Faces of Chaveneau

Here are some random photos I took of the people (mostly children) in Chaveneau.....

Wideline (my friend Marie-Rose's daughter) with another woman whose name I can not remember right now- oops!  

Junior- he did not leave my side the entire trip.  

Anderson-  he tries to act so tough, but what a sweet young man!

Elizia-  Living in the church because her home was totally lost.  

A random young boy sitting in the doorway to the church.  

Manuel and Jephty returning from working on the road (an organization is paying locals to work on the road so they can have some funds to rebuild).  

Ti Stanley (little Stanley)-  this kid was ALWAYS hanging around.  He is ALL BOY!  (playing in the dirt, jumping off stuff, climbing in trees, etc.... )

Nehemie and little baby Jovani-  I have known her since 2010 too.  She loves to play with my hair.  

Reality (sorry- long post)

       By now you all know that I went to Chaveneau  just to “BE”.  I didn’t really have an agenda.  Yes, I wanted to practice Creole.  Yes, I wanted to visit my friends.  Yes, I wanted to hear stories and see the reality of living life in the wake of the hurricane.  But, basically I just wanted to be there.  With the people I know and have had relationship with for over six years.  I wanted to have some time to pray and to seek some answers from God about our ministry here in Haiti.  I wanted to go back to the place where it all began- this love affair with the country & people that have become such a part of my life.

       And, that I did.

       In the process God taught me.  He stretched me.  He grew me.  And, He showed me HIS heart for people once again.

        One of the lessons that was most impactful was just coming to understand reality for MANY living in Haiti- hurricane or not.  Education is important.  That is one thing that originally brought me to Chaveneau in 2010.  Pastor Duval had wanted me to talk to the community about the importance of getting a good education for their children but that wasn’t a difficult job.  The parents knew that with a good education their children would stand a better chance in life and would have many more opportunities outside of Chaveneau (or even if they remained).

       My first morning in Chaveneau the youngest of Isaie’s children (Dorothy) got up and ready for school .  She looked soooo cute in her little blue school uniform with ribbons in her hair and little black shoes on her feet.   She took so much time ironing pleats in her skirt in the morning before putting the uniform on.  She asked me to take a photo of her before she left and then she was out the door.

       About an hour later I was sitting on the porch at the church when Dorothy came back.  Tears stained her cheeks and I could tell there was a problem.  I asked her brother (who was home because he had exams in the afternoon) what was wrong.  He explained that they sent Dorothy home because Isaie had not been able to pay for school.  Dorothy could not return for exams or to continue with her classes until her past due balance was paid.

       When Isaie returned after working at the school she was told about the situation.  As one mother to another I could just see the pain it caused- and the embarrassment because I was there to see how she was unable to provide for her daughter.  I sat with her and we talked.  She broke down and cried openly telling me how tough it was since her husband left.  She had paid school for her older 3 children but had a small balance for the 4th one, a larger balance for her oldest who is in school in Port au Prince, and this big balance for Dorothy.  When asked how much she told me that it was about 6,650 gourdes (about $100 US).  She explained that if she could not pay for Dorothy that she would be unable to return after Christmas break and would need to repeat this grade next year.
She was NOT asking me for help.  In fact, she was embarrassed to tell me all this.  I could tell.  I know her well.  I explained that I know what a good mother she is and that Dorothy does too.

       Unfortunately, the children understand all too well the impacts this hurricane and loss of property (and need to use funds for things like mattresses or food or fixing the roof) have had on their mom and family.  They were silent as she called them together to pray and talk about the situation.

       When planning my trip to Chaveneau I thought I would need to sleep in the church so I when Redgi left I put all my money into the glove box of the car and away he drove.  I kept only a little spending money just in case someone in the church decided to make a desperate move and go “shopping” in my purse one night while I slept.  But, that was not to be the case.  Instead, Isaie had cleared a small room in her home for me and set up a bed and table.  Anyway-  the point is that I didn’t think I had funds even if I did want to swoop in and help.  But, as I prepared for bed I remembered that years ago Redgi told me that I needed to keep a secret stash deep in my purse in a compartment there just in case we were ever out and had car trouble or anything and needed money.  I knew it was there “for such a time as this”…..

