Speaking of love.

This weekend I was reminded of the power of love through the power of our words. Often we get caught up in our busy day to day lives, we can forget to tell someone we love them. We can forget the power in speaking these words to others.

Have you ever stopped to focus on someone else in the middle of your day? Written them a note or dropped them an email or text just to say “Hey dude, thinking about you. Love ya.”

Well, let me tell you, I have been on both ends of that message and as the receiver during a time of need, it was greatly appreciated. I have been reminding my students about the power of their words. We never know what another person is going thru…

…when they might need to hear “Hey, thinking about you today.” Or “Love ya.”

Maybe moving away from my family has brought my appreciation of words to a new level. Or maybe it is from the loss of so many loved ones, so many things left unsaid.

I try hard to never go to bed mad, to never leave things unsaid.

The power of our words is important. Love, honesty, sincerity. Kindness matters, and it just might be your words that are a breaking point in some one else’s life.

I hope we can all choose the words that show the love of Christ today.

Before you speak, think. Be selfless. Show kindness. Love with your words.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 2:13

Thankful for friendships near and far who help me understand the power of love through their words.

To my cousins, I love you crazy fools!!!

To my best friend, I’m here…I love you.

To my brother, I am so proud of the man you are, I love you.

To my roomie, thank you will never be enough, I love you.

To the friends of my soul, thank you for showing me the meaning of friendship.

To those who are left out…

to the twins and lynds, all of my moms and dads, peanut in Minnesota, the one whos home shares a wall, shares a name, share my blood, to those who have crossed my path today, yesterday and tomorrow…

you are in my heart and I love you. I am no further from you than across the water.

Be Love.

The Bible says the greatest commandment is:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbors as yourself.'” Matthew 22:37-39

Today I am trying to do just this, Love God. As a follower of Christ this is something I try to do with my heart and actions each and every day, love others. Love them at work. Love them at home. Love them on the beach, or down by the sea. Love others, right where they are, right where I am. I won’t say it’s always easy, but it is my calling. It’s all of our calling.

BE LOVE. Love God, Love others. We don’t have to go anywhere to show the love of God. I don’t have to be called out onto the mission field, or tent cities and orphanages.  We can be the love of the Lord and allow it to shine through our hearts where ever we are. Any place, anywhere, any time. BE LOVE.

Help.

I have two very different blogs that could fit under this title today. I am choosing the one that brings me joy, not the hardship that has crept its way into my thoughts yet again. That one I want to tuck away, tuck away and walk away from if I could, but I know I need to face that demon-and I will, but for this weekend I am tucking it away and choosing joy.

So here is my joy-FULL “Help.” post.

Here at Quisqueya I am teaching Sign Language 1 and Senior Transitions. My ASL 1 class has 11 students in it-all seniors. My Transitions class has 19 students in all of the seniors here at QCS. It’s no secret I love my classes, but even more than that, I love the opportunity to teach my student….and learn from them. As I walk this journey with the Lord, as I learn how to be a follower, I am blessed to count them as part of this journey.

In ASL class one of our new vocab words this week is “Help.” We were reviewing our words, meaning I already taught them the signs the day before. With my back to them, I asked “OK guys, whats the sign for ‘help’?” Turning to look at their answers, I had an itch, I was scratching both sides of my head in a bit of vigurous motion. One of those killing two birds with one stone moments, scratching my head and fluffing my curls.

Well, when I looked at my students, they were ALL, everyone of them doing the same thing-scratching the sides of their head.

I busted out laughing, “Guys, WHAT are you doing?”

“The sign for ‘Help’ Miss, this is what you are doing.”

Apparently they had forgotten what they learned the day before, the correct sign for “Help.”

Oh the joys of teaching.

Our theme here at Quisqueya is “Following Jesus” We have talked a lot about who we are following, how to be followers; disciples. For me, I often think of how I am teaching as I am learning. As teachers we are leaders, we are examples. Our students, our own children, are all watching us. Watching our example. And if we aren’t careful, they might follow the wrong example.

I want to “help” my students be followers, but that comes with teaching them the right signs, by being the right example.

