PRAYER…VISION…PLANNING…WAITING…FRUSTRATION…HEALING…DOING…CREATIVITY

As I was here thinking back over the last few weeks trying to figure out what to share with you the words PRAYER…VISION…PLANNING…WAITING…

FRUSTRATION…HEALING…DOING…CREATIVITY came to mind.

PRAYER

 I have spent a lot of time in prayer over last few weeks. Praying for a wide range of things from wisdom & guidance as I serve here in Haiti with the many decisions I must make daily…to healing from the many illnesses Satan has been attacking me with…that God would increase my ability to learn Creole so I can better communicate with my workers and children! The other night my heart was so heavy & burdened with prayer requests…I sat down and drew out a heart and began writing in that heart all my prayers requests. The verse that is the border to this heart is Philippians 4:4-8

“Rejoice in the LORD always…I will say it again” REJOICE! Let you gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near. Do not be anxious about ANYTHING but in everything by prayer and petition present your requests to God and a PEACE that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts & minds in Christ Jesus… FINALLY brothers whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things….I have learned to be content no matter what my circumstances!”

FRUSTRATION

The last few weeks I have had many moments of frustration for a multitude of reasons…some justifiable and some selfish frustrations…The following are a few of my moments of frustration

·         Getting attack with 1 illness after another (Staph Infection, yeast infection from antibiotics, upper-respiratory infection and Typhoid and to top it off I am getting another sore throat). I just want to do what I came here to do therapy and to love on these kids, staff, and families!

·         Language Barrier preventing good communication between families, staff and children. Preventing me from doing as much education as I would like and giving them the encouragement I so want to!

·         Lack of Water and the # of bucket baths…

·         Lack of Power and my good flashlight breaking which meant dark room once power went off

·         All the changes happening especially with the food here in Haiti

I could go on with more BUT the important thing is that God has taught me 5 important lessons through my frustrations the last few weeks

1.)    The importance of PATIENCE and how much I am lacking it…All the things above are due to my desire for instant gratification…I want to be better NOW…I want the water situation, food situation, power situation to be fixed NOW…I want to learn Creole NOW… I realized how this “instant gratification” mindset is so much more embedded in the “American culture” verses the “Haitian culture”. The Haitians are so PATIENT…I want to be more like the Haitians when it comes to PATIENCE.

§         “But those who HOPE in the Lord will RENEW their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not grow faint.” Is 40:31

2.)    The importance of having JOY despite my circumstances

§         "I have learned to be content no matter what my circumstance.” Phil 4

3.)    God’s strength is make PERFECT in our WEAKNESSES

§         “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”  2 Cor 12:9

4.)    My Heart and Flesh will Fail Me AND the only thing that won’t is CHRIST ALONE

§         “My Flesh and My Heart Fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Ps. 74:23

5.)    I must find my STRENGTH in Christ alone!

§         “The Joy of the Lord will be my strength!” Nehemiah 8:10

HEALING

Although Satan has been attacking my health and I have had 1 illness after another (Staph Infection, yeast infection from antibiotics, upper-respiratory infection and Typhoid and to top it off I am getting another sore throat). God has been faithful in providing me with the medicine and treatments I needed…amazing mission family to support me & pray me through it. He has taught me many lessons. I am praising God that everyday my health is improving…that everyday I have more energy…AND that daily he teaches me through the challenges he places in my life!

VISION…PLANNING…CREATIVITY…DOING

As I have been praying God has been showing me little glimpses and more details into what he has in store for me as I serve here in Haiti.

1.)    FJS OUTREACH PROGRAM: He has given me a deeper vision for my outreach program which I am super EXCITED about. Presidue, Nahum, Stephanie and myself are really praying over what God has showing me. We are praying on provision, resources, and sustainability along with the right timing on moving forward with each part. I will share more on this as God leads! Please be in prayer with us over this.