       I called Isiae into my room and explained just that.  How I had an emergency stash for things just like this.  And as tears ran down her cheeks and her lip quivered I knew without a doubt that was what the money was intended for.
 
       The next morning Dorothy ran off to school and afterward Isiae produced a receipt to show that she had used the funds I gave her for paying toward her past due balance.  Not that I needed proof.  I know this woman is so honest.  But, to show that the figure she had given me was true.  The balance that is still owed (about another $40 US) was clearly noted on the paper, but this money I gave was enough to buy them time.

        I called this post “Reality” because THIS is the reality of Haiti.  Daily living is tough enough- much less when something catastrophic such as this hurricane comes along.  I understand the school still needs to pay their teachers.  I praise God it is still open and providing some sort of normalcy to the children in the community.  But, I was sad that these families are still expected to pay their balances with all the losses they have recently had.  But….. what other solution is there?  Sadly, none that I can think of.

          I just thank God that I was in Chaveneau at the time when my friend needed a little boost.  I know how that feels.  I have had people reach out and help our family in times when things were rough.  I praise Him for letting me share a little joy with this family.

        I think of the families who didn’t have their past due amounts paid.  The children who will have to repeat school next year due to this tragedy.  One more ripple effect from this storm.  My heart breaks at the thought of all those parents having to go through the same situation as my friend but don’t have the same ending.   Will they even be able to pay next year with all the loss of crops and animals they usually use to pay for school?  When I look around I don’t know how long it will take to recover or if many ever really will.

         This hurricane came…. like a rock thrown against an already thin piece of glass covering a window.  First there were cracks and you could see how delicate the situation was.  But now, you can hear the creaking and groaning under the weight of the rock.  How long until the glass cracks and the rock falls completely through?  How much other damage will be done in the process?  Will the pieces ever be able to be put back together without leaving scars/signs of the attempted repairs?  How will those scars affect the view of the world outside in the future?  So many questions…… only time will reveal the answers.

       YOU can be part of helping with recovery efforts.  It may not help fast enough like this situation, but you can let the people of Chaveneau know that they are not forgotten.  That they are loved- so much that strangers are willing to come alongside them to offer a little kindness along the way.  That they can continue to move forward toward recovery.  And, maybe someday they can reach out to another in need.  We never know how our actions can impact the future and the ways God can use a little to bless MANY.  Thank you for all your support!

Dorothy -proud to be home from school on the day her past due tuition was paid.  

Isaie - my friend (zanmi'm)

This was taken just before I left Chaveneau   Pictured eftL to Right are......  Ezechiel, Isaie, Dorothy, Me, Jephty (Caleb & Mis-Rose were at school)

       I love many families in Chaveneau but I truly consider my friend Isaie one of my closest friends-in Haiti or the USA.  Not because we have had deep conversations (though now we have- Praise God).  Not because we share the same faith (though we do).  Not because we are both mothers (but we are).  But because I have had lots of time to OBSERVE her.  You see, when you can not speak the language well, you sit a lot.  And, I do not sit still very well.  I am always doing something.  So,… if I can’t talk- I watch.  And watch.  And watch.

       Over the years and many trips to Haiti I have watched this woman raising her children.  I have watched her interact with love.  I have watched her discipline with firmness, but also at times with great tenderness.  I have seen her get up early to start cooking meals for her own children but also for me or my teams hosted at her home.  I have seen her sleeping on the floor in her main room because I was in her only bed in the house.  I have seen her eating a small plate of food while her children are eating large portions. I have seen her so tired at night sitting by the lantern sewing something for  a customer to earn a little money for her family.   I have seen the look of sadness, grief, pride, lonliness, etc… over the years on different occasions when she doesn’t know someone is looking.  I have watched her talk to her neighbors.  To pray with them.  To encourage them.  To listen to them when they sit and tell her stories (when I know she has a ton of work yet to do) And, I have grown to admire and truly love this woman I call friend in Haiti.

