Christmas in Haiti

Monday was the party at Agape for the school kids and the kids in the Sunday school class. We arrived early to decorate and when the kids were arriving we danced to music. Once everyone was there some of the kids went up front to perform a song or recite a poem. They have Christmas songs but I didn’t recognize any of them as being translated from English. Santa is Pere Noel (Father Christmas) here. After singing we had snacks and then presents. The child had each drawn a name at the beginning of December. Carline picked up each gift and the child who bought it went up front and said who it was for. That child came up and said thank you with a kiss on the cheek. This is a normal gesture. When we greet each other we shake hands and touch cheeks.

Tuesday we went to Mirebalis for the Christmas party at Loving Hearts. The kids were all dressed in their nicest clothes and excited to see us. After decorating we all sang songs and danced. Martin passed out the presents we brought and everyone played with their new toys until it was time to eat. We had a special dinner and got pop. We had to leave after that to get back for the youth party.

Since the first week I was here I have been hearing about this party on Christmas Eve that the youth throw. Lienka and I dressed in our nicest dresses (think Homecoming dance). We left the house around 9:30, which is usually when I am falling asleep, but I was excited. We arrived at church and were escorted to our seats. A group was already up front singing. The president welcomed everyone. Then a group performed a skit. It was the story of Ester so I knew what was going on. A group of girls did a dance. A couple of guys rapped and sang. The finale was a fashion show. The clothes were designed by some of the guys in the youth group. As the models/my friends walked down the runway the song “I’m a Barbie girl” played. These models didn’t just walk out turn around and walk back. They stopped several times to pose for pictures. Everyone was cheering. I’m so glad I got to be a part of it. The clothes were really well designed. I would wear some of them.

We had a meal of rice, chicken, and pasta. They set up a projector and we watched a movie. It was a Haitian made movie but I mostly understood what was going on. During the movie we had popcorn and later on cake. We got back home around 4:30am.

I had scheduled to Skype with my parents and sister at 7am Christmas morning so I decided to stay awake a little longer and sleep later. It was great to talk with them and see them opening presents. We had a good signal and the electricity stayed on so we could talk for a long time! After we said Good-bye I took a nap until 11am when I Skyped with more of my family!

Here on Christmas day it is a day of rest and that’s what we did. There was a Christmas program on TV and they were singing Christmas songs in English so I sang along. We had some visitors so I met more of the family. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

My first Haitian wedding

This weekend we went to three weddings. Friday we made two potato sides to take to the reception that night. Carline let me borrow one of her dresses and Asmene did my hair. Everyone was running around all day getting ready for the wedding at 3. We arrived just in time to see everyone walk down the aisle. The bride and groom sat down up front along with the best man and maid of honor. The preacher spoke. There was exchanging of vows and then rings. We sang and prayer for the couple. They signed the marriage certificate as a part of the ceremony. The preacher proclaimed them husband and wife, they kissed, and everyone cheered.

We took lots of pictures. The reception was in a banquet hall. It was very beautifully decorated. Members of the wedding party gave toasts. A couple people sang songs for the couple. There was good food. We left before the cutting of the cake. I think they told me it wouldn’t be over until around 1am. My first Haitian wedding was a great experience!

Saturday, there were two weddings, one right after the other. The first one had purple decorations, which were then torn down and gold ribbons put up for the second wedding. The second one was actually a 50^th wedding anniversary. I did learn that if a couple wants to get engaged the man’s parents go to the woman’s house. The woman’s parents call her and ask for these parents are here for her. She will say yes then leave. The parents will then discuss the arrangements for a wedding.

I had a busy weekend and it doesn’t look to be slowing down any with Christmas coming in the next few days.

Pignon

This past week Jim, the Regional Director, came to visit all the NMSI missionaries in Haiti. He saw the orphanage in Mirebalais and came to church with us on Sunday. It was good to have him here; to show him what I am doing and talk through things. I learned a lot more about NMSI and what they do. He traveled to Jacmel and Gonaives during the week.

