sorry i didn't update yesterday. there's this thing called electricity and another thing called air conditioning, showers and toilets that are not overflowing with gross stuff that we take for granted in America. Part of me gets grossed out and part of me goes hey you're in the third world what do you expect? I try to let that part take over and just figure out how I can survive in another way haha. I don't think the toilet situation is helped by the fact that they put acid down them. That's at least what the bottle said, who knows what was in it.
Right now we are at our camp facility in Port-Au-Prince. Electricity is spotty and internet is slow, we brought our satellite connection with us. I was going to update last night but I opted to sleep. First I would like to say that the guitar we thought was lost forever was indeed found at the airport.
So here is what I wrote for yesterday:
Today we woke up early and got ready to go to camp. We loaded all our bags and mattresses in the truck. We arrived after about 30 minutes and then did the opposite. The place is pretty nice for Haiti and there's a lot of staff working here and I have tried to talk to them. One of the cool things is that the worship we do is really loud. So people who are at this place just come and sit down and hang out. The kids arrived over an hour late, but they are excited for camp. We played soccer, but we had everyone tie their leg to a friend's leg. Worship and the message was great. Our topic for the week is heroes of the faith, tonight it was Abraham. Earlier today we made t-shirts for our different color teams. The cool thing to say around here is "I am the best" It sounds so funny with their Haitian accents. It was cool to see them put "Jesus is the best" or "Jesi se pli bon" on their shirts.
Back to now, this morning I am realizing how we cannot do this on our own and we need Jesi to be able to do this. In a few days I will be back in America and these kids will be here. Pray that we follow Him and that He touches their hearts this week.
Anyways that's the update. I better go before the electricity cuts out. Somehow it takes me about an hour to do these! I will try and have another one later today, but who knows.
here are more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157605133107968/
lucas
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
fini jou 3
bonjou -
please look at our blog as I updated that earlier today go to http://www.haiticampinabox.blogspot.com we went to church this morning so cool! to preface that, Alicia Kelley Robert and I were talking about following God's will and following with what He prompts to do. So read that knowing that we talked about not missing opportunities for what God is calling us to do.
Today I was hanging out and talking with the security guard Juancito here again and he wanted me to come and hang out with him up front. So I think I stood there and talked with him for about 30 minutes in Creole. I can't even remember what we were talking about, but it was cool just to communicate somewhat. I still had to pull out my Creole book every once in awhile to understand :)
Today some people went downtown to the airport to see if Aaron's guitar ever made it. It somehow got lost on the way from Florida to Ayiti. I don't think they had much luck... Others worked on the plumbing and most of us went to the boys to hang out with them. I got to talk to Israel, one of the older boys just about where I am from and everything. It's been an incredibly busy day for everyone and camp starts tomorrow. We are not sure how tomorrow is going to work out... we were planning on taking some stuff to the place we are having the camp, but that did not happen. After a little while we went (or joined in) on the kids playing soccer and basketball. We also got a good amount of rain just before dark, all the kids were running around enjoying it. Now we are just trying to get ready for tomorrow...
look for the latest pics @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157605133107968/
lucas
Get your bounce on
That's what John McHoul, the pastor at port-au-prince fellowship told us while worshipping. If I saw on the street I would probably think he was homeless. But this church was so spirit filled. You could feel God's presence there. We were worshipping and dancing and John told us to "Get our bounce on" I so wanted to turn on my little camera and grab some video/audio of it. I doubt I could have captured it for you and I think you need to come here to experience what is going on in Haiti through the ministries down here. The sermon today was on Matthew 6:19-34 which happens to be my favorite part of the Bible. A Haitian man sat next to me and as we were reading the verses I felt God telling me to ask him if he had a Bible. So I said "Eskee ou gayay La Bib?" and he replied no. How many Bibles do I have at home? This guy probably can't afford one Bible. So I gave it to him and wrote him a little note. After service, he asked if I would be back next week and I said no I would be going back to California... so he asked for my number and I gave it to him and he gave me his and I told him I would pray for him. Such a great experience just following what God asks for you, it's so easy to reach out and the whole sermon the guy preaching kept talking about how you need a Bible to be able follow God. This guy has the opportunity to do that now. Yay!
anyways i can't just sit here and blog all day i need to go be in ayiti
Saturday, June 21, 2008
AYITI Jou 2!!
