team and things

Canaan is a buzzin’! We have a team of 32 people arriving tomorrow and lots of preparations are in the works. Rooms, food, facilities, construction, and excursions are all being prepared. The men at Canaan have spent the past 2 weeks working feverishly to get the new dorm ready for the concrete roof to be poured by Team 32.

Steve Mossburg (a missionary from Columbia City, Indiana) and Boni Roth (a missionary from Washington?) have also arrived during the past week. Steve has been a great encouragement to me since his arrival. He is really wise and I enjoy talking with him. He also helped me finally get a cell phone. To provide beds for Team 32, I have moved buildings and now live in Steve’s house. It’s been nice staying somewhere that is more “home-ie.”

Personally, the past week has been a struggle. There has been a lot of little problems and conflicts and I am wrestling with several different things at Canaan. Priorities. The Spirit of Christ. Inconveniences. Purpose. Delegation. Classroom attendance. Time. Impatience. (I hope you enjoy a little mystery.)

It’s the little things that have kept me going this past week:

A Haitian teacher that received his first appreciative note from a student. JOY

A note from a 6 year old that simply says, “Dear Mark I love you.” LOVE

A bitter girl that apologizes to me. FORGIVENESS

Reuniting with a boy that I met during a hike 3 months ago. FRIENDSHIP

A Haitian guy that treats me as a friend. COMMUNITY

Craziness in Haiti

Yikes! So I showed up to the church service 30 minutes late today (to avoid lots of singing in 90 degree temps) and slipped into the back, hoping to go unnoticed by young and old alike. Almost immediately, the song leader asked me to pray for the message. Not a problem. When I asked who is preaching, the song leader said, “you are.” Completely unprepared, I rolled my eyes and went forward to pray. As I walked to the front of the room, I thumbed my way through my Bible wondering what on earth I would say. I saw Jeremiah 17:7-8 highlighted, with the word “Rooted” written next to it. Works for me. And fortunately, my heart was ready to let the Spirit speak. I am constantly challenged with how Haitian believers rely on the Spirit to work through them. I want to be more willing. Maybe someday I won’t roll my eyes.

All is going well here at Canaan. We are remembering the school near Port-Au-Prince that collapsed killing 84 people a few days ago, but we have no immediate connections there. Thanks for those of you that are praying for that situation.

Some quotes that have challenged me this past month:

“If you have two coats, one of them belongs to the poor.” - Dorothy Day (and Luke 3:11)

“Live simply so that others may simply live.” - Old Proverb

“The best thing to do with the best things in life is to give them away.” - Unknown

grace, grace

For the past week, we’ve had 5 Grace College (master’s degree) students visiting Canaan. It was a great week for them and our community here. They served and loved the children like few teams do. On Friday, they made a significant journey to deliver hundreds of bags of food to people still suffering from the September hurricanes. They also painted dorms, bagged food, relaxed at Club Indigo, visited another orphanage, and went on a significant hike to a natural spring.

There’s just something different about Grace (college that is). Canaan welcomes lots of teams over the course of a year (probably near twenty different teams). The two Grace College teams that have come during the past 3 months have been different. The teams have interacted with the kids and lowered themselves unto service more than other teams. Coming from an office (GC Admissions) that constantly tells people Grace is different, it is exciting (and relieving) to know that it actually is! Grace students serve others naturally and quite well.

All else is going pretty well here for me. There have been a few ‘speed bumps’ during the past month, but all in all, things are progressing and I am adjusting. Many thanks to those of you that are praying for my language learning - I have definitely had an increased desire to learn during the past couple weeks.

On another note, it has been interesting being in Haiti during the election back home. I do read about it, but I am not bombarded with the news as I am sure you all are. I look forward to the election results and the possible new direction for America. Regardless of the outcome, may we all pray more justice, less debt, and no war from Washington.

