Summer Haiti Mission Trip ~ Day 4

Chuck, Father Guy & Bob in Decouze

 Prayer Partner of the Day - Sally Block

Yesterday, I posted on facebook, "I've been chased by a peacock, sat thru a three hour worship service & sweated more than the last three months put together! Thankfully I can run fast, and now I feel closer to God and have beautiful shiny skin! It's great to be home in Haiti!" And that still rings true today!

The day started epically. I awoke early, and sat in my room quietly reading during morning prayers. As Bob passed by my room, he said we were leaving soon. I was awaiting the shower, and he assured me he had fixed the other shower. So I got in, and sure enough, the water came out. Ran it long enough to get wet. Turned it off, soaped up, and then... You know what happened... The water wouldn't come back on. In fact, the knob came off in my hand. It was an epic tale... I quietly hollered over the wall..."can anyone hear me?!" Sure enough, someone could, and they brought me a screwdriver to put the knob back on. Life was again good, and we were on the road to Decouze before 7am.

I rode over to our site with Brothers Olizard and Alabre. We had quite the sing-a-long, including "We Are The World," sung in harmony!

We arrived at St. Michael's Parish and were warmly welcomed by Father Guy. Chuck, Bob, and I are a well-oiled machine and quickly included our two new team members. We kicked into gear once arriving on site. We each had a partner, and off we went! We had the water running to the board from the reservoir, clean water running to the tank, and the recirculating configured. The board was mounted & completely plumbed by noon. With the exception of a cracked trash filter, we could have been producing clean water by 1pm! However, we took the afternoon off, relaxed at the beach and now we're back at the monastery, and looking forward to completing our project tomorrow.

Dedicated to the HUMC Team!

Yesterday  was fortunate to have a mango fall off the tree right beside me... Is there anything better than fresh mango? Juices running down my arms, mango stuck in my teeth! It was divine! Today fresh coconut was on God's menu, straight from the tree. Mmm...coconut water! It, too, was divine.

A special shout out to today's prayer partner -- Sally Block! As a Haiti-alum, she has been texting with wisdom and words of encouragement hourly. I am so thankful to be a part of her family! Hey Sal -- can you pray for me to "drop a few pounds?!" Okay, thanks!

Again, we thank everyone for your prayers. We couldn't do it without you!

Summer Haiti Mission Trip ~ Day 3

Prayer Partner of the Day - Emily Ronis

We had been told last night that work would have to wait today, as today was a celebration. The earthquake completely brought down the buildings, the monastery and the school of Little Brothers of St. Therese in Palmiste Au Vin. However, Brother Olizard Pranius is completely in charge with a vision of a brighter future. With the help of the German Red Cross and the Holy Spirit Haiti Mission, they have rebuilt the monastery, rebuilt the business buildings, and rebuilt the school. Today was the dedication of the brand new, beautifully buillt school building.

There were upwards of 150 people in attendance. All of the school children, many of the parents/community members, and even a few dignitaries from the town. Festivities started with an over hour-long mass led by the priest for the area. Ignace was rockin' & rollin' on the keyboard with a mixer! Thus, it was a contemporary Catholic mass the likes of which I've never seen! There was still the chanting by the priest, the singing by the people, prayers & a sermon, but Ignace jazzed up the music! The second two hours were filled with speeches by the brothers and reps from the German Red Cross and our leader, Bob McCoy.

The highlight of the morning was the school chorus singing "We Are The World" in English. It was beautiful...especially when you think back to right after the earthquake when the celebs gathered to make a new updated version to the song, featuring Wyclef Jean, a native Haitian. As Ancy & I were riding around Port-Au-Prince yesterday, I could finally see a bit of improvement, or perhaps maybe  my eyes were simply accustomed to the devastation. Either way, there is hope for Haiti. Hope for the children. Hope for a better future. I cannot wait to share this video when I get home.

