Wednesday, March 21, 2012

hi

Hope you get this on time, I made a trip to Glasgow, Scotland and had my bag stolen from me with my passport and personal effects therein. The embassy has just issued me a temporary passport but I have to pay for a ticket and settle hotel bills. I've made contact with my bank but it would take me days to access funds in my account from Glasgow. I need you to lend me some funds to cover these expenses. I can give back to you as soon as I get in.

I can forward you details on how you can get the funds to me.

I await your response



Thanks.

Meg

Sunday, October 2, 2011

More photos to follow as soon as I have time to edit them down a bit

Flat Ruthie made it through customs (phew!) and even got stamped! She does not, however like the customer service or lack thereof of American Airlines at the Miami Airport.... They were anything but helpful. She enjoyed her window sunset view on the late flight back to ATL and tried to find her own baggage on the conveyor belt. Glad to be home. Much to pray about and process. Ruthie can't wait to come visit the classrooms and share all she has learned. And for Ms. Rosenthal's class and Ms Mazzarella's class..... Ruthie has ANSWERS to all your questions!!!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Thursday and Friday

Written by Guest Blogger Erik Mjourd
Today (Thursday), we visited a tent city about fifteen minutes from the Wall's House (where we are staying).  We were greeted by a member of the community that spoke Spanish, French and Creole and I, Erik, chose Spanish to translate his story to our group.  He told us about his community that was displaced due to earthquake damage from a small area a stone's throw away from where they are now living.  He told us that there were about 6,000 families (roughly 25,000 to 30,000 people) in this community alone (one of many, many tent cities in Port Au Prince), living in mostly UN provided tents and were struggling to survive.  We, however, were encouraged by his personal attempts to better his world as he proceeded to tell us about a program that he and his wife had initiated.  Simply put, he and his wife were working with a small group of young women and were providing instruction to young children of the community in the art of sewing, embroidery and crocheting.  Small, hand-made items are being produced for sale to anyone that might be able to purchase them.  The funds, in turn, were being spent for the children's elementary education which costs about 500 Haitian monetary units (Goud) to enroll and then 1,000 units (Goud) each semester to continue.  Their vision was to provide financial relief to the parents who could not produce the money necessary to put their children in school and to help them produce a sustainable income for their future.  This enabled the parents to use any extra income they might be able to produce to put towards the building of their new homes.  We felt very encouraged by their story and their vision.
Added by Meg:
While we did see this huge glimmer of hope and strong desire to work and provide for themselves, there was also a strong feeling of huge frustration on the part of our group in the fact that these people should still HAVE to live like this.  No one DESERVES to live like this.  Later this evening, we listened to Timothe (our translator and native Haitian) describe the Haitian viewpoint on charity.  We discovered they, too were immensely frustrated.  Billions of dollars have been provided for Haitian relief since the earthquake and very little of it is being put to use.  The tents from large relief organizations which were intended to be FREE to those affected by the earthquake disaster are being SOLD.  These tents were only intended to provide temporary housing, and yet 18 months after the earthquake we see these people pouring cement floors in front of their tent to shore the entry-way, installing windows in their tent to provide better circulation and adding personal "homey" touches, such as canopies and handmade decorations.  Timothe pointed out "If every aid organization involved since the earthquake provided just ONE permanent housing structure, the homelessness issue would be eradicated.  It is enraging that Billions of dollars are sitting doing nothing while thousands continue to suffer in extreme situations. 
The biggest impact is being made by small groups, such as ours, church groups and individuals who are able to function without the red tape and corruption and are able to JUST DO. 
We are encouraged by the fact that the little things we HAVE been able to do have gone a long way.  With money donated by YOU (thank you to those who bought sheets directly from me), we were able to serve PB&J sandwiches twice to children at Good Shepherd School in Pele (one of the poorest and most dangerous areas of town), we led Bible study and crafts to the same children at Good Shepherd three times, we held and comforted babies at the Sisters of Charity Orphanage/Hospital (and resisted the urge to bring each of those babies home with us),we established relationships with some young teen boys selling jewelry and keychains striving to make a better life for themselves, we visited The Apparent Project which proudly calls themselves an "un-orphanage", we distributed over 250 handmade lovies to both the Orphanage and to the children at The Apparent Project, we visited  Zanmi Lasante Hospital (started by Paul Farmer of Partners in Health) in Mirabalas (a beautiful mountainous region which we had not previously seen), we toured a small portion of the above mentioned tent city last night and will return again this afternoon to the orphanage, we donated 30 French/English dictionaries to youth yearning to learn, we donated hundreds of soccer uniforms to an organization which uses soccer leagues to encourage and tech youth leadership, we spend countless hours building relationships not only amongst ourselves, but more importantly amongst our new Haitian friends.  Overall, I'd say a little bit of effort CAN go a LONG way.  I'd like to personally thank each and every person who has made this trip possible through financial donations, physical donations, donations of time, prayers, good wishes and encouragement. 
Please continue to follow this blog as we continue to process our trip and experience and share more stories and thoughts (and PHOTOS!!!)

