On our way back from delivering Arilus' wagon we stopped at La Main Forte Ecole du LaBruyere for a meeting with some of the teachers. Although it was the start of school vacation, many of the teachers came for a meeting about the upcoming Teacher's Seminar to be held in August. We opened and closed with prayer. There was a comfort between us as we discussed what they would like to come out of the seminar. I felt that many of the barriers of the past had been broken down and that friendships continue to form. It was decided to have the seminar the first five days in August, 1st-5th. Pastor Dorlean is going to be working with a friend of mine, Tina, who is a teacher and has been our translator in the past. Tina will be representing S.C.H.O.O.L. since I will not be in Haiti at the time of the seminar. Pastor Dorlean is lining up two additional Haitian professors to teach the seminar. One of them will be a Government Professor and the teachers seemed very excited about this. In all with Tina, there will be three instructors and the classes will be broken down according to grade levels. Tina and Pastor Dorlean will work together organizing the seminar that will be attended by teachers from LaBruyere and Lassoudray. Pastor Dorlean will also bring in O'jemps, the director of the school in Lassoudray during the decision making process. A lunch will be provided each day of the seminar.
Although this is our 3rd seminar, it will be our first seminar utilizing Haitian instructors. We feel this is a wonderful step forward! The teachers requested that the topics taught have alot of hands on time so that they could retain more to teach with. Also, by being held in August it will be fresh on their minds as they prepare for school which is due to start in September.
We ask for your prayers as the details of the program continue to get worked out. Thank you!
ARILUS' WAGON
April 15th, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
April 11th, 2011 Arilus' New Wagon
Have you ever had a moment that you were totally speechless? Well, as difficult as it may be for some to believe, I have had a few of those moments:
One was on this April trip to Haiti. I had been searching for a wheelchair for a handicapped boy, Arilus,who I met last October. He lives up in the mountains of northern Haiti in a community named Baylee. Although I had some promising leads, things had not come together before leaving Maine. Pam Brochu, of Haitian Ministries, told me to remind her and she would ask at MFI, Missionary Flights International, when we were in Fort Pierce, Florida.
On April 5th about twenty minutes before our plane was to take off, I remembered to mention the wheelchair to Pam. Pam went to talk to someone. She came back and said "Kat, I think they have one, come with me!" I could feel my heart beating with excitment as I headed down the hall to talk with Richard Snook of MFI. Not only did they have something, but Dick described to me a special wagon made for the handicapped. He pulled up its image on the internet for me. Wow!! There were three different models to choose from. One was a wagon with a seat that you could peddle with your feet, one that you could peddle with your hands and one that someone else could pull. I quickly chose the one that could be pulled for Arilus. The wagon has three wheels that are made from a material that will not go flat and doesn't need air. It is called a "Pull Pet" and is made by volunteers in southeast Michigan. Dick then told me that they actually had one on hand at MFI and it could be delivered on Thursday to the airport in Cap Haitian!! (Our only cost would be the cost of shipping from Fort Pierce to Cap Haitian.)
Not only was I speechless, but I cried. Dick then took me out to see the box containing this precious cargo. I was unsuccessful in holding back tears, it was beyond my prayers. The "Pull Pet" weighed about 110 pounds and came with everything we would need to put it together.
Several times during the four hour flight to Haiti tears filled my eyes. I was in awe of how God orchastrated this precious gift. I pictured images of its journey so far, from its design, the loving hands that made it, the hands it had traveled through so far and its difficult journey ahead up the mountain. Tears and praise.
Let me take you back to last October, when I met this soon to be recipient, fourteen year old, Arilus:
Some dear friends, Pastor Dorlean and Assistant Pastors, Pastor Jean Claude and Pastor Pierre, started a church in the remote community of Baylee with Pastor John. I was invited to attend church with them one Sunday while in Haiti. Some of the children that attend a school we sponsor in LaBruyere make this trek down the mountain to school. It usually takes the Pastors about an hour, but with me along, it took an hour and a half to reach our destination. I thought that I was in pretty good shape but soon decided otherwise. The trail was narrow and steep in places. The temperature was likely just over 100 degrees and it did not take much for me to overheat. My face was beet red and I needed to really work at keeping hydrated. I imagine I was quite the site as we reached our goal, the church! I made a silent vow that once home I would work out before making this hike again. I found the veiws spectacular and the people even more so.
