Haitian Christmas Journals

In my last trip to Haiti, I posted a few stories of some events that occurred while we were there. This time I am going to disclose to you my Journals from this last trip. Enjoy.

Day 1

It's strange being back in Haiti. I really never thought I would be back here, regardless of the hopes I had. It has definitely been all of God's doing getting me back in this country. It's a different group this time, but so far its not a bad thing. There are the similar characters as last, the comic, the serious, the overly excited, and etc. I feel as though I take the role of the veteran. I'm one of the four people on our team that has been here before. I am not sure what exactly God has in store for me, but like the divine being He is, He has a plan. I keep praising God for this opportunity, the Tap-Tap, the airport, the people and especially the food. I was happy to see Jean Helix again. He has made lots of improvements on his house, and welcomed us in like usual. They had a typically large Haitian meal prepared for us on our arrival. Most people ate, and then we concluded our day of travel with a team meeting. Even though it's only 8:45pm everyone is heading to bed now.

Day 2

Today was our first day of work. I was very happy to hear we wouldn't be doing much construction on this trip. Seeing as my last visit we constructed a school, and repaired rafters for the majority of the time. An all so because we have again a lot of girls on this trip with us too. When we woke up I was sad to not see any mangoes for breakfast, but still the coffee and other fruits were as good as ever. We quickly ate and left for Marotiere. Marotiere is about 30mins north of Guibert and Kenscoff into the mountains. We rode as far as we could in the Tap-Tap then hiked to the location of the school we would be working on for about a mile. The clouds were low, and close to the mountains this morning. We walked through them for the majority of the morning. It was nice to see some of the older boys from the home had joined us to help today; Austin, Wilberson, Ginsly and Kenjohn. The school was in pretty bad shape, it definitely needed a good cleaning and paint job. We spent the majority of the day prepping the rooms, and cutting in on the corners, so that the following days would go by faster. On the way home I was able to ride on the back on the Tap-Tap like a true Haitian. It was nice to be back, to know what to expect, and being able to fully take part this time. Like usual we ended our day with a bucket shower, a nice meal, and a team meeting.

Day 3

Today was the second day of work. It's been nice seeing familiar faces, familiar sounds, and smells. We are working in a part of Haiti I have yet to see, we are higher in the mountains than I've ever been before. The area is beautiful and the neighboring mountain is one of the tallest peaks in Haiti. It's an awe inspiring sight as we work and walk during the day. It's funny to see how much attention we draw while we are here, because we are the only white people in the area. It's even funnier to think that I could be the first white person a child has ever seen, and maybe even the only one they ever will. But everyone we pass on the road or encounter in general always great us with a large Haitian smile. I am concerned about our team. I can see some conflicts starting to form, and issues with food and manners too. But as I see this I have to remind myself it is very possible it is merely warfare. The demonic forces know the power God has over the team and my heart for Haiti. I could only suspect the forces at hand swill stop at nothing to distract me from His plan.

Day 4

Today we had to get as close to finishing the school as we could. I was attacked ruthlessly last night, which continued into today by Satan. Needless to say this followed me into my work and there were time when I was very snappy and moody, and got very angry when people at lunch would not eat their food. The Haitians have been spoiling with us with our meals with mounds of spaghetti, chicken, french fries, and fruit. The amount that they are giving us could only cost thousands of dollars in their currency. A relief came today though when I was share some of these things with Jen, and converse about them. In other news I was able to talk to Ginsley and share with the other boys about life in the states and relate spiritual topics with them.

Day 5

I got a full nights rest last night on the couch. Jeff's snoring kept me up for to long, and it sounded like he was dying so I really could fall asleep while I was lying in the next bed beside him. Our last time to walk the mountain to the school is today. It's a satisfying feeling knowing that our task is accomplished. We only had to clean the floor and rearrange the desks and all would be done. It's such a joy to think that our three days of work will allow close to 300 children to have practically a brand new school. We later went to the Baptist Mission to eat lunch, and purchase gifts and what no. I got post cards, a gift for my mom, and a hat for a dollar. The only thing I really wanted was vanilla and coffee. Everything else is to common or too large to transport. We also have the privilege of celebrating the new year with Jean Helix and his church. As I am here writing in the sanctuary at something like 2:30am. It is freezing and the little ones are sleeping all over the team. We have worshiped in song, skit, preaching, prayer, fellowship, and now Pastor is informing his congregation about the Cholera that is spreading through the country. It's obvious that the church in Guibert is a light shining in a very dark place. This church is truly every sense of the Biblical word. They are reaching and ministering to every member of its community. Pastor Jean Helix told us last week they lead the local voodoo with doctor to salvation and burnt all of his idols and voodoo tools. It is a blessing and encouragement to hear these things happening in Haiti.