       Isaie has seven children-  Nadege, Jephty, Nazaire, Mis-Rose, Caleb, Ezechiel, and Dorothy.  ALL are very respectful and well mannered.  The three oldest live in Port au Prince.  Nadege is a nurse.  The rest are in school.  Isaie is the church secretary, a seamstress and teaches at a nearby school.  She lives on the church property in a home that is owned by the church.  It has three small rooms and lost most of the roof in the hurricane.  Her home & yard is the community hangout area since it is at the church.  Everyone in the area knows and respects her.

        When I saw where Hurricane Matthew was headed way back in October, I knew there would be trouble. I knew what a powerful storm did to well constructed homes after traveling to Mississippi and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina in the USA.  I could only imagine the devastation that Hurricane Matthew would to and, unfortunately, we all know that those predictions were right.  But, praise God for people like Isaie and her family in the community of Chaveneau- to arrange for and help us with distribution of food, supplies, seeds, plants, etc.  Praise God we know and trust her to know and clearly communicate the true community needs and to guide us as we navigate how to best help these people there.  May He continue to be her strength and may she continue to serve Him and be a light in this community.

       So…. here are some photos of the family so you can put faces with names.

Mis-Rose

Caleb

Dorothy

Ezechiel

Isaie

Ti Mango (Little Mango) and more...

        Thanks to the generosity of a man in the USA who bought them, we were able to pick up and deliver about 130 small trees to the community of Chaveneau.  Most were little mango trees, but there were also moringa, cherry, key lime, avocado, and breadfruit.  These trees will be handed out to the community TODAY (12/18) after church along with a piece of wire fence to keep animals from eating them until they are bigger and stronger.  Each family will also receive some rice we purchased in pouches- fortified with lots of vitamins and minerals.  The quantity will depend on the number of families at church.  We bought 10 boxes (36 pouches per box) to distribute.

        If you look at the photos you can see how many trees in Chaveneau are starting to push growth again.  But, many were broken and severely damaged in the storm.  These will not grow back properly and will be prone to disease, insects, and breaking again under the weight of fruits.  So…. these little trees will be perfect.  By the time they are big enough to produce fruit (about 1-2 years) the others will most likely be showing signs of stress and problems.

         Thank you, DAVID for answering God’s call to help!  What a blessing- photos to follow of the distribution.

Here are some of the mango trees (with a few moringa in the background).  

Grandpa

I told you of Widelande and her family in another blog.  I was prepared (somewhat) for what I would find when I got to her house.  On the way there we had talked about the experience, losing her home, riding out the storm by hiding under a table as the walls fell, etc....  But, when we got there I saw something I was not prepared for.  You see, her family is now living at the church.  All except for "Grandpa".  Grandpa is not a Christian so he refuses to stay at the church.  Instead, he chooses to stay on their old property- living in an area that used to be a porch.  He has fashioned it into a little room for sleeping by covering it with a tarp and some tin.

I didn't meet Grandpa because he was not there when I was, but I can just imagine this old man laying on an old salvaged door with his little blanket as a cover.  His jeans and a few other clothes lay around in the room he calls home now.  How quiet and lonely it must be at night.

The sad part?  He is TRULY alone out there.  He doesn't know the comfort and peace that only comes from Jesus.  I can't even begin to imagine what that is like.  I can't imagine going through what some of these people went through in the storm, but to do so without faith is beyond what I can grasp.  My comfort comes in knowing that though I might feel alone, I am never truly alone.  I have a God who loves me and will care for me. And, should my physical body perish in the process, I have the assurance that I will be with Him in paradise- where there is no more suffering or pain.  But, this man doesn't have that.  It truly broke my heart for him.

