Living with kids

Me and Ronyka

Abed and Me

During my time in Haiti I lived with two children. Abed is a year and a half and Ronyca is five. I got to watch them grow and learn new things in the six months I lived in their home. Here are some short stories of our time together.

After Abed got comfortable having me in his home we would make faces at each other; sticking out and curling our tongues.

One time when Irma was getting water for Abed there must have been some water in the lid of his bottle because when she popped it off water went all over his face. He didn't cry though and she didn't notice, which was the funniest part. No one else saw.

One Saturday afternoon Abed was bouncing a phone and hit himself in the head. He laughed at first then realized it kind of hurt. He started to rub his head and look around to see if anyone else noticed. We made eye contact and I just shook my head. He stopped and shook his head too and went on playing.

Pop comes in glass bottles. (There are plastic bottles and cans but glass bottles are cheapest because you trade in your empty bottle for a full one.) After I was done with my 7up one evening I started blowing over the top of it. Abed and Ronyca thought it was the best thing. They were both laughing for awhile. Abed tried to blow too. The next time I had a 7up and the kids were around I blew over it at different intervals while I was drinking to make different pitches in sound.

I was sitting on the ground eating a bowl of rice and peas when Abed tripped over my foot. The rice and spoon in my hand went flying everywhere when I tried to catch him. He wasn't hurt. It was really funny and no one else saw. I got a broom to clean up the rice.

Ronyca was running and throwing herself onto my lap with her arms around my shoulders. Abed wanted to do it too. He tried but isn't quite tall enough so he just ended up running in between my legs. 

Vonnie was giving Ronyca a bath. She opened a new package of soap and threw the package on the ground to pick up later. Abed picked up the trash and put it where the trash is supposed to go.

Ronyca uses toys to put on make-up like she sees the women in the house doing. We pretended to wash clothes, eat, wash dishes, ride in a boat, watch a movie, and take communion together. It took me a while to figure out we were taking communion. It doesn't matter what culture you are in, the kids watch the adults to learn how things are done. The same way the kids watched and learned I did as well.

Ronyka, Me, and  Goneas

Sometimes after church Goneas would come over to play. She is around Ronyca's age and goes to Agape school so she knows me. One day the four of us played soccer in the main room. Goneas used my flip flops to mark where the goal was. I was the goalie and the three kids kicked the ball away from each other to try and score.

It's not about you

My walk leaving church

Last May I went to training before becoming an apprentice in Haiti. The other 20 or so people there were interning for the summer in a few different countries. One of the girls, Courtney, spent the summer in Kenya. When she started school again in the fall she started a blog for one of her classes talking about her time serving in Kenya. In October I read what she had to share. God told her, "Don't you see, none of this has to do with you? All of what you are participating in is about Me and furthering My kingdom. You can't be effective here unless you realize that you are nothing without Me and that your identity is in Me. You are not your clothes, your past, your hair, your story, you are simply my dear child." I did not want to hear this at the time. Isn't my story who I am? I thought I was in Haiti to be an example of Christ so lives would be transformed. Even now I have to remind myself that this, what I'm doing with my life, isn't about me. It's not even really about anyone who is watching my life. I am living a small story compared to the one God has written. The one where he and his kingdom are at the center. 

Dancing at the Christmas party in Mirebalais

During my time in Haiti God taught me who I am and that it's not prideful to own these characteristics. He revealed to me the image I had created of myself for protection from other's judgments. Once I was able to see and believe God's truth about me I was able to love others better. I am not as concerned about what others think or how they react to me. Now that I am confident in who I am I can see where God wants me to love and serve others.

If you know me, you know I like to read. I read a lot in Haiti and one book was called True Community by Jerry Bridges. In this book the author talks about the different ways Christians live. We should be abiding in Christ. This means instead of asking God for help to get through the day because of his power I should ask him to get me through the day because of his power. God and I are not equal working on a problem together, he is doing everything, and I am just the physical being here on earth the work is being attributed to.

Romans 15:18 God did his work through Paul. Paul acknowledged he does nothing on his own. 

Phil 2:13"For it is God who worketh in you both to will and do his will." 

Isaiah 26:12 "Lord you will ordain peace for us, for thou also has wrought all works after us."
Rms 8:28 and 2 Tim 1:9 I am called to do this right now, not because of my own works but because of his purpose and grace. It doesn't matter what I can do, I am called to do what God asks.

I noticed that the youth I became friends with want to evangelize to everyone they see and think that all Christians think this way. I am learning from them to tell my story so God is praised but it's not about me. It's not about them either, is it? The point is Christ.

Saying Good-bye

I am getting on a plane tomorrow morning. I said good-bye to the kids in Mirebalais and they gave me pictures they drew. We had snacks and a party at Agape on Friday to say good-bye to the kids there. For my last time teaching all 25 of them crowded around me just like to first day of school, except this time they all knew the English words for the things I pointed to in the books. 

Some of the girls at church gave me hair clips. I said good-bye to the congregation and Martin translated for me. I told them how much I would miss them and how thankful I am for their kindness and generosity. The ladies from choir presenting me with a gift. I also received something from the youth group. This afternoon two of the guys from youth that I have become closest with, came over to say their good-byes. Martin and his family came over for dinner and we had a feast, including cake! 

This was under the best circumstances I could have had for being immersed in a culture. I had a month before school started to learn how things functioned around the house; like cooking and laundry. I was able to meet with some guys for language learning. Once school started I felt comfortable around the teachers because they were some of the ladies I lived with. I was able to understand the kids a little and not feel completely overwhelmed. I’m glad I was here for six months to see change take place. A couple of houses on my street were built. I was able to see Abed learn new things and Ronika become more comfortable playing with me.

Thank you for taking this journey with me. I know it was because of your prayers that I had such a successful time here. I will be speaking at a few Sunday school classes and churches when I return. If you are available to sit and talk for 5 minutes or 50 I would love to share more with you in person if it’s possible. I am certainly not done processing everything God had taught me here. I plan on still posting more about Haiti and what I am going to do with my life when I get back home.