OH MY GOODNESS. I have not been on here for so long (like anybody really missed me.) I am so sorry I have not finished my trip to Haiti yet, I will get on that as soon as I have free time, which is not going to be any time soon. However, I really need to get that trip done because spoiler alert: I'm going back in March!!! And this time I am taking MY MOM.. and two other ladies from my church. Also another spoiler alert: I am going to Guatemala this summer!! I am going to have so much to write. Lets just hope i remember to put it on my blog. Everything is sitting in my journal which is full now so its time to buy a new one. Well that's all for now, I can even sit down for two seconds- gotta go!!
but, here is a parting gift:
I set up a facebook page for my church, everyone should go see it. AND of course if you are in town you should attend, visitors are more than welcome.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
What! It's already Wednesday!?!
Wednesday March10th- Ferrier Haiti, Day 5
"Today was the last day of the clinic and we had a very hectic start. A man who they say has some sort of evil spirit on him was brought to the clinic. We were at one of the drilling sites watching them build water wells. Another man stepped on a nail at the construction site. The pharmacy was crazy busy and we worked nonstop. I was so tired by lunchtime i felt like I had worked all day. Lunch was great. No beans and rice, but we had french fries and fish and popcorn. I have learned to be grateful for what I get and to only get what I need. The last half of the clinic went by fast, but was very busy. Afterward we walked to church with the kids in the neighborhood. It was great to walk around the village at night, we had not been out at night before. It is amazing how these children know their way in the dark and are used to relying on very little light at night. We went to the First Baptist Church and i sat next to Guermanie and Joraldine, the little girl whose mother works in the house. She has become my new friend. She is seven years old and very shy and quiet...
The singing sounded so good. They sing alot of songs we sing that we sing at home and it sounded wonderful to hear it in a different language. It is great to know there are no language barriers when it comes to worshiping God. The preacher mentioned this, he said he cannot wait until we get to heaven, there will be no language barrier because we are all equal in God's kingdom and we all speak the same language as children of God. The children led us through the village telling us which way to go and navigating the way through the dark. The sounds of Ferrier echoed in the silent humid air. Dogs barked, babies cried, motorcycles passed. We were all together in the dark hand in hand. Different backgrounds, different languages, different economic classes. We have gotten to know each other, we have prayed for each other, and we have shared each other's love. Love is one thing this place is full of. Love and community. They do not think about themselves, but they look out for each other. Jackson, every morning, feeds about fourty orphans who go to the school. They were all downstairs this morning passing bread and drinks. Big kids and little kids. Jackson has already done so much and yet he continues to give and share...
One of the boys I was talking to today asked me if I liked it here I said i loved it. He said, 'Haiti is such a poor country. Why do you love such a poor country.' I said as i pulled Joraldine in front of me, 'I love the people. Haiti may be a poor country but it is rich in community. The wealth lies in the people here and what they have to give everyone else.' Jimmy said in his sermon today friendship is not about what you get, its about what you can give the other person. These people have become our friends, they have given us so much. I only hope that I am able to give them a fraction of what they have given me..."
I has been a few months since i have blogged an in that time i have forgotten some of the things that went on while I was in Haiti. Reading my journal to write this entry not only made me happy that i wrote alot of things down so i would be reminded of my experiences, but also make me sad. I miss all of the friends i made there, I miss all the fun we had, and i miss being in the village. It is so fast paced here, even in the summer time when i'm not doing anything. People here are not like the friends i made in Haiti, and reading my journal only makes me want to go back even more. I cannot wait until next year, and i only hope i will be able to go back and have an even better time than in march.
Getting the hair did
"Today was the last day of the clinic and we had a very hectic start. A man who they say has some sort of evil spirit on him was brought to the clinic. We were at one of the drilling sites watching them build water wells. Another man stepped on a nail at the construction site. The pharmacy was crazy busy and we worked nonstop. I was so tired by lunchtime i felt like I had worked all day. Lunch was great. No beans and rice, but we had french fries and fish and popcorn. I have learned to be grateful for what I get and to only get what I need. The last half of the clinic went by fast, but was very busy. Afterward we walked to church with the kids in the neighborhood. It was great to walk around the village at night, we had not been out at night before. It is amazing how these children know their way in the dark and are used to relying on very little light at night. We went to the First Baptist Church and i sat next to Guermanie and Joraldine, the little girl whose mother works in the house. She has become my new friend. She is seven years old and very shy and quiet...
