Reflections on My Trip to Haiti, August 2011

This was a near perfect trip with good weather, a terrific team, and a warm response from the Haitian people of Croix des Mission neighborhood in Port au Prince.  It was also wonderful to see more progress on the church building.  The building of the roof is underway, and the security walls which fell during the earthquake are being replaced.

As I write this, I am sitting in my comfortable home surrounded by the forests and the loon calls of New Hampshire.  The sad conditions of life in Croix des Mission are far away and seem unreal.  There is a disconnect between the living conditions of the people and the joyous, friendly attitude of the people.  Where do they find the resilence to overcome their poverty?  It must be in their faith.  They take joy in relationships with other people and with their God.  I am glad that I have come to know them.


I am grateful that I have helped the neighborhood by feeding the people for a week, by teaching and playing with the children, by donating to the building of this church which will become a focal point of joy and love in the neighborhood.  When we said "goodbye" to the crowd on the last day, Bob asked them how many would attend the church when it was built.  Almost everyone raised their hand!

The Beverly Hillbillies in Haiti!

Our van looked like the Beverly Hillbillies had arrived in Haiti as we headed to the Croix des Mission neighborhood with luggage on the top of our van.  The suitcases were full of  Tshirts, gloves, ballcaps, and school supplies to give away to the families.

When we arrived at the church, Stevenson Theodore, our music man, was already rehearsing the children for their "show".  The children were wearing their Sunday best.  We had to hang a third tarp to make enough shade to accommodate the crowd that had come to see the children perform.

We distributed the peanut butter bread and took a walk through the neighborhood with Gilbert, the neighborhood leader.  Seeing the primitive circumstances in which these children live, is shocking.  Tiny shacks or tents housed extended families.  Very sad.  But the people were welcoming and very grateful for the repairs they made to their homes with the donated money that Bob had given to them for this purpose.

After a delightful show of songs, poems, and dance, we headed to the area behind the church building for a delicious meal cooked over charcoal by the church ladies.  The 140 children sat on benches while adults stood or sat on cement blocks.  A gentle breeze made the hot day tolerable.  There was a festive atmosphere which intensified when the Coca Cola was passed out.

Michelle Pierre called our team forward and each of us said a few words in front of the crowd.  It was a touching time for me and I choked up a bit as I expressed my thanks for a fine week and said goodbye.  Then we gave each child a bag of school supplies.

Next the adults moved to the front of the church to receive their Tshirts, gloves, and hats.  There was some pandemonium, but all in all, we successfully distributed everything and there were smiles all around!

Then it was waves and hugs as we said goodbye to our friends in Croix des Mission.  Everyone agreed at our team meeting after supper that it was a most successful week.  Every team member felt that they had built a meaningful relationship with the people.  We also felt that we had done our best to make VBS for the children a time of learning and fun.



 A refreshing swim in the pool topped off a most memorable and satisfying day.  We depart Haiti tomorrow with a warm feeling for its people especially the ones we met at Croix des Mission church and neighborhood.

The Final Day of VBS

Things were reversed a bit today.  Our music man Stevenson was there when we arrived so after the peanut butter and bread breakfast, he rehearsed the children for their "show".  Then we presented our drama of "The Good Samaritan."  I was the story teller with Michelle translating.  All of the other folks on the team had a role with Don Goodroe starring as the Good Samaritan.  All the actors had a simple prop like a paper beard to help identify them.  The children were very attentive and when we were done 6 children volunteered to play the roles with a student narrating.  They did a wonderful job.  I believe that many of them will remember the story and its meaning.




We had a surprise treat of visiting a home two doors down from the church where a group of 40 pentecostal women were fasting, singing, speaking, and praying.  They sang some rousing songs and they danced with vigor.  Many were in uniforms and wore special bowlers made of straw.  They invited Bob to say a few words.

Lunch was served to 105 children and another 100 adults and workmen.  The food was spicy again.  We all enjoyed it.

After a few circle games and bubble chasing, the children waved goodbye as we headed out for some shopping at an artisans' coop.  The paintings, carvings, tin art, and beadwork were lovely.  A few folks bought some items, but when we returned to the guest house, we went straight to the peddlers at the front gate.  Most of the 6 men there claimed to be the creator of their wares.  All of us purchased items from them after some bargaining fun.

