Then and Now...

It was only 90 days ago when I first left Haiti after spending 5 days here with the first team sent from HBUMC. Where as the mission of the first team was concrete slab and masonry wall demolition, our task this week was at ground level and involved primarily removing excess dirt and concrete debris. On the first trip I was surprised to see that almost nothing had been done to either cleanup or rebuild, However, that certainly is not the case now, It is not just mission teams doing the work. Haitians are out in force and have begun taking down some of the buildings and houses that were destroyed in the earthquake. Masons are busy building new walls are carpenters are preparing forms for new concrete columns. Road crews in groups of 10 to 15 people (including women) are working over miles of roads crossing the remote mountain areas removing rocks and dirt that had been washed over the roads from heavy rains...definite signs of improvement.

However, Haiti and especially Port-au-Prince are no where close to being what we would consider normal. Until the basic essentials such as reliable electrical service, drinkable water supply, and city-wide sanitation are achieved, life will never be “normal”. Somehow the Haitians are coping and trying to live their lives as they were before the earthquake.

There is so much work left to do and so many areas where help is needed. Our team worked hard this week and worked right along side of Haitian workers at St Joe’s who gladly welcomed our help.

Thanks to all those at HBUMC that made this trip possible and especially the support we received from the missions pathway. The boys at St Joe told us as we were preparing to leave “please don’t forget us when you get back home!”

--Dickie Thompson

Contrasts in Mission - Day 5 Haiti

BUCKETS OF LOVE

When one is dropped into an experience that God has offered us such as this past week, you know at the end of week there will be changes. Changes not only to the immediate environment we were called to help, but changes in us as children of God. It is with a bittersweet farewell we say goodbye to the buckets of rubble we have been removing from one of God’s special places in the world -- St. Joe’s. Those buckets taught us a lesson or two that are important to share. Just like the first team here, we wanted to change the world here or, at least, ‘fix it’ so the children living here could be more comfortable. Well, God has a sense of humor and a great way of humbling us. With several decades of combined construction experience on this team, we all were humbled and served our Lord by removing the debris one bucket at a time. As we labored in the sun, many jokes were made, many songs were tried to be sung but we all reflected at the end of the day that we were not only removing the rubble one bucket at a time, but the buckets were filled with our love for God in doing his service. Thanks be to God for God’s call upon our lives at this time and in this place! --Jeff


FOOD OF LOVE

We got cleaned up and packed our bags of goodies from home and began our 45-minute journey up to Wings of Hope in the mountain village of Fermathe. The trips from St. Joseph’s always begin the same way as we wind through the crowded neighborhoods and shops in and around us. Many buildings and vendors are becoming more familiar with each venture out. The difference on this trip was we were heading up in altitude, down in temperature and up in social status. I say this because there were fewer people walking in the streets, fewer vendors spaced farther apart and the streets got cleaner. A lot cleaner.

One thing that has struck me on this trip is squaller. Trash and rubble in the streets, ditches and pot holes everywhere. As we moved out of the chaos of the city I began to see some hope that there are parts of Haiti that are not filthy. Dicky Thompson was not with us on the van ride as he stayed behind for a meeting with Michael (founder of the St. Joseph’s Family) and the architect to review the plans for the new SJ home in Petionville. It will be erected on the site we are clearing now. The plans call for a much bigger home that will allow for more quests to visit. Dicky will be the man to comment for further details about this project.

As we rounded one of the last curves before arriving at Wings, we passed through another small market area teaming with people selling everything from cell phone calls to home made breads, raw chicken and fish. We rounded the last bend and saw the Baptist Mission that has been the center of activity in the area in this hamlet for about 60 years or so. The original Wings of Hope compound sits next door. It had been home to 38 mentally and physically challenged children. It was severely damaged in the quake and had to be torn down. An empty field perched on the cliffs of the mountain patiently waits for funding and new construction to begin.