2.)    BUILDING/CREATING THERAPY SUPPLES: My Crate of therapy supplies (wheelchairs, trip-trap chairs, bean bags, tumble-form feeder seats, trampoline, sand for sandbox, scooter board ramp, therapy swings, etc.) has still not arrived. I am trying to stay positive & trusting someday they will arrive. Until they do though…my kids need better positioning. I was praying over this and God showed me the following ideas….

a.      KNEE & ELBOW BLOCKS: I have been working with a few of the severe & profound children on weight bearing through their arms and legs.

Many of the children are unable to do this without bending their elbows or knees and I do not have enough hands to support their knees and bodies or elbows and bodies. Presidue has been helping me make knee and elbow blocks for the kids that need them. Hopefully in the coming months we will be able to make needed hand braces as well.

b.  ADAPTED HAITIAN CHAIRS: the idea seeing if the Haitian who makes the little wood chairs would be willing to take custom sizes for chairs. After talking with him, he has agreed to try. Last week he brought the first sample chair for Niaka. It looked pretty good but needed a few minor changes to work. He said he will be back in a few days with another one with the adaptations. I can’t wait to see it and hopefully move forward on having him make one for each severe & profound Miriam Center child. Justin came up with the idea to use suspenders as the strapping on the chairs and Kimmy’s House has picked up some to bring in :-) I am so EXCITED for what these chairs will mean for better positioning for the kids. I am hoping to be able to then have the Haitian start making these chairs for outreach kids as well. 

     

c.THERAPY POSITIONING MATS: Many of the severe and profound children’s leg contractures are getting worse. I got the idea yesterday of using foam floor tiles and ductape to create floor mats with positioners ductaped on to hold each child’s legs in the most appropriate positioning.  I have finished 2 (Job and Emma’s) but have 5-6 more to go. Unfortunately I ran out of ductape but have more on the way :-) I plan on starting out having the children use these during the preschool but hoping they can progress to using them at night!

d.      PVC PIPE HANGERS: I got the idea for these a few years ago but was reminded of the idea the past few weeks. I want to create toy hangers that would hang over the children while they are lying down for stimulation and to provide them with toys to play with. I also want to make these for my outreach kiddos. Please keep your eyes out for toys that can be hung from these for me at yard sales or if you have babies that grow out of them.

e.       CORNER CHAIRS; STANDERS: I have a book about making therapy equipment in villages. I was flipping through it while I was sick and getting tons of ideas of positional equipment I can make. I plan on looking into buying plywood while I am in the DR to build some equipment when teams come in this summer.

f.       THERAPY TRAINING HANDOUTS: I want to make a some new training handouts for outreach including therapy ball, sitting/core-strengthening, neck strengthening, standing, walking, etc. I feel that we are ready to go to the next level and start individualizing therapy more and training parents how to work specifically on their child’s problems. Last year was focused on generally working with their child and learning techniques that would benefit all the children like massage, therapy brushing, oral-motor, etc.

g. Boppy Pillows: To increase positioning for tummy-time, prop sitting and feeding.

3.)    MIRIAM CENTER WEEKEND DAY STAFF: I spent all last summer pouring into the weekday staff especially the severe & profound preschool. My goal this year is to pour into the weekend staff so that the kids can have activities on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This past Saturday I helped them put the severe & profound in the birdcage for tummy-time with mirrors, vibrating therapy brushes, bubbles, and rattle play. It was so wonderful to see them so excited to be empowered to play/work with the kids. I am excited to continue with this.

WAITING

I feel like in Haiti it is all about WAITING...For example so many of my plans and  idea are on hold while we WAIT for the new Miriam Center building to be finished. WAITING for my crate to get released from customs…WAITING to get better…WAITING for supplies to arrive to start/finish projects…WAITING for equiptment to be built…WAITING for the power to turn on…WAITING for their to be water…WAITING to hear from God…WAITING for God to reveal His timing and His plans! BUT I am reminded of the song “While I’m Waiting.” The following are the Lyrics…

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

My First Week Back In Haiti

I am not sure how to put into words my first week in Haiti. It has been a hard week on so many levels but so wonderful on another level. I have processed through emotions of Happiness, Contentment, Joy, Excitement…but also through fear, anger, uncertainty. At times it feels surreal that I am really living in Haiti…My dream has been fulfilled…I am doing God’s will…what He has called me to AND that makes me Happy! I thought I would share the projects I worked on and some highlight moments from my week.

