Haiti 2013 Day 1

Friday June 28, 2013 My early morning flight went off without a hitch, and before I knew it I was being bombarded by red hats at the airport. Because I didn't have an address or phone number for Michelle and Jonathan, immigration kept my passport while I went outside to look for them. A red hat caught me and gave me his phone number, and told me just to write Delma 33 on the sheet. The immigration lady was not happy about it, but in the end she let me go. Jonathan and everyone in the truck were waiting for me as soon as I stepped out into the chaos we call Port-Au-Prince airport. I was overwhelmed with joy as I reunited with Michelle, Michelet, and Kerby. It was a joy meeting Jonathan, Dana, and Kerlandy. I felt like I had already known them! We caught up the entire ride to the hotel. In transit, I was blown away by how different the country looked! There were no heaps of garbage, I rarely saw farm animals grazing around, and people appeared to be up and moving, working, and making lots of progress. This was wonderful to see! Back at the hotel, we started to unpack my bags and organize the things I brought. UHOH! The acrylic paint in 2 of my bags exploded! One bag was covered in red (resembled a murder scene...happened to be in a huge body-sized duffel bag, too), and the other was covered in blue. Luckily, when it dried, all the paint peeled off. Once that mess was tackled, we prepared for our first trip to the orphanage. There, we would play a few basic games, which would integrate following directions and other character development skills, as well as document some information from the kids. Let me tell you the story of how Michelle and Jonathan began their organization, Helping Hands 4 Haiti; and why they chose to put their mission into Voice of the Children Orphanage.... I met Michelle on my 2010 trip to Haiti, and we instantly became close friends. She met Kerby and his sister Kerlandy, and immediately felt God's whisper telling them to adopt. A year and a half later, they are American citizens and proudly carry the name "Carver." But the Carver's Haitian mission didn't stop there. God was telling them to keep doing work, being the hands and feet of Jesus, and serving those in need with a gracious heart. They started their non-profit organization, Helping Hands 4 Haiti. They chose this name because they weren't going to be giving handouts. They wanted to HELP guide and assist Haitians into rebuilding their lives, and teach them to stand on their own two feet. This is a nation of people who are so used to getting handouts, that they've come to accept it. Of course, 2 people aren't going to change a nation. But if they can change a few people at a time, that lesson of love with echo in eternity. The Carvers made several trips to Haiti during the adoption process to be with their children, and continue to support the orphanage. They soon realized that the orphanage that their children were in was getting LOTS of other support. They decided that they needed to find a place that wasn't getting any support, and help them instead. Someone they met Fritzon, who is the chief of police in an area of Port-Au-Prince. He had befriended a widow who was on the verge of having her orphanage shut down because her license was 6 years behind, and the children were barely being fed. Fritzon helped her get some food for the children, and got the state off her back so that she could keep these children safe. Fritzon brought Jonathan and Michelle to the orphanage to meet "Momma," and they fell in love with her and the children. They decided to dedicate their mission to this cause. A little back story on the orphanage, and why it was in such despair.... About 6 years ago, the orphanage was striving; and the kids were all in school and getting proper nutrition. Then Momma's husband died. He was what held everything together. Being a new widow, in charge of nearly 50 children, Momma could not provide for the children what they were used to. Haitian men don't treat widows the way they should, either. The community literally threatened Momma, and ran her out of the area. Luckily, her sister owns a house in Delma 33 (an hour away, in the city) and allowed her to bring the children there. With one hitch...They were to use the yard. The house was rented out to other people. So now the children are in crammed quarters, barely being fed, and their entire lives have been uprooted. Momma and Fritzon prayed so hard for someone to help. Momma had a dream one night and an angel told her that someone was on their way to help. Exactly one month later, they met Michelle and Jonathan. Little by little, hope began to return to Voice of the Children. The Carvers have a very detailed plan on how to transform the orphanage, but it began with proper nutrition, and proper dwellings. The children now have 3 meals a day, including meat twice a week, and fresh vegetables. One of their previous trips, the men built dormitory rooms for the children to sleep safely. The property where they used to live is still in Momma's name, and their next big project (the Nehemiah Project) is getting that rebuilt and ready for the BIG move. We're looking at a year and half to two years. (More on that later...) This trip was the first time the organization would be able to really spend time in building relationships with the children and workers. Our biggest task was to get documentation on the children, so they can follow their growth throughout the years. Our first two days, we measured the kids heads, waist, feet, and height, as well as weight. We also got any family information we could. Some didn't even know their birthday or proper age. Some of the stories were extremely heartbreaking. But we won't let that hold us back. Each child is loved and cared for. Let's focus on the task and hand.... To raise self-sufficient young men and women that will grow up to be productive citizens. We are always looking for skills and interests, so that we can provide the proper education and activities to assist children in future goals. With the older kids, Jonathan will be looking into internships for career interests. Hopefully those will pan out into future jobs and careers! Well we were documenting, and doing some basic activities with the kids, my teacher eye was drawn to a few older boys and girls. There was some inappropriate flirting and touching happening. Working in an inner-city middle school, my senses are keen to this sneaky behavior. I immediately told Michelle and Jonathan, and we devised a plan. We needed to sit down with the big kids and have an important talk. This came the next day, but we planned on what we would say. When we told Momma and Fritzon, they agreed that any inappropriate touching or sexual behavior was grounds for being kicked out of the orphanage. It is a PRIVILEGE for kids to stay here; the alternative is either back home with parents (if they know where they are) or on the streets. This is the best place for them, and it was time someone told them! Details on the talk will come with tomorrow's blog. So it was the end of my first day. I am EXHAUSTED! I didnt' sleep much last night, and I was up at 3:30 for my flight. We have a quick devotional as a group, and I'm off to bed. WOW! We have BOTH air conditioning and running water this time! What a difference a clean body and restful sleep makes.