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.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Day care is not part of the Haitian culture. So, when the mothers arrived for sewing lessons, they brought their small children. Although we had not planned to, I gave four comfort dolls to these children. They were so happy to have them. The three girls held them while the boy was being a boy - he liked to throw his.

The treadle sewing machines are a Chinese brand, FINGER.

There was some time to teach some of the children, who also took their turns on the sewing machines, Jenga.

Yesterday, I had a request that I regard as an honor. I received an e-mail from the Secretary of the Eglise Methodiste d'Haiti, Rev. Marco Depestre. He asked if I would give the sermon this coming Sunday at Croix des Mission. He will translate for me.  And, I did not bring a suit or better shoes than my hiking boots.

Presently, I am sitting out on the second story porch watching the clouds in the valley, the clouds above us, and occassionally a cloud floating by us. Even though it is very cloudy, this is the dry season. The area needs rain.

The villagers have cisterns for the dry season, but their capacity is not sufficient. Before the Currellys, our hosts, moved up here, the Bois d'Avril villagers had to walk a ways down the mountain for water. From their cisterns, the Currellys are giving the villagers water as they are able until it rains again.

This afternoon, I am going down the mountain to the Methodist Guest House to prepare for the Croix des Mission VIM team and also to prepare my unexpected sermon. This evening, I will meet with Stevenson Theodore, Nehemy's brother, and ask him for some special music for the service. (Stevenson was a music teacher at the French School until it was destroyed by the earthquake.) However, the VIM team will still sing a couple hymns in Creole. We ARE NOT the special music. (Saturday evening, Stevenson will conduct choir practice for us.)

The aroma from the patio below smells good. Every day, a couple Haitian women are cooking a different dish while Liz takes notes. I very much like the results.  Think I'll go down and have a look.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Today was the first day giving instruction on treadle sewing machines. About a dozen women, girls, and boys learned how to "heel and toe" to power the sewing machines. Three people also came from a neighboring village, Bonga.

Today's project was making small pillows. The students cut small squares and sewed the sides leaving a small opening for stuffing. They departed having something for their efforts.

Janet also taught some ladies beginning applique. Steve instructed some young men how to put the frames together and stretch the fabric over the frames.

Even while sewing lessons were being conducted, Liz learned another Haitian dish, rice with a black bean sauce. Very good.

The Haitians were very enthusiastic about learning. If these people practice their new skills, they have the potential to increase their quality of life by making quilts that can be sold commercially.  Tomorrow, it will interesting to see how many of today's students return.

Again, if you know of anyone who has an interest in Haiti, please tell them about our blogs:
www.croixdesmission.blogspot.com   (Bob Parker)
www.nhhaitiquilt.blogspot.com   (Sophie Bartels)

After a late afternoon meal, John and Deb Currelly led us on a neighborhood hike.

After the hike, we were invited to attend the Bois d'Avril village prayer service. We just sat along the side of the road. A couple young men led the service.

It was a very joyful service. Different plastic pails and barrels were used as drums providing music for singing and dancing.

Here, Liz is dancing with a village girl as others watch. Sharing a prayer service with the villagers was special.

About 10am or so, three Haitian ladies arrived to teach us how to fix the Haitian national dish, black beans rice. Sophie and Janet are very attentive. Four hours later, we had a delicious meal.

One lady spent much of her time mashing leeks, some garlic, and other items for the beans and rice. Sophie tried her hand with the mortar and pestle.

While the beans were cooking, one of the ladies, Jislin, practiced pedaling the treadle sewing maching with the instruction and encouragement of Liz and Sophie.

Jislin made a pillow and seemed to be very pleased. Janet certainly was.

Haiti Team February 2011

Late yesterday afternoon, we arrived in Port-au-Prince without having any drama or delays.  It was a shock traveling from frigid weather to 88 degrees upon landing.  But, I am not complaining.  Even the 60 degree evenings in the mountains seem balmy.

There are two VIM teams.  The first is a small group who began last spring as a "Quilts for Haiti" project.  The second group which arrives next Saturday will conduct Vacation Bible School at the Croix des Mission work site.  They will not to be able to labor on the roof phase of the Croix des Mission new church.

The Quilts for Haiti project was the idea of Sophie Bartels, then a Hanover High School freshman.  With her sewing teacher, Janet Daniels, Sophie organized some sew-a-thons to make quilts for Haiti.  A school board member, knowing that I had been to Haiti, asked me if I knew of a place that could use the quilts.  "Yes, I did."

On a previous trip to Haiti, I had met John and Deb Currelly who have been living and working for over thirty years in Haiti.  They live in the mountains above Port-au-Prince adjacent to a small village, Bois d'Avril.  After  e-mail exchanges about the quilts and the number of quilts for the village, Deb suggested that a person to teach the villagers would an even greater benefit.

At a sew-a-thon, I mentioned Deb's suggestion to Janet Daniels.  She immediately said, "I'll go!"  Janet accompanied our September 2010 VIM team to Haiti, and she was hosted by the Currellys.  Over a few days, Janet and Deb gauged the villagers' interest; it was very positive.  Janet was able to find and buy three treadle sewing machines in good working owner for future use.  (Bois d'Avril does not have electricity nor water.)  This week they will continue to work with the villagers, women and men, to improve their novice sewing skills.

The goal is to have the villagers become proficient enough at sewing quilts that the quilts can be sold commercially.  Those of you who are quilters know that this will be a several years' long sewing project.  The income would certainly improve the villagers quality of life.

Yesterday, I accompanied Janet and the Bartels family, Sophie and her parents, Steve and Liz, to Haiti.  We were met by he Currellys and had a pizza dinner on our way to their beautiful home.  We drove through the clouds up a narrow (and that is an understatement) road and emerged cloud free at their home about 5500 feet above Port-au-Prince.  Up here without any city lights, one can see every star in the universe.

Check back often more.

This is what home in New Hampshire looked like yesterday when I left.

This is the mountain view from the Currellys' second story deck.

What an "office" location!