The church was made of palm leaves and had a thatched roof. Toilet tissue was scalloped from the roof inside the church like we would use party streamers. This was their way of decorating for God. After the service, I was introduced to many in the congregation. There was a petite mama carrying her fourteen year old son, Arilus. As I said hello, I could see Arilus' excitement. I asked if I could hold him. It was at that moment that he stole my heart. You could have lit up the night sky with his smile. His love was evident and held me captive in his obvious joy.
His mama carries him everywhere. I doubt she weighs one hundred pounds, yet God has given her strength to move mountains. She gave birth to a child with special needs and it is clear that God has equipped her to meet the challenge.
We were invited to share lunch that day with Pastor John and his beautiful family along with part of the congregation. They fed us abundantly with their precious food as we shared fellowship. It started to sprinkle so we quickly said goodbye and headed down the mountain before the path became to dangerous to travel.
Arilus and his mom were embedded in my mind, God's love shining through them. Pastor Jean Claude mentioned that he wished they had a wheelchair because Arilus is becoming too big for his mama to carry all the time. I prayed that God would provide such a gift.
ARRIVAL OF THE WAGON:
April 7th: Pam and Luke Brochu of Haitian Ministries headed to the airport to see off three of our team members, to pick up Aaron Shorey and to pick up our special wagon!
ASSEMBLY AND DELIVERY:
That afternoon Les Hutchinson, Aaron Shorey, and Pastor Jovite worked together as brothers and assembled Arilus' wagon. Les was at MFI when we received the news of this special gift. Let me just say that I was not the only one with tears in my eyes. Les offered to help take the wagon up the mountain to Arilus, but there was a conflict in schedules and was unable to go. Les sat in the wagon when finished and I pulled him a few feet, excited with how smoothly it pulled.
Pastor Jean Claude and Pastor Dorlean agreed to help take the wagon to Baylee and decided that Monday, April 11th was going to be the best day for them. Finally the day has arrived!! Pastor Dorlean and Pastor Jean Claude came to the mission house to pick up the wagon. This was their first time laying eyes on it and they had some concerns. The mountain trails were going to be too narrow and steep for it to be used in between Arilus' home and the church. I asked them if it was going to be worth taking or perhaps it couldn't be used. I tried to fight back my emotions. With some discussion in Creole that I could not understand, they decided that God brought it and we would deliver it. I was praying that their labor would be worthwhile.
We carefully loaded the wagon into Pastor Jean Claude's Suburban, then to my delight picked up Pastor Pierre to help. We rode as far as we could out past LaBruyere into the foothills of Grand Rivine until the road became too narrow for the vehicle to continue. We had many onlookers as the wagon was unloaded. We laughed as each of the Pastors enjoyed a brief ride in the wagon, pulling one another. Time to get serious now and start the hike. For a portion of the hike things went along quite smoothly with one pulling and the other just guiding the back as we started the ascent. After a little while, two young boys came along and excitedly pulled the wagon for a ways, giving the Pastor's a much needed break. Soon the path became narrow and steep requiring the young boys to relinquish their task. The rest of the hike was to be more difficult but an excitement hung in the air in anticipation of our goal. The three Pastors took turns carrying, pushing and pulling. We met some people along the way and word soon spread of the gift that God had sent for Arilus. Arilus' cousin came down to meet us and helped us with the wagon until it's journey was complete and delivered to Arilus' home. I found that this time I could acutally keep up and didn't feel that I slowed them down. Of course they were hauling a wagon!!
As I took in the view, I saw Arilus sitting in front of his home smiling, wondering what this was all about. I went over to him and gave him a HUGE hug! Although I did not think it was possible, his face lit up even more!! Pastor Jean Claude translated as I explained to Arilus and his mom, Madame Jacquelin how much they had touched my heart when I met them in October. God's love was so evident and shines through them. This gift is a gift from God and I pray that it can help make life a little bit easier. Then I picked up an already beaming Arilus whose embrace was priceless. I delicately placed him in his new wagon and was honored to give him his first ride. He laughed and was so excited! Pastor Dorlean made motor sounds and pulled him, Arilus continued to smile and laugh. We then showed Madame Jacquelin how it worked and that when you lay the handle down it works as a brake. She also beamed. She said it would help her to move Arilus around the small yard. He usually just sits on the ground and now he can sit in his wagon and she can move him easily into the shade as the sun shifts throughout the day. The wagon would also be able to be used at the church and a couple of other places. God is good!!
