1st World Problems

Some the interns and I are trying to help us all be accountable for our "problems" by classifying them as 1st or 3rd world problems.  This simple game can really put a lot of our lives in perspective.  

Here are some examples....

The Wi-Fi connection at the house is not working....1st world problem

We are out of ice....1st world problem

Someone drank the second half of my bottled Starbucks Frappuccino.....1st world problem

Meeting a woman with a tumor that is infected and not being able to treat her....3rd world problem

Seeing distended bellies and lethargic preschoolers who should be full of life...3rd world problem

Trying to decide what is best for a house full of abandoned children...3rd world problem

However, the more and more I think about these classifications, the more I wonder how these vast differences can really exist.  Don't get me wrong, 1st world countries, people and their families have their share of significant problems.  This is not to minimize those hurting, hungry, alone or lost in our 1st world setting.  This is not to say also, that 3rd world countries don't have their share of trivial problems.  

One of the biggest differences that I can see is support.  There are systemic challenges here in Haiti that make support much harder to come by.  In the U.S. if someone doesn't have food or a place to live, they go to their local county social worker and get support to hopefully meet those needs.  In the U.S.  public education is widely provided and utilized by many so most of our children have at least a basic education.  In the U.S. parents and families (at least in my school) are supported as they go through the ups and downs of raising a child. 

When I am working with interpreters here I am very careful about the word "support" because to most people here, that term means a financial commitment.  As with most things, money does help, but more importantly I have witnessed the power of sharing and supporting one another with the realities of life.  Turns out that there is a lot that happens when we share our problems with each other.  Most of the Haitians that I have met love to share their story.  They welcome questions, and they will be the first to say they are blessed to be alive.  In sharing my story with them we have started to level the playing field.  We are both humans, we are both god's beloved children and we both deserve to be fully present in this world focused on how to do the most good.  This understanding is powerful and empowering.  It provides an opportunity to teach, learn and problem solve together.  Hopefully not just one life, but two and maybe more lives are changed because of it.  

I urge you to take a step back the next time you or someone you know has a "problem" and instead of judging it, dismissing it or solving it.  Invest your time in it.  And try to leave a few of those 1st world problems behind....

Ordinary Folks

So I found a new mission devotional at the guest house.  It is 3 part series by Lena Wood.  They are journals that are focused on each step of a short term mission experience - from planning to return.  They are entitled "Called," "Challenged," and "Changed."  I decided to pick up "Challenged" this morning and found myself somewhat unable to put it down.  
Here are some of the highlights that are on my heart tonight.


God is in the details. 
I find myself dreaming big dreams and constantly focused on what is going to happen in the future.  It wasn't until recently (and with repeated reminders from my mom) that I really learned to take time to tune into the very minute you are living.  These are the details.  These are the moments squeezing limes with Deni and Rosaline in the kitchen.  These details are the contagious giggles from Elemnia at Tree of Life as she swings like only a child can swing.  Dreaming big is important but please don't forget that  god is working in the small details of our lives.  Pay attention.  


"Ordinary folks are people who do extraordinary things for God."  
The idea of endurance was running rampant in this example.  God is really trying to get it through my head that little by little we all add to something extraordinary.  Again, this is hard when you dream big and just wish you could wave a magic wand and make life glorious for all people.  Haitians have a saying "tipa tipa"  which means little by little.  This is my new prayer.  I pray that little by little god will reveal a plan to me.  I pray that little by little god will work in me to know how I can best serve.  I pray that little by little god will restore and reveal hope to the people of Haiti.  I pray little by little that the Haitians I know can see their dreams come to fruition.    I pray that little by little our pride and interest in solving other people's problems will not overcome our ability to empower a problem solving partnership.  I pray to continue to be an ordinary person doing extraordinary things for god.  

Williamson

their meeting

my meeting!

Williamson is one of my favorite villages in Haiti.  Although, I haven't been to many, there is something about the people, pastor, school and even the location that brings me peace.  I was so happy to be able to go there today with Pat to talk with Pastor Joassaint about his dreams for his community and the things that we can work together on to improve the living conditions and his school.  Well, they did a lot of the talking and I got to enjoy 2 very large pieces of melon from the garden and to rock their youngest daughter to sleep!