We wind down a narrow alley and are greeted by the twin gates of the two large homes that serve as the temporary home for Wings. We pile out of the van eager to stretch our legs

and haul our bags full of fun and games, 30 pairs of shoes and socks, and 100 hygiene kits up the hill and into the house. We are greeted by the staff and given a brief history, tour and personal testimony by two members of the leadership team.

We are now prepared to reload the van with our lunch guests. We had made arrangements to pair up with a child and treat them to a hot dog and ice cream lunch at the Baptist Mission “Tea Room” overlooking the mountains. Tradition is that hosts line up against a courtyard wall and the children are allowed to “pick” their lunch date, a ritual reminiscent of a junior high basketball game. My partner was “Ted”, a 16 year old boy who lives with cystic fibrosis who could only move his head and flail his arms. I had to carry his stiff body in my lap as we rode down to the mission. I must admit I was petrified as I thought about how I was going to feed and attend to this child. With a little coaching and courage from within, it went fine. Ted ate a good lunch motioning often with a nod or a groan to convey what he wanted and when. The director told me “he will tell you what he wants if you just watch him”. Once I did pay attention, his eyes would often tell his wishes. That and a big grin when he got what he wanted or saw another van driver he knew. The team all had similar stories of overcoming perceived inadequacies as they lived into the moment and let Christ reveal himself. A truly humbling experience, but one of immense joy.

When we got back from lunch, we played a barbershop game with the children that allowed them to cloak us, lather us, shave us (with tongue depressors) and clean us up. We then played Jesus Loves Me and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star with color-coded handbells with our partners as Mike led us standing in a chair frantically throwing cue cards onto the deluged soaked patio. The children squealed their delight at our modest musical efforts. Call it my tin ear, but our renditions all sounded very similar! Next we had the opportunity to feed the house their evening meal. This corn based porridge, laced with protein rich peanut butter, was prepared by the staff and all we had to do was serve and feed. In many cases this was like feeding

an infant, with all the requisite coaxing. We had a cooling rain that fell on us there (our first) that cooled off things and seemed to cleanse as rains often do. Even the air was sweeter. We packed up, headed back to St. Joseph’s for dinner. We met for evening devotion and reflection. Sally spoke on God’s commission to Moses and asked us to consider our gifts and talents and how we were prepared to use them to further God’s work. We will all go to sleep tonight pondering that question and processing the thoughts and feelings we experienced today. --David

6-Month Anniversary of the Earthquake - Haiti Day 4

John 21:15-17 (NIV)

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
A familiar bible verse, especially appropriate on a mission trip. Each of us that professes to be a Christian is commanded to feed God's sheep. I simply can not think of a more powerful witness than to see little children being cared for and provided for. Today the team took a trip to two school sites to witness the efforts of the Hayes Barton Congregation at work through your genorsity to Stop Hunger Now. Many of you have not only provided financial assistance, but have actually packaged meals at HBUMC's Quarter of Mealion program. Meals that are going to Haiti for the earthquake relief. At these two schools over 1,000 children are being feed by you the Hayes Barton Congregation.
Image beautifully dressed girls and boys with smiling faces in a loving, educational environment where their parents know that they will be provided a meal that meets 100% of their daily nutritional needs. Each child eager to learn, wanting to reach out and touch these strangers from America. Imagine beautiful voices singing songs of celebration to the visitors. Each group finishing with a heartfelt "We love you!"

These children from the age of 3 through the sixth grade have hope, and the future of Haiti has hope because of you. Thank you and God Bless!

Andy Wright

Sabbath - Day 3 in Haiti

After a grueling day of 8 1/2 hours on the worksite, our Sabbath couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for our team. We were able to sleep in a bit before breakfast, then we clean up for Chapel at 9. We worshiped in song, word and table...in Kreyól and in English. One of the boys, Patrick, was the preacher whose homily flowed out of the parable of the good Samaritan. It wasn’t planned to be this way, but yesterday’s question of “Where are you?”, was now piggybacked by Jesus asking us “Who is your neighbor?”. And one of the beauties of worship in Haiti is that it’s kind of like a multiplex theatre...you attend one service, but hear three others going on simultaneously. The cacophony of songs of praise being offered up is stirring.