Tonight we organized our gifts for the people of Croix des Mission which we will distribute tomorrow.  We have so many shirts and school supplies that it took us 3 hours to sort them!

We are eager for the events of tomorrow.

Sharon

A Successful Wednesday at VBS

As we arrived in our van at the worksite, the 20 early bird children cheered and jumped with joy.  Our hearts leaped with warmth to think that the children were so glad to see us!

After the usual bread and peanut butter breakfast, 75 children waited eagerly on benches under the tarp for the lesson of the day.  Carolyn delivered the Bible story of Jesus feeding the five thousand.  Of course, Michelle translated.  Carolyn taught them a song with motions about the 2 fish and 5 loaves which they sang with gusto.  Then they created and decorated a fish from a paper plate.  Our team pitched in to staple the tails and distribute the googly eyes.  All ages seemed pleased with the results.

As we collected the paper plate fish, a sudden shout erupted.  The children had discovered Carolyn and Parker blowing bubbles.  Off they raced to catch the bubbles.  This continued for about 20 minutes!  Then we tried a relay race with beach balls and the children loved that too!  We learned that our music man Stevenson was unable to come today, but he sent 2 young men to teach 15 older children a dance for the Friday performance.

It was time for lunch.  Today the ladies served a spicy corn dish.  Very tasty!  Michelle tried a new approach to serving the food.  She had the benches brought to the eating area under the trees and had the children sit tightly side by side.  Young people brought the plates to them.  This worked very well.  She also handed out numbers to the adults so that we would know how many we had fed.  It appeared that 180 people were fed today.

 After some quiet circle games with young children, we departed the worksite about 2:30pm to see the Presidential Palace and other downtown sights.  The Palace looked just as it did the day after the destruction of the earthquake.  The tent city was smaller across the street and the Methodist school, College Bird, was partially rebuilt and the rubble cleared.  They will open on time on Sept 5th.

Then home we went filling our senses with the sights and sounds of  Port au Prince.  Haitian people purposefully walking, street peddlers selling everything under the sun, and cars and motorcycles moving as fast as they dared through the pot-holed streets.

Back at the guest house, we showered, ate, and planned for tomorrow.  We will be acting out the story of the Good Samaritan for the children and then giving some of them a chance to be the actors.

An amazing sight today was the cutting down of a tall, wide tree with a machete!   Unfortunately, the tree was in the way of the security.wall that is being rebuilt.  Bob and Don and Parker moved more stones for that wall.

This was day of fun for me!

Sharon

Tuesday at Croix des Mission

We arrived at the worksite after an eye filling ride in the streets of Port au Prince.  After bread and peanut butter, 60 children gathered on the benches under our tarp.  Our team member, interpreter and friend from Boston, Michelle Pierre, was the teacher this morning.  Her job was to introduce Jesus (Jesi) to the children.  She did a lively job in Creole.  Another team member, Lissa Olbeiter, from Boston had created small books with the simple facts of Jesus' life.

After singing "Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World", the youngest colored their small books and the older ones drew Jesus or religious symbols on paper, cut them out, and pasted them on paper bags.  All children were engrossed in these simple crafts.  This time we wrote names on their work and collected the projects to return to them on Friday.  (This eliminates mountains of trash because the children lay the work down to play games and run about.)

Stevenson Theodore, our "music man" arrived at the right moment.  Now 75 children were present under the tarp ready to participate in his games and his music.  He is very charismatic and the children loved every moment with him.  By the end of the music lesson, there were 84 children under our tarp.

While our VBS was going on, the men on our team helped with the rebuilding of the security wall.  They hauled rocks and pails of cement.  Skilled Haitian workers continued their work on the roof over the office roooms in the church.

The morning went very quickly!  Now it was time for lunch which the church women had prepared over charcoal under the trees at the worksite.  We estimate that 140 people had a hot lunch.

After lunch we departed for Grace Children's Hospital to deliver the comfort dolls that ladies of our church and Eastman friends had knit.  The traffic was horrid and we arrived late but the nurses allowed us into a ward with babies.  Some had families visiting but visitation hours ended and we stayed to hold the little ones.  It was a heartwarming visit as the children responded to our touch and hugs and games of peekaboo.  Many clutched the dolls and studied their colorful outfits.