The celebration continued at the monastery with a feast the women had spent all night long cooking. Then...we got to work. Our team of three from March is two folks heavier, and thirty minutes into the work, we hit a stride and had the system mounted on the board in less than four hours. (Pictures will come when I return home...or check out my Facebook page, as I post there occasionally.)

With our work completed early today, we are taking the opportunity to relax and enjoy the fellowship of the brothers... And I am doing school work! Let me take the opportunity to thank EVERYONE who is holding us in prayer! I have received numerous text messages, emails, Facebook comments and Tweets, and each give us strength, encouragement, and an outstanding dose of love. Our team is not just five people... It's the five of us PLUS all of you. We truly could not accomplish any of this without you.

A special shout-out to today's specific prayer partner - Emily Ronis! Emily is currently on her last mission trip as a "high schooler!" She is an amazing young women with so many talents and so much enthusiasm! We're holding you in prayer today, Emily, too! God be with you in Ohio!

The newest water system in Haiti will be mounted tomorrow in Decouze! Peace be with each of you today and everyday.

 

Summer Haiti Mission Trip ~ Day 2

Prayer Partner of the Day ~ Carrie Delisio

Greetings from Haiti! I am always amazed at how it really is like coming home here. I must admit, though, I was nervous as can be knowing I had to walk out of the airport by myself. There is usually a mob of people simply waiting to descend upon you as you exit the doors. I thought immediately of my prayer partner, Carrie, who assured me I would breeze right thru this, and as I said a prayer, a man appeared, holding a sign saying, "Ashley! I am Ancy's cousin! You can trust me!" He carried me thru the mob and brought me safe to Ancy on the other side of the fence. I was very thankful!

Our reunion was just like a brother & sister who had not seen each other in ages! We've talked for a solid 10 hours. 

Ancy & I took a road trip to Mirebalais to do a site survey for a potential installation. If ever there were a textbook site and partner, this would be it. They're a perfect fit for a solar-powered water system...and maybe more! With any luck (hint, hint, nod, nod) this will be the next project for Herndon United Methodist Church.

As though we were in a small town, we ran into Mannes and his son, and also Father Fruitho Michaud of Trouin. Also, after we dropped off Ancy, we ran into Pastor Evens on his brand new motorcycle! Apparently he lives right by Ancy...

Other notes of interest from the day ....

For all the HUMC & CCP readers, I inquired about the goats. Pastor Evens was happy to report Leonie is pregnant...but Ashley is not!

We stopped by to see Father Irnel at his home in Port Au Prince. He is very sick, very weak. Seeing him in such a state made me very sad and worried for him. He is not well at all.

Our team is now complete, with the arrival of Bob, Bob's wife Kathy, Chuck and another fella named James. We've arrived in Palmiste Au Vin, warmly greeted by the brothers, and after snuggling into "my room", it really does feel like we're back at home.

Carrie, a special shout out to you for your encouraging text messages today and your unconditional love and support. This one's for you.... And iiiiiiiiiiii!

Peace be with you!

Summer Haiti Mission Trip ~ Day 1

Prayer Partner of the Day ~ Carl Jones


When the alarm clock went off a bit before 3:00am this morning, I glared at it with an "are you kidding" me look?!" Then I remembered I was starting my journey to Haiti today! I wish I could tell you that sprung me into action, but at least I had a slight smile on my face as I slowly readied myself.

My prayer partner joined me in the early morning, thanks to his dog, and he provided the right words of encouragement right as I was on the verge of meltdown in the security line! His affirmation put my attitude back on track and then I found my husband, coffee AND Rick Pitino! Life would have only been better had it been Roy Williams instead of Pitino! Nevertheless, it was pretty neato!

The flight was uneventful. Naps occurred at the hotel, and now I'm enjoying fine dining before bedtime! It'll be an early night with an early morning, but knowing my dear Haitian brother, Ancy, will be awaiting me, it's well worth it! Tomorrow is a very full day! I'm so excited!

Peace be with you! Night night!