Day 6

Today is Sunday. In Haiti, not just Christian culture, Sunday is the day of rest. This morning as we went to church, where the markets are usually pack shoulder to shoulder, there were only a few people. On the road this morning, it was interesting to see Haitians walking to church in their Sunday best. This pretty much included a coat or jacket, collared shirt, tie and nice hat. Most women had on nice dresses and some even had on formal wear. When we arrived at church in Guibert, everyone had Sunday school together in the sanctuary for about an hour. Once that was complete normal service began, followed the typical pattern of any other church in the states. The only thing different was that in the end of this service Jean Helix called upon a man in the congregation to stand. In French he announced the welcoming of a new member, I'm not sure what his name was, but everyone one applauded like the usual. When we were done at church, finished playing with the boys, and on the way home Jen and Jeff let us in on what had really happened at the end of church. Apparently the man that stood up, the new member, had previously been the town of Guibert's Witch Doctor. They said that Jean Helix and other people from the church lead him to salvation in Christ a week ago, and went to his home and disposed all of his Voodoo tools, idols and other things by fire. In America we really don't have a very strong understanding of what it means to have these evil pressures tempting and attacking us. Where as in other countries it is a day to day thing, that forces people to either fall, or to completely depend on God. Such a thing that I know that I have no clue about. I find myself going day to day all the while not even acknowledging the Divine that allows me to be. These are the things that I think God is working inside me while I am here, and what will travel back home with me tomorrow.

Day 7

Today has been a day completely dedicated to travel. We've spent 20hrs in airports, airplanes, or cars.... I really don't have much to say other than Jen, Jeff and I's surprise waiting for us in the ATX parking lot. Once we finally traveled home we found Jeff's SUV with not only a flat tire but a dead battery.... We arrived back in Belton at about 12am when we should have arrived at 10 or 11. Other than the unfortunate ending the trip was good, and the next days and weeks will be dedicated to sorting through all that still remains with my life and missions.

7 More Days

As I am at my parents home in Normangee it is almost like a dream that in just a weeks time I will be walking into another airport to fly to the home of my heart, Haiti. There is something about that land, that is intoxicating, addictive even. Most people I have talked to have only heard of riots, disease, and corruption; never mentioning the poverty, which as Americans we will never fully understand. Though it is a dangerous island, when one visits the country most experience a surreal feeling, as if it was all a fantasy. When you hear about a place of corruption and where you are not allowed to be out at night one would not expect to find hope and love amongst its inhabitants, but this is the case. Haitian's have experienced so much heart ache in their country that regardless of a 7.0 earthquake, "the bad thing" as many refer to it as, or complete civil war they will never sacrifice their hope for better days for their country. Traveling to the island of Hispaniola and being around the Haitian people is an adventure, awakening the deepest parts of every man who ventures there. It is a enormous blessing that I have been gifted with the opportunity to be there again.

This visit the team and I will be participating in the typical Haitian and Christian holidays; Christmas and New Years. Our main project of the week is cleaning and repainting a nearby school. This is an area that Hope of the Hungry has just recently been ministering to, in that it is a remote village in the mountains where some of the people there have never seen a white person before. We will also be seeing the boys in Guibert again too. This is what I am most excited about, I have missed them to an extent that I have never felt before. Imagining the day that I am able to go be with them is still a day that I have to remain dreaming about, until I board that final plane to Port au Prince in 7 more days.

7in7: Day 6

I'm a little behind on updating my blog with this whole 7in7 thing. I'm finding the frustration of songwriting isn't really actually writing the song, but gathering the time to actually sit down and do it. As a full time student with a job, and other things I'm incredibly busy. Thus the hardest part of this excercise. Day 6 song is called 40 Days and 40 Nights.

Verse 1
It's a slow waltz
And you dont always get
What you wish for
But I'll be damned if I don't

I'd rather just wander
Into a desert
Than to settle for
Anything less than you

Chorus
Where are you?
Are you looking for me?
I've been looking for you
Where are you?