This week I focused on the following….

1. Settling In: I have a really awesome room that has space for me to have a small treatment room/office at 1 end and a bunkbead and shelves on the other end where Molly my ST intern will be staying with me. All my luggage arrived 3 days after I did in 1 piece BUT my carry-on which had all my books in it arrived chocolate covered. Took me a few hours to semi-dechocolatize. I unpacked all the toys and surprised Nahum and Presidue with the AMAZING new toys for the outreach toy lending program and the Luke 2:52 school.  It has been very chilly in the evenings and I am so glad I brought a pair of wind pants and long-sleeve shirts.

2. Cleaning/organizing the supply/toy depot: This is always a treat. When I arrived you could barely walk into this closet (I wish I would have taken a before picture…) I had to face many fears including 5 huge spiders…debri a rat left behind (fearing that every container I moved I would find it) and lots of dirt! The finished product though is a very functional space for outreach and the classrooms. The floor is nice and open and I might use it for another small therapy clinic.

3. Setting up a small therapy clinic in my Room: At 1 end of my room I have begun setting up a small therapy clinic where I can perform 1:1 therapy treatment sessions. I have organized bins of supplies, a desk area where we can sit to work, and a therapy matt on the floor as a work area as well. I am almost finished making therapy folders for each child ( I have 15 more bios to write and evals to do on kids). I am excited for the chance to do more individualized treatments with the kids.

4.Communicating/Catching up/Getting on the same page with Stephanie, Nahum, and Presidue: God has truly blessed me with an AMAZING team of loving/caring individuals to fight alongside me for these children. Being away for 6 months A LOT happens in Haiti and so it was great to get onto the same page with not only the leadership team but all the workers and Mission staff. This week has been full of changes and so we tried to meet frequently to discuss and stay on the same page. We did a lot of discussing the future with nutrition/options to boost it, supplies/supply runs to the DR, ways to improve outreach, the bags the outreach moms will make for redeeming gifts, etc.

5.Loving on the Kids!: Words cannot express how wonderful it is to hold, rock, kiss, hug, snuggle, sing to, dance with, and go through night-time routine with my kids…ANYTIME I want! So thankful for that opportunity.

Highlights Of The Week

1. Getting see my Haitian family/staff and work alongside them. I am so thankful for the amazing staff God has blessed the Miriam Center with. I love watching them love on the kids and care for them. Seeing the way that they fight for them.

2. Getting to see my outreach families and love on their children- especially George. George 3 years ago could sit on his own and play with toys. Last summer his seizures were so bad he could not move on him and had multiple seizures an hour. It was so wonderful to see him now after consulting with the seizure team & getting on seizure meds!!! Another child who has made great gains over the last few months has been Ralph. Ralph is walking with support under the arms!!!! Paul Frantz mom could not wait to tell me her son is now weight-bearing and standing with support.  I loved seeing the mothers reactions seeing I was back, holding each of the kids, and loving on them!!!  Most of all I LOVE seeing how empower Presidue is with running the program and pouring into these families and the result being all these children are making progress!!!!

3. Taking the kids to the playground- especially watching Jimson & Dan Kelly enjoying the playground

4. Working with Gildine on standing, Love-Jinnie on sitting, and Steven & Mary-Julie on walking and seeing them making progress.

5. Gilbert helping me learn Creole from the flashcards on my iphone

6. Watching the Miriam Home Staff run Miriam Home church and worshipping alongside of them while holding & loving on the kids!

Adventures Into Haiti

I left for the Pittsburgh airport this morning at 3:45AM. It was so surreal driving away from home…mixture of emotions so EXCITED to finally be fulfilling the call God had given me back in 2007…SAD to be leaving my family, friends, and animals behind for 9.5 months…TIRED because of lack of sleep with all the preparing…HAPPY…SCARED…FEARFUL...so many unknowns laid ahead.