I can't help but think about the many lives that wagon touched just in the brief time I was in its presence. It had a way of spreading God's love that is beyond words.
A special thank you to God, Pull Pet, MFI, Haitian Ministries, Les Hutchinson, Aaron Shorey, Pastor Jovite, Pastor Dorlean, Pastor Jean Claude, Pastor Pierre and the many others who helped with this special delivery. May God bless you abundantly!
One was on this April trip to Haiti. I had been searching for a wheelchair for a handicapped boy, Arilus,who I met last October. He lives up in the mountains of northern Haiti in a community named Baylee. Although I had some promising leads, things had not come together before leaving Maine. Pam Brochu, of Haitian Ministries, told me to remind her and she would ask at MFI, Missionary Flights International, when we were in Fort Pierce, Florida.
On April 5th about twenty minutes before our plane was to take off, I remembered to mention the wheelchair to Pam. Pam went to talk to someone. She came back and said "Kat, I think they have one, come with me!" I could feel my heart beating with excitment as I headed down the hall to talk with Richard Snook of MFI. Not only did they have something, but Dick described to me a special wagon made for the handicapped. He pulled up its image on the internet for me. Wow!! There were three different models to choose from. One was a wagon with a seat that you could peddle with your feet, one that you could peddle with your hands and one that someone else could pull. I quickly chose the one that could be pulled for Arilus. The wagon has three wheels that are made from a material that will not go flat and doesn't need air. It is called a "Pull Pet" and is made by volunteers in southeast Michigan. Dick then told me that they actually had one on hand at MFI and it could be delivered on Thursday to the airport in Cap Haitian!! (Our only cost would be the cost of shipping from Fort Pierce to Cap Haitian.)
Not only was I speechless, but I cried. Dick then took me out to see the box containing this precious cargo. I was unsuccessful in holding back tears, it was beyond my prayers. The "Pull Pet" weighed about 110 pounds and came with everything we would need to put it together.
Several times during the four hour flight to Haiti tears filled my eyes. I was in awe of how God orchastrated this precious gift. I pictured images of its journey so far, from its design, the loving hands that made it, the hands it had traveled through so far and its difficult journey ahead up the mountain. Tears and praise.
Let me take you back to last October, when I met this soon to be recipient, fourteen year old, Arilus:
Some dear friends, Pastor Dorlean and Assistant Pastors, Pastor Jean Claude and Pastor Pierre, started a church in the remote community of Baylee with Pastor John. I was invited to attend church with them one Sunday while in Haiti. Some of the children that attend a school we sponsor in LaBruyere make this trek down the mountain to school. It usually takes the Pastors about an hour, but with me along, it took an hour and a half to reach our destination. I thought that I was in pretty good shape but soon decided otherwise. The trail was narrow and steep in places. The temperature was likely just over 100 degrees and it did not take much for me to overheat. My face was beet red and I needed to really work at keeping hydrated. I imagine I was quite the site as we reached our goal, the church! I made a silent vow that once home I would work out before making this hike again. I found the veiws spectacular and the people even more so.
The church was made of palm leaves and had a thatched roof. Toilet tissue was scalloped from the roof inside the church like we would use party streamers. This was their way of decorating for God. After the service, I was introduced to many in the congregation. There was a petite mama carrying her fourteen year old son, Arilus. As I said hello, I could see Arilus' excitement. I asked if I could hold him. It was at that moment that he stole my heart. You could have lit up the night sky with his smile. His love was evident and held me captive in his obvious joy.
His mama carries him everywhere. I doubt she weighs one hundred pounds, yet God has given her strength to move mountains. She gave birth to a child with special needs and it is clear that God has equipped her to meet the challenge.
We were invited to share lunch that day with Pastor John and his beautiful family along with part of the congregation. They fed us abundantly with their precious food as we shared fellowship. It started to sprinkle so we quickly said goodbye and headed down the mountain before the path became to dangerous to travel.
Arilus and his mom were embedded in my mind, God's love shining through them. Pastor Jean Claude mentioned that he wished they had a wheelchair because Arilus is becoming too big for his mama to carry all the time. I prayed that God would provide such a gift.
