On the ground at DTW

Can't deplane yet as they seem to be caught by surprise at our arrival ???
Really... this has been a crazy trip as far as air travel has been concerned.

However, I suppose that we will see you soon!

On our way (with wireless)

It has been so long since I have had wireless, that it feels funny to connect.  But... here we are back in FLL (Although, we really spent enough time here the first time.) 

We are at the gate and are going to make our connection. 

See you soon

Let’s Stay Longer - Gabby Linker

Hello everyone!               

As this mission trip comes to an end, the days feel as if they are getting shorter and our relationships are getting closer, making it harder and harder to think about saying goodbye. A lot of us have made connections and friendships with the Haitians in the villages, orphanages, and even among our fellow classmates. We all have been through so much together during this trip from being thrown up on and repeatedly asking them if they threw up on you to being peed on because someone got stung by a sea urchin. We have become annoyed with each other but as soon as someone asks if they can get some help there are 12 right by their side asking what they need help with. When we were at the airport that was our very first day of being a group and we all seemed very overwhelmed by the unconnected relationship between us all, but after 5 flights and 2 detours a connection was made. I am so grateful to have gone on such a big trip with people that have such great big hearts.

Relationships, along with service work (of course) have become a huge part of this trip for all of us. Some of us have found ways to make it easy to communicate with the people here when we return home which might make saying goodbye a little easier. The service work has also made saying goodbye hard in my eyes because as soon as I get home I will feel as if I should be here instead of there. That was one of my biggest hardships about leaving the last time I was in Haiti. After being here and constantly doing work and playing with the children who just want all the love in the world every day, it makes it difficult to be at home and know that there are children not only here in Haiti but all over the world that want love and affection from someone.

The first time I was in Haiti I was just a little freshman and did not really take in everything that was going on around me. Now that I am going to be a senior and this is my second time here, I am more emotionally attached to the people and the work we are doing every day.

July 24, 2017, Monday: Reflections from Mallori

July 24, 2017

Religion Reflections (Mallori)

Today I was given the opportunity to experience the blending of the Catholic cultures. While at St. Luke Foundation's children hospital, I saw the similarities and differences between Catholic and Haitian masses. The preparation of the mass included the gathering of all the children that died in the middle of the night, to give them one final blessing. This experience filled me with emotions that are difficult to express in just a few words. Each child was laid in a casket (similar to a cardboard box) in front of the alter. As mass began, we started with a prayer for the dead; a prayer for the innocent children that were not given enough time for a full experience of freedom and youth. The priest went around to each casket with incense and blessed the children. The actual mass was said mainly in Kreyol; however I was able to keep up with the use of hand gestures and beautiful tunes of worship. Although there were a few alterations, it still felt like Mass at home. I know the Catholic church has always been described as universal but it wasn't until this trip that I truly understood what that meant- its not about the place, language, traditions, or cultures, it's about being united under one faith, worshipping together as one. We joined hands to pray the Our Father, creating a circle around the children that had passed. I was completely connected. Moved by the losses, but more moved by the sense of community it created. American, Haitian, it didn't matter. Our only concern was being present with God. How often do we let our differences keep us from truly "seeing" each other? 

Water Delivery - Friday 7/21

It was a good day today, but hard.   Another long hot day in Haiti, so we went up to the village of St Christopher's to make a water delivery.   In Haiti, water is life.  And the people of St. Christopher's don't have any.

Prior to the earthquake in 2010, Port Au Prince was home to about 3,000,000 people -- nearly one in three Haitians lived in Port Au Prince area.  As a result of the earthquake, nearly everyone in Port Au Prince was left homeless.  It was impossible for that many homeless people to survive in the wrecked city; disease was starting to spread; and there were not enough resources for that many people to survive... so many of them just started walking.  When they stopped, they set up shelters, and that is how St. Christopher’s came about.  It is a barren hillside, where people stopped because there was no where else to go.   

They scraped together shacks out of what they could find and have been living there in exile from Port Au Prince since then. For seven years, they have survived on this is a sunbaked, dusty slope.  There is no infrastructure -- no roads, no power, and no water source. This means people are thirsty, and dirty.  It means that they can't grow gardens.   They can't wash clothes, or clean cuts.   The people were walking miles to a dirty river to fetch water in buckets every day.  Which also means that they were spending a lot of time on that which could have been used in better ways.    IYF Ministries found out about it and set up a clean-water program about a year ago.  For $165 a sponsor can pay for a week of water. This covers 10,500 gallons per week and is used by 500-600 people   

This is such an important thing. We were so happy to be able to fund raise to be able to pay for the water truck for both weeks that we are here!   