Verse 2
For 40 days and 40 nights
I've been dream'n up dreams about you
Your so close I can almost feel you
But still so far away

It feels like I'm going crazy
Feels like I'm losing control
But theres peace in knowing
that one day I will see you face to face

Chorus
Where are you?
Are you looking for me?
I've been looking for you
Where are you?

Instrumental diddly doos

Chorus 2
I've found you
Were you looking for me?
I've been looking for you
I've found you

Verse 3
So where do we go from here?
Where can't we go from here?

7in7: Day 5

Threw this together in the midst of studying hebrew. It's not my favorite, but it'll do pig, it'll do... Day 5's song is called: Promises

Verse 1
You don't worry about a thing
don't have a care in this world
i'm jsut your ball and chain
but someones got to way you down

Chorus
Cause you don't keep your promises to me
you just keep on running
don't tell me that you love me
cause your just gunna leave me when the morning comes

Verse 2
they way you move your hips around
everybody can see
you want back on the prowl
but you can't if you have me

Chorus
Cause you don't keepy your promises to me
you just keep on running
don't tell me that you love me
cause your just gunna leave me when the morning comes

Bridge
my father's fall, i hear its call, its wanting me to stay
your looks your charm is lock and key, around your finger you have me
the shine is gone, the new is old, and soon you will go

7in7: Day 4

They the hardest part of breaking a habit is getting over the 3 day hump. Hopefully the habit of writing bad songs is what I am getting farther away from. Here's my song from Day 4: Something of New.

Verse 1
its been a long long time since
these eyes have seen anything worth while
i've been a collector of things
particularly of roses, but none as wild as you seem
i'm not easily surprised, i've been around this block
and i've seen a thing or two
but when it comes to you, its a different kind of story
cause i never know whats coming next

Chorus
i am head over heels
its something of old
but you something of new
i dont know what to say
dont know what to do
dont know how i feel about you
i am out on a limb
this is something of whim
but im curious, im curious for you

Verse 2
the days of old
have had their hold on me for far to long
i've made plenty of mistakes
too many to count, but that don't bother you
every second i get to be around you
is like a fresh new breath
cause these weary bones have finally found
somthing that makes them come alive

Chorus
i am head over heels
its something of old
but you something of new
i dont know what to say
dont know what to do
dont know how i feel about you
i am out on a limb
this is something of whim
but im curious, im curious for you

7in7: Day 3

I've been fighting to stay alive during this exercise. It's much more challenging than I previously had anticipated and even more so as I try play catch up because of my knack for laziness.

This song came out of this state of tiredness and desperation, and in turn came out a little different than I had planned. It's called Rapture Me.

Verse 1
Days like today I have nothing
to give, to bring, to lay at your feet
would your mercy pour out
desperate hearts seek you now

Chorus
wont you come and take us
hand in hand to a place
where pain and sorrow can never reach
and we can dance around your feet
wont you come and rapture me

Verse 2
Every rise and fall
are counting down the days left to walk
its not these deeds that'll get me there
but this heart I have left to share

Chorus
wont you come and take us
hand in hand to a place
where pain and sorrow can never reach
and we can dance around your feet
wont you come and rapture me

Bridge
Take me down to the river side may I drink the water as if it were wine
wash me as white as snow may your blood overflow
may these weary bones anew and your light shine through
like the sun your rescue is sure to come

7in7: Day 2

This sucks. It's one thing to produce one song in a day, then have another few moments to go over it and essentially edit it. But now having to to to this in one day, 7 days in a row. . . its like being drowned in your favorite soft drink. You love it, but so much of it and your dead.

I did a little bit of roadtrip'n this weekend and it's put'n me behind, but I still made sure to gather ideas and basic melodies each day. Here's my song from Day 2: A Ghost Like You

Verse 1
I've never seen a ghost that's looked as good as you
I've never known a heart as cold as yours
I've never loved another like I loved you before
you up and left my heart broke on the floor

Chorus
You will remember
What you could have had
Regrets and misjudgments
Will haunt you
Till the day I die

Verse2
I've opened my eyes to see the world around
I've noticed that there are better things than you
So heed this warning, like a train whistle blowing
That I'm moving on, and nothing's stop'n me

Chorus
You will remember
What you could have had
Regrets and misjudgments
Will haunt you
Till the day I die