This is Beyonce. Yes, you read that right. Beyonce. She is one of only eight girls in my class. All the girls say that Beyonce is their best friend. She is always helping the kids around her. She has the attitude to fit her name. She comes off as very girly. She will often ask me to fix the barrette in her hair or tie a string on her shirt. But once you see her play soccer with the boys you will realize that she isn’t as girly as she may seem. She is a very strong girl but isn’t too strong to let her feelings show.  Currently, both of her parents are not living in Haiti but she has a girl named Nadia, who has taken care of her almost her whole life. She is a sweet girl and loves to make people smile. Please be praying for Beyonce. View high resolution

This is Beyonce. Yes, you read that right. Beyonce. She is one of only eight girls in my class. All the girls say that Beyonce is their best friend. She is always helping the kids around her. She has the attitude to fit her name. She comes off as very girly. She will often ask me to fix the barrette in her hair or tie a string on her shirt. But once you see her play soccer with the boys you will realize that she isn’t as girly as she may seem. She is a very strong girl but isn’t too strong to let her feelings show.  Currently, both of her parents are not living in Haiti but she has a girl named Nadia, who has taken care of her almost her whole life. She is a sweet girl and loves to make people smile. Please be praying for Beyonce.

Reality

Wow! I cannot believe it has almost been a month since I posted on here. This first month of school flew by so fast. I haven’t had much time to catch up with grades let alone write a blog post. But, today I experienced something that I felt I needed to write about. 

Living in Haiti comes with some major ups and downs. To start out on a light note I will talk about the ups. We get to be surrounded by beautiful children day in and day out. We are constantly surrounded by our smiling students faces. We get to be around awesome people. Haitians are some of the most helpful, loving people I know. We are surrounded by beautiful landscape and somewhat nice beaches. We don’t have to endure long cold winters. Now all of those things are great. But how quickly these things can be forgotten at a time like this. 

Today I went to visit one of my students houses. I knew that it wasn’t going to be anything spectacular. I had previously heard that it wasn’t in great condition but what house here is, right? I should have prepared myself better. When we walked up I could tell from the outside that it clearly wasn’t enough room for their family. 7 people. Mom, Dad and 5 boys under the age of 13. But on the up side they had a solid concrete roof. I was greeted by the mom with baby in tow. They brought out chairs and we talked on the front porch for a while. It is always a little bit of a touchy subject to ask to see the inside of their house if they don’t offer. But me being the Curious George that I am I had to ask. I asked my student to show me the inside and where he slept. The living room was small. It included a small kitchen table and a very old couch and chair that I wasn’t sure they should even be sitting on. Then he showed me where he slept. He took me into a small room. Right when you walk in you can see his bed but because they didn’t have electricity I couldn’t see much else. Still being curious I turned on my flashlight. I wish I wouldn’t have. The rest of the room was filled with things to practice Voodoo with. Liquids, powders, crosses, babydolls, etc. My heart sank. In hopes that my student couldn’t see my internal reaction on my face I turned off my flashlight. 

What do I do? What do I say? How do I act towards this? Do I act like I am shocked that this would be in his house so that he knows it’s not okay? Or do I act like I’m not sure what it is? Should I talk to his mom about it? Should I ask to pray with them? God, what should I do?

This is just one situation that many missionary I’m sure experience. It’s a situation where you want to help. You feel as human beings you need to help. You want it to be changed immediately. As I was walking home a million things came to mind. I can invite my student to come to church with me. I can invite him and his brothers over to my house ones a week, give them a good meal and pray and talk to them. I personally can pray, a lot, for them! I can figure out a monthly donation to give his family, but where would that money really go?

I am truly at a loss. I want to help but I don’t want them to become dependent on my donations. I don’t want them to think I’m undermining their parents ability to take care of the kids. I don’t want to end up making matters worse in the end. 

