NEW POSTS SOON

We've got lots more to post - just not as much time to keep up!

So please check back for current & back logged entries that are being worked on!

Meanwhile - please enjoy the poem sent to me by a friend in California!

There she sat with her tear swollen eyes

But still yet she never cries
One little shoe had fallen off by her side
Could she possibly remember the blisters on her feet
As she walked on rocky paths just for food to eat
Could she remember just how sore her little feet were
Before she got the shoes she now wore
I remember when I took that shoe
and placed it back on her bony foot
Then her they tears ran away
Treat even the smallest things
as a hidden treasure today

Carla 4/21/08

Haiti - Village of Hope School

Knowledge =

the fact or condition of knowing something with

familiarity gained through experience or association

Exodus 31:3 (NIV)
3 - and I have filled him with the Spirit of God,

with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-

Haiti - March 2008
The Village of Hope School

The Village of Hope K-12 school is well attended by over 600 kids from miles around. It’s located in a desert like countryside town outside of the capital Port au Prince. It's been transformed into an education oasis with a beautiful view, clear running water and flourishing gardens!

V of H School & Chapel

greeting the happy kids

The goal of the school is to raise the next generation of leaders. Our day visit began with each class lined up perfectly. A small group of kids, barely 6 or 7 years old came in tardy, but with cheerful faces that would melt you in a minute! They all joined together in singing praise songs, followed by their pledges & then headed off to class for final exams before spring break.

aren't they precious - look at the little black boots

they all have nice shoes for school

Our visit became extra special when they learned we brought chicken to be prepared for lunch! As the children exited the canteen, we handed out candy & salvation bracelets to each child!

One little girl stood out repeatedly throughout the day. She had on two different shoes! We wanted to make sure and get that situation fixed asap! This little guy was perfecting his lace tying!

It was very exciting to meet some of the soon-to-be graduates, who have been educated at VOH since the beginning! These children have a much brighter future because of the vision, hardwork, sacrifices and donations of so many people! We're so thankful for a small part of something so big!

The following week we returned to paint a couple classrooms while the kids were on spring break. Ever wonder how many missionaries it takes to open a can of paint!?!?

With ceilings over 15ft. high and atleast a years worth of dust & dirt, we had our work cut-out for us! First came scraping off glue & tape from the walls. Then we quickly learned how best to use a Haitian broom (dried straw & grass) with short & quick sweeps as to not stir up the dust too much.

Without extension poles for our roller brushes, we had quite a challenge painting up high, but that was quickly solved by handy man John. Small tree trunks with the ends carved to fit perfectly - better than any manufactured pole any of us had ever used!

As dinnertime approached, we had finished painting, cleaned up & set-up the desks for classes to resume the following week!

Haiti Poem - Stuart Returns

A poem written by Jody during our stay at The Hope House:

Stuart Returns

T' was the dark night before Monday -
Not a sound in the room.
When all of the sudden -

DEJA VU !!!!

Stuart came a sailin' !
and Rhonda went a scalin',
up the rail to the top bed -
scared out of her head!

"There's no broom! I'll use these palms!", Merrily said.
All the swishing and coaxing to get him out the door,
poor Stuart didn't know what to do, anymore!

And this commotion caused such a clatter,
Tim sprang to their door
to see what was the matter.

He had in his mind what he would do,
for he came over, armed with a shoe!

Scurryin', hurryin', up and around!
Running confused, in circles, Stuart found,
he sure didn't want to be smashed into the ground!

So out the door he went with a bound!
Finally, Stuart ran back to his nest.
After THIS adventure he needed a rest!!

Haiti Mission Trip March 2008 - Hope House

HAITI MISSION TRIP
March 13 - 24, 2008

Anticipation = to assume; count on; expect; forsee; predict; look forward to. All of these heartfelt emotions within us were just waiting to be reunited with the other half of our hearts that was still in Haiti from January 2004. Now, 49 months later, we again were landing on the tarmac of the country that brought new levels of dismay, confusion, frustration, anger & suffering beyond what we had ever experienced or witnessed. This was nothing though compared to the almost unexplainable joy, beauty, growth, blessings & peace felt above all else.

Haiti - March 2008
Hope House of The Lazarus Project

Our arrival into the capital of Haiti, Port au Prince, was met by Rev. Larry & Margaret Bollinger of Hope House (located just East of the capital.)

We were once again on a familiar ride in the back of the islands most used vehicle - a Daihatsu truck TapTap (open taxi) down the dusty, bumpy streets.


We couldn’t help but notice the familiar smells & sites of thousands of hard working Haitians all over the streets. Carrying goods in handmade wheelbarrows, sacks & buckets upon the heads & most wearing thin sandles or old sneakers or no shoes at all to cover their feet. Many traveling by foot miles across trash laden city streets, crowded street markets & communities, barren fields and rocky hillsides.

This time though, there was an enormous UN presence which reassured what we had already felt - no signs of danger. The clean, safe & comfortable compound of The Hope House would be our refuge for a week. Surrounded by gardens filled with beautiful plants & fruit trees, each dorm style room had modest creature comforts of bunk beds, generator controlled fans & a/c’s, warm showers and incredible homemade meals 3x a day served buffet style in the open air!

Our creature comforts also included a couple 8 legged visitors the size of tennis balls & one Stuart Little (aka - mouse) who thought it would be entertaining to climb up my bed post, within inches of my head, in the middle of the night.


(read STUART RETURNS poem in the next post)


But alas, most of us slept like logs and woke every morning to the gate buzzer rung by local children to see MaMa Margaret & the Americans who were visiting. Sarah, Starlye and other big eyed children charmed us, engaged in play and reminded us love does make the world go round.

GO TIM!

The first task at hand was to empty our 8 donation filled suitcases for distributing. These donations included a variety of medical supplies, vitamins, hygiene products, toys, candy, shoes, bandanas, jewelry & clothing.

When the local kids saw the brightly colored bandanas - it wasn’t long before more came asking for a bandana and to have it tied on immediately!

Our projects for the week included removing old paint & primer on an approx. 12’ x 30’ steel gate and then repriming it; cleaning & varnishing two large wooden cabinets, replacing screen windows; painting two 20’ high ceiling school classrooms & a 6ft. Mural on an exterior compound wall.

Each evening wound down with devotions written by each of the 8 team members: Pastor Paul, Merrily, Carol, Jody, Nancy, JoAnne, Tim & Rhonda. Then followed by praise & worship singing lead by accoustic guitar and closing with prayer requests & praises of thanks. Our stay with The Bollingers also included visits to other ministries. Life changing experiences to say the least! Stay tuned to read more about these special visits & much more in our posts to follow!

Once experiencing Haiti, part of your heart remains there........