ARRIVAL OF THE WAGON:
April 7th: Pam and Luke Brochu of Haitian Ministries headed to the airport to see off three of our team members, to pick up Aaron Shorey and to pick up our special wagon!
ASSEMBLY AND DELIVERY:
That afternoon Les Hutchinson, Aaron Shorey, and Pastor Jovite worked together as brothers and assembled Arilus' wagon. Les was at MFI when we received the news of this special gift. Let me just say that I was not the only one with tears in my eyes. Les offered to help take the wagon up the mountain to Arilus, but there was a conflict in schedules and was unable to go. Les sat in the wagon when finished and I pulled him a few feet, excited with how smoothly it pulled.
Pastor Jean Claude and Pastor Dorlean agreed to help take the wagon to Baylee and decided that Monday, April 11th was going to be the best day for them. Finally the day has arrived!! Pastor Dorlean and Pastor Jean Claude came to the mission house to pick up the wagon. This was their first time laying eyes on it and they had some concerns. The mountain trails were going to be too narrow and steep for it to be used in between Arilus' home and the church. I asked them if it was going to be worth taking or perhaps it couldn't be used. I tried to fight back my emotions. With some discussion in Creole that I could not understand, they decided that God brought it and we would deliver it. I was praying that their labor would be worthwhile.
We carefully loaded the wagon into Pastor Jean Claude's Suburban, then to my delight picked up Pastor Pierre to help. We rode as far as we could out past LaBruyere into the foothills of Grand Rivine until the road became too narrow for the vehicle to continue. We had many onlookers as the wagon was unloaded. We laughed as each of the Pastors enjoyed a brief ride in the wagon, pulling one another. Time to get serious now and start the hike. For a portion of the hike things went along quite smoothly with one pulling and the other just guiding the back as we started the ascent. After a little while, two young boys came along and excitedly pulled the wagon for a ways, giving the Pastor's a much needed break. Soon the path became narrow and steep requiring the young boys to relinquish their task. The rest of the hike was to be more difficult but an excitement hung in the air in anticipation of our goal. The three Pastors took turns carrying, pushing and pulling. We met some people along the way and word soon spread of the gift that God had sent for Arilus. Arilus' cousin came down to meet us and helped us with the wagon until it's journey was complete and delivered to Arilus' home. I found that this time I could acutally keep up and didn't feel that I slowed them down. Of course they were hauling a wagon!!
As I took in the view, I saw Arilus sitting in front of his home smiling, wondering what this was all about. I went over to him and gave him a HUGE hug! Although I did not think it was possible, his face lit up even more!! Pastor Jean Claude translated as I explained to Arilus and his mom, Madame Jacquelin how much they had touched my heart when I met them in October. God's love was so evident and shines through them. This gift is a gift from God and I pray that it can help make life a little bit easier. Then I picked up an already beaming Arilus whose embrace was priceless. I delicately placed him in his new wagon and was honored to give him his first ride. He laughed and was so excited! Pastor Dorlean made motor sounds and pulled him, Arilus continued to smile and laugh. We then showed Madame Jacquelin how it worked and that when you lay the handle down it works as a brake. She also beamed. She said it would help her to move Arilus around the small yard. He usually just sits on the ground and now he can sit in his wagon and she can move him easily into the shade as the sun shifts throughout the day. The wagon would also be able to be used at the church and a couple of other places. God is good!!
I can't help but think about the many lives that wagon touched just in the brief time I was in its presence. It had a way of spreading God's love that is beyond words.
A special thank you to God, Pull Pet, MFI, Haitian Ministries, Les Hutchinson, Aaron Shorey, Pastor Jovite, Pastor Dorlean, Pastor Jean Claude, Pastor Pierre and the many others who helped with this special delivery. May God bless you abundantly!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
April 5th, 2011
Our teams first morning waking up in Haiti. I am always an early riser and anticipate the sunrise spreading it's rays over the day ahead. It's beauty never ceases to amaze me. It is like a personal message from God that each new day is filled with hope. I wonder what God has planned for the day ahead. Whatever it is, God has a purpose and I lay my trust in Him.
This morning is calm and quiet. It seems like a there is a peacefulness over the entire city of Cap Haitian. The roosters are starting to crow in welcome of the new day.