 Every doll was given away!

It was an excellent day!

First Day of VBS

Our team arrived at the worksite ready for a day of teaching "Jonah's Story".  By the time we served our bread and peanut butter breakfast, tied up a tarp, and brought benches from the current church, we had 50 children sitting on the benches ready to learn!  As the morning continued another 20 children joined us.

Bob and I were thrilled to see construction underway at the church.  A cement roof was being put on the "office section" of the building and a security wall which had fallen during the earthquake was being repaired.

Bible School began.  Nina told the story in English as Michelle translated and the children looked at simple illustrations.  Then a ten year old Haitian girl retold the story as Michelle translated back to English.  It was a very effective teaching method.  Next Nina taught a song with motions.  They loved it and were still singing it as we left this afternoon.   Then we had the small children sit on another tarp for coloring (ages 1-4) and the older children made bead necklaces.  We had planned to make a paperbag whale but it appeared to be too difficult with the large number of children and vast age difference so we postponed that project for later in the day.

Lunch had not arrived so out came the soccer balls and jump ropes.  Little ones played Duck, Duck, Goose and did the Hokey Pokey and Ring around the Rosie.

We dined at 2:25pm on yummy beans and rice.  We fed about 140 neighborhood folks.

Then we headed home tired and dirty and fulfilled.

Sharon

Sunday in Port au Prince

Our team had a special day.  First we worshiped with the Croix des Mission congregation in their little church.  I immediately saw a physical difference in the building.  Benches and chairs were set up outside the front door with a blue tarp overhead.  Fresh flowers decorated the doors and windows and the altar area.  Huge speakers were at the front with a drum set.  We were ushered to the front rows on the left.  The service was full of music, Bible readings, and a firey sermon.  It lasted 2.5 hours!  We sang three songs and Don Goodroe from our team offered a trumpet solo.  They were honoring their youth choir which performed two powerful songs.

After worship we greeted many friends from last year!

Then we headed to our choir director's home for tall bottles of soda, and his young friends entertained us with some energetic break dancing.

We then moved on to the worksite and our new team members were amazed at the size of the new church and its shaded back yard.  Scaffolding was set up for roof work so we are expecting some construction this week!  The trees near the roof were trimmed and the branches were being transformed into charcoal at the back of the lot in a smoldering fire under piles of dirt.  Very interesting.

We also saw pictures of little Nainika, the baby who had an abdominal tumor last February.  Our team paid for her surgery.  She looked healthy and happy!

Lunch was at a restaurant.  Then we relaxed with showers and swimming in the pool.  After a spaghetti supper, the team gathered for debriefing on the day's sights and planning for tomorrow's VBS and game time.

A thunderstorm during supper brought lots of noise and torrents of rain.  We hope that doesn't happen tomorrow during our VBS!

For two more interesting blogs with pictures by our youngest team members visit:  parkersorenson.wordpress.com and madefromtheheart.wordpress.com.

Sharon

August 13, 2011 We Arrive Safely in Haiti

Our flights went well and the entire team of 8 gathered together in Miami.  Once in Port au Prince, we hired several porters to gather our 19 bags of luggage and boarded the Guest House Tap Tap.  The streets of PaP greeted us with eye popping color, ear popping sound, and interesting aromas.

The city looked less damaged than a year earlier.  I saw new construction, but sadly many tent cities remain.

At the Guest House we met a team of 10 Methodist from Houston, Texas.  They will be our housemates for the week.

After a delicious supper, most of us took a refreshing dip in the pool.   Then Stevenson Theodore, our hired Haitian music director, rehearsed us for our performance tomorrow at the church.  We are lucky this year to have Don Goodroe and his trumpet!  I think the congregation at Croix des Mission will enjoy our songs.  It seems that it is a custom in Haiti to show their friendship through song.  So we will show ours tomorrow.