I asked Widelande if I could have a few minutes there- in quiet.  I prayed for him.  I prayed he comes to know God through this situation.  I prayed for his family who can be a witness of God's provision and protection.  Will you join me in praying for "Grandpa"??  (I lost the paper with his name, but God knows)


**Also... if you feel led to give financially to our Hurricane Matthew Recovery efforts we will use the funds to replace animals lost and (if we get enough funds) to help with rebuilding homes like this.

"Grandpa's" room before the storm was here.  This was his bed.  The wall fell and crushed it.  They told me many people were hiding under their beds when walls fell and they were crushed.  

The room where the tarp is used to be a porch.  He has covered it with tin and the tarp and now sleeps in there (behind that little rusty tin door held up by a stick).  The area behind that dresser in the foreground is where his room used to be (see photo above)

Another view of the door into Grandpa's house.  

We removed the door so I could see inside.  There are planks on the ground and an old door.  This is where he sleeps at night.  Here is where I sat to pray for him!  Oh Lord, how I pray he comes to know you who protected him in the storm.  

Another view-  this one shows the new house on the right- made from scraps of tin, trees that fell in the storm and crushed block for the foundation.  TRULY a humbling experience and one I will never forget.  Please pray for this family!  

Jude's family

I have known Jude's family since September of 2010 when I first visited Chaveneau.  Jude was so little at the time but absolutely adorable.  He was also sooooo serious all the time and quite timid.  His mom would come visit when I would stay in the community and he would always be hanging out in the shadows observing me but would never talk or really interact much.  It got to the point where they would tease that he was my boyfriend and the reason I came to Chaveneau (they would mostly say this to Ron to tease him).  As time went by though, Jude warmed up to me.  I got to know his whole family- mom, dad, brother (Wendy), and sister (Widelande).  They were one of the first families I asked about after the storm.

 I heard their house "broke" in the hurricane and that they were among the families living at the church.  Again, this was something my head knew, but my heart didn't understand completely until this past week.  It was only once I stayed for a few days that I saw them coming and going from what used to be the church office.  It is a room about 10 x 10 if that.  I asked Caleb (one of Isaie's sons) who was staying in that office and he told me Jude's family lived there now.  ALL FIVE OF THEM.  In a room about 10 x 10!

But, they are among the fortunate ones.  They can lock up their personal items during the day because the church office has a door that can close and lock.  Others living in the church can not do the same.  Others must pile their belongings in corners of the church and hide them under blankets that turn into sleeping mats or covers at night.  When they leave for the day to go work on rebuilding some sort of shelter they trust that their things will be safe.

So.... when I got to Chaveneau and saw Widelande I asked her to take me to see her home.  Tuesday morning she did just that.  We took a LONG walk through the fields and up/down steep hillsides.  We crossed the river by wading ankle deep in water.  And, when we arrived I got to see where their home used to be.  I got to hear her story of six of them huddled on top of one another under a small table during the hurricane because their home was falling around them.  I got to see where her bedroom (shared with her brother, Wendy) used to be.  I got to see the bits of furniture left among the rubble.  And, as I stood there, I got to pray with her and thank God for his protection over their lives.  We cried together.  We talked together.  I saw sadness in her eyes as she looked around- probably thinking about how I was viewing things for the first time.  Again, there is something about hearing about a situation (like you are now) and standing there in the middle of all the debris and experiencing it yourself.

The beauty?  There was MUCH, but one of the best things was seeing and hearing how their father has gone over to the property every day to salvage what he can.  He has rebuilt them a temporary home - next to the original foundation.  It is from scraps of tin and trees that fell in the storm.  It leaks in the rain.  The walls are not straight.  Some of the tin wiggles and moves if you push on it.  BUT.... it is going to be home soon.  And he is PROUD of that!  So proud!  He did not let his circumstances get the best of him.  He did not sit and wait for someone to show up and do things for his family. Instead, he took what God gave him and has created something out of that.  What a beautiful lesson we can learn.  Sometimes I think I can't do something cause the materials I have to work with are not good enough.  I am a perfectionist.  If it can't be done right, I might not try at all.  But, this man loves his family so much and wants them to be able to get back HOME....  so he has created a beautiful little tin home for them for now.