This is heavy on my heart tonight. I decided, for now, all I can do is pray. So will you please pray for this family? Pray that they will begin to be positive influences and role models for their kids. Pray that this student will be influenced more by his surroundings at school than at home. Pray that he knows he is loved not just by me and others around him but truly, simply, purely, wholeheartedly loved by God. 

Big on the Pig

CAUTION: IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TOWARDS ANIMAL CRUELTY, I ADVICE YOU NOT TO READ. THIS MAY CONTAIN DISTURBING DESCRIPTIONS AND JOKES.

So in Haiti there are endless amounts of distractions going on in the street. My classroom, along with others, is right on a main street in our neighborhood. It is not rare for a car with loud speakers to go by playing music or for a loud truck to go by. Or for people to stop and stare into our classroom. I know these things are going to happen so before hand I tell my kids that we act like nothing is different and we stay focused. AND ABSOLUTELY NO standing/looking out the window. But I, personally, wasn’t prepared for what happened today

As my students were taking a test I notice a couple older guys laughing in the street. No big deal. I carry on with explaining the test questions. Once the students begin working by themselves on the short answer questions we began to hear some squealing outside. Nothing to crazy. Just sounded like some people were trying to get a pig out of the way. But then it became louder and louder. I have heard the sounds a pig makes when it is being slaughtered. It is not a comfortable sound. At first, I try to ignore it but it gets even louder. I make sure my kids were staying focused. I was so proud that they were all working quietly on their test not even peeking out the window. They were doing just what I had told them to do when something like this was going on. But then after two more minutes of the obnoxious squealing getting louder, I began to think to myself, ‘Okay, why is no one acting like something is wrong? They are slaughtering a pig outside my classroom!! Why is everyone acting like this is not a big deal?’ I look at my teacher aides for some kind of look of discomfort. Nothing. Not even the smallest reaction. I could’t believe it. Slowly, the squealing became quieter and quieter. 

Thankfully during this time my sister Megan was teaching upstairs and couldn’t resist looking outside. I’m happy to report that the pig was not being slaughtered as I thought but rather just kicked and pulled. (Get it, like pulled pork.) Whether it was going to be killed at another time and location is unknown. All I have to say is “Rest in Peace Miss Piggy.”

So this is Judson and Rolderson. I picture them as being like Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. Therefore, I felt it was appropriate to put them together. They are great friends and always like to be near each other. They are currently sitting next to each other in class and do great. At recess the other day I was told I could create a football team with some of the boys in my class. And it’s so true! I have some big boys in there. (Remember, in Haiti it is not a bad thing to be big. It is looked at as wealthy because you have the money for food.) I often find Rolderson trying to wrap his arms the whole way around Judson. And of course, Judson is so used to this. During bathroom time or snack time I always look back and see them laughing together. Both are as sweet as can be and are typical 7/8 year old boys. I have loved every minute of having them in my class so far!

This is Widloveson. He is one of my smallest boys yet has one of the biggest personalities. He laughs more than any of my kids and ALWAYS has something funny to say. He has 3 older brothers at Sonlight and all of their names begin with a W. Therefore we call them the “W boys”. They are all sweet boys. Clearly they have a very strong, loving family. It also doesn’t hurt that his mom makes some of the best spaghetti around. She runs a little “restaurant” down the street. Every day she sells something along the lines of rice and beans but on Saturday morning she makes spaghetti. It is Ah-mazing! View high resolution

This is Widloveson. He is one of my smallest boys yet has one of the biggest personalities. He laughs more than any of my kids and ALWAYS has something funny to say. He has 3 older brothers at Sonlight and all of their names begin with a W. Therefore we call them the “W boys”. They are all sweet boys. Clearly they have a very strong, loving family. It also doesn’t hurt that his mom makes some of the best spaghetti around. She runs a little “restaurant” down the street. Every day she sells something along the lines of rice and beans but on Saturday morning she makes spaghetti. It is Ah-mazing!