The singing sounded so good. They sing alot of songs we sing that we sing at home and it sounded wonderful to hear it in a different language. It is great to know there are no language barriers when it comes to worshiping God. The preacher mentioned this, he said he cannot wait until we get to heaven, there will be no language barrier because we are all equal in God's kingdom and we all speak the same language as children of God. The children led us through the village telling us which way to go and navigating the way through the dark. The sounds of Ferrier echoed in the silent humid air. Dogs barked, babies cried, motorcycles passed. We were all together in the dark hand in hand. Different backgrounds, different languages, different economic classes. We have gotten to know each other, we have prayed for each other, and we have shared each other's love. Love is one thing this place is full of. Love and community. They do not think about themselves, but they look out for each other. Jackson, every morning, feeds about fourty orphans who go to the school. They were all downstairs this morning passing bread and drinks. Big kids and little kids. Jackson has already done so much and yet he continues to give and share...One of the boys I was talking to today asked me if I liked it here I said i loved it. He said, 'Haiti is such a poor country. Why do you love such a poor country.' I said as i pulled Joraldine in front of me, 'I love the people. Haiti may be a poor country but it is rich in community. The wealth lies in the people here and what they have to give everyone else.' Jimmy said in his sermon today friendship is not about what you get, its about what you can give the other person. These people have become our friends, they have given us so much. I only hope that I am able to give them a fraction of what they have given me..."
I has been a few months since i have blogged an in that time i have forgotten some of the things that went on while I was in Haiti. Reading my journal to write this entry not only made me happy that i wrote alot of things down so i would be reminded of my experiences, but also make me sad. I miss all of the friends i made there, I miss all the fun we had, and i miss being in the village. It is so fast paced here, even in the summer time when i'm not doing anything. People here are not like the friends i made in Haiti, and reading my journal only makes me want to go back even more. I cannot wait until next year, and i only hope i will be able to go back and have an even better time than in march.
Breakfast time!
Jackson with the kids
Drill
Drilling the well
muddy muddy
watching them drill a well
Raising the flag and getting pumped for school
Going to school
Doctor talking with the patient
Random. yes i know.
Going back to the clinic after lunch
my new buddies!!!
Waiting patiently for us to be done with the clinic
Getting some new shoes
Womens co-op
COKE!!!!
going to get water
Rice
Dinner time
Me and Guermanie!!
The parade of people
my sponsored child- Joraldine
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
I'm in a Love Haiti Relationship
Tuesday March 9th- Ferrier, Haiti Day 4
"Today was day two of the clinic. We ate breakfast and I talked to Sharon and Jim about the children at the school to sponsor. We went to Zane's school looking for Gardenia and Evan's kids. They said I could pick a kid from either Zane's school of Jackson's. It took a while to find Gardenia's child, Evan's wasn't there. When they brought out the little girl she didn't exactly know what the translator was saying. When the little girl realized what the translator was saying her face lit up and she grabbed Gardenia to give her a hug. She had the prettiest smile and you could see how grateful she was. The look on her face allowed me to see first hand how much these kids appreciate what they are given. It made my heart stop she was so glad to see the person who allowed her to go to school. After-wards I went to help in the pharmacy. It was non stop until lunch. At lunch we walked back to the house to eat. On the way there Tony got the doctors' attention, he was standing on the road with a man. The man was the father of the little girl who was sent to the hospital yesterday. He said she was ok, they put her on IV's, but they really needed some money. I wonder how hard it is for a father to ask somebody else to help support their family...
Today we had a couple of pregnancy tests, the first lady was about forty four and she was not pregnant. Jade was a little worried to tell her she wasn't because she thought the woman would be upset. But it was the total opposite. The woman happy and even relieved to know she wasn't pregnant. The other lady however, was pregnant ans then Jennifer told her she was going to have a baby she was upset. Its sad to know that she is so worried about how she is going to provide for her baby. It took a while to console her. Later a woman in her fifties who has hypertension. She was a victim of the earthquake in Port-au-prince and lost a lot of her family members. Jimmy took her picture, she was so happy and high spirited, she reminded me of some of the people i met after Katrina. After all that has happened to her she is still joyous and even the worst of tragedies does not have her down. Yesterday I watched Stephanie interviewed a lady who was also a victim of the earthquake. She lost her house and her daughter, she said she still hears the sounds and is still scared of earthquakes. That is how it has been for many people who come to the clinic and were victims of the earthquake. She, like the others, has trouble sleeping, is nauseous, and has headaches...