One of the main priorities for this community is water.  We worked with Pastor Joassaint to find leaders in the community who have shown interest and initiative to have a water catchment system on their house.  Two families seemed to stand out and we took measurements for the team who comes in on Thursday.  Hopefully we will be able to work with Haitians to put together a water catchment system that will collect the rainfall they receive.  Williamson also needs to have its well system finished.  This would allow cleaner water to be pumped from the ground and therefore, not need treatment.  This is a challenge as an expensive machine is needed to dig to the level where the water is clean enough and plentiful enough to drink on a regular basis.  

In addition, we talked a lot about their school.  I asked some questions about teacher training and professional development and hopefully we can continue those discussions with the teachers next week.  It sounds like they are getting continuous professional development already in another area farther north, which is good to hear!

One thing that is amazing about Pastor Joassaint is that he is very specific and very thoughtful about what he thinks the community needs to improve.  He is not looking for a handout but some assistance to implement things he knows are good practices for his village.  We discussed a laptop computer to be able to track student attendance, lesson plans, examination reports and scholarship information.  Documenting this electronically helps all parties - WWV, Williamson and the Haitian Ministry of Education because these statistics need to be turned at the end of the year.  Hopefully I can work with the administrator on this project.    

Girl's Day Out (with Jamil!)

Pat, Shelby, Karissa and Jamil
(thanks for taking the picture, Emily!)

Haiti is such a beautiful oasis!  

this one is for Andrea!

Today we had the good fortune of an outing up to the Baptist Mission (about an hour up the mountain) to see their ministry, enjoy a delicious lunch, do some great shopping and visit their zoo and grounds.  I felt like I had stepped back in time.  There were little cobblestone streets the led to a church, a full service hospital, a very quaint zoo, a museum, a teacher training facility, a bakery, a shop full of hand made artisan crafts (embroidery, wooden bowls and utensils, baskets, cards, jewelry, etc.) and a green house.  It was inspiring to see such a well run and well established mission teaching, employing and empowering Haitians.  Plus, it has a gorgeous view of the mountain countryside, and so many trees!!

The man who took us, Jamil, also wanted to show us a view of Haiti from the top of a mountain where all the cell phone towers are.  So about 20 minutes further up the mountain took us to another awe-inspiring lookout.  You could see all of Port-au-Prince including the palace and the airport, the lake and mountain range that separate Haiti from the Dominican Republic and out lying communities along both coasts.  It was breathtaking!  This licensed Haitian artist was capturing the view with oil paints on a canvas.

There is so much beauty and possibility here.  It is really easy to get overwhelmed by not only the need,  but more so the disparity between those who are rich with material things versus those who are not.  I noticed that today most of all at the grocery store in Petionville (a more affluent city here where several wealthy Haitians, high government officials and larger NGO leaders live).  It was like walking into a store in the U.S.  They had everything I had packed for snacks and then some (but at a hefty price!)  As I was walking around I realized, I wasn't craving anything, or in need or want of anything.  It is humbling to be feeding under-nourished children a piece of bread and peanut butter one day and have an array of any food product you could want the next.  Turns out this paradox doesn't just happen here in Haiti, but in many communities around the globe including my hometown.  My prayer is that we will continue to be aware of the beauty and possibilities that surround us daily and try live more humbly.

rooftop blogs

The guest house where I am staying has a fantastic roof top.  There is a deck but also a place on top of the garage where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful Haitian weather and scenery.  I am sitting here right now, writing and preparing for the day.  This is actually the hardest time of day for me because all I want to do is get to work and we always have about an hour of down time.  Maybe it will become my new blog time!! :)

I have had one full day on the ground and it is so different to not be here with a team of my own.  Not good or bad different, just different.  I think the most interesting thing is that I am really just responsible for myself.  I am not packing the magic green bag full of snacks or first aid supplies, or checking in on people to see how they are processing their time here.  However, I can sense a real need to support the other interns and staff here.  We each came to Haiti for a different reason and in a different stage of life. I know there is a reason why we are here and hopefully god's presence will shine through and shed some light on the ways we can make a difference together - one step at a time.