This morning we helped with the water distribution. This is how it goes: 

There are about ten large 100gallon rain barrels lined up.  And the villagers begin to gather.  Young and old, they come, carrying 5-gallon buckets, and 1-gallon pails.   The crooked grandmothers, they come.   And the tiny toddlers, barely taller than the buckets they carry.   They form lines clutching containers whose labels testify to their past lives: laundry soap...vegetable oil...cat litter...paint.... Anything that will hold the water that will sustain life for another week under the hot Haitian sun.  

And, so they gather, bearing their old bleach bottles and grasping their gasoline cans. And they form lines. And they wait. 
Today, the truck was late.  

There was no grumbling, no outward signs of impatience, just waiting.  But when the truck arrived, the mood started to change.  As ten or twelve 100-gallon plastic rain barrels were quickly lined up, the village stood, still in line, watching. There was no visible change that I can point to, so it is hard to describe, but there was a... tension. The air was just a little bit charged with the palpable tension of unanswered questions: Will I get enough water for the week?  Will there still be water by the time I get to the front of the line?  Will there be enough water for everyone? For me? Will there be any problems?  

A large fire hose was laid out. A valve turned.  The hose grew plump and a man wrestled its end to the farthest plastic barrel.  As the barrel filled, he grasped the hose with both arms and used his torso as leverage to flop the end to the neighboring barrel. A wave splashed out onto the front of the line.  They remained impassive in manner, showing neither interest nor concern about their now soaked clothes. (I may have imagined this, but it seemed that they were deliberately impassive -- and I  had a flash of both pain at their situation and admiration for their response; it is not my forte to bear wrongs patiently.)   The filling of barrels continued with the fire hose being directed at each for as long as it took to fill it and then moved immediately to the next, and up and down the line.   In the meanwhile, we had smaller buckets and as soon as each barrel was filled, we were to fill the buckets of the villagers by scooping water from the barrel into their containers.  This is where the jostling began, as each person hastened to the front of the line, anxious to ensure that they received the water to sustain them until the truck returns again.  The kids scooped water as fast as they could into the buckets.   And as each bucket was filled, a new one was presented.  

 It is hot hard work. The kids did a good job.  They helped deliver water to people for whom water means everything.  And that is a big deal. But, as is so often the case in Haiti, I think today was another day where we actually received far more than we gave.  I think that the biggest gift here was in the opportunity our kids had as a result of this experience.  It is hard to have a day like today, without it resulting in some real growth, mentally and spiritually. I think it was great for the kids to be in a situation to reflect a little on how we live.  This was a chance to reflect a little on just what access to clean water means. On the ways in which we sometimes take the simple things for granted.  On what it means to have. Or...to have not.  And, on how things that are "simple" for us - like serving water - are actually far more nuanced when we view them through the lens of solidarity.  

So, as I said... 

It was a good day today.  

But, hard. 

Some Bench Building Action!

Thoughts on our work day: Thursday (7/20) from Lily's view

Hey ya'all it's Lily again and I cannot wait to share my thoughts with you on my amazing day!!! Today started at 7:30 A.M with a delicious breakfast of  eggs, toast, and bacon. Then it was off to the church to help paint and build benches.

One of the greatest things that I have learned the last couple days was that Haitians can be some of the hardest workers you may ever meet. There were young men at the church who came to see what we were doing, and they were so intrigued by the benches we were building.  These young men were willing to listen to and help some high school kids complete the projects. Just think: where in America do you ever see grown men joyfully and willingly taking gentle "orders" from kids at least ten or fifteen years younger then them? Also. you don't always expect people to go completely out of their way just to make sure they do their jobs right. But this afternoon, not only all of these boys and men go completely out of their way just to do a job right, they did the job with a smile.  Not a single complaint came from anyone.   The benches were beautiful and these men truly know what the word "pride" truly means.

After an exciting, long morning we sat down and enjoyed an amazing meal that God had blessed us with. I, for the first time, got to enjoy the taste of real fresh mangoes. They were so delicious!!!!! Throughout the morning we also were able to hold and play with so many Haitian kids! I once again go to hold so many babies from the moment we drove up to the church to the moment we drove away. It made my heart truly melt!! These Haitian kids are so easily entertained by the simplest game such as hand games. It truly made me realize that sometimes with the amount of material items we have, we still are not satisfied, unlike these kids. For instance, how many times in America have we talked about how bored we are? In Haiti, these kids have an imagination! I truly believe that the word bored will never leave the mouth of any Haitian!