August 12, 2011

Tomorrow morning, we depart again for Haiti.  Our VIM team has eight members: Michelle Pierre and Lissa Olbeter from the Boston area, Carolyn Hale from Connecticut, Don and Nina Goodroe from Georgia, and Parker Sorenson, Sharon, and myself from New Hampshire.  Follow us as we work with the people of Croix des Mission in Port-au-Prince.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Monday at the new church building site, a young mother with a year or so old daughter approached us and lifted the daughter's dress.  The daughter has what appears to be a very large tumor protruding from her abdomen.  The tumor could be 10 inches long and is as big as a small grapefruit at the end.

After arriving and serving bread and peanut butter breakfast, I took the mother, Mimose, and her daughter, Nanaika, to Grace Children's Hospital.  I also brought along Gilbert, the neighborhood leader, and Laurens, a young man who speaks some English.  On the way, we picked up the girl's grandmother.

We were seen almost immediately at the hospital, but it turns out that Grace Children's Hospital is not equipment for complex surgeries.  So, we went to a Doctors Without Borders Hospital and were seen almost immediately.  There we were told that they did not have the facilities to help Nanaika.

Then, we went to the Haiti National Hospital.  Nanaika was allowed to go to the pediatric section to be seen.  After 10 - 15 minutes, she was seen by a 'screener' and then put at the head of the line to see a doctor.  By this time, it was 12:30 and we left leaving mother, daughter, and grandmother at the hospital.

These people do not have any money.  So, in consultation with Gilbert, our driver, and Laurens, I gave them US $50 to buy food and water for themselves, to provide transportation money, and have some money that might be needed for any extraordinary medical expense.  (The Haitian National Hospital care is free.)

Mimose had told be that she had sat Tuesday in a clinic for seven hours and was not seen.  Although disturbing, I do believe that having a 'blanc' wearing a white shirt with her helped navigate the hospitals quickly.  Friday, we should have some information about Nanaika.

When we returned to the church site, lunch was just concluding .  About 125 showed up for lunch.  (Even though we will not be there today, lunch will be served.)

Today, we will tour Grace Children's Hospital and give the comfort dolls.  Then, we will visit a tent city to observe Stevenson's Arts with the Children Project.  There is a Haitian museum across from the Presidential Palace that we will visit.  (It survived the earthquake.)

The time has passed so quickly.  But, I am ready for snow.

Monday/Tuesday

The last two days have been another great experience. Here Robin is having her hair braided by a Haitian girl. In the background is a rainbow of hands, one of the crafts that we have done with the children (and some adults).

Another craft was teaching the children (and some adults) to string beads to make bracelets and necklaces. This girl is modeling her just complete necklace.

The children are also learning a couple songs and a dance to perform Friday after lunch. Stevenson Theodore, a Haitian music teacher, is teaching music, and his pupil, Donny, is teaching the children a dance routine.

The last activity is letting the boys play with a couple soccer balls, and the girls jump rope.

Monday and Tuesday were similar days.  We began each morning by buying bread rolls on the way to the Croix des Mission building site.  Upon arrival, we serve peanut butter and bread.  Peanut butter is considered a breakfast food.  On Monday, Gilbert, the neighborhood leader, walked around the neighborhood announcing our arrival and the serving of breakfast.  Soon, there were 30 - 40 people on site.

After explaining to Gilbert about the roof delay and our plans for a Vacation Bible School, he was in agreement.  Initially, Nehemy read the children the story of Noah's Ark.  Then, the children traced their hands on construction paper and cut out them out.  Then, the hands were placed in a rainbow pattern on a shower curtain.  We will bring those back to our home church when we return.

While Nehemy was doing that, some men arrived from the church with benches (pews) and an electrical generator for Stevenson's keyboard and speakers.  The church is nearly a 1/2 mile distant; closer as the crow flies.

Then, the children were given string and beads to make bracelets and necklaces.  This was very popular, too. (On Tuesday, some were wearing what they had made on Monday.)  More adults wanted to be involved in this activity.

With Stevenson, the children began learning a couple songs.  First, though, he went through some music exercises.  Perhaps the children had never had music instruction before.  The children were attentive and enthusiastic.

Donny, Stevenson's student, began teaching the children some dance.  The older teens have their dance 'moves', but Donny was very good with the children, teaching them how to line and and follow his example.  (In fact, all the older siblings were very attentive to the younger ones.  Even Billy Cool, a name that we had given to one young man on a previous trip, was very gentle and attentive to the younger ones.)

