Oct. 27th, 2012: Michelle's word of the day, Renewed

This morning we were greeted by sunshine & blue skies which Renewed our spirits after 3 long days of rain. As we drove to Grace Village, in Titanyen, the flooded bridge which closed the road just days before, was open again. The water had receded and the people had their freshly laundered clothes hanging on clotheslines, over fences & from bushes. They were setting up their markets again with Renewed hope.

Our mission at Grace Village was to help the elders with showers who had come to be seen by the doctor. Many had never taken a shower prior to the elder care program. They soaked in the attention and loved to give hugs & sing songs of praise, accompanied by our driver, Junior's guitar while they waited.

The children who live at the orphanage at Grace village, helped serve the elders a sandwich & juice. It was beautiful to see the spectrum of ages gathered together.  Multiple trips, with the elders loaded in the back of the Kubota and when all were returned safely to their Tarp homes, we set off to the village to attend to several homebound elders. It was evident that the fresh water & a snack along with songs & prayers, did wonders with both their bodies and spirits being Renewed. They are a people with amazing Faith & Trust in God's providence.

It was a reminder to me that I must Not let my own Faith become complacent! I need to Listen and be sure that both my body & spirit be Renewed.

Oct. 26th, 2012: Uncomfortable

Thank you Lord for making me uncomfortable this week. For never being dry, for not seeing the sun, for changing plans, for seeing things unimaginable, for breaking my heart.
Now I know a very tiny part of how the Haitians might feel everyday. Hungry, sleeping in mud, flooded houses, no charcoal to cook the food they have, sick, dying, lonely.
Shelley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYbOfq5xSRg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Oct. 26th, 2012: Michelle's word of the day, Touch

Today we traveled to Leogane which was the epicenter of the Earthquake of 2010. We visited the Village of Jesus where Fr Reiser helped support a home for abandoned women. It was a privilege to be with some of Father Reiser's nieces as they saw the place and the people who were dear to his heart.

They met several nuns, who run the home, who actually knew and loved Fr. Reiser.They had a picture of him in their entry hall and a beautiful tribute plaque in their courtyard.

Our team spent some special time of sharing candy we had broughtfor them. Their thirsty skin soaked in our gentle Touch as we massaged their hands,arms,legs & feet with lotion.

We were Touched by the gratitude in their smiles which sparkled as brightly as their freshly painted pink, purple, red & green fingernails & for some their toes too! Their songs & for one lady nearly nonstop dancing.

(see video on the blog...it is priceless! ) were further ways we were touched by their appreciation.

In the afternoon we felt further evidence of the power of Touch as we were able to go back to visit the home for sick children in Prot Au Prince and witness the response as children melted into our arms& hearts upon Touch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2EU4GkY-9U&feature=player_embedded

Don't ever underestimate the amazing power of a simple, loving Touch!

Oct. 26th, 2012: Mwen pa konnen!

It was a truly excellent day! We visited the Village of Jesus in Leogane, Fr. Reiser's first major project in Haiti. This is home to 27 delightful elderly women who would otherwise be abandoned and on their own. Their joy is contagious. Their spirits are uplifting. I was absolutely overwhelmed when I walked into the feeding center and saw their 27 beaming faces.

One petite lively woman got us all dancing and singing. When I asked her how old she was, she broke into a huge grin and said "Mwen pa konnen!" Translation: I don't know! Can you imagine not knowing your age, and not finding it important? How liberating.

The nuns and workers who care for these women are efficient and loving, and the whole place was immaculate. The donors who gave to this project over 10 years ago can be assured that their generosity is making a significant impact.

This afternoon we returned to the home for sick and dying babies to lend a hand in holding and comforting the little ones. It was a perfect ending to an excellent day.

Peace,

Joyce

p.s. It's still raining.

Oct. 25th, 2012: Water

I've had a water day, please let me explain. I started reflecting about the water from my cold shower. Then the thought of how lucky I am to take a shower in Haiti- where some people never get the opportunity to shower.