Then in mid-afternoon we headed back to the guest house to relax for a while and once again enjoy a nice meal made by our amazing cooks. These women are so amazing and always have a smile on their face. While after dinner, the boys from Tom's home came and we got celebrate Dickie's birthday. It was so neat because we were able to learn his story and how he ended up at Tom's home which was so sweet. We also got to hear them sing "Happy Birthday" in both French and Creole. It was such a treat!!

I honestly cant believe it's going to be our fifth day in Haiti. Everyday is an eye-opening adventure that causes my life to be impacted more and more each day. The people down here not only have a big hearts, they truly know how live everyday to the fullest finding hope in every situation good or bad. My life has been changed forever and I truly see Haitians as a role model in my life. These Haitians are truly are examples as followers on Christ, whether they know it or not. I truly and will always treasure Haiti in my heart for ever and ever.

Good morning 7/20 (from Lizzie)

Good morning everyone! We have an extra early start to our day today with breakfast at 7:30 and leaving at 8. Today we will be going back to the mission church and the village to continue our work from yesterday. Yesterday we got all of the primer on for the walls and even built 1 bench! We also hung out with the Haitian children before taking a hike to the sand soccer field for 2 games of soccer. It is extremely impressive how they play 2 games without any problems and we became heat exhausted within about 10 minutes! The island sun and humidity is killer.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to learn a few words and phrases in creole. One of the guys from the boys home named Herby helped teach us. He is also the teacher for some of the Haitians learning English!
We are about to eat breakfast by the cooks here at the guest home! They have prepared bacon, eggs, toast, and bananas.
We are off to our day 4 adventure! Have a good day!

Tuesday (7/18) from Lily's perspective

Hey ya'll this is Lily and I'm going to tell you about the extraordinary day we had today.

 Today started with breakfast at 7:30.  The Haitian cooks cooked us an amazing breakfast which consisted of pancakes, bacon, and bananas. Then at 8:30 we all loaded up in the back of Tom's truck and headed to the village. The village was so awesome. First, we met some of Tom's staff and the pastor. Then, while some of the us measured benches, the others played games with children in the village. I got to hold a little Haitian baby and fell in love with her right away. She was the cutest thing ever!!!
 Later, we all grouped up and got to explore the village meeting so many new Haitians. This was so neat because here in America we would never walk up to random people's homes and just have a nice conversation with them. Many of the Haitians were so big on being so welcoming and were the kindest people ever. In one home even, a lady came out and greeted us than ran back inside for a few minutes just to make sure her house was clean for us. While in another home we walked to, a women greeted us than right after she told us that her only child had died. Little did we know that her son was 2 years old and died in house fire Tom told us tonight. We learned so much in only 2 hours, it was empowering.
 After that, we went to a Haitian restaurant called Yolti's. We all ate some delicious chicken and rice with some of the staff and boy at Tom's home. Then we went back to our guest house and and hung out with boys from Tom's home and it was so much fun. We even taught two of them how to make some bracelets which they turned out to be amazing at. The boys from Tom's house later got to pick out some of the clothes we brought and shoes we brought them. Seeing their faces when they received those items made all the hard work we did the last couple weeks really pay off. I was beyond happy to see the smiles across their faces. The Haitian cooks later made us dinner later that consisted of lasagna, salad, and garlic bread. These ladies work so hard to make us American dinners it's so amazing how hard they are willing to work.
 Finally,Tom came over and we shared so many stories together from the village that were so touching. Tom talked about how a while back he met a women in her late 90s who he found blind, living by the dumpster, and everyone abandoned her. Yet when he found her she kept telling everyone how blessed she was that someone had found her and just kept constantly praising and thanking God. She later also told Tom that she could not wait to go to Heaven because all her life she had been thirsty and in Heaven she'd finally would never be thirsty again. It was so moving how a women who had next to nothing, had so much faith and really made me realize that when I think times are "bad" and my life is so "rough", we are so blessed and should truly be thanking God for everything good or bad.
 All in all today had really just moved me and I learned that the less material people had the more they were able to be so thankful for just the tiniest things weather it was a cup of water or a small piece of food. These Haitians are truly the heroes of our world. They are the people America need to look up to because the always have hope. I truly love, adore, and respect every Haitian I had met today which truly was hundreds of Haitians.
 I'm so blessed and thankful God had sent me here to serve these people. I've been here less than 30 hours and my life has been impacted so much!!!

