Sunday in Haiti

Well, it is Sunday in Haiti and it has been a good day.  But first let me say I love you to Deni, my beautiful bride who I miss dearly.  The boys are doing great and have decided to let me cuddle a little with them since you are not here, but I do not think they want me to get used to it because no one can replace Mama's cuddles.  I so wish you were here because you are the one I need (besides  Christ) to look to when I am feeling not so sure of myself.  Give Kyle and Payton the biggest hug you can and let them know that Daddy will be home soon.
I preached this morning at Pastor Robby's church and it went well.  Pastor Robby did a fantastic job of keeping up with this redneck preacher and even added a little himself.  It is fathers day in Haiti and we were sung to. Happy birthday seems to be the song to sing for this occasion.  We just laughed and really soaked it all in.  I preached in a suit and lost about 10 pounds of water weight...wow is it HOT here right now.
We then went to the beach for a couple of hours and Steven and Jack just loved it.  I decided, Deni, not to take a shower at the beach this time around...didn't need anyone walking in on be again without you here to protect me. :)  Jack wanted to bring back some sea erchins but I let him know that it would not be healthy for them and he let them go.  The rest of the team is now at the local grocery store to pick up some vanilla, coffee and other things from Haiti.
Haiti needs much prayer but you can see so much that is changing each time that we come down.  It is exciting to watch it all.  The chickens are supposed to arrive tomorrow as the coops are basically done.  It was an adventure with design modifications along the way but we worked through it and got enough coops to hold about 30 chickens.  We will have lots of pictures.
Love to all, especially my Deni...see you soon honey!!!!

PHOTOS 2

Sorry for the lack of photos- we are trying!  Two days ago we were super busy and had no electricity so we were "conserving" the battery of the computer, then yesterday my camera got "borrowed" by the girls and a setting must have been pushed cause they all are a little blurry, but you can get the point.  Becky has been doing really well (as has the rest of the team blogging) with keeping you all up to date.

Yesterday the men worked on the coops and we ordered the chickens to be delivered on Monday (that's the plan- you never know in Haiti) and the women/Zach taught the lessons, played a bit with the orphans and then sorted LOTS of clothing donations which we will hopefully give the children on Monday. We got water at about 10 pm. last night by using the generator so that was a blessing.  Today we will go to church and then see a bit of the countryside.

Steven's birthday celebration on Friday

One of my favorite photos- Jack helping Daddy build a bench for Monalissa

Working on the chicken coops- they are done now except for ramps to get in and some bedding.  :)

Sorting a LOT of clothes- each girl will get a dress (and a pillowcase dress if they are 12 or under), two pair of new underwear, two tops, one bottom (skirt or shorts) and a pair of play shoes (we will buy some new ones on Monday for those we do not have sizes for).....

teaching again..... 

Laundry at the orphanage- hanging on the railing.  

Pastor Robby, Purple Pox and Flip-flop

Hi to all the nice cool Michiganders! :)
I just wanted to add a quick note to let my sweet daughter know that the chickens have been ordered and we will be able to get them before we leave. So I will have pictures for you Kylie of some beautifully-made chicken coops and the chickens that go in them (if everything goes as planned). Thank you to Kylie and Steven for so selflessly donating your time, creativity and energy to helping raise the funds for this project. Kylie you inspire me so much and I love your thoughtful heart. (For those of you who are reading this Kylie would like to name a couple chickens Purple Pox and Flip-Flop).
We also had the opportunity to meet Pastor Robby very quickly today. He is a wonderful man and his laugh and love for the Lord are equally infectious. Aaron- I told him who I was and received a very long and strong hug because I was Aaron's wife. He speaks very highly of you and can't wait to see you again.
We are looking forward to going to Pastor Robby's church in the morning and experiencing that.
Please pray for Pastor Steve tomorrow as he will be giving the message and please also pray for a nice cool breeze.
I love you all and miss you very much. Kisses to Aaron, Kylie, Grady, Luke and Laney!
Love, Mommy (Katie)

It's Becky again---(everyone is laughing at me) - We really like it when anyone responds to the blog posts because Crystal reads them to us on the bus ride to the orphanage.
Also - to those who asked me to be a Mom to their kids this week - no worries.  They have found Haitian boyfriends!!  :)

Day 3

The word that comes to the forefront of my mind today is: INSPIRATION! Since arriving in Haiti, the power has gone out just before dinner (5:30 PM ish) and has been restored sometime after we fall asleep (11:00 PM ish) allowing for additional fans to run in our rooms at night and light to shower by in the morning. Last night we learned a nearby transformer had blown and that we would most likely not enjoy the convenience of our nighttime electricity. We also learned our water supply is running low. The city water is only on occasionally and there is a pump (that requires electricity) that transports water to a reservoir on the roof. To say we are at the mercy of perfect timing is an understatement! Sounds like adding insult to injury, right? That's where the inspiration comes in. Not a single one of us took this news in distress. Instead, game plans for worst-case scenarios were hatched and we continued on. How inspiring! How refreshing!

At the orphanage, Ronni and I are working with a group of about thirteen 12-14 year olds. This morning during our group time they not only remembered the topics we had covered the two previous days but also the verse of scripture we had asked them to memorize. I could not have been more proud of them! I am so inspired by their joyful and open hearts!

On a personal note: I can say with 100% confidence that I have never sweated so much in my entire life. Nor have I ever been quite so dirty. But you know what? I couldn't be happier! Both are a small price to pay for such a rewarding experience. I knew this trip would inspire gratitude for all the things I take for granted but I had NO IDEA the depth of it! I'm excited to tell you all the tiny details and am looking forward to what the next three days will bring!

