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.