 

This past weekend I went with him to Pignon. Mioche is the missionary living there. Pignon is quieter than Port-au-Prince and a lot easier to walk around. I joined some ladies from the church making paper beads for jewelry they send to the US to sell. They taught me how to make the beads. We visited the school and church Mioche has started. There is an American missionary couple running an orphanage just down the road from Mioche. I got to meet them and see their place. It was a good weekend seeing more of Haiti and meeting more people doing God’s work.

We got to fly back through MAF, Missions Aviation Fellowship. It was a five seat plane. I was reminded of how beautiful Haiti is from above.  

Skirts I've made

I've been making skirts and a dress this summer getting ready for Haiti. I got the idea for the elastic from this blog.

Kids to Kids Around the World

Each kid from Rachel's school that sent a pair of shoes wrote their
name on the bottom. The kids held up a sign with their own name
thanking the child in America for the shoes.

This week a team from Ohio came to deliver shoes to the kids we work with. When Rachel’s mom came back from her trip to Haiti, Rachel wanted to do something to help the kids she saw pictures of. For her birthday she asked for shoes for the kids of Haiti. In the past three years she has collected 2,500 pairs of shoes. With her mom, brother, and friend, Rachel came to us to give those shoes away. Her dream of collecting shoes is now a Non-Profit Organization, Kids to Kids around the world.

I got to join them as they gave shoes away at Agape school, Agape church, and Loving Hearts Home. It was defiantly a different experience being the one already here welcoming the missionaries. I’m glad I got to be a part of what they are doing.

They also brought backpacks with school
supplies for each child.

Early Mornings

"Some people associate Sunday morning with God. One of the things I associate with God is a sunrise." -Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts

The entire time I have been here in Haiti I have not once set an alarm to wake up in the morning. I have just woken up at 5; it’s not because of the noise or the sun shining in my window; somehow I wake up to spend time with God before the day starts.

This morning I woke up and was grabbing my Bible and journal when there was a knock on my door. This is very unusual especially at 5am. The only other time they have had to knock was around 7am one day when we were going to church and I didn’t know it. I opened the door and there stood Carline ready to go to Mirebalais. I quickly put on my skirt, put my laptop in my bag, and followed her out the door.

Let me back up a few days… we usually leave for Mirebalais after church on Sunday. So I packed my bag Saturday night. But yesterday, November 18^th, was a National Holiday. It was the anniversary of the Battle ofVertières, so there was no school. Sunday night Carline told me we would be going to Mirebalais around noon on Monday. Noon came and we couldn’t go because public transportation was taking the day off too. She didn’t tell me we would be leaving to get there before school started Tuesday morning but when I saw her at my door I knew.

As I was following her up the stairs, in the dark, to the street I thought about how I wouldn’t be starting my day reading the Bible and was worried how I could be ok. Then I thought, I get to see the sunrise! As we rode I worshiped God while watching the sunrise above the mountains and we got to Loving Hearts at 7am, an hour before school starts.

(Sorry I didn't take any pictures)





Worshiping Together

When the electricity comes on a night it is a celebration. The lights flicker once or twice and then stay on for several hours. We say, “Wé”, “Mesi, Jezi” and “Halleluiah.” Then we plug in our phones to charge and set up our chairs in front of the TV to see what is on for the night. But if it starts getting dark and the lights haven’t come on yet someone will get the oil lamp, light it, and set it on the table. Last night was one of those nights. We were sitting in the dining room with Ronika and Abed running around getting out energy before it was time for bed. Abed lifts his hands and says, “Halleluiah”. At least that’s what we think he says. He is only 16 months old. Asmene, his mom, starts singing “Broken Halleluiah”. Since it’s in English I join in, but neither of us know all the words so when we finish we look at Abed and he raises his hands and wants us to sing again. And again. And again.

As we were singing I was thinking how awesome it was to be worshiping God together. Because we are all God’s children. He doesn’t just love me because I came here. He doesn’t just love the ones who do all the right things and have all the right answers. He doesn’t just love the ones who have an eventful, redeeming story. He loves all of us. He loved us all before we did anything, before we had a story to tell. Sometimes having electricity can hinder these moments.  

Prayers: Because of your prayers I am able to sleep at night even though it is noisy, I am safe, I am healthy, I am learning Creole, I am willing and don't get too embarrassed when asked to do something out of my comfort zone, I am the closest I have ever been with God, and I have a desire to pray for others. Thank you.