I miss you all more than you know! Love, hugs and smiles...

Holly

P.S.
As I'm sure you've noticed, I have NO service on my phone (even after I thought I would). I think I've touched my phone maybe once since I've been here. Can't even begin to tell you how liberating it is! I have no idea what any of you are up to which is so strange but it only makes catching up with you when I return all the more sweet! See you soon!

Hi - it's Becky again.  I know it comes as no surprise that I have a little more to say but had to end last night because of electricity issues (we've had none since Friday morning).  I wanted to mention how easy us girls have it because we basically play with and just love on the kids.  The guys have the heavy, hot work with building the chicken coops.  And they are terrific looking chicken coops!
Also, just so Grandma doesn't worry -  When Ronni said we travel up a steep mountain, I wanted to clarify that it is a steep paved road in the city.  There are times we think the school bus is The Little Engine That Could as we silently say, "I think I can. . . I think I can."  And I only grabbed Ronni's hand once on the climb.

Day two, back at the orphanage

Hello back home to all you Magee's out there, Yes they gave Becky and Ronni free rein of a blog. We began day two with yet another early morning. After a COLD bucket shower we headed up the mountain to the orphanage. Because it was day two the children were less shy and we were greeted with smiles and hugs. The lesson today was corruption in which we taught them how sin entered the world. After the lesson we spent the afternoon playing with the children (Becky enjoyed jump roping with the girls, but it took her a minute to get her footing correct (on the slope she says) after a fall on her behind). Some of their favorite things to do are braid hair, play with our phones, get their pictures taken, and play monkey in the middle. We headed down the mountain for dinner and Steven's birthday celebration. Steven turned 9 today! A memorable birthday! We are enjoying our time here and miss you all very much, much love to you all and we are now off to pack goodie bags for the kids!
~Love you mom and dad--ok and Mallory- Ronni (Sorry Randy you too!)

Hi - this is Becky.  Wow - what an experience and we are only 2 days in to our week!  I was a little concerned about the language barrier (the everyone at the orphanage speaks Creole) and with so many of us, and so many kids, a translator cannot be around every minute.  But when a little one takes your hand or literally jumps on your lap as soon as you sit down and hugs you tight, no translation is needed.  I will say the translators are wonderful during out lesson time.
  I return each evening to the base headquarters bone weary, but amazed and humbled at the display of God's love to the children by this Path of Life team,  I fell asleep last night to Sarah G. reciting out loud (when I realized what she was doing I asked her to speak up) the book of James and Romans chapter 8,  How cool is that - no matter what country you are in!
On a personal note - Ronni is doing great - volunteers for all duties with a smile,  Steven and Jack play with the kids from the time they get off the bus till they get back on for the ride back to base and all the children love them.  Love to all!

FIRST PHOTOS

Yesterday (Thurs) we got up, had devotion time and finished a little orientation.  God provided the lumber and wire we will need for the coops RIGHT DOWNSTAIRS which helps our local neighbors and also made it much easier for us to not have to go searching all over for supplies.  :)  This was such a blessing!  We did have to make one stop on the way to the orphanage to get extra boards (35 of them that we loaded between bus seats) but they were pre-ordered by the man downstairs so we just got them and kept moving.

We went to the orphanage as reported by some of the participants in their posts and got to do lessons with the children in the morning and then play in the afternoon.  It was awesome and a great time of bonding with them.  The men worked on designing the coops after measuring the area and thinking things through.  Today we should be much more organized since having been there once.  The first day is always kind of rough until we make a "game plan"....

Highlight for me (and MANY others):  Watching Bryan and Dejna (his family's sponsored child) meet.  She was soooo looking forward to seeing him.  They hugged and both cried as did many of us.  It was simply beautiful...

Second would be the team (and then individually Pastor Steve) praying for Redgi and his family at this tough time with Madame Josee.  She is doing a little better after administering IV fluids last night.  Redgi said she did recognize him and was talking a bit before he left.  He got back to base at about 10:45 pm.  LONG day and he is so tired but for now things are a bit calmer at home.  We will see what today brings.

By the way- the bus ran like a champ!  Those new batteries did the trick and it went up the orphanage hill like it was on a flat road.  So different than those little tap taps that have to weave to maintain speed/power.  The only problem is that it was sitting so low due to all the weight from the wood and people so it did scrape the "U-joints" I think they are called.  Scared us all, but it didn't do any damage.

Here are photos to enjoy!  Thank you for all the notes of encouragement.  The team LOVES hearing from home.... -Crystal

Becky and Anlin's class (the little ones)

Ronni and Holly's class

Holly gets her hair done by Marie-Laure

David playing with Lovely

building the chicken coops....

more coops..... 

looking at photos on the iphone (with the summer staff- Ally and Jenny and Jerry)

Monalissa and Pastor Steve.... both soooo happy

Pastor Steve praying for his brother Redgi (and their family)

Anlin playing hand games... she jumped right in and rarely needed a translator (using signs and gestures and SMILES)

Katie, Emily and Zach's class... 

Madame Josee Update

Just to let you all know that this afternoon Redgi got a call from his father saying that Madame Josee is not doing well at all.  She is extremely weak and dehydrated. It has been extremely hot and she has not been taking in fluids (eating or drinking).  He is currently home (left once we got to base after Life is Wealth) with our Haitian Doctor who will do an assessment and decide whether or not to insert an IV or not.  Please pray for this family as they make these tough choices.  I don't think she is very responsive (talking or alert).  Her sister (Madame Carolle) is still here for now cooking but may have to leave too - to be by her side.  We will try to keep people informed.  God bless-