Yesterday we visited a children's home called FPCH (Foundation of the Promising Children of Haiti).  One of the other interns led a vacation bible school lesson and craft while our medical interns did some health assessments of the children.  It was sad to hear from them that many of the children are dehydrated, malnourished and now suffering from croup or possibly pneumonia.  It is hard to feel helpless and to not know what the best way to is to handle the situation.  We are having a work day tomorrow at the house to try to wrap our brains and hearts around trying to empower Haitians to make systemic changes instead of us going in and, for example, taking these children to the hospital.  One idea that we are going to try is creating handouts or flyers to help the staff working with the children to know what to do and when so that the children don't get to the point of sickness where they need medical care.

Today we are headed to Tree of Life, another children's home.  This is a place that really captured my heart the first time I visited.  The woman, Martine, who is in charge really cares for and loves these children.  It will be good to see them all again.

Pat arrived yesterday and I am excited for the possibility to connect with some Haitian teachers, administrators and book sellers as we have an opportunity to develop some teacher training and libraries in  a few of our schools.

Sorry this is long, but thanks for reading!

I have arrived!

Greetings from Port-au-Prince, Haiti!
I arrived today around 2 and it feels just like when I left - except I am missing all my team members!!
There are several others here - old friends that I have known for a while and some new ones that I am getting to know.  I am tired, so this will be short, but just letting you all know I am safely on the ground and ready to be open to the possibilities that are before me.  Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers as I will need them throughout the next few weeks!

30 Days of Thankfulness #30!!!

Today I am thankful for memories...
My 30 years on this beautiful earth have been filled with so many wonderful memories created by experiences and relationships.  I was talking with my dad tonight about when I was born and it is interesting to me not only what we remember but how we remember it.  I have very vivid sensory memories: smells, tastes, sounds, the way something felt.  He was describing the sounds and smells of the Pine Island Cheese Fest on the night I was born 30 years ago and the way the weather had turned cooler just like tonight's breeze.  I used to have a sweatshirt that my dad used to wear and the smell was "dad" to me.  My mom has a way of holding hands that is special to our family.  I can still remember how soft my brother's skin was when I held him as a baby.  All of these amazing memories come flooding back when I start to think about the life I have lived thus far.  
As I move on to the next decade of life, I know that new memories will be created and will add to the beautiful mosaic of my life!  Here's to the next 30 years!

30 Days of Thankfulness #29

I am thankful for music.
It was so nice to share music with everyone today at the bandshell service!

30 Days of Thankfulness #28

I am thankful for MN weather!  
I love how you never know when you might need a sweater, umbrella, sunscreen or a strap to hold your hat from blowing in the wind!  

30 Days of Thankfulness #27

I am thankful for the power of prayer.

I have not always been a outward "pray-er."  I would get nervous, uncomfortable and awkward.  Often times if I thought I would have to pray in front of others at a church event I would practice as I was getting ready, or even write it down on a notecard to bring with me.  Over the past few years I have realized that prayer is really just like talking to your best friend.  The times when I think that I am taking to myself are really little prayers offered up in the most humble and simple ways I know how.  Only in the past few years have I really realized the bond and power that comes from praying with others.  Yes, it is still uncomfortable sometimes, but only because we make it that way. We put up these barriers and say this is how it should be said, our hands should be folded this way and don't forget to close your eyes!  I have challenged myself this year to be real with prayer - to make it a normal part of my day and to invite others into that time.  The rawness of our lives is appropriate for god - we are not perfect and our prayer reflects our human nature.  The ability to be yourself in prayer is an amazing and liberating feeling. 