When we arrived at the airport dad dropped mom and I off with my 3 bags at 70lbs, carry-on 40lbs and backpack 40lbs. He went and parked the car and then came back to help us check in.  1bag was 2lbs overweight & the lady behind the counter told me I would have to pay or remove some items…So I attempted to open my bag except the zipper was stuck…managed to get it open enough to take out some snack food, stapler and a few therapy supplies.  Because my bags were overweight I had to personally take them to TSI to check in. They asked me what was in each. My first thought was…”well, that’s a loaded question” lol.

My parents walked me to security and it was an emotional good-bye. I am so blessed to have such amazing parents who love me and support what God has called me to. I definitely could not do what I am doing without their loving support. I got right through security since I was flying first-class (in order to get my 3bags at 70lbs free).  Out of all the strange things that I had in my carry-ons…I got pulled aside so they could swab my sandals…REALLY…lol

I proceeded to my gate and boarded the plane with no problem.  The plane was a very small aircraft 1 seat on 1 side and 2 seats on the other side. We had to Valet check all rolling carry-ons. The person who took my carry-on asked how many people was in my group…when I said 1…she said are all those bags underneath with that tag yours?!?! Lol… My backpack would not fit in overhead compartment. I had to take both laptops out and cosmetic case and place beside bag in overhead compartment. We boarded at 5:45 and at 6:20 realized we still did not have a pilot on board.  I was in the first seat so could hear EVERYTHING going on. The pilot finally arrived BUT then it came across that the plane was overweight and they had to work on that issue. The pilot told them they could not take any fuel out of the plane bc we needed it all. Eventually when they got the overweight issue taken care of and the door was closed and we were ready to take off (only 30 minutes late). The pilot came over the loud speaker to report that the cockpit was losing air pressure and that they needed maintenance. We sat on the aircraft for 2 hours until they finally deboarded us. At this time I already new I was going to miss my connector flight in Miami. While deboarding found out the guys behind me were headed to Haiti. It was not until they stood up I saw that they had mission t-shirts.  I spent the next hour and an half getting to know the 3 young men. The leader of the group was from City Impact in Pittsburgh and had 2 of his young men with him 1 was a freshman in high school and the other a senior in college.

The Airlines was able to get all 4 of us booked on the 2PM flight out of Miami to PAP. We finally reboarded the plane at 9:45 AM and successfully made it to Miami in time to make our plane to PAP.

I got the rural treatment in first class!! The seats reclined in 3 different ways, own TV (which I didn’t use), a blanket, heated rags to wipe hands, hot mixed nuts, fresh iced tea, meal, fresh baked cookie, etc. BUT by far the best part of first class was the AMAZING Haitian women I met. We had a wonderful conversation about both of our ministries and families. She is what would be considered “higher class” population of Haiti. She lives in PAP. She has worked with the American Embassy but currently works with a program that help children and teens. Her 2 daughters are in college in the United States are full scholarships.  She would like to help me make connections in PAP to expand disability care. I tried to show her pictures of some of my children in the Miriam Center but she said she could not look at them. She told me I must be a strong person to be able to work with them. We had previously discussed the view of disabilities in Haiti as I had learned which she totally agreed with. As we talked I saw some of that view she still had. We also talked about relationships/marriage. We had also differed in views on this. My view is that I am willing to marry anyone who God brings into my life, who has a similar global mission minded ministry heart, a passion for serving the LORD and puts God first, our personality mesh well and we enjoy spending time together. Her view of the right person to marry is someone who is highly educated and in the upper class.  When I told her we had a surgery team that had come in and done tons of surgeries as the mission the week before her response was “what is the point of fixing people sight if they can’t read, write, or perform a trade and what are you doing to meet peoples basic needs, if people don’t have food in their stomachs then they can’t do anything.” I spent a long while answering these 2 questions. It was very interesting to talk to her. She gave me her # and email and said anytime I am in PAP she would love to have me stay with her and treat me like when her daughters. She stated that she loves seeing young people who are pouring into her people.