After worship we boarded a bus that would take us for lunch, driving tour of downtown Port-au-Prince, for metal art shopping in the artisan village of Croix des Bouquet. Lunch at the Epi D’or (translates as “golden sword” and their logo is swinging baguette) was good old greasy American pepperoni pizza. And the ever-gregarious Jeff happened upon another mission team from the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City (this is largest United Methodist congregation with weekly worship attendance at about 7,500). It was a great contact to make as it turned out that we know a lot of the same people.

British ex-pat, Jaqui Labrom, provided running commentary as we toured earthquake damage, important landmarks (some still standing, and others not), and tent city after tent city...trash heap after trash heap. It was hard to take it all in. Hard to process. Impossible to see a way out. In fact, after a while you just glaze over, being numbed by it all. Then it takes see something even more horrible to one up the status quo.

We made our way out of PAP and arrived in the more rural village of Croix des Bouquet. As you enter, you are more attune to aural conditions, before the visual. The sound of hammer and chisel to metal, over and over...coming from every third house, or so. These artisans are hard at work, even on a Sunday afternoon creating more of “Treasure from Trash”. You see all of these metal pieces are made used oil drums. So, something

that we have a hard time getting rid of in the States, is something the Haitians now resurrect into beauty. We loaded up on a great variety of beautiful pieces that we will have for sale upon our return for continued support of our mission teams.

At the end of the day in our circle of reflection, we all agreed that the God we serve is ever-present in the trash, in the treasure and in the between.

Bonswa! Haiti-Day 2

Today has been long, hot and, for many of the team, physically taxing. The guys on the team started early this morning (about 6:30) moving rubble out of the “pit” bucket by bucket. This is a process of breaking up the rocks and dirt, shoveling it into 13 kilogram buckets, creating a human chain to lift and move the buckets out of the pit and once all the buckets are used, hand-carrying the loaded buckets up the hill and off the property. I’m pretty sure that the buckets of rubble being lifted out might only be rivaled by the gallons of swea

t that pours off these very hard workers. There was a break early in the day, around 8:30, for a brief service (with the message being, “What Are You?) and communion as led by Sally Bates and some of the boys from St. Joe

’s. I am sure that it probably was just the respite and the inspiration needed to return to the pit and begin our work again.

As for Sally and me, we were tasked to complete a project inside that included more unpacking, repacking and labeling iron artwork that is being sent home with the other team who has been here for the last several days. This artwork will be sold as a means of fundraising for St. Joe’s. There is so much creative and beautiful art here in Haiti which contradicts the dismal and destroyed surroundings of the most immediate area.

To say destruction almost doesn’t seem to adequately describe places I’ve seen here. There are so many tent cities, I stopped counting. As soon as you see one two-story house high pile of rubble, you see more and then you see buildings that look like they could topple over with the smallest of shakes. We drove down a city “road” yesterday on our way here that completely buckled and now is practically impassable and yet, cars and trucks and vans keep going each way, somehow not toppling over or coming to a complete standstill when there is no room to maneuver around each other. Somehow, these people keep going. I don’t know many people who truly understand what it means to be resilient more than the Haitian people.

Last night Michael shared his story and the story of St. Joseph’s (and Hearts with Haiti) with us. He is a remarkable story teller and I’m sure there is even more to his story than he told or I understood. But the striking thing to me was, with each incredible hardship he and/or the family of St. Joe’s has faced, they have eventually been brought to the idea that God has given them, yet again, an opportunity to do something else. Sometimes it has been to start again after having nothing. Other times it has been to create something when nothing was there or even recreate something new that had gotten old.