Last night we went to sleep last night while it was raining outside. Well, it was more than rain.. it was tropical storm Sandy. We woke up to rain again. Our wonderful leaders, Shelley and Joyce, had to replan our day since the road was not accessible to our original plan. At that point I really didn't understand what the problem was but within the hour I realized how challenging our day would be due to the storm. We departed in our top top and I was lucky to sit in front and see the view. The water was so high and rushing down the sides of the street. It had been raining for over 24 hours now and when the roads are mud/sand and filled with garbage there is no place for the excess water to go. We then made it to a bridge that was only a few feet above the river. We headed over it like no problem but now looking back, I realize we were the only vehicle to cross it during our 15 minutes there. Going through the towns I started to see how high the water was.. it was half way up the tents and shacks. It almost covered a truck! I then thought about how the people of Haiti, standing on the side of the road, still waved to me even though they probably lost most of their belongings. The thought of losing all my things in my house is too much to comprehend. I'm sure they had worked very hard since the last storm for their new belongings. How lucky am I to have never lost anything in a storm.

We then made it to the orphanage where the kids were so happy happy to see us. I got to pass out candy and was amazed by how the kids would not accept two peices until everyone had at least one. We then made a few more stops to elderly people to ensure they were dry from all the new rain (they were :)).
On our way home we ran into a roadblock.. the bridge was under water. I thought how lucky we were to have made it passed the bridge two hours before.

As we got back to the guesthouse using a detour we then dropped off food from Feed My Starving Children to nearby tents. I happened to pick a section that was very orderly and everyone was very appreciative and even showed me inside their tents. It was another sight of water. Water on the floor of their "home" with some bricks to hold up a mattress.

The evening is now ending after some team member bonding (catchphrase) to more pouring rain.
I appreciate water. We were able to see water in many ways in 4 days-- how it gives life (water truck delivery) but how it can take it all away.

Lisa (p.s. it's still raining out)

Orphans and Elderly Video-Click Here

Oct. 25th, 2012: Michelle's word of the day...Redirecting

....'.You can make your Plans but God has All the Answers!'
Ironically one of the things that drew me back to Haiti was the way people live in the moment here yet I found myself and other team members continuing to say "What are Our plans for today?!?"
Today we were blest with the needed reminder that God was in charge of what we were going to do! Our plans to go deliver supplies to Reiser Heights, a mountain village school, were diverted by roads washed out by the torrential rains.

God was clearly "ReDirecting" us to where HE needed us to go! His plan led us to an orphanage with puddles there were no way around. They welcomed our unexpected visit saying we have nothing to offer you but our prayers & song. We enjoyed a creative craft time with pipe cleaners and beads which turned into colorful eyeglasses, bracelets, necklaces and headbands.

Along the road leading away from the orphanage lived several of the village elders who we had planned to see when we helped them shower before their doctor visit at Grace Village on Saturday. Again God planned for us to check on them today. Marie greeted us with her 103 year old nearly toothless smile, expressing gratitude for an unexpected visit. She had not slept because of the water coming through her leaking roof.

We gave her the Tarp from our taptap bus along with some bottled water and a fruit roll-up...she said our visit "saved her life"! A couple other stops for elders were met with the same gratitude.

When we got back "home" the rain slowed down so we were able to bring some Feed My Starving Children food into the tent city near us. You could see the desperation on the faces of people of the people who hurried back to their tarp houses, set up on uneven ground that was washing away from all the rain, in hopes of receiving a bag of food. Our team's excitement to bring needed relief was quickly replaced by a flood of emotions as we held the last bag of food in our hands as many hands still needing reached from their tent homes.

Yes...God had much to teach us today about who was in control!

Michelle

Oct. 25th, 2012: Nature speaks to the power of God

I read my favorite 'ramblings' from the book "Reiser's Ramblings" to the team every night. This book is a collection of columns by my uncle, Fr. Reiser. Somehow, (even from his Heavenly home) Fr. Reiser comes up with the perfect words every night to start off our group discussion time. Tonight I read "Nature speaks to the power of God" in which Fr. Reiser reflects on God's mighty power as displayed in acts of nature. This reminds us who is really in charge and how "it is rather amusing how we strut and glory over the little ant hills we erect in our brief passage of earthly journeying."

God was in charge today! Our plans to visit Reiser Heights, one of two schools supported by Reiser Relief, were washed away by torrential rains. Our back up plans to visit Grace Village were dashed by a rushing river threatening to overtake a bridge. Instead, God sent us on a series of mad cap adventures; an orphanage, homes of elderly, Ecko Depot, Deli Mart and distributing Feed My Starving Children food packets in a tent city. All while getting steadily more water logged and interspersed with many moments of laughter and joy. Surely God has a terrific sense of humor.

What is God trying to teach me in all of this? Humility? Patience? Compassion? Justice? Tenderness?

Teach me. I want to learn.

Peace,
Joyce

Haiti Flood Video-Click Here