30 Days of Thankfulness #26

Today I am thankful for possibilities.
I know that when god closes a door, a window or even a new door is opened!  I am extremely thankful for the possibilities that are ahead of me - even though I might not even be sure what they are!  It has been a learning process, or more so, an acceptance of the fact that worry is not worth it.  That my life has meaning and I am to be in service to others.  I fully trust that I am not in control and will try my best to listen and discern where I can use my gifts to be of greatest service.  There indeed are so many amazing possibilities!!

30 Days of Thankfulness #25

Today I am thankful for my church community.  
I have been so blessed to grow up in a church and then return to a church (after college) that really knows what community is.  LHUMC understands what it means to be the body.  I have been so blessed to learn and grow with people of all ages and walks of life.  My fellow members have prayed, served, praised through song, questioned, wondered, supported, uplifted, and relied on the power of god at work in, through and amongst each of us.  I am so honored to call LHUMC my church home and so thankful to have their support and prayers as I spend my summer in Haiti.  

30 Days of Thankfulness #24

Today I am thankful for my amazing friends. 
I am lucky to have lifelong friends that date all the way back to middle school and more recent friends that really know me.  They know me so well that they can tell when I am feeling blue, frustrated, joyous and all that comes and goes in between.  They know me so well that we can just BE together - no idle chit chat needed because even in the silence we are sharing our lives with each other.  Some of the traditions that we have started are to be treasured.  I have heard from many people that our long time friendships are rare and unique.  I would have it no other way.  These amazing people add laughter, support, diversity and an opportunity to grow as a person.   

30 Days of Thankfulness #23

Today I am thankful for "blessings I don't understand."  For some reason the Sara Groves song Open My Hands is constantly running through my head these days.  Of course, on my way home from coffee tonight it was on the radio!  
I think I am comforted by the thought that god "withholds no good things from us."  The fact that I leave for a summer in Haiti in one week is sinking in and I feel like I should be feeling more things.  People are asking if I am excited and packed and nervous and scared and to be honest, I am not sure how to respond.  All I know is I am ready.  I am ready for something more, I am ready to "open my hands and open my heart" to the possibilities with the constant reassurance that god is on my side to provide good things for me and those I meet. 


 Open My Hands by Sara Groves

30 Days of Thankfulness #22

Today I am thankful for taking the time to just be at home.  
This past week, well month, well...let's just say year, have seemed like a blur!  All of the milestone events that I have been planning for and worrying about have come and gone and now I really just have a week to prepare for my summer!  
Tonight I came home and of course have a long to-do list in my head and somewhat on paper, but I was thankful to spend time sitting on our lovely patio sharing some time and good conversation with my roomie and her boyfriend.  Sometimes you just need to take those moments to rest, reflect and share with others.  I am thankful to be learning how to do this!!

30 Days of Thankfulness #21

Today I am thankful for forgiveness.  (Sorry I am delayed in posting this weekend!!)
Our family is kind of known for apologizing too much.  I am guilty, too, for apologizing for things that are out of my control and that can't be changed.  My mom has often told me that you can't change the past and that you learn something from every experience - good or bad, scary or exciting, sad or joyful.  So instead of apologizing for things I can't control, I am going to try to find the lesson in each experience.  As Oprah Winfrey once said, "Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different."

30 Days of Thankfulness #20

I am so thankful to spend some time with my grandparents this week!

I wrote earlier about my grandpa, so want to take a moment to share about my grandma.  

I am so thankful to have my grandma in my life.  She is an amazingly strong woman who is beautiful inside and out.  She has a wonderful sense of humor and I love that she still writes me hand written letters.  I am grateful for her generosity and love.  She takes the time to connect with family and friends on a weekly (sometimes daily) basis and volunteers A LOT in her community.  I admire her commitment to serving others.  She also makes some of the best baked goods around!  Her almond cake, apple pie, and rhubarb dessert are so delicious!!

30 Days of Thankfulness #19

I am thankful for love.
My cousin is getting married, well, today!!  We have all gathered to support her and her finance as they become husband and wife.
As we participated in the groom's dinner tonight, I was in awe of all the people in the room that love them and will be there as they begin their married life together.  Love was shown by all types of people - young and old, family or friend and in many different ways.