The Adventure is Over

My last full day in Haiti and it was a great experience for me. I rode with Frenaud the young man who interpreted for me  on a  tap tap out to his house. I was amazed how efficently tap taps ran. Going out to his home we had to change three times and we never waited we got off one right onto another and it left. Each ride cost 5 gourdes. You paid when you got off. and each one was full when it started except the first one where Frenaud and I were the only two riders.
In the past I sent Frenaud some funds for his family to build a wall around their property and he has wanted me to see how the money was used. So I was happy to have finally made it to his house. His father had a new church built and we saw it and the small home they build on their property. Then they made a great Hatian lunch for me. The neatest thing was when I prayed for the church, the pastor and his family. They have plans to build an orphanage, a school and a new house.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to visit with them I was able to take their pictures with my pad and they were so excited to see their picture. In their small home they have eight children and I could see the love and respect the children had for their parents. The love the parents had for their children. Frenaud's mother told me God had blessed her with 8 children.
The class today was small because it was a holiday so there was no school but the class again had lots of questions. They asked me to come back and teach then again.
I plan to return in April and it is my hope to continue to work with the people of the school and Temple of Faith along with working with the people at CONASPEH.
My last motorcycle ride was without incident. Rudy my driver from Walls laughed at me when he saw me in my helmet. Not much traffic on the street today because it was a holiday. Daniel was a good driver and I made another new friend. We are going to connect on facebook. I do not think i want to go this route again.
I had many adventures this time, took some risks and came out of it with out a scratch. I have to say it was worth it.
I am ready to go home a share my adventure. I only wish others could share my experience or better yet have their own. If anyone is interested in traveling with me next time to Haiti let me know. It will be an experience you will never forget.

Ron

More Adventures in Haiti

Each day is bringing new blessings to me. I spent the morning back at Guess What the school I am supporting in Haiti. I then went over to the Temple of Faith Church. I preached for the first time in Haiti in this church. Originally it had no roof just shade cloth covering the building. Today just the center of the church was without a roof. There was a school going on and several pictures were taken with me and the children. Then the pastor and Jean Rony sat down and talked about the church they are in the process of buying the land and I discovered many times businesses do not own their land but they are allowed to build on it. Then the owner can come in and take the land back with all the improvements if they so desire.
The pastor explained they have been able to put a down payment on the land and make some improvements but they need to finish paying off the property. Then they plan to put up an ironwork railing over the open space with an arched roof covering. There are also plans to expand the school. We then went to eat at five coins and it was a good Hatian mean with chiken and fried plantains.
The I rode over to Conaspeh for my second class. Time flew by as questions and discussion on questions ensued.
Then back to Walls for the evening. My arms are not as sore today I guess I am going with the flow better on the bike. It is a faster more adventuresome way to get around the city.
Tormorrow will bring some new adventures,

Ron

Another Adventure in Haiti

I need to begin with a confession: I have always been more than a little on the cautious side of life or to put it in everyday language I have always been a chicken when it comes to adventure. So when I said yes to hire a moto taxi in Haiti to get me from place to place, I had to be thinking I must be out of my mind. But that is what I did. This is not the first time I have ridden a motorcycle, I even had a small one for a while and I have always thought they were fun, with the exception of my son in law's scooter I have not been on a motorcycle in 25 years.

So about half way to CONASPEH today I was beginning to wonder did I really make the right choice. As we were weaving in and out of traffic and as I was shifting to get comfortable and as the driver told me not to hang on to him but to hold onto the rack behind me I was second guessing myself all over the place.

The road back was a different route because my driver told me he did not like to travel by the heavily traveled routes with white people on the back in the afternoon. Now it was an adventure and I have a couple more days of them. It was a longer ride but a much better ride. Traffic was still heavy but the biggest adventure was when we came to a closed street and Daniel my driver said cars can't get through but we can. We did. The part of me most exhausted after the ride was my arms from gripping the bike so tight.

BTW I did bring a helmet.

It was a good day I went to CONASPEH and taught my first class and the response was a good one. I had lunch with Katie and Frenaud at Epidor the McDonalds of Haiti. I had a good conversation with our new missionary in Haiti and had a very good night’s rest.

It is a challenging class with great questions and I am grateful for the people in the class who are so eager to learn.