Lunch arrived and the Haitian women served.  Instead of the children leaving the church floor, food was put on benches and carried up to them.  This was one of the women's ideas, and it worked very well.

After lunch, another craft and more dance instruction.  Then, the soccer balls and jump ropes came out.  For nearly 45 minutes, the children played before we packed up for the day.

At one point, Thomas, a soccer coach, took the children for 10-15 minutes and had them do some elementary exercises.  It was if he was our PT teacher.  The children including small ones followed his instructions without any hesitation.

During the day, a young mother showed up with a daughter between one and two years old.  The daughter has what appears to be a tumor protruding eight or ten inches from her abdomen.  The end is as big as a small grapefruit.  This morning, Wednesday, I am taking them both to Grace Children's Hospital to see a doctor.  (Rev. Gesner Paul, the President of the Haitian Methodist Church is on the Hospital's board.  I called him to get his OK and, more importantly in Haiti, to be able to use his name.)

When we have labored here in the past, we did not really get to know the people.  Now, we are really making friends as we work closely with them.  As we end the day with a prayer circle, on Monday Gilbert, the neighborhood leader, said that the neighborhood always looked forward to our return and that we would always be safe there.

We are having a great experience that I wish that all of you could have.

Tuesday

During our September 2010 stay at the Methodist Guest House, we experienced problems uploading our posts.  The same is true for this trip.  Please return for future updates.

Sunday Worship with the Croix des Mission Congregation February 2011

This is the VIM Team at church this morning. From left to right: Stevenson Theodore, who is our Haitian choir director, Robin Caissie, Nehemy Theodore, Patty Charman, Bob Parker, and Andy Jones in the back. Robin, Patty, and I are members of Lebanon UMC, Nehemy is from Rhode Island, and Andy is from Wylie, Texas.

Several days ago, I was invited to give the message for this Sunday's service at Croix des Mission. Even though I have given few sermons, I accepted. Rev. Marco Depestre, the Secretary of the Eglise Methodist d'Haiti, was my interpreter. (To give you an idea about the building size, the cross is in the center of the church.)

So, how did the service go?  First, when we arrived, there were some Sunday School classes being conducted.  Some small pews had been carried outside for one class.  Two others were inside the small church.  The service began about 9:20 to a packed church.  There is a single aisle in the center with small pews on either side seating 5-6 people on each one.  Each pew was shoulder to shoulder with at least 120 people with others standing in the doorway.

 As in past years, we hired Stevenson Theodore to teach us a couple hymns in Creole. Saturday evening, Stevenson warmed us up with a couple hymns that we had learned previously. Stevenson brought his keyboard (and sound equipment for the service) to accompany us, and he accompanied the soloists, too, without any sheet music nor practice. (During the service, three people volunteered to sing solos.) Our small VIM choir was the fourth musical presentation. I believe that we sang better than in previous trips. During the second hymn, the congregation stood and sang with us. When the congregation does that, it makes me feel so good.

In my introductory remarks, I mentioned that I did not feel like a visitor anymore; I was a member of the Croix des Mission congregation.  That comment received a big round of applause.  That made me feel even better.  The sermon's title was 'God's Love.'  I had been told by a couple people that the Haitians receive many fire and brimstone sermons, but not many about God's love.  So, that was the direction I went.  Nehemy said that I even used a common Haitian sermon characteristic, a prayer during the sermon which uses a pause for individuals to ask forgiveness.  That more by accident than design since I had dusted off an old sermon and adapted for Haiti.  The feedback was very positive.  To Rev. Marco Depestre, I am still a reverend contrary to what I have told him.

After church, we went to Pain & More for lunch.  (Pain is the Creole word for bread.)  These deli/burger stores are a chain.  The bread was very good.

This evening, we made more detailed plans for tomorrow.  We emptied the suitcases and combined like items to use tomorrow.  Since this is our first attempt at Vacation Bible School, we do not know what to expect.  (I did make arrangements for church ladies to cook rice and beans for tomorrow.  We will buy meat for Friday's lunch.)

Two reporters from our local newspaper, The Valley News, will follow us on Friday.  And, it is Friday afternoon that we will have the children perform songs and dances that they will have learned.