(Be sure to smile at some one today, it might be exactly what they need) 🙂

Consistently amazed!

Sunday afternoon I was not around and Julie was invited to the women’s group of Tabarre weekly meeting. On Wednesday we started training with our 20 new women at RG, many who are from the Women’s Group of Tabarre.
When Julie showed up she received a warm welcome. While talking to Jolina who has been with RG since its inception she was informed of an orphanage in the area with 29 kids who are in dire need of help. It is Haitian run and Haitian supported. A few of our new women are involved with this orphanage as they took in their children when their families were unable to provide for them.
After receiving their first pay check a few of the new staff members took the money and gave it to the orphanage to help pay for food. Jolina asked Julie if she could help in support. Julie who to date refuses to take an American salary is unable to donate any more money to more causes.
However, Jolina and the women in the group came up with the idea to approach the staff at the RG shop, explain the needs of the orphanage and see who would consider donating a bit of their salary each week to the orphanage. Many of our current staff do give to the orphanage weekly, but it was amazing that Claudette- who hadn’t even worked a full week was so thoughtful and generous.
When Julie told me this story I was in complete awe of the selflessness and compassion of our artisans and the women in the group. This shouldn’t be a big surprise, not a day goes by where the resilience and love of our staff ceases to surprise me. They are loving, compassionate, beautiful people and I am so blessed they are all a part of RG, not to mention my friends.
I am not sure what the rest of the staff will decide to do, but I will update when I hear! Please pray for our staff, the people of Haiti and children everywhere who are not living in a true home.

Welcome to the world baby Nora!!

Around the corner from where I currently live is a pretty amazing family (click for their blog). I was hanging out one evening for some fellowship and laughter when, Tara (the other Tara, I know-WHAT?!!? two Tara’s!) got a call that a woman was in Labor.

Troy and Tara Livesay work for Heartline Ministries, an amazing mission here in Haiti with a focus on women. Heartline has many women’s programs ranging from a cooking and a sewing school, to a teen mom house and maternity center. One of my favorite things to do in Haiti is network and partner, for anyone hoping to do the same, volunteer in Haiti or just looking for an honest mission to donate toward-Heartline is on the top of my list!

After Tara got the call she asked if I wanted to join her to see a birth…umm let me think…YEAH! Tara, her daughter Paige and I drove a mile up the road to the Heartline Maternity Center. We got there a little after 7PM, momma to be (Astrid) was walking around trying to speed up the process and poppa to be was patiently waiting out front.

Around two hours and three chocolate bars later we were still waiting. I was impressed by many things during this experience, but mostly the willingness and trust of Astrid with the Heartline staff. The three midwives from Heartline were too amazing, from their Kreole skills to their gentle ability to walk Astrid through what she needed to do in order to ease her pain.

Prior to the birth Astrid had attended different maternity classes offered at Heartline. This was Astrid’s fourth birth (all with the same father-sort of a big thing here in Haiti!) so she was pretty prepared, but I am not sure one can ever be 100% prepared with something so unexpected and varying as birth. Everyone present did a phenomenal job and baby Nora was born around 11:30PM on April 27^th!

I can honestly say I have never experienced something like this before; this was the first birth I have been able to witness. It is a beautiful thing and I feel so blessed to be a woman and one day (hopefully) experience the gift of life myself (using a midwife for sure!) I am so thankful to Astrid, Tara and Heartline for allowing me to be there and ask so many questions! It was an experience I will never forget! Welcome to the world baby Nora!!!

Respek. Respect.

Read with caution…I am feeling a bit more raw these days…

RESPECT.

Sounds simple enough, you respect me, I respect you. Kreole, English, ASL, German-it doesn’t matter, still means the same thing. God calls us to love each other, love God, love others; in my opinion respect goes hand in hand with love. I could be wrong, or perhaps too much of an optimist; I have been known to be both in the past.

The last few weeks have made this topic hot in my mind, and today sent it over the top.