By dinner time I was exhausted and hungry, we are starting to run out o medicine and we had to bring someone to some home to divide them. Today a little girl at the clinic was able to pick out a pair of shoes. After she found a pair of shoes that fit she walked up to me and said Merci with the biggest smile on her face. Those were one dollar crocks and they made that little girls day...
The boys are asleep on the roof because there was a huge spider in their bedroom and at the dinner table the house rat ran over Katie's feet. Only a couple of small encounters that have made this trip great. Tomorrow they start drilling new water wells and Thursday we are going to the Citadel to ride donkeys up the mountain..."
I believe that everyone should be in a love Haiti relationship. I have been telling everyone about it, so of course i have to post it on my blog for the whole world wide web to see. I talked to Sharron and she gave me all of the information:
"Today was day two of the clinic. We ate breakfast and I talked to Sharon and Jim about the children at the school to sponsor. We went to Zane's school looking for Gardenia and Evan's kids. They said I could pick a kid from either Zane's school of Jackson's. It took a while to find Gardenia's child, Evan's wasn't there. When they brought out the little girl she didn't exactly know what the translator was saying. When the little girl realized what the translator was saying her face lit up and she grabbed Gardenia to give her a hug. She had the prettiest smile and you could see how grateful she was. The look on her face allowed me to see first hand how much these kids appreciate what they are given. It made my heart stop she was so glad to see the person who allowed her to go to school. After-wards I went to help in the pharmacy. It was non stop until lunch. At lunch we walked back to the house to eat. On the way there Tony got the doctors' attention, he was standing on the road with a man. The man was the father of the little girl who was sent to the hospital yesterday. He said she was ok, they put her on IV's, but they really needed some money. I wonder how hard it is for a father to ask somebody else to help support their family...Today we had a couple of pregnancy tests, the first lady was about forty four and she was not pregnant. Jade was a little worried to tell her she wasn't because she thought the woman would be upset. But it was the total opposite. The woman happy and even relieved to know she wasn't pregnant. The other lady however, was pregnant ans then Jennifer told her she was going to have a baby she was upset. Its sad to know that she is so worried about how she is going to provide for her baby. It took a while to console her. Later a woman in her fifties who has hypertension. She was a victim of the earthquake in Port-au-prince and lost a lot of her family members. Jimmy took her picture, she was so happy and high spirited, she reminded me of some of the people i met after Katrina. After all that has happened to her she is still joyous and even the worst of tragedies does not have her down. Yesterday I watched Stephanie interviewed a lady who was also a victim of the earthquake. She lost her house and her daughter, she said she still hears the sounds and is still scared of earthquakes. That is how it has been for many people who come to the clinic and were victims of the earthquake. She, like the others, has trouble sleeping, is nauseous, and has headaches...
By dinner time I was exhausted and hungry, we are starting to run out o medicine and we had to bring someone to some home to divide them. Today a little girl at the clinic was able to pick out a pair of shoes. After she found a pair of shoes that fit she walked up to me and said Merci with the biggest smile on her face. Those were one dollar crocks and they made that little girls day...
The boys are asleep on the roof because there was a huge spider in their bedroom and at the dinner table the house rat ran over Katie's feet. Only a couple of small encounters that have made this trip great. Tomorrow they start drilling new water wells and Thursday we are going to the Citadel to ride donkeys up the mountain..."
I believe that everyone should be in a love Haiti relationship. I have been telling everyone about it, so of course i have to post it on my blog for the whole world wide web to see. I talked to Sharron and she gave me all of the information:
But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1John 3:17
In Ferrier, Haiti, most families must choose between food and education. Unlike the United States, there is no public education, no government help, no ‘safety nets’ in Haiti. There are no doctors practicing in Ferrier. Babies are dying from starvation. The price of rice, the staple food of Haiti, has skyrocketed. A pastor makes about $20 a month from his church.
However, the people we have met in Ferrier on our trips there with Mission Waco are people just like you and us. Parents want to take care of their children. The children have dreams of becoming doctors and teachers. They love to laugh. They want to learn.