School has started and it has been GREAT!  I was so anxious to start school and get to know my students. It has been less than a week and I already love each one of them. And I want you to love and pray for them too! In the next couple of weeks I am going to be giving little bio’s about each one of my students. This way you know who you will be praying for.  Pictured above is Saul. Seems like a great, laid back kid right? Well, he is. He has one of the best attitudes I have seen. He frequently ends up last when it comes to bathroom time and I have a rule that if you are last you need to make sure the bathroom is nice and clean. I expect a few moans and groans when they have to do this but Saul is more than happy to. Not only is he happy doing it but does a great job. (This could also be because he misses a few extra minutes of class but I try to look at the bright side.) Saul is also a great student. He is quiet when needed and loud when necessary. He raises his hand often but doesn’t get upset when he isn’t called in. All around good kid! Please pray that he will continue to have a great attitude and hold on to his positive outlook throughout his life.  Hopefully as school goes on I will get a chance to visit the kids houses. This will allow me to help you guys get to know them a little better and pray for more specific needs.  View high resolution

School has started and it has been GREAT!  I was so anxious to start school and get to know my students. It has been less than a week and I already love each one of them. And I want you to love and pray for them too! In the next couple of weeks I am going to be giving little bio’s about each one of my students. This way you know who you will be praying for. 

Pictured above is Saul. Seems like a great, laid back kid right? Well, he is. He has one of the best attitudes I have seen. He frequently ends up last when it comes to bathroom time and I have a rule that if you are last you need to make sure the bathroom is nice and clean. I expect a few moans and groans when they have to do this but Saul is more than happy to. Not only is he happy doing it but does a great job. (This could also be because he misses a few extra minutes of class but I try to look at the bright side.) Saul is also a great student. He is quiet when needed and loud when necessary. He raises his hand often but doesn’t get upset when he isn’t called in. All around good kid! Please pray that he will continue to have a great attitude and hold on to his positive outlook throughout his life. 

Hopefully as school goes on I will get a chance to visit the kids houses. This will allow me to help you guys get to know them a little better and pray for more specific needs. 

This afternoon we had a downpour in Pdp. Of course being the “whitey” that I am I decided to grab my camera and head for the front porch. As I sat there, I watched the kids in the street dance and play. I watched the people across the street set buckets outside their house to catch the extra water. To some people the rain means that they won’t have to walk miles to get water. For others it means that they have to scramble to get their belongings off the floor and cover their things with tarp before the water gets high and the roof starts to leak. I think of two of my previous students. Their house is no bigger than my own bedroom, divided into two small rooms. Their nice clothes, like uniforms and church clothes, are hanging from a small rope draped from wall to wall. Their house is in a valley where there is sure to be flooding. Their roof is nothing but tin nailed together.  When it first started to rain my immediate, very selfish, thought was ‘Good. Maybe it will cool off tonight.’ Needless to say, I was sitting in an air-conditioned house only feet away from a fan. People often say “You sacrifice so much to serve in Haiti.” Yes, we sacrifice spending time with friends and family. We sacrifice financial security. But when I am here I realize I have way more “stuff” than anyone would actually NEED.  While people are worrying about getting everything off their floors so it doesn’t get wet, some of my clean clothes are lying on the floor. My carpet is lying unharmed by the rain. My bed comforter is lightly touching my dry floor. I am blessed yet I am unworthy. I try to look past the material things that I have. But on days like these I wish I could trade lives with others around me. I wish that I could take away the worry and the stress that they have to go through just because of some rain. I can’t help but wonder why I was the one sitting on my porch not worrying about a thing while others were trying to save what little belongings they had left.  Why not me? View high resolution

This afternoon we had a downpour in Pdp. Of course being the “whitey” that I am I decided to grab my camera and head for the front porch. As I sat there, I watched the kids in the street dance and play. I watched the people across the street set buckets outside their house to catch the extra water. To some people the rain means that they won’t have to walk miles to get water. For others it means that they have to scramble to get their belongings off the floor and cover their things with tarp before the water gets high and the roof starts to leak. I think of two of my previous students. Their house is no bigger than my own bedroom, divided into two small rooms. Their nice clothes, like uniforms and church clothes, are hanging from a small rope draped from wall to wall. Their house is in a valley where there is sure to be flooding. Their roof is nothing but tin nailed together. 