Day 2 was awesome... but first I forgot a few things from yesterday
First off. I think I forgot my toothbrush. One of the many joys of being married haha. Also, I brought a copy of my Haiti book and the kids are loving it and tearing it up! I didn't think it would be such a big hit?! One of the guys I worked with on the playhouse at the girls home Fritz(nel) was saying he really liked it. He kept saying this, so we finally got to the point that he wanted a copy. So I think I will be leaving that here with him. I was excited to bring it and show the kids and some of them yesterday were reading all the way through it. Another thing that amused me yesterday was that I am wearing the same hat and shirt and glasses that I wore the last time and one of the kids that came to the airport said he recognized me. Fritz(nel) also said he recognized me, and Renald too. How awesome!
Today we got up early and then we worshipped and prayed. That was an awesome time to just reflect and thank God for what He is doing through us. Then we went to a VERY crowded Haitian market and I'm not thinking anyone bought anything. When is the last time you have been to a market and they had live chickens flapping around and everybody was yelling at you to buy something? It was a different experience, 20 americans in the middle of a thousand or so Haitians. I was excited to practice my Creole. On the way back we also saw a parade for some Haitian rapper(s) that died recently. We also were able to hang out with the boys and girls at their homes and play soccer, football or make bracelets. I love the look on people's faces when Alicia or I speak Creole. We talked to the guard today at the Manassero/Hojara home about if he likes it here, where he is from and stuff. So much has happened today I feel like, I am trying to still process it all. Then we got to go check out the ravine, where it seems to be some of the poorest people. We gave some of the kids candy and talked to the people. One guy was shaving with a razor blade, so I got to ask him if he cuts his face with it in Creole haha. I think he thought it was funny that I knew how to say that. Tonight, some are going to the boys home to watch Zorro and tomorrow we are going to church! I am really excited about that. Maybe tomorrow I will have a better update about today, just like yesterday. I am trying to write everything down as it happens, but sometimes there is just not enough time.
Thank you for your prayers, everyone here is doing great. It's not THAT hot, but it is hot and the mosquitoes seem to be relatively non-existent.
More photos! I think I'm up to around 300, i try to be as discreet as possible because people do get mad if you take a picture without them giving you permission...
Friday, June 20, 2008
day 1
We made it! We've had a long day, but it's been so cool being back here and seeing all the kids. So awesome! So here's an update I wrote earlier today. I wrote a couple of others, but wasn't able to send them to everyone so check out www.haiticampinabox.blogspot.com
Here is my updat efrom earlier today. After arriving at the airport, we walked thorugh customs. Then Ted and Lisa and some of the kids were waiting for us when we came out of the airport. We split into different groups - some wento to Eco depot others went to buy mattress and still others to an orphanage tour. Alicia and I went on the orphanage tour, even though I had been - I just wanted to hang out with the kids. Then I got whisked away to youth group on the roof of rod and Brittany's. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, not really much planned except planning for camp!
The internet is kind of slow, so i had to cut down the size of the pics alot, but I still wanted to send something along. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157605133107968/
Lucas
On our way
Nap ale ayiti. Its excited to be surrounded by other team members and of course my wife. Darin and Carolyn gave us some reading materials on the plane. I think most of us are spending this time bonding with other teammates or sleeping. We are on our way to fort lauderdale and only have a fifty minute layover and I think we are running late. Everything else has gone smoothly... In fact I don't think they even weighed our bags! We spent so much time worrying about a few ounces haha. Hopefully we make it through haitian customs without a hitch. We are anxiously counting the hours until we arrive. We pray that God goes before us and clears a path for us. How exciting is this???
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Thursday, June 19, 2008
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