During our first trip to Ferrier in March 2007, we knew we could not leave without some kind of plan to help our new friends there. We decided we would help put as many children through school as we could. When children go to school, they get that opportunity to learn, as well as at least one meal a day. We try to find sponsors for the children, not only to spread the cost, but also to help people here in the States become aware of the need in Haiti and to have a vested interest in these children.
We work with Jackson Nelson and Zenas Pierre, both honest, hard-working, spiritual men who are leaders in Ferrier. Jackson Nelson has been affiliated with Mission Waco for over 24 years. He grew up in Ferrier and works with World Hunger Relief. He has drilled over 40 water wells in Ferrier and runs a school in the village. Zenas is the pastor of Baraca Baptist Church in Ferrier. He and his wife Dasney have taken in seven orphans and have a real heart for children. We are in regular contact with both of these men regarding the state of Ferrier, especially the children who need our help.
You can make a huge difference in a family’s life by agreeing to sponsor a child living in Ferrier. For $195 a year, a child can go to school. This covers the child’s uniform, books, tuition and a meal several times a week. Every penny of your $195 will go directly to your child’s education. The money is put into a Mission Waco account and then wired directly to Jackson or Zenas. If you feel led to participate in this, we do ask that you plan to support your child until they finish their schooling if at all possible.
Please make your check out to Mission Waco, memo Haiti School Sponsorship.
We hope that you will prayerfully consider this opportunity. If you have any questions, please email us at mwolfehead@aol.com or call 254.722.1300.
Thank you so much for your interest!
Sharon & Jim Wolfe
Mission Waco
1315 N. 15th St.
Waco, TX 76707
If you would like this letter, and the response card to share with others or to sponsor a child you can email me and I will be glad to share that information and more. You can also go to missionwaco.org for more information about sponsorships and the Haiti exposure trip. It is a great cause... and you can do with out a trip to the movies once a month to give a child a chance to get an education. In one of the posts to follow i will have the children who we took pictures of while we were there. They are ALL in need of a sponsor.
She was making that face because i was making the same one
The older kids
Brick making: step 1
Brick making: Step 2
Brick making: step 3
Brick making: final product
Walking the bulls
Playing in the dark
Writing in my journal
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Albendezol, Prenatal Vitamins, and Flinstones
Monday March 8th- Ferrier, Haiti Day 3
" Today was a great day. We woke up and ate breakfast and went to the clinic. First, I helped pump water and carry it to the construction site. Pumping water is very labor intensive, my arms were tired after a while. These two girls who had to be about seven came over, one named Fancia, in a Wall-e shirt, and the other Ulula, they would not let us pump the water. They were so happy to help us. They took turns pumping the water from the well and gave us instructions by pointing at the buckets. We worked at the clinic, I gave prescriptions to the people. I saw alot of things, STDS, rashes, URIs, asthma, headaches, and fevers. I enjoyed working in the pharmacy and talking to the people. They ended up using my Gatorade for one of the girls who was severely dehydrated. She was 13 and her heart was beating really fast. She could not lay down or walk. They said if she did not go to the hospital she would not make it. It was sad to see the look on her face, she looked so worn out and tired. She did not look any older than ten. Children like her should be happy and healthy and running around playing. She had a GI bug and it was making her dehydrated. Nick said she needed IV's quickly, so Jimmy called for a truck to take her to Milo. She was so weak she needed to be carried to the truck....
This morning it was cool to see all the kids in their uniforms walking to school. All the kids we got to know over the weekend were fully dressed, girls with bows in their hair and carrying backpacks. Phillip, the little boy who was biting peoples fingers Monday was walking to school with his mom waving at us sitting on the balcony. It was crazy, some kids were going to school and some were going to work. There were kids not wearing uniforms carrying things on donkeys, water, dirty clothes. All children should be able to go to school and get an education..."
Getting the pharmacy ready
Building the new clinic
Pumping water is a tough job
Sunny workin triage
Waiting to see the doctor
The pharmacy
Waiting outside to see the doctor
The lady on the right was being interviewed. She is from Pourt-au-prince. She lost all of her possessions and her daughter in the earthquake
Great action shot
Teamwork
The rock line
Break time
Watching balloons
Jade seeing to patients
Me and Jimmy's nub (aka dino)
Gatorade being put to good use
Just outside the doctors office
Locking Dino in while we go eat lunch
Bubbles!!
Kids eating sugar cane
Boys...
Our miniature translator. He spoke great english
Playing chicken foot
On our way back to the clinic
Dr. Nicks face that scared all the kids
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