When it first started to rain my immediate, very selfish, thought was ‘Good. Maybe it will cool off tonight.’ Needless to say, I was sitting in an air-conditioned house only feet away from a fan. People often say “You sacrifice so much to serve in Haiti.” Yes, we sacrifice spending time with friends and family. We sacrifice financial security. But when I am here I realize I have way more “stuff” than anyone would actually NEED. 

While people are worrying about getting everything off their floors so it doesn’t get wet, some of my clean clothes are lying on the floor. My carpet is lying unharmed by the rain. My bed comforter is lightly touching my dry floor.

I am blessed yet I am unworthy.

I try to look past the material things that I have. But on days like these I wish I could trade lives with others around me. I wish that I could take away the worry and the stress that they have to go through just because of some rain. I can’t help but wonder why I was the one sitting on my porch not worrying about a thing while others were trying to save what little belongings they had left. 

Why not me?

10 days. And BIG news!

10 more days of restaurant food, church in English, air conditioning, friends and family. 10 more days to soak in as much of the “easy life” as we can before we head back to Haiti. This time of the year is always bitter sweet. By this time I am definitely ready to go back, but I know that I only have a few more days to spend with family. We pack this time with a mix of getting everything ready and craming in a few family dinners and games. I start to think of all the cute little faces i’m going to see, the friends that I haven’t seen all summer, the new students i’m going to have the chance to love on, and the new people i’m going to meet. I do have one thing I am especially excited about…drum roll please….

My sister, Megan, will be joining Sonlight this year!

Megan came down twice last year for week long visits. During this time, and hearing me talk about it, she fell in love with it. To be honest, I went back and forth on whether I was really all that excited. But I came to the conclusion that this is one of the best experiences she is going to have and I would be extremely selfish to hold her back. She will be teaching 7th grade. This class is one of the bigger classes but supposedly one of the best. Naturally, I am a little nervous for her just like I was nervous for myself. I feel like I have been preparing two people this summer  because I’ve been trying to think of all the things she may need to know. She will be living with me and Cady in the “White house.” To avoid some sibling tension she will be living downstairs and I will be living upstairs (she gets the better air conditioning by the way.) As bitter as I may sound, I am really looking forward to growing closer with her. It is inevitable that we will be just as much friends as we are sisters by the end of the year. It will be so great to have someone I can talk to about anything and everything without having it cost 10 dollars.

We are in the process of starting a blog together. It will consist of both of our stories. A little mix of how an “experienced” missionary feels and a “new” missionary. We feel like this would be the best way to give both of our supporters the most information and news that we can. Once we Rock, Paper, Scissors on the name of the blog and I will be sure to post it to my Facebook and Twitter.

Please be praying for our trip back to Haiti and for a good GREAT year!

Home

As a self-proclaimed independent person, it pains me to say that I am truly missing home. Since my freshman year of high school I have said a numerous amount of times that I can’t wait to move out. Sadly, moving into my own apartment for college didn’t satisfy my “getting-away from home” want. I still wasn’t far enough away. It took moving to another country for me to FINALLY miss home. 

Lexington, KY is where I call home. As you may know I moved around a lot during my childhood. My time in Lexington was the longest amount of time I lived anywhere (8 years). At the beginning of last year I was in Haiti for a little less than 3 months. It’s safe to say I did feel a little homesick towards the end of that time but nothing I was willing to admit. This year has been a little different. 

The school year here goes from the beginning of September to the end of May. Teachers come down mid-August to prepare and leave only a couple days after school is over. We get a little over two week break to go back to The States in December. Before you even blink that break is over and you are back at it again for Spring Semester.