The adventure continues tomorrow.

New Kind of Tired

Getting to Haiti is an adventure. Getting around Haiti is an adventure. Communicating in Haiti is also an adventure. I am getting my share of adventures and it is only day 1. I knew my fifth trip to Haiti was going to be be different but I guess I did not know how different. This is the first time I have dared to venture here alone. So I knew it would really be different. With no group members to talk with in the common area in the evening or at mid-day for that matter I would have to find different ways to entertain myself. If I forgot something I could not depend on someone else to cover me and borrow theirs. So i had to make sure I remembered to pack everything.
When I hit the Dallas airport and discovered my connecting flight was going to be late I though it would be a good time to charge all my stuff. I looked for my cell phone charger and not being able to find it I knew I needed one so I bought one at inflated airport prices.
My plane finally landed in Ft. Lauderdale and the airport was empty and since it was 1:00 am and my flight was leaving before 7 I found a nice quiet place to relax only about 30 minutes later hear, "sir, the concourse is closed you need to go beyond security. Out side the concourse because the cleaning crew was hard at work. I finally found a place to lie down and did manage a couple of hours of sleep.
When my plane arrived in Haiti early no one was there to pick me up so I ended up taking a cab to the guest house. It was a good thing I knew where it was because the driver did not.
I was greeted warmly at Walls and got my stuff unpacked since I was meeting with some folk at noon I decided not eat try to grab some lunch after we met. But as always people are late things don;t work out so my 2 oclock meeting ended up being a 3 oclock trip to a school. Which took an hour due to detours and heavy traffic. We left the school at five which happens to be dinner time at Walls and due to the lack of food and the lack of sleep. When I arrived back at Walls at 6 there was still some casserole and now I am fighting this trying to stay awake at 7 PM.
You are probably thinking my day was horrible but it wasn't. Got all the stuff delivered as promised. Spoke to some students about the importance of school. Saw some old friends and got the surprise of my life.
But more tormorrow. I am really tired.
Ron

When Did we Stop Talking

Bring up any subject today and you will find people on both sides of the issue. Each side claiming they are right and each side declaring the other side is wrong.  I have never in the 57 years of my life seen so many lines drawn in the sand daring people to cross over them to escalate a fight. It reminds me of the Cuban Missile Crisis of the 1960’s when the United States was faced off with the Soviet Union over putting Nuclear weapons in Cuba. It was only resolved as Defense Secretary McNamara put it, they just blinked. It caused the Soviets to back down and they took their missiles home. Today both sides are afraid to blink because we feel any sign of compromise means we will lose. So we dig in our heels and refuse to bend even an inch.

I am reminded by the words of my church history professor Dr. Walter Shurden when he was talking about polity in the Southern Baptist Church. He said, “Remember this class, in the Baptist church the majority rules, but the minority may be right.” In other words just because you have more people on your side on any given day does not mean you are correct in your stand, there is a chance you may be wrong. Today’s view diminishes Dr. Shurden’s words to nothing more than wishful thinking because we cannot afford to be wrong because if we are wrong it means we are weak and we lose.

There is another approach, one of respect and dignity in the midst of disagreement. When Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount in which he turned the world upside down with basic teaching like treat everyone like you want to be treated and love your enemies as well as your friends. He encountered a leper, a person seen as unclean and untouchable by the law. Jesus in putting the sermon he just preached into practice did the unthinkable: he touched an untouchable person. Not only did he touch him but he did so right in front of all the people who just heard the sermon. The man was healed right then and there. 

I wonder what kind of difference it made in the lives of those who saw it happen right before their eyes? The next time they were in a crowd and heard someone shouting out the words: Unclean, unclean would they respond any differently having seen the miracle.

The true miracle then becomes mine to experience when I change my behavior because of experiencing the sermon Jesus preached and later acted upon. Rather than just screaming out I’m right and you are wrong it may make a difference to reach out and touch those with whom we disagree. Dialogue, walk in their shoes and begin to understand where they are coming from. Jesus touched people thought to be untouchable now it is our turn.