Following Jesus doesn't make sense

Jesus came not just to prepare us to die but to teach us how to live.
-Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution

I think one of the most important things I do during the week is speaking in chapel every Wednesday morning (which is a challenge being one hell of a sinner and all). Every week I have spoken about the Kingdom of God and I have been so challenged with just how radical the Kingdom is. I’ve talked to the kids about loving our enemies (and nonviolence), about storing up heavenly treasure (and giving to others), and about becoming great in the kingdom (through service). A lot of values that aren't logical. Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus wasn’t a missionary to the homeless…he was homeless. I think following Him is much more wonderful and difficult than I’ve ever imagined. I’ve been reading some radical books (like the Irresistible Revolution) and its challenged both the kids and myself. I want to start living less for earthly kingdoms (and nations) and more for the Kingdom of God.

Canaan is buzzin’ with visitors and stuff happening. This week we have a medical team of eleven people here and then the Grace College team of five comes on Friday. The kids are enjoying the visitors and the clinic helped over 100 patients today.

It’s hard to believe that this week marks 2 months in Haiti for me. Things are going well.

the past while in haiti

Sorry it has been a while since my last blog post! The past week was busy as I had 3 visitors come - my sister Debi, Elaine Angell and Natalie Pugin (from Lima). I took the time off of teaching to be their tour guide (a throwback to the ole' admissions days). :) They had a great time I believe - we did some hiking, swimming in the Caribbean, they rode in a tap-tap (the taxi), helped with hurricane relief, and even led much of the Sunday church service. I think the kids enjoyed Natalie's solo the most! She was really brave to sing a solo here and even try a song in Creole! It was so nice to have my sister and friends here.

They flew back to Ohio yesterday and since then, I have been hit with the flu that is spreading among the kids here. It's amazing how much more compassion I have for the kids and their sickness when I am sick too! :)

During the past week, I have been busy with the guests - and it reminded me why I am here. Because I was so consumed with the visitors, I didn't spend as much time with the kids. Several kids told me they missed me in school and one boy (Wesh) said he missed spending quality time with me. I think that is why I am here and I feel so used - these kids need consistent love. They get a lot of teams that cycle through (which is GREAT), but it is such a joy and privilege to love these kids constantly.

haiti is worthless?

Read this crazy email a friend here at Canaan received this week:

Dear Florence,

Tell your sister to immediately get out of there!! .... Haiti is an incredibly dangerous place. The authorities are corrupt and there is no end to trying to help these people who will do nothing to change their situation. I hope she gets home safe and directs her efforts and incredible kindness towards a more manageable result. A leader called "Papa Doc" was ruler of that place 40 years ago. Him and his son ran it with an IRON HAND !! Every one there seemed to take joy in being cruel. Goodness and kindness '"well intentioned people" sometimes are mis-directed.

Sally and Bob (names changed to protect their insanity)

life is more difficult here in haiti. i heard that said soon after arrived and, as i was putting my mosquito repellent on for bed last night, the thought occurred to me again. life is more difficult here. i can't go to the refrigerator for a glass of cold anything and I can't hop in my car and go to a movie or the store. to communicate outside of canaan, i use my "bit-e-bit-e creole" and a lot of hand signals to talk. to get on the Internet I have to wait for electricity. to take a shower, i turn the water on, get wet, turn the water off, lather up, and then turn the water on briefly to rinse off. walking is more difficult here too...everything is rough and rocky. No doubt....Haiti has been ruled by corrupt governments and there are no doubt many corrupt haitians too. (Though there may be more corrupt people in the U.S. though...we do have the highest percentage of people in prison in the world.)

But I've yet to meet the "cruel" people mentioned in the email. the people here are beautiful and sweet. I think Jesus loves these people a lot.

Joyfully "mis-directed,"

Mark

living the haiti life

I’m always at a loss of what to say on this blog. So much has happened this past week, yet it's difficult to choose the best stuff. Today was my second lesson in Creole and I am enjoying the language and I’m blessed to have a great teacher in Ismael.

Things at school are going well. I am particularly pleased to see that God blessed my decision to switch two teacher assistants this past week. Fortunately, the inefficiency I saw in the original placement was seen by others as well (just not vocalized until I made the decision). The kids are progressing well in their studies and this past week I restricted my help to the high school students - I enjoy helping the kids that are excelling the most. The school here does not advance based on age, but on performance - so the kids in high school are ages 10 - 18, but all have attained a certain level academically.