Rive!

 Sorry for the delay in updating.  We were just able to get on the wireless.

After a long crazy journey,( I think this trip may have actually just upped the ante on my "worst ever" travel story)  we finally made it to Haiti this morning.

We were met at the airport by a crew of our hosts, and after hunting down all of our bags, we drove After a long and exhausting travel experience, we did not go out today.  The kids got their rooms, and then got to shower or nap (but most of them chose to play games with the children who live at the guesthouse and with some of the boys who came over from the boys' home, which is close by.)   A couple of the kids worked on going through some of the donations we had brought. There were some card games, and a little soccer.  A few students took naps or showered.  

We had dinner and then a brief orientation with our hosts.  After reflections, the kids were turned loose to journal and then can sleep shower, play (quietly), or whatever. 

Some are laying out clothes for the boys home for tomorrow.  Some are journaling, or getting ready for bed.  Josie and I are trying to work on things we need to get done, on a somewhat limited wireless connection.  

We will continue to update, but -- the wireless will be spotty.  So, just a reminder that if we are quiet, it does not mean that something is wrong.  

Here are a couple of video clips from "The Journey:"  

Here are a couple of video clips from "The Journey:"  

A few photos of the day are below:

Early this morning at FLL.  I was ordering pizza.

A little soccer before dinner  Dickie may or may not have won... lol 

Organizing donations after dinner

Still on our way

Well, haven't made it yet.  In fact, after Fort Myers, and Fort Lauderdale, we got close to Port au Prince.  We were circling and ready to approach the landing when we got called off.  They announced we would refuel in Santo Domingo, (But we actually landed in Santiago....while our ride back at PAP was told we were in Puerto Rico. Lol)

Currently, we are back at FLL.  Ready to try again shortly.  They are tired but are being fairly stoic about it.

All things considered, these are "First World problems."  

On our way (kinda)

Well, we are on our way.  Slowly. Due to "weather" in Fort Lauderdale, we have been diverted to Fort Myers.  Everyone is okay. There is no risk at all, just an inconvenience, but..."It will be fine."

Annoying, but in the grand scheme of things, this is really a #firstworldproblem.  We will be just fine.

Eleven Days Left!

HOLY COW!  How time flies!!!   We have to be ready to leave in eleven days!!!   

Orientation sessions are starting, so we know what to expect in Haiti.  A better understanding of the history will set some context to help us understand what we are seeing.  And, of course, understanding the culture is important to be good guests.  I hope the classes will be interesting (in a nerdy/teacher sort of way).  Haiti has a pretty interesting story!   There is so much to talk about!  

I am also really excited to get down to Haiti so that the kids can see the things we are talking about!!   We will actually get to walk through the village to deliver the goats that the students are raising money for;  they will meet the families whose lives will change through the goats project; we will get to sit in their homes and see their blankets-for-roofs, and know that we did something so that next time we come down, maybe the blanket will be gone, replaced with sheet-metal for a roof;  we will play with and hold all of the orphans, who will crowd around just wanting to be loved and held, and we can know that the clothes we gathered will clothe them and the money we raised will help feed them; we will meet the kids, skinny and shoe-less, in the villages, who will group around and hope that they are close enough to hold our hands when we start walking, and we will know that money we raised will help provide those children with clean drinking water, or allow them the chance to go to school...   

That feeling is, honestly, something that can’t be described, and can’t be imagined.  You have to experience it to know it.  And it is the reason that I make student trips… because I want them to be able to have that experience and to understand how wonderful it is just to be in true solidarity with others through their service to them. I really look forward to seeing our Luers students have these experiences.  They are life-changing!    

And … that will be soon!   We will be heading down there before you know it!  Your first trip to Haiti is a life-changing experience, and each return leaves a deeper and deeper impression.  As I prepare for each return trip, the memories of Haiti grow stronger as each departure date nears.

Today, my memories are almost visceral; I can smell the heat already, and feel a warm dusty little arm laying damply along the back of my neck.  There is imagery that Haiti imprints on you forever – and those are two of them for me.   