The boys here at the home are as remarkable as any I’ve ever met. I can’t even imagine how they have had to recreate their lives over and over again. We have all been partnered with one of the boys. My prayer partner is Emerson. Emerson, who I heard all sorts of stories about before I got here, is 13 going on 23. Emerson is sure to be a leader of some sort. He told me he wants to be a doctor although his first word to describe what he wants to do was “healer” not doctor, which I found to be completely telling of his true desire. This afternoon I had the opportunity to sit with Emerson, give him the gifts that I brought for him, and just take some time to get to know him a little better. I taught him how to play Sudoku, looked over his new calculator, filled in our Prayer Partnership Friendship

Booklets, and ended by playing a “what kind of jellybean am I eating?” game that was made up on the spot by Emerson and was highly entertaining. As you can imagine, and not to be cliché, I received the best gift by simply being with him.

So between Michael’s story, Sally’s message this morning, and my wonderful one-on-one time with Emerson, it is clear that it is always worth it to not shy away from opportunity, even in the most difficult, chaotic or unfamiliar situations. But to grasp onto opportunities, try a little resilience and see what gifts might come into light.

Peace.

Nancy

Treasures from Trash

We arrived safely around 11:00 am and were greeted by the local band playing some lively Haitian beats. After an hour of going through customs, we finally made it to our van. If you have ever seen 11 adults, 27 pieces of luggage and 9 backpacks crammed into one van, it was a sight to behold – when we piled out, the only thing missing was the clown makeup. As we drove through the city, I have never witnessed such conditions – piles of rubble, some abandoned cars, road conditions that made Glenwood Ave seem perfect, and trash piles on fire. I thought, “How can people live in such conditions?” Well, my answer came to me. After arriving at St. Joe’s and putting in a few hours on the rubble pile, I was on the upper balcony reflecting on the site and our mission when I felt and saw God rain down tiny flowers from the tree above to bless our site and our work. God is everywhere and the Haitian people know this. They are resilient and have the right perspective on life. Instead of advertisements for car dealers or law firms on the ‘tap-taps’ (local taxis) they got it right by having advertisements for God saying things like, “Jesus loves you” and “God is great.” Truly an amazing sight in such conditions.

To top off our first day and put into perspective how resilient and creative our Haitian brothers are, we were presented with a hand-made coconut shell cross from Walnes – a family member here at St. Joe’s. These were not just any coconut shells, these were shells that had been discarded and he collected them from the trash piles to create us a treasure.

Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.

Jeff Mauer

HAITI Team Leaves Early Friday

Hayes Barton's second team to Haiti since the earthquake will leave from the church at 4:30am tomorrow (Friday) morning. We have a packed agenda of work at St. Joe's...a day trip to Wings of Hope where the mentally and physically disabled kids live...an overnight to Jacmel to visit the boys of Trinity House and the children in Lekol Sen Trinitie day school... and a day trip to the Blanchard School, a Stop Hunger Now partner, in downtown Port-au-Prince.

Perhaps even more packed than our schedule are our bags! At last check our bags were brimming with...

-- 100 health kits

-- 29 pairs of shoes

-- 75 pairs of socks

-- 38 backpacks stuff with school supplies

-- Numerous tools (drills, grinders, blades, bits...)

-- 2 boxes of English as a Second Language study materials

-- 100 glow-necklaces

-- 300+ beanie babies for each kid to have a small token of affection

-- 100 quick-dry T-shirts

-- 40 color-coded bells to play music with the Wings kids

-- 100 glow-in-the-dark "Resurrection from the Rubble" silicone bracelets

-- 8 cans of shaving cream, 3 capes and tongue depressors to play a "barbershop relay" with the boys

-- 3 loaves of bread and 3 bottles of Welchs for daily communion

We trust your prayers will go with us as well!

David Creech, Jeff Maurer, Nancy Schoellkopf, Carter Thompson

Dickie Thompson,Travis Thompson, Mike Trexler, Andy Wright