My dear, sweet Wesley!!! He continues to amaze me with his kind heart and leadership. J'adore Wesley!!!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Just bought a basketful of bread and jelly (pb at separate location)... Total was $97!!  Will make more pb&j for kids tonight. Headed now to tour one of many tent cities. We are also purchasing at least 15 tarps to replace/repair for families with the youngest children in tent city.

Flat Ruthie is eating well for lunch today at Walls House!!!Mmmmmmmmmm
Yesterday (Wednesday) was a truly amazing day in every sense of the word. After a rather tumultuous day Tuesday, this was even more welcomed! We travelled to Mirabalas (sp?) to visit Paul Farmer's hospital. I have read his books (you can find the links to the side on the webpage). His organization's name is Partners In Health.... And this truly explains his theory of treating people. As a Harvard educated physician who has also studied anthropology, he believes is treating not only the ailment, but digging further into cultural and social economic reasons as to why the individual may have gotten ill and reasons as to why he/she may not readily improve. It ALS happened to be in a beautiful mountainous part of Haiti. Can't wait to share photos and more details.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Patience and Humility

Written by Guest Blogger Angie O'Farrell
We visited an orphanage in Delmas #31 the other day, and we were each picking up the children, offering the gift of touch.  There were about 30 babies and about 3-4 workers to feed, change, and care for them.  How little these children must be held.  There were mothers sitting on the benches outside waiting to feed their babies when we arrived. 
As we prepared to leave, we placed each child back in his or her crib, and many began to scream and reach out to us again.  It's easier to walk away from our own babies at nap time when we know we will pick them back up after a desperately needed nap, but who knows when many of these would be held again. 
We said goodbye and made our way out. One of the mothers entered as we left and picked up her baby.  She took the baby to a bench and began to feed her.  Little did we know we had been holding her child the whole time, and yet she sat there and observed.  She was so incredibly patient as we consumed the precious moments that she had with her child, and simply smiled at us.  What a powerful ministry of patience and humility that she gave me that day
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."  Philippians 2:3-4

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Child at Apparent Project receiving her lovie.They were a HUGE hit!!!! We were unable to take photos at the Sisters of Charity Orphanage, but we know they will be adored there as well.  Many, many thanks to ALL of those who spend countless hours cutting, pinning and sewing (including my own Mom in Texas!). 

Tuesday, September 27th

Written by today's guest blogger, Andy Acton:
 
"We didn't see adopting as just having another child. We saw it as an act of justice, that we could do something to help someone out of a bad situation…God is pretty clear about taking care of the orphan."
Corrigan Clay of The Apparent Project, www.apparentproject.org.
 
Everything we do is an act of justice—
 
Presenting a Bible lesson skit at The Good Shepherd School regarding Jesus' healing of the paralytic.
 
Giving bandannas to hundreds of children (who have nothing more than the dirty hole-filled clothes on their back and raggedy shoes on their feet) and showing them several practical uses for the colorful pieces of cloth.
 
Attempting to keep a group of 10 and 11-year-old kids from shoving and biting younger ones to get a bandanna.
 
Handing out sandwiches and packets of water made with Haitian peanut butter and pine apple jelly to 200 children as well as the adult staff and construction workers at the school.
 
Putting together school benches with the assistance of some young and inexperienced hammerers.
 
Playing with the children of Shelley and Clay Corrigan of The Apparent Project.
 
Painting purple and orange squares on Shelley and Clay's living room walls.
 
Purchasing hand-crafted necklaces, Christmas ornaments and other art pieces to support the artisans and philosophy of The Apparent Project.
 