I have been having problems this evening with the Internet connection.  Hopefully, this will upload.  Stay tuned.

Wednesday/Thursday

Although it is the dry season, the last two evenings at the Methodist Guest House have featured heavy rain showers.  Since the cisterns are dry at Bois d'Avril Village, I hope the village received some of the rain.

During the last two days, I have talked with many people from other VIM teams, a couple UMCOR staff, and Rev. Gesner Paul, President of the Eglise Methodist d'Haiti (EMH).  Sharing our experiences, we learn from each other.

During my conversation with Rev. Paul, I floated the idea of having a medical VIM team serve for a week the Croix des Mission neighborhood.  His reaction was positive asking if a dentist and ophthalmologist could be part of the team?  The only requirement to offer medical services is for a Haitian doctor be part of the team.  EMH has a staff doctor who could fulfill that requirement.  (When the roof on the new Croix des Mission church is completed, that space would offer shelter for a medical team to conduct a clinic.)

However, there is an item to consider when planning medical teams.  The planning must be for the long term.  Medications, say for high blood pressure, should last long enough until the next medical team arrives.  To truly improve the overall health of the neighborhood, two medical teams should be scheduled per year.  (There are not any clinics in the area, and the people cannot afford them anyway.)  Do any of you know of any medical professionals who would like a Haiti experience?

EMH is also starting a new eye clinic.  Rev. Paul asked if I could bring 100 pairs of eye glasses when I return in August.  I said that I would.  Would each of you look in your dresser drawers for old pairs of glasses?  I think that we could donate more than 100 pairs.  Also, he asked if the prescription could accompany each pair of glasses.  If you do not have that prescription, I will find a way to have the glasses examined by a professional.

There are some wonderful things are being done in Haiti that have not had the media exposure, though the larger problem of relocating the tent city residents has hardly moved at all.  But, the estimate of tent city residents has been reduced to 900,000.  The feeling is that many people are living with relatives or have moved back to the countryside.

Tomorrow, the Bois d'Avril sewing team, Sophie, Janet, Liz, and Steve return to New Hampshire.  And, Andy, Nehemy, Patty, and Robin arrive to join me.  The next adventure begins.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Fewer people returned for the second day of sewing instruction. The second day goal was to have each student sew a small quilt. Here Sophie and Janet are displaying Amonia's quilt. (You can read Sophie's blog at: nhhaitiquilt.blogspot.com)

This is a typical house although many are better constructed with concrete blocks. By practicing their sewing skills, these village people will have another source of income - quilts - to improve their quality of life.

John and Deb Currelly hosted the entire team and made their home available for instruction. It was Deb's suggestion that "someone" teach the Bois d'Avril women how to quilt. Clyde, the Great Dane, Bonnie, and Squeaky are part of the Currelly family.

Before the Currellys purchased their land, there was not a road to Bois d'Avril. As you can see, the hand constructed road is one track with a significant drop on one side.

Yesterday afternoon, I came down the mountains to the heat of Port-au-Prince. Then, I met with Rev. Marco Depestre, the Secretary of the Haitian Methodist Church. He said that the roof construction will begin after the VIM team departs. There is difficulty purchasing materials. (Last September instead of constructing the roof, the Haitians asked to use the money to reinforce the church foundation and pour the concrete floor with rebar rods to make the church structure even more earthquake resistant. Reinforcing the foundation seemed to be prudent.)

Stevenson Theodore, the former music teacher at the French School (it was destroyed), joined me for dinner. He will lead our VIM team choir again this year, and he and his wife will provide special music for the church service Sunday. And, Stevenson will help us with Vacation Bible School each morning next week.

About three months ago, Stevenson organized about 50 teachers to go into a tent city to teach the children music, dancing, and theatre. Collectively, the group works with more than 1000 - that's right - 1000 children daily. The feedback from the parents has been most positive. The parents say that their childrens' bad dreams of the earthquake are less frequent, and that the children are better behaved.

Remember, most Haitians are unemployed. Stevenson and his band of teachers are also unemployed. They do not have a sponsor for their tent city project, but do occassionally receive donations from foreign aid workers. They split this money to buy food and otherwise support their families. A very meager existence. And, another very worthy cause.

Again, please share this with others who may have an interest in Haiti.