Thrown Into Lent

I have not yet caught my breath from the Haiti Trip and last night we hosted the first of five Lenten Services with some other churches. I have always believed the church is more than the pastor and that showed last night because there is no way I could have pulled it off by myself.. We had a great time of fellowship and worship thanks to the great people of Good Shepherd Christian Church.
We had a great crew prepare the dinner of our traditional chicken and noodles, onion soup and sandwiches. The activity was bustling around the tables and with lots of noisy fellowship  and positive sounds. The only major problem was we did not have enough room for all the people we could have used about three or four more tables for people to eat and more worship space. But what a nice problem to have. I guess it shows these five churches really do Lent well together.
The worship service was wonderful.The singing was wonderful with a full church singing with vigor. The bell choir and the vocal choir sounded good and received many accolades. My friend and colleague Ron Keel from the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection delivered the opening message on the parable of the Mustard seed. He brought forth a good and challenging word for us all. I came away not only with some new insight wondering what does it mean that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed being the fact that a mustard seed is a weed that was forbidden to be grown intentionally in the culture of Jesus. Something thought to be a weed or a unimportant plant is like the Kingdom. It really causes me to think how God is really open to the least of these and my approach needs to be like that of the Christ.
Having observed Ash Wednesday in a non-traditional way (on a mission trip in Haiti) last night was my first Lenten experience of the season. I once again see the value and the richness of Lent in bring forth new meaning and new discoveries to my faith. I can not wait for the next Wednesday Service when we gather in close quarters and celebrate as a community of believers.

Last Leg

I write this waiting for the last leg of my flight home from my trip to Haiti. We started early this morning arrived and waited at the airport. The flight to Miami was running behind and there was a huge crowd at immigration and customs. All of our luggage made it and we arrived at our gate just as they were boarding so we got on the plane and headed to the Windy City. We were early arriving in Chi-town. So we had a chance to get something to eat. While some in my group went for Chicago style pizza. I went for my favorite Italian Beef Dipped and sweet and hot peppers: heartburn on a bun but O so good.
As I reflect on the trip it was a good one. We delivered food to orphanages, saw some happy healthy children with a few unhealthy ones. We played with some kids and made good contact with churches and saw alot of Haitians worshiping and celebrating their faith.
There were several highlights for me, teaching in the seminary is always a highlight. I taught for between 6-8 hours on I Corinthians and really had some very good discussion.
Seeing the building at the Saint Croiux Orphanage that looked solid and easy to construct and even with a metal roof they were cool in the heat of the day.
Playing with the children and the one girl pointing at me saying I want to play with him.
Seeing several young adults and gathering information. Seeing my friend Frnaud and learning he is possibly going to come to the US for college in Kentucky. Talking with some of his friends and seeing their amazement when we talked about many people skip church for various reasons.
Participating in consecration service for the Bishops at CONASPEH and celebrating their appointment to this leadership position.
Then there was the meeting with new people and seeing some old friends at Wall's International Guest House. Along with making contact with several other Disciple groups.
I love Haiti and the Hatian people and I feel good things are ahead for them. They have a great faith and can teach us a lot about priorities.
I look forward to returning, I don't know when because I am going to be a grandfather this Summer and I have been granted a Sabbatical for next summer and depending if I get the Lilly grant I may be headed to other places. One day I will return, I know this much.

Ordination and Capping

Today was the big day at Congress. Patrick was installed as the Senior Bishop. All the clergy who were present from the US went on the platform and we did the cermonial laying on of hands. We prayed for the Spirit of God come upon his leadership and bless those he leads. We then consecrated several regional bishops who are church leaders in the various regions of the country, some of whom were Pastor Raymond from Carfour, Pastor Guy from Croiux Des Bouquets and Pastor Saint Luis. Several others I recognized happened to be set consecrated as well. There were also about 50 -60 graduates of the seminary who were ordained to the ministry. I happened to recognize several from the classes I taught.  Then 45 nursing students were capped in a great ceremony. They had brought in 6000 chairs for the Congress and every seat was filled early and the people just kept coming in all morning long. Julia Brown Kinami the new president of Global Ministries preached the sermon this morning and it was a great day of music and celebration and ceremony. The coolest thing was being on the platform for the Bishop's consecration and then giving them all a big hug after  the end of the ceremony.

