Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
We're HOME!!!
We had our ups and downs all week. We were thrilled and disappointed at times. We went through some extemely emotional highs and lows. We are reminded that if we open our hearts, we will find others to love, but we also open our hearts up for the pain of having to leave. And knowing that we left children in conditions that would be deplorable in this country, but conditions are not that bad in Haiti terms. We celibrated together safe trips accross town and having teaching and building materials available, because that is not always the case. We always had water to drink, although it might smell like chlorine, it is clean and safer than the water the average Haitian had access to. I think each of us will tell our own story in time, like telling our faith journey, as we process all we went went through. Were we really in Haiti yesterday morning? I took a very long, hot shower, brushed my teeth with SAFE tap water, and celibrated the use of a functioning toilet (fill in your own details). God has a way of reminding us of all we have when we see people living and surviving with so much less. Monitor each other, and love your families, because when the enormity of this hits you, it can be overwhelming. Our mission, to spread God's love, was well done my bothers and sisters. We would have liked to get more painting done, but that would not have allowed us the time to spend with children who may not get love and attention, and reminders of how much God loves them. Welcome home, but I assure you, you will never be the same. - In God's love, Bob
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Our Final Day
Well today is our departure day. Bittersweet. But nothing like yersterday when we had to say goodbye to the children.
When we arrived at the home they were all wearing the yellow t-shirts we had designed for them (thanks Mike), looking and waiting for us at their windows, waving and saying "bon jour, bon jour". When we walked in, they had decorated with paper chains, balloons and signs saying "We Love You and America", "We Will Miss You", "Thanks Dawn and Devon" and others. The tears started to flow.
We broke into groups and just sat down and played. We cleaned, picked up and showed them how to keep all their toys in the bins and shelves we organized. We assemble a new set of bunkbeds, changed out (3) new mattresses, put on new sheets, and as amazing as it was to the staff, we installed a brand new stainless steel, 5-burner stove that we purchased the day before. God is GOOD.
Unfortunately the masons were slower than we expected but were doing a beautiful job parging the back block wall that was installed last year, so we weren't able to paint it with the paint we had purchased. We left it for the house maintenance guys to paint later.
However, the plumbers did show up with (seemingly) all the parts and pieces to install a larger new water pump and fill line to the (2) rooftop holding tanks, repair the (6) bathrooms in the house, including completely replacing (2) of the toilets. Words can't describe how happy the caregivers were when we got the water working throughout the house. They haven'ty had running water for nearly (2) years. Can you imagine raising (31) children and having to bucket all of your water from a cistern? They were ELATED!
After we finished several other projects, the staff bathed the boys after their lunch and dressed them for school. We all gathered in their dining/activity room and began to sing songs of God and Jesus. This was by far the toughest, saddest and most heart crushing experience any of us had experienced. After Dawn expressed how greatful we were to be able to do God's work for them, she told them how sad we were to leave. Then Senel stood up, and in English through his tears, told us how much they all appreciated our help and our love, and were very sad to see us leave. Everyone was weeping. Dawn assured them that even though it may not be us, that there would be another team returning in the future. The tears continued to flow until Devon got her guitar and began singing songs until their van arrived to take them to school. I've never been so emotionally drained. Needless to say we weren't much use after that. Just so heart crushing.
Today, the first team has already left for the airport and we're being called down for breakfast. Wish us "Safe Home" for our journey back to Traverse City. God be with us, the children and all of you.
Love,
Cappy and Scott
When we arrived at the home they were all wearing the yellow t-shirts we had designed for them (thanks Mike), looking and waiting for us at their windows, waving and saying "bon jour, bon jour". When we walked in, they had decorated with paper chains, balloons and signs saying "We Love You and America", "We Will Miss You", "Thanks Dawn and Devon" and others. The tears started to flow.
We broke into groups and just sat down and played. We cleaned, picked up and showed them how to keep all their toys in the bins and shelves we organized. We assemble a new set of bunkbeds, changed out (3) new mattresses, put on new sheets, and as amazing as it was to the staff, we installed a brand new stainless steel, 5-burner stove that we purchased the day before. God is GOOD.
Unfortunately the masons were slower than we expected but were doing a beautiful job parging the back block wall that was installed last year, so we weren't able to paint it with the paint we had purchased. We left it for the house maintenance guys to paint later.
However, the plumbers did show up with (seemingly) all the parts and pieces to install a larger new water pump and fill line to the (2) rooftop holding tanks, repair the (6) bathrooms in the house, including completely replacing (2) of the toilets. Words can't describe how happy the caregivers were when we got the water working throughout the house. They haven'ty had running water for nearly (2) years. Can you imagine raising (31) children and having to bucket all of your water from a cistern? They were ELATED!
After we finished several other projects, the staff bathed the boys after their lunch and dressed them for school. We all gathered in their dining/activity room and began to sing songs of God and Jesus. This was by far the toughest, saddest and most heart crushing experience any of us had experienced. After Dawn expressed how greatful we were to be able to do God's work for them, she told them how sad we were to leave. Then Senel stood up, and in English through his tears, told us how much they all appreciated our help and our love, and were very sad to see us leave. Everyone was weeping. Dawn assured them that even though it may not be us, that there would be another team returning in the future. The tears continued to flow until Devon got her guitar and began singing songs until their van arrived to take them to school. I've never been so emotionally drained. Needless to say we weren't much use after that. Just so heart crushing.
Today, the first team has already left for the airport and we're being called down for breakfast. Wish us "Safe Home" for our journey back to Traverse City. God be with us, the children and all of you.
Love,
Cappy and Scott
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
joy and sadness
Just a quick note from Cappy and Scott. We're leaving for our last day with the boys in just a few minutes. Joyous to be there and sad to leave. Joyous to be coming back to our families and sad to leave our team. Joyous to have all the blessings that we have and sad at others' lack of things. While trying to learn all the boys names before we leave today, I find myself thinking the the good shepherd knows all of his sheep by name and am humbled once more at the goodness of our God. Okay, the bus is waiting. Bye for now S and C.
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