When we were landing in Haiti, I got so excited to smell the Haiti air, hear the sounds of Haiti, and oh so soon be back at the mission to hold the kids.  Made it through customs with no problems. They have redone the airport since I flew in last time and it is so nice! At baggage claim I had a Haitian who claimed me as the person he was going to help.  He helped us gather up all our bags and get them out to the car where we met Antoine. We all piled into this little SUV like car with ½ our luggage and the 5 of us. We started driving what I thought was to the small airport but realized we had been driving too long to be going to the small airport. My heart began to sink a little as I realized we were heading to the hotel. It was too late to fly Tortuga down to PdP so we would have to stay overnight in PAP.  It was very interesting to drive through PAP as I have not done that before and see the “city life” a little. My statement that I would never drive in Haiti got even more confirmed in PAP ;-)

We arrived to a very nice hotel where we got rooms. The group that I joined up with wanted to play some basketball. It was dark out and the lighting was not good but we attempted or I should say I attempted they all did awesome. You can tell they all grew up playing street ball. It was fun. I left halfway through to shower and try to get online to inform my family and friends I had made it safely to PAP and would be going the rest of the way tomorrow. I ordered some fried plantains and Limeonade for dinner while starting to type this blog and then ate some carrots and beef jerky back in my room I had brought from home. I slept pretty well, woke up to the cars, sirens, roosters, and hustle and bustle early in the morning but rested in bed till 8 when we had to get our bags out.

I spent the morning having quiet time and reading my Bible. At 12:00 our ride to the small airport had arrived. Once at the airport we waited about 2 hours to board our small 20 passenger plane to fly to PdP. While waiting in the airport I had the wonderful opportunity of sharing the Miriam Center with one of the ladies who was headed into build the playground at Salines Mayett and to learn more about her husband and her interest and involvement with the Miriam Center. 

I got naseaus on the small planes which is normal and was so glad when 50 minutes later we landed and I could get off. At this point I said goodbye to my 5 new friends as they were trucking straight to Salines Mayett and I got in a truck and headed to the main campus. When I arrived the kids were so excited calling my name and all waiting for their turn to get hugs and kisses. It was so wonderful to finally hold each of them and love on them. My staff were also excited to see me and gave me BIG hugs. Their first words to me after asking how I was and how my family was....They told me I had gotten fat and smiled, hugged me and rubbed my tummy. They were so HAPPY that I was back and FAT! :-)

Stephanie showed me to my new room (Justin's old one). She was amazing and had cleaned it, washed my sheets and cloths, made my bed and even hung some of the kids artwork up for me!!! The room is the perfect set-up for me. It has tons of shelves, open middle floor to some 1:1 therapy, a BIG desk running across the whole front wall and even 2 screened windows with curtains :-) I feel blessed!!!

Stephanie and Ashley were so excited to show me the new "American" store where you can buy pringles, milk, chocolate, apples, etc. AND it is even decently priced. We walked downtown to find it. It was so nice to walk the streets again. Stephanie treated me to a nice cold gatorade. On the way back she showed me where an ice cream shop went in where you can get real ice cream!!! 

When I got back to the mission I had some good cuddle time with Job before dinner. Ate dinner, had Bible study and then helped pass at nightly meds for the kids.

It has been a busy few days BUT it is oh so wonderful  to be home in Haiti!  

The Time In Between

From the time I ended my job in Philadelphia till the time I moved to Haiti was a BUSY month. I ended working in Philadelphia on Feb 1. I packed everything into my SUV on Saturday and started the drive back across PA. God truly open a wonderful door for me stay with an amazing women named Joyce who graciously opened her home to me for the 3 months I was in Philly.  It was hard to say goodbye but it also marked the end of 1 adventure and I was onto the next. 