How I would love to help their family build a new concrete (solid) home- safe from storms and earthquakes and other things that might come their way.  How I would love to replace the four goats, four sheep and many chickens they lost.  How excited I was to see the seeds growing that we handed out about a month ago in their little field/garden area.

Their future here is uncertain.  But, they are a family.  They have strong faith.  This situation has not broken them but you can see the wear in the eyes of this father.  You can see the hurt (and love) if you look into his eyes.  You can see it in the eyes of Widelande as she talks about her former home.  So much for so many to process.

Again, I thank God for having this chance to visit the community.  To live there for a bit again.  To see the homes.  To hear the stories.  To pray together.  I pray He allows Hearts United to be used in some way to bring healing- physically and emotionally to these people I love.

Their home after the storm-  Widelande's bedroom is in the foreground on the left (pink mat).  She shared that room with her brother Wendy.  The room on the right was shared by mom, dad and Jude.  They hid under that blue table (on the left) during the storm and made their way to the church the following morning at first light.  (NOTE:  Grandpa still lives on site- under that blue tarp in the back- more on that in another blog)

This is a photo looking into the "new"house made of tin from the side door.  It has a gravel floor (made from crushed up block left laying around after the walls on the original house blew over).  The boards are trees that fell in the hurricane.  

Widelande holding their only chicken left.  They lost 4 sheep, 4 goats and MANY chickens.  This one was tied up during the storm so it is still there, but it hurt it's leg in the process and can not walk well at all.  

The "new" house made of salvaged tin.  

My buddy Jude!  So tiny to have lived through such an experience. Prayers for this whole family!  

No Words to describe....

IHere I am, sitting in a guest house in Les Cayes, Haiti.  I have a room complete with air conditioning (most of the time), hot and cold running water, food 3 x per day, and a soft bed to sit on.  All things I have not had the past five days when living in Chaveneau.  But, frankly, I needed this time to process and pray about all that I experienced while living in the countryside that has been ravaged by Hurricane Matthew over 2 mos. ago.

I am hoping to share SOME of the stories over the next few days, but please know that the needs are plenty.  There was not a home that was spared from at least some damage to the structure.   Or a family that didn't lose crops or animals-  potential income they would have had toward the future.  The needs are so great that I hardly know where to spend the remaining funds we have available.

So far we have given seeds (beans/corn), food (initial relief kits, boxes and boxes of fortified rice, etc...), medicine, hygiene products, construction materials (tin, nails, hammers, etc...).  We have had water purification tablets and small filters donated and distributed until our water system can be operational again (and donations to get it up and running once the repair team is free to do so).  Small trees were donated and will be distributed by the local church on 12/18 along with wire to keep the trees safe while they grow and begin to bear fruit in the years to come.

Do you continue to do a LITTLE for many or do you focus on doing a LOT for only a few?  I honestly still can't answer that question since I can see pros and cons to both forms of recovery assistance.

What I CAN do is pray. (and believe me, I have- a lot!)

I CAN tell the stories.

I CAN advocate for these people I love.

And I CAN promise that should you decide to donate toward relief efforts, we will see that your gift is used wisely and with complete accountability.

** You can donate online (www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org) or by sending a check to Hearts United with Haiti  PO Box 55, Morgantown, PA 19543.  We would be honored if you would consider us for your end-of-year donation (tax deductible- we are a 501c3 organization)

 (note:   I used personal funds for my stay in the guest house- funds donated for Hurricane recovery go directly to benefit the people who need it most!)

This is the kitchen of a family in the mountains by Chaveneau.  They salvaged what they could and built this little area to hold their cooking supplies.  They sleep under a home that is not much better- repaired from whatever scraps could be salvaged.  Please pray for funding for homes for these people BEFORE the rains start to fall again in the spring (or sooner)