Aftre the Bishop Consecration

Patrick Villier in the white stole

and the other Bishops in the black stoles

During the day a young man came up to me and said he recognized me from my sermon last year. His English was very good and we chatted and he invited me to come to see his school when we come back. I remember the church as not having a roof and I feel that is something we could try to work on with some workers along side Haitians.

Katie Pickens Missionary Intern for Global Ministries

giving a nursing student a hug

Capping of Nursing Students

Jean Roni Jolimeau and Pastor Paul Militaire with me at the congress

Congress and Frenaud

Today we spent the entire day at the Congress for CONASPEH.  It was a good day although I did not understand much since the translator we had was out or ear shot some of the time. But there was a gentleman next to me who would give me bits amd pieces so I got the gist of what was going on.  We had wonderful singing and most of the time we could pick out the tune of a familiar song so we would sing along in English. The preacher for the morning was a Hatian starting a new church in New York City and he preached a sermon from Joshua on serving the Lord.
There were some presentations one by a colleague Michael Yarbrough on separation of church and state in the US. Then there were some other presentations by Patrick Villier on the direction CONASPEH is going. There was a lengthy discussion followed by another presentation and discussion.
While during Patrick's presentation I decided to stretch my legs and I heard someone call my name and it was my friend Frenaud.

Frenaud is a 20 year old young man whom I met on my first Haiti trip. I have seen him on every trip I have taken to Haiti. He has interpreted for me on several occasions and I sent some money to his family to help them build a wall around their property in Croiux Des Bouquet. He had 9 brothers and sisters and his father is a pastor.He is a very bright young man and hopes to study in the US through the help of another has applied to a college in Kentucky.



A couple of others from our group and I spent the rest of the afternoon in a discussion with Frenaud, his sister and some friends about life in the US and some differences between life here in Haiti and some advantages we have and some they have. It was a good afternoon.

Friday in Haiti

Today was the first day of the Congress at CONASPEH. It was crowded and difficult to navigate the road up to the center. We then headed out to spend the day at House of Hope. House of Hope is a ministry focusing on three areas single mothers, children sold into slavery as domestic workers and youth in street gangs. They have a school and a vocational school: which consists of a cosmetology program, a sewing program, culinary arts school and a building trades program. I was very impressed with  their program and felt they were offering some important training for the future for these young people. After showing us around the facility we were able to sit down and hear their program. They are doing good work and making a difference in Haiti. It was a long program and a hot day and terrible traffic around the city.

Today we went to CONASPEH and had a quick meeting with the board and then we went to lunch at 5 coins. We had a very traditional Hatian meal. I tried to order the fish (pwosson) but they were out so I had fried chicken (very Spicy), beans and rice, cole slaw (the spiciest I have ever had) and fried plantains.  Nine of us ate for less than $10 a piece which was a great and great service right in the heart of Port Au Prince. Some who had been on the trip before said they had the same meal for twice the price and a much fancier place close to the airport.
At CONASPEH they were busy getting things ready for the Congress which begins tomorrow. Lots of preparation and the place looks great.
The last thing we did was head to Comite Artisans for some shopping.
It was a relaxing day we tried to see another orphanage but our mission hosts had to get back by a certain time to pick up a group coming in for the Congress. We were not able to go tp the orphanage at Leogonne because our host missionaries had to be back to meet some people from the Dominican Republic coming in for the congress.
The pictures today are of  the main stage at CONASPEH the main market area and downtown

The Orphanage at Sarthe

Today we went to the Sarthe Orphanage in the middle of Citi Solei. Citi Solei is the poorest area of Port Au Prince. This Orphanage had five fewer children than the year before because their parents returned to pick them up. We were greeted by warm hugs all around and weighed and measured all the kids, checked their temp and heartbeat. All of the 35 children at the orphanage were healthy but the two month old baby of the pastor seemed to have strange noise in her heart and may have a hole in it.
We made peanut butter sandwiches and ate with the children. Played games and handed out toys. There wasn't a gameboy or an I-Pod in sight and you would have thought we had given them the world. They were thrilled to death to recieve the simple toys we brought for them to play.
The little fake tattoos were the biggest hit. One little boy was so sad when we ran out but I had a pack of crackers I gave to him which made him smile.