I am most looking forward to my October visitors right now! My sister, Debi Renner, and two friends Natalie Pugin and Elaine Angell are visiting me from October 1 - 8. Then three people (Tyler Egli, Travis and Amy Turk) from Christ’s Covenant Church are visiting from October 24 - November 1. October is going to be a great month!

P.S. I promised Wesh (my little bro) that I would post his picture. He is a very gifted student with great potential!

this week at canaan

Hello everyone! Haiti is still recovering from the hurricanes. People are still trying to pick up the pieces from Hurricane Hanna and we saw a lot more of the destruction this week. On Thursday, we drove to a town about an hour away that was hit especially hard. We saw a lot of destruction and the nurse with me saw a dead child in the street. It was the picture that she took that I will never forget. Absolute hell.

Last Sunday, I went to meet some missionaries that have a home on the ocean. It was surprising to find another buckeye living and working with them right now. His name is Matt Ruple and he graduated from Toledo Christian School and U of Cincy. It's been good getting to know him better since we met. A blessing for sure.

I love all the kids here, but Wesh and Jessica are my kids here. We talk, hug extra tight, love each other and tell each other often. Cool story - they don't get much for their birthdays, other than a speech and song at breakfast and notes/cards. Anyways, it meant the world to me earlier this week when Jessica asked me to speak on her birthday this year. Her birthday is in April. How sweet is she?

I was hoping to post some pictures this week, but the connection isn't allowing it. Sorry! Love to all there.

P.S. Got my flights home for Christmas. I will be home December 10 - January 3. See you then!

hurricane update

within a couple days of the previous photo, one side of the bridge collapsed as a result of hurricane hanna. this is a major road to Port-Au-Prince, that is now impassable by vehicles. they have since brought in the gravel shown to sure up the foundation until repair can be made.

also, once the waters subsided from Hurricane Hanna, 495 corpses were discovered in Haiti. It was worse than we imagined. More info can be found at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26574313/

hurricane season fo sho

hurricane gustav arrived last week and gave me a rather small view of hurricanes - honestly, the rain and cooler temperatures were really nice. Then Hannah arrived 2 days ago. She produced some pretty significant wind and boatloads of rain. While Canaan is blessed to have sturdy buildings (though all have their leaks), most of Haiti is not so fortunate.

This morning we ventured into town to survey the damage and to see how we might help the community. The following is a picture of what is normally a small river used for cleaning, bathing, and child’s play. You can see the river is quite high and moving today.

Please say a prayer for those in Haiti that have lost their homes or loved ones because of the storms. Also, I understand there are 2 more hurricanes on their way to Haiti, so you can pray for relief too. We haven’t been able to have school yet this week because of the hurricanes. It’s been fun spending time with the kids, but obviously they need school too. :)

Random tangent: yesterday I saw two little girls carrying the head of a slaughtered pig by the ears to the kitchen. Wow, you don't see that everyday. This evenings dinner was a little more difficult to eat - pork.

Thank Goodness It's Saturday!

Saturday is definitely the day of rest around here. After an exhausting week, I am so glad that there is nothing on the schedule today. I have been able to finally relax, get a total tour of the grounds, have some quality time with Jesus and other friends here at Canaan, do a creole lesson (creole is the Haitian language), and end the night by watching a movie with the kids.

The thing that motivates me most is the children here. They have so much potential and are blessed in so many ways. They are also very affectionate - holding hands and cuddling is normal. There is a family of 5 kids that I want to bring home with me (Joel, Marcelyn, Gerson, Linda and Tamara). They are so bright, sweet and beautiful. All the kids are really.

School is going very well. I am like the school teaching resource - helping people understand English constantly (students and other teachers alike). I actually feel quite useful in this role! Oh, and I found out yesterday that even teachers have trouble staying awake in school. I nearly dozed off several times…gravity and the 95 degree day really killed me.

