heard of them sitting together in a circle and affirming one another's gifts. That tradition lives on in HTF immersion trips. Friday morning we sat together sharing words of respect, affirmation and encouragement. These conversations carry great power to spur each if us to recognize pieces of ourselves that others notice.

St. Joseph's Family is making transitions as the individuals have grown, matured into adulthood and many have family's of their own. Their home is now used as a guest house full of hospitality and grace. When you enter that space you feel like family.

For more info about the St. Joseph's Family... www.sjfhaiti.weebly.com

For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org

On the rooftop

Haiti Immersion... Day 8 - Mirebalais

We woke up this morning to the sounds of Mirebalais beginning it's day. The roosters were crowing. The soft meowing of a cat contrasted with the dogs barking back and forth.

The guest house we stayed in was in the midst of a residential area. Outside our window we could look down upon people's homes. The walls were wooden with corrugated tin on top. Leaves were scattered across the roofs from the trees in the area.

On the modest concrete porch sat blue, red and yellow buckets. They were likely used for washing clothes and children. A small child peeked out of the pink cloth that served as the door. They toddle out and the mother came quickly to shoo them back inside. An older brother and sister came back to the house with a bag from the market.

It was a simple little glance outside the window. However what a sweet peek into another world.

For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org

Haiti Immersion... Day 7 - Drive from Jacmel to Port-au-Prince

We are travelling from the Southern coast back to the capitol. The van is racing through the mountains. Windows have to be open because the vehicle can't drive up the mountain and have the air conditioning on at the same time.

We passed a man with a gardening hoe slung over his shoulder. He was walking ahead of a sleek black cow being led with a thick rope around it's neck.

On the side of the road women packed large woven baskets with plantains. They overflowed with leaves poking through the gaps.

Men were hovering around a fire and anvil. One pounded out steel while the other turned a mechanism to stoke the fire.

Motorcycles are zooming past us with a quick beep of their horn. Some drivers are even wearing helmets.

Colorful tap taps pass us filled to the brim. People hang from the sides and are even piled on top.
As we drive through the little towns vendors sell fried meat and plantains. Little markets dot the sides of the road. Mangos, bananas and oranges sit piled neatly in baskets ready for customers.

Sugar cane sticks are bundled together for people to sell.

School kids walk in groups talking and laughing. There uniforms are so tidy and the girl's hair is impeccable. You can tell which children go to school together because each school has a unique style of uniform.

Women and children carry large yellow water jugs down the road to the well. Multiple faucets emerge from the concrete block. It is often painted blue with the logo of the sponsoring organization.
Bright advertisements cover walls of most buildings. All are meticulously painted by hand. There are many talented artists here in Haiti.

So many little houses are scattered across the hills some have wooden sides, others are clad in corrugated metal. Either metal or thatched roofs sit on top of the small structures. Most are brightly painted. Blues, reds, pinks and yellows.

As privileged Americans, we may look upon these everyday pieces of Haitian life with pity. Small houses, walking everywhere, simple existence and lack of security. While on some level there is merit to those thoughts... in all actuality the people of Haiti have much to teach us. They have their own brand of creativity, ingenuity, perseverance, dedication and happiness.

The kingdom of God is here.

For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org

Haiti Immersion... Day 7, HELP

It is not everyday that you get to talk to people that you know, to your core, will change the world. I had the honor of talking with them last Friday and today. On our way from Jacmel to Mirebalais our group stopped by HELP again. Haitian Education and Leadership Program. I wrote about all the details earlier in our trip so you'll have to check out that post too.

Today I met Isaac. He is in his first year at university majoring in accounting. There is a spark in his eye. You can tell he really loves accounting because his passion fills the air when he speaks. In his first year, he has started showing great leadership potential by working with his dorm mates regarding their finances and budgeting for their stipend.

Isaac profusely thanked us for our support of the program. While that is always nice to hear, we should be thanking them! Isaac and the other HELP scholars are doing the hard work. We are merely supporting and accompanying the next generation that will make radical, positive and lasting change for Haiti.

I learned from the leadership coordinator for HELP that these students are doing much more than merely succeeding. They are dominating the top of the dean's list. The internship sites speak incredibly highly of them. There have been three students move on to graduate work as Fulbright scholars. These young adults are the brightest of the bright in Haiti.

They will definitely enact positive change in Haiti... and just might change the world while they are at it!

For more information about Haitian Education and Leadership Program... www.uhelp.net

For more information about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org

Haiti Immersion... Day 6 - Tetkole

Tuesday afternoon we had another amazing opportunity to see the heart Verbo has for the children of the community. Tetkole is a community based program for children that find themselves in difficult situations. Whether they end up on the street as a child who ran away from home or have lost a parent, Tetkole works toward family unification.

Tetkole works to support families and children through community involvement, support and the arts. Our immersion team had the pleasure of hearing the Tetkole youth band play Tuesday evening.

The dressed well and carried their instruments with pride. Their smiles and confidence demonstrated the dignity that the program brings to their lives. The band played several pieces and a couple of trumpet soloists showed their skill. One young man in particular wore a sport coat and stood before us ready. As he lifted the trumpet to his lips and began to play, the piercing notes sang out the emotion of his heart.

Music is powerful. It is obvious that positive change has stirred in these young people. Their confidence, dignity and voice as been found through the notes and rhythm they play.