Me and the children at the Sarthe Orphanage

Roni and myself this young man was 19 and trying to get into college. It cost $200 US per year

We also spent some time while at CONASPEH look at a neighboring piece of property they are thinking of buying for a guest house. There could also be a conference center on that space. It looked to be about two acres and was formerly a gym with a pool.The property would need a lot of work and with the close proximity it seems like a good opportunity.

The last thing we did today was head for metal artisans and I bought a metal globe surrounded by children. I paid $10 for it and the same thing costs $60 at 10,000 Villages in Overland Park. Great day as we wind down back at Walls guest house.

More Teaching and Orphanages

I woke up in the middle of the night remembering I forgot to e-mail Jamie (my daughter) with a medical question about a young girl who was having a medical problem at our visit to the orphanage yesterday. I have been getting up 5:30 and heading to the dining area for a couple of cups of coffee before breakfast. Mike my roommate for the trip usually beats me down to the dining area and is busy on his computer journaling from the day before.
The main group headed to Carfour. The pavement on the road to Carfour was much improved and there were dividers and the trip was much faster and the traffic moved at a much better pace so a trip that last year took over an hour was cut in half.
When the group arrived at the clinic it was full of people with lots of little babies.Pastor Ramone and the doctor were at the clinic. The group gave money and meds and played with the children.
Then the group headed to Commite Artisans for some shopping only to find it closed for the Carnival Holiday. Disappointed the group decided to brighten their spirits by hitting Domino's for lunch. After eating their fill of pizza it was time to buy food for the orphanages: 200 lbs of rice, 100 lbs of cornmeal, 4 cases of milk 20 lbs of pasta, a case of margarine, and 2 cases of oil. Half of the supplies were delivered
Today I taught for four hours and finished up my class on I Corinthians. The group for the class was a good size like yesterday and they again were very inquisitive asking all sorts of questions when given the opportunity. They were very serious questions seeking some practical advice for problems of their churches similar to the Corinthian church. I loved the opportunity to teach such a responsive caring group of pastors.
Then we went to deliver food at Guy's orphanage. It was at a new location because they rent property because their building was destroyed in the quake and it has not been rebuilt. The kids we some of the most loving kids. They came up and gave big hugs and were well fed looked healthy. We checked out some children 13 and there were no high temps or obvious signs of illness. With the setting it might be a hotspot for worms or other parasites. 75 children live at the orphanage with 25 at camp this week die to the holiday. We also left some funds with them for more food or to help with rent.
Back to Walls Guest House for a meal and some relaxing after a busy day. Jamie did get back with me with some valuable advice which I passed on the the nurse in the group

The pictures tonight are of the orphanage and the new buildings at CONASPEH.

I Corinthians and a playdate

When we arrived at CONASPEH this morning I discovered I was teaching a class. The last time I was here they had asked me to teach Corinthians so I spent most of my two hour class time focused on the introduction and then answering questions about some of the things I was saying. With the focus centered around Paul's view of salvation a question was asked what I thought about the importance of Baptism. I responded that Baptism was important but since it was a symbol of the saving act of Christ it was not necessary for salvation. but it was an interesting response and Patrick had made several comments in Creole which were not interpreted so I had no clue as to what they were saying.
After sharing lunch with out gtoup we headed out St. Croix Orphanage. One our first trip to Haiti we went to St. Croix and they had no food no beds and all the children were sleeping outside. In October when we came back there were beds. Then when we came back they had moved to a new piece of property. This time we saw two new dormitories and bunk beds and well fed children.
Erin picked up the baby in the picture below and held her most of the time.
The highlight for my day was when we asked a girl if she had any questions and she said I want to play with him and pointed at me. So I taught her how to hit a wiffle ball. She was great and I had a wonderful day.

Here is the dorm for the girls and even through there is a metal  the ventalation was great even in the hot sun.

Can't wait for tomorrow.

Worship in Haiti

Sunday was a great day of worship for us in Haiti. We went to on church was in a part of Port Au Prince called Citi Solei where I was asked to preach and I chose to speak on a passage from Exodus where the children of Israel were complaining about the how God had led them into the wilderness to die. The theme was on how we need to trust God when it is time to move forward and letting fear take over. I heard several amens from the church so they must have agreed with something I had to say. Sorry I do not have any pictures or video from the first worship. I was on the platform and did not have my camera. There was great singing and wonderful fellowship at the church. The children sang and then a women's choir sang and danced two songs.
The second church we attended was also in Citi Solei. A place with lots of gangs and violence. Pastor Guy is the founding pastor and he is on the CONASPEH Board.