I stopped for lunch towards the middle of state to meet a dear friend Marty I had met when I lived in NV. His wife and him were in Carson City in the same apartment complex with me. They were there seeking a specific cancer treatment for his wife Doreen. I became good friends with them over that year and have kept in touch with them over the last 2.5 years. They call me their “adopted daughter” Unfortunately with me moving to Vegas and them back to PA we had not seen each other for over a year and a half. Doreen passed away while I was in Haiti last summer so when I heard I got a job in Philly I was EXCITED to be able to visit my dear friend. We had a WONDERFUL lunch.  I drove straight to my friend Emily Bailey’s House in Oil City, PA so I could speak at her church the next morning. The last 2.5 hours of my trip the roads were horrible and with 4 wheel drive. By God’s grace I made it safely. It was wonderful to share with this congregation the 8 things God has called me to in Haiti (which I wrote about in a previous blog post) and share specific stories of children that fall under each. I have to smile at how God used the testing of my faith in Philadelphia to build the exact message I shared at churches! BIG GOD! I made it home Sunday night and just relaxed on the couch with my family.  Mon-Wed were spend ordering therapy supplies for Haiti, looking for missionary health insurance, setting up dr. apt. etc.

Thursday Feb 7^th I headed up to Erie for 4 days of speaking/fundraising. I stayed with a good friend Julia Campbell who is a 4^th year student at Gannon University going for Occupational Therapy. I first met Julie when I was a freshman at Gannon 8 years before when I played softball for the church she attended. I got to see Julia in a sense grow into the calling God had for her which was to go to OT school and see her love for missions grow! I am so EXCITED that she is coming to Haiti in May to do an internship under me.  On Thursday afternoon I was videotaped at Grace Baptist Church so I could share my story and calling Haiti. Grace Baptist has a dear place in my heart, as it is the church that really helped me grow in my faith the last 3 years of college. It is what I would consider my “home church in Haiti.” I had the blessing of talking with 3 of my dear pastor friends (Mike, Derek, and Al) before I left. I admire all 3 of them for their godliness and hearts for missions. I left Grace and went straight to Gannon to set up for a time of sharing with the OT students at Gannon. I absolutely love sharing the work I do in Haiti with therapy students because it opens their eyes to a whole different way of using their major then they may have ever thought before. I was surprised to see the fieldwork 2 supervisors from Sharon at my presentation J.  Friday was spent visiting my Gannon family & friends which was wonderful. Saturday we started preparing food and setting up First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant for the dinner Julia and I were having. First Church of the Covenant was the church I went to my freshman/sophomore year of college and the Kirk House is the Christian community house owned by the church, which I lived, in my sophomore, junior, and senior year. This church played a huge part in spiritual growth during my time in Erie as well. My parents came up to Erie to cook for the dinner. We had a GREAT turn out of over 100 people for the after church luncheon. Julia & a few of her friends played/sang a beautiful song, Julia shared her heart & call to Haiti and then I shared about my call to Haiti, some specific stories of kids, and videos/pictures. The fundraiser was a huge success.

Monday  Feb 11^th I headed down to Pittsburgh to meet up with my friend Molly to help her with her fundraiser at Archie’s Bar and Grill in Pittsburgh.  Molly is a Speech Therapist I met while working alongside her in Philly. After hearing about what I was doing, she felt lead to come and serve for 3.5 months to help set-up a ST program in Haiti.  She did such a wonderful Job with the fundraiser and it was a HUGE success! I have been blown away by the generosity of people.

I was suppose to go to Indiana/Lexington/Cincinnati area Feb 13^th till the 19^th but really felt the tug on my hear to cancel that trip on the way down the Pittsburgh. I realized I only had 2 weeks left at home, I had not seen any of my family or friends since moving back from Philly and I had so much that I still needed to get done that I had forgot to plan for like taxes, moving all my stuff from storage to the attack, going through boxes to see what I could sell, organizing/cleaning my room at my parents, etc.  After praying for about it I did end up making the hard decision to cancel that trip.

I spent my last 2 weeks at home doing all the things previously listed and going to dr. appointments, getting hair cut, getting new glasses, finishing buying supplies for Haiti,  making therapy folders for Haiti, making lacing cards and educational games, packing and trying to do as much visiting with family and friends as I could.

This is the longest stretch of time I have ever had between finishing up at school or a job then heading to Haiti. The most I have ever had was 1 week and the least was a day. It was nice having the month to get things in order, get rested up, and see so many of my family and friends.