For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org

Haiti Immersion... Day 6 - Centre D'Education Integree

Many have heard stories passed down from other generations about the plight of school transportation. Walking 5 miles, in the snow, barefoot, uphill both ways. While there is inflated truth within that, it doesn't compare to the story I heard today. We had the privilege of visiting the Centre D'Education Integree (CEI) in La Montagne up the mountain from Jacmel.

Classroom Buildings

Young Scholars, World Changers

When Verbo, the founder of CEI, was 11 years old be began in the 1st grade. He could not start earlier because if the distance to the nearest school. Verbo traveled two hours to school down the step mountain into Jacmel. He traveled two hours back home far, far up the mountain.

So think of this... and eleven year old is starting school and travels four hours by foot to reach his classes. That is dedication. To add to the inspiration of the story... his parents, Mama and Papa Verbo have 10 children. Every single one attended school. They believed in the power of education so much in order to make sacrifices for 10 children to attend school. Unheard of!

Mama Verbo, that's what everyone calls her!

Verbo attended university and has a degree in law. He told us that his dream was always to start a school in his home community so that children would not have to walk into Jacmel in order to receive an education. We saw the fruits of his dream today.

Main Office

CEI is a K-6 grade school up the mountain from Jacmel. We took a standing tap tap on the hour long ride to get there. In the truck we waded a river, dodged trees and bounced around all the way up the mountain. And there are bruises to prove it!

Standing tap tap ride up and down the mountain

At the top was the school and the Verbo family home. As soon as we arrived children were peering from the open doors of the classrooms. Sorry teachers! Verbo welcomed our team and began sharing his story. However, he didn't stop there.

Kindergarten Graduates

Verbo's face lit up as he shared his hopes and dreams for CEI. He would like to expand to grades 6-8. They have made plans to start a community garden that the parents can participate in. He looks for ways to not only enrich the lives of his students, but also their families. A church in Ohio comes yearly to work to train teachers. They are also starting a program to provide families with a goat to be a sustainable generator of income.

The kindness in Verbo's heart shone through his eyes and his words. There is some financial responsibility expected from the families. However, Verbo noted that he would never send the children home for lack of payment.

The radical dedication to education from his parents and now through him is affecting an entire generation of their community. The smiles on the children's faces demonstrate the dignity that education brings to all people. Education is a pathway out of poverty. Both individually and also collectively.

This young scholar rode the tap tap back down the mountain with us.

There is not a doubt in my mind that she will change the world!

For more info about Centre D'Education Integree... www.facebook.com/CEI

For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org

Haiti Immersion... Day 5 - The Beach

Being immersed in another culture does things to people. For some it creates anxiety and vulnerability. Others it may stir a sense of adventure. For me... I am pressed into discernment. What is God up to in Haiti and how am I being drawn to respond?

Big questions.

Really big questions.

I don't have fully formed answers. After all, one... we are only half way through this experience and two... do you really ever completely answer those questions?

Tonight we visited two beaches. The first was sandy and the waves were crashing on the shore. We could walk along the edge while being lulled into a rhythmic stroll. Looking over my shoulder my eyes followed palm tree after palm tree waving in the ocean breeze. It was beautiful. At the same time it was hard.

Surrounding us were boys and young men selling trinkets and art. Beautiful pieces that we had already seen time and time again. Their voices begging us to come look at their wares. I wonder, was my purchase the reason they would eat that day? Would they leave that beach at night with a home and family to return to? Or did they live on the street scraping by to feed themselves? I don't know. So many questions. Often no answers.

The second beach we went to was at a newly constructed resort. This time a rocky beach, but with the same beautiful palm trees swaying in the breeze. As the sun melted behind the mountain we ate dinner out on the back patio area. This time there were no boys peddling their trinkets. While it was peaceful and low stress, it also seemed... sterile.

Grilled Fish

Lobster

Conch

The blanket of night covered us while we finished dinner. Stars popped into the sky brighter than I have ever seen. The waves grabbed my attention and I went to sit on the concrete wall next to the rocky beach. It was dark. The rhythm of the waves provided a pattern in the background of my thoughts. My eyes lifted to the sky. The milky way flowed through the pinpoints of light above. A cool breeze refreshed my weary skin as I sat in silence.

The waves hitting the rocks of the beach are new each time. Yet, waves have continued to hit that beach since the formation of this island. The light from the stars may be millions of light years old by the time it reaches my eyes. Yet stars are created and stars will die out as well.

I find it extremely ironic that I am typing these thoughts on the third floor balcony of the hotel. Yet, meanwhile in the bar area below, Dust in the Wind by Kansas is playing on a never ending loop.  The waves, the stars, the breeze and even the song... they all remind me that I am one small speck in the vast universe. We are each one small speck. Yet, what we do with our short time matters.

It matters if we are generous with others. It matters if we are kind. It matters if we live into our status as loved children of God. And it certainly matters if we treat others with love and dignity because they, too, are loved children of God.

The people of Haiti are loved children of God. They matter. Their lives matter. Their families matter. Their education matters. Their health matters. Their work matters. Their future matters.

The future of the people of Haiti matters.

God is calling? Through the wind, the waves, the stars, the smiles, the hugs, the high fives, the faces... 

God is calling. 

Are we listening?

And more importantly are we willing to act?

For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org