Part of a song by the Choir at Pastor Guy's Church

Erin is in her element big smiles with kids

One of the kids wanted to take my picture

The children at Pastor Guy's Church

At the second church they were celebrating an anniversary. We had the opportunity to hear great music in both churches. At the last Church they sent some meals with us of Hatian food of beans and rice, chicken, goat, slaw, fried plantain and beet salad (and no I did not eat the beet salad). Lots of great food and good fellowship.
We returned to Wall in time for a swim and we had beans and rice and goat for dinner. Great Hatian  food. A great day.

Conaspeh and an Orphanage

Today began early I was up at five thirty and began today one the run. We headed to CONASPEH and and learned their general congress is going to be at the CONASPEH headquarters. We saw a group planning clean up of the grounds and then we headed up the coast to the orphanage. They people from CONASPEH had only been to the orphanage once and that was a scheduled visit and they did not know we were coming today. They wanted to see if the place was well cared for on this visit as it looked on their regular visit. What we discovered was good news. The orphanage was was clean and well run by a very caring woman and her staff of one other helper. The kids ranged in age frown 5 - 16 with most of them falling in the 9-14 range. The children were clean, smiling and looked like very happy well fed kids. They all had beds and and backpacks for school hanging over their beds. The children spoke well and obviously well cared for.m
Today we purchased $300 dollars worth of food which consisted of 150 pounds of rice 20 pounds of Macaroni, 60 lbs of corn meal, two cases of corn oil, three cases of tomato sauce and 1/2 a case of Mackerel and 6 tubs of margarine. We also bought 40 lbs of laundry detergent out of the $300. We left half of the food at the orphanage gave them $300 to buy more food when they need it.
I felt good about the purchase and good about the orphanage. It was a long trip up the coast traffic was heavy and we went through several small villages on the way.
By the time we got back it was dinner time and we are now relaxing back at the guest house.
I was planning on posting a video but I do not have the correct cable to do that because I did not bring the right one to transfer it to my computer.

Arriving in Haiti

After waking up at 3AM, driving to the airport arriving at 4:30, Catching a 6 AM flight out of KCI, changing planes twice and the final flight leave late we arrived with all of our luggage. Out of all of my four trips we went through immigration and gathered our luggage with the least amount of hassle and were on our way the the guest house.
Some things I noticed immediately like fewer tents, new construction and after two years the airport was under repair.
 Some things have not changed like the crowd of men hustling for tip money to help with our luggage at the airport, or the sheer number og people on the street trying to make some type of living anyway they can.
Wall's Guest House was packed when we arrived. It was as busy as I have ever seen it. I recognized a man from my first trip here. He and his wife are from the Quad Cities area in Illinois and right after the quake they brought supplies in by truck from the Dominican Republic.
There is a large group of Canadians that are leaving over the next two days so thing will begin to be less congested here. One thing I like about Walls is the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. It was fun to connect with people on the flight who were heading here
I watched as Erin (a young lady from our church) experienced her first impressions of the country. I am excited to see more things unfold over the next few days. What does God have in store for this trip?
I will just have to see where God leads.

Getting ready for Haiti

This is a video of the dedication of the things we are taking to Haiti from the worship service at Good Shepherd Christian Church, February 12, 2012.

Heading For Haiti

I love Haiti. I am going to be heading there in three days. This will be my fourth trip there since the quake two years ago. Every time I make the trip I discover new things about myself as well as meet new people and have new things to learn.

This time I look forward to going because I am taking a new person with me. Erin is a thrity year old young lady in my church and she has been on several mission trips with me and really loves getting involved in the lives of people and going on trips like this.

The most amazing thing is the church I serve paid the entire way for Erin to go on the trip. Through the CWF and the generosity of the members Erin is getting the chance to go to Haiti.

I am excited for her. I will be watching as she experiences new things and is immersed in the culture of Haiti. I believe it will be a fun trip and i will be posting some video here on my site so keep checking in here to see what happens.

Next time from Haiti.

Ron