This past August, I had it in my mind that I would be back in Lexington in December. I only had to go 4 months away from home. But when I moved in August my family also made a move up to Massachusetts. Where we were going to spend Christmas was up for debate. When November rolled around we made the decision to have Christmas in Massachusetts solely because it would be easier to transport me and my sisters gifts rather than move the toys that Greyson would be getting. Not only was I upset that I would have to suffer through freezing cold and snow but I was also going to have to go another 5 months away from home.

So here I am. Sitting and writing about my bitterness towards where I spent my holiday in The States and the fact that I miss home. Needless to say, I miss my dog Riley, my bed, my REAL kitchen, and my car. You know, all of the selfish things you are not supposed to miss as a missionary. I admit…I miss it.

Since coming back from Christmas break I have had a strong urge to go to Port-au-Prince. Not really for anything specific but really just to see how much different it is than here. I hear so much about it that I just wanted to see it for myself.  This past weekend I was able to quench my urge. My family was here this last week and before flying back to the States they had to stay a night in P-a-P. Because it was Easter break I decided to take advantage of the time and go down with them. After they flew out on Saturday Brooke and Allison joined me for a little vacation. It was AH-MAZING! We stayed at one of the nicest hotels i’ve ever stayed at called the Karibe. It was beautiful. It was something I never imagined seeing in Haiti. Water fountain, big pool, restaurant, and salon and spa all actually working unlike other Haiti hotels. To put it simply we basically weren’t in Haiti anymore. I could not help but be taken back. But surprisingly I wasn’t shocked at how beautiful this hotel was. I was completely taken back that there was this amazing hotel and right outside our balcony there was reality. The above picture shows the view from our hotel room. Thousands of houses right on top of each other. Not to mention the tents that people STILL have to live in. It was amazing to me that at the hotel people were spending hundreds of dollars for the luxury of this hotel. The luxury of not cooking your own food. The luxury of not having to work and being able to lay around at the pool. The luxury of being in the air conditioning.  After talking about how in the world we deserved to be on this side of the picture, we came to a conclusion that we don’t.  Those people work ten times harder in a day than we even think of working. They walk to get water for their family. They find work wherever they can so they can have food for tomorrow. They spend hours cooking the food that they may or may not have. They deserved it. They deserved to have the luxury. They deserved to have a vacation away from their hard work. We didn’t deserve to be there; They did.  View high resolution

Since coming back from Christmas break I have had a strong urge to go to Port-au-Prince. Not really for anything specific but really just to see how much different it is than here. I hear so much about it that I just wanted to see it for myself. 

This past weekend I was able to quench my urge. My family was here this last week and before flying back to the States they had to stay a night in P-a-P. Because it was Easter break I decided to take advantage of the time and go down with them. After they flew out on Saturday Brooke and Allison joined me for a little vacation.

It was AH-MAZING! We stayed at one of the nicest hotels i’ve ever stayed at called the Karibe. It was beautiful. It was something I never imagined seeing in Haiti. Water fountain, big pool, restaurant, and salon and spa all actually working unlike other Haiti hotels. To put it simply we basically weren’t in Haiti anymore.

I could not help but be taken back. But surprisingly I wasn’t shocked at how beautiful this hotel was. I was completely taken back that there was this amazing hotel and right outside our balcony there was reality. The above picture shows the view from our hotel room. Thousands of houses right on top of each other. Not to mention the tents that people STILL have to live in. It was amazing to me that at the hotel people were spending hundreds of dollars for the luxury of this hotel. The luxury of not cooking your own food. The luxury of not having to work and being able to lay around at the pool. The luxury of being in the air conditioning. 

After talking about how in the world we deserved to be on this side of the picture, we came to a conclusion that we don’t.  Those people work ten times harder in a day than we even think of working. They walk to get water for their family. They find work wherever they can so they can have food for tomorrow. They spend hours cooking the food that they may or may not have.

They deserved it. They deserved to have the luxury. They deserved to have a vacation away from their hard work. We didn’t deserve to be there; They did.