Butterflies & Honey Bees

So much for an early bedtime before getting up at 3:00am! Yes that's right, our alarms are set for 3:00am... Just a few hours away until John and I both have to be at the airport to check in for our respective flights. While he's heading back to DC, I'll be starting my journey to Haiti. It's the third time I've been this year, and I'm just as excited as I am everytime. My friend, Ignace, who lives by the monastery we'll be staying at, wrote me this week to say, "we'll be excited to welcome you home!" I just can't wait!

With the excitement building, sleep will not be easy to come by. I have been listening to music to soothe my mood, but Honey Bee by Blake Shelton continues to pop up on my iPod, which gets me to singing and smiling!

So here I lay with excitement and visions of honey bees dancing in my head!

Good night and good dreams...I hope!

Prayer Partners, Summer Haiti Mission Trip

What's the most important thing you take with you on a mission trip? PRAYER PARTNERS!

Next Monday, June 27, I'll once again be hitting the road (er, plane) to Haiti. I am so thankful to meet up again with my good pals, Chuck and Bob, and we'll be installing a Living Waters For The World clean water system at Sister Claudette's in Leogane, Haiti. My excitement level is through the roof for several reasons...

Ancy, my Haitian brother

First, I will be arrive almost a full day before the rest of my team. My dear Haitian brother, Ancy, will be picking me up at the airport, and we'll be venturing into Port-Au-Prince and beyond to follow up on a few surveys and connections. I am so excited to spend the day with him!

I can't wait to see Lucy!

Second, we'll be once again staying with the Little Brothers of St. Therese in Palmiste-Au-Vin. This was our home for our month-long trip in March. I cannot wait to see little Lucy and reunite with the brothers. When I say going to Haiti is like going home, it really is true.

Finally, I love partnering with friends and family in prayer, and this mission trip once again gives me the opportunity to do so. During the March trip, I was thankful to have at least one prayer partner each and every day. (See older blog posts - Prayer Partners and Prayer Partners, Part #2.) This allowed so many people to be a part of our mission trip, even though they could not physically be with us. God connected us for a month, and through Him, we were strengthened and our mission was a success.

Once again, I am hopeful to have a list full of prayer partners for our trip. While we'll only be gone 9 days, we will need your encouragement with every passing minute. It will be HOT and our work will be long! Your prayers will lift us up!

Who would like to join us as a Prayer Partner? We'll, of course, be praying for YOU, too!

Monday, June 27 - Carl Jones
Tuesday, June 28 - Carrie Delisio
Wednesday, June 29 - Emily Ronis
Thursday, June 30 - Sally Block
Friday, July 1 - Barb Black & Sarah Anderson
Saturday, July 2 - Barbara Shaffer & Lorri Ronis
Sunday, July 3 - Becky Field-Ross & Cook Family
Monday, July 4 - Sean Devolites & Diana Grace
Tuesday, July 5 - Jay Horstman

50 Day Song Challenge - Day 50

Theme of the Day - Best Duet Song

Today is the day! Today is the end of the 50 Song Challenge. I hope you've enjoyed playing along and making up the soundtrack to your life! Some of my picks were timeless and classics, while others were catering to my current music choices. Your soundtrack would no doubtedly be different each time you selected the music for the challenge.

Today's final pick is best duet song. Instead of simply picking a group with more than one member, like Lady Antebellum or The Beach Boys, I'm opting for two singers or two groups collaborating on a song. Perhaps this category should be renamed "Best Collaboration Song!"

Justin Bieber and Rascal Flatts recently won the CMT Best Duet for their collaboration on That Should Be Me. Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson made a superb ballad in Don't You Wanna Stay. My favorite is probably Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett on It's Five O'Clock Somewhere. (You can see my post about it by clicking here.)

Since I've used up these three in other posts, we will again go CLASSIC! Think the movie Grease... Summer Lovin' by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John! What a great song to end the 50-Day Song Challenge and what a great song to fall on the longest day of the year!

Won't you join me in singing... :)




Come back tomorrow as we explore Bucket Lists and begin packing for Haiti!