Sak Passe? Nop Bulle

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Summers 2013-2018

Haiti July 1, 2014

Third time IS the charm! PRE Haiti 2014

Dear Kate's Asian Invasion Blog followers, all three of you.... I apologize for not updating my blog in a timely fashion. 1. I get lazy and take naps and 2. Sometimes I get busy with stuff like jobs and moving and stuff (funny how I don't allow my students to use "stuff" yet I overuse it for emphasis). So...one month later...here is the much anticipated HAITI 2014 blog, copied verbatim from my journal, because internet signal is not a word in the Creole language apparently. At least not to netcom (p.s. Don't buy an internet USB from netcom. It won't work) Ok, let's get started.... June 29, 2014 I leave for Haiti tomorrow and I have a few thoughts about my third trip to this amazing place that has found permanent residence in my heart. Top 3 things I'm looking forward to (and not allowing me to sleep tonight): 1. Being reunited with my Kentucky-Haitian family (Michelle, Jonathan, Kerby, Kerlandy, Dana, Michlete) and meeting another Carver family member, Sasha (sorry Caleb, maybe next time). 2. Seeing Eileen again. I can't wait for her hug. I can't wait for her smile. I'm so in love with this girl. She's said less than 5 words to me in our relationship, and yet I'm captivated by her innocence. I became addicted to her hugs, how she clung to me, and her beautiful smile. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see ALL the kids at the orphanage (Voice of the Children). They are all amazing and beautiful children of God. 3. Epidor. Seriously. Food heaven. The sauce that goes all over the chicken and rice. I don't care what it may be, it's DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! drool. Every trip we've done similar things: visit the orphanage, help feed and love on the kids at the terminally ill hospital, take a tourist day, reach out to the street children..., but each time seems like a new, unique experience. Last year's trip was a "dry-run" for the organization (Helping Hands 4 Haiti) for having groups. Dana and I were gladly the test group. It gave Jonathan and MIchelle a chance to see what it would be like to plan a day for other people, have group devotions, transport and feed others, and basically be responsible for people other than themselves and their family. I think we did a pretty good job :) I tried my own hand at being a bit of a leader, since I am a bit older than Dana, and it was her first trip. I'm praying that I'm able to take more of a leadership role this year. It will be up to me to step up. I do great leading groups of kids younger than me, but I don't have the confidence to step up as a leader when I'm with peers. I'm praying that God gives me the confidence to step up when I'm needed. I love the fact that we continue to return to the same orphanage. Hopefully they remember us and we're able to build stronger relationships. I would imagine it would be so tough to be in these orphanages that have groups in and out each week. You can't connect to anyone because you know they're going to leave you. The younger kids are eager to hug and love, but the older kids have figured it out. They aren't going to trust any foreigners because the abandonment a few days later will bring up pain from whatever they have experienced in the past. I'm hoping that with my return each summer, I'm able to build trust and respect from the older kids. Even though I'm only able to go on short-term trips, I feel that this continuing relationship will make my work more meaningful. I think I always worry about when I go on group trips is fatigue. I don't want to burn out and appear to be a lazy bum. I get as much rest as possible in Haiti, and drink lots of coffee, water, and SPARK...but the hot, humid days are physically exhausting, and the work (yes, even just playing with and loving on children) is emotionally exhausting. I always think of Phillipians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ. I can push through exhaustion. I can suck it up and do what I've been called to do. It's not about ME. It's about glorifying God and being His hands and feet.