Community

In our home church, FWC/ALIVE in Central, SC, there is a sweet time each week when worshipers tarry after the services.  Hugs, vigorous handshakes, slaps on the back, and maybe even a kiss on the cheek are the order of the day, as folks connect and catch up on family news and the weekly activities of one another.  Newcomers are welcomed and introduced around to others.  It's not unusual to see two or three huddled off to the side in prayer, or with heads together in intense communication.  This is a good.  Interest and love is shared; support is lavished.  Community happens.

While in Haiti, we joined 100+ Haitians in Port-au-Prince to worship under a Samaritan's Purse tarp, remnants of the earthquake all around us.  Three flapping walls; the fourth, a stationary barrier,  one of the walls of the rebuilt church which the congregation would soon move back into.  What a day that will be!

The day was breezy and the blue plastic lifted from time to time, letting the refreshing breeze roll over those of us seated close by throughout the extended service.  We hummed along with recognized tunes of the hymns which our brothers and sisters sang with feeling; we stood, smiled and nodded when we were introduced to the congregation; we marveled at the unknown tongue through the energetic sermon and sneaked unobtrusive peeks at the worshipers, our Haitian family, God's family.


After the service was when I noticed it:  people tarrying, the hugging, the slap on the back, the kiss on the cheek.  People were connecting and catching up on family news and what had been happening.  We were welcomed and introduced around to others.  Two or three huddled off to the side in prayer; some heads were together in intense communication.  Interest and love was shared.  Support was lavished.  We were witnessing community.

Whether in a lovely, air conditioned sanctuary or under a tarp, with a breeze providing climate control.  Whether in South Carolina or in Haiti.   Men, women, children - sharing life together. 

Community.

Se piti piti zwazo fe niche.

Knowing that we really would be hard pressed to develop authentic relationships with Haitians the Lord brought across our paths without speaking the lingo of the common man there, Larry and I have embarked on learning Haitian Creole.  Embarked with some trepidation!  Embarked with resolve! 

Daily, whenever possible, we finish breakfast and turn on the cd player to participate in language study with the Pimsleur method of learning conversational Haitian Creole.  " Totally Audio - Scientifically Proven - Interactive Lessons - Only 30 minutes a Day"    In addition, whether in our kitchen, walking around the circle with ear buds, or in the car, you just might find us concentrating on the lessons on the cds, this lilting juxtaposition of French and African sounding words, a unique creole with its own syntax and grammar.

Former short-term missionaries to Haiti, Amy and Jim Hardin, sent this program our way when they learned we were preparing for our year.  Thankful for their generosity!  Word is, Jim had a better grip on the language than any of the other new short timers.  We are hoping for the same success with this program as he and Amy enjoyed!

So far, after six sessions ( several repeated over and over and over til we "get it"!), we feel a little more confident about greeting folks in the morning and in the evening, asking about directions and asking if someone would like something to eat or drink, among other useful words and  phrases.  :)

Justine Iskat also sits us down weekly and brings a patient enthusiasm to her lessons of vocabulary and grammar.  She provides the nuances and usage patterns from an American point of view.

It's a slow go.  So,  if you notice Larry or me muttering to ourselves, or getting a far away look in our eyes with lips silently working, or thumbing through a Haitian Creole-English dictionary at odd times during a conversation, just say a prayer for us! 

Justine brought us our first proverb last week, from this country of proverbs - Se peti peti zwazo fe niche.  Little by little, the bird builds the nest.

And the application is apparent!  Little by little, Lord willing,

                                             We WILL learn Haitian Creole!!!

School Daze

Now is the time of year when America's roads are filled with the iconic yellow bus and the careful driver slows to a snail's pace in the neighborhood of a school.

When we were in Port-au-Prince last May, we noted neatly uniformed students on their way to school.  Their "school buses" of choice seemed to be the "tap taps"

 those gaily painted buses or pick-up trucks that serve as share taxis in Haiti.  Tap tap literally means "quick quick". But, they don't leave until they are full of passengers, so they may not be so quick to get a student to school.

Some school transport looks much like open bed trucks.  Hold on tight!

 Classrooms are filled to overflowing with students in the elementary grades. 

 



Some things are universal!  Eager students are the joy of their teachers, everywhere!

Well, Thanks for Asking ......

... how you can support us as we prepare and throughout our year in Haiti.

"TEAM BUILDING" is at the top of that to-do list I mentioned in the last post. It includes a gathering of folks who want to be a part of what God has planned for the people of Haiti, supporters through prayer and supporters through finances.

#1 - BIG item - PRAYER!

We need a strong cadre of prayer warriors who will commit to pray for us on a regular basis. (In fact, we are expected to have at least 50 before taking off for the field.)  We will make our needs known to you and covet your lifting them to the Father in our behalf. Knowing the value of concerted prayer (James 5:16) we consider this item a biggie!  Please let us know if you are willing to intercede in our behalf for the next sixteen months.

You can do that in a couple different ways.  Go online to http://wesleyan.org/gp/mdirectory2/WM29-0081 and indicate at "faith" under our picture that you will commit to pray for us there.  Or,  simply indicate in the Comment Section below this blog and we will get in touch with you. Or send us an email or give a call. Thank you so much for prayerfully considering this.

#2 - Financial Support

Larry and I have agreed to provide for our living expenses while in Haiti, which will include international travel, rent, food, etc.

We will be raising support for the expansion of the English and computer skills program, which, Lord willing, will continue long after our year of involvement.

$  3,000      Student computers 12 @ $ 250 each      (We found a deal!)
$  1,000     Instructor computer                                 (Another one!)
$    800      Projector
$  1,000     Curricula, Bibles, dictionaries
$  1,200     Expanded broadband 12 months @ $100/month
$  1,000     Paint & supplies
$  2,000     Miscellaneous, unanticipated expenses & in-country travel

$10,000    Total
To receive a tax receipt for your donation, please make your check out to Global Partners with #WM29-0081 (our account number) on the memo line. Send to Global Partners, P.O. Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN 46250.

Feel free to donate online by going to http://wesleyan.org/gp/mdirectory2/WM29-0081.    Just click on "give" under our picture and follow the directions.

Please remember, we personally cannot give tax receipts.  In order to get one, your check must be made out to  Global Partners.  In order for the $$ to get to us, it must have our Global Partners account number on it -  #WM29-0081.

 *** Oh, and one more thing - do send us an email every now and then (mail is not dependable).   We'll be hungry to hear from you!

That's it.  Thanks for considering being part of our team.