Recently I had a meeting with-let’s call him a ‘Haitian business owner’-who had some issues with another Haitian. I was stuck in the middle and trying to get to the bottom of the situation receiving bits and pieces of one side of the story. This week I went to visit with the business owner and hear his side of the story. Immediately the issue was laid on the table; ‘He doesn’t respect me, I don’t want him around my property again. He thinks because he works with white people that he is better than me, but I don’t want whatever he might have to offer if it comes at the price of being disrespected.’

I get it. You’re right. I agree. You deserve to be respected, we ALL do.

I have heard there is a class system in Haiti; and those who work with white people seem to be closer to the top. I don’t want to judge or stereotype, but now that it has been brought to my attention, as I think back on conversations and different encounters over my time in Haiti; I see the system.

I have to say this whole misunderstanding in this situation came partly at the fault of the white person, from me. ‘Gifts’ we will call them were donated for a project, all of the gifts weren’t used and so the Haitian business owner used the excess as he saw fit not knowing we over order as a precaution, as I did not clearly communicate it.

I explained to a friend the revelation I had today:

When someone gives you a dress, a Easter Sunday dress lets say, and after Easter Sunday you wish to wear out to a dinner party-the dress is a gift, as receiver of that gift you see how best to use the gift. After it served it purpose you want to wear it to dinner, or a baseball game or just around the house. The gift is yours, it is up to you what you would like to do with it.

The same theory can be applied to this situation. As I looked around I began thinking of all the projects I have been involved in here in Haiti. If someone is built a house, it is up to them if they see that as a business opportunity to lease out, unless I specify otherwise in the terms of the contract. If someone decides to use their living room in their new house as a restaurant, beauty parlor, or phone recharger business, we allow them to. In fact we encourage it! Micro enterprise, sustainability-I’m all for it! I respect that you know what is best for your future!

The Haitian business man in my situation, as the person directly involved with the ‘establishment’ knows and understands the best way to use the excess of the gift. He didn’t know we had other plans for the excess, I didn’t tell him. He saw a need and extra supplies, in my opinion he was being innovative and resourceful.

Bringing this to my personal life, as the person on the ground, given the gift of responsibilities of a job, I often feel frustrated if someone questions why I do something. I realized this bothers me so much because it makes me feel disrespected, and no one likes that feeling, just ask my Haitian business owner friend! I realize there is a difference between job responsibilities and the other factors of life, but I there is a parallel here.

To bring this back around to respect…

My Haitian friend helped me realize sometimes people don’t want what we have to offer, simply because we are offering it. At what cost? What would I put aside for a job or ‘important’ connection in life if I know it comes at a cost? If it means you don’t respect me, but want to have me in your back pocket-to manipulate and use. No thank you.

What happened to random acts of kindness? What happened to the time when people did something from the goodness of their hearts? Respect is more valuable in my mind than any building you could donate, or job you can connect me with; more valuable than gifts and more valuable than money.

Tonight I am reflecting on my relationships, in all areas of my life. Those I respect and those I need to get back down to the simple commandment of LOVE, loving others. Love one another, respect one another. When met with resistance, love on, hope for the best…perhaps it will catch on like wildfire…

M-Tuck; I got a present of the best kind…a friend!

In the beginning of March I got a visit from one of my favorite people on planet earth!  Morgan, one of my beautiful college roommates flew to Haiti to spend a week with me! She was also with me in Haiti in June of 2010 for 12 days-this was the trip that made me realize I wanted to move to Haiti.

I didn’t have time off, but Morgan was excited to come around with me and be a part of my day-to-day life! It was great to see her smiling face walking through customs-not only because she had an extra-large skinny caramel latte with her, but because I was so over joyed to have her here with me!!!

Sittin on the roof!

We started her trip off right by heading right to the pool. A few friends of mine and our ‘missionary family’ have a Sunday tradition we call ‘Sunday Funday’, every Sunday we make sure to take a Sabbath spending quality time with friends and family at the pool. It does not always happen this way, but the Sunday Morgan flew in we were fortunate enough to have had the opportunity.