Forming friendships with the Haitian interpreters/YoungLife leaders and understanding their culture and passion for serving God and the least of these in their communities.
 
Listening. Empathizing. Struggling. Questioning. Lamenting. Crying out loud.  Laughing till our sides hurt.
 
Sharing a meal.
 
Praying.
 
Compassionately Loving.
 
Nothing is mundane. Nothing is ordinary. Nothing is worthless or a waste of time. Most of what we do, even with a drop of Christ's love in our hearts and the Spirit stirring in our souls, is an act of justice.
 
God's justice. God's kingdom. God's place for all people to be set free with grace.
 

Flat Ruthie made it to The Apparent Project. To say the founders are walking saints would be an understatement. Shelley and Corrigan have done such amazing work in such a truly mindful way, it is awe-inspiring.  Most everyone who knows me has heard me talk about the beads/jewelry made from recycled paper.  This just skims the surface as to all their ministry encompasses.  They have truly immersed themselves into a Haitian community and listened to the NEEDS, DESIRES and DREAMS of the Haitian people and have sought out ways of education and employment to give their community a HAND UP, not a hand-out. They are teaching community by living and respecting in this community. I left today even more inspired and awed by their work. When I grow up, I want to be just like them. Be mindful. Be respectful. Be inspiring, Be intentional, Seek justice And DO!!!!!!

Ok, so Flat Ruthie may like tap-taps, but I have a healthy obsession with them!!! I even got to "drive" oneYes, I admit, I gleefully shout out "Tap-tap!" everytime I see one, which admittingly is probably getting on everyone's nerves since these rainbows in wheels are as ubiquitous as taxis in NYC. But I sure do love them. I think of them as specks of glittery rainbows in a place in desperate need of cheer. 

Monday, September 26, 2011

Meg with our new friend, Makenzie.  This youth is quite the entrepreneur! He makes amazing bracelets. We bought all he had and are bringing them back to sell in the states and send the money back to Haiti. We found out he is also quite wise for his young age.... Of the money he makes, 1/3 goes to his parents to help support them, 1/3 goes towards his personal living expenses and to buying more supplies. The remaining 1/3 is put in savings! Wish we all were as money wise!

Flat Ruthie loves the Tap-Taps!! They are the public taxis here in Haiti and are usually brightly painted.  Some are quite elaborate.... Like driving rainbows.

Sunday

Last year at this point, the sheer devastation, despair and overwhelming conditions were all encompassing for our team. It was hard to see how just a small team of 15 could have any impact whatsoever. This year, while the massive poverty and devastation is still just as prevalent, those of us who were here last year are able to see places of improvement. Positive change. Hope in despair! There is less garbage in the streets. Last year the trash and debris spilled out into the streets and were in piles as high as the walls. This year, the city is still far from clean and there is still trash and debris, there are sections of the streets without trash. The piles of debris no longer impede traffic. Positive Change. We have seen freshly painted walls, the election posters have been removed, much of the graffiti has been cleanly painted over. Still, as I pointed out some of these positive changes to Noyo (a native), he slowly sighed, and said slowly “yes, there have been improvements, but getting our Haiti back is slow. Very slow.” I cannot imagine how depressing it would be to live and love a country, see the massive destruction of the earthquake throwing most everyone into tents and extreme poverty, and still be able to go about day to day normal life. Yet, these people are still full of beautiful smiles, warm welcoming embraces and doing everything they can to change their small spot in this world. There is something we should all learn and take from this: every little bit makes a difference. No matter the poverty, destruction, massive corruption and forces of evil against them, they dance on. Life goes on, and it is worth not just living, but celebrating.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

"The Holy Goats!" they are much fatter this year..... So good to see positive change.  :). The streets while still far from perfect, are much improved. We've seen some rubble cleared alot of fresh paint. HALLELUJAH for positive change!!!!!

Ruthie is making friends sitting with the Children of God

Church..... Letting the Spirit wash over us. Music is definitely an international celebration of love, joy and worship!

Group enjoying a leisurely Sunday morning breakfast

Ruthie enjoying a delicious breakfast at Walls House

We are here!!!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

We've made it safely to the airport and miraculously found all luggage! Now on to our "home"

We are on the plane (again) bound to Haiti. The kind pilot even let Ruthie at the controls! Phew! Ruthie sure is learning alot before we even leave the states. Bon sur!

Ruthie is getting on the plane!!!