This morning two young ladies, Yolane and Fabiola, were baptized. I understand they just decided to follow Jesus during group devotions a few days ago. I have included some pictures from the special occasion. Enjoy! Mark

1st week in Haiti

I’ve been at Canaan now for 4 days and 3 nights. I arrived Sunday evening and we started the first day of school on Monday (kinda crazy!). I am very encouraged by the children and the staff at the school. The learning is more individualized in this school, which allows each child to work at their own level. The children here are a constant source of encouragement to me. Most of the school day, I spend one-on-one with students, listening to them read, reviewing their work, or helping them understand their work. They are very sweet kids and I think they catch on to concepts quickly. Though the school is in English, Creole is their 1st language, so I am often amazed at how quickly they understand their work.

Yesterday the rain began. Although I know it’s part of a category 1 hurricane and I worry the danger it imposes on many in Haiti, I have enjoyed the break from the heat. We usually live all day in our sweat - but you get used to that pretty quick, so it’s not a great discouragement.

The greatest blessings thus far? Ear plugs and no diarrhea! The dogs and pigs can make quite a ruckus at night, so I have been able to avoid that and still manage to hear the morning bells with some nice Kroger Earplugs. And thanks to my step-mom, I haven’t had the runs! She gave me some vitamins which have worked like a charm. Thanks to sister Debi (for buying my earplugs) and Nan (for giving me the vitamins).

I do not feel entirely useful here to be perfectly honest. But that is okay. As I learn more and more and grow in knowledge, I trust I will be more useful (or maybe not). Usefulness and efficiency is not always God’s plan. A Canadian leader that is visiting Canaan asked me today what it would take for me to get upset and leave Canaan. I told him I am a stubbornly committed type. God has brought me here for a reason and even if I feel useless, tired or empty, I will wait for him. He’ll show.

The people here at Canaan seem to live and breathe God. (How arrogant or ignorant are a people that do not?) I am challenged by their dependence on Him and their frequent times of devotion and worship. It is not a burden to carry but a blessing to enjoy here. That is probably the real greatest blessing.

Love to all. Peace to all. Laughter too. Mark

i do not feel called to Haiti...but i am moving there.

Some people spend time wondering if God might call them to the mission field.  They spend time praying and waiting for that mystical feeling that the Lord wants them to leave the comforts of their home (and possibly their family) to share Christ's love with the poor, hurting and needy.  While I think that the Spirit works in this direct way with some people, I believe it should be the exception rather than the rule.  

I think as believers, we should ask what the Lord desires from us?  I think there are several answers to that question.  But here are the basics....to love Him and to love others.  To go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of our triune God.  

So I might as well say it...I do not feel called to Haiti.  That does not mean that I don't love Haiti or the people there....actually, just the opposite.  When I visited Haiti, I saw a tremendous need.  I saw children that I can teach and people that I can love.  What I saw was an ability to make an impact for God's kingdom.  

So, I propose these new formula for the "missionary calling..."

Is there a need?

Am I willing and able?

Then I will GO.

some pictures

Jefta and me

Wesh and me

The Caribbean Ocean

Sister Gladys, Pastor Henri, Steve Mossburg

About Canaan Christian Community

Canaan Christian Community was established in 1991 as a community of Christians that welcome people who need a place to belong.  Most of the 110 residents are children who either do not have parents or whose parents are unable to provide for them for various reasons.  The leaders of the community strive to provide a safe haven for all who live or visit here.  God has blessed us with land and facilities to provide a comfortable home for both those who live at Canaan as well as those who come to visit.  

The community is located near the town of Montrouis, which is about 1 1/2 hour drive north of the haitian capitol of Port-Au-Prince.  Located on National Highway 1, CCC overlooks the beautiful Caribbean ocean and the surrounding terrain is a rocky, dry, hilly landscape.  God has blessed the tree-planting efforts and CCC has become the only tree shaded community in the immediate area.  The buildings on campus consist of boys and girls dorms, a chapel, school, kitchen, dining hall, administrative building, staff homes, a guesthouse, clinic and a shop building.  

The government provides electricity 2-3 days a week, usually on weekends.  At other times, we have a generator that runs from about 6 pm to 11 pm.  Water for washing, cooking and bathing comes from a deep well on the property and drinking water is run through a purification system for added safety.