After playing cards all night and staying up talking like we were back in college, Morgan and I began our week. This was also the Monday Jesse flew out; Morgan loaded in the car for the trip to the airport and stood on the roof with us as we waved good bye! From the roof we were able to see our neighbors who happened to have armed masked guards at their gate-also known as off duty police officers. We still aren’t sure why, but they were there all week.

In the community!

We were able to visit Institute Montfort School for the Deaf where I have had the pleasure of working closely with the nuns via my role with World Wide Village and the Starkey Hearing Foundation. We sat and had a meeting about how we will be able to best move forward and work together. I felt it was a great meeting; I left feeling as though I learned a great deal more about the Haitian culture and needs of the deaf in Haiti.

Wood shop class!

The nuns took us on a complete tour of their facility, a computer room, three different woodworking shops, culinary classes, seamstress classes and general studies. They showed us the boys and girls dorms and the adjacent land where they plan to build over 20 classrooms with a grant from World Vision. It was a beautiful facility with an overwhelming number of programs going on, it is so inspiring to see.

Another day Morgan and I ventured to an orphanage for handicapped children. When Starkey founder Bill Austin was in Haiti last he stopped by this orphanage and fit one of the children with a body aid. The aid was giving him feedback and not working well. I returned to do ear impressions so he would be able to get custom ear molds and eliminate the feedback. It was another great facility and one more amazing thing going on here in Haiti I get to see, I’m glad I was able to share it with Morgan!

Doing Patrick's impressions

The week went by too fast, but it was incredible all the things we fit in and experienced together. One night we were sitting up talking when both our beds started shaking. We looked at each other and asked ‘Is that, it feels like…yep its and earthquake.’ Although it only lasted a few minutes and was a 4.6 on the east coast of the country near the DR border, I was so thankful she was here with me!

Another day we planned to check in with the deaf congregation of a church in Port au Prince where Starkey and WWV have distributed hearing aids, however about 20 minutes before we were to leave there was an announcement that President Martelly would be addressing the country at 4:00PM and everyone was to go home and listen. Unfortunately the house was on lock down and we weren’t able to go to out meeting.

Haitian Lunch at Caribbean Lodge!

My friends mean the world to me and the fact that Morgan took an interest in what I am doing in Haiti and wanted to brave it for her VACATION was humbling! I miss her greatly; I miss all my friends back home more than I would like to think about!! I am so happy she came to visit and can’t wait to count down the days to her next trip; hopefully it won’t have any car chases, earthquakes or armed-masked guards! Morgan you are a beautiful human being and those who get to have you in their everyday should consider themselves very blessed, I know I do!

Come back soon to me!

Two years and still too hard…

How fitting was the verse in my devotional today:

“Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” -2 Corinthians 6:10

For those of you who know me well know that today is the two year anniversary of the passing of one of the most special people in my life. Todd and I grew up together at the lake with a group of people that are more than friends and more than family. I replay the day and week he passed away over and over in my head sometimes, wishing I could change it, somehow go back. I see him in so many things in my everyday life, something will happen that reminds me of him or I hear his voice in the morning hours during sleep and awake.

Todd and I ❤

Today as I was working at a children’s home with a team I saw Todd in the faces of the children; children who are orphans-both true orphans and orphans of poverty. Todd loved kids and I think of him often when I am working in the children’s homes here in Haiti. He had so much life ahead of him, but for whatever reason that I cannot understand, not do I think I ever will-his life was cut short.

I can’t think of a better way to have spent today than with the children watching them play on the swing set, chase each other around and wrestled like any other kid in the world. It is a beautiful world out there, and the people in it hold equal beauty-especially the children. I feel so blessed by every moment God has given me. The loss of Todd has taught be the value of each of these moment. I know that although I may be hurting today, I cannot spend too many moments filled with tears- Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. So today I enjoyed the group, I looked for the beauty and life in each team member. I enjoyed the children and thought of the life ahead of them, how amazing they will each be. Although we may not know our purpose until this life is over, we must have faith in God and his plan; we must walk boldly down our path committing to each day as it was our last.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans.” –Proverbs 16:3

Smiles and hugs go so far!