The few clouds are starting to turn pink with the promise of the sun's (Son's) coming. The mountain ranges to my right are starting to peek through. On a clear day I can usually see the depth of four mountain ranges. I wonder how clear today will be?
I see one fisherman out in his small wooden boat, napping as he waits for the suns light. A larger wooden boat is now going by. Five men are on board. Four are rowing the boat with one at the helm. There is a pile of fishing net at the back of the boat waiting to bring in the days catch.
The sky is turning that beautiful robins egg blue, but the sun has yet to show its beautiful glow.
Ahhh, here comes the sun!! There seems to be a bank of fog in front of it as it starts to peek over the horizon, keeping it's glory subdued. In a matter of moments it will rise above all showing its light to the world just like our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
This morning is calm and quiet. It seems like a there is a peacefulness over the entire city of Cap Haitian. The roosters are starting to crow in welcome of the new day.
The few clouds are starting to turn pink with the promise of the sun's (Son's) coming. The mountain ranges to my right are starting to peek through. On a clear day I can usually see the depth of four mountain ranges. I wonder how clear today will be?
I see one fisherman out in his small wooden boat, napping as he waits for the suns light. A larger wooden boat is now going by. Five men are on board. Four are rowing the boat with one at the helm. There is a pile of fishing net at the back of the boat waiting to bring in the days catch.
The sky is turning that beautiful robins egg blue, but the sun has yet to show its beautiful glow.
Ahhh, here comes the sun!! There seems to be a bank of fog in front of it as it starts to peek over the horizon, keeping it's glory subdued. In a matter of moments it will rise above all showing its light to the world just like our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Friday, April 1, 2011
April 2011 Trip
Just a couple days remain before I leave for Haiti! Here are some of the goals for this trip:
One of the main goals for this trip is to organize our third annual Teacher's Conference (1st Teacher's Conference to be run by Haitian Teachers). I will be meeting with Pastor Dorlean to determine who will actually teach the seminar. We will be reviewing the program to be taught, pay, as well as other necessary details.
I will be meeting with Pastor Herod from the school in Grondin. We have met with Pastor Herod twice previously and have made a commitment to take on his school by this fall for sponsorship. We will be getting everything set up and review our accountability policy.
I will be meeting with the school Director, O'jemps in Lassoudray to discuss some issues that had arisen making it necessary to pull out of their community. I want to encourage him and the teachers to attend the upcoming Teacher's Seminar as well as to pray with them.
We will be purchasing French Bibles for last year's sixth grade graduates and reviewing a possible class bible program for next year.
I am hoping to find local resources in Haiti for future purchases of index cards, crayons, as well as supplies for next years Teacher's conference, etc.
I am very much looking forward to having a daily Creole lesson!!
I am traveling with Pam & Luke Brochu of Haitian Ministries and staying at their mission house for the majority of the trip.
I will try to post a few times as internet allows. If you are in my group e-mail, you will probably receive a message that just says "new post" so you can visit this site.
Bondye Beni Ou!
Kathi
One of the main goals for this trip is to organize our third annual Teacher's Conference (1st Teacher's Conference to be run by Haitian Teachers). I will be meeting with Pastor Dorlean to determine who will actually teach the seminar. We will be reviewing the program to be taught, pay, as well as other necessary details.
I will be meeting with Pastor Herod from the school in Grondin. We have met with Pastor Herod twice previously and have made a commitment to take on his school by this fall for sponsorship. We will be getting everything set up and review our accountability policy.
I will be meeting with the school Director, O'jemps in Lassoudray to discuss some issues that had arisen making it necessary to pull out of their community. I want to encourage him and the teachers to attend the upcoming Teacher's Seminar as well as to pray with them.
We will be purchasing French Bibles for last year's sixth grade graduates and reviewing a possible class bible program for next year.
I am hoping to find local resources in Haiti for future purchases of index cards, crayons, as well as supplies for next years Teacher's conference, etc.
I am very much looking forward to having a daily Creole lesson!!
I am traveling with Pam & Luke Brochu of Haitian Ministries and staying at their mission house for the majority of the trip.
I will try to post a few times as internet allows. If you are in my group e-mail, you will probably receive a message that just says "new post" so you can visit this site.
Bondye Beni Ou!
Kathi
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