I have an overwhelming visual image from the last time I was there were down there with students. The memory is crystal-clear, like looking at a snapshot, except, I can look-around in my mind's eye.  I can see it so clearly, that it is like I am standing right there:   

It was late morning, and we were helping with a day-camp for homeless kids from the village. In Haiti, I am perpetually making sure I can see all of the students that I am responsible for. I perpetually count, and re-count, kids.   So...my moment  it was during one of those scans to  locate the Luers kids.  -- I had stepped into the shade so I could see better.  There was a concrete floor, and I remember that, because shaded concrete creates a “cool” feel in Haiti.  Just standing on it alters the “feel” of the ambient air. --  As I looked around, I saw there was a crew of my kids out in the hot son, playing soccer with a huge group of Haitian boys.  It must have been about 20-a-side!  Then, there were two of my boys sitting in the shade, playing a make-shift card game with a few little boys using some picture flashcards we had brought down.  -- They must have been doing card-tricks or something, because every so often a boy would put his finger on a card, and the whole group would just break into laughter. --  There were some girls sitting on benches in the open-walled church taking advantage of the shade and, each girl had two or three little-little girls on her lap, and more draped over her shoulders, and leaning on her knees.   There were big girls behind each of my seated girls, braiding their hair in a very authoritative way.   Everyone was smiling or laughing... and just very “in the moment.”  Each person was fully committed and giving their complete attention to the relationships of that moment.  

You know, those are the moments that lead me to be a high-school teacher, and they are the reason I do these trips.  That moment is as clear in my mind’s eye, as if I were still standing right there.  Memory is interesting, though,  because it is just crystal clear, but I have no soundtrack that plays with it.  I can’t hear the sounds of what was going on.  But I can “feel” the shaded concrete, and see all of those kids, giving their entire selves to Haiti at that moment.    I am looking forward to more of these moments with this year's group of students  over the next few weeks, too.

We have a lot still to do to get ready; we are still fundraising and looking for sponsors to help with some of the projects we hope to do; we are gathering up items that are needed on the ground in Haiti, that we will pack to take down with us.  (Please contact us, if you are interested in helping with any of those things... you can find sponsorship information here and a list of items that we are collecting here.  If you want more information about our trip, please visit our our webpage: http://bubbblhs.weebly.com/knights-for-haiti1.html   or contact me at Luers: cbubb@bishopluers.org  We would love to share what we are doing in Haiti with you! And we welcome anyone who wants to partner with us to Help in Haiti!).  

The last eleven days are going to fly by, so we are doing working hard to do as much as we can, and... then, off we will go…  We will be landing in Haiti before you know it!  You can follow our trip at this blog! 

I am attaching a few pictures from Haiti that I was sent today!    The students participating in this Service-Learning trip will be seeing some of these things themselves, in no time at all!   

See you soon! 

CB

Water Delivery

More Water...

Walking home with water (We have to help her lift it up, so she can carry it on her head.) 

Family with goats from the goats program

The Boys Home

All dressed up for church! 

Sooooo Cute!!!   

Planning our Projects!

    
We are getting our service projects all lined up. It is really exciting, because we are going to have the opportunity to participate in some really meaningful projects this year.

The service projects that we are going to do are the most important things that we can do to help Haiti. The whole reason that we are going to Haiti is to be in solidarity with the people through our service. To be in solidarity means to participate as equals. So, we can’t just hand things out and leave. We need to dig in and work with the people in Haiti so that they are empowered to carry on for themselves.   This is why it is important that we not show up in Haiti to pass out food and clothes. We are certainly called to charity and we are called to feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, so we certainly will do those things. But we cannot stop there – we can do more!
We are called to be in solidarity with the poor. We will do charity to take care of urgent needs, but we also want to focus on service projects, that are in solidarity with the Haitians, and that will make a lasting difference in people’s lives, long after we are gone.


If you are interested in seeing some of what we will be doing, you can find a "Projects List" on our Knights For Haiti website.
(   http://bubbblhs.weebly.com/knights-for-haiti1.html )

Of course, we welcome partners who can help serve Haiti through financial support of these projects. Please consider making a donation to our project fund!  All project donations are tax deductible, and 100% of every donation is used for the project!  

If you have any questions about our projects, please email Ms. Bubb (cbubb@bishopluers.org)  

If you would like to make a donation to partner with us, a check can be sent to Bishop Luers,  payable to Bishop Luers French Club with "Haiti project" in the subject line.